According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, last year Vietnam lychees were mainly consumed in Sydney and Melbourne, but this year half of the volume was shipped to Perth city, Western Australia.This year’s import price was lower as transportation costs were reduced, but Vietnam lychees have to compete with Chinese lychees which were cheaper. However, the Vietnam fruits can compete with Chinese lychees given their quality and nice-looking skin.A delegation from Hai Duong provincial Department of Industry and Trade have made a market research in Melbourne city to find an outlet for lychees under Thanh Ha brand name.Earlier in June, the Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources certified the Hanoi Irradiation Centre to irradiate Vietnamese lychees exported to the market. This is the third irradiation centre recorgnised by Australia, after two centres in Ho Chi Minh City.Irradiation treatment in Hanoi will help save time and reduce transportation costs. As a result, the exported lychees will be cheaper and more competitive, experts said.