Ms Hall, the managing director of the Carnarvon Cherry Co and co-owner of Bonny Glen Fruits, said fruit growers under domestic pressure of low prices for their fruit had put their energy into establishing export contacts to keep their orchards viable.

“Two years ago we were exporting 100 tonnes of cherries to Vietnam,” she said.

“We have worked hard on our export markets and now have 250 tonnes to be exported.

“If Vietnam doesn’t take Australian fruit it will have a negative knock-on effect in the industry.”

Ms Hall said the news Vietnam was considering closing its doors to Australian fruit imports had created a level of uncertainty in the industry.

NSW Farmers horticulture committee chair Peter Darley agreed, saying growers were performing a balancing act, trying to encourage domestic consumers to choose local fruit over imported fruit, while exploring export opportunities themselves.

“Details of what Vietnam is planning are still sketchy, but I hope it isn’t payback for Australia refusing to take their mangoes,” he said.

Mr Darley is calling on the federal government to do what it can to protect the Australian fruit industry.

“The government needs to be on the front foot here to protect our food security,” he said.

The Central Western Daily contacted the office of federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce and was referred to the Department of Agriculture, which is handling negotiations with the Vietnamese government.

“The Vietnamese government has raised concerns over Australia’s fruit fly management systems and is considering suspending trade in Australian fruit,” a department spokesman said.

“We are working with the Vietnamese government to provide additional information about fruit fly management and control in Australia as we are committed to providing Vietnam with products that meet their importing requirements.”

Mr Darley is sceptical about Vietnam’s motives for threatening to suspend fruit exports from Australia.

“I think it’s just an excuse,” he said.

However, he hopes the small window of opportunity over the coming months for negotiations between the Australian and Vietnamese governments will resolve the issue.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au