California peaches and plums make their debut in Vietnam, joining a growing array of imported fruits and vegetables available in the country. On the evening of August 12, the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA), hosted a ceremony to welcome the arrival of these fruits for the first time in the Vietnamese market.
Introducing New Produce Options:
Caroline Stringer, Commercial Director of CFFA, highlighted that California is the only US state currently allowed to export peaches and plums to Vietnam, making it the 41st market for these American fruits. She attributed this development to the recognition of Vietnam’s potential as a market for high-quality produce, noting that US exports of fresh fruits and vegetables to the country have been thriving. Stringer also shared plans to introduce fresh American plums to the Vietnamese market in the future.
These summer fruits, harvested from May to September, are considered premium products and are air-freighted to Vietnam. As the season is coming to an end, the export volume is not significant, but expectations are high for the following seasons.
Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department has approved several new produce imports this year, including fresh apples from Italy, peaches and plums from the US, Canadian blueberries, South African oranges, and Uruguayan tangerines.
While China has not introduced any new produce items, the number of growing regions and packaging facilities approved for exporting fresh fruits to Vietnam has increased to 4,538 and 1,703, respectively.
A wholesale market for imported fruits in Hoc Mon, Ho Chi Minh City
Striking a Balance:
Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), pointed out that with a population of over 100 million, Vietnam is an attractive market for foreign suppliers. He cited India as an example, noting their interest in exporting pomegranates, grapes, and mangoes to Vietnam. Nguyen predicted that domestic fruit varieties would face increasing competition, using mangoes as an illustration, where India and China are the world’s top two producers, far surpassing Vietnam’s production volume.
Nguyen also suggested that authorities carefully select produce items for market opening negotiations, favoring those with high volume, good quality, and competitive prices, such as durian, dragon fruit, jackfruit, mango, coconut, grapefruit, and passionfruit. This strategy, he argued, would ensure more favorable outcomes for Vietnam in terms of trade balance and economic gains.
Le Viet Si, Director of Tu Phuong Tony Company (Ho Chi Minh City), a fruit importer, observed that the market for imported fruits is highly competitive, with an increasing number of businesses engaging in the trade. The main imported fruits remain apples, grapes, and cherries, but the strong US dollar has led to higher costs, which businesses have absorbed rather than passing on to consumers. Some products, like New Zealand kiwi and apples, have even seen price reductions due to abundant supply.
Si also noted the emergence of Chinese fruits as a significant competitor, offering ample quantities, improved quality, and competitive prices. As a result, some importers who previously focused on non-Chinese fruits are now experimenting with Chinese produce to expand their customer base and increase revenue.
Nguyen Binh Phuong, Deputy Director of Thu Duc Agricultural Product Trading Company (Ho Chi Minh City), added that the current shortage of domestic fruits has further intensified the competition. He explained that some fruits, like mangoes, are out of season in Vietnam, leading to high prices and low quality, while imported fruits offer a range of options across different price segments.
Vietnam’s Growing Appetite for Imported Produce:
According to VINAFRUIT, Vietnam’s import of fruits and vegetables in the first seven months of the year exceeded $1.222 billion, a nearly 13% increase compared to the same period last year. This translates to an average monthly import value of $175 million.
In the first half of 2024, China remained Vietnam’s top supplier of fruits and vegetables, accounting for 39% of the market share, followed by the US with 20%. Thailand, on the other hand, ranked 10th, with a market share of 2.36% and an import value of $24 million, reflecting a 21% increase.
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