Kiwi is a fruit that thrives in temperate to subtropical climates. The country most famously associated with this fruit is New Zealand. Kiwi is one of the country’s most valuable exports. The name “kiwi” is derived from the native bird of New Zealand, owing to its similar brown, fuzzy appearance.
The kiwi growing season typically spans an impressive 240 days a year, hence why kiwi from New Zealand is usually available from May to October. To meet year-round consumer demand, kiwi from Italy is supplied from November through January.
Kiwi is a nutritional powerhouse, often referred to as the “king of fruits” due to its high vitamin C content. Additionally, this fruit is a good source of vitamins K and E, folate, potassium, and antioxidants, and it is also high in fiber.
In Vietnam, kiwi is a popular fruit among consumers. However, it is considered a luxury item, and sales are limited as it caters to a wealthy demographic. This fruit was once deemed an unattainable indulgence for the majority due to its high price. Although prices have dropped in recent years, they still hover around 120,000–200,000 VND per kg.
Interestingly, kiwi originating from China and sold in Vietnam in recent months has been incredibly affordable. Online marketplaces offer a 10kg box of Chinese green kiwi for just 200,000 VND, equivalent to 20,000 VND per kg. This price is astonishing for a fruit that was once considered a luxury item.
For retail customers, the price is slightly higher. Many online sellers offer deals like 100,000 VND for 3kg, or combos of 5 fruits for 49,000 VND, or a tray of 10 for 79,000 VND. These listings promise high-quality, large, sweet, and delicious fruit.
Notably, some social media accounts have been misleading consumers about the origin of their kiwi. While the fruit is visibly from China, it is often labeled as kiwi from Zespri, a renowned New Zealand brand.
Chinese green kiwi is predominantly grown in temperate provinces like Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Henan. Unlike New Zealand, China only produces the green variety. The Chinese kiwi is oval-shaped and larger than a duck egg, with approximately 5-6 fruits per kg.
Distinguishing Chinese kiwi from its foreign counterparts can be challenging, as they share similar appearances. However, Chinese kiwi tends to have a darker hue and is usually hairier, with a rounder shape compared to the more elongated imported kiwi.
When compared to kiwi grown in New Zealand and Australia, the Chinese variety falls short in terms of sweetness and aroma. Green kiwi has a more intense flavor and is slightly more acidic, whereas golden kiwi from these countries offers a gentle, tropical sweetness.
Kiwi is incredibly versatile and can be used in various culinary applications, including smoothies, ice cream, baked goods, and even salads.
According to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs, the country’s fruit and vegetable imports in October 2024 reached nearly 211.7 million USD, a 30.8% increase compared to October 2023.
China remains Vietnam’s primary source of fruit and vegetable imports. In the first ten months of 2024, Vietnam spent 794 million USD on imports from China, a 21.2% increase from the same period in 2023. This accounts for 42.5% of the country’s total imports in this category. Specifically, in October 2024, imports from China reached 97.8 million USD, a decrease of 4.6% compared to the previous month but a significant increase of 24.6% from October 2023.
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