Vietnam is looking forward to a 30% to 50% increase in passion fruit exports as the big season sets in next month. The sales, according to Viet Exotic Co., Ltd director Daniel Huynh, will also record a 100% increase in December as the demand for passion fruits in France will be very high which is their biggest market. The big season begins in October and will go on until the end of the first quarter of next year. “We supply passion fruits throughout the year but our biggest season starts in October and this will last until Easter," says Daniel.Despite of the big market for passion fruits and even with the proximity advantage, Viet Exotic doesn’t export its fruits in Asia. “Asia can be an easy market for us but we have chosen Europe for various reasons. For instance, Asia demands big quantities and we cannot meet this,” explains Daniel.
Import volume in France is significant, where majority of passion fruits are going, while the rest go to Switzerland, Holland, Germany and Italy. France is Viet Exotic’s favorite market as the prices are stable and fixed throughout the year. "Our company exports 4,000 kg of passion fruits every week to the European market by air. And meeting the European quality standards has been our major challenge as we source our fruits from small scale growers who require maximum supervision to meet the EU standards."
Another major problem is pesticides, as Viet Exotic have to meet the European standards, they have to control farm by farm to ensure these standards are met. "We ship every week so you can imagine the kind of energy we spend in ensuring the growers go by the rules. There's a lot of work goes into supervising the farms to get clean fruits,” adds Daniel.
Even though Vietnam has its indigenous passion fruit variety, Viet Exotic imports its seedlings from Taiwan.
“Our favorite variety is Tainon One from Taiwan as this is what our buyers are used to in Europe. Vietnam has its own varieties that are good but we prefer getting our seedlings from Taiwan as we are assured of a good quality for export which is our first concern,” adds Daniel. He also added that sourcing the seedlings isn’t as easy as they have to do this through the government which is very specific on the quantity and quality. Despite this, he believes that the market for passion fruits will continue to grow especially in Europe and all exporters have to do is to ensure that proper standards are met.
For more information:
Daniel Huynh
Viet Exotic Fruit (Vietnam)
Tel :(84-8)54489368
Fax : (84-8)544893669
Mobile: +84 902 769 388
Email: daniel.huynh@vietexoticfruit.com.vn
www.vietexoticfruit.com.vn