In the first six months of the year, Vietnam's importation of fruits and vegetables from China reached 402 million USD, as reported by the General Department of Customs. This represents a marginal increase from the 397 million USD recorded during the same period of the preceding year. Chinese produce comprises 33.5% of Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable import expenditure, positioning China as Vietnam's leading supplier in this sector.
In Vietnamese markets, Chinese lychees generate considerable interest, while Mongzi wax plums command robust sales despite elevated prices, even as Vietnam concurrently harvests its substantial crop of similar fruits. Beyond lychees and wax plums, a diverse array of Chinese fruits is prevalent in Vietnamese markets.
Chu Thi Hai, a wholesale and retail fruit provider based in Cau Giay (Hanoi), highlights that the importation of Chinese fruits aligns with seasonal patterns. Along with local produce, her inventory frequently includes Chinese varieties such as crow-beak peaches, green plums, Wenzhou oranges, milk pears, apples, red grapes, milk grapes, and yellow melons.
Hai notes that the current prices for Chinese fruits command a premium, with retail prices standing at approximately 1 USD/kg for green plums, 1.20 USD/kg for Wenzhou oranges, 2 USD/kg for seeded red grapes, 1.80 USD/kg for crow-beak peaches, 1.20 USD/kg for premium milk pears, 2 USD/kg for red apples, and 1.20 USD/kg for yellow melons. Wholesale prices for distributors are typically half of retail prices.
Despite higher pricing compared to local fruits, Chinese fruits maintain a stable sales volume, as some varieties are either not cultivated in Vietnam or are produced in limited quantities.
In the premium market segment, Dinh Thi Hoa, proprietor of a fruit shop in Dinh Cong (Hanoi), recently reported the importation of Beijing peaches, milk grapes, wax plums, and red dates, priced between 5.10 USD and 13.70 USD per kilogram. Wax plums, although the most expensive Chinese fruit available, see sales of 50–70 kg daily.
Early-season milk grapes are offered at 13.30 USD per 2 kg box, with 250 boxes selling out within three days. Red dates, priced at 10 USD per 1.5 kg box, are in demand, achieving daily sales surpassing 100 kg.
Hoa adds that early-season Chinese fruits typically carry high prices, which decline substantially during peak harvest periods. Last year's prices for Chinese milk grapes fell to 1.20–2 USD/kg, while red dates reduced to 2.40–3.20 USD/kg.
Source: VietnamNet
