Vietnam exporters hope for good sales in US fruit market

Warned of big obstacles in the US market, exporters hope Vietnam’s tropical fruits can win over the lucrative American market.

Vietnam now can export mangoes to the US

Chanh Thu Fruit Import/Export in Ben Tre Province is busy preparing for the export of the first consignment of mangos to the US, slated for the third week of March. The mangos will be harvested in the growing area in Dong Thap.

Ngo Tuong Vy, deputy general director of Chanh Thu, said Vietnam has great advantages in exporting mango since it has many specialized mango growing areas and a number of delicious varieties. 

Chanh Thu, for instance, has found mango growing areas in Dong Thap, An Giang, Ben Tre and Can Tho which can provide enough to fulfill export orders.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, general director of Vina T&T based in HCM City, said the company has developed mango growing areas in Vinh Long and Dong Thap, which specialize in providing mangoes for export to the US.

In 2018, the US imported more than 5,369 tons of dragon fruit (up by 797 tons compared to 2017), and nearly 237 tons of rambutan (up 47 tons). Vietnam e ported star apple to the US market, 278.5 tons, for the first time last year.

Asked about the mango export plan, Tung said Vina T&T would export by both air and sea to save transport costs. 

He said that Vietnam’s mango has a special taste, different from the mangoes now available in the US, most of which are from South America.

However, mangos from South America are very competitive in the US market with selling prices at $2 per kilogram. The cost price of Vietnam’s mango in the US is no less than $6-10 per kilogram.

Nguyen The Bao, director of Suoi Lon Trade Service & Tourism in Dong Nai province, which owns a 800 hectare specialized mango growing area, said the cooperative’s members are happy because a new market has opened. 

He said his cooperative needs information about market demand. The cooperative recently got the growing area code as required by Australia and has begun exporting high-quality products to the market.

The US has opened its market to Vietnam’s six fruits, including dragon fruit, rambutan, longan, litchi, star apple and mango. Pomelo could be next fruit to enter the US . 

In 2018, the US imported more than 5,369 tons of dragon fruit (up by 797 tons compared to 2017), and nearly 237 tons of rambutan (up 47 tons). Vietnam e ported star apple to the US market, 278.5 tons, for the first time last year.

Vietnam fruits now are available in over 60 markets. It has overcome technical barriers to enter choosy markets including Australia, the US, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.