Exotic fruits flood into Vietnam

Vietnam imports US$150 million of fresh fruits and vegetables every month, with shipments soaring from the US and Australia. This influx has led to exotic fruits becoming less pricy and fuelling further demand. The General Department of Vietnam Customs reports that the main sources were the US and Australia with imports rising over the past ten months by almost 70%. Shipments of fruits from South Africa rocketed by 39%, while those from New Zealand were up 38%, those from China climbed 36% and those from Chile increased 21%.

The volume of fresh blueberries imported from the US by air has reached 350 tons this year. In the face of the larger supplies, prices have tumbled, with the average price per kilo of blueberries falling 40% since last year and Australian Navel orange prices plummeting 35%

The prices of other exotic fruits have seen similar patterns, such as New Zealand’s kiwis and apples, US grapes, Australian mandarins and South African pears.