Vietnam’s grapefruit is set for export to US market

The US has greenlit imports of Vietnam’s grapefruits in 2022

“Businesses with demand and capacity to export fresh grapefruits to the US must join efforts with local relevant fauna and flora quarantine units to soon complete procedures for export of this kind of fruit to US market,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam.

Grapefruits are the seventh kind of local fruits eligible for export to the US market.

Earlier, the US greenlit the export of mango, longan, litchi, rambutan, star apple, and dragon fruit. The fruits can be exported in frozen or processed forms.

Local competent agencies are also proactive at negotiations to be able to export more local fresh fruits to this demanding market. After grapefruits would be other fruits, including fresh coconuts.

According to the Department of Crop Production under the MARD, Vietnam is home to 105,400ha of grapefruit growing areas, turning out nearly 950,000 tonnes annually. In which, the Red River delta accommodates nearly 13,000ha with an output surpassing 170,000 tonnes; more than 30,000ha is in the northern midland and mountainous areas with output reaching 220,000 tonnes, and the Mekong delta region is home to about 32,000ha with an output approximating 340,000 tonnes.

Until the end of the first quarter of 2022, around 140,000 tonnes of grapefruits would be harvested across the country.

The Vietnam trade office in the US assessed that with 332 million consumers enjoying high average income and a growing inclination towards using fresh ingredients the US is a potential market for Vietnam’s fruits.

Last year, the country imported fresh fruits valued at $14.1 billion, showing a slight increase compared to 2019.

The latest figures from the General Department of Customs show that Vietnam’s vegetables and fruit export to the US market amounted to $203.2 million in the first 11 months of 2021, equaling a 33.2 per cent jump on-year.

However, Vietnam’s fruits have to compete with similar products in US states like Florida and California, or in Mexico and other South American countries which have similar natural conditions like Vietnam, as well as products from other Asian countries. Other disadvantages are the large geographical distance and high transport and preservation costs.