Vietnam spent US$2.1 billion importing vegetables and fruits in the first 11 months of this year, up 35.2% year-on-year. According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, this was the highest ratio in three years. Of Vietnam’s 10 import markets, China led the surge with an 83% increase, followed by India (67%), South Africa (54%) and Cambodia (33%).
Imports from China reached $765 million to make it the biggest fruit and vegetable exporter to Vietnam, accounting for nearly 41% of the market.
China’s high-quality red grapes with seeds are selling in the southern hub for VND80,000-100,000 ($3.39-4.24) per kg, a price equivalent to their Vietnamese counterparts. Chinese peony grapes are on sale in HCMC for VND170,000-200,000 per kg, which is only a tenth of the cost for similar products from Japan. Indian red pomegranates cost only VND60,000-70,000 per kilogram, a third of those from the U.S. and Taiwan.
Source: e.vnexpress.net