In Vietnam, wholesalers are offering Chinese green kiwi starting at VND20,000 (US$0.79) per kilogram, significantly lower than the VND60,000 (US$2.38) to VND120,000 (US$4.76) range of Australian and New Zealand imports. This price point is notably low for what is typically seen as a premium fruit within the country.
According to Thanh Hoa, a wholesaler in HCMC, these are the lowest prices observed in years, achieved through bulk importation. Retail pricing for the kiwi fluctuates between VND50,000 (US$1.98) and VND80,000 (US$3.17) per kilogram. The conducive temperate climate of Chinese provinces like Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Henan supports the cultivation of green kiwi. Advanced breeding technologies and extensive production scales enable China to supply large quantities at competitive prices.
Logistical optimizations have been cited as a reason for the viability of these rates entering the Vietnamese market. Dang Phuc Nguyen, the general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, highlighted China's acquisition and breeding of foreign kiwi varieties at lower labor costs contributing to the affordability. Over the first 10 months, Vietnam's imports of Chinese agricultural produce, including kiwi, apple, grape, and persimmon, reached $800 million, marking a 24% increase from the previous year, as reported by the customs department.
Source: VNExpress