Australian dragon egg lychee, a variety notably larger than traditional Vietnamese lychee, commands a price of VND1.4 million (US$55) per kilogram. This pricing sets it at five times the cost of Vietnam's finest lychee offerings, with sales commencing two weeks before the Lunar New Year, a period characterized by gift exchanges among locals.
This marks the second year that the fruit, known for its sizable dimensions, appealing aesthetics, and unique taste, has been imported into Vietnam for the Tet celebrations. Lychees are a key component of Vietnam's agricultural export strategy, though the domestic lychee season, spanning April to July, does not coincide with Tet, leading to a supply gap.
Conversely, the Australian summer harvest season from December to February aligns perfectly with Vietnam's Lunar New Year, offering an opportunity to fill this market void. However, the dragon lychee's limited availability and the intricate processes involved in its selection and transportation, including stem cutting, cold storage, and air freight, contribute to its high cost. Shipments to Vietnam are typically limited to several dozen 5-kilogram boxes.
Thanh, a retailer in Binh Duong province, reports an uptick in consumer interest, with customers transitioning from purchasing single kilograms to opting for 5-kilogram boxes for corporate gifting. This shift has driven a 10-15% price increase since the end of 2023. Despite the high costs, Australian specialty fruits continue to find favor among Vietnamese consumers, drawn by their quality and distinctiveness.
Vietnam's expenditure on Australian fruit and vegetable imports reached $143 million in the first 11 months of 2024, a nearly 5% increase from the previous year, positioning Australia as Vietnam's third-largest source of these imports, trailing the U.S. and China.
Source: VNExpress