New Zealand red kiwifruit has arrived in Vietnam through official imports for the first time at around VND350,000 (US$13.29) per kilogram, 20% higher than gold kiwifruit.
It is being sold by many retailers for the last two weeks, and has quickly become popular despite the high price thanks to its striking color, distinctive flavor and edible peel.
Hoa of HCMC was surprised to see the red flesh instead of the usual green or yellow, and paid VND700,000 to buy two boxes.
“This variety is sweeter and more intense in flavor than others.”
Official imports refer to goods shipped in large volumes that are subject to strict customs regulations and inspections.
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Red kiwifruit for sale in HCMC. Photo by Thanh Loc |
Lan Anh, another consumer in HCMC, said in past years some sellers occasionally hand-carried the fruit and sold it at around VND500,000, and prices are around 30% lower now that the fruit is imported in large volumes.
The fruit, known as RubyRed, was developed by the world’s largest kiwifruit producer, Zespri, through a natural breeding program in New Zealand.
The company describes the fruit as having a rich sweetness and natural red color due to anthocyanins, which are antioxidant compounds commonly found in berries.
But its supply is limited due to a short growing season of only 6–8 weeks and lower yields than the gold and green varieties.
Vo Thanh Loc, co-founder of retail chain Farmers’ Market, said Zespri sent its first shipment to Vietnam earlier this month, and the fruit has become his chain’s best-selling kiwifruit variety.
Lu Minh Quang, import director of fruit distributor Biovegi Vietnam, said the company has ordered its first shipment of about 80 tons for sale in Hanoi and HCMC. Sellers are still testing the market, he added.
