Costco, which operates 635 stores across the U.S. and Canada, started offering Vietnamese lychees earlier this month under the “Golden Lychees” brand. The fruit is grown in Vietnam, following GlobalGAP standards and imported by Dragonberry Produce, one of U.S.’ top premium produce importers, according to the Vietnam Trade Office branch in San Francisco.
After undergoing irradiation treatment in Vietnam to meet the U.S.’s strict plant quarantine regulations, the lychees were shipped by sea to ensure both freshness and compliance with safety standards.
This marks the third consecutive year that Dragonberry Produce has brought Vietnamese lychees to the U.S. market. In the face of growing global competition, particularly from other Asian countries, the placement of Vietnamese lychees in a major U.S. retail chain reinforces the quality and export readiness of the nation’s agricultural products.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Agency of Foreign Trade, the global lychee market is projected to grow strongly in the coming years, reaching an estimated value of US$8.79 billion by 2028. This growth is fueled by rising international demand and expanded production, especially across Asia.
China remains the world’s largest lychee producer and exporter, with an annual output of approximately 2 million tonnes. Other major producers include India, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, contributing to the regional and global supply chain.
Bringing Vietnamese lychees to a high-profile retailer like Costco is not only a commercial achievement but also a testament to the effectiveness of a well-coordinated supply chain. Dragonberry Produce has worked closely with Vietnamese cooperatives and businesses to standardize production processes and ensure consistent product quality. The company also plans to expand its imports to include other Vietnamese fruits such as longan, dragon fruit, and passion fruit to further boost the country’s fresh fruit exports.
As many major global retailers are actively diversifying their supply chains, Vietnam is increasingly recognized as a reliable source of high-quality agricultural products.
However, to have their products enter foreign retail networks, Vietnamese producers and exporters must comply with strict international standards for plant and animal quarantine, origin traceability, and transparency in labor and environmental practices.
To meet these requirements, experts recommended greater collaboration with importing countries to adopt suitable technologies from cultivation and processing to harvesting and distribution. More importantly, farmers and businesses must take the lead in embracing green transition and circular economy models to align with new global trade and investment standards.
Once more Vietnamese fruits appear on international supermarket shelves, consumers will gain clearer insights into the origin and quality of the products. This not only helps build brand recognition but also enhances the added value of each exported item.
