VIETNAM

Feedback from the Trade on Their Plans and Interest in the USA Pear Season:

A new importer said they are applying for an import license but have not yet been granted one. We hope they get the import license soon to import in time for Lunar New Year season.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

The USD/VND exchange rate has increased sharply by 4.4% compared to the beginning of 2024, causing difficulties for importers when prices increase and shipping costs increase again.

Opportunities in Your Market for Specific Varieties, Sizes, and Grades:

Vietnam's main imported varieties of USA Pears will be Red Anjou with sizes 40/45 in 10-kg/box, Green Anjou and Bosc with sizes 90/100 in 20-kg/box beside importers are aso interested in new varieties with crunchy, sweet and long shelf life.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

Competing pears are still from China, Korea, South Africa and Japan. Currently there are more volumes of Chinese pears available. Korean pears are popular in the high-end segment but are competitive in traditional markets and supermarkets by Chinese Shingo with cheap prices, so Korean pears are imported in smaller volumes and sold slowly.

Political or Economic Issues Impacting Imports, Retail, or Consumer Behavior:

People are still tightening their purse strings. Consumer purchasing power has not improved, so supermarket shopping baskets are still mainly necessities and promotional items. A survey by Vietnam Report on September showed that about 40% of respondents did not feel their financial situation would improve in the last months of the year.

Other Brief Comments:

N/a