Imported American plums remain popular despite 20% price hike

After local harvest of the fruit ended earlier this month, imports from Australia, Japan and, notably, the U.S. have been growing in popularity.

Huyen Anh of HCMC’s District 5 said she always seeks out American plums at around this time of the year.

This year she spent VND3 million on two boxes of three kilograms each. A kilogram consists of 10-12 fruits.

“These plums are sweeter than Vietnamese ones and have thinner skin, and so my kids love them. Their quality is also consistent.”

Hoang Anh, who runs an imported fruit store in the city’s Go Vap District, said she plans to import more plums as her stocks of 500 kilograms sold out in just a few days.

“Despite their high prices, they are sought-after because of their freshness and taste.”

Nguyen Ngoc Huyen, CEO of fruit importer Mia Group, said buyers are families with middle to high incomes who often buy several kilograms at a time.

Businesses said prices are higher because the shipping costs from the U.S. have skyrocketed this year.

The plums are mainly grown in Mississippi and some other southern U.S. states, harvested between July and November, are twice as large as Vietnamese varieties, and have a crunchy texture, and pleasant aroma.

According to customs data, plums, cherries and apples have been driving imports from the U.S.

Vietnam imported over $206 million worth of American fruits and vegetables in the first half of this year, up 41% year-on-year.