The first batch of 2 tons of pomelo exported by air from Ben Tre province arrived in the US on Friday. Pomelo became the seventh Vietnamese fruit officially sold to the US.

Truc Phan, CEO of the L&T Food Distributor, told VOV, “Vietnamese pomelos are being sold at between 6.99 and 7.99 USD a pound equal to 0.46kg in the market. At these prices, it’s more than 3 times higher than the price of pomelo grown in Florida and about 2.5 times higher than the price of Chinese pomelos imported by sea.”

Truc Phan said, the company plans to transport the fruit by sea, so the price will be more competitive, adding, “Although the price of Vietnamese pomelo is slightly higher than the pomelos grown in the US, we strongly believe that our pomelos which is much sweeter plus Vietnamese love for fruits will certainly be much saught after in the US.”

Vietnamese green-skinned pomelos are available in Asian supermarkets and have attracted the attention of a large number of Vietnamese and the Asian community there.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang of Virginia state, said she has been living in the US for a long time and tried both Florida and Chinese pomelos. But this is the first time she saw Vietnamese pomelo and felt very happy.

“I think all the Vietnamese there will have the same feeling with me when they can have pomelo from the fatherland of Vietnam. The green-skinned pomelo is widely known in Vietnam, so I’ll feel less home sick.” Trang said.

With a large demand for fruit, the US consumes up to 12 million tons per year, while the local fruit production only meets 70% of the demand. The remaining  equivalent to 3.6 million tons are imports.

Source: VOV5