Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exporters are realizing Hong Kong as an extremely potential market after their recent fact-finding tour of the market to seek outlets for their staple, according to Vo Mai, president of the Vietnam Fruits Association (VFA).
“Currently Hong Kong remains almost untapped to Vietnamese fresh fruits and vegetables, but it is a promising market due to its large consumption capacity,” said Mai, who is also head of the delegation.
Mai also added that Hong Kong's close distance to Vietnam and its similar weather conditions are factors encouraging Vietnamese fruit growers to find a niche in this market.
The delegation, from the VFA, arriving in Hong Kong on August 2, met with representatives of 10 local fruit and vegetable companies, who showed their interest in different kinds of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, such as dragon fruits, taro, ginger, chili, and sweet potato.
Vietnamese farmers have started establishing cooperatives that turn out one or two types of high-quality fruits and vegetables with the aim of raising the competitiveness of their products in foreign markets.
Vietnam notched up an estimated US$152 million from fruit and veggie exports in the first seven months of 2006, up 11.4 per cent on-year but completing only 52.2 per cent of the target of around US$291 million set for the whole year.
At present, Vietnam's vegetables and fruits are available in 50 countries and territories worldwide, with China being its largest market, accounting for 42 per cent of total export turnover. Following are Singapore, the US and Taiwan.
The country's key fruit exports include pineapples, bananas, oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, dragon fruits, litchis and longans.
P.V
Vietnamese
