VIETNAM

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

The level of interest from importers in USA Pears has been quite positive. However, careful volume management is necessary, as some shipments of Bosc pears have shown relatively high damage rates. Importers have expressed strong appreciation for stable pricing. USA Pears are performing well in the market, although import volumes remain limited. An importer noted that one container of USA Pears shipped by sea is scheduled to arrive in the market after the Lunar New Year.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

Most shipments of USA Pears to Vietnam have experienced delays of approximately 7 to 10 days compared to the original schedule. The prolonged transit time has negatively impacted the quality of arrivals.

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

This season, most importers show a strong preference for larger-sized USA Pears, particularly sizes 70 and 80. Green, brown, and red pear varieties are especially popular, with 10-kg per box being more favored than 20-kg per box.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

Chinese pears continue to dominate the Vietnamese pear market due to their affordable prices and good quality. Korean and South African pears are widely available in supermarkets in large quantities; however, their high prices make it difficult to compete with Chinese pears. Retailers have observed that Korean and South African pears are still selling slowly despite the approaching Lunar New Year.

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

Overall, consumer purchasing power in Vietnam throughout this reporting period has not shown a strong recovery, even as the Lunar New Year approaches. Many households continue to face economic pressure due to flooding in the final months of the year, ongoing inflation, and the introduction of new tax policies, making consumers more price sensitive. In addition, the USD/VND exchange rate remains elevated, continuing to put upward pressure on prices for importers.

Other Brief Comments:

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