The orange cultivated in Cao Phong district of Hoa Binh province (Photo: VNA) The nearly 7 tonnes of Cao Phong orange, exported via theofficial channel by the Hoa Binh-based RYB Joint Stock Company, met strict quality,food safety, and origin standards, including passing the testing for nearly 900chemical elements in plant protection products.
The fruit is sold at the Longdan supermarket chain in Londonand some other cities in the UK. It is also distributed to other local wholesalersand retailers of Asian products.
In February, Longdan, the biggest importer of Vietnamesegoods in the UK, also purchased over 5 tonnes of the red-flesh pomelo farmed inTan Lac district and 11 tonnes of the Dien pomelo farmed in Yen Thuy districtof Hoa Binh province. This was also the first time the citrus of the two varietiescultivated in Hoa Binh had been officially exported to the UK.
Nguyen Canh Cuong, Trade Counsellor of Vietnam’s Trade Officein the UK, said the successful export of pomelo and orange has shown Vietnameseproducers and exporters’ breakthrough progress in meeting quality and GlobalGAP production standards.
The UK has great demand for orange and pomelo, especiallyorange, he said, noting that it imports about 420 tonnes of orange worth some263 million GBP (315 million USD) each year, mainly from Spain, South Africa,Morocco, and Egypt.
While most of fresh fruits from Vietnam such as lychee,mango, and dragon fruit face certain preservation difficulties, orange andpomelo can be kept for a longer time thanks to their characteristics,especially pomelo.
However, Cuong added, businesses should pay attention to pricesto stay competitive and expand their market share in the UK. Besides, as theVietnamese orange and pomelo are new products here, the firms also need to haveappropriate marketing strategies, especially digital marketing, to introducethem to local consumers./.
VNA
