The first batch of approximately seven tonnes of the Cao Phong orange, a specialty of the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh, has been put up for sale at Longdan supermarket chains across London and several other cities in the UK.

 

The move comes after Tan Lac red pomelos and Dien pomelos from Yen Thuy district in Hoa Binh province made their first presence in the UK market through official channels in February, marking the return of the northern specialty fruits in the global market after more than 40 years.

 

To enter the demanding market, Cao Phong oranges from the RYB Joint Stock Company have been required to meet a set of stringent standards in terms of quality, food safety, and origin.

 

Aside from being sold at Longdan supermarket chains, the juicy fruit will also be distributed to wholesalers and retailers of Vietnamese and Asian products in the UK. So far, the fruit has received initial positive feedback from local consumers.

 

This is the first time that the Dien pomelo and Cao Phong orange have been exported to the UK market, thereby reflecting Vietnamese producers and exporters’ progress in meeting the stringent standards relating to quality and Global GAP procedures, said Nguyen Canh Cuong, trade counselor of the Vietnamese trade office in the UK.

 

According to the trade official, the UK has a huge demand for oranges and pomelos. It imports roughly 420 tonnes of oranges worth about US$315 million annually, mainly from Spain, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.

 

While most Vietnamese fresh fruits such as lychees, mangoes, and dragon fruits, encounter difficulties in preservation, the export of oranges and pomelos has so far enjoyed favourable conditions as these fruits need a certain time from harvest before bing used for better quality, he noted.

 

Although the Cao Phong orange and the Dien pomelo boast a superior quality compared to imported products of the same type in the UK, Vietnamese businesses are advised to cater to the price to compete and expand its market share within the UK.

 

Cuong emphasised that Vietnamese exporters must devise a marketing strategy, especially digital marketing strategies, in order to introduce these specialty fruits to British consumers.

 

Source: VOV