Australian tangerine prices halve due to Chinese competition

By Hong Chau June 25, 2023 | 05:00 pm PT

The retail price of Australian tangerines sold in Vietnam in late June halved over the same period last year because the fruit is in season and competing with China-grown tangerines.

In traditional markets and fruit shops in Ho Chi Minh City, Australian tangerines are sold for VND90,000-120,000 (US$3.83-5) per kilogram.

Tangerines imported from Australia. Photo courtesy of Binh Thuan Fruits and Greens Company

The prices downed from VND250,000 when they were first imported to Vietnam in 2017.

Oanh, the owner of an imported fruit shop in the city, said: "The Australian tangerine season lasts from June to October or November.

Every year, this fruit has been exclusive to the local market, but this year there is competition for the Australian variety due to tangerines grown in China and packaged similarly to the Australian imports."

According to the manager of Thu Duc agricultural product wholesale market in HCMC, most tangerines at the market are from China, and their wholesale prices stand at VND25,000-30,000 per kilogram.

Compared with Vietnamese tangerines, tangerines grown in Australia or China are more succulent, and have less fiber, thinner skin and stronger aroma.