Litchi - view from the Dutch market

Although sold for about 550,000 VND/kg last year, fresh lychee imported from Vietnam is still absent from the Dutch market in the 2022 crop year.

Mr. Nhu Nguyen on the shelf selling cloth in the Dutch market.

Successfully exported to the European market

In 2021, the report shows that European businesses have received and consumed nearly 50 tons of lychee imported from Vietnam.

In particular, the first batches of Bac Giang lychee boldly entered the Dutch market through official channels with high selling prices, even compared to the spending level of people in this country. 1kg of Bac Giang lychee sold for 18 to 20 euros in the Netherlands last year, about more than 550,000 VND.

Although lychees are only sold in Asian supermarkets, with customers mainly from this continent, they are highly appreciated by diners. Within a few days, the delicious, au red litchi was consumed at a rapid rate.

Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Diep, Commercial Counselor of Vietnam in the Netherlands said: “Really proud and happy because this is the first time opening a container to export Vietnamese fresh litchi to Europe. This is an important milestone for Vietnamese businesses to invest more methodically in the future, and at the same time, open up the future of exporting fresh fruit to the European market in a sustainable way.”

This year, Vietnamese lychee is still absent from Asian supermarket shelves in the Netherlands.

Another sweet fruit season

At the moment, the two largest lychee granaries in our country in Bac Giang and Hai Duong are ready to harvest. Particularly in Bac Giang, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, this year's lychee production is expected to reach about 180,000 tons. In which, the area of lychee production according to VietGAP standards is 15,400ha, GlobalGAP is 82ha.

This year, the weather is favorable, litchi in growing areas are growing well, pests and diseases are controlled, so lychee has a delicious taste and outstanding quality. Even according to Bac Giang province, it can be affirmed that the fabric in 2022 has the best quality ever.

Thus, with advantages in both quality and quantity, the potential for Vietnamese lychee to enter the European market is huge. However, until now, Vietnam's fresh lychees are still absent from the shelves of Asian supermarkets.

Meanwhile, according to some Dutch newspapers, many importing companies here are bringing lychee from Pabna, Bangladesh to the Dutch market.

The fact is that fruit lines from Asia, including Vietnamese lychee, are showing great potential for development in the Dutch market. However, if we clear the export path for lychee fruit without a long-term development plan, it will also open the way for international competitors to easily enter the Netherlands, as well as other Europe countries.

In Europe today, the fabric sold is mainly from Bangladesh.

Challenges of exporting to the European market

Taking advantage of favorable soil advantages and less pest density compared to neighboring areas, the Pabna region in Bangladesh this year also welcomes summer earlier, promising a bountiful litchi crop. The import price of litchi from this region is currently recorded at about 5 euros/kg.

In addition, the Pabna lychee growing area in Bangladesh covers an area of 4,731 ha, with an output of nearly 50,000 tons. Although this is considered the largest production of this region ever, this output is not enough to meet the needs of imports, domestic consumption and re-export to neighboring countries of the Netherlands.

The import turnover of agricultural products of the Netherlands in the first nine months of 2021 reached 14.2 billion USD, up 2.8% over the same period in 2020. It can be said that this is the importing gateway of most countries. agricultural products from Asia.

Currently, more than 20% of fresh fruit and vegetables supplied by developing countries to Europe are supplied to Europe through the Netherlands, mainly through the port of Rotterdam. Therefore, the Netherlands can be considered the leading export market for Vietnamese agricultural products to Europe, including fruits such as lychee.

In addition, the demand of the Dutch people in particular and Europe in general for lychee is increasing, because this is a nutritious tropical fruit, providing high vitamin content. Light sweet lychee flavor, cool and easy to prepare into many different dishes.

According to a survey by VIEC Company specializing in import and export trade consulting between the Netherlands and Vietnam, in the Dutch market, litchi is popular and consumed all year round. When it is not possible to buy fresh lychee because it is out of season, people still try to order canned lychee or soaked in syrup.

In addition, some manufacturers of vitamin powders specifically for dieters or sports people have added lychee flavor to their product lines and received positive feedback from the market.

Therefore, this is a favorable time for Vietnamese litchi to take advantage of its large planting area and improved quality. In addition to exporting seasonal fresh litchi, products made from litchi should also be paid more attention, to because processed products not only help improve the value chain, increase revenue and profit, but also ensure agricultural products. Vietnam has always maintained its market share in foreign countries.

Through products made from Vietnamese lychee, people in the Netherlands can enjoy this fruit all year round. They will gradually change their mind that lychee only comes from China.

An important key in trade, especially international trade today, needs to focus on direct export and reduce the supply chain. The lychee fruit of Vietnam in particular and other agricultural products in general should be offered directly to large importers in the Netherlands, or to general agents and supermarket chains, instead of through too many companies. intermediate stitch. This contributes to reducing costs while improving market access opportunities and affirming Vietnamese brands in the international market.

Source: Nhu Nguyen (Netherlands) - nongnghiep.vn