Each kilogram of Chinese strawberries at the wholesale market costs 55,000-60,000 VND, down 30% compared to the same period last year, the lowest ever.
In mid-February, Chinese strawberries flooded into Vietnam at record low prices. Recorded at wholesale markets such as Hoc Mon (HCMC) and Lao Cai, Chinese strawberry prices ranged from VND380,000-400,000 per 7kg box (about VND57,000 per kg).
Thanks to its low price, this type of strawberry quickly spread to traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City and stores in Hanoi, with retail prices ranging from 70,000 to 90,000 VND per kilogram. Many stores divided the boxes into 500 grams, selling them for 50,000 VND.
Ms. Loan, a vendor at Xom Moi Market (Go Vap), said that this year's Chinese strawberries are not only cheaper, but also more beautiful than before. "Every day, I import 2-3 baskets but they all sell out early. Even juice vendors have increased their purchases," she said.
The price difference between Chinese and Da Lat strawberries is becoming increasingly clear. Ms. Mai Hoa, a trader at Pham Van Hai market (Tan Binh), said that Chinese strawberries are 20,000-30,000 VND per kilogram cheaper than Da Lat strawberries. "Da Lat strawberries cost 120,000 VND per kilogram. This is also the lowest price of Da Lat strawberries in many years," Ms. Hoa shared.
Importers say China is increasingly diversifying its fruit offerings, from low-end to high-end. Thanks to the cold climate, the country’s strawberry output is constantly increasing, not only meeting domestic demand but also boosting exports to Vietnam.
According to the news site Production Report, China is the world's largest strawberry growing country, with major producing areas such as Liaoning, Shandong, Hebei, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Sichuan. In recent years, large companies and corporations have developed smart greenhouses for growing strawberries to increase yield and quality.
Mr. Thanh, a fruit and vegetable importer in Ho Chi Minh City, commented that Chinese strawberries have a large output, uniform fruit, stable supply and are easier to preserve than Da Lat strawberries.
"Chinese strawberries can be imported by the ton, while Da Lat farmers grow small areas and the quality is inconsistent. The wholesale price of Chinese strawberries is only 55,000-62,000 VND per kilogram, while Da Lat strawberries are about 80,000 VND. Compared to Korean and Japanese strawberries, Chinese goods are also 4-6 times cheaper," he said.
Mr. Nguyen Binh Phuong, Deputy Director of the Thu Duc Agricultural Wholesale Market's Business Department, informed that strawberries imported from China are official goods, with full documents and inspection. "Chinese strawberries are being consumed more strongly than Vietnamese goods thanks to their low prices and abundant supply," he said.
Regarding how to differentiate, traders say Chinese strawberries are oblong, dark red from the top to the stem, hard, spongy, sweet but with little aroma. Meanwhile, Dalat strawberries are usually rounder, have a characteristic aroma and a balanced sweet and sour taste.
According to Customs data, in the first month of 2025, Vietnam spent more than 88 million USD importing fruits and vegetables from China, equal to the same period last year. China is the largest supplier, accounting for 41% of Vietnam's total fruit and vegetable import turnover.
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