Vietnam: Da Lat persimmons overwhelm Chinese goods

From late August to early December, Da Lat persimmons are in peak harvest season, coinciding with the time when Chinese goods flood into Vietnam. A survey at traditional markets and stores in Ho Chi Minh City shows that Da Lat persimmons are being sold on all shelves with many varieties such as egg persimmons, square persimmons, crispy cinnamon persimmons and Japanese Fuji persimmons. The selling price ranges from 40,000 VND to 120,000 VND per kilogram, an increase of about 3-5% compared to the same period last year. Ms. Hong Hanh, owner of a fruit stall on Thong Nhat Street (Go Vap), said that since September, she has sold more than a ton of Da Lat persimmons of all kinds. In previous years, crispy Chinese persimmons usually sell better, but now Da Lat persimmons are favored by customers. In addition, egg persimmons also attract customers thanks to improvements in preservation methods, helping to keep them fresh longer and avoid being crushed during transportation. Mr. Hoa, a ...