California stone fruit enters Vietnam market under a systems-approach supply chain framework and phytosanitary safeguards

The California stone fruit line is being introduced to the Vietnamese market through rigorous controls across the entire supply chain to ensure plant-quarantine safety. This opens up positive signals for agricultural trade between Vietnam and the United States. On April 14, the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) hosted the 'California Stone Fruit and California Spring Peach 2026' workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, officially launching the 2026 stone-fruit season and introducing a line of premium peaches and nectarines to the Vietnamese market. At the workshop, international experts noted that Vietnam is emerging as a potential market for premium fruit products, as consumer demand for high-quality products continues to grow. Speaking at the event, Andrew Anderson-Sprecher, Senior Agricultural Attaché at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that agricultural trade remains a bright spot in the bilateral economic relationship. 'California is home to some of the world's leading peaches and nectarines, and we expect to bring these products closer to Vietnamese consumers,' he said. New Systems Approach for the Supply Chain One notable feature of this season is the adoption of the Systems Approach, approved by Vietnamese authorities. This is a risk-management strategy based on scientific principles, combining multiple controls across the supply chain to ensure plant-quarantine safety. According to Michael Thurlow, representative of Mountain View Fruit — an exporter and supplier of fruit from the United States — this method does not rely on a single measure such as post-harvest fumigation, but is implemented coherently from the orchard, harvest, post-harvest processing to packaging and transport. Each step acts as a layer of protection, helping reduce pest risk to an acceptable level. Industry experts view this as a significant step toward optimizing quarantine and logistics, shortening transit times and improving product quality upon arrival to consumers. Bà Caroline Stringer, Commercial Director of CFFA, said that opening the Vietnamese market is the result of years of preparation. She noted that applying the 'systems approach' not only gives companies more options but also helps optimize production and export costs. “The method reduces the time from harvest to arrival in Vietnam to about 2 days, compared with 3 days for consignments previously requiring fumigation. The fruit is shipped in refrigerated containers to the airport, then temperature-maintaining gel packs are used to maintain temperature throughout the journey. The aircraft cargo hold is also climate-controlled,” she said. According to Stringer, Vietnam is identified as a long-term strategic market. ‘Vietnamese consumers value high-quality fruit with high sweetness. The varieties of peaches and nectarines that California growers have invested in for many years are well aligned with this preference,’ she added. Adapting Flexibly to Logistics Volatility However, alongside opportunities, logistics costs remain a significant challenge amid geopolitical fluctuations. Mr. Hai Trần, Commercial Director of UWL, stated that global logistics costs are under strong upward pressure. He noted that ocean and air freight rates have risen about 30% from prior levels as carriers adjust prices amid tensions in the Middle East. Additionally, insurance costs and fuel prices have risen, driving total logistics costs higher. The supply chain is also facing obstacles, such as ships rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope instead of shorter routes, lengthening transit times and increasing fuel consumption. These factors are directly affecting production planning and delivery schedules. In this context, Stringer urged suppliers and customers to cooperate closely to adapt to market volatility. She also expressed optimism that trade-tax negotiations between Vietnam and the United States would soon conclude, creating more room for competitiveness of the products. In addition, traceability and food safety remain key criteria for imported products. Stringer noted that all California stone fruits can be traced to each orchard via a unique lot-identification code. Growers record all on-farm activities throughout the season up to harvest, adhering to the Vietnam Plant Protection Department (PPPD) requirements. All fruit exported to Vietnam meets high standards comparable to the U.S. market for pesticide use. “We will not export any product that growers themselves would not be willing to use for their own families,” she emphasized. On April 15, the peach and nectarine line was also launched in Hanoi. In a market with rising competition, differentiation lies not only in price but also in quality, freshness, traceability, and consumer experience.