New Zealand red-fleshed kiwifruit priced at 350,000 VND per kilogram remains popular

New Zealand red-fleshed kiwifruit—an edible variety with the skin—has arrived in Vietnam for the first time, priced at about 350,000 dong per kilogram, roughly 20% higher than yellow kiwifruit.

In the past two weeks, red-fleshed kiwis imported officially from New Zealand have appeared on the market and quickly drawn consumer interest due to their striking color and distinctive flavor. While the fruit sits in a premium price segment, demand remains strong as many shoppers want to try it.

Consumer reaction and product positioning

Ms. Hoa, from An Hoa Dong Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, said she was surprised to find kiwifruit with red flesh rather than the usual green or yellow. She bought a 2 kg box priced at 700,000 dong for testing and said the variety tastes sweeter and richer than other types.

The red-fleshed kiwi, often marketed as RubyRed, was developed by Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit producer, through natural crossbreeding in New Zealand. The company attributes its sweet taste and natural red color to anthocyanin, an antioxidant commonly found in berries. Zespri also notes that the season is short—about 6-8 weeks—and yields are lower than those of yellow or green varieties, which contributes to limited supply.

First official imports and pricing details

Mr. Vo Thanh Loc, co-founder of Farmers’ Market, said this is the first year Zespri red-fleshed kiwis have been officially imported into Vietnam. The first official shipment arrived from early April. He added that although the fruit is small, its appearance has helped it attract customers quickly, and it is currently the best-selling kiwi in the company’s network.

Current retail pricing is about 350,000 dong per kilogram. A box of 4-6 fruits weighing 0.5-0.6 kg is priced at about 189,000 dong. These prices are lower than the 500,000-600,000 dong per kilogram charged for previously imported, hand-carried goods.

Import volumes and logistics impact

On the import side, Mr. Le Manh Quang, Director of Import at Biovegi Vietnam Joint Stock Company, said the company imported its first batch of red kiwis at around 80 tons, equivalent to four containers. The shipment is distributed in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. As of now, half of the quantity has arrived at the port, with the remainder still en route.

Mr. Quang said this is the company’s first season importing New Zealand red kiwis, so production is limited and the main goal is to test the market. He noted that the fruit is positioned in the high-end segment, priced about 20-30% higher than yellow-fleshed varieties. He also said that moving to official sea imports using refrigerated containers helps reduce logistics costs, which in turn supports a more accessible selling price.