Vietnamese lychees hit Costco shelves

Dragonberry Produce, a leading U.S. importer of premium fruits, has launched its 2025 campaign to distribute lychees grown in the northern province of Bac Giang through major supermarket chains, including Safeway and, for the first time, Costco.

This marks the third consecutive year Vietnamese lychees have entered the U.S. market, reflecting their steady growth and strong international appeal, according to the Viet Nam Trade Office in San Francisco.

Marketed under the brand Golden Lychees, the fruit meets Global G.A.P. standards, ensuring its vibrant red-pink skin, sweet taste, crisp texture, and compliance with stringent U.S. phytosanitary regulations. The lychees undergo irradiation treatment in Viet Nam before being shipped by sea to the U.S., preserving freshness and quality upon arrival.

Dragonberry representatives said that the entry of Vietnamese lychees into top retail chains like Safeway and Costco is a significant commercial milestone and a testament to the rising demand for high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products in the U.S. market. American consumers are increasingly drawn to the unique flavor of Vietnamese lychees, and the company remains committed to quality and sustainable branding.

The presence of Vietnamese lychees in major U.S. retailers not only strengthens the fruit's export value but also boost Viet Nam's position in the global agricultural market. It showcases the effective collaboration between producers, exporters, and trade authorities.

Viet Nam is now the second‑largest global lychee producer, with an estimated harvest of 303,000 tons in 2025, up nearly 30 percent compared to 2024.

Vietnamese lychees are currently exported to over 30 countries, including China, the U.S., Japan, EU, Australia, Canada, Thailand, the UAE, and Singapore.

In 2025, first batches of Thanh Ha variety supported exports to Japan and Australia, with expansion plans into Canada, the EU, and Middle East markets./.