Viet Nam seedless lemons dominate Gulf markets

Many Vietnamese agricultural products have created a foothold in Gulf markets, the most prominent of which is seedless lemons. Viet Nam's seedless lemon currently has an absolute competitive advantage in many markets in this region.

Specifically, the Ras Al Khor wholesale market imports Vietnamese seedless lemons weekly. Although the host countries have a tremendous demand for lemons, businesses in Dubai hardly import seedless lemons from anywhere other than Viet Nam.

Mr. Venkat Addala - Fuchsiana General Trading, Dubai, noted that Vietnamese lemons now have almost no competitors.

"Lemons from Viet Nam are favored because of their outstanding flavor compared to lemons from other countries. We are currently importing them for re-export to other Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain or Qatar", Mr. Mohammed Naimath - Director of Zin Food Company, Dubai, shared.

Seedless lemons from Viet Nam are green lemons. Besides, yellow lemons in the Gulf market can still be imported from India or South Africa.

However, for Middle Eastern people, green and yellow lemons are irreplaceable fruits. Green lemon is for dishes that need flavor and especially for drinking water. Green lemons are now making a mark of Viet Nam in supermarkets here.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoang - Director of Jamal Al Jasmin Company, Dubai, Vietnamese lemons are famous because they are seedless and have a pure fragrance. In particular, the consumption of lemons increases in the hot season, when people prefer to drink lemonade.

Al Maya is one of the leading retail groups in Dubai. Recently, the group has paid much attention to Vietnamese agricultural products. Starting with rice and seedless lemons imported from Viet Nam, the success has made Al Maya now expand into importing Vietnamese coconuts, guava, or mangoes.

Mr. Kamal Vachani - Director of Al Maya Group, said many customers want to buy Vietnamese agricultural products. It gives Al Maya the confidence to import more agricultural products and other foods. In particular, lemon is an essential product from Viet Nam./.