The sugar apple, which is exclusive to Vietnam, is being favored by demanding markets such as the United States and China.
Vietnam: The Global Leader in Sugar Apple Exports
According to the Plant Protection Department (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), Vietnam is currently the only country exporting sugar apples as a commercial product. Although countries such as Cambodia, the Philippines, India, Thailand, and the Northern Territory in Australia grow sugar apple trees, they only consume them domestically.
Soc Trang: The Heart of Sugar Apple Production
Since the first shipment to the demanding U.S. market in 2018, Soc Trang has emerged as one of the leading regions in the Mekong Delta for sugar apple exports.
Impressive Production and Export Figures
Sugar apple production among companies, enterprises, and cooperatives has surpassed 770 tons, with over 565 tons exported and the remaining quantity consumed domestically. Specifically, during the 2018-2019 season, production exceeded 32 tons; in the 2019-2020 season, it was over 99 tons; in the 2021-2022 season, it reached over 153 tons; and in the 2022-2023 season, it totaled over 118 tons. Exporting companies purchase sugar apples from cooperatives at prices averaging between 30,000 and 60,000 VND per kilogram (depending on the time), which is 16,000 to 18,000 VND higher than the market price.
Expanding Cultivation and Key Growing Areas
As of June 2023, Soc Trang Province has more than 2,300 hectares of sugar apple orchards, with Kế Sách District being the largest growing area, covering nearly 2,000 hectares. This area primarily cultivates the purple sugar apple variety, concentrated in the communes of Thới An Hội, Xuân Hòa, Trinh Phú, and Ba Trinh.
Promoting the Vietnamese Sugar Apple Brand
To promote the brand of Vietnamese sugar apples, the Southern Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI) and the Vietnam Record Center (VietKings) have officially proposed to the Asia Book of Records and Guinness World Records to establish the record for “Vietnam as the only country exporting sugar apples.”
Notable Sugar Apple Varieties
Various sugar apple varieties include the Lò Rèn, brown-purple, and yellow types. Among these, the Lò Rèn variety from Tiền Giang stands out for its thin, glossy skin, abundant flesh, and sweet aroma, making it highly nutritious. The quality of the Lò Rèn sugar apple is highly regarded worldwide.
Growing Global Demand for Vietnamese Sugar Apple
Vietnamese sugar apples have reached various international markets, including Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, the EU, and the United States. Notably, sugar apples have become the fifth Vietnamese fruit officially exported to the U.S., following dragon fruit, longan, rambutan, and lychee.
Expanding Export Seasons and Market Prices
In the first season of exporting Vietnamese sugar apples to the U.S., companies had supplies available for only about two months during the Lunar New Year period. However, the supply area has since expanded, and farmers now cultivate the fruit year-round, allowing for harvests over a six-month period (from October of the previous year to March of the following year). At times, Vietnamese sugar apples in the U.S. sell for nearly 500,000 VND per kilogram.
Strong Market Preference in China
China is another market with a strong preference for Vietnamese sugar apples. A Chinese consumer shared on the website 163: “There is a famous fruit in Vietnam that has become very popular in China in recent years. This fruit is called sugar apple.”
Unique Characteristics of Sugar Apple
On the outside, sugar apples resemble passion fruit: they have a tough skin but feel soft to the touch. When cut open, the flesh inside forms a large star shape, which is quite intriguing.
Enjoying and Benefiting from Sugar Apple
A notable feature is the liquid that flows out when you cut the fruit, similar to milk. Sugar apples have a delicious taste, with a chewy, jelly-like texture. The only downside is their price—10 RMB per fruit (about 35,000 VND), which is much higher than passion fruit. However, the fantastic flavor makes them a favorite, especially among children.
Unique Fruit Experience and Health Benefits
Meanwhile, the blog The Roaming Fork describes Vietnamese sugar apples as a unique fruit.
“I first tried this fruit while I was in the Mekong Delta. It is one of the most unique fruits I have ever eaten. In Vietnamese, it is called ‘vú sữa’ because its sweet, milky juice resembles mother’s milk. The fruit is usually round or slightly oval, with a thin skin that can be green or purple. The flesh is white and filled with seeds. This fruit is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a unique fruit experience!
Sugar apples are delicious and can be enjoyed in various ways. Two popular methods for enjoying this fruit are:
The most common way to eat sugar apples is to cut the fruit in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon, avoiding the seeds. The flesh is juicy, fragrant, and sweet, with a chewy texture. Some people compare eating sugar apples to eating gummy candy.
Sugar apples also offer health benefits. They contain plenty of fiber, and vitamins A and C. Additionally, they have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and improve blood sugar control.”
Where’d you buy Sugar Apple ?
Yomex is specialized in the wholesale supply of Sugar Apple to restaurants, other juice shops, supermarkets, grocery stores and importers. Delivery on site, quality assurance.
Yomex supplies wholesale Sugar Apple in big quantities as customer requirement, at best price, good quality. Yomex is always available 24 hours a day when the customer has ordered it right away.
Are you looking for a reputable place that exports ?
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