Northern litchis abound in HCMC
Northern litchis abound in HCMC
Supermarket chain operators in HCMC have begun transporting hundreds of tons of litchis grown in the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Hai Duong to the city for consumption, as litchis are coming into season.
During this year’s litchi season, the Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) is set to put some 500 tons of Luc Ngan litchis, cultivated in Bac Giang, on sale at its 700 outlets, such as Co.opmart, Co.opXtra and Co.op Food stores. This marks a 25% increase in volume against last year’s season, according to Tran Lam Hong, deputy director at Saigon Co.op.
The store chain operator will organize a fruit festival featuring litchis and other local fruit specialties in June and July to introduce local fruits to consumers nationwide.
In addition, it will launch another program promoting litchi consumption at its HCMC-based facilities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the provincial government of Bac Giang, on the occasion of the Dumpling Festival (June 7), locally known as the Mid-year Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, said Hong.
Apart from that, Saigon Co.op will export Luc Ngan litchis to foreign markets, especially Singapore and Japan, through its overseas distribution channels, helping raise the export volume of Vietnamese farm produce.
Meanwhile, the Big C supermarket chain, a subsidiary of Thailand-based Central Group, has pledged to consume 350 tons of litchis at 36 Big C supermarkets and 25 Lan Chi supermarkets across the country, with Lan Chi acting as a strategic business partner of Big C, according to a Big C representative.
Similar to Saigon Co.op, Big C will launch multiple activities to encourage litchi consumption. Customers buying one batch of litchi will get another batch free; they will also be introduced to a wide range of litchi cakes and drinks. Also, Big C will promote Luc Ngan litchis among affiliates of the Central Group.
Aside from being put on sale at supermarkets, a large volume of litchis was sold at local traditional markets.
A representative of the Thu Duc wholesale market reported that the litchi volume shipped to the market had risen to 500 tons per night from 100 tons per night on May 17. Litchis purchased at the market from the two provinces are priced at VND32,000-VND34,000 per kilogram.
Hai Duong and Bac Giang litchis have appeared on the market in the city for two weeks, with retail prices offered by street vendors ranging from VND40,000 to VND50,000 per kilogram. Meanwhile, traders at local traditional markets are selling these litchis at VND60,000-VND100,000 per kilogram.
