According to a report by the Vietnam Industry Research and Consulting (VIRAC), the country’s food market was valued at around $100 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% during 2021-2026. Despite the growth, the domestic production of food products is still limited in terms of quantity and variety, which creates opportunities for importing food products. Importing food products can provide a wider range of options for Vietnamese consumers, while also helping to meet the demand for high-quality food products in the country.
In this article, we will discuss the top 5 food products that Vietnamese distributors want to import to Vietnam.
5. Cheese
According to Statista, in 2020, the retail sales of all dairy products in Vietnam were estimated to reach 3.85 billion U.S. dollars. The retail sales of such products in the country had been continuously growing in the past five years and were forecasted to grow to nearly five billion U.S. dollars in 2023.
The most popular types of dairy products in Vietnam are condensed milk, fresh milk, and yogurt, with a growing demand for cheese and butter. Condensed milk is a staple ingredient in Vietnamese coffee and is also used in making desserts such as flan and ice cream. Fresh milk is consumed both plain and flavored and is often used in baking and cooking. Yogurt has gained popularity in recent years as a healthy snack option and is available in a variety of flavors and styles such as Greek-style yogurt and drinkable yogurt. There is also a growing demand for cheese and butter, particularly among the urban population. Even though cheese is not traditionally a part of Vietnamese cuisine, but it has become more popular in recent years as Vietnamese cuisine increasingly incorporates Western-style dishes.
Therefore, Vietnamese distributors are highly interested in importing a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, brie, and mozzarella. Most of the dairy products, particularly cheese, consumed in Vietnam are imported from countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and the EU. However, there are some challenges to importing dairy products to Vietnam, such as complex regulatory requirements and logistical issues.
4. Wine
Importing wine into Vietnam has become increasingly popular in recent years, as Vietnamese consumers have developed a taste for foreign wines and the country’s middle class has grown. In fact, Vietnam is now one of the fastest-growing wine markets in Southeast Asia.
Some of the most popular types of wine in Vietnam include French wines, Italian wines, and New World wines from countries such as Australia, Chile, and the United States. For instance, France is known for producing some of the world’s finest wines, and Vietnamese consumers have a strong preference for French wines. Some popular French wines imported to Vietnam include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and Rhone.
Meanwhile, Italy is another major wine producer and exporter, and Vietnamese consumers appreciate the high-quality and diverse selection of Italian wines. Some popular Italian wines imported to Vietnam include Chianti, Barolo, and Amarone. Therefore, there are a variety of Vietnamese distributors that start importing wine products and selling them in Vietnam’s supermarkets.
However, there are some challenges to importing wine into Vietnam. The Vietnamese government tightly regulates the import and sale of alcoholic beverages, and there are complex procedures and requirements that must be followed. For example, importers must obtain a license from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and must comply with labeling requirements, import quotas, and taxes and fees.
3. Health supplement
As more Vietnamese consumers become health-conscious, distributors are attracted to importing a wide range of health supplement products from various countries. These products are intended to support general health and well-being, boost immunity, enhance energy levels, improve brain function, aid weight loss, and treat specific health conditions.
One of the top health supplements imported to Vietnam are vitamins and minerals. These supplements are used to fill nutritional gaps and prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Commonly imported vitamins and minerals include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc. Meanwhile, protein supplements are popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to build muscle mass and improve athletic performance. Vietnam imports protein powders, bars, and shakes made from whey protein, soy protein, and other plant-based sources. Another type of health supplement that Vietnamese distributors want to import is Omega-3 fatty acids – essential fatty acids that are important for brain function and heart health. Vietnam imports fish oil supplements and other sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.
It is worth noting that the Vietnamese government regulates the import and sale of health supplement products very strictly to ensure their safety and efficacy. The products must meet certain standards and undergo testing before they are allowed to be sold in the country. Furthermore, consumers in Vietnam are becoming more and more cautious when purchasing health supplement products as a lot of fake products have appeared on the market.
According to a report by the Vietnam Industry Research and Consulting (VIRAC), the country’s food market was valued at around $100 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% during 2021-2026. Despite the growth, the domestic production of food products is still limited in terms of quantity and variety, which creates opportunities for importing food products. Importing food products can provide a wider range of options for Vietnamese consumers, while also helping to meet the demand for high-quality food products in the country.
In this article, we will discuss the top 5 food products that Vietnamese distributors want to import to Vietnam.
5. Cheese
According to Statista, in 2020, the retail sales of all dairy products in Vietnam were estimated to reach 3.85 billion U.S. dollars. The retail sales of such products in the country had been continuously growing in the past five years and were forecasted to grow to nearly five billion U.S. dollars in 2023.
The most popular types of dairy products in Vietnam are condensed milk, fresh milk, and yogurt, with a growing demand for cheese and butter. Condensed milk is a staple ingredient in Vietnamese coffee and is also used in making desserts such as flan and ice cream. Fresh milk is consumed both plain and flavored and is often used in baking and cooking. Yogurt has gained popularity in recent years as a healthy snack option and is available in a variety of flavors and styles such as Greek-style yogurt and drinkable yogurt. There is also a growing demand for cheese and butter, particularly among the urban population. Even though cheese is not traditionally a part of Vietnamese cuisine, but it has become more popular in recent years as Vietnamese cuisine increasingly incorporates Western-style dishes.
Therefore, Vietnamese distributors are highly interested in importing a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, brie, and mozzarella. Most of the dairy products, particularly cheese, consumed in Vietnam are imported from countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and the EU. However, there are some challenges to importing dairy products to Vietnam, such as complex regulatory requirements and logistical issues.
4. Wine
Importing wine into Vietnam has become increasingly popular in recent years, as Vietnamese consumers have developed a taste for foreign wines and the country’s middle class has grown. In fact, Vietnam is now one of the fastest-growing wine markets in Southeast Asia.
Some of the most popular types of wine in Vietnam include French wines, Italian wines, and New World wines from countries such as Australia, Chile, and the United States. For instance, France is known for producing some of the world’s finest wines, and Vietnamese consumers have a strong preference for French wines. Some popular French wines imported to Vietnam include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and Rhone.
Meanwhile, Italy is another major wine producer and exporter, and Vietnamese consumers appreciate the high-quality and diverse selection of Italian wines. Some popular Italian wines imported to Vietnam include Chianti, Barolo, and Amarone. Therefore, there are a variety of Vietnamese distributors that start importing wine products and selling them in Vietnam’s supermarkets.
However, there are some challenges to importing wine into Vietnam. The Vietnamese government tightly regulates the import and sale of alcoholic beverages, and there are complex procedures and requirements that must be followed. For example, importers must obtain a license from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and must comply with labeling requirements, import quotas, and taxes and fees.
3. Health supplement
As more Vietnamese consumers become health-conscious, distributors are attracted to importing a wide range of health supplement products from various countries. These products are intended to support general health and well-being, boost immunity, enhance energy levels, improve brain function, aid weight loss, and treat specific health conditions.
One of the top health supplements imported to Vietnam are vitamins and minerals. These supplements are used to fill nutritional gaps and prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Commonly imported vitamins and minerals include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc. Meanwhile, protein supplements are popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to build muscle mass and improve athletic performance. Vietnam imports protein powders, bars, and shakes made from whey protein, soy protein, and other plant-based sources. Another type of health supplement that Vietnamese distributors want to import is Omega-3 fatty acids – essential fatty acids that are important for brain function and heart health. Vietnam imports fish oil supplements and other sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.
It is worth noting that the Vietnamese government regulates the import and sale of health supplement products very strictly to ensure their safety and efficacy. The products must meet certain standards and undergo testing before they are allowed to be sold in the country. Furthermore, consumers in Vietnam are becoming more and more cautious when purchasing health supplement products as a lot of fake products have appeared on the market.
2. Tree nuts
The demand for tree nuts in Vietnam has been steadily increasing in recent years, driven by growing health awareness and changing dietary habits. Consumers in urban areas are increasingly interested in healthy snacking options and are willing to pay a premium for high-quality tree nuts, which are considered to be a healthy and nutritious snack, and are a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
The most commonly imported tree nuts to Vietnam include almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. According to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the value of tree nut imports to Vietnam increased from $87 million in 2016 to $111 million in 2019.
Almonds are one of the most popular tree nuts that are imported to Vietnam, and they are commonly used in baked goods, snack bars, and cereals, while pistachios are widely used in Vietnamese cuisine, particularly in stir-fried dishes and salads. Therefore, those two are the top tree nut products that distributors in Vietnam want to import. Other products include macadamia nuts, which are premium tree nut that is often used in high-end chocolates, cookies, and other gourmet products and walnuts – a nutritious and versatile tree nut that is used in a variety of baked goods and snacks, such as muffins, cookies, and energy bars.
1. Fresh fruits and vegetables
Vietnamese consumers are increasingly interested in fresh, healthy produce, and there is demand for imported fruits and vegetables that are not readily available in the local market. Even though Vietnam is known for its abundant tropical fruits, there are also several exotic fruits that are imported by Vietnamese distributors to meet the demand of consumers who seek out unique and exotic flavors. Popular imports include apples, grapes, cherries, berries and avocados.
Every year, Vietnam imports a significant amount of apples to meet domestic demand, as apples are a popular fruit consumed both fresh and processed in Vietnam. The largest suppliers include the United States, China, New Zealand and Australia but these sources can vary depending on factors such as seasonality, supply chain logistics, and price competitiveness.
Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are particularly popular among Vietnamese consumers, as they are considered healthy and nutritious, and can be used in a variety of dishes and desserts. The majority of imported berries in Vietnam come from countries such as the United States, Canada, Chile, and Australia, which have developed specialized supply chains to ensure that fresh berries can be transported long distances without spoiling.
Overall, the top food products that Vietnamese distributors want to import the most are those that offer consumers a combination of quality, variety, and affordability, and that can be incorporated into a range of traditional and modern Vietnamese dishes. That explains why Vietnamese distributors are increasingly looking to import a wide range of food products from around the world to meet the growing demand for diverse and high-quality food options among Vietnamese consumers. Want to learn more about how to sell imported food in Vietnam? Click the link below:
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