Vietnam Pomelo Export: Varieties, Packaging and Shelf Life

Vietnam is an important producer of pomelo, with a wide range of local varieties grown across the country. The Mekong Delta is particularly well known for commercial varieties such as Da Xanh and Nam Roi, while other regional varieties include Dien, Phuc Trach and Doan Hung pomelos.

Vietnamese pomelo is increasingly available to international buyers because of its attractive appearance, sweet flavor, relatively long shelf life and suitability for sea-freight transportation.

1. Main Vietnamese Pomelo Varieties

Da Xanh Pomelo

Da Xanh, also known as Green Skin Pomelo or Pink Pomelo, is one of Vietnam’s most important export varieties.

Typical characteristics include:

• Green to greenish-yellow skin
• Pink to reddish-pink flesh
• Sweet flavor
• Juicy segments
• Pleasant aroma
• Typically around 1.2–1.8 kg per fruit
• Brix commonly around 10–13%

Da Xanh is strongly associated with Ben Tre and is also cultivated in other Mekong Delta provinces. It has become one of Vietnam’s best-known export pomelos.

Nam Roi Pomelo

Nam Roi is another major Vietnamese commercial variety, traditionally associated with Vinh Long.

Typical characteristics include:

• Pear-shaped fruit
• Greenish-yellow to yellow skin when ripe
• Pale yellow or yellow flesh
• Sweet and slightly acidic flavor
• Approximately 0.7–1.6 kg depending on grade
• Brix commonly around 9–11%

Nam Roi has been cultivated commercially in the Mekong Delta for many years and remains an important variety for fresh-fruit exports.

Other Vietnamese Pomelo Varieties

Vietnam also produces several regional varieties, including:

• Phuc Trach Pomelo
• Doan Hung Pomelo
• Dien Pomelo
• Thanh Tra Pomelo
• Duong La Cam
• Long Co Co

Some varieties are strongly associated with particular growing regions and may be more suitable for domestic or specialty markets than large-scale export.

2. Main Pomelo Growing Regions in Vietnam

Vietnamese pomelo is grown in many parts of the country, but commercial production is particularly important in the Mekong Delta and southern Vietnam.

Important production areas include:

• Ben Tre
• Vinh Long
• Tien Giang
• Dong Nai
• Long An
• Soc Trang
• Hau Giang
• Tra Vinh
• Vinh Phuc

Dong Nai alone has nearly 11,000 hectares of pomelo cultivation, with green-skin pomelo accounting for approximately 86% of its varietal structure.

Ben Tre and Vinh Long remain especially important for Da Xanh and Nam Roi pomelo respectively.

3. Vietnam Pomelo Harvest Season

One of the advantages of Vietnamese pomelo is its relatively broad supply window.

Commercial suppliers can offer pomelo throughout much of the year, although production and harvest intensity vary by region and variety. Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department describes pomelo as a year-round export fruit, with a major harvest period generally around May to August.

For buyers planning regular imports, it is therefore useful to specify:

• Desired variety
• Required monthly quantity
• Target fruit size
• Destination market
• Preferred shipping method

This allows the exporter to coordinate supply from different growing regions.

4. Typical Export Specifications

Vietnamese exporters commonly grade pomelo according to fruit weight, appearance and quality.

Typical commercial specifications may include:

Actual specifications vary by supplier, crop and buyer requirements.

International buyers may additionally request specifications for:

• Fruit diameter
• Weight tolerance
• Skin appearance
• Defect percentage
• Internal quality
• Sugar level
• Juice content
• Residue limits
• Farm registration
• Packing-house registration

5. Vietnam Pomelo Packaging

Fresh Vietnamese pomelo is commonly packed in corrugated export cartons, with the carton size adjusted according to the buyer’s requirements.

Commercial examples include:

• 6–7 kg cartons
• 10 kg cartons
• 11 kg cartons
• 12–13 kg cartons

Individual fruits may be protected with foam nets, paper or other suitable protective materials to reduce scratching and impact damage during transportation. Suppliers can also customize carton specifications according to the destination market.

Typical export packaging can include:

• Individual fruit protection
• Corrugated carton
• Export labels
• Product identification
• Country-of-origin information
• Lot or traceability information
• Palletized loading when required

Packaging and labeling requirements should always be confirmed according to the importing country’s regulations.

6. Pomelo Shelf Life

Pomelo has an important advantage for international trade: its shelf life can be considerably longer than many other fresh fruits.

Commercial Vietnamese suppliers report shelf-life figures ranging from approximately 40–50 days under controlled cold storage to longer periods under specific storage conditions. Some Vietnamese export suppliers report up to six months at specified temperatures, but these figures depend heavily on variety, harvest maturity, post-harvest treatment, storage conditions and supply-chain management.

Therefore, exporters should avoid presenting one universal shelf-life figure. The actual shelf life should be confirmed based on the specific variety and post-harvest protocol.

7. Recommended Storage Conditions

Fresh pomelo is commonly stored under cool conditions to slow deterioration and maintain quality.

Commercial Vietnamese specifications commonly indicate approximately:

2–8°C

for fresh pomelo storage.

The exact temperature should be determined according to:

• Variety
• Fruit maturity
• Storage duration
• Humidity
• Packaging
• Post-harvest treatment
• Transportation conditions

Maintaining stable temperature and avoiding excessive moisture loss are important for preserving fruit quality during long-distance transportation.

8. Can Vietnamese Pomelo Be Shipped by Sea?

Yes. Vietnamese pomelo is particularly suitable for international sea freight because of its relatively long storage potential compared with highly perishable fruits.

Commercial Vietnamese suppliers list both air and sea transportation for Da Xanh and Nam Roi pomelo.

For sea-freight shipments, exporters need to carefully coordinate:

1. Harvest maturity
2. Sorting and grading
3. Cleaning
4. Post-harvest treatment
5. Packaging
6. Cold storage
7. Container loading
8. Temperature management
9. Transit time
10. Destination handling

For long-distance shipments, the buyer should provide the expected transit time before the exporter confirms the appropriate harvesting and packing protocol.

9. Phytosanitary and Market Requirements

Pomelo export requirements vary significantly between destination countries.

For example, Vietnam exported its first shipment of fresh pomelos to Australia in April 2026 after bilateral technical negotiations. Australia’s requirements include pest-control measures, registered growing areas and packing facilities, traceability and mandatory irradiation treatment.

Korea also has specific requirements for Vietnamese fresh pomelo, including approved treatment facilities, phytosanitary inspection and specific packaging and labeling requirements. The Korean protocol includes vapor heat treatment under specified temperature/time conditions.

Therefore, exporters should identify the destination market before finalizing the production and post-harvest process.

10. International Markets for Vietnamese Pomelo

Vietnamese pomelo has export potential in a variety of markets, including:

Asia

• China
• South Korea
• Japan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Hong Kong

Asian markets are attractive because of geographic proximity and established demand for tropical and Southeast Asian fruits.

Australia

Australia represents an important new high-standard market following the opening of market access for Vietnamese fresh pomelo in 2025 and the first commercial shipment in April 2026.

North America

Potential markets include:

• United States
• Canada

Vietnamese pomelo can appeal to Asian grocery chains, specialty fruit distributors, wholesalers and supermarkets.

Europe

Potential markets include:

• Germany
• Netherlands
• France
• Czech Republic
• Poland
• Other European markets

The EU market requires close attention to food safety, pesticide-residue limits, traceability and importer requirements.

11. Why Importers Choose Vietnamese Pomelo

Vietnam offers several advantages for international pomelo buyers:

Multiple varieties
Buyers can choose between green-skin pink-flesh Da Xanh, yellow-flesh Nam Roi and other regional varieties.

Longer shelf life
Pomelo can tolerate longer transportation periods than many highly perishable fruits when properly harvested, treated and stored.

Year-round availability
Different growing regions help Vietnamese suppliers provide relatively continuous supply.

Sea-freight suitability
Fresh pomelo can be transported by sea when the correct post-harvest and cold-chain procedures are used.

Competitive production
Vietnam has extensive pomelo-growing areas and an established agricultural supply chain.

Growing export access
New market access, such as Australia in 2026, is creating additional opportunities for Vietnamese pomelo exporters.

12. Buying Vietnamese Pomelo

International buyers can source Vietnamese pomelo in different specifications:

Da Xanh Pomelo

• Green skin
• Pink/red flesh
• Approximately 1.2–1.8 kg
• Brix commonly 10–13%

Nam Roi Pomelo

• Green/yellow skin
• Yellow flesh
• Approximately 0.72–1.6 kg
• Brix commonly 9–11%

Customized Export Packing

• 6–7 kg cartons
• 10 kg cartons
• 11–13 kg cartons
• Buyer-specific carton specifications

Actual availability, size, Brix, packaging and shelf life should be confirmed for each shipment.

Contact ELOVA

ELOVA – Vietnamese Fruit Exporter

We supply Vietnamese fresh, frozen and processed fruits to international buyers and can discuss suitable pomelo products according to your market and specifications.

Website: export.elova.com.vn
Email: jason.cao@elova.com.vn
WhatsApp: +84 867 569 168

Contact us for Vietnam pomelo varieties, specifications, packaging, quotation and export availability.