Brian Jeffrey
Intriguing Trends in the Milk Grape Market
On January 14, 2025, Phung Thi Mai, a sales assistant at a busy fruit shop in Dong Da District of Hanoi, promoted Chinese milk grapes, claiming they were certified for safety.
She described the grapes as “ready to eat” and offered them at a discounted price of 110,000 VND for a package of 4.5–5 kg, translating to about 22,000–24,000 VND per kilogram.
“We’ve been selling this grape variety since last July. Following last year’s news regarding harmful substance detection in Thailand, we’ve started providing phytosanitary certificates with every purchase,” explained Mai.
Milk grapes are considered a luxury fruit in Vietnam, becoming increasingly popular over recent years.
In 2024, they gained prominence in the market due to extremely low prices, ranging from 50,000–80,000 VND per kilogram, and occasionally dropping to 20,000–30,000 VND per kilogram.
These Chinese grapes are notable for their large size, shiny green exterior, delicious sweetness, and light milky scent, making them a preferred choice for Vietnamese families.
However, in late October 2024, concerns over food safety were raised by the Thai-PAN (Thailand Pesticide Alert Network) regarding milk grapes. Testing showed that 23 out of 24 samples contained harmful substances surpassing safe levels; nine of those samples were linked to imports from China, while 15 samples lacked clear origin information.
One sample contained a pesticide banned in Thailand, and 22 others had harmful residues beyond safety limits, with traces of 50 different pesticides detected. Some of these chemicals are known to extend the grapes’ shelf-life.
Monitoring and Market Impact
In response to the safety alerts from Thailand, Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) began closely monitoring imports of Chinese grapes.
In 2024, inspections on 10 grape samples from China found no pesticide residue issues according to Vietnamese standards. In contrast, only 1 out of 77 samples (1.3%) was non-compliant in 2023.
Despite these findings, many consumers in Vietnam remain skeptical about the safety of milk grapes. Store owners report a decline in sales, even with the availability of safety documentation.
Nevertheless, as the Tet holiday approaches, milk grapes are still widely available in both stores and online, often at remarkably low prices.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyet, a retailer in Ha Dong, Hanoi, stated that despite the softening demand, the supply of milk grapes remains stable. She sells over a ton daily through wholesale and retail, usually in 4–5 kg quantities.
“Today, I received a fresh batch of premium milk grapes, well-presented with large, shiny fruit and a delicate sweetness, priced at only 100,000 VND for a package. Retail buyers are paying 40,000 VND per kilogram,” Tuyet mentioned, describing it as her lowest price ever.
Mai also indicated that her store’s sales have decreased from 3–4 tons daily to about 2–2.5 tons since November 2024.
“While interest has waned, milk grapes continue to sell better than many fruits due to their affordability,” Mai shared. Unlike some other items that see price increases during Tet, milk grapes remain accessible, making them a favored option among shoppers.
According to Mai, hundreds of tons of milk grapes have been sold since the season started.
