Vietnam Breaks New Ground with First Fruit Juice Export to Pakistan

Hồ Chí Minh City, The Gulf Observer: In a notable development for international trade relations, the Vietnam Trade Office in Pakistan successfully mobilized and led a delegation of Pakistani businesses to participate in the 2024 International Supply Chain Connection event held in Hồ Chí Minh City in June. This initiative has resulted in the IMTIAZ supermarket chain in Pakistan importing its first batch of Vietnamese fruit juices, including varieties such as mango, pineapple, lychee, grape, apple, and guava.

The Vietnam Trade Counselor in Pakistan expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “Being distributed through IMTIAZ supermarkets is a source of pride for any product and it guarantees access to a vast consumer market of over 240 million people.”

Founded in 1955, IMTIAZ is a trailblazer in Pakistan’s retail sector and is recognized as the largest supermarket chain in the country. With 27 stores across 12 major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta, IMTIAZ represents a significant distribution network for Vietnamese products.

The Vietnam Trade Counselor highlighted that the successful export of fruit juices to Pakistan marks a significant milestone in Vietnam’s export strategy, emphasizing the move towards high-value-added processed products. This development is expected to boost the agro-processing industry and open new market opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products, addressing challenges associated with overproduction and low prices.

In the first seven months of 2024, Vietnamese exports to Pakistan reached $269 million, reflecting a 25.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. The potential for further growth remains substantial, as Pakistan shows high demand for a range of Vietnamese exports, including traditional agricultural products like tea, pepper, cashews, and pangasius fillets, as well as consumer goods such as clothing, footwear, and high-tech products like mobile phones.

Pakistan’s market presents favorable conditions for Vietnamese exports with less stringent quality and technical standards, as well as more accessible regulations for animal and plant quarantine, food safety, environmental protection, traceability, and labor practices.

However, the Vietnam Trade Office also notes the challenges inherent in the Pakistani market. Customers are highly price-sensitive, necessitating competitive pricing for exported goods. Additionally, Pakistan’s e-commerce sector is still developing, which may impact market entry strategies.

To sustain and enhance Vietnam-Pakistan trade relations, the Vietnam Trade Office in Pakistan continues to support Pakistani businesses in attending fairs and exhibitions in Vietnam to explore partnership and buyer opportunities. The Trade Office advises Vietnamese exporters to tailor their products to meet market needs and ensure comprehensive verification of customer information to mitigate potential trade risks.

This initiative underscores the growing momentum in Vietnam’s export activities and its ongoing commitment to strengthening economic ties with international markets.