Vietnam's famous Bac Giang lychees debut at Costco in US

Voicing pride on Facebook, Ambassador Hoang Anh Tuan said the Golden Lychee brand appeared at Costco after a successful shipment of 100 metric tons of fresh lychees, managed by Oregon-based Dragonberry Produce, to the United States, Canada and Japan.

"This is more than a commercial achievement—it's a proud moment in our effort to build the Vietnamese agricultural brand on the global map," he said. 

He credited effective collaboration between growers, distributors and government agencies.

Consul General Tuan said Vietnam's San Francisco mission will continue supporting producers, farmers and companies in expanding export markets for Vietnamese produce.

Dragonberry Produce chairwoman Amy Nguyen told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper the company began upgrading its post-harvest processes in 2022 to meet GlobalGAP standards and received USDA-APHIS approval to export to the U.S.

However, she said logistical challenges remain, especially in irradiation facilities in Vietnam, which may affect fruit freshness and add cost. 

Nguyen urged authorities to support the development of new lychee varieties better suited for long-distance transport and extend cold-chain systems.

According to Bac Giang Province, as of June 26, it had sold over 103,000 metric tons of lychees this season, including more than 32,000 metric tons to China, the U.S., Japan, Canada, the EU, Australia and the Middle East.

Local authorities said the fruit earned praise for its consistent size, bold sweetness, and certification under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards.

La Van Nam, deputy director of Bac Giang's Department of Industry and Trade, said the lychee has acquired geographical indication status and enjoys smooth access to both traditional and strict markets.

"China remains a key buyer, and we work closely with their authorities to speed up customs clearance," he said.

"For demanding markets like the U.S., EU and Japan, we have the experience and partnerships to export successfully."

Lychee—a traditional and high-value crop—generates around VND5 trillion ($191.6 million) annually for Bac Giang. 

This year's yield is estimated at about 200,000 metric tons.