US cherry prices nearly double to $30 per kg in Vietnam
Cherries imported from the U.S. are fetching up to VND800,000 (US$30.62) per kilogram in Vietnam, up 50-95% from a year earlier.
Cherry prices in Vietnam have surged nearly double, reaching VND480,000 per kilogram for red cherries and VND800,000 per kilogram for yellow cherries in Ho Chi Minh City stores. The price jump is attributed to higher US prices and increased transportation costs, despite a modest rise in imports. Major retailers such as Kroger and Walmart list cherries at $5.99-7.99 per pound, or VND347,000-464,000 per kilogram, marking a 15-20% increase from last year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts a 17% decline in US sweet cherry production to 310,500 metric tons in 2026, with Washington, the leading cherry-producing state, expected to yield around 200,000 tons, a drop of over 23%. Oregon's production is also anticipated to decline by approximately 24%. U.S. cherries begin their harvest season in May in California and from June to August in Washington and Oregon.
However, this year, early harvests in California were triggered by warmer weather, while production in the Pacific Northwest suffered due to springtime frost and cold temperatures. The heightened prices are further exacerbated by increased logistics costs due to the Middle East conflict, causing fluctuations in fuel prices, freight rates, and other transportation costs.
Vietnamese importers noted that the impact is more significant on fresh fruit, which requires rapid transport and refrigeration. Customs records indicate that Vietnam imported approximately $37 million worth of cherries during the first half of 2026, representing a 9.3% year-on-year rise.
Written by urgent.news from VnExpress Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
