From late August to November, pomegranates are abundant in markets across TP HCM. While consumers typically found smaller fruits in previous years, this year's market features pomegranates twice as large, with some weighing up to 800 grams.

This particular variety of pomegranate draws attention not only for its size but also for its appearance and price. The fruits are round, have glossy, blemish-free skins, and retain green stems and leaves as if freshly picked, yet they cost only 45,000-55,000 VND per kg.

Ms. Hoa, a customer in TP HCM, stated that she initially thought the pomegranates were Thai because they were sold with intact green stems and leaves. However, the seller identified them as Vietnamese pomegranates.

Chinese pomegranates mislabeled as Vietnamese produce in TP HCM. *Photo: Thi Ha*

Information regarding the origin of these pomegranates varies among vendors. A street vendor on Phan Dang Luu street, Gia Dinh ward, presented the large, glossy pomegranates as Thai produce, priced at around 50,000 VND per kg. According to this vendor, Chinese pomegranates are typically smaller and cost about 20,000-25,000 VND per kg.

At Xom Moi market, An Hoi Dong ward, the same large pomegranates with green stems and leaves were advertised as "Da Lat Pomegranates."

Ms. Oanh, a fruit vendor there, explained that the pomegranates came from Thu Duc agricultural wholesale market, where the distributor presented them as Da Lat produce. She added that the short transport time allowed the fruits to retain their fresh stems and leaves. She sells about 50 kg daily.

However, at the Thu Duc wholesale market itself, the origin of these large pomegranates was identified differently. Ms. Thu, a fruit store owner on Quang Trung street, Go Vap ward, revealed that pomegranates imported from Thu Duc agricultural wholesale market are actually Chinese, commonly known as Sichuan pomegranates.

According to Ms. Thu, the attractive 600-800 gram pomegranates have a wholesale price of about 350,000 VND for a 10 kg box, equivalent to 35,000 VND per kg. After adding shipping and selling costs, the retail price is around 50,000-55,000 VND per kg. Smaller ones, weighing 400-500 grams each, are cheaper by about 5,000-7,000 VND per kg.

"I have never imported pomegranates from Da Lat, and Thai pomegranates always cost over 100,000 VND per kg," Ms. Thu stated. She added that Thai pomegranates have darker skins and are not currently in season.

This year, Sichuan pomegranates are being imported by wholesalers with stems and leaves intact, packed in foam boxes or plastic baskets. This packaging method helps the fruits maintain their appealing appearance while keeping prices lower than previous shipments, which typically came in premium paper boxes.

Sichuan pomegranates weighing 700 grams are sold across markets in TP HCM. *Photo: Thi Ha*

A representative from Thu Duc agricultural wholesale market also confirmed that the large pomegranates arriving at the market are primarily from China, as there is no comparable domestic commercial supply. These are Sichuan pomegranates, known for their large size and ruby-red arils. As of the end of August, the volume of Chinese pomegranates reaching the wholesale market totaled about 1,569 tons, with an average of 40 tons arriving nightly.

Information from specialized agencies in Lam Dong province also indicates that these fruits cannot be from Da Lat.

Speaking to VnExpress, Mr. Ha Ngoc Chien, Head of the Sub-Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection of Lam Dong province, stated that while pomegranates are grown locally, it is mainly on a small scale for ornamental purposes or in home gardens, without forming commercial fruit production areas.

Pomegranates thrive in sunny, dry conditions and require warm temperatures for sugar accumulation, sweetness, and color development. In contrast, Da Lat's climate is cool year-round, with high humidity and a prolonged rainy season, making it unsuitable for commercial pomegranate cultivation. Some trials have been conducted but yielded low efficiency.

Mr. Chien asserted that labeling the pomegranates sold in the market as "Da Lat pomegranates" is incorrect, as the locality lacks commercial pomegranate growing regions.

China has a large supply of pomegranates. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA), the country ranks third globally in pomegranate production.

Huilu City, Sichuan province, alone boasts about 400,000 Chinese mu (26,667 hectares) of quality pomegranate production areas. This accounts for 92% of Sichuan province's pomegranate cultivation area and 26% of the national total. Annual output reaches approximately 801,000 tons, with a total output value exceeding 8.26 billion CNY, according to city government data.

Huilu pomegranates are exported to over 20 countries, including Poland, Russia, and Canada.