GRAPE FRUIT

  Green Skin Grapefruit

     Origin and Distribution

Green skin pomelo originated from Phuoc My Trung, Mo Cay Bac, Ben Tre. It is widely cultivated in Ben Tre,  Tien Giang, and Vinh Long, with Ben Tre having the largest cultivation area (~9,000 ha)..

Description

     Cultivation Area and Yield:

• Ben Tre: 9,000 ha, with an annual yield of 200,000 tons.
• Tien Giang: >5,000 ha, with a yield of 91,000 tons/year.
• Vinh Long: 7,200 ha, with a yield of 57,000 tons/year.

     Growing Conditions:

• Temperature 23-29°C, light to medium soil,        water pH 5.5-7, salinity ≤0.2%.

     Fruit Characteristics:

• Round shape, weight 1.2-2.5 kg/fruit.
• Skin color: green to slightly yellowish green, thin (14-18 mm).
• Pulp: pink-red, sweet (Brix: 9.5-12%), fragrant, with few to many seeds (~37 seeds/fruit).
• Naringin content: 2-5%, highest in Tien Giang.

Commerce

• 2018: Received geographical indication certification.
• 2023: 16 export regions, 370 ha. Main markets: Germany, Canada, China.
• Export to the US started in 2022, requiring phytosanitary certificates and irradiation.

     Price:

• Increases during Tet, decreases after Tet.
• Price instability, high cultivation costs, and export challenges.