Big names in business gather at Fresh Produce Vietnam

Some of the biggest names in the global fresh produce business will be alongside leading Vietnamese companies taking part in Fresh Produce Vietnam – the brand-new international event for Vietnam’s fast-growing fruit and vegetable industry – which is held on 13-14 May 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Global heavyweights will be joined by many of the top companies and organisations in Vietnam’s fresh produce business, including the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), major food retailers such as Aeon and Central Retail Vietnam, The Fruit Republic, boutique fruit chain Klever Fruit, and leading fruit importers and exporters.

Organised by Fruitnet Media International with official partner Asia Fruit Logistica, the conference and networking expo takes place at the deluxe Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Fresh Produce Vietnam features a full-day content programme on Tuesday 13 May packed with expert talks, presentations and interviews. Running alongside this is a boutique B2B expo, enabling delegates to enjoy non-stop networking throughout the day. Day Two (14 May) offers a programme of organised visits to some of Ho Chi Minh’s top food retail stores.

A host of high-profile names have signed up to speak at Fresh Produce Vietnam. Mohammed Abbas, Fresh Del Monte’s chief operating officer, and Paul Le, vice president of Central Retail Vietnam, take part in an opening panel discussion analysing the market opportunity of Vietnam for the global fresh produce business.

Setting the scene for the session, Richard Burrage of market research agency Cimigo shares his expert insight on the future trajectory of the Vietnamese economy and consumer market. 

Hai Nguyen, CEO of leading boutique fruit retailer Klever Fruit, opens a session on Vietnam’s fast-growing fruit imports, unpacking the key market trends and developments. He’s joined by JWM Asia’s general manager of trade Danny Guo and Laurent de Smedt of major Belgian cooperative BelOrta to discuss what’s next for the import trade – from developing distribution into second-tier cities to introducing new varieties.

Ben Reilly of Australian irradiation provider Steritech also explains the value the treatment can offer in facilitating market access for both fresh fruit imports to Vietnam and exports from the country.

Vietnam’s booming fresh produce exports are high on the agenda at Fresh Produce Vietnam. Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vinafruit, outlines the opportunities and challenges facing the industry as it seeks to capitalise on market access to China for durian and coconuts while further diversifying its export presence with powerhouse products such as dragon fruit and bananas. Leading buyers and suppliers are on-hand to share their insights, including Goodfarmer’s purchasing director Andy Lu and Thao Nguyen of Hoang Phat Fruit Co.

Modern retail on the move  

Supermarket retailing continues to expand apace in Vietnam. Johann Hall, director at NielsenIQ, provides in-depth analysis of the evolving food retail landscape. Aeon’s head of fresh produce Chinh Bui then joins Fresh Fruit-X MD Jose Vottero and Benoit Baroche, Blue Whale’s marketing manager Asia, for a panel discussion looking at how fresh produce marketers can partner with leading food retailers and build their brands.

With a young and tech-savvy population, Vietnam’s digital economy is taking off. Ryan Molloy, CEO of RedFern Digital, hosts a session on ‘connecting with the Vietnamese consumers’. He explains how fresh produce brands can harness digital channels and market more effectively to target-demographics.

Fresh Produce Vietnam wraps up with a look at how the nation can capitalise on its huge potential as a producer and supplier through investment in more advanced and sustainable growing systems. Siebe van Wijk, managing director of The Fruit Republic, presents a case study on how the company is helping to professionalise Vietnam’s citrus industry through its SUCCEEds project.

Non-stop networking, experiential tours 

With a mix of lively sessions in a shared conference and expo area, Fresh Produce Vietnam enables delegates to connect with top buyers, suppliers and service providers and tap into a wealth of established expertise and new talent.

Fresh Produce Vietnam brings together leading players across Vietnam’s fresh produce business with regional and international suppliers and retailers as well as key service providers to the industry in every sector from logistics and cold chain to technology and packaging.

Delegates can enjoy non-stop networking opportunities throughout the event, including an evening cocktail hosted by Asia Fruit Logistica on Day One.

Study tours also give delegates the opportunity to see Vietnam’s vibrant fresh produce market first-hand. These include a nighttime visit to the city’s bustling Thu Duc Wholesale Market on Day One.

Day Two (14 May) offers a programme of organised visits to top supermarket outlets in Ho Chi Minh showcasing some best-in-class examples of food retail in Vietnam. Places are limited and will be allocated to delegates on a first come, first served basis.

Register now to secure your place: www.fruitnet.com/freshproducevietnam/tickets

To view the latest agenda, visit the website: www.fruitnet.com/freshproducevietnam/agenda