White or red guava from Vietnam: types, sizes and classes
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Short answer. Vietnam ships two kinds of guava from the Mekong Delta. White-flesh guava, of the Taiwan and Queen types, is crisp and sweet. Red-flesh guava, also called pink or Ruby, has aromatic pink flesh. Both are harvested weekly all year, run about 4–6 fruit per kg and usually read 8–12 °Brix at harvest.
How do the two compare?
| White-flesh guava | Red-flesh guava | |
|---|---|---|
| Types | Taiwan (pear) and Queen | Pink, Ruby |
| Flesh | White, crisp and sweet | Pink and aromatic |
| Growing areas | Vinh Long, Tien Giang (now Dong Thap) and Long An (now Tay Ninh) | Vinh Long and Can Tho |
| Fruit size | About 4–6 fruit per kg (codes 4–5) | About 4–6 fruit per kg (codes 4–5) |
| Sweetness | Usually 8–12 °Brix at harvest | Usually 8–12 °Brix at harvest |
| Season | Weekly, all year | Weekly, all year |
Which classes apply?
| Codex class | Skin defects | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Extra | Very slight only | 5 % |
| Class I | At most 5 % of the surface | 10 % |
| Class II | At most 10 % of the surface | 10 % |
The reference is Codex CXS 215-1999. In every class the flesh must not be affected. Fruit is whole, firm, sound and clean.
How is guava sized?
| Size code | Fruit weight |
|---|---|
| 1 | Over 450 g |
| 2 | 351–450 g |
| 3 | 251–350 g |
| 4 | 201–250 g |
| 5 | 151–200 g |
| 6 | 101–150 g |
| 7 | 61–100 g |
| 8 | 35–60 g |
| 9 | Under 35 g |
The size tolerance is 10 %. Export lots are usually codes 4–5.
Where is it grown?
In Tien Giang (now Dong Thap), Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Long An (now Tay Ninh) and Can Tho. Vinh Long has about 1,000 ha of guava, more than 55 % of it in Tra On district. Orchards give several crops a year and are picked weekly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a guava season?
No. Orchards fruit all year and are harvested weekly.
How sweet is the fruit?
Usually about 8–12 °Brix at harvest. Codex sets no minimum Brix for guava. Brix is measured on sample fruit per lot and sent with the packing photos.
Which type should I choose?
White-flesh guava for a crisp, sweet fruit; red-flesh guava for aroma and pink flesh. Both ship in the same cartons.
Packing and cold chain are in guava cartons, storage and container loading. Full specifications are on the white guava page, the red guava page and the guava overview page; for a price, use the guava quotation form.
Sources
Last reviewed 12 November 2026 by VIET FARM EXPORT COMPANY LIMITED, Ho Chi Minh City. Figures come from our guava specifications; they are indicative and confirmed with each quotation.