According to Customs Department data, in February, dragon fruit exports surpassed USD 60 million, marking a 63% increase year-on-year. Cumulatively, for the first two months of the year, exports reached approximately USD 108.5 million, an increase of 14%, showing signs of improvement after several years of decline.
Thailand emerged as a significant driver of this growth. In the first two months, exports to Thailand exceeded USD 9.2 million, increasing more than 2.7 times compared to the same period, placing this market among major consumers. In the Middle East, demand also increased, with the UAE alone seeing over 57% growth, contributing to expanded market access.
Businesses attribute this surge to seasonal factors. The first months of the year coincide with the Lunar New Year, a period when fruit consumption demand in many markets surges. Conversely, this is an off-season period in many countries, leading to low or no production, which limits global supply.
To meet demand, domestic farmers employ night lighting techniques to stimulate off-season flowering, ensuring supply in January and February. In contrast, the main dragon fruit season typically runs from May to September, when plants flower naturally due to longer daylight hours.
In the domestic market, dragon fruit prices also rose with demand. According to growers, during the pre-Tet period, demand for gifts, offerings for the five-fruit tray, and processing into juice and dried fruit all increased, pushing prices up. In recent two months, white-fleshed dragon fruit ranged from 10,000-15,000 dong per kg, while red-fleshed varieties were priced at 15,000-25,000 dong per kg.
Supply has diminished, with cultivation areas in many regions shrinking after prolonged low prices. Additionally, according to the Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association, widespread floods late last year caused a large area to be affected by fungal diseases, reducing production.
Despite this, the increase in dragon fruit prices early in the year helped farmers improve their income after a difficult period. Coupled with the recovery of exports, especially from markets like Thailand and the Middle East, this commodity is gradually regaining growth momentum.
However, China still plays a dominant role. In the first two months, exports to this market reached approximately USD 66.5 million, increasing nearly 5%, showing signs of stabilization after a deep decline. Meanwhile, the US market continued to decline, reflecting persistent barriers related to standards and costs.
While these developments show dragon fruit exports are effectively leveraging seasonal advantages for recovery, to maintain sustainable growth, the association states that the industry still needs to continue diversifying markets and enhancing product quality.
Thi Ha
