Vietnamese dragon fruit exports to the US and Japan have soared so far this year, with volumes to North America quadrupling and shipments to Japan tripling compared to 2009.
In the first 8 months of this year, exports to the US and Japan reached 400 tonnes and 300 tonnes, respectively, export programme head Dr Nguyen Huu Dat told Fruitnet.com
Dr Dat, pre-clearance programme director for irradiated fresh fruits from Vietnam to the US, said the export surge had the effect of doubling Vietnamese dragon fruit prices on the domestic market last month.
Prices in Japan were also strong, he said, with class 1 Vietnamese dragon fruit fetching US$23 per kg in supermarkets.
Vietnam's dragon fruit exporters plan to ship direct to US supermarkets from next year following a promotional campaign, Dr Dat added.
Dragon fruit production is increasing in designated areas to meet rising export demand from North America, Japan and elsewhere, Dr Dat said.
Chile and Middle Eastern countries are looking to import Vietnamese dragon fruit, and have taken preliminary measures to grant market access, he said.
Meanwhile, South Korea could open its doors to Vietnamese dragon fruit within months, according to press reports.
Vietnam's head of plant protection told VOV news that dragon fruit will be exported to Korea at the end of this year, following a successful visit from Korean inspectors.
