BTO- Data released by Department of Industry and Trade show that, Binh Thuan dragon fruit exports in the first 4 months of 2013 realized 7,451 tons worth USD 5.27 million. The fruit has entered 8 markets, mainly in Asian countries.

Of which, China is a dominant market of Binh Thuan dragon fruit with the total value of USD 2.64 million, accounting for 53.6 percent, followed by Indonesia (USD 1.33 million), and Thailand (USD 0.42 million).

The average export unit price of dragon fruit in the first four months of 2013 gained USD 707.41 per ton, increasing by 26 percent compared to USD 561.28 per ton of the same period last year.

However, there was a fall of unit price for dragon fruit exported to Thailand (equivalent to 61.19 percent of the price in corresponding period of 2012). In comparison with the same period of 2012, dragon fruit export had a decrease of 31.13 percent in quantity and 13.18 percent in value.

Of which, dragon fruit export volume to China reduced by 37percent in quantity and 21 percent in value; dragon fruit export to Indonesia droped 35.8 percent in quantity but raised by 2,4 percent in value; dragon fruit entering Thai markets surged 3.5 times in quantity and 2.2 times in value; dragon fruit export to Singapore had a decrease of 48.6 percent in quantity and a slight drop of 1 percent in value; dragon fruit export to UAE witnessed a slight fall of 19.3 percent in quantity and a huge increase of 62.3 percent in value.

A source of news reveals that, Chinese government is deploying a new policy to encourage and support its farmers in cultivating dragon fruit trees in large area in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. It is forecasted that in the following years, dragon fruit yield in China will meet domestic demands and possibly export to other countries.

Besides some Asian countries and territories such as: China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, dragon fruit tree is being developed in the US.  

Phuong Lan (Source: Binh Thuan newspaper)