Diversifying markets is crucial for Vietnamese dragon fruit exports

In Vietnam, dragon fruit exports dominate other fruits with a turnover exceeding $1 billion. But the sector is dependent on the Chinese market which accounts for 92.3% of total dragon fruit exports.

 

 

 

During the period January to November 2020, Vietnamese dragon fruit exports fell by 10% due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but dominate the exports of other fruits with a turnover of more of $1 billion.

 

 

 

China is the leading buyer of Vietnamese dragon fruit with a 92.3% share of exported volumes. This dependence on the Chinese market reveals that an unforeseen problem in this destination market has strong repercussions in Vietnam. This is what just happened during the year 2020, the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in Chinese purchases and a decline in turnover.

 

 

 

Vietnam also exports dragon fruit to new markets such as the United States, EU, Japan and South Korea. After more than 9 years of negotiations, Australia authorized entry into its Vietnamese dragon fruit market in July. The volume exported to Australia is still modest but Vietnamese professionals believe that the sector must redouble its efforts to achieve excellence at every stage. This will ensure commercial success, the expansion of market shares in existing markets and the conquest of new markets.

 

 

 

The area dedicated to dragon fruit, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, is around 57,000 hectares and production exceeds 500,000 tonnes, a volume greater than 10 years ago.