Vietnam steps up dragon fruit exports to Australia

Large volumes of dragon fruit are being exported to Australia though it is currently the harvest season there for the fruit.

Twenty-eight tons were shipped to Western Australia and South Australia last week by 4 Ways Fresh and Australia Flower, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia.

Australia Flower is set to export another 14 tons this week.

Several retailers like Dai Phat and MCQ are selling the fruit at the equivalent of VND200,000 ($8.84) per kilogram.

The exporters said they are targeting young consumers in Australia. The Vietnam Trade Office is offering promotions to retail buyers that include air tickets, toys and other gifts.

Last year Vietnamese dragon fruit exports to Australia grew by 14 percent despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese farmers grow nearly 1.4 million tons of the fruit every year, and most of it ends up exported to China.

However, industry insiders said China has been increasing its area under the fruit in the last three years and would become self-sufficient in another five years, meaning Vietnamese exporters need to look for other markets.