Binh Thuan aims to export OCOP products processed from dragon fruit

Currently, the dragon fruit area in Binh Thuan province is about 26,900 hectares (mainly white flesh). In 2024, the harvested dragon fruit output will be nearly 580,000 tons.

To improve product quality, Binh Thuan’s agricultural sector has been reorganizing dragon fruit production. In which, dragon fruit production areas are formed according to export markets with certification or growing area codes. At the same time, it organizes links between concentrated production areas and dragon fruit processing and exporting enterprises.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Thuan, the province currently has over 9,500 hectares of VietGAP dragon fruit and 453 hectares of GlobalGAP. In addition, the province has 548 codes for dragon fruit growing areas for export and 260 codes for dragon fruit packaging facilities for export.

The “Binh Thuan” dragon fruit certification mark has been registered for renewal in 13 countries and territories in the following countries: UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan (China); protected geographical indications in Japan and approved by the European Union (EU) for geographical indication protection in EU countries. Mr. Bien Tan Tai, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Thuan, said that in the first 2 months of 2025, the domestic and export demand for fruit was high, so the price of dragon fruit was stable, fluctuating from 13,000 - 20,000 VND/kg (white flesh), farmers harvested profitably.

According to our records, Mr. Nguyen Trung Phuc’s family in Ham Thanh Commune, Ham Thuan Nam has 700 white-fleshed dragon fruit pillars. Recently, his family harvested about 7 tons. With a selling price of 17,000 VND/kg, the family earned over 50 million VND. Mr. Nguyen Tanh, in Hamlet 5, Ham Liem Commune, Ham Thuan Bac District, said that due to the weather, most of the dragon fruit harvested after Tet had low productivity and low output, while high demand caused the price of dragon fruit to increase. Currently, the price of white-fleshed dragon fruit is over 22,000 VND/kg, but the supply is not abundant.

According to Mr. Huynh Canh, Chairman of Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association, since the beginning of the year, dragon fruit exports to countries such as India, Thailand, etc. have been stable. In addition, the Russian market (a new market) has a high demand for dragon fruit. For the Chinese market, export activities are quieter because before Tet, partners imported large quantities. However, according to Mr. Canh, when the inventory is released, the Chinese market will consume strongly again. Therefore, it is expected that the price of dragon fruit will remain stable at 15,000 - 17,000 VND/kg.

Expanding export markets

According to Mr. Bien Tan Tai, in 2024, the province’s enterprises officially exported 11.6 million USD, equivalent to 10,750 tons of fresh dragon fruit. In January 2025, the province’s enterprises officially exported 1.2 million USD, equivalent to 914 tons of fresh dragon fruit. The main export markets are concentrated in Asian countries, accounting for 80%; Europe (Russia) accounts for 18%; the rest is Oceania.

For the Japanese market, Binh Thuan dragon fruit has been successfully registered for geographical indication protection in this country. However, the province’s enterprises do not directly export to Japan but sell to Ant Farm and Yasaka Companies for heat treatment and export.

Regarding the amount of dragon fruit exported through the Vietnam - China border gates, in the first 2 months of 2025, the whole country is estimated to have exported 160,000 tons, mostly Binh Thuan dragon fruit.

According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Thuan, in 2025 as well as in the coming years, China will still be a large consumer market for Vietnamese agricultural products as well as dragon fruit of Binh Thuan province. However, the Chinese market is no longer an “easy” market, they are increasing the application of standards on quarantine of origin, origin, labeling, and stricter quarantine regulations.

In addition, importing countries in other markets (the US, EU and Taiwan-China) have also introduced increasingly strict regulations on food safety and tightened pesticide residue checks. This is also a huge challenge for the export of agricultural products in general of Binh Thuan province and dragon fruit in particular. In addition, high transportation costs also make it difficult for businesses to complete orders on time.

To ensure the consumption of Binh Thuan dragon fruit, in the coming time, the Department of Industry and Trade will preside over and coordinate with relevant units to implement a number of solutions in trade promotion, support promotion, and develop the consumption market of Binh Thuan dragon fruit according to Plan No. 3049 dated August 18, 2021 of the People’s Committee of Binh Thuan province on developing and expanding the consumption market for Binh Thuan dragon fruit products domestically and internationally in the period of 2021 - 2025. At the same time, the Department of Industry and Trade will also support dragon fruit processing and exporting enterprises to participate in prestigious specialized fruit and vegetable exhibitions held annually in the region and around the world to promote and market products, find partners and customers, and expand export markets.

Support businesses and production facilities trading in the province’s advantageous products to improve production capacity, increase competitiveness, and meet international standards. From there, aim to export OCOP products processed from dragon fruit that have been recognized with 3-4 stars. In addition, the Department will also organize trade delegations according to the national trade promotion program to develop the official market for dragon fruit. However, in order to expand the market smoothly, the Department of Industry and Trade recommends that businesses and farmers need to strengthen management of input quality, from the process of planting, intensive cultivation, care, harvesting to preliminary processing and packaging for export.

In particular, we absolutely comply with the inspection regulations of the import partner, tighten the purchasing chain to improve product quality, as well as invest in improving designs and beautiful packaging to suit customer tastes, contributing to the sustainable development of Binh Thuan dragon fruit.