Dragon fruit prices rise sharply

Prices of dragon fruits in the southern province of Tiền Giang are soaring. — Photo vfa.gov.vn

HÀ NỘI — Dragon fruit prices at Chợ Gạo Dragon Fruit Co-operative in the southern province of Tiền Giang are increasing sharply, creating economic advantages for farmers.

The price of white flesh dragon fruit is fluctuating between VNĐ18,000 and VNĐ20,000 (79 US cents and 88 US cents) per kilo while red flesh dragon fruit ranges from VNĐ40,000 to VNĐ45,000 per kilo, some three times higher than the previous month.

Nguyễn Thị Trinh, a dragon fruit grower in Chợ Gạo District’s Tân Thuận Bình Ward, said at this time, Chợ Gạo dragon fruit is an unseasonable crop, therefore supply is not much and the price tends to increase sharply, bringing more profit to local.

Trần Văn Hòa, head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Division of Chợ Gạo District, said the local area specialises in growing 5,430ha of dragon fruit, of which red flesh dragon fruit accounts for some 1,200ha. Every year, the specialised area yields some 100,000 tonnes to supply for both domestic and export markets.

In order to avoid the situation of "bumper crop but lower price," each year, farmers harvest three to four crops, of which one is a seasonable crop (from May to August) while the rest are unseasonable crops.

Annual productivity reaches over 30 tonnes per hectare. Highly productive farmers achieve a yield of 40-60 tonnes per hectare.

According to Ngô Hữu Thệ, secretary of the Chợ Gạo District Party Committee, thanks to this dragon fruit specialised area, local farmers have overcome difficulties, escaped from poverty and built sustainable industries. Many farmers earn billions of đồng following a bumper dragon crop, which has significantly transformed Chợ Gạo’s rural and agricultural situation.