New Zealand supports Vietnams dragon fruit exports

Ho Chi Minh Ctiy – New Zealand is supportive of Vietnam’s efforts to improve each step of the value chain for exporting dragon fruit, which is critical to its long-term commercial success, heard attendees at a national workshop in HCMC on June 5.

A farmer harvests dragon fruit in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang. Achieving excellence at every step of the value chain for this fruit is critical to long-term commercial success – Photo: VNA

The workshop, called “Successful development and commercialization of premium fruit varieties,” brought together nearly 100 participants from relevant government departments, research institutes, farmers’ associations and farm exporters.

The workshop shared the lessons learned from the “New Premium Fruit Variety Development Project,” a six-year NZ$8.1 million (US$5.6 million) dragon fruit project funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme.

The project developed farming methods that have doubled the productivity and new post-harvest washing and cooling techniques for pack houses that have reduced fruit damage and extended shelf life.

The development project’s robust and innovative research has reduced the impact of canker disease and resulted in less chemical usage. It has significantly helped participating dragon fruit farmers enhance their knowledge and grow their returns on investment. It has also assisted the development of a number of high-potential new dragon fruit varieties.

The project was executed by New Zealand Plant and Food Research in partnership with two Vietnamese research organizations: the Southern Fruit Research Institute and Sub-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology.

“This project is one of New Zealand’s signature projects in Vietnam because it successfully brings together New Zealand’s agricultural expertise with one of Vietnam’s most iconic products – the dragon fruit. We are pleased that this project has delivered tangible benefits to Vietnamese farmers and their families,” said Wendy Matthews, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam.

The workshop also focused on pathways to the commercialization of new varieties of premium fruit. New Zealand businesses shared their experience with fully leveraging high-value fruit varieties, based on their country’s successful commercialization, intellectual property protection and branding models for apples and kiwis.

“New Zealand’s fruit industry has invested in both robust systems across the value chain and in research to develop the best possible varieties. By sharing New Zealand’s successful models, we hope to assist Vietnam’s fast-growing premium fruit industry,” Matthews added.

The New Zealand Aid Programme is used to develop shared prosperity and stability, drawing on the best of New Zealand’s knowledge and skills. It aims to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.

In Vietnam, New Zealand provides support in the areas of agriculture, knowledge and skills and disaster risk management at a total investment of NZ$26.6 million over the 2015-2018 period.