Henry Le’s company, Ago ImportExport, specializes in the cultivation and export of dragon fruit from the Binh Thuan region in Vietnam. Traditionally, the dragon fruit harvest season in Vietnam spans from June to late August. However, the availability of Vietnamese dragon fruit has been extended throughout the year, thanks to the use of lighting to stimulate off-season flowering. This approach ensures a consistent supply of dragon fruit to countries worldwide.
Henry introduces his company, highlighting their use of traditional, locally grown white-fleshed dragon fruit varieties. He notes that the year-round harvest season in Vietnam is carefully managed to guarantee a steady supply without an excessive quantity being available simultaneously. In September 2023, the output was notably lower compared to previous years due to heavy rains that affected the fruit’s quality, particularly red dragon fruit. Consequently, this resulted in peak prices for dragon fruit during September. Remarkably, despite the elevated prices, global importers continued to exhibit a robust demand, occasionally encountering shortages in dragon fruit supply.
As October arrives, the start of the electricity generation season and the conclusion of the rainy period bring stability to dragon fruit production.
Henry observes that this year’s export volume of dragon fruit is lower than usual, partly because some of the key importing countries have initiated their own dragon fruit cultivation. Nonetheless, he underscores that the dragon fruit from the Binh Thuan region offers superior quality and flavor. The development and ripening process of dragon fruit is heavily influenced by weather conditions. Adequate rainfall, stable temperatures, and sufficient sunlight are critical factors for the optimal growth and ripening of dragon fruit. Unfavorable weather conditions such as heavy rain, limited sunlight, or drought can negatively impact dragon fruit trees and reduce the quality of the fruit.
In the Binh Thuan region, the climatic conditions, characterized by ample rainfall within a short timeframe, along with consistent temperatures and sunlight, create an ideal environment for dragon fruit production. These factors have contributed to the reputation of Vietnamese dragon fruit as the finest in the world.
