Brazil's domestic demand for dragon fruit is holding back exports with consumption of the fruit having grown significantly in the country in recent years. "Through marketing campaigns, promotion of the fruit in supermarket chains and television, the fruit has gained in popularity on the national scene," says Ricardo Martins, an agronomist at Epagri, the agricultural research and rural extension company in southern Brazil.
Data collected by Ceagesp - São Paulo Fruit and Vegetable Supply Center - indicates a growth of more than 70% in the sale of the fruit in recent years. Martins says this data reflects the potential of the crop for family farming and as an opportunity to diversify rural property activities. "The good domestic demand is an average of $2 dollars per kg, similar to export prices. Because of these good prices we don't have much to export of the dragon fruit. We have seen pitaya grown in small areas, but there is great potential for the fruit to be grown in larger areas given the opportunity to export and industrialisation," says Martins.
The main dragon fruit producers in South America are Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, with the latter leading production. "We have seen that in smaller countries like Peru and Ecuador, production is very much focused on exports, but in Brazil, the scenario is different because the domestic market is very strong and competitive, which attracts a lot of sales. However, with the increase in the supply of fruit, we hope that Brazil will start exporting, because, in this case, it's possible to add even more value to the fruit," says Martins.
In Brazil, the Association of Pitaya Growers of Brazil - APPIBRAS, is the main association representing growers and has played a key role in promoting the fruit through events and symposiums.
For more information:
Ricardo Martins
Epagri
Email: [email protected]