Which Country is the Largest Producer of Dragon Fruit in the World?

Top Dragon Fruit Producer: Vietnam is the world’s top producer and exporter of dragon fruit, also known as pitaya. This tropical fruit is grown mainly in southern and central Vietnam, particularly in provinces like Binh Thuan, Long An, and Tien Giang. The country’s unique climate and specialised farming techniques have made Vietnamese dragon fruit globally recognised for its bright colour, sweet taste, and long shelf life. Keep reading for more details about dragon fruit. 

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Which Country is the Largest Producer of Dragon Fruit in the World?

Vietnam produces more than 1 million metric tonnes of dragon fruit annually, making it the largest producer of this fruit in the world, and over 95% of Vietnam's dragon fruit is produced in the Binh Thuan region of Vietnam. 

Vietnam is able to produce fruit annually, although the peak harvest season is from May to August. Vietnam can produce a constant supply of dragon fruit year-round, due in part to off-season flowering displayed using artificial lighting techniques. Thailand and China (also evident in Aceh and Papua) have practices similar to this form for other fruits. Vietnam exports substantial volumes to China, the United States of America (USA), the EU and remaining Asian countries.

Top 5 Dragon Fruit Producing Countries in the World

Note: All data is sourced from ResearchGate.

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1. Vietnam

Vietnam dominates the global dragon fruit market with more than 1 million metric tonnes in annual production. The fruit is a significant export product, and its quality has led to strong demand worldwide. Vietnamese dragon fruit is known for its smooth texture, high water content, and balanced sweetness.

2. China

China is both a major producer and the biggest importer of dragon fruit, mainly from Vietnam. However, domestic cultivation has increased, especially in Guangxi and Hainan provinces. China is focused on developing local varieties and improving farming efficiency to reduce import dependency.

3. Indonesia

Indonesia grows approximately 270,000 metric tonnes of dragon fruit each year. The fruit is primarily cultivated in East Java and Bali, where favourable weather conditions and volcanic soil help boost yields. Both red- and white-fleshed types are popular in local markets.

4. Thailand

Thailand produces around 160,000 metric tonnes of dragon fruit annually. Known for its red-skinned variety, Thai dragon fruit is mostly consumed domestically, though exports are slowly growing. Dragon fruit is often grown in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai provinces.

5. Taiwan 

While smaller in scale compared to the top three, this countries play significant role in the dragon fruit industry, with Taiwan’s productivity at 19.7 metric tonnes per hectare.

Other Countries with Notable Dragon Fruit Production

Countries like Colombia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Israel, and India are emerging players in dragon fruit production. Many of these nations are investing in research and exporting high-quality fruit to meet growing global demand.

Vietnam produces 2 main types of dragon fruit: white-fleshed (Hylocereus undatus) and red-fleshed (Hylocereus costaricensis) varieties, but in recent years its orange-skinned, sweeter dragon fruit (Selenicereus megalanthus) has become increasingly popular for export. 

Amazing Facts About Dragon Fruit

• It's a cactus plant: Dragon fruit grows on a climbing plant, like a cactus, not a tree! So, this spiky plant gives us a yummy fruit.

• Flowers at night: Its big, pretty flowers open only for one night, then they close forever. People sometimes call them "Moonflowers" because of this.

• Many names: People sometimes call it ‘pitaya’ or ‘strawberry pear’. These names describe how it looks and tastes.

• Easy to plant: You can grow dragon fruit from a piece of the plant or a seed at your house. It doesn't need much work to grow well.

• Tiny black seeds: The small black seeds inside the fruit are safe to eat, and they taste a little like kiwi seeds. They make the soft fruit a bit crunchy.