Vietnamese Dragon Fruit – Behind the World’s No. 1 Position Lies the Single Market Dependency Problem

Vietnam has long held a proud position: the world's largest producer and exporter of dragon fruit. With an export turnover reaching $600 million USD in 2024, accounting for up to 85% of the global market share, dragon fruit is not just an agricultural commodity, but a source of pride for Vietnamese farmers.

This success is attributed to ideal climatic conditions, fertile soil in key regions like Binh Thuan and Long An, and the wealth of experience in cultivation techniques. Approximately 80–85% of the dragon fruit production is allocated for export, demonstrating the immense economic value this fruit brings.

The Dominant Market

However, behind this global dominance lies a major and persistent risk: an over-reliance on a single market—China.

Currently, up to 80% of Vietnam's dragon fruit exports flow into China. Although China is the world's largest consumer market, this dependency has put the agricultural sector in a vulnerable position. A sudden change in policy or quarantine regulations from China could inflict massive losses on the entire multi-million-ton dragon fruit industry.

This creates an urgent mandate: Vietnam must diversify its export markets to ensure sustainable development and mitigate risks.

The US – A Challenging but Promising Land

In the drive for diversification, the US emerges as a promising destination for Vietnamese dragon fruit. While the current market share in the US is modest (nearly 10% of export turnover), the potential for exponential growth is huge.

Conquering the US market means facing extremely strict and rigorous standards. However, if Vietnamese dragon fruit can overcome these barriers, a massive door to stable demand and high value will open.

Negotiating to Remove the Cost "Knot" for Vietnamese Dragon Fruit

To realize this goal, Vietnam is making notable efforts. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development led a delegation to work with the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The crucial objective is to propose the recognition of the hot vapor treatment (or heat treatment) method for fresh dragon fruit.

Why is this method important? If accepted by APHIS, it would streamline the export process and significantly reduce processing costs for Vietnamese exporters.

Previously, some facilities successfully applied heat treatment and gained acceptance in demanding markets like South Korea and Japan. This provides a strong basis for believing the US will soon grant recognition. Even Lam Dong province—a major dragon fruit hub—pioneered the recommendation to the Ministry to negotiate for the use of the heat treatment measure.

The effort to diversify export markets, especially the successful conquering of the US market, will not only help Vietnamese dragon fruit reach further but also solidify the position of Vietnamese agriculture on the global trade map, driving towards a more sustainable economy.