Dragon Fruit Prices Surge Amid Supply Shortage in Vietnam Due to Reduced Cultivation in W47

Dragon fruit prices are increasing, reaching between USD 1.3 and 1.7 per kilogram (kg) for off-season produce. However, farmers are experiencing a supply shortage as cultivation has been reduced by half due to prolonged losses. In late Nov-23, warehouses in Chau Thanh district (Long An) purchased red-fleshed dragon fruit at the mentioned prices. In 2023, many dragon fruit farms were neglected after facing losses due to the pandemic, leading to reduced care, fertilization, and an increase in diseased plants. As a result, fruit production has halved, with Long An having around 12 thousand hectares (ha) of dragon fruit, primarily concentrated in Chau Thanh district, and an annual production of nearly 300 thousand tons. The total area has decreased to about 9 thousand ha as many farmers switched to other crops due to prolonged losses.