VIETNAM – Dragon fruit exports from Vietnam have reached approximately US$108.5 million in the first two months of the year, driven by increased demand from Thailand and the Middle East, while China stabilized after a period of decline. Exports to Thailand exceeded US$9.2 million, more than 2.7 times those of the same period last year, while exports to the United Arab Emirates grew by more than 57%. To meet seasonal demand during the Lunar New Year period, growers used artificial lighting to stimulate off-season flowering and fruiting, ensuring supply in the early months rather than waiting for the main harvest from May to September. This strategic shift enabled Vietnamese exporters to bypass traditional seasonal constraints and capitalize on the limited global supply during the off-season. For instance, artificial lighting techniques that force flowering outside natural cycles require capital investment in lighting systems, energy infrastructure, and timing technology. Therefore, ...