Now is the season for the dragon fruit and presently, this odd looking delicacy can be seen for sale in our local supermarkets and fresh fruit and vegetable outlets.
The world’s biggest producer of dragon fruit is Vietnam, who produce around (95%) of the pink-fleshed variety, while South Africa produces the predominantly white-fleshed variety.
Dragon fruit, also called pitaya, is the fruit of a climbing cactus, which blooms at night and is grown in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
South Africa, is quickly establishing a growing export industry in this sought after commodity.
The bulk of dragon fruit is produced in the northern hemisphere. This fact plays nicely into the hands of South African producers, as dragon fruit from South Africa is available when availability is limited on the European and United States markets.
Vietnam, followed by Thailand and Israel, are the biggest supplier of dragon fruit, and produce around 600 000 tonnes per year.
The bulk of dragon fruit production is eaten in Asia, by the Chinese, who are the biggest dragon fruit consumers, due to their belief in the good fortune of the fruit due to the fruit’s name, shape and colours.
South Africa’s warm climate is ideal for dragon fruit production which requires temperatures of 21°C – 29°C, and irrigation or rainfall of between 650mm and 1200mm.
Dragon fruit is sensitive to intense sunlight and frost. The fruit grows well in climates where avocados, bananas and macadamia nuts are grown and will fit in well with the productions systems of these products. The same pack houses and logistics may be used as the harvesting seasons do not overlap.
Dragon fruit is grown in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the coastal regions of KZN, the Lowveld area from Nelspruit to Tzaneen, Eastern Cape and in the Western Cape. The largest new dragon fruit plantings in South Africa are around Dendron and Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province.
Dragon fruit production in South Africa is still relatively small, around 100 tonnes per annum. The bulk of the crop is exported via air freight with just a few crates being retained for domestic consumption.
The fruit is harvested between November and March. When the dragon fruit plants are young, they will only produce from January to March, but, the older the plant, the longer the fruiting season. Fruit matures within a month, changing colour to red 27 to 33 days after pollination. The commercial production of dragon fruit in South Africa is expected to grow exponentially as extensive new plantings come into production.
South Africa exports dragon fruit primarily to Europe, but plans to supply the Far East and the USA as soon as production allows.
(Source: Wikipedia)
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