Dragon fruit prices at Cho Gao Dragon Fruit Co-operative in the southern province of Tien Giang are increasing sharply, creating economic advantages for farmers.

The price of white flesh dragon fruit is fluctuating between VND18,000 and VND20,000 (79 US cents and 88 US cents) per kilo while red flesh dragon fruit ranges from VND40,000 to VND45,000 per kilo, some three times higher than the previous month.

Nguyen Thi Trinh, a dragon fruit grower in Cho Gao District’s Tan Thuan Binh Ward, said at this time, Cho Gao dragon fruit is an unseasonable crop, therefore supply is not much and the price tends to increase sharply, bringing more profit to local.

Tran Van Hoa, head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Division of Cho Gao District, said the local area specialises in growing 5,430ha of dragon fruit, of which red flesh dragon fruit accounts for some 1,200ha. Every year, the specialised area yields some 100,000 tonnes to supply for both domestic and export markets.

In order to avoid the situation of "bumper crop but lower price," each year, farmers harvest three to four crops, of which one is a seasonable crop (from May to August) while the rest are unseasonable crops.

Annual productivity reaches over 30 tonnes per hectare. Highly productive farmers achieve a yield of 40-60 tonnes per hectare.

According to Ngo Huu The, secretary of the Cho Gao District Party Committee, thanks to this dragon fruit specialised area, local farmers have overcome difficulties, escaped from poverty and built sustainable industries. Many farmers earn billions of dong following a bumper dragon crop, which has significantly transformed Cho Gao’s rural and agricultural situation. — VNS