TRA VINH (Biz Hub) —The Duc My cooperative in the southern province of Tra Vinh has sold 1 tonne of red–flesh dragon fruit to the US for VND24,000 (US$1.14) per kilogramme, according to the manager of the cooperative.

The Director of Viet S Farm Company and intermediary for the deal, Vu Cong Bang, said the next two tonnes of dragon fruit would be exported to the US this month.

The sale comes as the cooperative is currently navigating procedures to obtain the coveted Vietnam Good Agricultural Practice (VietGap) certificate for Duc My — Tra Vinh dragon fruit. Tra Vinh has more than 65 ha of red–flesh dragon fruit growing in the Cang Long, Chau Thanh, Cau Ke and Cau Ngang districts, including 30ha in Cang Long's Duc My Commune producing more than 1,000 tonnes annually.— VNS