The growth of dragon fruit plantations, modern and ecological orchard management, and the creation of new markets have all contributed to a steady increase in dragon fruit production from Southern Brazil. “The trend is expected to continue this coming 2024 season that starts in January,” says Ricardo Martins, the agronomist from Epagri responsible for providing technical assistance to dragon fruit growers in southern Brazil.
(In middle) Ricardo Martins with dragon fruit growers in southern Brazil.
Brazilian dragon fruit is mostly commercialised on the domestic market, which is an attractive and lucrative market says Martins. “The dragon fruit market has grown significantly throughout the country. However, the export of the fruit is still small compared to countries like Ecuador and Peru, but as we grow, we want to reach new markets, such as the United States, Canada and Europe."
Martins emphasises that Brazil's great advantage is that in some regions it is possible to produce the fruit year round. “In some parts of the country growers can use artificial lighting and in subtropical regions, like the south, growers can produce winter pitayas, of the Megalanthus species, which is much more appreciated by foreign and local markets. In addition, pitaya from Brazil is more ecologically managed, generally free of pesticides and the growers are constantly trained and updated on the crop.”
Symposium
Martins says they are hosting a Brazilian symposium focused on dragon fruit, which will be held from 6th to 8th March. The III Brazilian Symposium of Dragon Fruit and I Latin American Meeting of Dragon Fruit Growers will be held in March, 2024 in southern Brazil.
For more information:
Ricardo Martins
Epagri
Tel: +55 48 99626 2974
Email: [email protected]
www.epagri.sc.gov.br