Dragon fruit grows from the flowers of the pitaya cactus and comes in several types: pink skin with white flesh, pink skin with red flesh, and yellow skin with white flesh. The flavour is sweet and mild, and the fruit is eaten fresh, in salads or in smoothies. It also carries vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Dragon fruit has export potential as demand grows beyond the tropics. Production and export are concentrated in Asia and South America. Vietnam is the world's largest supplier and holds the leading share in Asia and Europe; Thailand and Israel follow as the second and third largest suppliers to the European market. The fruit travels fresh but also as processed product — juice, frozen slices and purée.
In Türkiye, dragon fruit is grown at lower elevations near the coast. Cultivation is possible in Mediterranean-climate provinces such as Antalya, Adana, Mersin and Muğla, and the growing area has expanded in recent years.
For a buyer, the constraints are practical: the fruit is picked ripe and has a short shelf life, so airfreight economics, cold chain continuity and agreed tolerance for skin blemishing usually decide whether a shipment works commercially. Volumes from Türkiye remain small, which makes supplier capacity the first thing to verify.
Contact us for your dragon fruit trade needs.
