Vietnam’s dragon fruit will be directly shipped to the US for food irradiation before being distributed to supermarkets across the country.
 |
| Packaging dragon fruits for export in Binh Thuan |
Consignments will be delivered to the US agency for the irradiation service as of August 20, according to Nguyen Huu Dat, director of the post-import plant quarantine centre No2.
This is the only Vietnamese kind of fruit that has enjoyed preference from the US, and the move shows that the product has built up trust in this demanding market, said the director.
With the US easing import regulations, Vietnam will have a good chance to promote and expand outlets for its dragon fruit, said Dat.
Early this year the US Patent and Trademark Office (UPSTO) granted a patent to the dragon fruit grown in the southern province of Binh Thuan, recognizing the brand name Binh Thuan, Dragon Fruit, and the image of the fruit.
Bui Dang Hung, president of the Binh Thuan province Dragon Fruit Association, said the US organization’s recognition will help Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit to secure a firm foothold in this market, protecting its prestige and US consumer rights.
Although Binh Thuan, which has the largest acreage under dragon fruit cultivation in Vietnam, is at the peak of the harvest time, the price of the fruit is increasing 30-40 percent compared to the off-peak season.
