Vietnamese dragon fruit exports up 14% year on year to US$108.5 million—2.7 times to Thailand and up 57% to the UAE as market diversification accelerates

Vietnam's dragon fruit exports for January-February 2026 reached US$108.5 million (about 16.3 billion yen), up 14% year on year. Exports to Thailand surged 2.7-fold to US$9.2 million and to the UAE rose 57% to US$3.3 million, while exports to the United States shrank 39% to US$4 million. Vietnam's dragon fruit industry, which has sought to break away from dependence on China, has begun to ride a new growth track through market diversification into Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

To Thailand 2.7-fold, to the UAE +57%: export results for January-February 2026

According to VnExpress (dated April 15), Vietnam's total dragon fruit exports for January-February 2026 were US$108.5 million, a 14% year-on-year increase. In particular, exports to Thailand jumped about 2.7-fold from the previous year to US$9.2 million, and exports to the UAE also grew sharply to US$3.3 million (up 57%).

Meanwhile, exports to China, the largest buyer, were a solid US$66.5 million (up 5%), but the growth rate remained modest. Exports to the United States fell 39% to US$4 million, resulting in a split in fortunes by market.

The production structure centered on Binh Thuan province and recent challenges

The center of dragon fruit cultivation in Vietnam is Binh Thuan province, whose 26,550 ha of planted area account for 53.1% of the national total. On a production basis too, 48% of the national total comes from Binh Thuan province. The main harvest is the primary season of May-September, but in the January-February off-season (nghich vu), shipments are also made through supplemental-lighting cultivation.

However, flooding at the end of 2025 spread fungal disease, and yields fell at some farms. The Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Orchard and Enterprise Association reported that "post-flood fungal damage led to a decline in quality," and there are concerns about the impact on supply in the first half of 2026.

In addition, a switch to more profitable crops (such as durian) is advancing, and the planted area for dragon fruit is on a downtrend.

Dragon fruit export value by market (January-February 2026)

Note: yen conversions are estimated at 1 dollar = 150 yen

Local reactions: voices of producers, buyers and industry bodies

An official of the Binh Thuan dragon fruit association commented that "the surge to Thailand owes much to Thai processors buying Vietnamese red-flesh varieties as raw material. Our price-negotiating power has risen."

A fresh-produce exporter in Ho Chi Minh City says that "demand to the UAE is strong from high-end supermarket chains in Dubai. Because only growing regions that clear Halal certification and pesticide-residue standards become trading partners, there is room for differentiation."

Meanwhile, on the decline to the United States, an industry source analyzes that "rising irradiation-treatment costs and intensifying competition from Mexican and Colombian product are taking a toll."

Impact on Japanese importers and agricultural players

Vietnamese dragon fruit is also imported into Japan, but as the priority of shipments to China, Thailand and the Middle East rises, there could be an impact on supply volume and prices for Japan.

The farm-gate price of the white-flesh variety (bach) is reported at 10,000-15,000 VND per kg (about 60-90 yen), and the red-flesh variety at 15,000-25,000 VND (about 90-150 yen). Because Thai and Middle Eastern buyers are aggressively buying the red-flesh variety, red-flesh fruit for Japan is expected to face upward price pressure going forward.

For Japanese importers, the challenge is to build direct relationships not only with Binh Thuan province but also with growing regions in Long An and Tien Giang provinces to secure stable sourcing routes.

Ripple effects across the industry: a pillar of the US$10 billion fruit-and-vegetable export era

Vietnam's fruit and vegetable exports as a whole US$1.48 billion in Q1 2026, up 27% year on year recorded, putting the annual US$10 billion mark within sight. Dragon fruit is a leading item second to durian, and if diversification away from overconcentration on China advances, it will also help reduce export risk.

With Thailand, trade in dragon fruit processed products (freeze-dried, juice raw material) is expanding, and the shift toward value-added exports is also noteworthy. The agriculture, forestry and fishery export target of US$73-74 billion set by the Vietnamese government to achieve it, such successful cases of market diversification need to be extended to other items.

Practical information on Vietnamese dragon fruit

Summary: as market diversification advances, Japan should review its procurement strategy

Data from early 2026 shows that Vietnamese dragon fruit is breaking away from overdependence on China and gaining new growth markets in Thailand and the Middle East. For Japanese importers, it is a time when the risk of being "outbid" by Thai and Middle Eastern buyers is rising.

They need to take steps such as direct contracts with growing regions, early reservation of red-flesh fruit, and even joint development of processed products such as freeze-dried. Heading into the primary season from May onward, now can be called the right time for procurement negotiations.