Southeast Asia Tops World's Dragon Fruit Growing Regions

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, has grown from a niche tropical fruit native to Central America to an important commercial crop globally. Production of this exotic and antioxidant-rich fruit has been expanding rapidly in the last few years thanks to rising consumer demand. This article delves into the world’s major dragon fruit growing regions, providing cultivation contexts and emerging trends. 

The dragon fruit industry has a global scale. From Vietnam’s vast plantations in Southeast Asia to Ecuador to Israel, as well as the emerging African farms, each region brings its own strength to a fast-growing market. 

Southeast Asia - Production powerhouse 

Vietnam 

Vietnam is the world’s largest producer and exporter of dragon fruit. It turned out 1.12 million tons in 2024, with shipments mainly destined for China, the United States and Europe, based on Vietnam’s Trade and Industry Ministry report. 

Binh Thuan province accounts for over 40 percent of Vietnam’s output, followed by Long An, Tien Giang and Ninh Thuan, all in the country’s southern region. 

Vietnam produces around one million tons of dragon fruits per year, most of which is exported, ranking the world's largest in both output and annual shipments. 

The tropical climate with a pronounced dry season (December-April) in Binh Thuan makes it ideal for dragon fruit cultivation, reducing fungal risks. The region also has well-developed packing and cold-chain infrastructure, enabling Vietnam’s steady fresh fruit exports year-round. 

Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines 

Thailand has expanded acreage mostly in its eastern provinces of Rayong and Chanthaburi, focusing on export to China and neighboring nations.  

Indonesia, especially Java and Bali, produces for domestic and regional markets. 

Cultivation is growing in Malaysia’s Johor and Terengganu, while in the Philippines, the commercial crop is less mature, with modest output estimated at 2,000-3,000 tons/year, largely consumed domestically.  

Given’s Vietnam’s large share in both output and export, Southeast Asia supplies most of global demand, especially in the between-crop months in Latin America. 

Latin America 

Production in several countries helps maintain a strong market presence. 

Ecuador & Colombia 

Ecuador is known for exporting yellow-skinned dragon fruit (often with white or red flesh). It ships 56,000 tons per year, mainly to the United States and Europe, said a report on the fruitnet.com.  

 Colombia also exports both the varieties to Europe and North America.    

Ecuador is a leading exporter of yellow-skin dragon fruit, named as 'palora' after its main growing location in the South American nation. 

Because of the hemisphere swap, Latin America obtains a strategic advantage as it is able to fill the supply gap in the northern hemisphere markets during Asia’s off-season. Many producers use sea freight to nearby U.S. West Coast ports, often transporting in controlled-atmosphere containers. 

Mexico & Central America 

Mexico cultivates several species (Hylocereus undatus, H. costaricensis) across states like Jalisco, Colima, and San Luis Potosí, largely for domestic consumption and some export.  

Mexico cultivates several species (Hylocereus undatus, H. costaricensis) across states like Jalisco, Colima, and San Luis Potosí, largely for domestic consumption and some export.  

Nicaragua and Guatemala supply regional markets with moderate volume. 

Middle East & Mediterranean 

Israel 

Israel employs greenhouse cultivation and modern irrigation to grow dragon fruit for export to Europe. Some orchards are climate-controlled to maintain optimal humidity and protect against desert heat. 

Southern Europe 

Spain has small-scale dragon fruit crop (especially cold-tolerant varieties) in Andalusia, thanks to mild Mediterranean climate and greenhouse protection.  

Some producers in Israel and Spain use LED supplemental lighting and precision water control systems to extend harvest windows.  

While volumes are relatively small compared to Asia and Latin America, producers in these regions position crops in premium segments (fresh, organic, direct-to-retail) to justify higher pricing. 

Dragon fruit is grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with major production areas in Southeast Asia (especially Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia), East Asia (China) and Australia, showed data from Mordor Intelligence, an India-based international market research and consultation company. 

Emerging Regions 

Africa 

Kenya and South Africa are exploring commercial dragon fruit cultivation along their coastal zones. Some pilot farms in Kenya such as Kwale and Kilifi have begun planting red-fleshed varieties for export. Yields are lower initially, but interest is growing, especially for tropical horticulture diversification. 

Australia 

Growers in Queensland and northern New South Wales cultivate for domestic markets. Some farms in Cairns and Townsville produce both red- and white-fleshed varieties, with controlled environments to buffer dry or hot extremes. 

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