Dragon fruit was Vietnam's first big tropical fruit success. Exports passed US$1 billion in the mid-2010s and peaked at around US$1.3 billion in 2018, almost all of it going to China. Since then the story has changed. In the first eleven months of 2025, exports were about US$485 million, the lowest since 2014, and the full-year total came to a little over US$525 million, down about 1.5% on 2024.
For fruit importers and analysts, dragon fruit is now a case study in what happens when a buyer grows its own supply. This guide covers the HS codes, where Vietnamese dragon fruit still sells, who competes with it and how to find exporters in Vietnam dragon fruit export data.
Vietnam Dragon Fruit Exports: Key Numbers
| Measure | Figure | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Peak export value | About US$1.3 billion | 2018 |
| Export value | About US$485 million, down 0.8%, lowest since 2014 | January to November 2025 |
| Export value | A little over US$525 million, down about 1.5% | Full year 2025 |
| Rank among fruit exports | Third, behind durian and fresh coconut | 2025 |
| Export value | US$93.8 million, 14.3% of fruit and vegetable exports | January to February 2025 |
| Export value | About US$108.5 million, a rebound of about 16% | January to February 2026 |
| Fruit and vegetable exports in total | Over US$8.5 billion, a record | 2025 |
Dragon fruit briefly regained the top spot among fruit exports in early 2025, when durian shipments to China fell sharply in the first months of the year. That lead did not last, because durian recovered strongly in the second half.
HS Codes for Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, also called pitaya, does not have its own 6-digit HS code. Fresh dragon fruit is usually recorded under "other fresh fruit", so the product description matters more than usual.
| HS code | What it covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0810.90 | Other fresh fruit | Fresh dragon fruit sits here, with other tropical fruits such as jackfruit and rambutan, so search for the word "dragon fruit" |
| 0811.90 | Other fruit, frozen | Frozen dragon fruit pulp and cubes |
| 0813.40 | Other dried fruit | Dried dragon fruit slices |
| 2009.89 | Juice of other single fruit | Dragon fruit juice |
| 2008.99 | Fruit otherwise prepared or preserved | Prepared dragon fruit products |
Where Dragon Fruit Goes
China remains the biggest market but its share has fallen. It took about 79% of exports in 2023 and closer to 62% in the first eleven months of 2025, or about US$301.7 million. Vietnamese fruit is still very common there: industry figures say Vietnam supplies around 90% of China's imported dragon fruit, even though China now grows about 1.6 million tonnes of its own each year, nearly enough for its home demand.
| Market | 2025 position (Jan to Nov) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| China | About US$301.7 million, 62.2% of exports | Own output of about 1.6 million tonnes a year narrows the room for imports |
| India | About US$41.8 million, up 6.4% | The second largest market and a growth target |
| Thailand | Small, up 71.1% | Fastest growth among smaller markets |
| South Korea, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Russia | Smaller markets | Targets for exporters from the main growing area in the south-central region |
| United States and Canada | Limited | Competition from dragon fruit grown in Mexico |
Why Exports Have Slowed
| Factor | What happened | Effect on Vietnamese exporters |
|---|---|---|
| China grows its own | Output of about 1.6 million tonnes a year, more than Vietnam's | Smaller import needs, lower prices |
| One market | Around 62 to 68% of exports still go to China | Any shift in demand there hits the whole industry |
| New competitors | Mexico competes in the United States and Canada, other producers are expanding | Harder to win new markets |
| Season timing | Harvest peaks overlap with Chinese and Indian supply | Exporters push for more off-season production at the start and end of the year |
| New fruit exports | Durian and fresh coconut have taken the lead | Fresh coconut passed dragon fruit in 2025 for the first time |
Reading Dragon Fruit Terms in a Shipment Record
| Term in the record | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| White flesh, red flesh | The two main varieties by flesh colour | Red flesh usually sells at a higher price |
| Fresh, whole | Fruit with the skin on | Falls under the fresh fruit code |
| Frozen pulp, frozen cubes | Processed and frozen product | Longer shelf life, used in drinks and desserts |
| Grade A, B | Size and appearance grade | Decides the price per kilogram |
| Weight per piece | For example 350 to 500 grams | Heavier fruit often sells at a premium |
| Kilograms or tonnes | Unit of measure | Convert to one unit before comparing prices |
| Reefer container | Temperature-controlled container | Marks long-distance or premium shipments |
Where Dragon Fruit Is Grown
The main growing areas are in the south-central region, around the former Binh Thuan area (now part of Lam Dong), and in the Mekong Delta provinces such as Tien Giang. Most farms are small family plots that sell to collectors and packers, and most exports leave from the south.
How to Find Dragon Fruit Exporters in the Records
- Search HS 0810.90 with the words "dragon fruit" or "pitaya" over the last 12 months.
- Group by exporter and rank by shipments and value. Many exporters also sell durian, so look for those with a steady dragon fruit pattern.
- Check the buyers. Exporters selling to India, South Korea or the Middle East are less exposed to one market.
- Look at the season. Shipments in the off-season months show better planning.
- Compare price per kilogram for the same grade and flesh colour.
- Verify the company with our guide on checking a supplier before you contact them.
What to Watch in 2026
- Early recovery: January and February 2026 exports of about US$108.5 million were up around 16% on a year earlier.
- Frozen and processed products: more value can be added through frozen cubes, pulp and dried products.
- New buyers: India, the Middle East, South Korea and Southeast Asian markets are the main growth targets.
- Off-season supply: shifting harvest timing helps exporters sell when other producers are out of season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS code for dragon fruit?
Fresh dragon fruit is normally recorded under HS 0810.90, "other fresh fruit". Frozen dragon fruit falls under 0811.90.
How much dragon fruit does Vietnam export?
A little over US$525 million in 2025, down about 1.5%, after peaking at around US$1.3 billion in 2018.
Who buys Vietnamese dragon fruit?
China, with about 62% of exports in 2025, followed by India, then smaller markets such as Thailand and South Korea.
Why have dragon fruit exports fallen?
China has expanded its own production, Vietnam depends heavily on one market, and new competitors have appeared in other regions.
Search Dragon Fruit Export Data
Ready to find dragon fruit exporters? Open Vietnam dragon fruit export data to search HS 0810.90 and 0811.90 by exporter, buyer and price per kilogram. If you need help identifying dragon fruit lots in generic fruit codes, send us an enquiry.
Disclaimer: Vietnam Import Export Data provides shipment records and trade datasets. We do not buy or sell any products. For purchasing or selling enquiries, please contact the importers and exporters listed in our datasets.
