Dragon fruit season has started in California and growers are now picking these exotic and colorful fruits which are in season generally from July until the end of the year. Weather has had an impact this year with intense heat waves damaging vines and fruit. Growers say this is unusual as they don't typically experience such weather events.
"We started harvesting fruit last week," said Anthony Shoghi of Moonland Produce in Vernon. "We had several days in a row of over 110 degrees which is a very large burden of work to carry for our young plants. Volume though will pick up now and be consistent throughout the season. Our season typically runs from late July through December. Last year we had Christmas fruit!"
Dragon fruit category keeps expanding
Dragon fruit is grown commercially in the US in Florida, Hawaii and California. For Moonland Produce, which has been growing dragon fruit for five years now, they said they have witnessed tremendous growth in the category since they started growing it. The company has increased acreage each year and are also importing fruit to supplement the California season.
"The Dragon Fruit market is booming," Shoghi exclaimed. "In addition to growing the fruit here in California, we also import dragon fruit from Vietnam by air and sea for our customers who need a product they can market year round. I think it's safe to say the dragon fruit category on its own has done very well the last few years and will continue to do so. We now see fruit coming in from Ecuador, Colombia, and other places. Buyers across the World now have a bevy of options for their dragon fruit needs."
Additionally, Shoghi said Moonland Produce has developed new varieties and is commercializing them in their orchards. "We are expanding every year," he said. "Our goal each year is to increase acreage as well as keep incorporating our new varieties for commercial harvest. Most of the fruit has a sweet red flesh appearance but we have now expanded to include pink and whites that are equally sweet, and which we distribute from our warehouse here in Vernon."
Moonland holds high standards for California Sweet Dragon
Moonland Produce has their own brand of dragon fruit called the California Sweet Dragon. They are the only company that grows these particular varieties, which were developed and now farmed by Gray Martin. Sizing generally ranges from 150-350 grams per fruit although Shoghi noted there are some individual fruit that can be as heavy as one kilogram.
"California Sweet Dragon is unlike anything on the market," he said. "The colors of its skin and flesh inside make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing commodities. They are also some of the best eating quality fruit to be experienced. Think of it as a mix between a kiwi, pear, and watermelon, a unique combination of sugars, flavors, and a hint of its acid - every bite and every fruit is a unique experience."
According to the company, the California Sweet Dragon is only labeled as such if it meets a certain minimum sugar content. "Our varieties are not selected for commercial growth and harvest if their BRIX - a measure of soluble sugars - do not consistently meet 18 and higher," Shoghi declared. "We're also one of the largest growers of sweet dragon fruit in California. Growing the fruit ourselves is important in our effort to create a recognized brand of quality fruit."
Moonland Produce offers both Premium and Select grade dragon fruit. The company encourages buyers to contact them directly. "Our fruit is picked daily and immediately refrigerated to preserve and maintain freshness," Shoghi said. "Our California Sweet Dragon Fruit is not for open market sales as the product is in limited supply. We carefully select each outlet for it to secure a quality experience for the customer. For example, Gelson’s Markets is the exclusive retailer for our fruit in the Southern California area. For those interested in our fruit please reach out to us."
For more information:
Anthony Shoghi
Moonland Produce
Tel: +1 (213) 627-7666