A South African dragonfruit cultivar with an average Brix of 19 is making its exporting debut this month.
Kuifkop Boerdery together with Origin Fruit and It’sofresh are sending the first containers by airfreight to the Netherlands (YEX) and to Germany (Ingmar Heuer GmbH) this week, followed by volumes to France and Switzerland later this month.
The dragonfruit, which are grown near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, are sold under the name ‘Kuifkop’ (a crested barbet) and will be available from December into March.
“We’re aiming to export 30 tonnes this season. With new plantings in the ground we’re planning for 60 tonnes next year and 90 tonnes the year after,” says Vincent Keesenberg, marketing and export director of Origin Fruit.
Kuifkop dragonfruit (photos supplied by Origin Fruit)
“The average weight of the fruit is between 450g and 550g, but as large as 650g. This year’s volumes have a pink skin with white flesh and very high Brix. Some of the new plantings include pink-fleshed dragonfruit.”
Douw Steyn and his son Fred of Kuifkop Boerdery have been growing this cultivar of dragonfruit for around five years. Up until now their dragonfruit was sold on the local market, but its high sugar content, excellent flavour and overall quality have convinced them of its export potential.
Douw Steyn of Kuifkop Boerdery, Vincent Keesenberg of Origin Fruit and Fred Steyn of Kuifkop Boerdery close to Nelspruit
For more information:
Vincent Keesenberg
Marketing and export director
Origin Fruit
Tel: +27 82 561 3278
Email: vincent@originfruit.co.za