In 2013, Plant & 
Food Research began the New Premium Fruit Variety Development Project (NPFVD) between partners in Vietnam and New Zealand agriculture and agribusiness experts. The initiative was funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme with co-investment from the partner institutions. Viet Nam is the world’s largest producer and exporter of dragon fruit, supplying about 50% of the global market.
In yesterday's press release, it stated: "Our commitment to Vietnam’s dragon fruit market extends right across the value chain from production through to marketing."
"While red is seen as a lucky colour in Asia, suggesting our red-fleshed variety would do well, we have also developed varieties with white or pink flesh."
"With our input, Vietnam is developing novel cultivars, sustainable production techniques, and postharvest systems, and we’ve conquered canker disease. Farmers are growing fruit that will meet the needs of premium markets where consumers are prepared to pay top prices. We’ve introduced Vietnam to the protection of plant variety intellectual property – something that is new to their country. Cultivation improvements have averted crop and income losses for farmers for both local and traditional export markets, with immediate benefit."
For more information:
Emma Timewell
Plant & Food Research
Tel.: +64 (0)21 242 9365
Sarah Evans
Plant & Food Research
Tel.: +64 (0)21 523 013
Email: media@plantandfood.co.nz