Pronatur, collecting company and exporter of this fruit, considered that Peruvian exports of pitaya or "dragon fruit" will continue to decline this year.
The pitaya fruit produced by coffee and passion fruit farmers of Chachapoyas, Amazonas, is very appreciated abroad for its use in gourmet decorations and salads. Despite its appeal, last season (October to January) it was not exported. In 2009 Peru exported 38 kilos of the product and in 2008, 1,314 kg
The decline in exports is associated to the lack of demand for Peruvian pitaya from abroad because, as a representative of Pronatur clarified, fruit sales are made by order.
In this regard, he noted that their main clients were France and the Netherlands, but there was also demand from China, Indonesia and the United States.
Up to 2008 the company exported the red and yellow varieties of the fruit. According to the report of the Research and Development Macroregional Producers Association (AMPEX) in 2009 only the yellow variety was exported.
The price per kilo of yellow pitaya fluctuates between U.S. $8 and U.S. $12.5 while the red one averages at $6.1. A mid-sized pitaya weighs 200g. In Lima, they can be purchased in the Fruit Market at a cost of 15 Peruvian dollars per kilo.
The export values for pitayas in different presentations were of $1.6 million in 2011, according to figures from AMPEX.
Source: Agraria.pe
