New dragon fruit varieties to delight growers and consumers

February 13, 2023 | 16:55

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The first new varieties from a joint New Zealand – Vietnam dragon fruit breeding initiative are set to be launched in the global marketplace.

Plant & Food Research in New Zealand and the Southern Horticultural Research Institute (SOFRI) in Vietnam have been working together since 2013 to breed new varieties of dragon fruit with excellent characteristics.

VentureFruit, T&G Global’s IP management and commercialisation company, has joined the collaboration with exclusive global commercialisation rights to the first three varieties from the scheme.

New dragon fruit varieties to delight growers and consumers

Dragon fruit from the new varieties is expected to be available to consumers in 2027, with a target of 250 hectares planted by 2030

All three new varieties are red-skinned, with a sweeter, more aromatic flavour than current varieties, and with a crisp dense texture. The varieties vary in flesh colour, one with the traditional white flesh most commonly seen, a unique pink-fleshed variety, and a dark, appealing red-fleshed variety. The varieties are believed to be the first canker-tolerant dragon fruit to be commercialised; canker is a highly destructive disease of dragon fruit, killing plants and causing visible damage.

Vietnam is the largest dragon fruit supplier in the world and the fruit is highly sought by Asian consumers, despite being native to Central and South America (where it is known as pitaya). Vietnam produces around 1 million tonnes of dragon fruit a year, and increased its production area from 10,000 hectares in 2010 to more than 50,000 by 2018.

The new varieties have been developed as part of the New Premium Fruit Variety Development project, supported from 2013 to 2021 with funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The collaboration between New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research and Viet Nam’s SOFRI and Sub-Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Post-harvest Technology focused on breeding new varieties and improving fruit quality through new growing practices and post-harvest handling and storage technologies to better meet overseas market requirements.

The breeding initiative is now funded by Plant & Food Research as one of its Technology Development Missions.

VentureFruit general manager, Morgan Rogers said the launch of the new varieties was an example of the close horticultural ties between New Zealand and Vietnam.

“These new varieties demonstrate a strategic and innovative approach between all partners involved to create new dragon fruit genetics that taste better and deliver huge grower benefits in terms of canker tolerance. This allows for these unique new dragon fruit varieties to be grown optimally to achieve higher yields, as well as improving production and providing higher returns for growers,” he said

Initially, the new varieties will be commercially developed in Vietnam for export markets. Evaluation trials are planned in other potential production regions, including an ongoing trial at Plant & Food Research’s Kerikeri Research Centre in the subtropical northern region of New Zealand.

Plant & Food Research CEO David Hughes said the launch of the new varieties showed the impact possible through a successful international development initiative.

“Being able to support people through international development programmes is really rewarding for our scientists, as they can see how their knowledge can directly impact individuals’ lives. We’re really excited to bring two of our long-term collaborators together and support the ongoing growth of the dragon fruit sector, not just in Vietnam but also elsewhere,” he said.

Plant & Food Research Scientist Dr Satish Kumar, lead breeder from Plant & Food Research on the breeding initiative, said the appointment of VentureFruit licensee for the first three varieties from the programme was a significant milestone for Plant & Food Research and SOFRI.

“These new varieties are the result of a strong collaborative effort by the breeding teams at Plant & Food Research and SOFRI, bringing together key areas of strength and expertise from both. We are thrilled with the appointment of VentureFruit as exclusive licensee to take these varieties out to the market,” said Kumar.

New Zealand’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Tredene Dobson said the work was a great continuation of the successful 7-year New Premium Fruit Variety Development project.

“We look forward to seeing the growth of Vietnam’s dragon fruit export market and a positive impact on farmer incomes. Seeing New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation programmes develop into commercially sustainable partnerships is a satisfying example of strong New Zealand - Vietnam bilateral cooperation,” she said