Currently, a majority of dragon fruit products grown in the two provinces of Binh Thuan, Long An are still mainly exported to the Chinese market through unofficial channels, with many potential risks. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Communications Director of Central Retail Group in Vietnam, said: “This program aims to facilitate for consumers across the country to join hands and accompany dragon fruit farmers during the Lunar New Year holiday, reducing the damage of dragon fruit exports due to the epidemic's impact.
It is expected that in the first week of launching the program, Central Retail's supermarkets will consume about 20 tons of dragon fruit, which will gradually increase consumption based on the growing purchase power on the year-end days.
Central Retail will directly purchase only high-quality dragon fruit from farmers and cooperatives and transport them to the group's distribution systems at a good price. On January 4, red-fleshed dragon fruit is priced at 15,900 VND/kg and 12,900 VND/kg in the systems of Hanoi and the Southern provinces, respectively.
Additionally, Central Retail system also processes popular dishes and drinks from dragon fruit such as bread, cake, jelly, smoothie, juice, etc.