Peruvian pitahaya exports totaled US$ 1.3 million for 406 tons in the first half of 2024

Peru's cultivation of the dragon fruit, or pitahaya, has seen remarkable growth, becoming a key crop with high export potential due to its adaptability to various climates and soils. The process began in the 1990s in the Peruvian jungle for local supply, with expansion to the coast starting in 2010, aided by increasing demand and potential for international markets. The country now grows two main varieties and has become a significant exporter, with exports experiencing a substantial increase in the first half of 2024. The future of this industry looks promising, with room for expansion, improved techniques, and market diversification, but challenges such as infrastructure and research need to be addressed.

(Agraria.pe) The pitahaya, known as the “dragon fruit”, has experienced remarkable growth in Peru in recent years, consolidating itself as a promising crop with great export potential. The aforementioned fruit has become an important crop in several regions of Peru, where its adaptability to different climates and soils is taken advantage of. The cultivation of pitahaya in Peru has its roots in the Peruvian jungle, where it grew wild since ancient times. However, its transition to a commercial crop and its subsequent expansion to coastal regions occurred in recent decades, driven by the growing internal demand and the export potential of this exotic fruit. Beginning in the 1990s, the first attempts to cultivate pitahaya commercially began in the Peruvian jungle, mainly in the regions of San Martín and Ucayali. These initial efforts focused on production for the local market, supplying mainly nearby cities. In Peru, two varieties of pitahaya are mainly cultivated: . Red pitahaya: ...