EFFORTS TO EXPORT FROZEN DRAGON FRUIT AND ENHANCE THE VALUE OF VIETNAMESE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Vietnam has over 55,000 hectares of dragon fruit, producing more than 1.2 million tons annually, providing a significant advantage for export development. In the context of a volatile fresh market, IQF frozen dragon fruit has emerged thanks to its stable quality, long shelf life, and suitability for industrial production. This is considered a strategic direction to increase value and create opportunities for Vietnamese dragon fruit to move closer to the goal of becoming a billion-dollar industry.

Vietnamese Dragon Fruit Faces a Breakthrough Opportunity with IQF Frozen Products

It is estimated that the total area of dragon fruit cultivation worldwide reaches approximately 140,000–145,000 hectares. In Asia, dragon fruit is grown in China, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc.; in the Middle East, Israel; and in the Americas, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia. Specifically in Vietnam, according to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, by the end of 2023, the country had 55,000 hectares of dragon fruit, producing over 1.2 million tons.

As an easy-to-grow fruit with high yields, drought tolerance, and the ability to adapt to acidic and saline soils, dragon fruit has been chosen for cultivation by southern provinces of Vietnam. IQF frozen dragon fruit is becoming a strategic direction for Vietnam’s export sector due to a range of advantages over fresh dragon fruit.

Firstly, frozen dragon fruit significantly reduces dependence on the volatile and risky fresh dragon fruit market, especially when prices and demand fluctuate seasonally. Quick-freezing technology extends shelf life to 18–24 months, allowing businesses to manage supply year-round and easily fulfill large orders. Compared to fresh exports, IQF dragon fruit benefits from simpler transportation processes and customs procedures, minimizing costs and the risk of spoilage during logistics. Moreover, the product commands a higher export value and delivers better profit margins for businesses thanks to its stable quality and growing demand in the F&B industry.

China remains the most important traditional market for Vietnamese dragon fruit, particularly for processed products such as IQF frozen dragon fruit. The demand for dragon fruit in the beverage, yogurt, dessert, and bakery sectors in China is very high, leading Chinese businesses to increasingly prioritize importing the IQF form due to its stable quality, long shelf life, and convenience for industrial production.

Challenges in Frozen Dragon Fruit Export Activities

Vietnam’s dragon fruit exports are currently facing significant challenges in their efforts to enhance value and expand international markets.
First, increasing international competition has put strong pressure on the industry, as countries such as China, Mexico, Ecuador, and Israel continue to expand cultivation areas and invest heavily in new varieties and advanced processing technologies. This has led to a fragmented global market share, forcing Vietnamese exporters to improve product quality in order to maintain their competitive edge.

In addition, logistics and inspection costs are rising, particularly cold-chain transportation expenses and stringent quarantine requirements imposed by major markets such as the United States, the European Union, and Japan. These factors increase overall production costs and negatively impact price competitiveness.

To transform dragon fruit into a billion-dollar industry, Vietnam needs to implement a coordinated development strategy covering the entire value chain, from production to branding.
First and foremost, promoting deep processing with value-added products such as frozen dragon fruit, dried dragon fruit, and dragon fruit purée is a key factor in expanding markets, reducing reliance on fresh consumption, and improving profit margins.

In particular, to export to China, Vietnamese enterprises must fully comply with the stringent requirements of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). These include registration of processing facilities, plantation codes, packing house codes, and strict adherence to food safety and quarantine regulations, including pesticide residue standards. Once GACC requirements are met, IQF dragon fruit not only reduces the risk of customs clearance issues but also creates significant opportunities to increase export volumes and expand market share in this high-consumption market.

Hướng đi của các doanh nghiệp Việt Nam:

HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company is currently one of the Vietnamese enterprises actively seeking solutions and strategic directions to promote the export of Vietnamese dragon fruit.

HungHau Foods’ factory is located at 45D/TB, National Highway 54, Tan Binh Hamlet, Tan Thanh Commune, Lai Vung District, Dong Thap Province, and serves as the company’s key processing facility for frozen fruits and vegetables. With a large-scale operation covering approximately 14,000 m² and a processing capacity of up to 2,500 tons per month, the factory is equipped with modern production lines and advanced IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) technology, enabling fruits and vegetables to retain their natural flavor, nutritional value, and freshness.

Key product lines include durian IQF, mango IQF, dragon fruit IQF, pineapple IQF, banana IQF, passion fruit IQF, along with a wide range of frozen vegetables and value-added products such as tempura and frozen juices.Among these, dragon fruit is processed entirely using advanced IQF freezing technology, allowing the product to retain its natural color, texture, and nutritional value.

In addition, HungHau Foods has expanded into other product lines derived from Vietnamese agricultural products, including nutritious pasta and Ochao dried fruit products.

The HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company factory in Dong Thap Province has the capacity to process over 2,000 tons of IQF dragon fruit per year, depending on seasonal availability and market demand. The factory is strategically located near major transportation routes of the Mekong Delta, providing convenient access to seaports and logistics hubs in Ho Chi Minh City, with a distance of only 3–5 hours to major export ports such as Cat Lai and Hiep Phuoc, helping optimize transportation costs and international delivery time. Thanks to its advantageous location and well-developed infrastructure, HungHau Foods is able to ensure on-time delivery, maintain consistent product quality, and optimize logistics costs for global customers.

The HungHau Foods factory is certified to international standards including BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard), HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) – a food safety risk management system covering the entire process from raw materials to finished products, ISO 22000 – a comprehensive food safety management system implemented throughout the factory, and SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) – ethical trade and social responsibility standards at the workplace. HungHau Foods’ exported products comply with FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) requirements for export to the United States, KV (Kosher Vietnam) certification confirming compliance with Kosher dietary laws, and HALAL certification ensuring suitability for Muslim markets.

How has HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company enhanced the value of Vietnamese dragon fruit?

To ensure quality in every exported dragon fruit, HungHau Foods cooperates with dragon fruit farms in Lam Dong and Long An Provinces—key raw material regions known for clean farming practices, strict pest control, and the application of modern irrigation systems to ensure consistent quality.

HungHau Foods places strong emphasis on training and developing its factory workforce in line with international standards. Training programs are regularly updated to enhance technical skills and professional expertise. To attract customers and build long-term trust, HungHau Foods’ sales team is dedicated to providing comprehensive support, from product consultation to logistics and delivery.

With “Price & Quality” as top priorities, HungHau Foods is one of the Vietnamese enterprises committed to offering competitive pricing alongside superior quality. All trading processes are conducted transparently, with no hidden costs, ensuring customers feel fully confident and secure when partnering with HungHau Foods.

In terms of quality, HungHau Foods’ products are consistently selected for international export thanks to their stable supply and outstanding quality. Each shipment undergoes strict inspection to ensure consistency across seasons and to preserve nutritional value through advanced IQF technology. Customers frequently express high satisfaction with the product quality delivered by HungHau Foods after each collaboration.

In terms of product marketing, HungHau Foods implements an integrated online and offline strategy, including promotion through its website, social media, email marketing, SEO, and content marketing. In addition, the company actively participates in international trade fairs and agricultural exhibitions, enabling customers to directly experience the products and evaluate their quality, such as the Summer Fancy Food Show (USA), Seoul Food & Hotel 2025 (Korea), ANUGA Select China 2025 (Shenzhen), and Anuga Germany 2025 (Cologne).

Thanks to this professional business and marketing strategy, HungHau Foods has not only expanded its domestic and international markets but also built a reputable brand trusted by customers. The company is steadily enhancing the value of Vietnamese dragon fruit on the global market. IQF frozen dragon fruit products not only help increase profitability and expand market share but also affirm the strong reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products in the global fruit industry.

Vietnam is gradually enhancing the value of its agricultural products and strengthening its position in the international market. Overall, focusing on increasing value for key agricultural commodities such as durian, lychee, dragon fruit, and passion fruit represents a strategic direction, opening opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products to move closer to the goal of becoming billion-dollar exports, contributing positively to economic growth and helping Vietnamese agriculture gain greater global recognition.

With clear strategies and the collaboration of many Vietnamese producers and processors including HungHau Foods along with cooperatives and farming households, Vietnamese frozen dragon fruit is expected to continue expanding its global presence, becoming a source of pride for Vietnam’s agricultural sector on the international stage.

Contact Information for Partnership:

HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company
Address: 642 Au Co, Bay Hien Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Sales Department:
Email: sales@hunghau.vn
Hotline: (+84) 79 721 3333

Business Contact – Anna:
Email: Anna@hunghau.vn
Hotline: (+84) 96 740 0333

Business Contact – Yenn:
Email: yenn@hunghau.vn
Hotline: (+84) 78 520 3333