India's imported dragon fruit market depends on swift distribution and quality consistency to meet rising consumer demand. Vishal Vadhwa, Director of Gajumal Mulchand Fruits Pvt. Ltd finds that selling dragon fruit faster yields better returns. He imports Vietnamese dragon fruit, which currently faces fluctuating availability due to supply-side issues.
"Sometimes supplies run low or rains delay loading to avoid moisture damage," Vishal explains. "Vietnamese dragon fruit quality is good for the most part, except for the few times when containers are loaded while it rains," he adds. Wet conditions can compromise quality, as moisture shortens shelf-life. "With a 15-day shipping time, recent arrivals have dipped compared to prior weeks," he adds. According to him, pricing has been stable at $6 to $9 per 9kg box CIF Nhava Sheva, but the depreciating rupee value has raised landing costs.
Vishal highlights his experience with the perishable nature of dragon fruit: "Challenges arise when arrivals exceed demand. So the fruit must be cleared within two days through rapid distribution," Vishal says. Post-arrival, the fruit has a 10-day shelf-life for sales, to prevent spoilage and generate returns. Rainfall slows retail demand, as wet conditions challenge retailers. "Our nine-year-old enterprise ensures ties with a network of bulk sellers, reaching cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Rajasthan, with further dispatch to smaller towns. This ensures dragon fruit moves efficiently from port to consumer, preserving freshness and profitability," he adds.
"Demand will peak during Ganesh Chaturthi, a major festival, and the marriage season, which runs from October to February as the fruit is a must-have fruit for weddings," Vishal notes. "During this period cooler weather will extend shelf-life, aiding sales. With over 50 active importers, competition has grown over two years, increasing volumes but squeezing margins. Profitability depends on market timing and arrivals," he explains.
As per Vishal's observation, a good market yields $2 to $4 per 9kg box, or $4,500 to $8,000 per container which includes about 2,200 boxes against a $14,000 to $20,000 investment. "If arrivals are low, prices shoot up; if high, panic selling kicks in," he mentions while expecting low demand, tighter supply, and rising prices in the coming weeks due to rain impacts.
As dragon fruit gains favor for its affordability and profit potential, Vishal urges partners to prioritize speed, quality, and distribution to survive in India's competitive market.
For more information:
Vishal Vadhwa
Gajumal Mulchand Fruits Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: +91 98 79 761 677
Email: [email protected]