Freshway Produce Inc. of Miami, FL ships dragon fruit the year and is now increasing it’s production grown in the Sunshine State. Optimism is high this year thanks to favorable weather.
Less rainfall, which can csause fungi problems and other potential issues have not been excessive this year.
Production volumes have also seen a significant boost, particularly from one of the company’s Southern Florida farms. There, Freshway Produce dedicates approximately 44 acres to the cultivation of red and white dragon fruit.
The company has been working with Florida-grown dragon fruit since 2018, and to ensure year-round availability, it also sources from four different countries, including Ecuador and Nicaragua. The firm’s red and white locally-produced varieties are typically available from June through November.
The company reports a consistent growth trajectory in production capacity.
Native to tropical South and Central America, dragon fruit cultivation was first introduced in Florida in the early 2000s. While the Sunshine State’s warm climate provides an ideal growing environment, Florida dragon fruit is traditionally smaller than those imported from countries such as Ecuador.
Freshway notes smaller sizes offer a more practical, on-the-go alternative for snacking, although the market usually demands larger sizes.