September 30, 2025 | Business Recorder |
Dragon fruit farming in Pakistan is at an early commercial stage, with around 10 farms cultivating the crop. Farmers highlight its potential for local promotion through better marketing, consumer awareness, and by-products like powder for drinks, jam, and ice cream. Captain Rizwan Rehman of Delicious Dragon Fruits Farms in Karachi stresses the need for government subsidies on infrastructure such as concrete pillars, steel wire, drip irrigation, and solar systems to help small farmers expand.
Currently, dragon fruit remains expensive and limited to supermarkets, often imported, making it inaccessible to the general public. Farmers believe increased supply and wider market access will lower prices. Pakistan primarily grows the red flesh variety, which is sweeter and richer in antioxidants and vitamin C than the white flesh type exported by Vietnam and Thailand. This offers strong export potential, especially since Pakistan is geographically closer to Gulf markets.
Varieties under cultivation include Siam Red, Royal Red, Moroccan Red, Dark Star, Taiwan Jumbo Red, and others. With yields of 5–10 tons per acre and prices around Rs1,000 per kilogram, the crop offers high profitability. Farmers argue that large-scale production, supported by government guidance on export standards, could generate billions in export revenue.
