The dragon fruit plant begins producing fruits 12-15 months after planting. The optimal time to harvest dragon fruit for export is when they start to turn pink, which is 1 day before they ripen. Here are some general procedure that exporter follow 

Harvesting

The dragon fruits are identified by their maturity rate and sizes. The selected fruits are at the mature green stage and have started to show a pink pigment color. For exporting fruits, the harvester will use a sickle to cut the fruit from the plant, as they have not ripened yet.

Post-Harvest

The dragon fruit will undergo sorting based on size and type. Any damaged, soft spot, or diseased fruits will be discarded before being transferred to a cleaning conveyor belt for spray cleaning and disinfection.

The dragon fruit will be packed in biodegradable plastic and placed in a ventilated box (9kg, 12kg, 24kg) based on size.

After packaging the fruits, the boxes will be stacked on a pallet with gaps between the boxes for better air ventilation. They will be stored in cold storage that keeps the temperature of  2°C and 5°C (35°𝐅 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟒𝟏°𝐅 ) and the humidity level of 95% constant to slow down the ripe rate and spoilage.

Transportation

One factor in maintaining the product’s freshness condition, freezer containers are required for transportation over a long period. Maintaining a constant temperature 2°C and 5°C (35°𝐅 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟒𝟏°𝐅 )and humidity level of 95% is the key to product freshness for exporters. 

When transporting the box, it’s safe and efficient to use a pallet jack for easy transportation of the dragon fruit pallet box to a freezer container. Make sure to organize the boxes in the freezer container to allow for better air ventilation.

Here are some documents preparation for exporting fresh products:

Custom document Set:

• Sale Contract
• Commercial Invoice
• Packaging List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin (C/O)
• Health Certificate

Conclusion

The meticulous procedures followed by exporters, from careful harvesting and post-harvest handling to precise packaging and transportation, ensure that dragon fruits reach international markets in optimal condition. By maintaining strict quality control and adhering to cold chain logistics, exporters uphold the freshness and nutritional value of dragon fruits, meeting the demands of consumers worldwide for this prized tropical fruit.