Ecuador exported 17,895 tons of pitahaya in 2021, 60% more than in 2020

The fruit was exported to 27 international destinations. Morona Santiago brings together 65% of the production sites nationwide.

Ecuador exported 60% more pitahaya in 2021, reported thePhyto and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency (Agrocalidad). Son17,895 tonsof the fruit that were shipped in 5,975 trips certified by the agency. In 2020 they were exported11,260 tons.

The fruit was shipped to 27 countries around the world, with the United States being the largest destination market, with just over 84%, followed by Colombia and Singapore with 5.4% and 2.7%, respectively.

At the moment there are phytosanitary requirements for the export of this fruit to 54 countries.

Agrocalidad reported that as of December 31, 2021, 2,051 pitahaya production sites for export are registered, located in 21 provinces nationwide.

Morona Santiago has 65% of these registered production sites, followed by Manabí with 8% and Pichincha with 5.5%.

These production sites are monitored to avoid the presence of fruit flies as part of the Operational Work Plan signed between Ecuador and the United States, which also requires that all fruit that is exported to your country from ours be processed within centers storage facilities registered and approved as pest exclusion structures.

The Agency has 167 collection centers that meet these conditions, distributed in nine provinces: Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (2), Pastaza (2), Cotopaxi (3), Tungurahua (4), Los Ríos (7), Manabí ( 12), Guayas (15), Pichincha (42) and Morona Santiago (80).