dVida expands tropical fruit availability

The dVida Co. has announced year-round availability for its mango and dragon fruit programs.

“Our clients depend on year-round availability of our tropicals,” dVida CEO Annabell Vidal said in a news release. “Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and Brazil are reliable partners for dVida to supply year-round tropicals to the U.S. market.”

Dragon fruit, otherwise known by “pitaya” by Central Americans and “strawberry pear” by the Asian market, is always available from dVida, the release said.  

Mild climates with temperatures ranging between 64°F to 84°F in Palora, Ecuador, provide a thriving growing season for dragon fruit, the release said. This subtropical climate, coupled with decades of farming experience within the region, produces a highly sought-after yellow dragon fruit, according to the release.  

Palora’s season starts toward the end of November, peaking in January and will carry into the second quarter next year, the release said, adding that Palora’s rich rainforest environment and humid growing conditions produce a consistent supply. 

Red dragon is equally available year-round and is well recognized in the North American and Asian markets, according to dVida. The red dragon fruit is grown and imported from the provinces of Manabi and Guayas, which are coastal regions of Ecuador, the release said.

dVida imports a variety of mangoes from Central America, South America and Mexico, specifically haden, keitt, kent, and tommy atkins — which represent the most demanded mango varieties among U.S. consumers, the release said.

“Since consumer education and promotion has increased for mangoes over the past decade, we have seen a great increase in consumer per capita consumption,” Ana Paula Jacome, dVida’s commercial director, said in the release. “Tropicals are our forte, yet we have more to offer! Fresh ginger that is sourced from Peru and limes from Mexico and Peru [and] cacao from Ecuador, which is favored by chocolate makers worldwide.”

For the past 80 years, Ecuador has been a recognized global leader in the world’s production of the finest cacao, she said.

“In December, we will be exhibiting at the New York Produce Show with plenty of samples of our product line, tropical red and yellow dragon fruit, mango and cacao chocolate bars, powder and nibs,” Jacome said in the release.  

dVida will be exhibiting at the upcoming New York Produce Show, Dec. 5-7, at booth No. 361. dVida will spotlight its product lines, services and dedication to the agricultural trade industry.