Consequences of harvesting DRAGON FRUIT in the RAIN and How to mitigate them

Harnessing the sweet benefits of dragon fruit requires careful handling, especially during harvest. Harvesting this delicate fruit when it’s wet, particularly in the rain, can lead to significant post-harvest losses. Learn about the consequences and the best practices for handling rain-affected dragon fruit.

The Pitfalls of Rain-Affected Dragon Fruit Harvest

One of the most immediate and critical consequences of harvesting dragon fruit in the rain, or when it has been heavily exposed to rainwater, is accelerated spoilage once packaged for export. The high moisture content and physical impact of the rain can severely compromise the fruit’s integrity.

Here are the visible repercussions:

• Fungal and bacterial growth: The most noticeable damage begins with mold and soft rot and then rapidly spreads to other areas of the fruit.
• Rapid Deterioration: If these wet fruits are packed and shipped in a container for too long, the spoilage will quickly spread to other fruits, leading to heavy losses. The notorious blue mold is a common and aggressive culprit in these conditions.
• Skin Issues: Some cases also exhibit tiny, scattered white spots or patches of disease  that develop after exposure to rain.

Why Rain Causes Damage to Freshly Harvested Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit is typically harvested in the early morning. Since it is an outdoor crop, encountering rain during harvest is a common and often unavoidable scenario, especially if heavy rain falls the night before or if a sudden shower occurs.

• Open Wound Vulnerability: During harvest, the stem is cut, creating an open wound at the peduncle. When this exposed tissue meets rainwater—which often contains acidic elements—it triggers oxidation, clearly visible as damage or discoloration around the stem.
• Increased Water Absorption: Harvesting the fruit while wet can cause the dragon fruit to “drink” or absorb more water, making the fruit more watery and thus leading to faster decay.
• Cellular Damage: High-intensity raindrops can cause mechanical damage, effectively rupturing the epidermal cells on the skin. This results in numerous, tiny, invisible micro-lesions across the fruit’s surface, providing perfect entry points for pathogens.

Key Harvesting Timing: When to Pick Dragon Fruit

The best practice is always to monitor the weather closely and avoid harvesting on days with poor weather forecasts.

Solutions and Mitigation Strategies for Rain-Affected Dragon Fruit

If harvesting during or immediately after rain is unavoidable due to continuous bad weather, night rain before harvest, or a sudden downpour, quick and effective post-harvest management is crucial:

• Rapid Sorting and Trimming: Immediately transport the fruit to the processing area for sorting. Quickly remove or trim any fruit showing early signs of yellowing or clear damage
• Immediate Cleaning/Washing: Quickly pass the rain-affected dragon fruit through a washing machine or washing process to remove the rainwater and any adhering dirt/contaminants from the fruit’s surface.
• Protective Coating (Chitosan Treatment): Implement a Chitosan chemical dip (or similar organic coating). Chitosan forms a protective organic film over the fruit. This barrier is essential for sealing the numerous small skin injuries and preventing pathogens from entering and spreading throughout the fruit.
• Thorough Drying: Use fans or a drying process to ensure the fruit is completely dry before packing. This step is fundamental to achieving optimal preservation and quality.

OURCE OF SUPPLY OF DRAGON FRUIT

If you have not found a reputable and abundant source of fruits. You can refer to and come to FRUIT95’s direct production system to choose for yourself products that meet quality standards, feel secure about the origin at the best price.

Mail: Ad.fruit95@gmail.com / Phone: (+84) 934 01 62 82 Mr.Triển

Mail: Ad1.fruit95@gmail.com / Phone: (+84) 987 364 651 Mrs.Sophia

 

XNK FRUIT95 COMPANY LIMITED

See more:

• Seize the opportunity to export dragon to Maylaysia
• 5 Steps of exporting Red dragon Cont 20ft to New Zealand
• Nearly 5 tons of red dragon exported to Australia. 
• Export more than 1 ton dragon to America
• Đơn hàng xuất khẩu Thanh long sang thị trường Mĩ
• Công ty TNHH XNK Fruit95
• Thanh long đỏ Việt “bay” sang Mĩ
• Sức cạnh tranh Thanh long xuất khẩu
• DRAGON FRUITS EXPORTED TO PHILIPPINES 14/4/24
• DRAGON FRUITS EXPORTED TO MIDDLE EAST 11/4/24
• RED DRAGON EXPORTED TO THE USA 9/4/2024
• DRAGON FRUITS EXPORTED TO RUSSIA 7/4/24
• DRAGON FRUITS EXPORTED TO EU 6/4/24

• “Trái cây tỷ đô” Thanh Long tìm lại vị thế xuất khẩu.

• Xuất khẩu thanh long những ngày giáp Tết

• Cơ hội xuất khẩu Thanh long Việt sang Australia và New Zealand