Tierra Suelta sees steady firepower for Ecuador’s peak dragon fruit season

La Niña’s dry influence and disciplined farm management are helping Florida-based exotics grower, packer, and distributor Tierra Suelta deliver steady dragon fruit volumes from Ecuador this winter. The company is moving through its 2025-26 peak season with stable yields, solid quality, and promotable supplies expected to last into February.

The Ecuadorian season peak typically runs from October to May, Tierra Suelta tells FreshFruitPortal.com, but production had a slightly later start in November. The Andean country faced multiple challenges in 2025, with producers reporting widespread weather damage and falling prices due to oversupply in key markets, like the United States.

Tierra Suelta currently manages about 593 acres of dragon fruit directly and sources fruit from an additional 321 acres. This provides the firm with scale to supply winter programs despite the seasonal weather risks that often affect the category, such as rainfall.

“So far, yields have been acceptable, with a particularly positive outlook for February 2026. Overall, the season is progressing as anticipated, with no significant quality issues reported,” the company says. 

Winter remains a critical period for Ecuadorian production, as cooler temperatures and variable weather can pressure fruit quality. However, Tierra Suelta’s outlook remains positive.

“Even so, we expect to handle significant volumes while maintaining appropriate standards,” the firm says.

Dry spells, strong signals

Weather will continue to play a defining role this season, Tierra Suelta says, as forecasts say La Niña will delay Ecuador’s rainy period. Traditionally, the heaviest rainfall occurs between January and April, but this year, precipitation may not arrive until February.

“These conditions are usually favorable for the crop, as they contribute to greater production stability,” the company adds.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, and affiliated institutions project La Niña’s dry spells to continue through January, with a transition to neutral conditions toward March 2026. This, Tierra Suelta says, should bring stability to the season.

From a supply standpoint, the firm notes that limited expansion of new dragon fruit acreage—largely due to low prices in recent years—means most volume growth continues to come from established farms. 

Tierra Suelta’s bet on packing and variety growth

Earlier this year, the third-generation, woman- and minority-owned firm built a state-of-the-art packing facility in Florida dedicated to dragon fruit. 

The new warehouse is certified by Global GAP for safe and sustainable agriculture, and Primus for food safety standards, and combines automated processing and hand packing. 

“We have implemented continuous on-site monitoring of producers, rigorous control of each stage of the packing process, and the incorporation of new tools that allow us to preserve product quality and extend its shelf life,” Tierra Suelta says.

As a result, the company reports increased volume and expanded geographic sourcing, strengthening operational consistency and customer satisfaction. 

On the demand side, white-fleshed dragon fruit remains the market mainstay, though red-fleshed fruit continues to gain traction: “We estimate that imports of this variety could double by 2026.”

Yellow and golden varieties have maintained market share, with Tierra Suelta expecting continued, steady growth. While pricing remains difficult to predict, the company is betting on stable market flows and a tried-and-true supplier base.

“What remains constant, however, is the effect of supply and demand,” the firm adds. “For us, the most important thing remains building strong and stable relationships with our suppliers. This is the foundation that allows us to maintain consistency throughout the different stages of the season and to face market fluctuations more effectively.”

*Photos courtesy of Tierra Suelta.

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