Exotic produce like pitaya (yellow dragon fruit) from Ecuador and ghost pepper from India, is becoming a more common sight at supermarkets, specialty shops and even, market stalls in Singapore.
Stores like Fairprice Finest and Cold Storage are bringing in more exotic produce – from countries like Colombia and Ecuador – to introduce some variety to Singaporean grocery lists.
Mr Victor Chai, the director of fresh and frozen products for Fairprice told TMG that the supermarket constantly looks for ways to engage its customers and “cater to their evolving lifestyles” by “periodically [introducing] new and unique products”.
According to Mr Chai, the exotic produce available, generally generate good sales. The moon drop grapes, which were introduced in Fairprice in August, have been “well-received by [its] shoppers” with good sales. Cold Storage is also selling this variety of grapes.
Blueberries, which used to only be available in limited quantities, were also well-received and are now available at a majority of Fairprice outlets almost all-year round, Mr Chai added.
As for the yellow dragon fruit, Mr William Lim, the owner of Holland Village Fresh Fruits market stall, said that he had brought in the fruit from Ecuador about five to six years ago. While current sales are not as good as when he had first brought the yellow dragon fruit in, he would still continue to sell them, as he attributed the drop in sales as something inevitable due to the economic downturn – it may also be harder for smaller fruit shops to generate good sales due to their location and comparatively smaller customer base.
Mr Lim also imports the Ecuadorian passion fruit. He chose to import these fruits because Singaporeans are known to like sweet fruits, he said. The yellow dragon fruit and the Ecuadorian passion fruit are both well known for their sweetness.
