Cultivating Change: How a Home-grown Dragon Fruit Producer is Gaining International Success
In the rolling farmlands of Pulong Yantok, Bulacan, a quiet revolution in farming is taking root, literally. What started as a small backyard hobby born from a family’s search for healing has blossomed into Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot, now the world’s largest source of hybrid dragon fruit varieties. With its remarkable collection of over 200 unique dragon fruit cultivars, this family-run enterprise is spearheading the movement toward sustainable, innovative farming in the Philippines.
Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot began as a personal journey. When one family member was diagnosed with cancer, the Eliscupides family turned to dragon fruit for its perceived potent health benefits. Understanding the plant’s rich nutrients and antioxidant properties, they became determined to grow it for themselves. What started as a backyard experiment quickly expanded and, by 2012, they had transformed their passion into a pioneering business venture. The family now stands as the proud curators of the largest collection of hybrid dragon fruits in the world, featuring varieties that boast unique flavors like coconut, lychee, and strawberry.
The Seeds of Innovation and Growth
Dragon fruit farming is not new in the Philippines but Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot has taken the practice to new heights with innovative farming methods. Using a trellis-based growing system reminiscent of vineyards, they have maximized their farm’s potential. This system allows them to cultivate more dragon fruits in a fraction of the space typically required. As a result, their farm, which spans roughly three hectares, operates as though it were five times that size, proving that even small-scale farmers can achieve significant output through ingenuity.
“We’ve turned even the smallest backyards into productive dragon fruit farms,” says Kevin Eliscupides, co-owner of the depot. “The trellis method allows us and other farmers to maximize land use, saving both space and resources. It’s a game-changer for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture.”
While Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot’s success has flourished locally, their influence has gone global. In fact, they have shipped their planting materials to over 80 countries across the globe — from South Africa to Greece and the United States. The depot’s commitment to cultivating rare, high-quality varieties has placed the Philippines on the map as a leading dragon fruit producer. But the journey to international markets was not without challenges.
“Exporting hybrid dragon fruits requires not only knowledge of cultivation but also logistical precision,” says Kevin. “That’s where FedEx came in. From the very start, they’ve made the process seamless. Their global network and reliable freight service enabled us to send our dragon fruit cuttings quickly and efficiently, even to distant locations.”
Through FedEx extensive network and tailored freight solutions for perishables, Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot can maintain the quality and freshness of their temperature-sensitive planting materials as they journey across borders. “FedEx has made things so much easier for us,” Kevin explains. “They pick up the materials from our farm, handle all the complex logistics needs such as delivery and customs clearance, and within a week, our products are in our customers’ hands safely and in mint condition.” The ease of working with FedEx gives Kevin a peace of mind, enabling him to focus on other areas of the business while knowing that shipping is well taken care of.
Empowering the Next Generation of Farmers
At the heart of Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot’s mission is a desire to uplift others. Not content with keeping their success to themselves, the depot actively shares its knowledge with aspiring farmers. They provide free training and seminars, teaching innovative farming techniques and promoting the benefits of hybrid dragon fruits. By partnering with institutions like the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the depot ensures that the next generation of Filipino farmers is equipped to succeed.
“We don’t see ourselves as competitors but rather as allies,” says Kevin. “Our goal is to help other farmers thrive and succeed so that hybrid dragon fruits can reach more people. We’re committed to making a positive change to the community, and through that, we’re raising the standard for agriculture across the country.”
With the soaring demand for hybrid dragon fruits, Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot is constantly ahead of their game. In addition to their training programs, they are now expanding the capacity of their farm to increase supply of their dragon fruits to both local and international markets. They hope to one day meet the high demand for dragon fruits in markets that are currently untapped, as well as further boost the Philippines’ reputation as a leader in sustainable agriculture.
For Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot, the key to their success lies in a combination of innovation, community, and reliability. And with FedEx by their side, they’re not just growing fruit — they’re cultivating a future where the Philippines is recognized as a global agricultural powerhouse.
Discover more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs across Asia Pacific and how FedEx supports SMEs at FedEx Business Insights.