Tropical Fruit Market…

Fresh tropical fruit production and trade have been growing rapidly in recent years. So far, it is expected to continue to expand over the next decade or so. Developing countries produce almost 98 percent of total production. Thus far, the developed countries import about 80 percent of the world’s import trade. Almost 75 percent of the global fresh tropical fruit trade are major tropical fruits.

Thus far, a lot of tropical fruit species are grown in all three zones of the tropics. In reality, only a few promote in the local markets. Even fewer were exported. However, in recent times focus has been on fresh fruit exports.

Botanic Culture

In botanic terms, tropical fruit is a diverse class of fruit. They are mostly domestic to various tropical regions. So, the varieties come from various families. Normally, the tropical fruit market was for domestic consumption. So, they were mostly grown in traditional subsistence-style agricultural systems. It was common to collect from the wild too.

So far, the availability of coolroom storage, efficient transport chain, and increased consumption worldwide are leading the way to increase production. Hence, huge quantities of tropical fruits are exported to Europe, Japan, and the American markets each year. In fact, today most of the production is for fresh consumption. However, processing industries have been set up too. Thus far, in the increasing health-conscious market, tropical fruits find a niche. Consumers see them as a great source of nutrition. Furthermore, it adds variety and exotic appeal.

Mangoes are seen as the dominant type of tropical fruit worldwide. So the other popular fruits are pineapples, papaya, and avocadoes. Hence, these four fruits classify as major tropical fruits. Other fruits like lychees, guavas, passionfruit, rambutan, and durian are known as minor tropical fruits.

Production Analysis

The projections analysis utilises dynamic time models to forecast production. So far, the same models are used to project for import trade of fresh tropical fruits. Projections take into consideration common weather patterns, past trends in plantations, yields, income, and population growth.

Thus far, the projection model captures many fluctuations in import business and production to an acceptable level. So, the forecast does not take account of processed fruit production and trade. This is particularly because of constraints on both trade information and forms of fruit.

Fruit Production

Thus far, most of the increase in fruit production in recent times has been from expanding planted areas. The intent is especially for export business. So far, Asia and the Pacific sector continue to be the key producing countries. It accounts for more than 56 percent of total tropical fruit production worldwide. Latin America and the Caribbean countries account for 32 percent and Africa produces 11 percent. So, developing countries continue to grow their market share worldwide.

Available in Supermarkets

Tropical fruits are now common on supermarket shelves globally. It may be available as fresh fruits, juice, natural flavours, dried fruits, and jams, or confectionary. Tropical fruits need to explore for their pectin content. However, it exploits as a jellying agent in the domestic manufacturers.

Bakery Uses

Peels from tropical fruits are valuable ingredients. They have high bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. Hence, they are ideal to use in food products. For example, green sugar apple peels show the highest antioxidant activity.

While mango peel is rich in nutrients it is should be put to much better use.  Currently, after obtaining fruit juice or processing the fruit, mango peel is usually thrown out. So, it is a resource waste. It results in environmental pollution too. Mango peels have properties to prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other degenerative diseases. Thus far, the application of mango peel powder has been in biscuits, bread, macaroni, etc. The products show elevation of polyphenol and dietary fibre contents. Hence, mango peel is a healthy food ingredient. It may help to improve the functional properties of food.

Mango, the King of Tropical Fruits

Mango is known as the king of tropical fruits. It is a native of India. Mango was introduced to Thailand, Malaysia, China, and other countries. So far, mangoes account for almost 50 percent of global tropical fruit production. Hence, more than 75 percent of global mango output is from Asia and the Pacific. India remains to be the world’s largest mango producer. So far, it accounts for 40 percent of total global production.

Juicy Pineapple

Pineapple originates from South America. It has been cultivated here for many centuries. However, many people associate pineapples with Hawaii. Thus far, it is now a major crop in Hawaii. This delicious tropical fruit is full of flavour and sweetness. So far, it is famous for cocktails like pina colada. It’s an essential dessert recipe too.

The Asian and Pacific countries produce almost 45% of the pineapple production. So, Latin America and the Caribbean produce about 36 percent. African countries combine a total of 16 percent. Thus far, the trend shows a declining market share of the worldwide pineapple products for Asia and the Pacific region. This is despite strong growth rates in the Philippines and Thailand. So far, Latin America and the Caribbean have the most significant growth in pineapple production.

Nutritious Papaya

Papayas originate from central America. It grows best in a tropical climate with plenty of rainfall. The freezing temperatures and too much rain may damage the crop. Papaya tastes sweet and it has a soft texture. It is nutrient-rich, and many find it appealing. The seeds are edible too, however, they are a little bitter.

Today, you will find papaya in Hawaii, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, tropical sectors of Africa, and Australia. Thus far, smaller papaya farming operations exist in the Pacific, central and south America. 

Tropical Avocados

Avocadoes are native to southern-central Mexico. Today, the most popular variety is the Hass. The mother tree of all Hass avocados originates from a backyard in California. The pear-shaped fruits are large with skin that remains green even when ripe. So, its yellow and creamy flesh is fibrous with high water content. It has a mild flavour and is loaded with nutrients.

Exports

The major tropical fruits are mangoes, pineapples, papaya, and avocadoes. They account for almost 75 percent of fresh tropical fruit production globally.  Hence, mangoes are not the dominant tropical fruit variety grown worldwide. The export varieties include peach, parrot, calypso, and hybrid introductions.

Thus far, the market share for mangoes has been growing at a rapid rate in recent years. Projections continue to be vibrant. Warmer weather conditions, yields, income growth, and population help the sales growth.

The global tropical fresh fruit market is of dynamic nature. It captures autoregressive distribution lag models. Hence, the forecast results are obtained from an s-step a-head ADL model. So, s is the forecast horizon or final year of projections.