The European Community market for tropical fruit and factors limiting growth.
Proctor, F. J.
Acta Horticulturae Year: 1990 Issue: No. 269 Pages: 29-39 Ref: 9 ref.
1990
บทคัดย่อ
The EC market for tropical fruit has grown rapidly over the past five years. For the major fruit, namely pineapple, avocado, mango and pawpaw, growth has been over twofold, since 1983 to a total of 387 675 t (1987). The market share for each of the EC member countries differs, as do their specific demands for fruit type and quality. This reflects population, historical linkages with particular sources of supply, ethnic minority groups and their size and market structure. Whilst the greatest growth potential exists for these major tropical fruits, minor tropical fruits such as lychee, carambola, passion fruit, guava, mangosteen and physalis are attracting considerable interest at the retail and consumer levels. Key characteristics of 'new' tropical fruit are identified. Factors influencing the demand for tropical fruit include the growth of market share in retail distribution by multiples, consumer purchasing power, product promotion, consumer education and above all the increased availability of , and access to, well presented quality fruit. Tropical fruit industries are characterized as using developing countries as sources, and requiring a large number of countries of origin due to seasonality of availability, for example of mango. Aspects relating to factors limiting growth, in particular, investment risk against size and dynamics of the market, are considered. The need for vertical integration in the industry both in commercial market terms and from the postharvest management viewpoint is emphasized. The extent to which tropical fruit can be ripened at the market level and offered to the consumer ready-to-eat is limited by technical factors, including lack of knowledge, as well as constraints at the retail distribution level. The establishment of a strong research and development base is a key contributory factor influencing the success of a tropical fruit industry. Areas of priority should include genetic resource evaluation, extension of the season of production, reduction of production costs and the development of optimal postharvest procedures.