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This
is the first part of a three-part article taken from the paper of
the same title submitted as resource paper during the International
Workshop on Tropical and Subtropical Fruits in Chang Mai, Thailand
last December 2-3, 2006 prepared by Drs. P.S. Faylon, A.P. Aquino,
J.E. Eusebio, L.J. Buendia and Ms. A.G. Tidon, all of PCARRD. The
second and third parts will feature the “Fruits supply chain
and trade-related policies” and “Knowledge network for
tropical fruits and proposed policy directions” respectively
There are about 3,000 tropical and subtropical fruits species
worldwide, close to 500 of which are found in Asia. South East Asia
has about 120 major and 275 minor species of tropical and subtropical
fruits and nuts although nearly 200 species remained undeveloped
and underutilized.
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World
production of tropical fruits was estimated at 138.6 million
tons in 2004, about 2.7% higher than the 2003 production level.
The five major tropical fruits varieties produced were banana,
mango, pineapple, papaya and avocado. Minor fruits such as
lychees, durian, rambutan, guavas and passion fruits are produced
in smaller volumes. |
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| Production
of Major tropical Fruits (in ‘000 tons), 2004 |
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Asian
contribution to world production of tropical fruits
Asia
supplies more than half (53%) to total world production of
banana. The leading producer is India contributing 24% of
the world total 70.89 million tons in 2004. Brazil and Ecuador
rank second and third contributing 9.3% and 8.5% respectively.
China, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand rank 4th, 5th,
6th and 9th respectively.
Mangoes,
like banana, are predominantly produced in India (45% of the
24.34 million ton world production in 2004). Other key producers
are Thailand and Mexico, each supplying 7% in 2004. Pakistan,
Indonesia, and the Philippines ranked 4th, 5th and 6th, respectively.
Asia’s contribution totaled 74% of world mango production.
World
production of pineapple was 15.48 million tons in 2004 with
2.8% increase over the previous year. Nearly half of the total
produce came from Asia, notably the Philippines, Thailand
and China. Other major producers are China (8.5%) and India
(7.8%).
India
is the major producer of papaya (31%), followed by Brazil
(19%). Avocadoes mostly come from Mexico (32%), Indonesia
(8%) and the US (6%).
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Consumption
and trade of tropical fruits
In general,
tropical fruits produced worldwide are for domestic consumption,
except for major fruits like mango, banana, pineapple, papaya
and avocado, which are traded in the global markets. These
fruits are generally produced in commercial scale and their
commercialization has, to a large extent, been affecting the
development of other fruit varieties.
Banana
is the most internationally traded tropical fruit with about
one-fourth of 70.89 million tons 2004 production sold overseas.
Export of other tropical fruits are less than 10% of the total
production except for avocado with 12%.
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Banana comprised
85% of all tropical fruit exports with Ecuador, Costa Rica and the
Philippines as top three exporters. Volume of export increased from
less than 1% in 2002 to nearly 8% in 2004. Major markets for banana
are the United States (imported 26% of world total in 2004), Germany
and Japan.
The bulk of
mango exports came from Mexico, India and Brazil. Volume exported
increased in 2004 by a modest 5% following an enormous increase
of 41% in 2003. Mexico exported 190,000 tons, followed by Brazil
with 140,000. The major importers of mangoes were the US (35%) and
the EU (20%).
Papaya exports
increased by 47% in 2004 compared to the previous year. The largest
exporter was Mexico (75,000 tons during the year) followed by Malaysia
(70,000 tons) and Brazil (40,000 tons). The US was the major papaya
importer that accounted for 50% of the world total.
Overall,
import demand for tropical fruits for the next decade is expected
to increase, thus import volume is also projected to expand. FAO
projections to 2014 indicate annual increase in export volume by
1.4% for mango, 1.7% for pineapple, 2% for avocado and 5.6% for
papaya. The US, European Community and Japan remain the largest
import markets for tropical fruits. (Rita M. Fabro, S&T Media
Service)
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