Deep Roots

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remains the main producer of tropical fruits, followed by Latin

America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Oceania. It is esti-

mated that 90 per cent of the fruits produced are consumed

domestically, with only an estimated 5 per cent traded as fresh

fruits and another 5 per cent processed. Ninety per cent of

tropical fruit farmers are from developing countries.

It is also common practice for tropical fruits to be part

of the mixed farming system where other food crops such

as maize, rice, root crops, and even livestock are inte-

grated with the main objective of providing food for the

family. However, the trend is changing as most farmers

now cultivate them more for increasing the family income,

therefore contributing to the local economy. Tropical fruit

cultivation covers the range of farmers from subsistence

to the more commercial, plantation-style operators, group

farmers and cooperatives.

In most tropical fruit producing countries, farmers are

now more commercial, growing more marketable fruit types

to sell, rather than just for food. Processed products such

as purees, chips and dried fruit are also being produced to

minimize wastage during seasonal glut. Processing of fruit is

commonly organized by the women in the farm community.

Even though the outlook for tropical fruit seems bright with

an expected gradual increase in demand, there are challenges

which affect farm families.

One of the biggest challenges is that the seasonal nature

of some topical fruit types such as mango, mangosteen and

rambutan adds to the problem of wastage and low prices

during the glut season. At times of low prices, the fruits are

sometimes left unharvested.

Post-harvest is another major challenge for tropical fruit

farmers. Losses occur from the harvesting stage up to packing

and distribution. Causes include inappropriate and repeated

handling along the chain during reselection, grading and

repacking. Generally, post-harvest losses in developing coun-

tries for tropical fruits have been estimated to be about 30 per

cent. This situation is worsened with poor infrastructure and

logistic to transport the produce to the market.

Farmers are sometimes unable to access appropriate

production technologies such as suitable cultivars, suitable

cultural techniques, off-season production techniques and

good agricultural practices. An efficient extension system

is also imperative in order to impart these latest production

technologies to farmers.

As an indirect effect of climate change, pests and disease

outbreaks have seriously affected production and income

for tropical fruit growers. While some diseases and pests

can be contained some, like the banana wilt and citrus

greening disease, continue to devastate farms, affecting the

farmers’ income and prompting changes in the choice of

crops or other agricultural activities.

There is also lack of farmers’ integration into the value

chain and access to the market. The main players in the

value chain are the farm collectors, traders, processors,

wholesalers, distributors and retailers. Tropical fruit

farmers are involved in the production end of the chain

and are seldom aware of what happens to their produce

once it is sold. It is quite common for farmers to be paid

prices that are three times lower for their products because

of the intermediaries in the market chain. Efforts to enable

the farmers to play a more active role in the chain should be

encouraged. This includes partnerships or contract agree-

ments with other chain players such as retailers and the

provision of credit facilities.

With increasing demand and changing consumer trends

for safe and quality fruits plus certification, farmers have

Growing demand promises an optimistic future for the tropical fruit industry, including family farms

Image: International Tropical Fruits Network

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