TROPICAL FRUITS NEWSLETTER Number 49 December 2007

Tropical Fruits Newsletter, produced quarterly, is a medium to disseminate technical and general information on pre-production, production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and marketing of tropical fruit crops among Caribbean professionals, producers and processors working in these areas. The editors welcome the submission of articles and news covering these subjects. In This Issue

Editorial 2

News from around the region 3

Marketing opportunities for Jamaica's grapefruit industry 5

Passion Fruit 10

Antigua Mango Festival 12

Postharvest handling of avocado 14

Postharvest handling of soursop 16

Nutritional highlights of selected fruits 18

Nutritional and health benefits of citrus fruits 18

Research Abstracts 19

Resources 20

Recipes 21

Upcoming events 22

Websites 22 INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE OFFICE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ISSN 1024 1957 CaRC/TT-03/07 #3 Herbert Street, Newtown, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago / P.O. Box 1318 Tel: (868) 628-4403/4078/9; Fax: (868) 628-4562 Email: [email protected] 2 EDITORIAL

This year, marks the 15th anniversary of the article by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Production Guide for Sapodilla, Soursop publication of the Tropical Fruits Newsletter. Institute provide more insight into some of and Sugarapple During the past 15 years, we have been the real benefits of the nutritional value of pleased to provide stakeholders and partners fruits and vegetables and the important role Increasingly, nutritionists and other health throughout the region and internationally, they play in maintaining health and care providers are advocating the virtues of with information pertaining to technical and preventing disease. including more fresh fruits and vegetables in marketing developments in the tropical fruit the diet as a means of promoting healthy industry in the Caribbean. We trust that the As an institution, IICA remains committed living. Over the years however, some of our newsletter has contributed in some measure to the growth and development of the fruits and vegetables are becoming less to fostering an appreciation for the market in tropical fruit industry in the region and available to consumers on the local market. the Caribbean. continues to source resources and Those fruits and vegetables which seem to information that we trust will meet with the be disappearing from the local market This issue addresses marketing and markets satisfaction and needs of the stakeholders include sapodilla (Manilkara zapota van for tropical fruits and fruit products produced and players within the industry. Royen), soursop (Annona muricata L.) and in the Caribbean region. The marketing of sugarapple (Annona squamosa L.) tropical fruits remains an important area of We wish to thank the contributors to this focus for the industry, based on several issue: Edward Evans, Janette Lawrence and The Inter-American Institute for factors, including the potential for export of the IICA Office in Antigua & Barbuda and Cooperation on Agriculture has prepared a tropical fruits from our region to larger convey special thanks to the Caribbean Food production guide for promoting the markets in Europe, the United Kingdom and and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) and the Rural development of those fruits so as to make the United States. Agricultural Development Authority them more readily available and popular. (RADA) in Jamaica. Policy recommendations are also made for Intra-regional trade of tropical fruits should development of the identified fruits. also be greatly encouraged. With the Special thanks to the French Embassy in opening up of the Caribbean Single Market Trinidad and Tobago for their continued This comprehensive production guide is Economy (CSME), there exists an open contribution and support to the development well illustrated to allow for easy reading, market for regional fruit producers and of the fruit industry - particularly in the especially for persons who may not be entrepreneurs to supply to markets within the production of this newsletter. familiar with the production of the fruits. It region. Opportunities exist for intra-regional is therefore a good guide for the home supply of produce to hotels, restaurants and As always, we take this opportunity to gardener as well as for those persons who supermarket chains as well as for producers solicit relevant contributions from our may wish to establish commercial orchards. to participate in domestic markets in islands readers, researchers and our many other than their own. stakeholders as we seek to stimulate and Included in the production guide are encourage growth in this valuable aspect of descriptions of the botany of the trees; Excerpts from an article on marketing our region's agriculture. descriptions of its fruits and flowers; opportunities for the Jamaican grapefruit cultivars that are used; the nutritional value Aaron H. Parke presents an overview of international trends IICA Representative in Trinidad & Tobago of the fruits and their economic importance. in production and trade of grapefruits and identifies potential opportunities for the TROPICAL FRUITS NEWSLETTER The guide covers cultivation; land Jamaican citrus industry. This research is preparation techniques; plant management; important in light of opportunities presented Coordination pest and disease management; harvesting to the region to produce citrus, given the and layout: Kathryn Duncan and post-harvest management and storage. deficit in the supply of orange juice to the United States. Editors: Aaron H. Parke Production Guide for Sapodilla, Soursop Edric Harry and Sugarapple will be available in 2008. Notably, there has been an increase in fruit ISSN#: 1024 1957 festivals around the Caribbean region, which are excellent marketing opportunities in CaRC/TT-03/07 themselves and also stimulate production IICA The publication of this newsletter has within communities as well as creativity and been made possible by the kind Supporting innovation in value-added fruit processing. cooperation of the Government of One such example is the Mango Festival in France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Fruit Industry Antigua, which is fast becoming a popular the Inter-American Institute for the annual event on the calendar. Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Expansion Tropical Fruits Newsletter continues to The responsibility for opinions in the Caribbean promote the health benefits of tropical fruits expressed in this publication rests in our Caribbean society. Excerpts from an solely with the authors. NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION 3

A snapshot of tropical fruit news items from the Caribbean in 2007

GUYANA GUYANA

Guyana pushing sugar loaf pineapple West Dem farmer certified to export pine cultivation for export to St Lucia

The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Poor Officials from St Lucia's agriculture ministry recently Rural Communities Support Services Programme (PRCSSP), approved pineapples from a West Bank Demerara farm for yesterday distributed, to selected farmers, planting material export to that island. called ‘slips’ for the cultivation of sugar loaf pineapples. According to a press release, Tameshwar Hiralall, of Canal The objective of the distribution is to encourage more Number One Polder, was identified as the sole exporter of the widespread production of the delicious variety that is very fruit after the authorities certified that he had met the much in demand on the external market, particularly as stipulated husbandry requirements. St Lucia crop protection chunks, PRCSSP official, Mr. Sasenarine Singh said. officers Floyd Alexander and Burnet Sealy, accompanied by local officials from the Plant Health Unit (PHU) at the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud did the handing agriculture ministry and officers from the New Guyana out to four farmers, three from Essequibo and one from Marketing Corporation (GMC) conducted tests and Alexander Demerara, at a brief ceremony in his Ministry, Vlissengen said from all indications, Hiralall's farm met the necessary Road, Georgetown Boardroom. He said the disbursement was requirements. "There were no visible signs of pests or disease in keeping with the Government policy that agricultural affecting the crop and the condition of the farm has met our production should be export driven. requirements."

Persaud said sugar loaf pineapple was already being Alexander and Sealy will oversee the first processing and successfully cultivated at Mainstay/Whyaka in Region Two packaging of the pineapples at the GMC's Central Packaging (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and exported in chunks, by a canning Facility (CPF) located at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, where company named AMCAR, to places in Europe. they will be stamped and sealed. Afterwards PHU officers will be tasked with approving future exports to the island. He noted that a packaging plant is now under construction in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) and the Exporter Natasha Brady said the GMC played an integral role success of the venture with the highly popular pineapple could in identifying the possible source for the initial shipment of lead to it being shipped abroad directly from that Region. pineapples by providing market information, brokerage services and technical advice. "I am excited because this is the Persaud explained that yesterday’s exercise was part of a pilot first time I will be exporting pineapples to St Lucia. In fact no scheme which, if it succeeds, would encourage more large one else is doing so at the moment so it is very likely that I scale production for both the domestic and overseas markets. will be setting the standard and parameters for future exporters," Brady said. The four recipients yesterday were George Smith and Wesley Grimes, of Salem, East Bank Essequibo; Nazim Ali, of Hogg The GMC said a Protocol of Trade exists between Guyana Island and Laurel Smith, of Free and Easy, Wakenaam, both and several Caricom countries which clearly stipulates the along Essequibo River. They received a total of 2,000 sugar requirements imposed by each country. loaf pine slips and Singh said the chosen quartet had been successful in cultivating the Montserrat variety and were Exporters to these countries must buy produce from certified involved in PRCSSP training programmes which helped to farmers and all produce must be packaged at the CPF and it improve their agronomic practices. should be inspected and certified by a local plant quarantine officer. He said the PRCSSP has established demonstration plots for the purpose at Salem, Free and Easy, Hogg Island, La Source: Stabroek News Harmonie, Bethany and Abrams Creek and funding for them www.stabroeknews.com was acquired from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Source: The Guyana Chronicle www.guyanachronicle.com 4 SPECIAL NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION

JAMAICA REGION

Citrus Farmers Could Benefit from Caricom urged to grow more Deficit in Supply to US Caricom nations are not producing and eating enough vegetables and fruits, a regional conference on food security in Guyana has heard.

The shortfall is taking a toll on their health-- driving up the number of people falling ill with non-communicable diseases like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Agriculture contributes between 10-40% of the Gross Domestic Product of several Caricom member-nations but the region still has much to do, the conference was told.

Caricom's assistant secretary general for trade, Irwin La Rocque, reported that there had been a slight improvement in Jamaica's citrus farmers are being encouraged to replant their the prevalence of under-nourishment some Caricom nations. orchards, to benefit from a deficit in the supply of orange juice to the United States. He added however that that progress was slowed by the love of fast-foods by Caribbean nationals. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), Paul Miller, told JIS News that because Food Economist at the Jamaica-based Caribbean Food and of the withdrawal of several suppliers from Brazil and Florida, Nutrition Institute (CFNI), Dr Ballayram says at least 60% of due to disease or a shift in focus, the US market is facing a deaths across the region are due to lifestyle disease. supply deficit of 200 million boxes. According to Mr. Miller, citrus production in Florida and Brazil is being threatened by This he blamed on a laid-back lifestyle and a diet consisting diseases such as tristeza, canker, the pink mealy bug and of excess fat, salt, and sugars. citrus greening, which have significantly reduced production levels, with the numbers "coming down from 270 to 130 Rancid million boxes (in Florida) and in Brazil, from 400 to 300 million boxes." As a first step, the CFNI official wants Caricom governments to create incentives to prohibit the use of certain ingredients, In Florida, he explained, the re-planting process is proving to including trans-fats that scientists say raise the risk of heart be costly, due to the pressure for land to meet residential and disease. resort demands, while in Brazil, the planting of sugarcane to meet the demand for ethanol, has reduce the availability of Several major fast-food chains in the US are moving to phase land for the replanting of citrus. "When a farmer finds his out the use of trans-fats which are vegetable oils that have citrus orchard affected by disease, rather than struggle with been combined with hydrogen to prevent them from replanting, he simply takes it out and replaces it with cane," becoming rancid. Mr. Miller pointed out. Encouraging local farmers to increase citrus production, he noted that the industry is capable of The Caribbean director for the UN's Food and Agriculture producing some eight million boxes. Production now stands at Organisation, Dr Barbara Graham, says the region is still not 3.8 million boxes. "If we double our production or triple our eating enough fruits and vegetables. production, we have a market for that," he stated. She says this dietary imbalance can be corrected only through Mr. Miller pointed out that, "even if the market were to be a public education campaign combined with farmers using frozen, there is still a gap of 20 million boxes to be filled and appropriate technology and processes. Eastern Europe and Central Europe are making demands for citrus so there is an even bigger market, keeping the future This approach, she says, will increase the amount of produce rosy." while lowering cost of production and slashing the price that consumers pay for fresh fruits and vegetables. Source: Jamaica Information Service www.jis.gov.jm Source: BBC Caribbean www.bbc.co.uk ARTICLES 5 MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JAMAICA'S GRAPEFRUIT INDUSTRY Edward A. Evans, Sikavas Nalampang, and Thomas H. Spreen

Introduction outlined. The penultimate section discusses the results of our investigation, and the paper ends with a few concluding remarks. Several Caribbean sugar-producing countries, including Jamaica, are actively looking for viable alternatives to recover some of the Trends in International Production and Trade of Grapefruits lost revenues due to the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that sugar subsidies in the European Union (EU) are illegal. One World grapefruit production peaked in 2000 at about 5.33 MMT alternative worth considering is converting some of the sugar but since then has declined to 3.66 MMT in 2005 (Table 1). The cane lands to citrus orchards and exporting fresh grapefruits to noticeable drop in world production is due mainly to a steady the EU. This marketing opportunity comes about as Florida, the decline in production in the US, the world's number one largest citrus-producing state in the United States (US) and the grapefruit-producing country, which on average accounts for second largest citrus-producing region in the world following the 40% of total world production. China, the second most important state of São Paulo, Brazil, has suffered a series of recent setbacks grapefruit producing country, accounts for about 8% of total (citrus canker, citrus greening diseases, escalating land values, production. Over the last few years, production in China has and devastating hurricanes) that threaten the future of that been increasing spurred by increased domestic demand. industry. However, the increases were insufficient to offset the shortfalls in the US. Other major producers include Mexico, Israel, and Florida/United States has historically accounted for over 40% of Cuba, each with shares of approximately 6% (FAOSTAT). In world grapefruit production and dominates the world market in terms of utilization, it is estimated that on average 60% of the the trade of both fresh and processed grapefruit ["Citrus crop is marketed as fresh and 40% is sold as frozen concentrated Summary," Florida Agricultural Statistics Service (FASS), and grapefruit juice. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations]. However, because of setbacks, grapefruit production in With respect to trade, global exports of fresh grapefruits have the United States has been on the decline, from 2.51 million remained relatively flat over the five-year period of 2000 to metric tons (MMT) in 2000 to only 914,000 metric tons in 2005. 2004, averaging about 1.1 MMT, or about 23% of global A recently released study conducted by the University of Florida production (Table 2). As in the case of production, the US (UF) on the economic impact assessment of citrus canker and dominates the trade with an average share of 38%. The EU citrus greening diseases on the future prospects for the Florida accounts for about 18% of the trade, followed by South Africa citrus industry points to a bleak future for the industry. (15%), Turkey (9%) and Israel (7%) as major exporters (FAOSTAT). Since the US accounts for approximately 40% of world grapefruit exports, of which 25% goes to the EU, any On the import side, both Japan and the EU dominate the trade in interruption in supplies in the US is bound to impact the market. fresh grapefruits, and together they account for about 85% of Given that Jamaica enjoys duty-free privileges for agricultural total imports. Over the five-year period (2000 to 2004), Japan commodities shipped to the EU, rising grapefruit prices in the absorbed on average 58% of world's fresh grapefruit exports and EU market due to reduction of supplies in the US and favorable the EU about 26% (Table 3). Other noticeable importers include demand for the fruit due to health reasons could create marketing Canada (5%), China (2.9%) and the US (1.8%). opportunities for Jamaica's grapefruit industry. US/Florida Grapefruit Production and Trade The purpose of this paper therefore is to discuss the state of the Florida citrus industry with particular reference to grapefruits and Production of grapefruits in the US occurs in four states: Florida, to assess the long-term marketing prospects for Jamaican California, Texas, and Arizona. Florida is by far the leading grapefruit exports to the EU. Our decision to focus on the grapefruit-producing state and accounts for about 82% of grapefruit vis-a-vis other citrus products stems from a prior domestic production. About 47% of total grapefruit production is assessment which indicates that of all the citrus products, fresh marketed fresh while the rest is processed into grapefruit juice. grapefruit production in Florida is likely to be impacted the most As shown in Table 1, grapefruit production in the US declined as a result of developments within the Florida Citrus Industry and steadily from 2.51 MMT in 2000 to 1.96 MMT in 2004 and then therefore offers the greatest marketing opportunity. plummeted to 914,440 metric tons in 2005. Between 2000 and 2005, bearing acreage fell from 153,000 acres to current levels of The paper commences by highlighting the major trends in the about 103,000 acres, or by 32.7%. The bulk of the reduction in international production and trade of grapefruits. The next two bearing acreage occurred in Florida, which saw a 37.7% sections discuss the situation in the US/Florida citrus industry reduction in acreage, from 114,000 to 71,000 acres, over the and the Jamaican citrus industry with reference to the grapefruit same time frame. The reduction in bearing acreage and crop industry. Following this, the methodology used to assess the produced is due to a combination of factors (discussed below). long-term prospects for fresh grapefruit marketed in the EU is 6 ARTICLES

With regards to the trade, the US historically has been the throughout the state because the bacterium is spread by another number one exporter of fresh grapefruits. Exports of fresh introduced insect that is found throughout Florida. Management grapefruits increased from 391,166 metric tons in 2000 to peak at of the disease is made even more difficult since infected and 406,994 metric tons in 2002 but since then have been on the contagious trees do not show symptoms for several years. It is decline. In 2005, exports totaled only 214,231 tons worth $152.8 believed that the full impact of this disease on the Florida citrus million; almost half the volume exported in 2002, of 406,994 industry has not yet been realized and that the prospect of metric tons valued at $207.5 million. Table 4 shows the main maintaining an economically viable citrus industry in the export destinations for fresh grapefruit shipped from the US. The presence of this disease will be a challenge. data indicate that the bulk of US fresh grapefruit exports goes to Japan. Between 2000 and 2005, Japan accounted for 51% of all Added to the disease and hurricane problems, there has been a fresh grapefruits shipped from the US while the EU accounted rapid increase in the value of both undeveloped and agricultural for another 28.1%. Other noticeable importers were Canada land in the state of Florida over the last five years. A rural land (12.7%), Republic of Korea (1.8%) and Mexico (0.4%). The US value survey conducted by the University of Florida reported also imports a small amount of fresh grapefruits, mainly from that agricultural land in South and Central Florida increased in The Bahamas, Mexico, and Israel. value between $1,866 per acre and $4,633 per acre from May 2004 to May 2005 (Reynolds, 2006). This has affected the As mentioned earlier, the decline in US production and exports willingness of investors to commit capital to citrus production in of fresh grapefruits is due to a combination of factors impacting Florida and, in some cases, has hastened the conversion of citrus the Florida citrus industry. Chief among such factors are two land to other land uses, notably real estate development (Spreen, worrisome, relatively new diseases (citrus canker and citrus 2006). greening); frequent hurricanes; and sharp increases in land values. Trends in On-tree Grapefruit Prices in Florida and Wholesale Market Prices in EU Citrus canker is a bacterial disease that is mainly spread by human contact and wind-driven rain. The disease attacks citrus Table 5 shows the average on-tree prices received by Florida trees of which grapefruit trees are extremely susceptible. The growers over the marketing seasons 2001/02 to 2005/06. This disease causes distinctive necrotic raised lesions on leaves, price represents the returns to growers' net of marketing costs. stems, and fruit. Severe infections cause defoliation, blemished The data presented in Table 5 indicate that between crop seasons fruit, premature fruit drop, twig dieback, and general tree decline 2001/02 and 2004/05, prices increased from $3.53 per 85-pound (Schubert et al., 2001). Because there are no effective disease box (4 cents per pound) to $14.86 per box (17 cents per pound). suppression strategies against the disease and blemished fruits Although price fell slightly in the following year to $10.16 per are unsuitable for fresh consumption, there is widespread box (12 cents per pound), it was still three times the price regulatory prohibition against shipping fresh fruit from areas received in the 2001/02 crop season (USDA Fruit and Tree Nuts where the disease has become endemic. Efforts to eradicate the Outlook). The high prices in the last two seasons reflected tight disease require destroying all citrus trees (commercial as well as supplies in the market. residential) within a 1,900-foot radius of an infected tree. As to be expected, given the dominance of Florida's grapefruit Although the disease had been a periodic problem in Florida industry in world production and trade, prices in the EU market since the early twentieth century, it was successfully managed. were similarly affected. Table 6 shows the wholesale equivalent However, a new infestation in 1995 gained foothold and spread market prices in selected European Markets for Florida fresh into southwest and southeast Florida. Efforts to eradicate the grapefruit for the corresponding period. As shown in Table 6, disease was inhibited first by homeowners who were opposed to prices for fresh grapefruits increased from $27.72 per 85-pound their trees being cut down and later by a series of hurricanes in box (32 cents per pound) in marketing year 2001/02 to $49.36 2004 and 2005 that helped to rapidly spread canker throughout per 85-pound box (58 cents per pound) and $51.6 per box (61 the citrus areas. In 2006, the decision was made to stop the cents per pound) 2004/05 and 2005/06, respectively. practice of destroying trees within the 1,900-foot radius and to develop a new science-based Citrus Health Response Program. To date, more than 12.7 million citrus trees have been cut down at a cost of more than $600 million, including compensation (Science, 2006).

Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing, is a bacterial disease with far worse consequences than citrus canker. Whereas canker makes the trees less productive and blemishes the fruit, greening causes the fruit to be totally unusable and eventually kills the trees. The dreaded disease was discovered in Florida in August of 2005. Some researchers have expressed the view that it is virtually impossible to prevent the spread of the disease ARTICLES 7

Brief Overview of Jamaica's Citrus/Grapefruit Industry prices in the EU.

The Jamaican citrus industry remains an economically important Spreen et al. (2006) apply a modification of Pana's spatial agricultural industry for the country, behind sugar, bananas, and equilibrium model (1988) to predict Florida grapefruit coffee. In 2004, the industry's direct contribution to the economy production between the 2006/07 and the 2020/1 seasons. was estimated at US $20 million, with an economic output Assuming red seedless and white seedless as the main varieties impact of $60 million. It provides direct employment for about of grapefruit as well as fresh grapefruit and processed grapefruit 5,400 persons and total direct and indirect employment of about as the two markets, the model uses average yields per acre, on- 20,000. tree prices, tree inventory, and tree mortality for Florida grapefruit production estimates. Using Florida grapefruit tree In 2004, a total of 21,840 acres were allocated to the production inventory as an input to the model, the simulation starts by of citrus with bearing and non-bearing acreages of 20,152 and calculating total grapefruit production (both red seedless and 1,688, respectively. Oranges account for approximately 88% of white seedless) from grapefruit average yields per acre across the total acreage while grapefruit accounts for the majority of the age categories and the number of grapefruit acres across age balance. Production is carried out by a large number of small- categories. The equilibrium FOB price of grapefruit in each scale growers cultivating between 2 and 10 acres, accounting for market is solved by equating demand and supply of the Florida about 95% of the growers and 30% of total acreage. The grapefruit. The obtained FOB price estimate for grapefruit is remaining 5% of growers have farms ranging from 25 to 5 000 then deducted by packing costs, processing costs, and picking acres. and hauling costs to get on-tree prices and to predict new Florida grapefruit planting levels. Impacts on planting levels due to cost Production of citrus has been declining due to the presence of changes, such as higher land cost, are imposed by adjusting the Citrus tristeza virus (CTV). However, both the government and expected on-tree price. Production yields per acre and tree death the industry have taken steps to manage the disease by loss are adjusted for potential impacts from citrus canker and encouraging growers to replant with certified virus-free citrus greening, respectively. After the existing tree inventory is seedlings and new rootstocks that are tolerant to CTV aged and adjusted for tree mortality, the model is solved for the expectations to help reverse the downward trend. next season and the process is repeated for the rest of the projection periods. In 2004, a total of 3.53 million boxes of citrus were produced, of which 47,158 were grapefruit. As with the declining trend in In our analysis, four scenarios from Spreen et al. (2006) are production, exports have also been declining. Fresh and selected for discussion and provide the basis our analysis. The processed fruit for export accounted for about 19% of the total first scenario (the base run of the model) assumes only the citrus production. Between 1998 and 2004, exports of fresh presence of citrus canker, which will increase acre-loss rate and citrus declined from about 7,846 metric tons valued at US$ 3.70 decrease acre yields by 10% each. Growth in domestic and million to 2,786 tons with a value of $1.77 million, respectively, export demands for fresh grapefruit and grapefruit juice is not with oranges accounting for the bulk of the exports. Since 2001, imposed. The second scenario incorporates the potential impact there have been no exports of grapefruit due to strong domestic of low citrus greening (i.e., tree mortality for non-bearing trees demand. The main destinations for citrus exports from Jamaica increases by 150% compared to the base, 100% for trees ages are the EU, US, Canada, and Barbados. four through eleven, and 75% for all older trees) in addition to the presence of citrus canker. The third and the fourth scenarios Methodology are modifications of the second scenario. The third scenario differs slightly from the second scenario in that the potential Given the importance of the citrus industry to the US economy impact from citrus greening has intensified in addition to the and the state of Florida in particular, researchers at the presence of citrus canker. Tree mortality for non-bearing trees University of Florida undertook a comprehensive study to assess increases from 150% in the second scenario to 300% in the third the future of the Florida citrus industry (Spreen et al., 2006). scenario, compared to the base. For trees ages four through Among the objectives of the study was an assessment of the eleven, tree mortality increases from 100% in the second long-run production and price forecasts for Florida citrus under scenario to 200% in the third scenario. For all trees age 12 and varying assumptions that relate to supply issues, including the older, tree mortality increases from 75% in the second scenario impact of canker and greening and higher undeveloped land to 150% in the third scenario. In the fourth scenario, the presence prices. Of interest to the current study were the long-term of citrus canker and low citrus greening are maintained while the projections for the grapefruit industry. Building on these assumption of higher land costs in Florida by $3,500 per acre is projections and taking into consideration the relationship added to the second scenario. between prices that the Florida growers received and those obtained in the EU market, we provide forecasts for long-term Having obtained the projections for Florida grapefruit industry grapefruit prices in the EU market. Below is a brief discussion of for the above scenarios over the period 2005/06 to 2020/01, we the grapefruit model used by Spreen et al. (2006) to determine then determined the relationship between Florida grapefruit on- the long-run projections, followed by a discussion of the tree prices and market prices in selected EU markets (Hamburg, scenarios chosen and the approach used to forecast wholesale Germany; Paris, France; and Rotterdam, Netherlands) through a

8 ARTICLES

Table 8 compares the average costs and returns for grapefruit The country has certain comparative and other advantages that produced in Jamaica with those that would likely prevail in make it ideally suited for large-scale citrus production. These Florida under the various scenarios. Several interesting include the availability of low-cost labor, low incidence of observations can be made with respect to the data presented in plant diseases, adequate hours of sunlight, a climate that Table 8. First, under all scenarios considered, Florida yields allowsmany horticultural crops to provide two harvests a year, were greater than those in Jamaica. In the worst-case scenario adequate rainfall in citrus areas, and access to ports and foreign in Florida in which there is the presence of canker and high markets. In addition, the country currently benefits from greening (scenario 3), the expected yield is 261 boxes per acre preferential treatment in the EU. While it is true that current compare with 240 boxes per acre in Jamaica. Second, the yields in Jamaica are relatively low, this should be seen as a average cost of production on a per acre basis is considerably positive since it implies that there is considerable scope for less in Jamaica than in Florida. For example the lowest per improving productivity. Third, suitable lands for large-scale acre cost of production in Florida at $1,133 (in a situation in planting of grapefruit trees are likely to become available as which neither of the diseases is present) is still more than twice the country reduces its reliance on sugar and banana that in Jamaica ($500 per acre). The low cost of production in production. Jamaica is due mainly to the availability of cheap labor relative the prices paid in the US. The hourly wage rate for an Notwithstanding the above, we are fully aware that the citrus agricultural worker in Jamaica is about US $1.10 per hour industry and markets are complex and that any sustained price compared with agricultural wages paid in the US of about $10 increases could encourage others to participate in the market. per hour. However, when costs are expressed on a per box Also, the intent of our analysis was not to predict the numbers basis, most of the cost advantage enjoyed by Jamaica precisely but to show the general long-term direction of prices disappears due to the relatively low yields in Jamaica. Hence, in the EU market. It therefore goes without saying that any the per box cost for Florida in a no disease situation and that serious investments contemplated by the government or the for Jamaica are $3.12 and $2.08, respectively. Third, there is a industry should rest on a detailed investigation of the EU noticeable disparity between the net returns to growers in markets. Jamaica and those in Florida. In the case of Florida, the average net returns range from $2.69 per box where neither of References the diseases considered is present to a high of $5.87 per box where both diseases are present. In comparison, the current FAOSTAT Online. http://faostat.fao.org average net returns to the growers in Jamaica were estimated at 42 cents per box. By adding value through the sale of fresh Pana-Cryan, Regina (1991). "A Model of the World Market for Fresh grapefruits in the EU, returns to Jamaican growers can be and Processed Grapefruit." Unpublished M.S. Thesis, Food and increased substantially. Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Concluding Remarks Reynolds, J.E. (2006). "Strong Nonagricultural Demand Keeps The bleak prospect for the Florida citrus industry serves as a Agricultural Land Values Increasing." Electronic Data Information reminder of the importance of preventing the introduction of Source (EDIS) FE625. Food and Resource Economics Department, invasive species. The introduction and spread of such pests and University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (January). Available online at diseases, as is the case in point, has the potential to destroy the http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE625. whole industry or cause massive losses. While certainly an unwelcome development for the Florida citrus industry, as was Schubert T.S., S.A. Rizvi, X. Sun, T.R. Gottwald, J.H. Graham, and the situation with the outbreak of BSE in UK and the W. N. Dixon (2001). "Meeting the Challenge of Eradicating Citrus subsequent expansion of cattle industry in Australia, it does Canker in Florida-Again" Plant Disease Vol. 85, No 4. present a potential marketing opportunity for countries such as SCIENCE (2006). "New Disease Endangers Florida's Already- Jamaica which are in the citrus belt and where the diseases are Suffering Citrus Trees" Science Vol. 312, 28 April 2006. Available not present. online at http://www.sciencemag.org.

Our preliminary assessment of the market potential for Spreen, T.H, R.E. Barber, M.G. Brown, A.W. Hodges, J.C. Malugen, Jamaica's exports of grapefruit to the EU suggests that the W.D. Mulkey, R.P. Muraro, R.P. Norberg, M. Rahmani, F.M. Roka, prospects are promising from several perspectives. First, all and R.E. Rouse. 2006. An Economic Assessment of the Future situations examined with regards to the Florida grapefruit Prospects for the Florida Citrus Industry. Food and Resource industry points to a bleak future for that country's industry and Economics Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. suggests that these developments are likely to cause grapefruit http://www.fred.ifas.ufl.edu/economic_assess_flciturus.indus.pdf prices to remain relatively high in the EU market over the long term. Second, Jamaica enjoys a cost advantage over the US. USDA (2006). USDA Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook 2006. FTS-320. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C. (January). http://usda.mannlibcornell.edu/reports/erssor/specialty/fts-

Citrus greening has not been detected in Jamaica even though the psyllid vector that bb/2006/fts325.pdf. transmits the causative organism is present in the country (personal communication with Dr. Florence Young) ARTICLES 9

Table 1. World grapefruit and pomelos top producers (metric tons), 2000-2005 Table 5. Average on-tree prices received by Florida growers ($ per 85-lb box), 2001-02 through 2005-06

Country/ 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Average Region Month 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 US 2,505,640 2,233,490 2,199,020 1,871,520 1,964,050 914,440 1,948,027 October 6.46 5.37 6.98 15.00 --

China 268,128 323,296 356,786 400,840 433,000 443,000 370,842 November 3.64 3.61 4.49 15.95 9.20

Mexico 263,126 319,793 269,069 257,711 257,711 257,711 270,854 December 2.69 2.67 3.90 14.58 9.37

Israel 246,000 329,500 251,900 255,900 247,000 250,000 263,383 January 2.76 2.42 3.32 15.30 10.99

Cuba 443,705 302,487 137,312 227,800 225,000 226,000 260,384 February 2.10 2.18 3.10 13.48 11.07

ROW 1,600,958 1,553,788 1,604,238 1,576,544 1,579,272 1,570,161 1,580,827 March 1.85 1.80 2.74 11.54 --

Total 5,327,557 5,062,354 4,818,325 4,590,315 4,706,033 3,661,312 4,694,316 April 1.61 1.37 2.12 10.46 --

Note: ROW represents the rest of the world May 1.37 1.24 2.38 10.48 -- Source: FAOSTAT data, 2006 Average 3.53 3.25 4.36 14.86 10.16 (October-February) Table 2. World grapefruit and pomelos top exporters (metric tons), 2000-2004 Note: -- Represents data not available Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Country/Region 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Average Table 6. Average wholesale prices for Florida grapefruit in selected EU markets ($ per 85-lb box), 2001-02 through 2005-06 US 398,762 397,572 427,097 387,302 370,823 396,311

South Africa 133,570 129,335 165,725 177,453 197,682 160,753 Month 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 October 31.75 35.13 43.86 -- -- EU 199,447 176,669 188,209 191,040 189,500 188,973 November 26.45 32.17 36.68 48.55 54.30 Turkey 85,181 73,131 102,768 86,703 116,632 92,883 December 27.00 30.01 35.36 50.72 53.09 Israel 110,319 69,408 44,050 88,986 57,241 74,001 January 25.30 30.45 34.14 48.53 51.29 ROW 110,221 133,640 119,537 142,307 145,546 130,250 February 28.11 32.35 33.13 49.63 47.70 Total 1,037,500 979,755 1,047,386 1,073,791 1,077,424 1,043,171 Note: ROW represents the rest of the world March 27.19 33.02 33.98 50.80 46.78 Source: FAOSTAT data, 2006 April 26.91 33.52 34.54 49.40 49.11

Table 3. World grapefruit and pomelos top importers (metric tons), 2000-2004 May 29.00 36.88 34.42 50.86 49.91 Country/ 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Average Region Average 27.72 32.02 36.63 49.36 51.60 (October-February) EU 640,670 578,728 620,560 589,388 601,123 606,094 Note: Represents data not available. EU markets include Hamburg (Germany), Paris (France), and Rotterdam (Netherlands). Japan 272,278 268,650 284,687 274,328 288,510 277,691 Source: Compiled by authors, data were obtained from USDA Fruit and Vegetable Market News

Canada 55,194 53,036 57,476 50,696 50,788 53,438 Table 7. Grapefruit long-run projections on Florida fresh/processed on-tree price and average market US 10,040 25,221 23,248 20,710 13,737 18,591 price for Florida grapefruit in selected EU markets by scenario ($ per box), 2006-07 season through 2020-21 season Turkey 0 1,995 12,668 10,267 11,367 7,259 Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4 China 17,461 16,646 19,041 10,491 11,289 14,986 (Canker and low (Canker and high (Canker, low greening, (Canker only) greening) greening) and higher land values) China, Hong Season 16,152 14,423 21,017 15,307 10,899 15,560 Kong On-tree EU market On-tree EU market On-tree EU market On-tree EU market price price price price price price price price ROW 40,790 44,003 41,253 57,514 47,895 46,291 2006-07 7.09 40.10 7.09 40.10 7.10 40.12 7.09 40.10 Total 1,052,585 1,002,702 1,079,950 1,028,701 1,035,608 1,039,909 2007-08 7.26 40.40 7.26 40.40 7.27 40.42 7.26 40.40 Note: ROW represents the rest of the world Source: FAOSTAT data, 2006 2008-09 7.74 41.25 7.74 41.25 7.75 41.27 7.74 41.25

2009-10 8.32 42.28 8.34 42.32 8.38 42.39 8.34 42.32 Table 4. US grapefruit exports by destination (metric tons), 2000-2005 Country/ 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Average 2010-11 8.90 43.31 8.98 43.45 9.13 43.72 8.98 43.45 Region

Japan 2011-12 9.40 44.20 9.70 44.73 10.21 45.63 9.76 44.83 206,284 195,871 209,479 181,752 190,703 88,203 178,715 EU 2012-13 9.62 44.59 10.33 45.85 11.47 47.87 10.52 46.18 115,437 116,867 114,920 102,104 85,762 56,070 98,527 Canada 49,230 48,057 50,607 44,264 41,256 34,612 44,671 2013-14 9.68 44.69 10.88 46.82 12.80 50.23 11.26 47.50 Korea 2,930 1,870 7,905 6,917 7,684 10,404 6,285 2014-15 9.56 44.48 11.29 47.55 13.98 52.32 11.90 48.63 Mexico 75 283 554 316 1,483 6,406 1,519 2015-16 9.17 43.79 11.38 47.71 14.78 53.74 12.25 49.25 ROW 17,212 20,105 23,529 24,945 21,133 18,537 20,910 2016-17 8.62 42.81 11.24 47.46 15.17 54.43 12.36 49.45 Total 391,167 383,052 406,995 360,298 348,021 214,231 350,627 Note: ROW represents the rest of the world 2017-18 7.86 41.47 10.78 46.64 15.02 54.16 12.10 48.98 Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, BICO Report 2018-19 7.00 39.94 10.08 45.40 14.40 53.06 11.54 47.99

2019-20 6.10 38.34 9.22 43.88 13.39 51.27 10.75 46.59

2020-21 5.20 36.75 8.25 42.16 12.08 48.95 9.76 44.83 Note: EU markets include Hamburg (Germany), Paris (France), and Rotterdam (Netherlands). Source: Average market prices in selected EU markets are estimated by authors. Data were obtained from USDA Fruit and Vegetable Market News. On-tree prices are from Spreen et al. (2006) 10 FACT SHEETS

PASSION FRUIT

The passionfruit is a vigorous, Propagation by Seed shallow rooted, perennial vine The seeds are planted 1.5 cms deep on a sterile seed bed and are that climbs by means of tendrils. transplanted into individual bags containing potting mix and ½ a There are two types of teaspoon of slow release fertilizer at the three leaf stage. Plantlets passionfruit. They are the are grown under shaded conditions are hardened before being yellow passionfruit (Passiflora transplanted into the field. It takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time of edulis forma flavicarpa) which sowing to transplanting in the field. is suited to tropical conditions, and the purple passionfruit Propagation by Cuttings (Passiflora edulis forma edulis) Cuttings are taken from vigorous, actively growing vines. Roots which grows best under sub- should develop in 4 weeks after preparation. Then it should be tropical conditions. The yellow purple passion fruit flower treated similar to seedlings. Plants from rooted cuttings are less passionfruit is tolerant to most vigorous than seedlings and could be planted at a closer spacing of the soil borne pests and than seedlings. diseases that affect the purple type, and is more prolific, Trellis Construction bearing larger, heavier fruit with Trellises are required for the commercial production of passionfruit. more juice, which has a higher Trellises contribute most to the cost of production of the crop and acid content than the purple should be constructed properly. Trellises should be constructed in type. The flavour of the purple the same direction with the wind wherever possible. On sloping type is preferred over that of the terrain, trellises should be constructed across the slope. Trellises are yellow type. Passion fruit and flower on vine required for the commercial production of passionfruit. Trellises contribute most to the cost of production of the crop and should be Site Selection constructed properly. Passionfruit vines require full sunlight for proper growth. It is best grown in areas with annual rainfall of at least 900 mm. Passionfruit Transplanting to the Field may be grown on a wide range of soil types, but the best suited Plants are transplanted during the cooler part of the day (early soils are light to heavy sandy loams of medium texture having a pH morning or late evening). range of 6.5 to 7.5. The plant needs good drainage. Vines will not tolerate waterlogged conditions for long periods. The passionfruit Training of Vines vine grows better in areas that are protected from the wind. One or two vigorous leaders are selected and trained to the top wire. Land Preparation Land preparation may be conducted one to two months before Water Management planting the vines. The land must first be cleared. This produces Irrigation is needed in areas where the annual rainfall is below 1200 green mulch that can be incorporated back into the soil when mm per year. Regular watering will keep vines flowering and ploughing and rotovating. This ensures a quick and even fruiting continuously. establishment of vines. Soil analysis should be conducted and all necessary adjustments made before planting. Ploughing in organic Weed Control matter to soil is beneficial. Organic mulch can be added around Weeds in a passionfruit orchard could be controlled manually or by these vines because they are shallow rooted. chemical means. Although manual weed control is more costly, it is preferred. Plant Propagation Seeds, cuttings, grafts or layering can be used to propagate Nutrient Requirement Passionfruit vines. The first three methods are most commonly Before planting, soil analyses should be conducted to determine used. whether the pH should be adjusted and the soil nutrient status.

Pruning The pruning of passionfruit vines is conducted in order to reduce the level of pests and diseases and to encourage new vine growth. Extracted from: Saint Lucia Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Heavy pruning should only be performed once per year, after the Fisheries, Crop Development Information Centre July to September crop. Since pruning tools are means by which www.slumaffe.org/Agriculture/Crop_Development/Passionfruit/passionfruit.html diseases are spread they should therefore be kept clean. ARTICLES 11

Pollination Most cultivars of yellow passionfruit are self-incompatible therefore cross-pollination is necessary. Some natural pollinators of passionfruit in St. Lucia are the Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sonorina) A PASSION FOR PASSION and the honeybee (Apis millifera). It has been proven that hand pollination increases fruit yield in passionfruit. The passion fruit's rich and distinctive flavour can be found in Pest and Disease Control several products around the Caribbean. Passion fruit juice is Pests and diseases may attack plants as early as the nursery stage. well-known in most Caribbean homes and some of the islands Caterpillars and slugs may attack the plants, while fungi may cause produce a commercial brand of the juice. The fruit is also used damping-off and loss of plants. Slug bait should be spread around as a key ingredient in ice-creams, jams and jellies and even tea. seedling or a liquid slug control could be incorporated into the Though the fruit is more commonly used as an essential fungicide drenches (benomyl) for the control of damping-off. An ingredient in food and beverages, it is also now being used in insecticide is sprayed at the recommended rate every two to four spa products that are produced in the region - such as the weeks for caterpillar control. Both insect and fungal problems in Herbal Light Moisturizer - with cucumber, passion fruit and passionfruit could be controlled through proper cultural practices SPF, produced by Cher-Mère in their anti-ageing skin care line and chemical sprays. of products.

Harvesting A passionfruit orchard may have a life span of 3-5 years. There are two major seasons of production, June to August and November to January. Fruits are harvested when they have dropped to the ground. Green or immature fruits should not be picked off the vine as they will not ripen, they will also be off flavored and have a higher concentration of cyanogenic glycosides (a toxin produced by the vine). Fruits should be collected 2 to 3 times per week.

Processing Passion fruits are processed into juices, which are sold either in single strength or as frozen concentrates. The passion fruit juice is Samples of passion fruit products from the Caribbean: tea, juice and facial moisturizer. also used in the production of cordials, alcoholic beverages, ice creams, and confectionery and mixed fruit blends.

Examples of various stages in the processing of passion fruit at a passion fruit farm in Panama. 12 The Antigua Mango Festival Marketing mangoes - Antiguan style The Annual Christian Valley Mango festival is fast-becoming a popular fixture on Antigua and Barbuda's events calendar. The event is held at the Christian Valley Government Station, which holds the country’s premiere collection of mature fruit tree varieties. Christian Valley boasts a 40 acre orchard of mango, citrus fruits, avocado, guava, Malay apple, cashew, breadfruit, soursop, and many curious tropical fruits.

The first ever Mango Festival in Antigua and Barbuda was held in August 2006 under the theme Identifying new possibilities: Agriculture and Agro-tourism Development in Antigua and Barbuda. The main aim of the Mango Festival was to promote the utilization of mangoes and other fruits as well as to support the rejuvenation of the station.

The first main activity for the Festival took place at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute in Coolidge. This was the Magic Mango Menu Competition, for chefs, sous chefs and bartenders from the members of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association. The inaugural competition was a testing event and the competition is now open to all chefs and bartenders in Antigua and Barbuda in the future. The aim of the competition is for bartenders and chefs O'Della Spooner, 1st place winner, and to prepare food and drink in creative ways using mangoes or Mr. Charlesworth Samuel, Minister of other local fruits. Four categories included: Appetizer, Main Agriculture. dish, Dessert, and Drinks with an additional award for the most innovative use of mangoes.

The Agro-processors Competition for the IICA Most Outstanding Agro-Processor Award was held in collaboration with IICA, the Food Sub-committee of the Mango Festival Committee, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Seven processors participated. The aim of the award: "to promote the development of the agro-industry, through the greater utilization of local commodities". The items included, but were not limited to mango and included the following categories: non-food and food, the latter was sub-divided into: jam/marmalade, jelly, sauce, chutney, drink and other. Judging criteria were: innovation of the product, use of local raw materials, attractiveness of the product, appeal to the senses Denise Martin, 2nd place winner, displays and product display. her products.

Other activities of the festival included:

- Budding and Grafting Workshops - Sales of agro-processed products - Agro-processors competition - The Sweetest Mango Film - Sales of fruits and plants - Live Entertainment - Nature Trail Tours - Local Storytelling - Book Sale - Food stalls benefiting: Mama Lollies Bolans Community Groups Jennings Community Groups Home Economics Teachers Assoc. Gloria David, 3rd place winner, with her Other Private Individuals. creations. 13 WITH ONGOING SUPPORT FROM IICA, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA AGRO PROCESSORS SHINE AGAIN Julie Ann Laudat, IICA Office in Antigua

The second Annual Mango Festival was held in July 2007 under the theme : Mango: it's simply the best! There was a greater selection of mangoes this year due to the change in dates. Visitors to the festival left happier.

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) sponsored the "Best Agro-processors Award Competition" for the second time. There were nine competitors this year, with two entries each.

The products were both creative and attractively displayed. All participants were members of the Agro-processors Association and the team of judges included: Grace Cephas Lewis of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Jeannette Hunte of the Home Economics Association and Mr. Julian Waterer of Chefs World.

The winners by category were: Some of the winning items on display

Category Winner Business Name Product

Hot sauces Odella Spooner Picante Peppers Mango hot sauce

Preserves (jam/jellies/marmalade chutney/butter) Gladys Bailey Mango butter

Drinks and drink concentrate Crystal Lynne Lynne's Tamarind concentrate

Dried fruits Novella Payne Grandma Aki Dried raspberry

Ice-cream (special entry) Crystal Lynne Lynne's Mango ice-cream

Cakes and pastries Gloria David Sister Glo's Mango cake

Overall winners of the Best Agro-processors Award were:

1st Place Rosemarie McMaster Susie's Hot Sauce

2nd Place Gloria David Sister Glo's

3rd Place Denise Martin Denise's Tropical Delights

For more information on Christman Valley Mango Festival check: http://www.antiguamangofest.com/ 14 ARTICLES

1 POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF AVOCADO Grade requirement Grade 1

Fruits should be well coloured, i.e. the colour characteristic of the variety. Well formed, i.e. the fruit has the shape characteristic of the variety. Free from damage, i.e. any defects that seriously affect the appearance, edibility, or shipping quality of the fruits; or the general appearance of the avocadoes in the container, e.g. sunburn, scars, or bruises. Size classification Fruits should be classified by size according to the following definitions: The avocado pear, belonging to the plant group Persea americana, is commonly known in Jamaica simply as "pears". It is a native of Uniformed in appearance, I.e. not more than 10% of packages shall the Tropical Americas, and flourishes in areas with over 15 cm (60 contain fruits which show sufficient variation in size to detract from inches) of rain fall per annum, at between 55 and 550 metres the appearance of the individual packages. The variation from the elevation. average length should not be greater than 3 mm.

Varieties: Post Harvest Treatment Most common varieties grown are: Graded fruits should be wiped with a cloth containing 1% bleach Simmonds (in-season variety, i.e. ripening in the summer months, solution, to remove debris and to disinfect the fruit. All insects such and Collinson, Lula (out-of season variety, i.e. ripening in as mealy bugs or other, should be removed by use of a soft brush. December-February). A post harvest dip treatment in a solution of 0.1% Benlate (1 gm Fruit Structure per litre) may assist in reducing fungal decay. The fruit is generally pear-shaped, and the edible part is a thick layer of greenish-yellow pulp. It is contained between the skin and Packaging the large seed. Fruits should be placed in single layers in strong cardboard boxes with separators. Alternately, each fruit can be wrapped in tissue to Nutritional Composition (1 fruit, size 76.2 mm in diameter) improve presentation on the market and to reduce fruit to fruit Water -284 grams (74%) Food Energy -370 Cal. rubbing. Protein -5 grams Fat -37* grams Saturated fat - 7 grams Oleic acid -17 grams Shredded paper placed in the base of the carton assists in reducing Linoleic acid -5 grams Carbohydrate -13 grams the level of damage during handling. Calcium-22 mg Iron-1.3 mg Vitamin-630 IU Riboflavin-0.43 mg Field containers should be of 22 kg capacity and market containers Niacin-3.5 mg Ascorbic acid-30 mg no more than 12 kg capacity.

The avocado fruit is therefore a fat storing structure. Do not use bags (fertilizer or crocus) to package these fruits, as this will lead to squeezing and squashing damage. Also bags are easily QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPORT thrown and dropped, which will lead to damage of the fruits. Minimum requirements The fruits must be clean, i.e. free from adhering soil and insects Field crates are preferable to bags for transport from the field to pack-house, or shed. Mature, i.e. not ripe or soft, but at the stage which will allow the fruits to ripen normally and arrive at the market with the desired Do not leave packages exposed to the sun and wind. This will lead degree of ripeness. to the reduction of the storage/shelf life of the fruits.

They must be of similar varietal characteristics, i.e. all fruits in any Transportation one lot must be of the same variety, must be similar in shape, Packaged avocadoes should be placed separate from other types of texture, and skin colour. fruits as they are sensitive to the ripening chemical, ethylene.

Must be well trimmed, i.e. the stem ( pedicel) is cut off fairly Stacking height of the boxes should be kept to a minimum of 8-10 smooth with not more than 6.4 mm beyond the shoulder of the fruit. boxes high in order to prevent compression damage.

Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Jamaica www.radajamaica.com.jm ARTICLES 15

Storage HARVESTING The fruit never ripens completely on the tree, but continues to All West Indian cultivars are susceptible to chilling injury at low enlarge in size. A fruit will only ripen after it is detached temperatures. Best storage temperature is 12-13ºC and 85- 95% (harvested) from the tree. RH for green mature fruits resulting in a maximum storage period of two (2) weeks. At ambient temperature, storage life is MATURITY STAGE reduced to 3-5 days. Good quality fruit is obtained when harvesting is done at the proper stage of maturity. Immature fruits will fail to ripen, POST HARVEST DISORDERS shrivel rapidly, and also decay rapidly. 1. Chilling Injury Common symptoms are a dark-brown or grey discolouration of Most mature fruits are fairly large in size, with the skin colour the flesh, scalding and pitting of the skin. Fruit may not ripen becoming light green or yellowish green, and the surface sheen properly on removal from storage. becomes dull in appearance. This condition is easily recognized by experienced farmers. On a large farm, the oil content of the 2. Anthracnone fruits is measured by chemical analysis to determine the This is a latent fungal infection caused by the organism minimum standard acceptable for the market. This level varies in colletotrichum gloeosporioedes. This is commonly found on different varies. maturing fruits. First sign of the disease is small light brown circular discolourations on the skin of the fruit. As the fruit HARVESTING METHOD matures, the spots enlarge changing colour to dark brown or Fruit should be harvested from the tree by a quick twist of the black with a sunken appearance. The fungus enters the flesh and pedicel which will detach the mature fruits. The pedicel should pink spore masses are seen. then be clipped to prevent damage to other fruits.

3. Stem-end rot Do not knock fruits off the tree. This will cause bruising and This disease is caused by dothiorella spp-a dark-brown to black bursting of the fruit. Therefore fruits should be picked by using a rot develops at the stem end of the ripening fruit as a firm dark pole or by hand. The picking pole can be made of bamboo or brown ring and proceeds to the other end of the fruit. some light wood provided with a cloth or crocus bag and a notch with an inner sharpened edge at the end. The bag is used to hold Remember the fruit until the pick is brought to the ground and the fruit removed. Depending on the size of the bag, a maximum of three i. That only good quality fruits will fetch a good price on the (3) limbs can be picked. market. ii. Consumers prefer to purchase green, mature avocadoes in Hand-pickers standing on a ladder can also be used to harvest order to obtain the best eating quality and some degree of tall trees. On a large farms, a platform mechanized system, storage/shelf life. elevating hand-pickers into the trees provide an efficient mode iii. Ripe avocados deteriorate rapidly at high temperatures and of harvesting. therefore exhibit a short shelf-life. iv. Also the level of mechanical injury for avocadoes is high. POSTHARVEST ACTIVITIES "Pears" are highly susceptible to the postharvest development of To obtain maximum profits from your crop, you must therefore latent fungal infections, therefore extreme care must be taken in ensure that: preventing damage to the fruits.

Only sound, good quality fruits are placed on the market; Do not throw or drop fruits in the field. Remember that damaged Ripened fruits are placed in a different box or basket from green fruits must be separated from sound fruits if not, rapid spoilage fruits. will take place. Damaged fruits ripen much faster than sound fruits. Care must be taken in harvesting and; Fruits must be handled with care from the farm to the market place. For more information contact:

Low temperature management is essential to maintain good Mrs. Janette Lawrence quality. Marketing Manager Marketing Extension Unit Remember that one of the important strategies of Fresh Produce Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Marketing is good customer relationship. Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica, W.I. Email: [email protected] A good quality product will result in repetitive purchasing of Web: www.radajamaica.com.jm goods from the dependable source. 16 ARTICLES

1 POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF SOURSOP It is used in making ice cream and sherbets, jelly, tarts, syrup and nectar. Immature fruits are cooked as vegetables or used in soup in Indonesia. Seeds are roasted or fried in Brazil. The leaves are used as a tea to prevent high blood pressure, stomach disorders and for treatment of fevers. The tea can also be used for cleaning floors and destroying fleas. The seeds contain oil used for paint and as an insecticide.

FOOD VALUES PER 100G OF EDIBLE PORTION

Calories 61.3 - 53.1* Vitamin A (B-carotene) 0 Moisture 82.8g Thimaine 0.11mg Protein 1.00g Riboflavin 0.05mg Fat 0.97g Niacin 1.28mg Carbohydrate 14.63g Ascorbic Acid 29.6mg ORIGIN Ash 60g Amino Acid The soursop is a native fruit of tropical North and South America. It Tryptophan 11mg belongs to the family Annonaceae which includes about 100 species Calcium 10.3g Methionine 7mg of trees and shrubs. The soursop is among the four (4) best known Phosphorous 27.7g Lynsine 60mg Iron 0.64g species that produce edible fruits. The other species are sweetsop, custard apple and cherimoya. It is know by the name guanabana, corrosol, suirsaak and other in different tropical parts of the world Two characteristics that cause the soursop fruit to be highly perishable are:- CHARACTERISTICS Its high rate of respiration, and The soursop tree is a small evergreen usually growing from 5 to 9m Its susceptibility to physical damage (15 - 30 ft) high. The simple oval leaves are leathery, glossy and dark green in colour. They have a characteristic pungent odor when HARVESTING crushed. The fruit is picked when fully developed and still firm but lack- lustre and may be slightly yellow-green in colour. In addition, In the last five (5) years (1995-2000), approximately, 1700 kg kg of optimum maturity is determined by the spacing of the spines on the soursop was exported from the island as fresh fruits to the United surface of the fruit. These spines become further and further apart States of America, Canada and other Caribbean islands. In addition, as growth occurs. It has been found that when approximately 6-7 small volumes are now being used in the fruit juice and puree spines span 12 cm² , the fruit can be considered to be mature. industry in the making of ice cream and other frozen delicacies, also jams and jellies. Fruits must be reaped early in the morning or late evening to With the further growth of the Agro-industry and the new prevent the build-up of field heat. Fruits are harvested using knives awareness of the consumer to the use of natural juices and their and then lowered to the ground. Soursor should never be knocked products, the demand for the soursop fruit has increased and from the tree. therefore the need for the small farmers to improve their existing cultivation and increase the acreage under production. Fruits should not be allowed to ripen or become soft on the trees as they will fall and crush. The fruit must be handled with care to Some segments contain oval, smooth, hard, black seeds which are avoid bruising. toxic. SORTING AND GRADING The soursop tree bears fruit continuously after 3-4 years of age with All damaged fruits must be removed as these might become sources little care and produces several crops throughout the year. of ethylene gas which will increase the rate of ripening. All immature fruits should also be removed as due to their high USES respiration rate will affect the rate of ripening of the mature fruits. The pulp is eaten as well as can be cut into bits and added to fruit Soursop can be graded based on shape and size to enhance cup or salads, or chilled and served as dessert with sugar and a little packaging and presentation. milk or cream. Soursop drinks are very popular to all West Indians and Latin PRE-COOLING Americans. This is necessary due to the high respiration rate of the soursop In Dominican Republic, a soursop custard is made and a confection fruit. This process is necessary to:- is also made by cooking soursop pulp in sugar syrup with cinnamon 1) reduce rapidly the field heat, and and lemon peel. 2) reduce the temperature of the fruit as quickly as possible to the required storage temperature. Hence the fruits should be removed immediately out of the field after being reaped. Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Jamaica www.radajamaica.com.jm ARTICLE 17

FIELD PACKAGING Fruits should not be stored for over 24 hours either at ambient or Soursop should be collected carefully into shallow carton boxes or cold temperature, prior to export, as: lined wooden boxes and baskets to prevent physical damage. Also i At ambient, the fruits would have started to ripen and shrivel the fruits should be separated from each other by use of soft therefore reducing their saleability. material. ii At cold, as fruits are usually air freighted resulting in heavy condensation due to the warming up of the fruits and therefore Be careful in the use of dried grass and banana leaves as these may creating the right environment for fungal development. contain pieces of sticks or prickles and insects which can damage the fruits. The use of bags and sacks is prohibited as it results in Proper preharvest and postharvest care of your produce will bruising and mechanical damage to the fruits. guarantee good market prices as our product is unique and will be able to compete on the overseas market. TEMPORARY STORAGE A mature fruit will store for a few days (2-3) at room temperature. GRADE RQUIREMENTS: for U.K., Holland, U.S.A. and Canada This time is further enhanced if the fruits are stored on racks in a Small : 0.7 - 1.2kg (1.5 - 2. 5lbs.) cool shed as the reduced temperature of the environment will Medium : 1.2 - 2.0kg (2.5 - 4. 4lbs) reduce the rate of ripening. Large : 2.0 - 3.0kg (4.4 - 6.6lbs)

PACKHOUSE HANDLING For more information contact: Quality Standards Minimum requirements Mrs. Janette Lawrence All fruits should be:- Marketing Manager Clean, i.e. free from adhering soil, foreign matter or chemical Marketing Extension Unit residue; Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica, W.I. Fresh, i.e. no signs of shriveling; Email: [email protected] Firm and mature; Web: www.radajamaica.com.jm Sound and without physical damage; Free fro m insect damage; Free from presence of insects eg. Scale insects. TROPICAL FRUIT "PICK" Pommerac (Syzygium malaccense) Grade requirements To date none has been developed but all exporting fruits should meet the minimum requirements as well as (1) of uniform shape and size, (2) The stem should be attached and cut at the abscission point, about 2.5 cm long.

HANDLING PRACTICE IN PACKHOUSE Fruits must be further graded to remove any damaged fruits. Fruits must be lightly brushed to remove any insects or other Fruit Flower extraneous matter. a.k.a. Malacca apple, malay apple, mountain apple, PACKAGING otaheite apple, plum rose, pomarosa, pomerac, Fruits should be packed in single layers into one piece or half pomme malac. telescopic fiber board cartons. Internal packaging is recommended to prevent fruit to fruit rubbing or puncturing. Shredded paper or A very beautiful fruit, usually deep red in color, pear vertical dividers are used. Where staples are used in construction of shaped, with a waxy skin, about the size of an apple. the cartons, care should be taken to ensure complete staple closure. Flesh is crunchy, often juicy, with a mild sweet flavor. Some varieties have white or pink skin. The juicy, shiny COLD STORAGE red fruit has one large seed. This fruit makes an Fruits should not be stored below 12°C as they are susceptible to excellent jam when stewed with brown sugar and ginger chilling injury. as well as a tasty chutney and is also used to make juice and wine. Trees are medium to large sized, growing to Signs of chilling injury are:- over 60 ft in some areas. They usually require little care Localised blackened, soft spots; other than year-round water. Flowering usually occurs in Dicolouration of the tissue (peel); early summer followed by fruit ripening 3 months later. Failure to ripen normally when returned to ambient conditions; Propagation: Often by seeds which loose viability This temperature provides a storage life of approximately 1-2 quickly. Superior varieties are propagated via budding, weeks. air-layering, and cuttings. 18 ARTICLES

Nutritional Highlights of Selected Fruits Mango vs Cantaloupe Except for potassium, an equivalent amount of mango provides The Caribbean abounds with a variety of locally-produced and more of the selected nutrients compared with cantaloupe. imported fruits and vegetables. There is however, a tendency for some persons to prefer the imported produce due to lack of Food Kcal Carbohydrate Dietary Fibre Vit. C Vitamin Potassium knowledge of the nutritional contribution. Locally produced (g) (g) (mg) A (mg) R.E. fruits and vegetables are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals Mango, compared with common imported selections. Some examples ripe 65 17.0 1.08 25 389 120 are: (100g)

cantaloupe 35 14.5 1.0 (crude) 11 322 309 Apple vs Guava (100g) Who has not heard the adage, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away?' This is probably because the apple has fibre to facilitate gut health and rid the body of waste. But one guava has less calories and carbohydrate but is richer in fibre, vitamin C and potassium, compared with an apple.

Food Kcal Carbohydrate Dietary Fibre Vit. C Potassium (g) (g) (mg) (mg)

Apple, Nutritional and health benefits of citrus fruits medium 59 15.3 0.8 (crude) 6 115 (100g) Citrus fruits have long been valued as part of a nutritious and Guava, tasty diet. The flavours provided by citrus are among the most medium 51 11.9 5.6 184 284 preferred in the world, and it is increasingly evident that citrus whole not only tastes good, but is also good for people. It is well (100g) established that citrus and citrus products are a rich source of Apple versus West Indian Cherry vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre (non-starch polysaccharides) It takes many apples to supply the vitamin C content of the same that are essential for normal growth and development and overall amount of West Indian cherries. nutritional well-being. However, it is now beginning to be appreciated that these and other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds found in citrus and other plants (phytochemicals) Food Kcal Carbohydrate Dietary Fibre Vit. C Potassium can also help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. Where (g) (g) (mg) (mg) appropriate, dietary guidelines and recommendations that Apple, encourage the consumption of citrus fruit and their products can medium 59 15.3 0.8 (crude) 6 115 lead to widespread nutritional benefits across the population. (100g)

WI Citrus is most commonly thought of as a good source of vitamin Cherry 32 7.7 0.4 (crude) 1677 146 C. However, like most other whole foods, citrus fruits also (100g) contain an impressive list of other essential nutrients, including both glycaemic and non-glycaemic carbohydrate (sugars and Grapes vs Guava fibre), potassium, folate, calcium, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, In comparison to a bunch of grapes, one guava has much more phosphorus, magnesium, copper, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and vitamin C, fibre and potassium than the grapes. a variety of phytochemicals. In addition, citrus contains no fat or sodium and, being a plant food, no cholesterol. The average energy value of fresh citrus is also low, which can be very Food Kcal Carbohydrate Dietary Fibre Vit. C Potassium important for consumers concerned about putting on excess body (g) (g) (mg) (mg) weight. For example a medium orange contains 60 to 80 kcal, a Grapes grapefruit 90 kcal and a tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice only 4 (100g) 63 17.2 0.8 (crude) 4 191 kcal (Whitney and Rolfes, 1999). Citrus fruits are equally valuable among populations who need to overcome and prevent Guava micronutrient deficiencies as well as those concerned with medium 51 11.9 5.6 184 284 problems of overnutrition, obesity and diet-related chronic whole diseases. For example, citrus is an ideal component of low-fat, (100g) sodium-restricted diets.

Extracted from C. Economos and W.D. Clay. Nutritional and health benefits of citrus fruits. Extracted from Cajanus (CFNI). Vol. 39 No. 1, 2006 www.fao.org

RESEARCH ABSTRACTS 19

The mango in French-speaking West Africa: corresponding data were processed for cluster analysis and cropping systems and agronomical practices genetic parameters, including the fixation index, diversity indices and heterozygosity. Results. Eighteen of the 47 Cropping systems of the mango trees in West Africa are very Caribbean and Venezuelan accessions exhibited varied. Each one of them developed in a specific context where hermaphroditism. Venezuelan accessions displayed the widest the agronomical practices and the varietal composition of the morphological diversity, while those from Barbados were orchards contribute to the diversity observed. The study distinguished by fruit quality. Sexual type affected leaf and undertaken should make it possible to better understand the flower traits. Cluster analysis shows little morphological influence of the potential outlets on the evolution of the regional differentiation between origins, with the relative grouping of the mango production. Principal cropping systems. In the studied accessions from Guadeloupe or Barbados. Only four isozyme area, the main part of the mango orchards has less than 10 ha; systems were polymorphic, producing 34 distinct zymotypes, their production is extensive and uses few inputs. They belong with a relatively high heterozygosity and aparticular diversity in in majority to growers whose principal activity is centred on Venezuela, Guadeloupe and Barbados. Geographic agriculture. Certain plantations close to 100 ha, found in structuration appears limited in the cluster analysis among Senegal or in Côte d'Ivoire, belong to exporters and profit from a individuals; however, it is clearer when considering the six technical assistance. Agronomical practices. The study of the bext-represented populations, with one cluster representing agronomical practices used in many mango orchards of West Venezuela, Trinidad and Barbados, and one for Guadeloupe, Africa made it possible to analyze the aspects of seedling Martinique and Grenada. Discussion. The low level of fixation production, choice of the site, installation of the orchard before is attributed to dioecy and to the low level of selection. The plantation, plantation and maintenance of the trees, fire relative isolation of island populations has favoured geographic protection, water management, as well as the effect of the export differentiation, albeit limited. The differentiation between the market on the varietal choice and the varietal offer during a good-quality germplasm from Barbados and the tolerant harvest campaign. Diseases and enemies. An inventory of the populations from Martinique and Guadeloupe encourages the pathological problems and physiological diseases likely to development of a marker-assisted introgression scheme. devalue the production were carried out. Marketing. This part made it possible to distinguish intercontinental exports, Ocampo, J., d'Eeckenbrugge, G., Bruyère, S., de Bellaire, L., requiring a specific harvest and conditioning organization, and Ollitrault, P. 2006. Fruits: 61(1), 25-37. the local, national and regional markets. Processing. Today, the share of transformed mangos into West Africa uses only one Processing and food uses of bananas and negligible proportion of the total production. Conslusion and plantains in Cameroon prospects. Beside a traditional production which presents signs of brittleness appear modern orchards. More than a necessary In Southern Cameroon, bananas and plantains (Musa) play an intensification of the orchards, a rationalization of the important role in the population's diet. There are many food agronomical practices, plant health protection, fruit harvest or uses of these crops relative to the eating habits of consumers. handling are impossible to circumvent. Downstream, the export Our study was carried out in order to list the varieties of path is confronted with a fast evolution of the exogenous bananas and plantains mostly used by housewives and regulations, based on qualitative and sanitary standards restaurant dealers and to describe the various culinary increasingly strict. preparations used for their transformation. Methods. The processing and culinary methods of bananas and plantains, Vannière, H., Didier, C., Rey, J-Y, Diallo, T.M., Kéita, S. and including the estimation as well as the measurement of the Sangaré, M. 2007. Fruits: 62(3), 187-201. quantities of ingredients used, and the traditional utilisations of these foodstuffs, were investigated in two Cameroonian towns Organization of morphological and genetic (Bafoussam and Yaoundé). Results. Some culinary preparations diversity of Caribbean and Venezuelan papaya using different varieties are common in Southern Cameroon such as roasted or fried plantain, plantain chips, boiled plantain germplasm or banana and pounded plantain. They are eaten with various sauces, vegetables and other food complements. Other The severe impact of papaya bacterial canker in the West Indies preparations found in these regions include stuffed plantain or jsutified launching a program to transfer the genetic banana, plantain or banana porridges and traditional recipes resistance/tolerance identified in local germplasm to good- called kondre and malaxé. Preparation of chips, fried and quality cultivars. As a first step, a germplasm collection from roasted plantain are mainly carried out by women and young the Caribbean was gathered and its morphological and genetic boys on the streets in an effort to diversify sources of income. diversity assessed. Materials and methods. The total sample These various transformation and uses of bananas and plantains included 50 accessions from the Lesser Antilles, Cuba, contribute to the reduction of post-harvest losses as well as the Venezuela, Costa Rica and Hawaii. Morphological data from a valorisation of these perishable food stuffs. subsample of 29 accessions were submitted to analysis of variance, principal component analysis and Neighbour-Joining Newilaha, G.N., Tchangoa, J.T., Fokoub, E., Etoa, F. 2005. cluster analysis. Nine isozyme systems were tested, and the Fruits: 60(4), 227 - 236. 20 NUTRITION

WHAT'S IN YOUR TROPICAL FRUIT? Nutrients Sunas S. Percival and Broole Findley Fiber helps maintain intestinal function, reduces the risk of Introduction heart disease, and can help keep blood glucose levels normal. Sapodilla, kumquat, durian and avocado were found to have Fruits are abundant in nutrients, such as fiber, potassium, the highest amounts of fiber of the fruits evaluated. Kumquat folate, and Vitamin C. Moreover, they also contain carotenoids and sapodilla, at 6.4 g and 5.4 g of fiber per serving, and polyphenols, which act as antioxidants within the body. respectively, both provide more than 20% of the daily Eating large amounts of plant-based foods has been associated reference value for fiber, and therefore are excellent sources of with lowered rates of cardiovascular disease (1, 2) and with fiber. decreased risk of cancer and stroke (2). Consuming adequate fruits and vegetables provides both essential nutrients and Vitamin A is important for vision, expression of genes, growth, compounds that provide other beneficial physiological effects, and development, as well as proper immune function (9). not all of which are known. Passion fruit juice (89 μg/serving), pitanga (65 μg/serving), acerola (60 μg/serving), and plantain (41 μg/serving) contain The nutrient composition of tropical fruits is of particular the highest amounts of Vitamin A of the tropical fruits interest not only because of the health benefits of fruit evaluated. Despite these fruits' high levels of Vitamin A when consumption, but also because of the importance of tropical compared to the other fruits evaluated, these three fruits are fruits to the agricultural industry in Florida. In 2003, Florida not considered "good" or "excellent" sources of the vitamin. ranked ninth in the nation for total cash receipts from fruit, More research into beta-carotene and its contribution to with nearly 28% of this from field crops and other crops not vitamin A value is needed. including vegetables. Additionally, Florida's top export is fruit; in 2003, Florida ranked second in the nation in fruit exports In the body, Vitamin C is used as a cofactor for many (3). Since the production of tropical fruits is an important part metabolic reactions; it also serves as an antioxidant (9). Many of the economy of the state, highlighting the nutritional of the fruits evaluated are high in Vitamin C. Acerola juice, benefits of these fruits enhances their marketability and which contains 3872 mg per serving, and raw acerola cherries, appeal. which contain 822 mg per serving, are extraordinarily high in Vitamin C. Guava, which contains 188 mg per serving, is also However, the lack of comprehensive information about the an excellent source, followed by passion fruit juice (74 nutritional properties of these foods presents a challenge. The mg/serving), longan (70 mg/serving), and lychee (70 purpose of this publication is to evaluate the current mg/serving). information available on the nutrient composition of tropical fruits. The nutrient information (amounts of fiber, Vitamin A, Calcium is necessary for blood clotting, muscle movement, Vitamin C, folate, potassium, calcium and iron) for the tropical and transmission of nerve signals, and is important for fruits examined was compiled from the USDA National formation of bones and teeth (9). Of the tropical fruits Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (4, 5) (see Table 1 ). evaluated, kumquat (62 mg/serving), mamey sapote (39 These values were then compared to the daily reference values mg/serving), and sapodilla (25 mg/serving) contain the most for food labeling (6) and evaluated in relation to the percent calcium; however, none of these fruits are considered "good" provided per serving. According to the FDA, a "good" source or "excellent" sources of calcium. (Fruits are not typically of a nutrient provides 10-19% of the daily reference value, good sources of calcium.) while an "excellent" source provides 20% of the daily reference value (6, 7). Scientific names for fruits not found in Iron is a component of enzymes and hemoglobin in the body the USDA Nutrient Database were found in Morton's Fruits of and prevents anemia (9). Of the tropical fruits evaluated, Warm Climates (8). The tropical fruits chosen for this analysis acerola, coconut, and sapodilla contained the most iron. All were selected because they are currently of interest to local three of these fruits are good sources of iron for males, with a growers and to food and dietary supplement manufacturers in serving of acerola providing 15% of the RDA for males, and and around the state of Florida. servings of coconut and sapodilla providing 12% of the RDA for males; however, these fruits are not considered "good" or 1. This document is FSHN 07-08, one of a series of the Department "excellent sources" of iron for women, whose RDA for iron is of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Florida Cooperative Extension higher. (Fruits are not, in general, good sources of iron.) Service, IFAS, University of Florida. First published September 2007. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Folate is important in metabolic reactions in the body and also prevents certain types of anemia (9). An adequate folate intake 2. Susan S. Percival, professor, Food Science and Human Nutrition prevents birth defects and heart disease. Avocado, durian, and Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and guava are the tropical fruits with the most folate. Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611, and Brooke Findley, M.S., Nutritionist, Wake County Human Continued on page 24 Services, Raleigh, NC.

RECIPES 21

Caribbean Fruit Salads 3. Wash pawpaw well. Split pawpaw lengthwise; scoop out the small black seeds; discard. Slice flesh into wedges, peel, Caribbean Pawpaw Salad and cut into bite-sized chunks. Add to pineapple and mango Fresh pawpaw complements avocado (pear), tomato and in bowl. cilantro in this elegant salad. 4. Peel and slice banana. Add, along with tangerines, to bowl; INGREDIENTS add coconut milk. Toss gently to combine, taste, and add 1 cup watercress or baby lettuce leaves lime juice, as needed, to adjust the balance of sweet and tart 2 cups peeled, seeded and thinly sliced pawpaw flavours. Serve in a decorative bowl. 1/4 cup to 1 cup thinly sliced avocado chunks. Add to pineapple in bowl. 1 cup thinly sliced tomato Serves 6 to 8 2 tbsps. lime juice 2 tbsps. chopped cilantro Shrimp Salad with Pawpaw and Avocado 1/4 tsp. salt (optional) 1/8 tsp. ground coriander Pawpaw's mellow flesh and peppery seeds are good foils for 1/8 tsp. allspice shrimp in a piquant dressing. METHOD INGREDIENTS 1. Arrange watercress on 4 small salad plates. Layer slices of 1 ripe pawpaw pawpaw, avocado, hearts of palm and tomato atop 1/4 cup mild-flavoured olive oil watercress. 1 tbsp. tarragon wine vinegar 1 tbsp. lime or lemon juice 2. Stir together lime juice, cilantro, salt (if used), coriander 1/4 tsp. each salt and dry mustard and allspice. Drizzle over papaya salads. Cover with plastic 1 escallion, thinly sliced wrap and chill 30 minutes before serving. 1/4 lb. small, peeled, cooked shrimp 1 medium ripe avocado (pear), halved and seeded Serves 4. Leaves of Boston or butter lettuce Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut-Lime Dressing METHOD The fruits for this dish achieve a fine balance of flavour and 1. Peel, halve and scoop out seeds from pawpaw, reserving 2 texture, but, if you wish, add or substitute melon, kiwifruit, teaspoons of the seeds. Slice papaya thinly and set aside. strawberries or other fruits that complement the salad. 2. In blender or food processor, combine oil, vinegar, lime INGREDIENTS juice, salt and mustard; process until well-combined. Add 1 large pineapple reserved papaya seeds; process again until seeds are the 1 large mango consistency of coarsely ground pepper. 1 large pawpaw 1 firm but ripe banana 3. Pour dressing into a medium bowl; mix lightly with onion 2 or 3 fresh tangerines, peeled, separated into sections, and and shrimp. seeded 1/2 cup canned coconut milk 4. Cut avocado, using a melon ball cutter, into small balls; Fresh lime juice, to taste mix lightly with shrimp mixture.

METHOD 5. Arrange lettuce on each of 4 salad plates. Place a fourth of the papaya slices on each plate. Spoon shrimp-avocado 1. Pare pineapple, halve, and remove tough core from both mixture over papaya; drizzle any residual dressing over the halves. Cutting lengthwise, slice fruit into long wedges, salads. then cut slices crosswise into bite-sized chunks. Place in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Serves 4

2. Wash mango well. Holding the mango upright on a cutting Source: Jamaica Gleaner board, use a paring knife to cut off large wedges of flesh, http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20030619/cook/cook2.html avoiding the stringy fibres around the large central pit. Peel the skin away from each wedge; cut fruit into bite-sized chunks. Add to pineapple in bowl. 22 UPCOMING EVENTS

BANANA AND PLANTAIN CONFERENCE 2008 WEBSITES

Organization: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture CARIB Fruits Date: April 7-10, 2008 An introduction to the fruits of the West Indies. More than 125 Venue: Mombassa, Kenya species described in 80 richly illustrated sheets. (In French). Information: Thomas Dubois; Bio-control Specialist http://caribfruits.cirad.fr International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; IITA c/o Lambourn Ltd, Carolyn House; 26 Dingwall Road; Croydon Fintrac Information Service CR9 3EE, UK Provides numerous links to crop and market guides, industry Email: [email protected] events and other research for fresh fruits and vegetables Fax: +256 (0)41 285079 www.agribusinessonline.com Phone: +256 (0)75 2787808 International Tropical Fruits Network Organization web: www.iita.org www.itfnet.org Conference web: www.banana2008.com

ORGANIC FRUIT CONFERENCE TROPICAL FRUIT "PICK" Carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) Organization: International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) ; International Spciety for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Date: June 15-17, 2008 Venue: Vignola, Italy Information: Franco P. Weibel; Research Institute of Organic Farming (FiBL); CH-5070 Frick, Switzerland E-Mail: [email protected] Tel.: +41 62 865 72 42; a.k.a. Starfruit (Jamaica); Chinese Jimbelin, Chinese Fax: +41 62 865 72 73 Tamarind; Five fingers (Guyana); Vinagrillo (Dominican Mob.: +41 79 606 3 808 Republic); Zibline (Haiti); Cornichon (French Antilles); Web:http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/owc/prog Blimbing legi or Fransman-birambi (Suriname); ram_organic_fruit.html Coolie Tamarind (Trinidad); Tamarindo chino or tamarindo dulce (Venezuela). Main themes: - Advances in organic fruit production methods The carambola is a pleasure both to the taste, and to the - The effects of existing or novel organic methods and systems eye. Its mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor complements many on sustainability commercial juice drinks, and the fruit is also often eaten - Fruit quality, economic, public relations and marketing, fresh. When cut, slices of the fruit have a star shape, and ecological and human-health issues are used in salads and other dishes.

4th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TROPICAL A small and slow-growing tree to 20-30ft, the star fruit is AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS best adapted in the warm tropics from sea level to 2000ft, but can be grown in unusual conditions in the Date: November 2-7, 2008 subtropics, provided the plant is protected from extreme Venue: Bogor Agricultural Unversity, Bogor, Indonesia cold. Older trees are more tolerant of frost. Growth stops Info: Prof. Dr. Roedhy Poerwanto below 55-60F, and adult trees can be killed at prolonged Tel: *62-251 326881 / 382201 temperatures below 28F. Both hot, dry and cold winds E-mail: [email protected] can severely damage trees and fruit, so adequate Website: http://www.ifs2008.info/ windbreaks are suggested for ideal culture. Give the plant full sun, fertilize 4-5 times a year, and provide Symposium Themes: moderate water throughout the year. Heavy water during flowering may inhibit pollination and fruit production. - Breeding and Biotechnology Star fruit's are susceptible to root rot under wet - Pest and Disease Management conditions, but they generally do well with moderate, - Production Technology and Physiology year-round rainfall. Propagation: Seedling trees usually - Post Harvest, Processing Technology and Food Safety fruit within 4-6 years, while grafted trees can fruit in - Economics and Marketing under a year. - Education, Extension and Technology Transfer Source: www.tradewindsfruit.com 23

IICA Supporting Fruit Industry Expansion in the Caribbean

RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTION NOTICE - 2007 TROPICAL FRUITS NEWSLETTER

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will publish two issues of the Tropical Fruits Newsletter in 2008. We remind our readers to fill out this form and return via fax, e-mail or regular mail to the address indicated below so that we may update our mailing list for the coming year. Thank you.

Yes, I would like to receive future editions of Contact: TROPICAL The Editor, Tropical Fruits Newsletter, IICA FRUITS P.O. Box 1318, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago Fax: (868) 628-4562 NEWSLETTER Email: [email protected]

BIODATA Name Farmer Processor Technician Academician Researcher

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BACKGROUND

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CURRENT ACTIVITY Briefly describe your current activity (research, conservation, teaching, processing, production/farming, lobbyist, breeding, genetics, etc.)

If you work with specific fruits, indicate which

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WHAT'S IN YOUR TROPICAL FRUIT? Avocado (Persea americana) contains alpha and beta carotene Continued from page 20 and lutein/zeathanthin, but not lycopene (4). Other bioactive food components have not been characterized. The oil of the With 61 μgg/serving, 44 μgg/serving and 40 μgg/serving, avocado has received more attention than the edible pulp. respectively, they are considered "good" sources of folate. Data on the folate content of some fruits are nonexistent. Durian (Durio zibethinus) is high in fiber, folate, and potassium; however, no carotenoid or phenolic information is Potassium is important in maintaining the fluid balance of currently available. cells. It contributes to normal cell function, helps to counterbalance fluctuations in blood pressure when excess Guava (Psidium guajava), a source of fiber, vitamin C, folate, sodium is taken into the body, and decreases markers of bone and potassium, is also very high in lycopene and beta-carotene turnover (9). Of the tropical fruits evaluated, passion fruit (4, 11). Guava also contains ellagic acid, gallic acid juice, durian, plantain, guava, and avocado contained the most conjugates, and quercetin glycosides, but not potassium. Passion fruit juice, in particular, is an excellent hydroxycinnamics (12) or cryptoxanthin (4, 11). No source of potassium, containing almost 700 mg of potassium derivatives of chlorogenic acids were detected in guava (13). (20% of the daily reference value) per serving. Passion fruit juice (Passiflora edulis) is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as potassium. The predominant carotene is zeta- Fruits carotene (14). In addition to vitamins and minerals, a number of the fruits characterized in the USDA database contained other dietary Sapodilla (Manikara zapota) and kumquat (Fortunella spp.) bioactive components, such as carotenoids and polyphenols are high in fiber, iron, and calcium, as far as fruits go. Two (Table 2 ). After noting which fruits had significant quantities unusual polyphenolic compounds with high antioxidant of at least three of the nutrients listed in Table 1, we searched activity, methyl 4-O-galloylchlorogenate and 4-O- the scientific literature for research on the composition of galloylchlorogenic acid (15), have been identified in sapodilla. other dietary bioactive components in these fruits. This meant 5-caffeoylquinte (CQA) (but not 4-CQA) was also found in we searched for articles on acerola, avocado, durian, guava, small quantities in the sapodilla (13). In addition, sapodilla kumquat, passion fruit juice, and sapodilla. contains catechin conjugates and polyphenols (12). The predominant flavanone in kumquat is narirutin, while the f is Acerola (Malpighia glabra, Malpighia emarginata) is practically devoid of flavones (16). extraordinarily high in vitamin C and is also a rich source of vitamin A, iron, and folate. The fruit juice has also been found to contain carotenoids, such as beta-carotene (10).

Acerola Avocado Durian Guava Sapodilla (Barbados Cherry)

About IICA

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialized agency for agriculture of the inter-American System. Its mission is to support the 34 Member States in their pursuit of progress and prosperity in the Hemisphere through the modernization of the rural sector, promotion of food security and development of an agricultural sector that is competitive, technologically prepared, environmentally managed and socially equitable for the people of the Americas.

The Member States are: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Sates of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.