Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.1
Production of selected fruits (million metric tons) in major geographical areas of the world
North and Central
Commodity
Africa
Asia
China
India
Europe
America
USSR
World
Apple
2.02
34.36
25.01
1.47
13.03
5.15
4.42
63.48
Apricot
0.39
1.19
<
0.1
<
0.1
0.77
<
0.1
0.32
2.82
Banana
7.44
38.86
6.39
16.82
<
0.1
8.95
—
72.46
Blueberry
—
—
—
—
0.26
0.20
<
0.1
2.41
Cantaloupes
and melons
1.45
21.48
15.14
6.45
3.16
2.48
<
0.1
28.32
<
<
<
Cherry
0.01
0.61
0.1
0.1
0.67
0.26
0.26
1.86
Citrus fruits
11.62
37.07
16.02
4.75
10.24
19.55
<
0.1
105.4
Dates
2.38
4.52
—
—
—
—
—
6.92
Grapes
3.73
15.66
5.70
1.20
29.43
6.96
2.55
66.53
Mango
2.71
21.18
3.67
10.80
—
2.48
—
27.96
Peach
0.77
7.78
6.03
0.15
4.26
1.62
0.21
15.67
Pear
0.62
13.38
11.62
0.2
3.33
0.82
0.39
19.51
Plum
2.29
5.46
4.63
<
0.1
2.76
3.76
0.56
9.84
Pineapple
2.61
8.39
1.46
1.30
—
2.22
—
15.86
Strawberry
—
—
—
—
1.11
1.15
0.27
3.52
Tomato
14.63
60.21
31.64
7.60
19.40
17.25
6.39
124.75
Watermelon
3.77
80.41
69.31
0.25
3.09
3.09
3.36
95.29
FAO Statistics (2005).
1.3 Fruit, vegetable, and flower production around the world
Every part of the world produces fruits and vegetables mostly according to the needs of
domestic consumption and export. Table 1.1 summarizes the production statistics of certain
selected fruits. Apples, bananas, citrus fruits, grapes, tomatoes, and watermelons are the
largest fruit commodities produced. Asia is the largest producer of fruits, with China being
the primary producer in the whole world. Although the populations of China and India are
nearly the same, fruit production in India is considerably lower than that in China. This
may be due to the differences in food habits between the two countries, with the Chinese
population consuming a lot more fresh fruits and products. On a per capita basis, Israel
produces more fruits than any other country in the world. Europe and North and Central
America are also the major players in fruit production. Chile is the major producer of fruits
in South America. Overall, the world produces greater than 600 million metric tons of fruits
(FAO Statistics, 2005).
World vegetable production also follows similar trends as in fruits (Table 1.2), Asia being
the largest producer of vegetables. Again, China is the powerhouse of vegetable production,
fresh vegetables being a major component of daily diet. Europe and the Americas also
contribute significantly to vegetable production. Altogether, the world vegetable production
exceeds 650 million metric tons (FAO Statistics, 2005).
In contrast to fruit and vegetable production, the bulk of flower production is concen-
trated in specific regions of the world. The production and marketing of flowers and potted
ornamentals are intricately linked across the world. A floral bouquet purchased in a local
supermarket may be made with miniature carnations from Israel, chrysanthemums from
Columbia, boxwood from Oregon, and statice from California. Worldwide trade in flori-
culture products was estimated to exceed US$7.9 billion in 2001 and was made up of cut
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