Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 5.2
World production and major producing countries of tropical and subtropical fruits in the
first decade of the twenty-first century. (Source: Faostat
2013
)
Fruit
World production (x 10
3
t)
Major producing countries
2000
2005
2010
Banana
66,046
80,107
105,213
India, China, Philippines, Ecuador, Brazil,
Indonesia, Tanzania, Guatemala,
Mexico, Angola, Colombia, Burundi
Costa Rica, Thailand
Coconut
51,194
57,574
59,882
Indonesia, Philippines, India, Brazil, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, Papua New Guinea,
Vietnam, Mexico
Mango
a
24,852
31,671
37,284
India, China, Thailand, Pakistan,
Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil,
Bangladesh, Philippines, Nigeria
Plantain
30,453
33,471
36,299
Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Colombia,
Rwanda, Nigeria, Peru, Ivory Coast,
Democratic Republic of Congo
Pineapple
15,140
17,662
19,739
Brazil, Philippines, Costa Rica,
Thailand, China, Indonesia, India,
Nigeria, Mexico, Vietnam
Papaya
7,456
8,316
11,726
India, Brazil, Dominican Republic,
Nigeria, Indonesia, Mexico, Ethiopia,
Colombia,Democratic Republic of
Congo, Thailand, Guatemala
Avocado
2,707
3,420
4,025
Mexico, Chile, Dominican Republic,
Indonesia, Kenya, Colombia, Peru,
USA, Brazil, Rwanda, China
a
FAO includes here mangoes, mangosteeens and guavas
constituted a staple food in many underdeveloped and developing African countries
(Robinson and Galán Saúco
2010
). Tropical and subtropical fruits are becoming
more important in the diet of the developed world and particularly important for
people who show interest in a healthy diet and lifestyle. Many tropical fruits are
a good source of carotene (provitamin A), outstanding examples being the mango
and papaya in which the yellow colour of the flesh is an indicator of this vitamin.
The guava and the mango are also well known for being a good source of ascorbic
acid (vitamin C). Many tropical and subtropical fruits are also rich in pectin, fibre
and cellulose, which stimulate intestinal activity, and they are also a good source of
antioxidants, which stimulate appetite and facilitate digestion.
The prime form of consumption of most tropical and subtropical fruits is as
fresh fruits (both as entrées or desserts), with the exception of the plantains (Musa
AAB (subgroup plantain) and the breadfruit (
Artocarpus altilis
Fosb.), which
are consumed cooked, and nuts which are often roasted or candied. Many fruits
are also consumed in other ways such as jams, jellies, juices (made either from
fresh fruits or concentrates or frozen pulp), ice cream, yoghurt, pickles and chutneys
(the most famous being mango chutney, highly esteemed by gourmets). Tropical
and subtropical fruits are also important components of baby food and different
kinds of purees (aseptic, chilled aseptic or simply chilled) and flour can be prepared
