Handling of Postharvest Tropical Fruit Crops

Abstract People familiar with the tropics are aware of the wide variety of fruits grown in these regions. Some tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples and papayas are available in temperate zone markets. However, such exotic tropical fruits as mangosteen, carambola, and star apple are rarely, if ever, seen in markets outside the tropics. Other fruits such as citrus, avocados and mangos, which are adaptable to the tropics as well as the sub-tropics, are commonly consumed in the temperate zone. Then there are those temperate fruits such as strawberries, pome fruits and cantelopes that may be adapted to production in certain areas of the tropics. Since bananas are the major tropical fruit exported to temperate zone markets, the handling practices involved with this crop will be described. Considerations for handling other major and minor tropical fruits will be discussed also.