Bioversity International: Overview

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Tropical Fruits and Nuts

- Overview

: Flower of Myrtaceae Acca sellowiana , known in English as feijoa or pineapple guava. Credit: J. Ocampo. Photo from New World Fruits Database

Fruits are an important component of many tropical ecosystems. There is the handful of mainstream crops of global and local trade: banana, citrus, mango, pineapple, papaya. Then there are the hundreds of lesser-known species that are grown in small orchards and backyards and harvested from the wild. Both have a role to play in improving the well-being of the rural poor.

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Neglected potential

Native tropical fruit species are largely unexploited sources of income and employment, especially for women, and as good sources of dietary vitamins, minerals and energy. Some species have medicinal uses, while others also provide timber, fuelwood and livestock feed. But diversity present in these species is rapidly disappearing.

In forest areas, the rich diversity of fruit species plays an important role as a source of food and shelter to other plants and animals, providing stability in complex natural ecosystems. In agricultural areas, fruit trees are important components of multi-crop systems, under which other vegetables, cereals, legumes, root and fodder crops and livestock can thrive.

The potential market for tropical fruits is vast, and growing. Nutritionists advise a daily intake of at least 100 g fruits. This would require annual production of at least 37 kilograms of fruits for every adult on the planet!

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