|
|
|
| Author: | R. Rajat |
Abstract:
Over the past decade improved means of distribution and transportation have seen the advent of tropical fruits and vegetables into the markets of developed countries.
The distribution has been through two prominent outlets : the supermarket chains and small shops run by retailers of ethnic origin.
Examples of fruits of variable quality and quantity are Cape gooseberries, lychees, passion fruits, mangoes, persimmons, mangosteens, kumquats, guavas and pomegranates.
However the markets, especially for tropical fruits, have belied the steady expansion forecast for them.
This is because of a number of reasons:
- Consumer ignorance about the fruit or vegetables, their mode of usage, expectation of sensory qualities, modes of storage and ripening.
Some supermarkets now do give guidance to consumers by means of accompanying pamphlets about consumption and modes of storage.
However to most consumers of indigenous origin, the newer tropical fruits and vegetables remain of novelty attraction.
Shoppers of ethnic origin who buy from corner shops are well aware of the sensory qualities; however these groups, concentrated in the larger cities, make up a small percentage of the total.
- Most distributors-wholesale and retail- failure to market the products in the most optimum way be it quality, price or information.
The consumer is therefore left in ignorance about the expectations of texture, colour, flavour and requirement of optimum maturity before consumption.
- Lack of sustained and ongoing research by producers in exporting countries and importers in developed countries.
The volume of demand and export of only selected tropical fruits have ensured such research 'from source to store'. But the majority are of variable quality and governed by lax specifications.
|
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) |
 
|