Global trade in fruits and frozen fruits

Rising consumer income and changing lifestyles are creating bigger markets for high-value horticultural products in India as well as throughout the world. Among these, the most important high-value export products are fruits and vegetables. Fruits contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants, which impart protection against chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Therefore, the consumption of fruits is highly recommended for a balanced diet around the world. The exchange of products and services between countries is referred to as international trade. The global fruit industry plays an important part in today’s agricultural production around the world. The total global fruit trade market has grown by an average of 40% over the last ten years. It has increased from 45 million tons to 63 million tons. Asia has the highest growth rate in global fresh fruit trade. Among the most traded fruit products, bananas account for a considerable part in the global fruit trade. It makes up 30% of this sector. Guatemala is one of the world’s top bananas exporters with the highest growth rate in bananas exports over the past decade. There was also strong growth in the large net bananas importing countries including United States, Russia, and China. An estimated 80% of all fruits grown globally are sold as whole fresh fruit. That fresh fruit market is still growing, mainly outside the US and the EU. In markets, consumer preferences seem to be shifting towards fruit with a more natural and fresh image, including frozen fruits. This is at the expense of shelf-stable products like juice and canned fruits. Global demand for frozen fruit has increased by 5% a year. Trade in these products has risen dramatically over the recent years.