POTENTIAL OF MINOR TROPICAL FRUITS TO BECOME IMPORTANT FRUIT CROPS

Despite globalization, most tropical fruits are still confined to their area of origin or nearby regions. The reasons for this confinement are complex but the lack of research into different horticultural practices, such as cultivar improvement, methods of propagation, nutrition and irrigation, pest and disease control, postharvest and marketing is always a common feature. The introduction of exotic fruits outside the normal cultural and dietary habits of the consumers also requires a lot of promotional effort in market development. This paper outlines the factors, which may be of major importance in creating a continued and sustainable demand for a new fruit in the international market.