As the industry transitions to more domestic supplies of passion fruit, predictions are the U.S. crop will be a good one.
“Passion fruit is in transition—the New Zealand crop is ending early due to some extreme weather,” says Karen Caplan of Los Amalitos, Ca.-based Frieda’s Specialty Produce. “California is finishing up with some very light production but Florida is just getting ready to start production. We expect to have supplies from Florida and we’re awaiting good supplies from California in the early summer.” Caplan adds that while passion fruit is also grown commercially in other regions of the world, such as South America’s Colombia and Brazil, their fruit isn’t allowed to be imported into the U.S.A. for agricultural reasons.
With passion fruit, Caplan notes that one of the biggest industry challenges is bringing in a consistent supply. “Supplies do fluctuate mostly due to extreme and unexpected weather,” she says, which in turn, also contribute to the equally fluctuating prices in the marketplace. Another challenge is sometimes the shelf stability of the fruit. “The fruit wrinkles easily when left on warm tropical fruit displays and that can discourage consumers from purchasing it,” she says.
“Passion fruit is in transition—the New Zealand crop is ending early due to some extreme weather,” says Karen Caplan of Los Amalitos, Ca.-based Frieda’s Specialty Produce. “California is finishing up with some very light production but Florida is just getting ready to start production. We expect to have supplies from Florida and we’re awaiting good supplies from California in the early summer.” Caplan adds that while passion fruit is also grown commercially in other regions of the world, such as South America’s Colombia and Brazil, their fruit isn’t allowed to be imported into the U.S.A. for agricultural reasons.
With passion fruit, Caplan notes that one of the biggest industry challenges is bringing in a consistent supply. “Supplies do fluctuate mostly due to extreme and unexpected weather,” she says, which in turn, also contribute to the equally fluctuating prices in the marketplace. Another challenge is sometimes the shelf stability of the fruit. “The fruit wrinkles easily when left on warm tropical fruit displays and that can discourage consumers from purchasing it,” she says.
Variety on offer
Looking ahead though, the marketplace is seeing some developments. “Passionfruit has always been a retailer shopper’s favorite but it’s gaining popularity these past few years with juicing and smoothie trends,” Caplan says. “And if farm gate prices for passion fruit would stay lower for a longer period of time, we could build more fresh market consumption.”
Consumption might also increase with newer varieties appearing on store shelves, such as the gold passion fruit. “While it’s not new, there are small amounts available in the US,” Caplan says. “We should see them showing up in supermarkets alongside the purple ones to support the growing demand of passion fruit in general. And occasionally, we have banana passion fruit from New Zealand, but these are more limited in availability.”
For more information:
Karen Caplan
Frieda's Specialty Produce
Tel: +1-714-733-7660
www.friedas.com
Consumption might also increase with newer varieties appearing on store shelves, such as the gold passion fruit. “While it’s not new, there are small amounts available in the US,” Caplan says. “We should see them showing up in supermarkets alongside the purple ones to support the growing demand of passion fruit in general. And occasionally, we have banana passion fruit from New Zealand, but these are more limited in availability.”
For more information:
Karen Caplan
Frieda's Specialty Produce
Tel: +1-714-733-7660
www.friedas.com