Supplies of papaya out of Guatemala continue to steadily arrive in North America.
“Kaya Paya Papaya, WYCO’s label, is a year-round product for us and there’s definitely an increase in volume coming in,” says Mirna Skinner of WYCO Produce Inc. in Tampa, Fl. “I think consumers are honing in on this fruit. We’ve seen a real increase in consumption and so we’re increasing our shipments.”
Marketers for the fruit have done extensive marketing of the product to reach out to new consumers. While the fruit is popular with the Latin population, marketing efforts have also focused on the health benefits of papaya and that’s targeting newer consumers. “And how to cut and eat it is an issue for consumers who aren’t familiar with the fruit,” adds Skinner. “"Consumer education is something we as the marketing company are working on.”
Adding acreage
In turn, to meet the rise in demand, WYCO has expanded its production of papaya. And while the Kaya Paya papaya, a tainung variety brought in from Guatemala has grown in popularity, Mexico ships in Marigold papaya, a different variety.
And all of this means that pricing this year has been steady on the fruit and is similar to pricing at this time last year.
Viva Fresh
Kaya Paya papayas of course are one of the items, along with commodities such as cucumbers and peppers, that WYCO will have on display at Viva Fresh, this year in San Antonio, Tex. from April 25-27. “It’s our third year at Viva Fresh and we’re always interested in talking with new retailers we’re not doing business with,” says Skinner. “We also like to meet with our current buyers and see our customers. It’s good to be there and support them as well.”
For more information:
Mirna Skinner
WYCO Produce Inc.
Tel: +1 (813) 751-3480
mirna@wycoproduce.com
www.wycoproduce.com