This year is shaping up quite well for Hawaii papaya growers; demand for the only American-grown papaya is increasing among mainland tropical fruit consumers. Growers have seen and will continue to see a plentiful harvest of the superfood through 2023.
President of the Hawaiian Papaya Industry Association, Eric Weinert: “As the President of the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, the growers we represent are producing over one million pounds per month spurred on by a growing demand from mainland United States shoppers interested in buying unique and fully nutritious tropical fruits.”
“We expect high demand to continue through 2024 and new fields are being created so we can begin harvesting this Spring. We are harvesting larger papayas compared to last year and expect them to be even larger by this Spring, with the smallest papayas weighing one pound and the larger papayas weighing in at 1.4 pounds. Increased demand for papaya is spurred on by growing consumer demand for healthy and high-quality produce. Half of consumers say healthy eating is their top priority when purchasing food, according to a 2022 online survey by consulting group McKinsey & Company. There is an ever-growing demand for foods that are healthy and natural and papaya is positioned to be a high-quality fruit option for these consumers.”
Source: newfoodmagazine.com