2.5 TRENDS IN THE EXPORT OF MINOR CROPS AND IN PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION

2.5.1 Minor crops

FAOSTAT presents statistics for a large number of commodity categories. More minor NTAEs are not reported or presented separately but are included within other (not elsewhere specified) categories. Tables 2.7 and 2.8 present import data for the United States and the EU for three minor tropical fruits: guava, lychees and passion fruit. Whilst only selective, this data is an indication of the growing importance of these exotic fruits in world trade and of the importance of individual origins in meeting demand.

Table 2.7: EC^1/ - Imports of other tropical fruits by country of origin

Source: Eurostat and FAO 1/ Excluding intra-EC trade

Table 2.8: United States - Imports of other tropical fruits by country of origin

Source: FAO

2.5.2 Product differentiation and innovation

Differentiation within product categories is not something that is identified in international trade statistics, except perhaps indirectly in higher unit values. However, it is apparent that the fruit and vegetable sector is seeing a process of continuous innovation. Increasingly, exporters are developing and introducing new product lines which include high care products (trimmed and packed beans, ready prepared salads, pre-prepared stir fry mixes, prepared fruits) or speciality products (baby vegetables, purple carrots, smaller-sized watermelons) or exotics (cape gooseberries, Chinese vegetables, fresh hearts of palm, tropical peppers).

The very specialist products among them will probably remain as a niche market, destined for the catering sector, but it is apparent that many exotic and speciality fruits and vegetables do eventually move into the mainstream. More recently these have included mangoes, vine tomatoes, baby tomatoes and avocados.