“Typically, larger items in a category see slower growth due to the fact that they are more mainstream than niche items,” said Jose Rossignoli, category general manager at Robinson Fresh, a division of Eden Prairie, Minn.-based C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
Robinson Fresh numbers mangoes, limes, pineapples, avocados and, most recently added, papayas among its tropical offerings, Rossignoli said.
“Papayas continue to move from a niche item to mainstream,” he said. “This is happening as result of continuous adoption of the tainung and maradol varieties as well as improved distribution and logistics solutions for this item.
Rossignoli, citing a Dec. 28 report from IRI Freshlook, noted papaya saw a 3.3% growth rate in retail sales in 2014.
Mainstream tropical items account for 90% of category sales, but the segment’s niche items are making their own gains, Rossignoli said.
Items in that category include papaya, pomegranate, kiwifruit, coconut, guava, passion fruit, lychee, persimmon, starfruit and rambutans, Rossignoli noted.
“Since 2010, the group experienced a 6.1% increase in annual compound growth rate that is a factor of change in consumer demand for kiwi, pomegranates and papaya,” he said, again citing IRI Freshlook.
The growth is at least partially a result of consumers’ quest for new flavors and colors, as well as nutritional value, said Mary Ostlund, marketing director with Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals LLC.
“Consumers are eager to try something new, especially if it’s good for them,” she said.
Weather problems sometimes complicate supplies of tropical fruit, and starfruit has endured weather events in Taiwan and China, where much of the product is grown, said Robert Schueller, public relations director for Los Angeles-based World Variety Produce, which markets the Melissa’s brand.
Taiwan is the main supplier of starfruit in the U.S., with Florida also shipping product, Schueller said.
“Every time we bring it in, we sell out pretty fast and it gaps a for a month,” he said.
The season from dragon fruit now is year-round, since the U.S. approved imports from Vietnam four years ago, Schueller said.
Prior to that, dragon fruit was available only from early July to early October, out of California, Schueller said.
Mexico is the largest supplier of fresh lychees, available from early May through the end of September, and Florida supplies a smaller seasonal supply beginning in late April.
“Now, major supermarket chains are carrying it more,” he said.
Eddie Caram, general manager, New Limeco LLC, Princeton, Fla., said his company markets Florida-grown lychees and dragon fruit from late May through October.
“We’re getting more interest in stores and wholesalers that sell these products,” he said.
Papayas have gained popularity, like mangoes, although they haven’t had the power of a market order behind them, as mangoes have had for the last 10 years, Caram said.
“I think papayas are growing as fast as mangoes in a shorter period of time,” he said.
Springtime is peak season in New Zealand for tropical fruits, said Michele Hoard, marketing manager for North America with New Zealand-based Zespri International Ltd., Burlingame, Calif..
“The category is being driven by Zespri’s varietal introduction of SunGold and our continued investment into the health research of kiwifruit,” she said.
Another fruit that has a dual season — California and Chile — is the cherimoya.
“Currently, we’re in the domestic season, but we’re seeming to run into issues in growing areas in California, so the season might shut down earlier,” Schueller said, noting the Chilean season starts in late May.
Rambutan, native to Southeast Asia, now is grown in Mexico and Central America, with shipments generally running May- November, said Marc Holbik, vice president of business development with Miami-based Ecoripe Tropicals.
“We would like to highlight and share the growth of rambutan in the North American market,” he said.