Avocado is a fruit from a tree that has a variable growth and development, reaching a height of 10 to 12 m in its natural habitat.  Mature trees over 8 years old produce fruit all year round.  Avocado is cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with Mexico the largest producer. The fruit has an exquisite taste and aroma, a high nutritional value and various medicinal benefits. Post-harvest handling is critical to fruit quality; mechanical damage, over chilling and fungal contamination are the most common causes of loss. There is a large world-wide market for predominantly fresh fruit but also for processed foods and cosmetic products.
Organization: FAO
Authors: Lidia Dorantes, Lidia Parada & Alicia Ortiz. Instituto Politécnico Naciona, IPN, México
Technical Editor: Danilo Mejia, FAO
Last Reviewed: 15/06/2004      Download Document (pdf 66pp 1.7Mb)

Plantain is a staple food and major source of carbohydrates for millions of people in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific. The herbaceous plants require a tropical climate and fruit continually but it takes 6 to 8 months for the fruits to mature. The plants are often grown as a mixed crop with other agricultural products such as cocoa or yams.  The fruit is predominantly used for human consumption and is generally cooked by boiling or frying when mature (green) or ripened. There is great potential for the crop in improved production methods and post-harvest techniques.
Organization: Centre de Recherches Regionales sur Bananiers et Plantains, Cameroon (CRBP)
Authors: J. Tchango Tchango, A.Bikoï, R. Achard, J.V. Escalant & J.A. Ngalani
Technical Editor: Danilo Mejia, FAO
Last Reviewed: 14/10/1999       Download Document (pdf 59pp 1.5Mb)

Grape is one of the most widely utilized fruits in the world, both in its fresh form and processed into raisins, grape juice and wine. These different processed products are important due to the extreme perishability of the fruit. As fresh fruit, grapes are very delicate and the loss at harvest and during the distribution is very high.
Organization: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Viterbo, Italy and Technical Economic Department, University of Basilicata, Italy
Authors: Fabio Mencarelli, Andrea Bellincontro, Giancarlo DiRenzo
Technical Editor: Danilo Mejia, FAO
Last Reviewed: 03/11/2005      Download Document (pdf 41pp 0.9Mb)

Mango is an important fruit for inhabitants of the tropics, with India being the largest producer. The trees require a frost-free tropical or sub-tropical climate, are 10 to 40 m in height and evergreen. The fruit is produced seasonally and eaten fresh or used in various recipes. In recent years, mangoes have become well established as fresh fruit and processed products in the global market.
Organization: Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz (ITVER), Mexico
Authors: De La Cruz Medina, J. & García, H.S.
Technical Editor: Danilo Mejia, FAO
Last Reviewed: 05/06/2002      Download Document (pdf 69pp 1.3Mb)

Papaya (Pawpaw) is an early-bearing, space-conserving, herbaceous crop requiring a tropical climate. It is fast growing and has a single straight or sometimes branched stem reaching 2-10 m height. With the development of better cultivation techniques, new varieties, improved crop handling and post-harvest technologies, papaya is gaining importance in the world tropical fruit market.
Organization: Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz (ITVER), Mexico
Authors: De La Cruz Medina, J., Gutiérrez, G. V. & García, H.S.
Technical Editor: Danilo Mejia, FAO
Last Reviewed: 14/05/2003      Download Document (pdf 70pp 1.9Mb)

Pineapple fruit is a member of the Bromiaceae family and grows in tropical and subtropical climates. The plant is around 1 m in height and width and the leaves have a concave form which allows the plant to collect water. It takes from 17 to 23 months to propagate and fruit depending on the cultivar and the climate of the growing region.  The fruit is eaten raw, canned or juiced. Pineapple is an important tropical fruit in world trade. Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are among the largest producers.
Organization: Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz (ITVER), Mexico
Authors: J. De La Cruz Medina, H.S. García
Technical Editor: Danilo Mejia, FAO
Last Reviewed:03/11/2005     Download Document (pdf 38pp 0.8Mb)