Neha Patil (Editor)

Horticulture industry

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The horticulture industry embraces the production, processing and shipping of and the market for fruits and vegetables. As such it is a sector of agribusiness and industrialized agriculture. Industrialized horticulture sometimes also includes the floriculture industry.

Contents

Among the most important fruits are:

  • bananas
  • semi-tropical fruits like lychee, guava or tamarillo
  • citrus fruits
  • soft fruits (berries)
  • apples
  • stone fruits
  • Important vegetables include:

  • potatoes
  • sweet potatoes
  • tomatoes
  • onions and
  • cabbage
  • In 2013, the global fruit production was estimated at 676.9 million tonnes (666,200,000 long tons; 746,200,000 short tons). Global vegetable production (including melons) was estimated at 879.2 million tonnes (865,300,000 long tons; 969,200,000 short tons) with China and India being the two top producing countries.

    Value chain

    The horticultural value chain includes:

  • Inputs: elements needed for production; seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, farm equipment, irrigation equipment
  • Production for export: includes fruit and vegetables production and all processes related to growth and harvesting; planting, weeding, spraying, picking
  • Packing and cold storage: grading, washing, trimming, chopping, mixing, packing, labeling, blast chilling
  • Processed fruit and vegetables: dried, frozen, preserved, juices, pulps; mostly for increasing shelf life
  • Distribution and marketing: supermarkets, small scale retailers, wholesalers, food service
  • Fruit

  • Chiquita Brands International
  • Del Monte Foods
  • Dole Food Company
  • References

    Horticulture industry Wikipedia