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 and production and trade of ornamental plants. 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 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, GMO technology 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
Companies
Fruit Chiquita Brands International Del Monte Foods Dole Food Company
Genetically modified crops / GMO
Monsanto/Bayer
References
External links Izham Ahmad, Chua Piak Chwee (2005). "INCREASING CONSUMPTION OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS" (PDF). FAO.FFA (future farmers of America) fruit logistica conference 2017