Economic Outlook of Tropical Fruits in the United States: Consumers' View

Per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables in the U.S. increased 21% from 1970 to 2000. Since then, per capita levels for the major fruits and vegetables has remained relatively flat with an overall reduction in total fruit consumption. New consumer trends and shifts in demand show consumers are paying more attention to specialized products with increased benefits. This presentation will highlight the major consumer macro-trends for tropical fruit consumption in the U.S. First, consumer changes in terms of the level of consumption and type of products will be reviewed. Special emphasis will be given to international trade trends and matching supply sources with demand. Secondly, local foods and specialized market trends will be discussed and their potential to play a role in the traditional supply change will be evaluated. Third, Functional foods, or foods with additional health benefits will also be reviewed. Finally, the potential impacts of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 will be discussed.