Asian Vegetable Crops: Production, Nutrition and Consumer Preference

The rapid expansion of Asian populations in the United States presents significant opportunities for the produce sector to take advantage of their close proximity to densely populated areas. Asian populations grew 69.5% between 1990 and 1999 and 77.5% from 2000 to 2009. To focus horticultural producers, an ethnic crops survey was conducted by Rutgers University to examine fruit and vegetable expenditures among Chinese and Asian Indians.  Expenditures were determined for specific Asian produce types and  total produce costs. Data was extrapolated to east coast populations (90% confidence interval error margin 5.6%) to assess market segments. Chinese consumer values ranged from $245 to $296 M per annum and Asian Indians ranged from $190-$230 M per annum. The average annual fresh fruit and vegetable expenditures by both Asian groups was 2 to 3½ times respective national averages. Chinese, Korean, and Asian Indian crops were grown for three years (2011–13) in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida.  Small plot, replicated trials were used and evaluated for various parameters of morphological features, plant growth, yield and nutritional value.  Chinese crops were Shanghai bok choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis), pak choi/mizuna (Brassica rapa var. chinensis and var. japonica), Chinese broccoli (Brassica oleracea), Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea), sugar pea (Pisum sativum), chives (Alium shoenoprasum), garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium), and shepard’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris).  East Indian crops were fenugreek (Trigonella foenium), Indian Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), tri-color radish (Raphanus sativas), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenium-graecum), amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cycla) and malabar spinach (Basella alba cv. ‘Rubra’). Nutritional values were analyzed for the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, and sulfur for some leading crop candidates as amaranth species, nightshade, and spinach. This science-based data helps support claims for nutrition and health benefits that drive market consumer interest and demand, which, in turn, directs horticultural production opportunities. From these results, local farmers can benefit from premium pricing and catering to the special culinary needs of this sizable ethnic market, which is quickly penetrating established mainstream institutions.  Also, today’s healthy choice for food calls for increased nutritional value from eating more horticultural crops where consumers may find expanded even better choices of vegetable and herb cultivars. (Research team: Jim Simon, Ramu Govindasamy, Kathleen Kelley, Frank Mangan, Shouan Zhang, Surendran Arumugam, Peter Nitzsche, Richard Van Vranken, Stephen Komar, Albert Ayeni, Gene McAvoy, Ed Dager, Chung Park, Qingli Su, Brian Schilling.)