Fruit and Vegetables

Over the last twenty years the production of fruit and vegetables has increased rapidly in all continents. FAO data on the production of fruit between 1986 and 1996, estimate an increase of 8 per cent for temperate fruit, 22 per cent for tropical fruit and 21 per cent for nuts.’ Production of citrus fruit, considered separately, has also increased sharply (by 31 per cent) although this follows its own path, distinct from that of fruit in general. The risk of market disturbances due to oversupply is real, but it does not apply uniformly to all varieties of fruit.