Passion and Potential Growing for Domestic Passion Fruit Industry
With demand for passion fruit growing in the U.S., researchers are exploring how domestic production of this sought-after fruit could expand, thanks to a grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
“This project seeks to determine the current status of the industry, and bring together stakeholders, researchers, and Extension faculty to identify challenges and opportunities for the growth of a U.S. passion fruit industry,” says Jonathan Crane, a tropical fruit specialist at UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center and a collaborator on the grant awarded to Mississippi State University.
Passion fruit production is limited to warm climates, with Florida being the highest producer with 110 acres, followed by California, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Growers in Southern states, such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, are now interested in growing the fruit, too. Some have already attempted to grow passion fruit in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama, according to Crane.
The research team’s first step is to obtain baseline information from current passion fruit growers, packers, shippers and other interested parties through an online survey. The deadline to submit the voluntary survey is May 31, 2022.
“This survey will help research and extension faculty involved in this nationwide effort to plan and apply for grants that could subsequently assist with pest issues such as insects and diseases, disorders, postharvest issues and cultural practices,” Crane adds.
The results of the survey will also allow researchers to organize a strategic planning meeting with stakeholders to address the needs of the industry and plan a path forward for research and Extension projects.
For more, continue reading at blogs.ifas.ufl.edu.
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