Tropical fruits with increasing export potential in Tropical America

The export potential for tropical fruits continues to increase in Tropical America. In additional to traditionally exported crops such as banana, pineapple and mango, there is considerable room for the enhancement and development of export markets for non-traditional export fruit. This work focuses on rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum Linn.), lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), pulasan (Nephelium ramhutan-ake (Labill.) Leenh), which are currently grown commercially in Tropical America on a small scale, but for which there is considerable potential for expansion. Environmental adaptation, germplasm status and sources, markets and commercial production considerations are discussed.