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Fresh fruit and vegetables

Fresh fruit and vegetables are unprocessed, uncooked, and unaltered fruits and vegetables that are harvested at their peak ripeness and sold in the market for consumption. These fruits and vegetables are typically sold in grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other food retailers, and are generally consumed raw or lightly cooked.

Fresh fruits and vegetables include a wide range of produce, including apples, bananas, oranges, berries, grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, spinach, and more. They are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are important for maintaining good health, and are an important part of a balanced diet.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are typically harvested and shipped to markets as quickly as possible to ensure maximum freshness and quality. They are typically sold loose or pre-packaged in bags or containers and may be sold individually or in bulk. Many consumers prefer to buy fresh fruits and vegetables because they believe that they are healthier and more flavorful than processed or canned produce.

The market scope for fresh fruits and vegetables is vast and continues to grow due to increased demand for healthy, natural, and sustainable food options. The global fresh fruit and vegetable market was valued at USD 773.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 1,222.3 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period.

The growth in the fresh fruit and vegetable market is driven by several factors, including increasing health awareness, rising demand for organic and natural products, and growing consumer preferences for fresh and minimally processed food products. Additionally, the rising popularity of vegan and plant-based diets is driving demand for fresh fruits and vegetables as a primary source of nutrition.

Geographically, the Asia Pacific region is the largest market for fresh fruits and vegetables, followed by Europe and North America. Within the Asia Pacific region, China is the largest market due to its large population and growing demand for fresh produce. In North America, the United States is the largest market for fresh fruits and vegetables, while in Europe, the market is dominated by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

The market scope for fresh fruits and vegetables is expected to continue growing as consumers increasingly seek out healthy and natural food options, and as the industry adopts new technologies and processes to improve the quality, freshness, and sustainability of fresh produce.

Some of the major players in the global fresh fruits and vegetables market include:

Dole Food Company, Inc.
Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.
Total Produce PLC
Driscoll's, Inc.
Naturipe Farms LLC
Grimmway Farms
The Wonderful Company LLC
Greenyard NV
Costa Group Holdings Ltd.

Commercial production of Fresh fruit and vegetables involves the following steps:

1. Cultivation: Fresh fruits and vegetables are typically grown on farms or orchards, which can vary in size from small family farms to large industrial operations. The crops are typically grown in the ground or in controlled environments such as greenhouses or hydroponic systems.

2. Harvesting: Once the fruits and vegetables are mature, they are harvested using various methods, such as hand-picking, machine harvesting, or shaking the crops to loosen the produce. Harvesting is usually done quickly to ensure that the product remains fresh.

3. Sorting and grading: After harvesting, the fruits and vegetables are sorted and graded according to their size, color, ripeness, and quality. This is typically done using automated systems, which can sort and grade large quantities of produce quickly and accurately.

4. Packing: Once the fruits and vegetables have been sorted and graded, they are packed into containers such as crates, boxes, or bags. The containers may be pre-cooled to maintain the product’s freshness during transportation.

5. Transportation: Fresh fruits and vegetables are typically transported from the farms to the markets or processing facilities by refrigerated trucks, ships, or planes. This ensures that the product remains fresh during transportation.

In addition to the above stages, the production of fresh fruits and vegetables also involves various quality control measures, such as monitoring the temperature and humidity during storage and transportation and conducting regular inspections to ensure that the produce meets regulatory standards.