These guidelines are designed to address the basic questions which exporters of avocados, mangoes, pineapples, papayas and passion fruit need answered before they try to venture into the UK market: WHAT, HOW, WHERE and WHEN?

This section describes the type and condition of fruit which is demanded by the buyers in the market. The specifications, which change over time, are those required at receipt by importer, unless otherwise stated.

This section describes what the exporter needs to do to get the fruit to the UK market, beginning at the picking stage, the first active phase of the marketing chain. The intention is to concentrate on the marketing of fruit, and not with production details, but the grower, as well as the exporter, should be able to profit from the information in this publication. After all, initial post-harvest handling is as important as correct picking as far as the grower is concerned.

There are a number of channels for trading exotic fruits in the UK and the situation has been changing as the multiples (larger supermarkets) increase their market share of the fresh fruit trade. They are now estimated to control about 50% of this trade and an even greater proportion of the exotics trade.

There is some evidence of price peaks at the changeover period between Israeli and South African supplies, i.e. March/April and September/October, but this cannot be relied upon. Demand tends to be higher during the summer months, when more salad foods are eaten, so offers a more secure market than winter months, when prices can fluctuate. This period also offers greater prospects, due to some retailers' preference for fruit from an origin other than South Africa.