by Yacob Ahmad and Dorothy Chandrabalan
Wax/Rose apple (Syzygium sp.), a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, is appreciated for its mild sweetness, refreshing taste, and numerous health benefits, including significant levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. The common names ‘wax apple’, ‘rose apple’, ‘bell fruit’, ‘wax jambu’ and sometimes ‘water apple’ are often used interchangeably under the Syzygium genus, resulting to some nomenclature confusion.
Generally, In Asia, wax/rose apple is grown in backyards, in mixed orchards and sometimes as a monocrop in small orchards. The fruit is usually consumed fresh and mostly produced in China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The fruit, to a lesser extent is also grown in Australia, the Caribbeans, Florida and parts of Central America. Despite its adaptability, relative popularity and nutritional benefits, wax/rose apple remains an underdeveloped crop due to factors including seasonal and limited supply chains, inconsistent consumer demand due to availability of other fruit types, pests and diseases challenges, short shelf life and postharvest issues.
Though well-known in Southeast Asian markets, this fruit is less familiar internationally, which presents a significant opportunity for expansion if challenges in varietal and quality improvement, overcoming perishability/poor shelf life and postharvest handling, and most importantly building up consumer preference for novel fruit types and markets, are addressed.
Recent research on wax/rose apple has focused on areas to improve its appeal and market potential, including quality improvement, improving shelf life and non-seasonal production. For example, there have been postharvest studies that demonstrated promising results in extending rose apple’s shelf life, which typically ranges from 2 to 5 days under ambient conditions. Studies from Thailand, India, and Malaysia reveal that modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can maintain freshness for up to 10-12 days, significantly improving its market viability. Additionally, wax apple, with its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties is also being studied to uncover its therapeutic and functional food potential.
While the fruit is slowly gaining popularity with stable demand, there is still potential for further development and expansion. In this regard, International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet), continuing its series on the development of minor tropical fruits, is organizing a webinar on ‘Exploring Opportunities in expanding production, consumption and market of Wax/Rose Apple’ on Tuesday, 17 December 2024 at 02:30 PM (Kuala Lumpur) on the Zoom platform.
Objectives
This webinar aims to gather experts, producers, researchers, academicians, and industry stakeholders to explore ways to enhance wax/rose apple’s market potential regionally and globally. By addressing varietal selection, quality management, postharvest challenges, value addition, and sustainable supply chain practices, the webinar will encourage stakeholders to assess wax/rose apple’s viability as a preferred fruit in diverse markets. Other objectives include:
- To assess wax/rose apple’s production, commercial and market potential.
- To share the experience of successful wax/apple producers in the different countries.
- To showcase current research findings on wax/rose apple’s best farm practices, and postharvest handling and innovations to enhance its productivity and economic value.
- To explore value addition opportunities in product development, including processing and health benefits.
- To foster partnerships among researchers, producers, and agribusinesses for sustainable wax/rose apple cultivation and commercialization.
| Time | Content | |
| 02.30 – 02.40 PM | Introduction Dr. Dorothy Chandrabalan (TFNet) |
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| 02.40 – 03.40 PM | PRESENTATIONS Moderator: Dr. Dorothy Chandrabalan (TFNet) |
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Dr. Reza Tirtawinata Tropical Fruit Consultant Bogor, Indonesia ‘Varietal diversity and efforts to enhance production and market of wax/rose apple in Indonesia’ |
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Dr. Anuradha Sane Principal Scientist Division of Fruit Crops, ICAR-IIHR, Bangaluru India ‘Efforts to enhance production and market of rose apple in India’ |
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Mr. Christopher J. Biai Director Crop Industry Development Div. Department of Agriculture, Malaysia ‘The potential of expanding wax/rose apple production and market in Malaysia. |
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| 03.40 – 04.30 PM | Q & A, Panel discussion Moderator: Yacob Ahmad (TFNet) Panel: All speakers Topic: Challenges and Opportunities in Expanding Wax/Apple Production and Market |
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| 04.30 PM | Closing remarks: Yacob Ahmad (TFNet) | |
Registration link:
Kindly register at this link to participate in the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpcO-srz4pH9TpzulVN-_VrJhqN1teNr7R
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.