DATE AND VENUE

Date: 23-25 September 2025
Venue: Darwin, Australia (Hybrid via Zoom)

THEME

Advancing the global production and trade of minor tropical fruits for sustainable markets

SYMPOSIUM BACKGROUND

Tropical fruits are classified according to their trade volume. Over the past two decades, the trade of tropical fruits has experienced significant growth, with bananas, avocados, mangoes, pineapple and papaya dominating the market as major tropical fruits. Meanwhile, fruits such as dragon fruit, passion fruit, durian, mangosteens, rambutan and others are categorized as minor tropical fruits.

Recently, trade in minor tropical fruits has shown significant trends and gaining global recognition due to their increasing availability, nutritional benefits, unique flavors, shifts in consumer preferences and commercial potential.

Despite their growing demand in international markets, the production and trade of these fruits face challenges such as superior varieties, production issues, postharvest losses, quality and shelf life, inadequate infrastructure, supply chain inefficiencies, limited awareness and lack of research and development.

While the minor tropical fruit trade is on an upward trajectory, realizing its full potential necessitates collaborative efforts among stakeholders to mitigate existing challenges.

In view of the recent interest in minor tropical fruits, International Tropical Fruits Network, is co-hosting with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Northern Territory Government, Australia to organize an international symposium to assess and deliberate on the current situation. The event will bring together industry stakeholders and provide a platform for them to share insights, address challenges, explore opportunities and collaborate for expanding production and trade of these fruit types.

AIM

The symposium aims to:

  1. Promote awareness of the economic and nutritional value of minor tropical fruits.
  2. Identify challenges and opportunities in production, post-harvest management, and trade.
  3. Facilitate knowledge exchange on innovative farming techniques, sustainable practices, and value addition.
  4. Develop strategies to enhance market access and global trade of minor tropical fruits.
  5. Strengthen partnerships among growers, researchers, policymakers, traders, and international organizations.

ORGANIZERS

  • Main Organizers:
    International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet)
    Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Northern Territory Government (NTG), Australia
  • Co-organizers: TBA

THEMATIC AREAS

  1. Sustainable Production Practices: Innovations in best production practices, pest management, and climate-resilient farming.
  2. Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition: Techniques to reduce losses, improve shelf life, and develop processed products.
  3. Market Access and Trade Policies: Strategies to overcome trade barriers, meet international standards, and access new markets.
  4. Research and Development: Breeding for superior varieties, improving productivity, quality, pest and disease management and molecular tools.
  5. Public-Private Partnerships: Role of private sector investment and government support in scaling up production and trade.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

  • Producers (companies and smallholders)
  • Researchers and academics in horticulture and agribusiness
  • Government officials and policymakers
  • Traders, distributors and exporters
  • Food processing and packaging industries
  • Investors and development agencies

FIELD VISIT

TBA – Fruit farms/research facilities/markets in Darwin, Australia

PUBLICATION

The main document that will be produced are symposium proceedings (with e-ISBN), including a compilation of key presentations and other information materials. The proceedings will be indexed in CAB Abstracts and Google Scholar.