“We absolutely see the tropical arena as a major growth area, and for several reasons,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News. “The first reason is that tropical fruit offers outstanding flavor, and people respond to great taste. Tropicals are also more widely available [to North American consumers] than at any time in the past. The tropical fruit and vegetable category has been a growth phenomenon in produce aisles and on foodservice menus for the past several years, and that trend is continually increasing.”

Eagle added that in addition to flavor, consumers respond to color and nutrition, the combination of which is the basic component that drives produce sales.

‘Southern Selects’ Persian limes from Southern Specialties.“Tropical produce offers all of these assets, in addition to excellent availability today,” he said. “They are highly versatile, and while a significant consumer base for these products already exists, there is still a large potential for mainstream Americans who are still learning about them, and learning to love them. Ultimately, this can only drive demand higher.”

Eagle explained that the demographics in North America continue to grow in the Hispanic and Asian categories, and both are familiar with these items more than today’s mainstream consumers, but this is also changing quickly.

Chefs wanting to add more creativity and flavor to their menu items are using them more often, and that translates into consumers wanting to prepare them in their own kitchens.

Southern Specialties’ tropical produce items are available year-round, with the exception of starfruit, which is available seasonally.

The company grows and imports from various producing regions.

“We always have volumes of mangos from all producing regions,” said Eagle. “Our large papaya and small papaya supplies from all producing regions also ensure year-round supplies to our customers.

“We have recently expanded our acreage of Persian limes in Guatemala to keep pace with the growing demand. These are shipped under the ‘Southern Selects’ label.”

Eagle said that it is typical for some tropical items to be delayed or otherwise negatively affected when inclement weather conditions, insects or diseases affect growing regions.

“Fruit is simply less prone to disease and other problems when growing seasons are drier,” he noted.

Southern Specialties products are shipped in all typical industry pack sizes. The company also offers custom packaging for various customer programs.

“We are looking forward to the start of the starfruit program again in mid-April,” said Eagle. “And we are very pleased with the success of our heirloom tomato program. We continue to grow and ship our premium heirloom tomatoes from our greenhouse facilities in Guatemala. The program includes large heirlooms, baby heirlooms in clamshells, red and yellow teardrop tomatoes and tomatoes-on-the-vine.”

Besides its Pompano Beach headquarters, Southern Specialties provides national and Canadian coverage and distribution of its wide range of fruits and vegetables through its offices in McAllen, TX, and Los Angeles. The company services retailers, foodservice distributors, club stores and wholesalers.

The company is a totally integrated grower, importer and processor of a wide range of fruits and vegetables such as French beans, green and white asparagus, hand-peeled Brussels sprouts, hand-peeled baby carrots with tops, hand-peeled rainbow baby carrots with tops, sugar snap peas, snow peas, yellow beans, baby squash, limes and much more.