An executive at one of the leading tropical produce suppliers believes the tropical category is on an upswing, in large part due to the exposure consumers have via supermarkets, cooking shows and food publications.

“American consumers continue to be exposed to the wide variety of tropical products, and much of this must be attributed to the willingness of retailers to incorporate them into their produce departments and to foodservice operators who offer them on menus,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News. “Added to by the support from the grower and distribution communities who make them available, the trend continues to grow at an impressive rate.”

Limes are just one of the many tropical produce items handled by Pompano Beach, FL-based Southern Specialties.He added that much of the demand is from people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as well as cooking shows and websites, cooking segments on television programs and media coverage in newspapers and in journals.

In general the more people are exposed to unusual ethnic items the more they find they like them and seek them out where they shop and dine, he said.

“Avocados are certainly an integral part of the tropical category,” Eagle pointed out. “The high visibility is due strongly to the exposure that growers, shippers and avocado commissions and boards provide to consumers. But events like Super Bowl Sunday, in which guacamole has become a snacking tradition, have given the item a real boost.”

He added that the heart-healthy fat, cholesterol-free and high nutritional value in avocados also plays a major role in consumers adding them to their regular diets.

Southern Specialties continues to offer a tropical lineup, which includes mangos, golden and Tainung papayas, Florida starfruit and limes, in addition to avocados.

With the exception of starfruit, which is seasonal, all of the company’s tropical items are grown in all production regions in the Americas and are available year round.

“Supplies of tropical items are ample this year,” said Eagle.

He added that the company’s integrated supply chain begins at the growing stage and extends all the way through processing, packing, warehousing points, distribution and logistics. Shipments are expedited from Southern Specialty’s Florida, Texas and California facilities.