Social media and cultural taste sparks demand for exotic fruits
Tropical fruits previously rare to Far North Queensland are finding a booming customer base in capital cities as retailers stock more of the unusual produce.
Over the past year, the demand for exotic tropical fruits has surged significantly. Retailers attribute this boom to increased awareness and the influence of social media. Farmers in Far North Queensland are reporting a surge in inquiries for their rare produce, as more unusual fruits reach grocery store shelves. Varieties such as jackfruit, rambutan, and mangosteens have gained attention through social media, word of mouth, and cultural demand.
Retailers in major cities are struggling to keep up with the growing demand, ordering even more of these exotic fruits for their customers.
Melbourne grocer Daniel Perogiannis has been selling exotic fruit for two years and has been ordering more in recent months due to the increased interest. He believes the rise in demand is due to the influx of international tourists seeking familiar flavors from their home countries. Australians are also starting to research these fruits themselves, leading to higher demand.
In Brisbane, fruit seller Michael Nguyen has observed a similar trend. Mangosteens and jackfruit have seen a significant increase in popularity over the past year. He expects this demand to grow even further in the coming years, provided farmers can produce more. Perogiannis also attributes the growing interest to social media, noting that a recent fruit, black sapote, became a sensation on Instagram. This led to a surge in customers wanting to learn more about the fruit.
Exotic fruit farmer Warren Orsmond, based outside Tully, reports a constant influx of inquiries, with even small shops and agents calling to place orders. His most popular fruits are rambutans and mangosteens, but lesser-known varieties like rollinia and sapodilla are also in demand. Far North Queensland's climate, similar to that of tropical regions in South-East Asia, South America, and Central America, makes it ideal for growing these fruits.
Orsmond is working to increase his harvest to meet the growing demand, balancing production with market needs.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
