Posts Tagged “Carribean fruit fly”
Record-breaking consumption of Starfruit, also known as carambola, is occurring for the fifth straight year.
Improved farming practices are attributed to increasing yields every year. The fruit is grown in Miami-Dade County as well as on Pine Island, the largest island in the state of Florida.
Thirty years ago, carambola was considered a specialty product, but over time, the fruit has become mainstream. The fast growing pace of the Asian and Hispanic population has resulted in an increase in carambola consumption. Children are said to particular love it, The product is a convenient fruit that can be eaten out of hand or sliced.
The growing season for starfruit is from August through February and is characterized by two production peaks; one in September and one in January.
Starfruit can be shipped fresh from the tree to all US states except for California without phytosanitary treatment. Starfruit grower/shipper Brooks Tropicals has developed USDA approved protocol in their groves that minimizes the opportunity for Caribbean Fruit Fly contamination. After receiving approval from the Texas Department of Agriculture, Brooks is now working closely with the USDA and Florida and California departments of Agriculture for their protocol to be approved.