Papayas, dubbed the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus because of their butterlike consistency and rich, sweet taste, are a great source of antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium and many other nutrients. Growing papayas is best done in warm climates with a sufficient amount of rain. Well cared for papaya trees will start flowering in just a few months and can start producing fruit in less than a year.

Consider adding papayas to your store, whether in the form of fresh papayas, papaya fruit products, or papaya juice. You can even grow your own papaya trees if the climate is right. Before adding papayas to your product lineup, consider the following:

1. Do you have a market for fresh papayas from local or international suppliers?

2. Would you consider adding papaya juice or other papaya products to your store?

3. Do you live in an area where you could grow your own papaya trees?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out fresh products from papaya producers and distributors

There are a variety of papaya growers that distribute to all areas of the United States. Be aware of the papaya harvesting season for each of the papaya producers so you can know when to start marketing your papayas.

I recommend: Volcano Isle Fruit Company offers two types of papaya varieties: Rainbow and Sunred. The company will ship to anywhere in the United States. Order papayas all year round from Caraveo Papayas. The company's products come from Mexico, but its main shipping center is in Texas.

Find manufacturers of papaya fruit products

While some American consumers enjoy the delicious taste only fresh papaya can provide, others prefer to get the health benefits of these delectable fruits in other ways.

I recommend: Healthmate Products is an excellent source for papaya products, including papaya concentrate. Herbal Remedies sells an all-natural, kosher papaya juice that is great for smoothies and mixed drinks. Check out iBuyGourmet.com for papaya jam that can be ordered at wholesale prices. Purchase papaya seed dressing from Tropical Fruit World for a unique, and healthy, product.

Grow your own papaya trees

Papaya trees can be found in local nurseries, depending on your location, or online. You can even start a papaya tree from papaya seeds, if you desire.

I recommend: Penya Seeds offers four different types of papaya seeds to help you on your way toward becoming a papaya grower. Papaya Tree Nursery is just that -- a papaya tree nursery offering papaya trees and other fruit trees.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Order a small quantity of papayas or papaya products as your first shipment. You want to be sure customers are interested in the product before you invest too much money into it.