Resources for Papayas

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?

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.

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.

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.

• 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.