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Title: Current and potential trade in horticultural products irradiated for phytosanitary purposes

Author
item BUSTOS GRIFFIN, EMILIA - Consultant
item Hallman, Guy
item GRIFFIN, ROBERT - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Submitted to: Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/31/2011
Publication Date: 8/1/2012
Citation: Bustos Griffin, E., Hallman, G.J., Griffin, R.L. 2012. Current and potential trade in horticultural products irradiated for phytosanitary purposes. Radiation Physics and Chemistry. 81(8):1203-1207.

Interpretive Summary: International trade in fruits and vegetables irradiated as a quarantine treatment is examined. A strategy is proposed to increase trade in these products by identifying the most favorable possibilities for expanding the variety and amount of produce irradiated with a general analysis of the products, commercial scenarios, and geographic regions where the greatest potential for expansion exists. Fresh fruits such as mango, papaya, citrus, grapes, and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, asparagus, garlic, and peppers from Asia and the Americas show the greatest potential for expansion. Opportunities for further growth exist, as regulatory conditions become more favorable.

Technical Abstract: The current status of trade in horticultural products irradiated for phytosanitary purposes is examined, including trends, strengths and weaknesses. A strategy is proposed to take advantage of the best future opportunities for increasing trade in irradiated horticultural products. This will be done by identifying best possibilities for expanding both the number and volume of commodities for irradiation, and then applying appropriate business criteria in a general analysis of the commodities, commercial scenarios, and geographic regions where the greatest potential exists for expansion. The results show that fresh fruits such as mango, papaya, citrus, grapes, and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, asparagus, garlic, and peppers from Asia and the Americas show the greatest potential. Substantial opportunities for additional growth exist, especially as regulatory conditions become more favorable.