U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research: Fort Pierce, FL
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    USDA Links
                        USDA Main Page
                                    ARS Main PageSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Southeast Area Fort Pierce, Florida U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Baldwin, Elizabeth

                                                         - *Liz*item
                                            Bai, Jinheitem
                                            Plotto, Anneitem
                                            RITENOUR, MARK - University Of Florida
  Submitted to: Stewart Postharvest Review
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2014
                                    Publication  Date: 9/1/2014
                                    Citation: Baldwin, E.A., Bai, J., Plotto, A., Ritenour, M.A. 2014. Citrus fruit quality assessment; producer and consumer perspectives. Stewart Postharvest Review. 2:1-7.Interpretive Summary: Consumption of citrus fruit and juice is a popular and healthy addition to consumer diets, although consumer preferences for citrus type has changed over the years. Within citrus types, consumption of the historically dominant orange has given way to tangerine. Consumer preference drivers for fresh citrus were found to be freshness, flavor and appearance, and surprisingly not number of seeds or peelability. Understanding consumer preference is important for marketing strategies. Citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing, however, is changing the equation as it is reducing citrus yields worldwide and adversely affecting the flavor of the fruit and juice.
                                Technical Abstract: Consumption of citrus fruit and juices is popular with consumers worldwide and makes an important contribution to a healthy diet.  Nevertheless, consumer preferences for citrus have undergone significant changes over the last twenty years and it is important to understand what consumers are looking for in citrus fruit and juice, and what is driving their decisions.  Equally important is to understand important changes in the citrus industry stemming from a devastating disease that is killing citrus trees globally, and how it will effect fruit yields to meet consumer demand, preferences and expectations as this disease affects fruit and juice quality.  For fresh fruit, consumption of citrus has declined while fruits such as berries, pineapple, papaya are on the rise. Within citrus types, consumption of the historically dominant orange has given way to tangerine.  Citrus Greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB) meanwhile is devastating the major citrus production areas including China, the U.S. and Brazil.  This disease kills the tree in 2-5 years and affects all citrus types.  Furthermore, the disease imparts and sour, bitter flavor to the fruit and resulting juice.  Consumer preference drivers for citrus were found to be freshness, flavor and appearance although demographic and behavioral variables can impact preferences.  Drivers to try a mandarin type citrus were sweetness, shape, acidity and flavor.  Surprisingly, number of seeds, fruit size, color and overall appearance were less important.  Consumer preferences for the type of citrus fresh fruit or juice is something that has been evolving and will continue to evolve, however, the impact of HLB disease on availability, and therefore, price of citrus fresh fruit and juice as well as flavor quality could be a game changer.  Following the trends for consumer preferences of citrus fruit and juice would be useful for development of marketing strategies.  More studies are needed to manage the effect of HLB disease on fruit yields as well as fruit and juice flavor.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov