However, the banana passionfruit is of inferior eating quality, lacking the rich flavour of its purple relative. Small quantities are marketed each year, some from plants growing in a semi-wild state. It is possible some use may be found for this fruit in processing, but the economics of such a venture are likely to be marginal. Banana passionfruit can be picked from the vine, rather than from the ground, and the calyx and pedicel left on the vine. The skin of the fruit is thin, and marks readily.
Fruit also squash easily if held for any length of time in bulk containers.
Commercial passionfruit production is therefore possible only in relatively frost-free locations. In New Zealand these are found mainly in the northern North Island. More severe frosts kill growing shoots and cause severe fruit damage and fruit drop. Stems of mature plants can be split by frost, leading to death of the entire plant. A severely frosted passionfruit It used to be common practice to protect the stems, trunks, and main leaders of the plant with bracken fern each winter.