Hawai'i-Grown Lemons and Limes Cleared for Export to International Markets

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have successfully determined that Hawai'i-grown lemons and limes are natural non-hosts of fruit flies, making them safe for export to international markets. The research, conducted in collaboration with the ARS Southeastern Fruit and Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, GA, and the ARS San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center in Parlier, CA, paves the way for Hawai'i's fruit growers to access new markets and increase their economic benefits.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hawai'i-grown lemons and limes have been found to be natural non-hosts of fruit flies, posing a low risk of moving fruit flies during overseas export.
  • The research findings suggest that Hawai'i may develop an export protocol based on non-host status or a systems approach to reduce the pest risk to an acceptable level for trading partners.
  • The studies were conducted using no-choice laboratory and field cage tests as well as field collection of fruits.
  • The research findings have significant implications for the safe overseas export of commercial quality and non-damaged Lisbon lemons and Persian limes.
  • The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the US Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency, which invests one dollar in agricultural research resulting in $20 of economic impact.
  • Researchers from the ARS Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, HI, led the research, with Peter Follett, a research entomologist, stating "We inspected the fruits and found that the non-damaged fruits are natural non-hosts of fruit flies and pose a low risk of moving fruit flies during overseas export."

Statistics:

  • The impact of fruit flies on fresh fruit production and international trade is significant, resulting in millions of dollars in damage annually.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
  • Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, HI
  • ARS Southeastern Fruit and Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, GA
  • ARS San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center in Parlier, CA