The growth in trade of P&E has been driven by increases in demand and supply. On the demand side, globally, consumers have been requesting a larger variety of exotic fruits and vegetables such as mangoes and papayas; as well as more traditional, out-of-season produce such as fresh carrots, apples, and oranges. Consumption started increasing significantly in developed countries in the 1980s. The broader ethnic diversity of the population in certain regions of the world has further helped expand the consumption of P&E by locals who are more willing to try new food items because of the interactions with ethnic populations. As a result, in the US and European markets starfruit, jicama and plantains are common on people’s tables while anthuriums and orchids are common in homes’ flower bases. Reflecting this market growth, the supermarket