Research shows the global demand for vegetable and seed markets is expanding, according to Southwest Farm Press . The food processing industry represents the greatest growth in demand.
Consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables, especially organic varieties, is also driving the expansion.
The high nutritional value of fruits and vegetables is increasing the demand for new variety seeds worldwide, according to a recently published Market Research Future report.
The report projects the global fruit and vegetable seed market is estimated to grow more than 7.5 percent over the next five years.
Texas ranked eighth out of 50 states in production value of vegetables, melons, potatoes, fruit, tree nuts and berries in 2016, according to Southwest Farm Press.
Fruit and vegetable production has declined in Texas over the last several decades. Agricultural development in northern Mexico resulted in a supply of Mexican produce at prices lower than what it would cost in Texas.
But Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialists have been working to develop new varieties of vegetables once grown in Texas. The idea is to bring back a share of food production to Texas that has been lost to Mexico. The research would provide new varieties that can offer lower input costs and higher yields for Texas growers.
Southwest Farm Press reports officials at the Texas A&M Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center say they are dedicated to delivering more nutritious foods to the public and increasing consumer intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Extension officials at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Weslaco are working with new technologies in molecular biology and plant sciences to develop “next generation” crops.
Officials also say another goal is to help Texas farmers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley find efficient, high yielding fruit and vegetable crops that could help the region return to its glory of vegetable days gone of old.
Nightshade vegetables have been the focus of Extension research. Nightshade vegetables contain more than 2,000 different species. Nightshades adaptable to Texas farms and environment include: potatoes, Chile peppers, bell and sweet peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and tomatillos.
Texas crop officials expect a growing need for better fruit and nut varieties and more organic and heritage seed varieties to meet the growing demand in food trends.
Fruit and vegetable seed manufacturers across various regions follow the strategy of improving existing products, as well as increasing the manufacture of disease resistant varieties of fruit and vegetable seed to meet consumer demand.