The horticulture industry embraces the production, processing and shipping of and the market for fruits and vegetables. As such it is a sector of agribusiness and industrialized agriculture. Industrialized horticulture sometimes also includes the floriculture industry and production and trade of ornamental plants.

Among the most important fruits are:

• bananas
• Semi-tropical fruits like lychee, guava or tamarillo^[1]
• Citrus fruits
• soft fruits (berries)
• apples
• stone fruits

Important vegetables include:

• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Onions and
• Cabbage

In 2013 global fruit production was estimated at 676.9 million tonnes (666,200,000 long tons; 746,200,000 short tons). Global vegetable production (including melons) was estimated at 879.2 million tonnes (865,300,000 long tons; 969,200,000 short tons) with China and India being the two top producing countries.^[2][3]

Value chain

The horticultural value chain includes:^[4]

• Inputs: elements needed for production; seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, farm equipment, irrigation equipment, GMO technology
• Production for export: includes fruit and vegetables production and all processes related to growth and harvesting; planting, weeding, spraying, picking
• Packing and cold storage: grading, washing, trimming, chopping, mixing, packing, labeling, blast chilling
• Processed fruit and vegetables: dried, frozen, preserved, juices, pulps; mostly for increasing shelf life
• Distribution and marketing: supermarkets, small scale retailers, wholesalers, food service

Companies

Fruit

• Chiquita Brands International
• Del Monte Foods
• Dole Food Company

Genetically modified crops / GMO

• Monsanto/Bayer