Horticulture industry

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
 * 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 e6t. Global vegetable production (including melons) was estimated at 879.2 e6t with China and India being the two top producing countries.

Value chain
The horticultural value chain includes:
 * 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

Fruit

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

Genetically modified crops / GMO

 * Monsanto/Bayer