Brits are going bananas for exotic fruit with papaya now the fastest growing fruit in the UK. Demand for the orange-coloured fruit, which is mainly grown in tropical climates within South America, has rocketed by nearly 160 per cent in the last year.

Not only is papaya being increasingly eaten as a treat on its own but it has also become very popular as an ingredient used to add excitement to healthy fish, chicken and salad dishes.

Kiwis, mangos, passion fruit and persimmons are other fruit that are currently spearheading record demand for exotic fruit in general.

In the last year tropical fruit has become the fastest growing sector of the UK fruit market with demand soaring by nearly 30 per cent in a market now worth £460 million a year.

The fastest growing tropical fruit in 2024 are:

• Papaya – up by nearly 160 per cent

• Kiwis – up by nearly 90 per cent

• Mangos – up nearly 80 per cent

• Passion fruit – 50 per cent

• Persimmon – 45 per cent

• Dates – 35 per cent

• Coconut – Up by 15 per cent

Tesco exotic fruit expert Maksim Ivanov said: “Not so long ago pineapples, coconuts, passionfruit, pomegranate and nectarines were still considered exotic to your average shopper."

“But now, as those fruits have become more mainstream buys, shoppers are turning to more unusual varieties with which to excite their taste buds and even impress their friends at dinner parties."

“A key factor driving UK sales of tropical fruit is the fall in the price of travel and the increase in Caribbean and Far Eastern countries such as Thailand as popular holiday destinations."

“Many people try exotic fruit out there and then are interested in buying them back home.”

Papaya is a rich source of Vitamin C which protects cells from damage and also helps form collagen. It is important for normal bones, gums, teeth, and skin and also helps the immune system and nervous system function normally.

As such, it counts towards our 5-a-day recommended intake of fruit and vegetables.

Growing interest in exotic fruit is good news as it has been reported that most of the UK population continues to consume less than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day; only a third of adults and just 12 per cent of 11–18-year-olds meet that number (UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, years 9-11 (2016-19).