Photo from Brooks Tropicals
For the Aug./Sept. issue of Produce Retailer magazine, two marketers gave their take on how best to promote papayas.
Melissa Hartmann de Barros, director of communications for Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based HLB Specialties, and Peter Leifermann, vice president of sales and marketing for Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals, provided perspective on ways to sell more.
Melissa Hartmann de Barros, HLB Specialties
“One of the keys in driving sales is displaying fruit with some color. We recommend displaying fruit with at least one stripe of yellow so that when shoppers take it home it has the desired 2-3 stripes of color and is ready to eat.
“If the retailer doesn’t have enough shelf space, it helps to have an attractive box that will look appealing as a display.
“Another issue with papayas is the question of genetic modification. Some consumers avoid papayas altogether because they incorrectly assume that all papayas are genetically modified, so having the ‘Non-GMO’ status on the signage should help increase sales.”
Peter Leifermann, Brooks Tropicals
“Be successful in papayas with big informative displays. That’s a good-sized display with papayas stacked with points out, showing the most color …
“Cross-merchandising with limes, melons, fruit salad and/or breakfast idea displays makes sense and sales. Bring your customer up to papaya ’speed' with photos of the fruit when ripe and what it looks like inside. Better yet, cut one open, wrap it with a slice of lime, and show how good it looks.”