Fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. They provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. With so many different types of fruits available from around the world, it can be hard to determine exactly how many exist. While an exact number is difficult to calculate, estimates put the number of fruit varieties in the tens of thousands.
Major fruit groups
Fruits belong to a number of major botanical groups including pomes, stone fruits, berries, citrus fruits, melons, drupes and tropical fruits. Within these broad classifications there are thousands of different species, cultivars and varieties. Let’s take a closer look at some of the main fruit groups and popular fruits within each category:
- Pomes – fruits like apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats and others belonging to the Rosaceae family. There are over 7,500 known apple varieties alone.
- Stone fruits – fruits like peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, mangoes and others with large pits/stones. There are estimated to be over 2,000 varieties of peach and 1,000 varieties of plum.
- Berries – fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and others with fleshy pulp and multiple seeds. There are hundreds of berry species and thousands of cultivars.
- Citrus fruits – fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines and others belonging to the Rutaceae family. There are around 20 major citrus species with dozens of hybrids and varieties for each.
- Melons – fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and others of the Cucurbitaceae family. There are around 50 species in the melon genus with many cultivated varieties.
- Drupes – fruits with fleshy mesocarp and stone/pit like cherries, apricots, peaches, plums. Contains over 4,000 species.
- Tropical fruits – fruits like mangos, bananas, pineapple, papaya and others originating in tropical regions. Many different species and countless cultivated varieties.
As you can see, even within some of the best known fruit categories like apples, stone fruits and citrus, there are thousands of different varieties available. And these are just a handful of the major fruit groups.
Total global fruit varieties
Estimating the total number of fruits worldwide requires examining the diversity of fruits across all climates globally. In addition to the common fruits we enjoy, there are thousands of lesser known and localized fruit species around the world. Some key facts and statistics on global fruit diversity:
- There are an estimated 60,000- 80,000 total plant species that bear edible fruits or nuts according to ethnobotanical research.
- The tropics contain the greatest diversity of fruit species. Tropical regions like the Amazon have over 3,000 edible fruits identified so far.
- Asia and South America have the highest concentrations of native fruit species diversity.
- Africa contains over 4,000 native edible fruit species, many of which are not widely known.
- Australia, Oceania and North America also have over 1,000 endemic fruit species each.
- Even temperate regions contain unexpected fruit diversity – Europe has around 187 native fruit and berry species according to one estimate.
Given the high number of edible fruit bearing plants across habitats globally, estimates place the likely total number of fruits and edible fruit varieties in the tens of thousands. However the exact number remains unknown and many rare or isolated fruits have yet to be catalogued by science.
Important fruit crops
While there are tens of thousands of edible fruits worldwide, much of the world’s production and consumption centers around a handful of staple fruit crops. Here are some of the most important fruits globally based on production:
| Fruit | Global Production (in millions of tons) |
|---|---|
| Bananas and plantains | 114 |
| Watermelons | 117 |
| Apples | 83 |
| Grapes | 77 |
| Oranges | 72 |
| Mangos, mangosteen, guava | 45 |
| Pineapples | 27 |
This list highlights fruits with the highest worldwide production volumes. As you can see, bananas, watermelons, apples and other staple fruits dominate global fruit output. However, they represent only a tiny fraction of total fruit diversity worldwide.
Challenges counting fruit diversity
Despite estimates of tens of thousands of fruits worldwide, arriving at an exact global fruit count poses many challenges:
- New fruit species are still being identified and catalogued, especially in tropical regions.
- The definition of what constitutes a distinct fruit variety versus cultivar can be subjective.
- Minor regional fruits with very limited distribution are not well documented.
- The same fruit may go under different common names in different locations.
- Biological factors like natural cross-pollination create new varieties.
- The number of obsolete, heritage and wild fruit varieties that are endangered or extinct is unclear.
These factors mean the diversity of the world’s fruits is likely even greater than current estimates. The full range of global fruit biodiversity may never be fully documented as new fruits continue to evolve in nature while others disappear.
Threats to fruit diversity
While the total number of fruits worldwide remains uncertain, there are clear threats to global fruit diversity:
- Habitat loss threatens rare native fruit species, especially in tropical forests.
- Monoculture cash crop farming has reduced the number of fruit varieties grown commercially.
- Hundreds of heritage and native fruit cultivars are at risk of extinction.
- Climate change alters growing conditions for many fruits.
- Pest, diseases and invasive species pressure can wipe out fruits.
- Lack of commercial viability leads to lost fruit varieties.
Estimates suggest anywhere from 30-80% of existing fruit diversity worldwide is threatened. Once lost, the unique flavors and genetics of fruits cannot be brought back. Preserving fruit biodiversity is crucial for food security, especially with pressures like climate change and rising populations.
Preserving fruit diversity
A number of initiatives work to protect endangered edible fruits and their genetic heritage for the future:
- Germplasm collections and seed banks preserve rare fruit varieties.
- Data bases like Purdue University’s Horticultural Taxonomy track fruit origins and traits.
- Conservation organizations work to preserve biodiversity hot spots with rare native fruits.
- Fruit foragers and enthusiasts help find and propagate rare fruit trees.
- Heirloom orchards grow heritage and obscure fruit varieties.
- Small scale niche fruit production keeps rare varieties economically viable.
While the total number of the world’s fruits may never be fully quantified, these efforts help ensure the diversity and heritage of global fruit varieties are not lost. The biodiversity of fruits developed over millennia serves an ecological, cultural, economic, and culinary purpose that is important to preserve.
Conclusion
The incredible fruit diversity of the world is one of nature’s wonders, with estimates of over 60,000 edible fruit varieties globally. However the full scope of fruit biodiversity may never be fully documented or quantified. Many rare and obscure fruits remain undiscovered, especially in the world’s most biodiverse regions like the tropics. At the same time, thousands of lesser known fruits are at risk of disappearing. Preserving fragile fruit genetic resources for the future remains an important challenge in a changing world. While the full diversity of global fruits remains uncertain, their value for food security, ecology, culture and biodiversity conservation is clear.
