Barriers to adopting a diversity of NUS fruit trees in Latin American food systems

Latin America boasts an enormous diversity of nutritionally important and potentially economically valuable fruit trees. The majority have limited national and regional markets, with only a few traded internationally. This chapter explores why native fruit trees remain neglected and underutilized species (NUS) despite their potential to diversify diets, generate income and develop regenerative agroecological systems. It examines 150 tree species in detail, along with 25 barriers to mainstreaming that constrain availability, accessibility and acceptability at national and international levels. These barriers range from challenges related to characteristics of the fruits themselves, to production and management, infrastructure and financial and socioeconomic constraints. Using concrete examples, we outline how different barriers can be overcome in specific contexts and for specific fruit-tree species. Finally, we highlight the important role that the extraordinary diversity of fruit trees from Latin America can play in increasing the resilience of production landscapes and in contributing to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation efforts and healthier diets.