Carambola Market Summary

Carambola Market Overview

Although star fruit was introduced to Florida in 1887, the fruit was very tart and used for mostly ornamental purposes until sweeter cultivars arrived from Asia. Domestically, carambola is grown commercially in Florida and Hawaii, along with smaller producers in California. International growing regions include Australia, Guyana, India, Israel, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan. Star fruit is usually consumed fresh but can be used as a seasoning or processed into sauces, relishes, jellies, and wines. Due to high oxalic acid content, those with kidney disease should not consume carambola without consulting a medical professional. Alternatively, in India, carambola is lauded and sought out for its many medicinal purposes.

Types & Varieties of Carambola

Star fruit gets its name from its unique shape when cut, producing five or sometimes six longitudinal ribs or ridges that resemble a star. Flowers are pinkish or lavender with five petals and can be either long or short. There are two primary types of star fruit, one that is smaller and sour and its larger and sweeter sibling. The fruit can vary in color from a golden or light yellow to brighter yellows and oranges. Some varieties, B-10 and B-17, require cross pollination for desirable yields. Arkin, Fwang Tung, and Golden Star do not need cross pollination and are often planted in blocks. Other popular varietals include Hew-1, Hoku, Kajang, Kary, Kwang Tung, Lara, Maha, Newcombe, Sri Kembangan, Thayer, and Wheeler.

Cultivation of Carambola

Star fruit trees are well adapted to subtropical and tropical climes and grow slowly, generally reaching 20 to 30 feet in height with a short broad trunk and a bushy rounded canopy. Though mature trees can withstand occasional cold snaps with little damage, temperatures below 27°F will likely kill younger specimens. Carambola trees thrive in rich loam but also grow in sand, clay, and limestone, but do require access to water to maintain moist, well-drained soil. Direct sunlight is another prerequisite, though protection may be needed against drying winds. Fruit will ripen within 60 to 75 days depending on conditions and cultivar. The fruit will generally fade from a bright green to yellow. A mature tree, at least 7 years old, can be expected to produce between 250 to 350 pounds of star fruit per year. Fruit is easily damaged and should be handled with care. As such, star fruit is usually harvested by hand as the exterior color lightens from green to yellow but is not overly ripe. Browning on the wings of the fruit can be a sign of injury and will intensify with moisture loss.

Pests & Diseases Affecting Carambola

The star fruit tree’s leaves and twigs may fall prey to scale such as plumose and philephedra, often leading to defoliation and stem dieback. Root and shoot damage is typically caused by weevils. Fruit can be damaged by numerous pests including stink bugs and squash bugs, which puncture the skin and dry out the underlying flesh, potentially causing infection by opportunistic fungi. Other fruit-eating pests include the fruit blotch miner, brown scale, and red-banded thrips, as well as birds, raccoons, and opossums. Fruit can also host fruit flies, requiring irradiation and cold treatment. In some parts of the world, such as Malaysia, fruit flies are so prevalent growers will wrap fruit in paper to protect it. Pythium splendens is a fungus associated with general tree decline and root rot. Other common symptoms of decline can include leaf drop, shoot and root dieback, and reduced fruit production and size. Other diseases such as phomopsis, phyllosticta, or Cercospora averrhoae can cause leaf spot. The fruit is most commonly affected by anthracnose, which often leaves thin, light brown patches on the ridges of the fruit. Sooty mold or blotch, a blackish discoloration of the fruit, is caused by Gloeodes pomigena.

Storage & Packaging of Carambola

Fruit should be cooled after harvest, then stored between 39 and 41°F with 90 to 95% relative humidity. Carambola can be stored for 21 to 35 days depending on harvest time and quality. Due to the fruit’s sensitivity, it is packed carefully in plastic or foam sleeves to prevent damage to star points during shipping. References: California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc., Purdue University, University of California Cooperative Extension, University of Florida Extension, University of Hawaii.