The influence and demand for tropical flavors remains ever present in the food and beverage market. In a July 2025 report that Innova Market Insights published titled “Tropical Flavor Trends: Global Consumer Insights,” the market research firm details the ingredients appeal.

“Globally, there is a strong appeal of tropical flavors for both health and sensory characteristics, coupled with the individual desire for indulgence and refreshment,” the report says. “Exotic and functional food and beverages are on the rise as innovation in the category develops further.”

Despite the interest in exotic fruits, Innova notes the challenges the market is tackling to continue to support its future.

“Weather-related supply disruptions and seasonal demand fluctuations lead to inconsistent availability and price instability for products,” the report says. “Challenges posed by temperature variables such as altered rainfall can disrupt growth cycles, damage crops, and affect infrastructure. Precise timing for farmers and producers is important to avoid losses, while highly perishable foods require cold chain management for transportation and storage.

“To address these issues, building long-term partnerships with processors, enhancing communication, sharing best practices can all ensure compliance with food regulations, sustainability,” the report continues.

A representative with iTi Tropicals, Lawrenceville, N.J., also notes the sourcing hurdles for exotic fruits.

“Beverage-makers should be aware of several challenges when formulating with both domestic and exotic fruits, particularly in terms of cost and sourcing,” the representative says. “Fruit commodities such as oranges, apples and grapes are not always domestically produced; many are imported, and domestic options can be just as costly as imports.”

Jillian Hermanowicz, vice president of marketing and communications at Vibrant Ingredients, Lake Mary, Fla., notes that inflation and tariffs also have impacted the exotic fruits market.

“Inflation and tariff pressures have created volatility, especially for fruits sourced from Latin America and Asia,” Hermanowicz says. “This has pushed beverage developers to seek more efficient natural extracts, essences and natural flavors that deliver at lower usage rates. With a versatile flavor system formulators and suppliers can flex across price tiers.

“At Vibrant Ingredients, we’ve seen significant interest in natural flavors, botanicals, and hybrid systems that allow brands to maintain the exotic fruit profile while achieving cost stability,” she says. “The trend isn’t going away, it’s shifting toward smarter formulation strategies.”

Yet, sourcing challenges are not the only variables impacting exotic and tropical fruits.

“Ensuring consistent quality, safety, and a superior final product is even more critical,” iTi Tropicals’ representative says. “While creating innovative formulations with exotic fruits can be exciting, securing a reliable source for high-quality ingredients can be difficult. The best way to overcome these challenges is to establish trusted, transparent relationships with suppliers who prioritize quality and reliability.”

Sydney Byrne, marketing manager at Sensient Flavors & Extracts, Hoffman Estates, Ill., notes that when formulating with exotic fruits, taste and processing considerations are important for beverage manufacturers to navigate, and that flavor houses well-versed in these ingredients can support those variables.

“Exotic fruits can cause some taste nuances in a beverage formulation that consumers may not be accustomed to,” she says. “It can be a complicated process to understand how to incorporate the different characteristics and flavor notes not typical in more traditional fruit flavors. There is both an art and a science to getting it right.

“Working with an experienced flavor house can provide insight into advanced technologies that help bring out a true-to-fruit flavor in your product,” Byrne continues. “We also understand the best pairings that work well with each exotic fruit flavor in order to highlight the characteristics you’re after and mask the aspects that don’t fit your final product goals.”

With consumer interest with exotic fruits well-known, minimizing formulation and supply chain hurdles will remain paramount for beverage formulators.