The loquat is native to the Far East, where it was used as an ornamental tree in the orchards and gardens. It is thought to come from the south of China, from where it was introduced in Japan. In these two countries there are already quotations on this species during the VIth century. From Japan it was introduced to Europe and Africa; it arrived at the Old Continent in the middle of the XVIIIth century.

The United Nations Agriculture and Food Organization (FAO) gathers the production and export data of the loquat, along with some other fruit of scarce economical interest, like carambola, cherimoya, feijoa, guava, mangosteen, passion fruit, rambutan, sapote, etc.

The continent with greater production of tropical fruit is Asia, standing for 83% of the total production. Some of it is also cultivated in South America, whereas in the rest of the world there is a scarce production.

Continent	Tons	%
Africa	406,270	3
Asia	12,736,173	83
Europe	25,000	-
North America	366,390	2
South America	1,766,650	12
Oceania	30,826	-
Total	15,331,309	100

Source: FAO Production Yearbook, 2000 *

The countries with larger production of tropical fruit are the Asian: India, the Philippines, Indonesia and China. Some South American countries are also included among the 10 main producers.

Country	Tons
India	3,700,000
The Philippines	3,600,000
Indonesia	2,000,000
China	1,675,192
Colombia	1,120,000
Thailand	704,000
Pakistan	468,500
Brazil	335,000
Bangladesh	267,000
Peru	253,179

Source: FAO Production Yearbook, 2000 *

The main export country is Malaysia, followed by the United States and Kenya. The following table shows the 10 main exporters of tropical fruit:

Country	Tons
Malaysia	52,412
The United States	28,269
Kenya	10,592
Thailand	5,542
Indonesia	4,794
Egypt	4,081
Madagascar	3,642
Yemen	2,953
China	2,914
Australia	2,897

Source: FAO Trade Yearbook, 2000 *

* Data referring to several species like carambola, cherimoya, litchi, feijoa, guava, mangosteen, passion fruit, rambutan and sapote.