Sapota can grow to more than 30 m (98 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m (5 ft). The average height of cultivated specimens, however, is usually between 9 and 15 m (30 and 49 ft) with a trunk diameter not exceeding 50 cm (20 in). It is wind-resistant and the bark is rich in a white, gummy latex called chicle. The ornamental leaves are medium green and glossy. They are alternate, elliptic to ovate, 7-15 cm (3-6 in) long, with an entire margin. The white flowers are inconspicuous and bell-like, with a six-lobed corolla. An unripe fruit has a firm outer skin and when picked, releases white chicle from its stem. A fully ripened fruit has saggy skin and does not release chicle when picked.

BOTANICAL NAME: Manilkara zapota

ORIGIN: Tropical America

TOTAL AREA IN INDIA: 80000 Ha

TOTAL PRODUCTION IN INDIA: 834000 MT

MAJOR PRODUCING STATES/DISTRICTS IN INDIA :

• Andhra Pradesh (East & West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Kurnool, Medak)
• Gujarat (Valsad, Surat, Kheda, Bhavnagar)
• Karnataka (Belgaum, Dharwar, Chickmagalore, Shimoga, Hassan)
• West Bengal (South 24 - Paraganas, Midnapur)
• Maharashtra and Orissa

VARIETIES: Important varieties cultivated in different states of India are listed below :

STORAGE CONDITIONS:

Temperature: - 15 - 20oC

Relative Humidity: - 85-90%

Storage Period: - 2-3 weeks

Peak Harvesting Season:-

Maharastra: - All around year

Andhra Pardesh: - Feb to April, Oct, Nov

Gujarat: - Dec to March

Tamilnadu: - April, May

Karnataka: - April to June, Sept to Nov

Export of 2022-23: - 973 MT

Major Destination: - UAE, Baharin, United Kindom, Qatar, Canada