History

Sapodilla is believed to have originated in the Central American rain forests, probably in Mexico and Belize. It has now spread across the tropical belt and is being commercially grown in a large scale in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia. Sapodilla grows naturally in coastal Yucatan in the Petenes mangroves ecoregion, where it is a subdominant plant species. This plant was introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish colonization. The sapodilla tree grows fast and is resistant to the wind and drought hence making it suitable to withstand dry arid regions with scanty rains. However, in order to get a good fruit yield, irrigation is necessary during the summer season.