Peter Hofman

Background

About Peter Hofman

I have been involved in research on subtropical and tropical tree fruit for about 25 years, concentrating on postharvest quality of avocados and mangoes for the past 18 years.I have had a long interest in integrating the production and postharvest systems to optimise horticultural product quality, and in developing procedures, based on a market focus, to identify the major factors affecting improved industry performance. This has included projects on increasing the quality of avocado and mango at harvest through improving production practices such as nutrition and irrigation. I have led several projects to identify key factors affecting quality of fruit offered to the consumer by investigating points in the supply chain that cause quality loss, and industry practices contributing to losses. More recently I have led several mango projects to improve the appearance (reduce green colour and rots) of mangos, improve mango supply chain practices and refine harvest and postharvest practices for new mango cultivars. I have a strong engagement with poor community development in Asia through supporting micro-business development and communiry education and health.