Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupRoot and tuber vegetable (yam bean/jicama)
Scientific NamePachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.
PerishabilityMedium
Growing Conditions- Warm-season crop requiring a long, warm growing season and relatively short day length to initiate good-quality fleshy root development (day-length sensitivity noted in extension guidance)
- Grown as a climbing/trailing vine; tubers become fibrous if left too long in the field
Main VarietiesJícama de agua, Jícama de leche
Consumption Forms- Fresh (raw slices/shreds in salads and snacks)
- Cooked applications (soups/stir-fries in some cuisines)
- Fresh-cut pieces (requires stricter postharvest controls than intact roots)
Grading Factors- Uniform size and shape
- Smooth, firm roots
- Freedom from mechanical damage (cuts/scuffs/cracks) and decay
- Crisp, succulent white flesh
Planting to HarvestReported tuber harvest windows range roughly 150–270 days from sowing, with notes that in warmer parts of Mexico under suitable conditions mature tubers may be harvested in about 90 days.
Market
Fresh white jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus), also known as yam bean, is a tropical legume root crop traded mainly as a crisp, mild-flavored fresh vegetable. Mexico is the crop’s origin and a key commercial supply source for the U.S. market, while cultivation and consumption are also established across multiple Southeast and East Asian countries where it is largely handled as a domestic-market vegetable. Long-distance trade viability depends less on rapid respiration and more on avoiding chilling injury and mechanical damage during distribution. Compared with many fresh vegetables, intact jicama can store for months under correct cool (not cold), dry conditions, which can support regional trade when handling specifications are met.
Major Producing Countries- 멕시코Native origin; a major commercial source for the U.S. fresh market.
- 필리핀Cultivated and consumed domestically (commonly known as singkamas).
- 인도네시아Cultivated and consumed domestically (commonly known as bengkuang).
- 베트남Reported among countries where cultivation expanded in Asia.
- 중국Reported among countries where cultivation expanded in Asia.
Major Exporting Countries- 멕시코Most jicama marketed in the U.S. originates in Mexico.
Major Importing Countries- 미국A key destination market; commonly supplied from Mexico.
Specification
Major VarietiesJícama de agua, Jícama de leche
Physical Attributes- Brown papery to light/dark brown skin with crisp white flesh (intact root)
- Smooth, firm roots with uniform shape and size are preferred in commercial quality selection
Compositional Metrics- Very low ethylene production (intact roots) and generally not considered ethylene-sensitive in handling programs
Grades- No U.S. federal grades are established for jicama; some local market grading may be based on size and freedom from defects (e.g., Hawaii size/defect grading referenced in postharvest guidance)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest -> trim/clean -> sort for size and skin integrity -> pack dry -> cool, dry storage (non-chilling) -> distribution
- Mechanical injury and exposure to chilling temperatures increase decay and internal discoloration risk during distribution
Demand Drivers- Consumed raw as a crisp, mild tuber (salads/snacks) and also cooked in some cuisines
- Fresh-cut use cases exist, but require stricter sanitation and temperature/atmosphere management than intact roots
Temperature- Recommended commercial storage for intact roots: about 12.5°C to 15°C with moderate relative humidity (about 70–80%) and dry handling
- Chilling injury risk increases at about 10°C or below (intact roots), with decay, discoloration, and texture loss as key symptoms
Atmosphere Control- For intact roots, controlled-atmosphere benefits are not generally expected in postharvest guidance; for fresh-cut pieces, modified atmospheres with about 5–10% CO2 are reported to reduce decay/discoloration at low temperature
Shelf Life- Intact roots can store about 2–4 months under recommended non-chilling conditions; sprouting may develop after ~2 months, contributing to weight loss and reduced juiciness
Risks
Cold Chain HighFresh jicama is chilling sensitive; storage or transport at about 10°C or below can trigger chilling injury, commonly presenting as decay, internal discoloration, and loss of crisp texture. This is a deal-breaker risk for export programs because jicama may be exposed to overly cold conditions in mixed-load refrigerated distribution, leading to high shrink and customer claims.Specify and enforce non-chilling setpoints (about 12.5–15°C), keep roots dry, avoid mixed loads with colder commodities, and minimize time at ≤10°C.
Mechanical Damage MediumScuffs, cuts, cracks, and periderm damage increase postharvest decay incidence and reduce storability; damage risk can compound with chilling injury effects.Use gentle harvest/packing practices, avoid abrasion in bulk handling, and sort out damaged roots before storage/shipping.
Food Safety MediumNon-root plant parts (notably mature seeds and other tissues) contain toxic compounds including rotenone; mishandling or contamination of edible supply with non-edible parts is a safety hazard.Maintain harvest and packing SOPs that exclude vines, pods, and seeds from edible lots; apply supplier controls and training on plant-part toxicity.
Sustainability- Food loss and waste risk from avoidable chilling injury/decay when shipped in mixed refrigerated loads or held too cold
FAQ
What storage temperature is recommended for fresh jicama intended for extended holding and export distribution?Postharvest guidance recommends storing intact jicama roots around 12.5°C to 15°C with moderate relative humidity (about 70–80%) and keeping them dry; under these conditions, storage life of roughly 2–4 months is reported.
Why can jicama deteriorate quickly when handled in standard refrigerated supply chains?Intact jicama is chilling sensitive; holding or transporting it at about 10°C or below can cause chilling injury, which commonly shows up as decay, internal discoloration, and loss of crisp texture—especially when shipped in mixed loads set for colder commodities.
Is only the root edible, or are other parts of the jicama plant also safe to eat?The edible portion is the tuberous root; sources note that other plant parts—especially mature seeds and related tissues—contain toxic compounds (including rotenone), so they should not be eaten.
Are there official U.S. grades for jicama in trade?Postharvest references note there are no U.S. federal grades for jicama; some local grading practices may exist (for example, size/defect-based grading referenced for Hawaii).