The horticulture industry embraces the production, processing and shipping of and the market for fruits and vegetables.
As such it is a sector of agribusiness and industrialized agriculture.
Industrialized horticulture sometimes also includes the floriculture industry and production and trade of ornamental plants.
Among the most important fruits are: Important vegetables include: In 2013 global fruit production was estimated at 676.9 million tonnes (666,200,000 long tons; 746,200,000 short tons).
Global vegetable production (including melons) was estimated at 879.2 million tonnes (865,300,000 long tons; 969,200,000 short tons) with China and India being the two top producing countries.