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Methods for propagation and cultivation of ''Manilkara zapota'' are well established for production of fruit, and a large number of cultivars have been developed. Unlike many of the other latex-producing trees discussed in this report there is, therefore, a firm foundation of knowledge and practical experience on cultural aspects on which to build. Furthermore, in Mexico this experience extends to commercial cultivation for chicle.
The economic viability of chicle production from cultivated sources depends on the continued market for chicle as a natural chewing gum ingredient, as well as production factors such aslabour costs. If the market can be maintained and production costs can be held stable, then some increase in the area under cultivation can be justified. Providing the price of"cultivated" chicle remains attractive compared with "wild" chicle, the market always prefers to meet its requirements from renewable, sustainable resources rather than from wild trees which become increasingly less accessible.
|colspan="8" align="left" |''Of which from'':
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|colspan="8" align="left" |: '''Chicle'''":
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| Mexico|| 329|| 542|| 589|| 294|| 288|| 223|| 300
| Honduras|| 3|| -|| -|| -|| -|| -|| -
|-
|colspan="8" align="left" |: '''Balata''''
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| Brazil|| 253|| 235|| 153|| 359|| 328|| 214|| 151
|-
|colspan="8" align="left" |: '''Gutta percha'''"
|-
| Indonesia|| 577|| 709|| 1061|| 1304|| 1296|| 891|| 623
|-
| Hong Kong||-||-|| 25|| -|| -|| -|| -
|-
| USA||-||-|| 17|| 63|| 13|| 7|| -