Costa Rica's pineapple sector is being affected by the 17% appreciation of the dollar against the Euro, as this takes a toll on the company's sales to the European Union.
"We are optimistic about being able to keep prices at very similar levels to last year. While the Euro has depreciated quite a bit, it has done so in a gradual manner and I don't think buying power has been affected that much," states Christian Herrera León, president of the National Association of Producers and Exporters of Pineapple, CANAPEP.
Christian Herrera León, president of CANAPEP; Pedro Beirute, General Manager of PROCOMER, and Costa Rica's Ambassador to Germany, Mr José Joaquín Chaverri S., at Fruit Logistica.
According to data collected by CANAPEP, last year the value of pineapple exports increased by 7.5%, while export volumes grew by 8%. The total value of Costa Rica's exports amounted to US $ 880 million, with 52% of the shipments going to the United States and 44% to the European Union.
"We are at a similar level in terms of sales as in 2013. The market is more stable, sales programmes are more solid and there isn't as much volatility as in 2012," explains Christian.
Christian points out that there are signs that the economic situation in Europe could improve this year and the market is expected to grow by 6%.
"Pineapple consumption in the European market is still very low when compared to the U.S. I think there is much room for growth, but we must work together as a country to develop strategies to help increase consumption in the Old Continent," concludes Christian.