Since the Moorea fruit juice factory was created in 1980, the Opunohu domaine has been used for pineapple crops in order to ensure a constant supply of the fruit. However, the factory has had a "pineapple shortage" for a few months now as the 54 hectares they have is not enough to cover demand.
The Minister of Agriculture has therefore decided to give more land to pineapple farming and 52.2 hectares are being rented to the Moorea pineapple planters cooperative (COPAM) for pineapple growing. Three 6.1 hectare plots are also being rented to members of the cooperative, who have in fact opted for pineapple farming on their plots too.
Therefore, on the 99 hectares of land rented to farmers on the Opunohu domaine, 58.3 hectares are now for pineapple farming. Average production is estimated at 1,450-1,750 tons, based on a 25 to 30 tons yield per hectare.
Thanks to the newly acquired land, the thirty or so COPAM farmers will be able to produce 2,600 tons of pineapples annually - so it should be the end of the pineapple shortage !