Pineapple rather costly all year already

The pineapple market has been very good right from the start of the year. “Prices are good at 12 to 13 euro for common sizes, but they are not too high, keeping consumption at a high level. Additionally, everyone is happy with the pineapple’s quality,” says Miguel Gonzalez of MG Fruit. “More volume is expected within the next few weeks, and due to competition from other summer fruits, prices will probably drop a little, but I do not expect a sharp decrease in price.”

“Costa Rica has normal productions, despite some rain,” Gonzalez explains. According to the importer Costa Rica’s position as most important pineapple producer remains unaffected. “Of course, countries such as Panama, Colombia and Ecuador also have pineapple, but demand is at a minimum. Customers’ demand for pineapples from other countries of origin only occurs in cases of scarcity.”

One development on the pineapple market is that more topless pineapples are being shipped. “To exporters, topless pineapples are a good solution to get the most out of their production, but at the same time we can tell consumers associate topped pineapples with a fresh product. That is why the largest volume of topless pineapples are going to cutting plants.”

In the past three weeks the market has recovered, and especially prices for Galia and watermelons have increased. “A smaller supply on the market caused a good start of the Galia and watermelon season in Morocco, and of the seedless watermelons from Almería. The Moroccan Dumara watermelons are much in demand with migrants, and the seedless melons with retail. Especially on days when the weather was good sales went smoothly. Due to slightly larger volumes and the public holidays, we are now experiencing a slight regression, but the slightest bit of sun will make the market recover again,” Gonzalez concludes.