Imported pineapples from Mexico have skewed towards larger sizes recently, and the relative scarcity of smaller fruit has propped up the market for those smaller sizes. Supplies of Costa Rican imports are fairly light, which has further boosted prices.
“Volumes from Mexico are light, especially on smaller sizes,” said HMV Produce's Yvonne Marpert. “Mother Nature plays a big part in how fruit grows, and sizes being seen now are on the larger side.” As a result, smaller fruit has been selling at higher prices.
On September 7, prices for a carton of 8s from Mexico were between $9.00 and $11.00 at crossings through Texas, and prices for a carton of 5s and 6s, by comparison, were between $11.00 and $13.00. Marpert noted that it's not unusual for prices to get as low as $6.00 per carton when supplies are more plentiful.
Costa Rica, as the largest shipper of pineapples to the U.S., will normally dictate how the market behaves. If there's a lot of Costa Rican fruit available, prices tend to stay moderate. But, as is the case now, light Costa Rican supplies have further boosted prices.
Demand for pineapples in the U.S. tends to peak around Easter, and it usually tapers off as summer transitions into fall, though occasional spikes throughout the year are common. While the market will always move according to how much supply is available, fall is typically when there's less demand around to absorb what's brought into the country.
“October is a tough month because there are no big parties where pineapples are served,” said Marpert. “December isn't as bad because of parties for Christmas and New Year's – every month is different.”
For more information:
Yvonne Marpert
HMV Produce
+1 956 702 5220