This year, both the production and demand for Ecuadorian pineapples has been favored by meteorological factors. However, Ecuador continues to be a country that produces very little volume when compared to Central American countries. Producers say the main reason this happens is the lack of financial support and the positioning of multinational companies in consumer markets like the United States.
"We have an average of 1,500 hectares of pineapples that are 100% devoted to exports, and the rest is for domestic consumption. In theory, we have much more potential, but the commercialization of this fruit in high demand countries like the US is basically a monopoly of large multinational companies. Our strategy is to enter other countries in Europe and South America, where we can be competitive. Unfortunately, the demand in those destinations is still not very high," said Mauricio Cohn, of Pirecuasa.
Basically, Ecuador depends on external factors to gain entry to other markets and to remain competitive. "If Costa Rica has production problems, it benefits us, but not to the extent we expect, because it only opens a small window. Costa Rica produces nearly 2 million cases a week, while we only produce a maximum of 100,000 boxes a month. Thus, we can only be a complement. The only thing we can do is to concentrate our production at the beginning and end of the year, which is the time that Costa Rica does not produce much," says Cohn.
Additionally, even though there is a stable market, in recent years the number of Ecuadorian producers dedicated to this crop has decreased significantly, so only a few benefit from it. "There are only 7 large producers dedicated to the export of pineapples. This year has been good for those who have had enough fruit. However, most have chosen to produce strictly the necessary amont to satisfy our regular customers and avoid losses," concludes the spokesman.
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