“The market demand for the supply of pineapples from the Dominican Republic to Israel has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the supply is hampered by the global price rise in chemicals, shipping, and other costs. It is not entirely possible to fully fulfill this demand due to cost management of the supply chain.” This is according to Kisha Rodriguez, from Caralinda Agroindustrial based in the small island nation.
“The increase in prices is a reality, it is due to the increase in the cost of agricultural production in the world, also as there is less supply and greater demand, this directly affects prices. We have had to control production costs and start making applications with products such as biologicals, which give excellent results in production, but at the same time their cost is lower,” explains Rodriguez.
Caralinda send their pineapples via airfreight to Israel on a weekly basis. “Our volumes are about 3,600 boxes per week, which is mostly handled by air, thus being the main exporter of pineapples to the Israeli market from our country.”
While they are small growers, the sister and brother Kisha and Cesar Rodriguez have their sights firmly set on expanding their farming business. The farm is located in the province of Monte Plata, in the Dominican Republic. On their farm they have enough land available to expand and plant 8,000 acres (503 hectares) of pineapples.
“We started the planting process in September 2015, with our first harvest in October 2016, making our sales within the Dominican Republic market until April 2017 when we started making our first exports to Spain, Italy, Portugal and Israel.”
“Regarding our pineapple segment, our plantation is of the MD2 variety, commercially known in the national and international market as extra sweet and/or Golden. It is desired for its extra sweet flavour, high content of vitamin C, golden colour of the skin and tropical flavour. Our exports are directed to the markets of Spain, Italy, Israel, Portugal, Russia, the United States and the Lesser Antilles, with Israel being our main market, where you can find one of our two Caralinda or Esmeralda Pineapples brands,” she proudly states.
For more information:
Kisha Rodriguez
Caralinda Agroindustrial
Tel: +1 82 986 8488
Email: krodriguezthen@caralindaagroindustrial.com
www.caralindaagroindustrial.com