Pineapple supply is improving out of Costa Rica, a country that supplies pineapples globally. "In the previous months, supply was tight because of logistics and weather conditions such as rain," says Robert Schueller of Melissa's Produce. "It wasn't as if nothing was available, but it was tight." 
© Melissa's Produce
In turn, that eliminated much of the promotional pricing opportunities for pineapple at a time when the fruit would normally head into spring peak supply. "However, it's now looking much better than it did in the spring and summer is also looking good for supply. It's getting better week after week," says Schueller.
For Melissa's, that tight supply meant opportunities for some of the other varieties it carries, such as the Baby Green Gold Elephante Pineapples that it brings in from Ghana or the Baby South African Pineapples. For the company, 85-90 percent of its pineapples come from Costa Rica. Then, Ghana accounts for about 5-6 percent while South Africa makes up the rest. It also ships a small quantity of Hawaiian pineapples.
New pineapple consumers
Those unique varieties, along with the Pinkglow, Precious Honeyglow, Honeyglow, and Rubyglow–the latter also known as the $400 pineapple–have helped carve out niche customer groups within the pineapple category. "Varieties such as the Pinkglow and the Elephante don't have acidity. So that's opening up a new market for people who don't like pineapple because of the acid of a traditional yellow-fleshed one," says Schueller.
© Melissa's Produce
While specialty pineapples are also gaining traction in metropolitan areas, particularly on the East and West Coasts, they are also seeing a new demand pattern. "Demand seems to go up a lot before major holidays, like our most recent 4th of July," says Schueller, adding that its most sizable holidays for consumption are Thanksgiving through New Year's.
As for pricing, while it's consistent compared to the previous year, this does follow stronger spring pricing on regular pineapples due to the lack of supply, though that pricing stayed steady due to good demand. "We're looking at making our way back to promotional pricing towards the end of the summer and onwards into fall," says Schueller.
For more information:
Robert Schueller
Melissa's Produce
Tel: +1-800-588-1281
[email protected]
www.melissas.com
