India's pineapple sector has experienced stable growth over the last few years, led by a 60% rise in acreage since 2020, says Githu James, Managing Director of Pineco Foods Pvt. Ltd, based in Kerala, South India. "Favourable climate and evolving agronomic practices have strengthened India's ability to offer consistent and scalable production throughout the year as compared to the previous years."
According to James, the region's Vazhakulam Pineapple, or Queen variety, continues to be exported to the Gulf markets and the Maldives, where its sweetness and aroma are well appreciated. However, he points out that the Queen's shorter shelf life remains a challenge for exporting to far-off destinations. "One way to address this is by diversifying into frozen pineapple products such as long pieces and slices, which help extend shelf life, reduce wastage, and ensure year-round availability for international buyers."
© Pineco Foods Pvt. Ltd.
James explains that export pricing remains closely tied to domestic market dynamics. "When local demand surges, farm-gate prices rise, drawing fruit towards domestic buyers as payments are quicker and there is better cash flow. This creates fluctuations in export volumes and margins." He notes that current prices are down by around 11% from the previous year. "This drop reflects India's year-round production cycle, which occasionally exerts downward pressure on prices."
As both a processor and exporter, Pineco adapts to these market swings by adjusting its processing volumes, ramping up production of aseptic pineapple pulp and by-products when fresh fruit prices soften. James shares, "Processing typically peaks during the off-season when fresh fruit availability is highest and export demand slows down, ensuring steady resource utilization, factory operations, and cash flow."
© Pineco Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Looking ahead, James stresses the importance of adopting the MD-2 variety to enhance India's export competitiveness against more established players such as Costa Rica and Thailand. "MD-2 offers the uniformity and shelf life required for long-distance shipments. However, challenges in cultivating it commercially in Kerala would require collaborative efforts involving research, regional trials, and farmer support."
For more information:
Githu James
Pineco Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: +91 72 72 038 380
Email: [email protected]
www.pinecofoods.com
