The pineapple market is currently undergoing a “double dynamic,” according to Robert Blanjoue, product manager at Dole France, which specializes in the import and distribution of off-season products. The French market is now finally aligned with the rest of Northern Europe in terms of demand, but the French farmers’ protests are complicating the situation greatly.”
Overall, the pineapple market is “very dynamic”, because the product is scarce. In order to avoid congestion in Europe, as was the case in the second half of 2023, the Costa Rican interprofession has decided to reduce outgoing volumes, giving priority to the North American market.
“Difficulties to supply the south”
After a promising start to the 2024 campaign, with lower volumes, “we were hoping for a revival after Christmas. In the second half of 2023, the pineapple sector was badly hit, but some improvement was finally observed in week 5. Demand is high and rather well oriented on the French market.”
The only problem lies in the logistics, because “the French market is severely impacted by the farmers' protests.”
The subsidiaries supplied from the Mediterranean are less concerned, but the situation is “very complicated” for the goods arriving from the north to the south. According to Robert Blanjoue, “95% of pineapple deliveries are made to Northern European ports,” mainly to Antwerp, “but Belgian farmers have joined the movement to show their solidarity with their French colleagues, therefore delaying pick-ups from the ports.” These difficulties in transport are also creating a situation that could jeopardize fluidity over the coming weeks. “We have no short-term visibility. If there is a decline in demand for imported products, we will be the first to be affected. But if the situation recovers, the next three months should be very favorable for us, since pineapple volumes from Central America are still in deficit.”
“We were just beginning to absorb the rise in cost prices”
“After complying with the Agec law for our pineapple packaging, we were finally beginning to pass on this increase in cost prices,” explains Robert Blanjoue. Soaring freight costs (maritime in this case for Dole France), input costs, packaging costs and the impact of climate phenomena are all factors that have forced the market to absorb a 20% rise in costs in a couple of years.”
For more information:
Dole France
ZAC du Griffon,
511 Route de la SEDS, Bâtiment 14
13127 Vitrolles
Phone: + 33 442 416 680
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