Pineapples from Costa Rica are seeing good supply right now. "After a couple of years with minimal impact of natural flowering in Costa Rica, we are now going through a peak in production," says Adriana Garcia of Chestnut Hill Farms. "Volumes are plentiful and quality at our farms is outstanding. We have a strict control of the physiological age of the fruit which allows us to harvest it with homogeneous conditions all year round."
Year-to-date volume on pineapples from Costa Rica is only now catching up to 2024 after trailing significantly all year. Along with the demand for fresh pineapples, the juice industry in Costa Rica continues to demand significant volume and pay good prices which has helped balance supply and demand, particularly now that pineapples compete with seasonal fruits.
Summer promotions on pineapples
As for demand for the fruit, while there is more focus on seasonal fruits right now, retailers have been able to include pineapples in summer promotions. "Since availability was limited earlier this year, this has been a good opportunity to increase the sales volume of pineapples," says Garcia, adding that as consumers continue to eat more healthily, pineapples are gaining traction as a product they are interested in for its anti-inflammatory properties. "We see consumption increasing as it has these past years."
So where is this leaving pricing? "Due to weather conditions and lower yields, the cost of production has increased in Costa Rica these past years," says Garcia. Add to this the fact that pineapple is seeing strong retail demand globally and with that increased demand as well from the local juice and IQF industries, altogether, pricing is significantly higher in 2025 compared to 2024.
Looking ahead, pineapple volumes will drop towards the end of June and the industry will go through a valley during July and August. That said, Garcia notes that as important barriers to entering the industry and starting new pineapple operations or growing existing ones are in place, industry-wide volumes will remain stable for the upcoming year while consumption is expected to increase.
For more information:
Adriana Garcia
Chestnut Hill Farms
Tel: +1 (305) 592-6969
[email protected]
https://www.chfusa.com/