Hawaii's pineapple shortage, which left store shelves and hotel buffets across the islands sparse for months, is nearing an end as the next round of fruit approaches harvest.
Retailers and growers across Kauai, Maui, and Oahu have reported limited supply since mid-year. At some locations, such as Costco on Maui, restrictions were placed on pineapple purchases due to high demand and short supply. Businesses dependent on pineapple sales, including specialty stores and restaurants, were forced to scale back operations or offer refunds to customers.
Growers traced the shortage to last winter's cooler weather, which disrupted flowering and harvest cycles. Dole reported that colder conditions led some fields to fruit earlier than expected, creating a temporary surplus in summer followed by a shortfall in autumn. With pineapples requiring around 18 months to mature, adjusting production schedules proved difficult once the seasonal gap emerged.
On Maui, drought and wildlife pressure also limited yields in Maui Gold fields, while on Kauai, smaller fruit and fewer large shipments left retailers struggling to meet demand. The impact extended to Hawaii's rare Sugarloaf white pineapple, known for its low acidity and high sugar content.
Growers now report that the next crop is nearly ready for harvest. Fields in the major growing regions are recovering, and local supply is expected to return to markets, restaurants, and hotels by late November. Restaurants have begun planning menu adjustments to coincide with renewed supply, while farm stores and tour operators are preparing for increased demand through the holiday period.
Hawaii's pineapple industry, once a dominant global producer, now serves primarily domestic and tourism-driven markets. Production has shifted to smaller farms that focus on premium local supply. Maui Gold continues to operate field tours showcasing its production areas, while Dole maintains its long-established acreage on Oahu.
The Pineapple Store on Kauai, which supports small growers, reported running low on stock but expects new shipments shortly and has begun taking pre-orders from customers.
According to local analysts, the recent shortage underscored Hawaii's reliance on seasonal conditions and limited growing area. However, upcoming harvests are expected to stabilise supply across all islands, allowing the resumption of domestic and export shipments, as well as farm tours and retail sales.
Pineapples from Hawaii are projected to reappear in larger volumes in the coming weeks, restoring availability across local markets and foodservice outlets.
Source: Beat of Hawaii
