Compared to the incredibly large amount of pineapples that were supplied from Costa Rica around this time last year due to 'natural flowering', Dutch importers will be letting in significantly less product across the board this year. "We are receiving at least forty percent less pineapple," says Rens Allewelt of Fruitpoint, subsidiary of Banacol and Venecia in Europe. The fruit supply was also delayed last week because of strikes in the Costa Rican ports.
Banacol is growing their own Gold variety pineapples in Costa Rica on an acreage of over 4000 hectares." Last year, price levels were moderate for weeks, just about 5 Euro. Although the current prices of 7.50 to 8 Euro are higher, the demand isn't overwhelming, even with the minimal supplies," Rens says. "I hope the prices stay stable. You would think that consumers would be more in the mood for pineapple when the weather is warm!"
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