Nicaragua is far behind Costa Rica's and Honduras' pineapple export levels, partly because their main offer is the monte lirio variety and not the golden kind, which has a bigger demand.
The 562,672 kg of pineapple that Nicaragua sold abroad last year left revenues of US $66,125, according to the Centre for Export Procedures, Cetrex.
The figure, however, is remarkably low compared to what Costa Rica made last year - US $789.41 million in exports of pineapple.
In addition, Honduras and Panama also earned a lot more than Nicaragua in exports of this fruit. According to official figures, in 2012 Honduras earned US $22 million and Panama had revenues of US $31.6 million in 2011.
Destinations
According to Nicaragua's Centre for Exports and Investments, CEI, the country's main markets are El Salvador and the United States.
In this regard, Nicaragua must also work harder. Costa Rica, with its pineapple, has entered already the European market, even before the entry into force of the Association Agreement.
Nevertheless, Nicaragua took a big step in 2012 compared to 2011.
According to CETREX, pineapple exports in 2011 generated revenues of US $13,516, while the 2012 overseas sales reported US $66,125 to the country, meaning that the value increased nearly five times in annual terms.
These better results were achieved despite a decline in the value of a pineapple's kilogram. In 2011 each kilogram of the fruit was priced abroad at US $0.24, while last year it was only 11 cents.
According to CETREX, last year's US $66.125 revenues of Nicaragua's pineapple exports, exceeded what was achieved in 2008, one of the best years for the export of the fruit in which revenues amounted to US $60,217.
Source: Elnuevodiario
