Pineapple is very scarce at the moment due to the heavy rainfall and low temperatures in Costa Rica. "It is taking much longer on the plantations for the fruit to reach the desired brix level and this has slowed down the supply considerably," says Alexander Mulder, who is responsible for pineapple within Frankotr & Koning. "The quality on arrival is good, but there is the necessary drop out in the country of origin."
"The prices have increased to a level around 13 Euro for the large sizes and 11/12 Euro for the small sizes. It doesn't look much different for the next few weeks and it will remain difficult to get volumes in from Central America," continues the importer. "There have been quite a few supermarket promotions over the last few weeks, so it isn't too difficult to get a pineapple in the daily trade."
There aren't many alternative for the Costa Rican pineapple. "Not in those volumes anyway. There is some coming from Panama, and some from the African countries through France, but those amounts can't fill in the demand. We won't be having any stress to get rid of the pineapple any time soon," concludes Alexander.
For more information:
Alexander Mulder
Frankort & Koning
T: +31 (0)77 3897 251
F: +31 (0)77 3897 293
Venrayseweg 126
5928 RH Venlo
a.mulder@frankort.nl
www.frankort.nl