Pineapple supplies are currently low across the industry. “It’s common for this time of year,” says Eddy Navas with Tabafresh. “We’re in the so called NDF (Naturally Differentiated Flowering) season that pineapple growers typically experience every year during the summer months and this usually lasts through the end of August.” Supply is generally steady for eleven months out of the year. However, the summer months traditionally experience a natural supply gap, causing lower production levels for several weeks.
Mexico’s proximity to the US
Tabafresh grows their pineapples in Tabasco, a region in Southeast Mexico. Growing conditions are similar to Costa Rica, the world’s largest pineapple grower. “The tropical climate of the Mexican region results in very favorable growing conditions,” said Navas. One of the advantages of growing in Mexico over Costa Rica is the proximity to the US market. “Lower logistical costs and shorter transit times are the primary advantages,” Navas shared. Due closer proximity, pineapples from Mexico are increasingly accepted by US retailers.
While Tabafresh’s main driver continues to be weekly exporting to the US, the company has also developed a solid and steady market in Mexico. “The country has an interesting domestic market with strong demand for local fruit.” At the same time, demand from the US is also strong at the moment due to the low supply. Pricing remains steady around the $20-$22 mark on the big fruit and $18-$20 on the smaller fruit. However, demand is expected to begin to level off during the later part of August, when supplies start picking up again.
For more information
Eddy Navas
Tabafresh
Tel: (+1) 956-685-1762
[email protected]
www.tabafresh.com
