The supply of pineapples is at its lowest point of 2025. "The entire industry is down about 3.3 percent year-over-year out of Costa Rica where the overwhelming majority of fresh pineapples for North America are grown," says Peter Leifermann of Chestnut Hill Farms.
This follows an earlier start to the rainy season in Costa Rica which is affecting industry production, on top of generally higher than average temperatures this year. Weather remains one of the challenges overall in growing and shipping pineapples. "We grow in the tropics, so we will always be concerned with the increasingly unpredictable weather. Not just at the farm level, but during the ocean voyage and in the consumers' marketplaces as well," says Leifermann.
© Chestnut Hill
The state of pineapple demand
What about the demand for pineapples? "We're in a demand exceeding supply period for pineapples where the program customers are being covered but there is very little to no fruit available for the 'open market,'" says Leifermann, adding that consumption of the fruit is strengthening. "Pineapples, like all fresh fruits and vegetables, should continue to benefit from the overall increased focus on healthy eating."
This means that pricing is now hitting record levels in North America. However, that level of pricing is not expected to last. "Looking ahead, the next few weeks won't offer much relief from the imbalance but by October we expect a return to normalcy," Liefermann adds.
For more information:
Chestnut Hill Farms
Tel: +1 (305) 592-6969
[email protected]
https://www.chfusa.com
