Lack of Processing Facilities for IQF Pineapples in the Philippines

The Philippine Pineapples industry is still way behind in the creation of postharvest facilities like IQF (Individually Quick Freeze) processing plants. It is a crucial part of the value chain to minimize losses of unprocessed pineapples. There are times of the year when there are too many fresh pineapples. Some big growers will throw away large volumes or perhaps find local manufacturers at a low purchase price. The world market for IQF products has gained momentum, especially in markets with long transit times for sea vessels. The advantage of IQF fruits (pineapples) is the long period they can be stored during transport from point of export to the end-users. The method does not allow large crystals to form in fruit cells, and the final product is not frozen into a solid block. The market price for IQF pineapples is around FOB USD 700-800/MT depending on the variety and product origin.