W8 Pineapple Update: Kerala's Pineapple Farmers Grapple with 30% Drop in Production and Malaysia Targets to Expand Pineapple Plantations to 20 Thousand HA by 2024

Published 2024년 2월 29일

In W8 in the pineapple landscape, rising temperatures in Kerala, India, are causing a 30% drop in pineapple production, forcing farmers to rely on rain for increased yields. The Pineapple Growers Association Keralam urges double production to meet Ramadan demand. Malaysia aims to expand its pineapple plantations to 20 thousand ha by 2024, targeting markets in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the Middle East. Lastly, China's top pineapple-producing region, Xuwen, is renowned for its golden, aromatic pineapples, with annual production exceeding one-third of the country's total pineapple production.

Pineapple Growers' Concerns Rise Over Production Drop Ahead of Ramadan

In India, rising temperatures in Kerala are causing a 30% drop in pineapple production, forcing farmers to rely on rain for increased yields. The Pineapple Growers Association Keralam has urged for double production to meet Ramadan demand despite additional costs due to water scarcity and protective measures. The increase in prices for pineapples, with green varieties selling at USD 0.43 per kilogram (USD 36/kg), is a direct result of the production drop. Despite concerns about heat impacting fruit quality, the ongoing farmers' strike in North India has not disrupted the pineapple movement.

Malaysia Targets for 20 Thousand HA of Pineapple Plantations by 2024

The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) aims to expand its pineapple plantation from 17,000 hectares (ha) to 20 thousand ha by the end of 2024, focusing on East Malaysia for the additional 3 thousand ha. The board also aims to boost pineapple production from 583.5 thousand tons to 700 thousand tons, aligning with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's objectives. The new SG1 Sarawak pineapple variety promises a shorter nine-month harvest time. MPIB also aims to increase shipments by 200 containers, targeting markets in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the Middle East.

Pineapple Harvest Season Begins in Xuwen, Guangdong

China is the world's fifth-largest pineapple producer, with Guangdong province being the hub of Chinese pineapple cultivation and home to the country's largest pineapple production base. Notably, Xuwen stands out as the leading pineapple-producing region nationwide, with a local saying that "one out of every three pineapples in China comes from Xuwen." During the February to May harvest season, Guangdong's fruit farmers are busy hand-picking and packaging the region's renowned golden, aromatic pineapples distributed nationwide. Xuwen County alone ships a remarkable 3 million kg of pineapples daily, with a purchase price at the source of USD 0.36/kg (RMB 2.6/kg). These pineapples are priced reasonably in local markets, ranging from USD 0.69 to 0.83/kg (RMB 5 to 6/kg), with additional services like peeling and cutting available for as low as USD 0.28/piece (RMB 2/pc). Xuwen's pineapple industry is a key sector, with annual production exceeding one-third of its total pineapple production, solidifying its position as China's premier pineapple county.