How Are Pineapples Harvested and Transported?

The harvesting is often done manually. The harvesters pass between the rows and pick the fruit by breaking the stalk or cutting it. The fruits can be placed into harvesting crates or types of backpacks fitted with cells which house each individual fruit. Each row of pineapples is loaded onto trailers and driven to packaging stations. There are two basic modes of transport : air-freight and sea-freight. Transport by air-freight is characterized by the merchandise being grouped together and transported to the airport. The product is then loaded onto air pallets and shipped to recipient markets. Transport by sea-freight is associated with a longer circuit. Pineapples are harvested then taken to packing stations, where they are washed and packed by size. Then they are palletized and pre-cooled to a lower core temperature since transport time is longer. The pallets are taken to the shipping ports and loaded onto polythermal ships or refrigerated containers. The fruits at arrival are taken to the importer’s premises, supermarkets, purchasing centers, or directly to the end customer.