Costa Rican Pineapples Continue to Experience a Sweet 2021

Fresh Pineapple

Costa Rica

Published Aug 12, 2021

Increased exports, growing Chinese demand, and improved fruit sizes have resulted in a 14% price increase in Costa Rican pineapples during the first 12 weeks of 2021. The country’s pineapple shipments were boosted by the re-opening of the global economy as lockdown restrictions loosened, with exports rising by 9% in January and February compared to the same period in 2020. Costa Rica is one of the leading global pineapple exporters, primarily shipping to North America and Europe and increasing volumes to China. Tridge interviewed Luis Falcón, a Costa Rican pineapple industry expert, to gain insight into current industry trends.

Exports rise as lockdown restrictions loosen

According to the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER), pineapple exports between January and April this year reached USD 324.9 million, a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2020 when sales reached USD 297.3 million. Exports increased due to the re-opening of hotels, restaurants, and educational centers in key global markets. According to the National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (Canapep), 2021 will end with improved export revenue, an increase between 4% and 5%, compared to 2020.

Chinese demand pushes prices further up

Costa Rican pineapple exports to China have increased due to the Chinese ban on Taiwanese pineapples. Generally, Taiwan exports approximately 97% of its to China, and the ban, which came into effect on March 1st, 2021, has affected key Chinese markets such as Guangdong and Hainan, resulting in price hikes. Prices rose by 14% during the first 12 weeks of 2021, reaching USD1.07 per kg. Costa Rica can produce pineapples throughout the year, which allows the country to meet the demand in the Chinese market. However, the recent price hike could be short-lived, as China aims to purchase pineapples from geographically closer countries, such as Panama, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.

"Prices have gone up this year compared to last year. Generally, after removing the cost of the box, transportation, and other costs, exporters make USD 0.35 per box. This amount has gone up to USD 0.4 per box this year," stated expert Luis Falcón, Vice President of Banana Operations at Agromerica.

According to Falcón, another factor pushing up the prices of Costa Rican pineapples has been the quality and size of the fruit. Most global markets demand larger pineapple sizes which Costa Rica can produce.

"Generally, prices are higher in the spring when people consume more fruit. However, this can vary from year to year. Many producers are currently planting next year's production and plantings. Most of the plantations are more or less the same every year. Prices are set according to the size of the pineapples. The US usually demands large pineapples, around 1.9 to 2.5 kilos. All the pineapple boxes are 12 kilos, and the sizes are based on the number of pineapples in each box. For example, for a Size 6, each fruit would weigh around 2 kilos. The US buys a lot of 5s. In Europe, especially the UK and Northern Europe, the popular sizes are 7s, 8s, and 9s. The average price used to be around USD 5.45 per box, but now it has gone up to about USD 5.86 per box," stated Falcón.