W10 Pineapple: Costa Rica and Dominican Republic Consider Exporting Crownless Pineapples, MPIB Targets Increased Production and Exports by 2024

Published 2024년 3월 15일

In W10 in the pineapple landscape, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic are considering exporting crownless pineapples to accommodate more boxes. Meanwhile, the MPIB aims to expand its cultivation area and increase production by 2024. The Taiwanese pineapple cultivar is being sold in China, sparking accusations of agricultural theft. Lastly, South Africa's Ndlambe region contributes 60% of the pineapple production, with 64% of output heading to London facilities.

Costa Rica and Dominican Republic Explore Exporting Crownless Pineapples

Pineapple growers in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic are considering exporting crownless pineapples to accommodate two more pineapples in a box. A Dutch retailer recently announced the sale of crownless pineapples, which are preferred for their appearance and perceived freshness. While some supermarkets still prefer pineapples with crowns, they can sometimes develop fungal issues or discoloration during transport, leading to rejection, particularly in Germany. Exporting crownless pineapples saves on freight costs, but there are pricing challenges, as removing the crown allows for more pineapples to fit in a box, making it harder to justify the price.

MPIB Aims for Expansion and Innovation in Pineapple Cultivation

The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) aims to expand the country's pineapple cultivation area from 17 thousand to 20 thousand hectares (ha) by 2024 to increase production from 583.5 thousand tons to 700 thousand tons. In Mar-24, a new pineapple variety called SG1 (Sarawak Gold 1) from Sarawak will be cultivated in the Malay Peninsula. Originally from Taiwan, this hybrid variety has a significantly shorter growth period than traditional varieties. While MD2 pineapples take 14 to 16 months to mature and Morris pineapples take 12 months, SG1 can be harvested in just nine months. Moreover, the MPIB also targets a 200-container increase in pineapple exports in 2024, focusing on technology and automation applications.

Taiwanese Pineapple Cultivar Sparks Accusations of Agricultural Theft in China

A Taiwanese plant scientist's new pineapple cultivar is being sold in China, sparking accusations of agricultural theft. This is part of a broader pattern of China allegedly transplanting Taiwanese agricultural products, including rice, orchids, tea, soybeans, and fungi, to bolster its influence over Taiwan. China offers subsidies to Taiwanese farmers to bring their expertise to China. Taiwan is investigating the illegal transfer of plants and crops to China but has limited recourse to compel China to comply with agricultural intellectual property investigations.

Ndlambe Contributes 60% to South Africa’s Total Pineapple Production

Ndlambe in the Eastern Cape region is important for South Africa's pineapple production, contributing 60% to the country's total production. The area emphasizes processed goods, with 64% of its output heading to facilities in London. Ndlambe's 7.9 thousand ha of pineapple farms produced 140.3 thousand metric tons (mt), with distribution including 26.3 thousand tons to retail and 39.1 thousand tons for export.