W11 Pineapple Update: Honey Queen Pineapple Variety Boosts Farmers' Livelihoods in Bangladesh, and La Niña Threatens Costa Rica's Pineapple Industry with Cooler Temperatures and Heavy Rainfall

Published Mar 24, 2024

In W11 in the pineapple landscape, Malaysia's LPNM has launched a sales campaign for pineapple-based products to celebrate its health benefits and importance to the local agricultural industry. In addition, the Honey Queen pineapple variety boosts farmers' livelihoods in Palash Upazila, Bangladesh, with the Department of Agriculture Extension providing logistical support. Meanwhile, Fresh Del Monte Fresh has launched in the US market the Precious Honeyglow™, a personal-sized pineapple with a sweeter flavor. Lastly, La Niña poses a new threat to Costa Rica's fruit industry, with cooler temperatures and heavy rainfall affecting pineapple and citrus crops.

Malaysia's LPNM Promotes Pineapple-based Products in Month-long Campaign

The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) has launched a sales campaign for pineapple-based products. From Mar-24, the month-long campaign aims to celebrate the health benefits of pineapple and its importance to the local agricultural industry. LPNM's Director General stated that pineapple growers in Malaysia and Sarawak can earn between USD 637.48 and 1062.47 (MYR 3,000 and MYR 5,000) per month.

Honey Queen Pineapple Boosts Farmers' Livelihoods in Palash Upazila, Bangladesh

Farmers in Palash Upazila in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, benefited from the high yield of the Honey Queen variety of pineapple. Many farmers from Rabon, Borabo, and Jiardee villages have cultivated this fruit for years, leading to economic self-reliance. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has provided necessary help and logistical support to assist farmers in cultivating pineapples on their land smoothly. The Honey Queen variety is small but has a tasty and excellent flavor. In 2024, about 4 thousand hectares (10 thousand acres) of pineapple land was cultivated.

New Personal-Sized Precious Honeyglow Pineapple Hits US Market

Fresh Del Monte Fresh Del Monte has launched in the United States (US) market the Precious Honeyglow™, a new personal-sized pineapple. Weighing between 680 and 907 grams, Del Monte's most compact pineapple yet offers a sweeter flavor than traditional varieties. Grown in Costa Rica, these pineapples have a golden hue and ripen naturally for extra sweetness. The Precious Honeyglow joins Del Monte's range of Honeyglow pineapples, including Mini Honeyglow® and other unique varieties like PINKGLOW® and Del Monte Zero™.

La Niña Brings Concerns for Costa Rica's Pineapple Industry After El Niño's Impact

As El Niño's impact slows down, the arrival of La Niña presents a new threat to pineapple growers in Costa Rica. This phenomenon brings cooler temperatures and heavy rainfall, particularly concerning pineapple and citrus crops, which are vital exports for the country. As of Sep-23, 84% of pineapples exported to the US came from Costa Rica, contributing 34% of the country's agricultural gross domestic product (GDP). Excessive rainfall can negatively impact pineapples, increasing agricultural product prices. Additionally, fungi and bacteria issues could increase.