Pineapple exports rebounded last year

The Philippines’ pineapple exports increased by 5.6 percent to some 580,000 metric tons (MT) in 2022, in contrast to the downturn in global shipments, as the country managed to capitalize on the logistical challenges of exporting this tropical plant.

In its market review, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations said the country’s pineapple exports marked a “strong recovery” from the 7-percent decrease registered in 2021.

The FAO said the country, the second largest exporter of the fruit worldwide, delivered more pineapples as the impact of COVID-19-related difficulties and typhoon damage tapered off.

Citing available trade data, the Philippines registered a 16-percent increment in exports to China year-on-year —the leading recipient of pineapples cultivated in the archipelago, equivalent to a quantity share of 43 percent.

“Industry sources reported that imports of pineapples from the Philippines to China benefited from the logistical difficulties experienced by supplies from Costa Rica and South American origins, as transport routes from the Philippines remained relatively unaffected by disruptions,” the FAO said.

“Another supporting factor was quoted as being the long shelf life, year-round production cycle and attractive price-to-quality ratio of the MD2 pineapples, the main variety cultivated in the Philippines,” it added.

Likewise, the Philippines retained quantity shares of about 30 percent and 13 percent, respectively, in terms of pineapple shipments to Japan and South Korea in the previous year.

The country made headway in selling pineapples abroad even though global exports of pineapples dropped by 2.2 percent to 3.1 million MT in 2022, largely attributable to reduced supplies from Costa Rica. INQ