PH pineapple exports up 5% in 2023

MANILA  —Philippine pineapple exports grew by 5 percent in 2023 as shipments to China increased in line with the projected uptrend in global trade.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated in a report that the Philippines, the world’s second largest supplier of pineapples, had exported 611,873 metric tons (MT) of pineapple last year, higher than 582,537 MT recorded a year prior.

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“Industry sources reported that imports of pineapples from the Philippines to China benefited from higher Chinese demand for premium quality pineapples,” the FAO said.“In this regard, 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, proved to be a particularly strong selling point,” it said.

Citing preliminary data from January to July 2023, the country grew its pineapple shipment to China by 22 percent.

China is the leading consumer of pineapples coming from the archipelago, accounting for about 46 percent of its overall pineapple exports. —Jordeene B. Lagare INQ