Tight pineapple market expected until year-end

Adverse weather in Costa Rica has affected pineapple production in the country, and, as a result, sh…

Adverse weather in Costa Rica has affected pineapple production in the country, and, as a result, shipments of the fruit to the United States have suffered. Because Costa Rican imports make up the bulk of pineapple supplies right now, the market has fluctuated in recent weeks.

“Volume is about 17 percent down for us,” said Carlos Granda of Chestnut Hill Farms. “El Nino has had a strong effect in Costa Rica, and that's the reason for the current shortage.” Tight supplies have made for erratic pricing. On November 3, prices for a carton of size 5 pineapples from Costa Rica were between $9.00 and $11.00 at South Florida ports of entry.

“The market was higher a couple of weeks ago, but now it's dropped some,” said Granda. “It's been up and down, but I think the market should hold until the end of the year. Volumes will probably rebound by the beginning of next year.”