There is still an insatiable demand for growing pineapples, which has meant that Costa Rica’s export volume has been multiplied by 4 in the last 10 years.  Panama is seeing the same increases and interest from as far as Russia for our very sweet varieties here.

An article in Elfinancierocr.com quotes Abel Chaves, president of the National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (Canapep) who says: “If the market is demanding more pineapples, then we will plant more pineapples”.

The expectations of producers is to maintain “export growth of between 8% and 10%.” Pineapples, along with bananas and coffee, represents 78% of the exports of the entire agricultural sector.

As a threat to the industry, Chaves mentions appreciation of the colon, which “is hitting us hard. Two years ago we needed to produce about ten boxes to pay a laborer, today we need between 15 and 18.”

Pineapple production in Costa Rica consumed 11,000 hectares in 2002, and in 2012 and it occupies over 45,000 hectares.

Source: elfinancierocr.com