Italian minister calls for pineapple boycott

fruitnet.com 18 December 2008

Luca Zaia says Italians should avoid out-of-season food products this Christmas and buy domestically produced items instead

The Italian Minister of Agriculture, Luca Zaia, has sent the issue of local produce right to the top of the news agenda while at the same time risking controversy among the country's fresh produce importers after calling on consumers to boycott pineapples and other out-of-season produce during the December holiday period.

Seeking to assuage consumer concerns following the recent discovery of dioxins in a number of Irish pork products, Mr Zaia underlined the safety and quality of domestically produced pork and in particular zampone (pig's trotters) and cotechino (sausages made from pig's trotter meat), which are a delicacy around Christmas time.

However, he also suggested Italian shoppers ought to refrain from purchasing food products that are not currently in season. "I imagine a store of the future where the consumer can choose to shop in a Made in Italy department or an International department, because we don't like the Europe of multinationals and standardised tastes," Mr Zaia told journalists. "This Christmas, people should eat Italian products such as zampone and give them as presents. We've got 4,500 typical products in this country which symbolise Italy. Of course, not all of them are available in December, but at least 2,000 are!"

He continued: "We have to boycott pineapples, as well as all those products that have nothing to do with Italian agriculture. Yes to zampone and cotechino; no to products that are out of season, which are not part of our tradition and which are often grown in countries where it is still possible to use hepatotoxic and sometimes carcinogenic insecticides."

Mr Zaia's comments will most likely be of concern to importers of tropical fruits and, in particular, Fairtrade marketers. Pineapples are a popular post-lunch and after-dinner item among a number of Italian families.

Carlo Testini, president of Fairtrade Italia, said the comments could have a major impact on sales: "The producers we represent as a Fairtrade certification body rely heavily on the increase in trade around this time and would find themselves in serious difficulty if consumption were to fall. What would consumers say if the Minister inivited them not to buy the coffee, chocolate or bananas which aren't produced in Italy?"

Italian pineapple imports rose by 5 per cent last year to 105,000 tonnes, with sales worth some €73m, according to figures published by Istat.

The Italian government recently outlined plans to introduce mandatory country of origin labelling on food products sold in the country.

Uganda: Luweero, Kayunga pineapple growers want fruit processor

Seven years ago, Aaron Lutalo started pineapple farming on half an acre but he has now dedicated 12 acres of land to pineapple growing. He has over 140,000 plants. He harvests at least 2,000 per day at the peak of the season. His shamba is found at Kakumu, 10 miles from Luweero town, off the Luweero-Wabusana Road. He is not the only farmer, growing pineapples; there are several others: Joseph Ssemugenyi and Sam Matovu, among others.

According to estimates, pineapples are grown on over 1,500 acres in Luweero, while in Kayunga, especially in Bugerere, there are over 2,000 acres. However, 98% of these pineapples are sold without any value addition. Value addition increases the farmers' profits. "We are at the mercy of the buyers. We cannot decide how much to sell our pineapples during the harvest season," says Ssebugenyi. And yet, growing pineapples requires a lot of effort. "It takes 18 months for a pineapple to mature," says Lutalo.

Even simple fruit driers are yet to be acquired by most farmers. If well-dried, a kilogramme of pineapples costs sh8,000, compared to the paltry sh500 they get from every fresh pineapple. A simple drier, made with materials from Kenya and Uganda costs sh500,000. However, few farmers can afford them. "I got this drier because I want to add value to my pineapples," says Matovu, who has over five acres of pineapples.

There are several juice producing factories that include Delight Uganda and Cheers, however, they have not positively impacted on the price of pineapples, which has left the farm gate price low. It is not only pineapple dealers who are crying for a processor. Luweero and Kayunga also produce tonnes of other fruits, including mangoes. For instance, in Luweero, Bamunanika county is famous for producing mangoes.

"We have got promises of getting a fruit producing factory in the district," says Ssebugenyi. The latest promise came from some Austrian investors.

According to the Luweero district LC5 chairman, Ronald Ndawula, the district is getting ready to set up a processing plant. He, however, explained that before a processing plant is set up, production should also be enhanced. This explains why for the last two years the district has put emphasis on the growing pineapples.

Ndawula explains that to attract an investor there should be at least 10,000 acres of pineapples in the area, to ensure that there are plenty of raw materials, when processing starts.


Source: allafrica.com
Publication date: 12/17/2008

More imports of exotics: German production of vegetables and fruit growing

Note from David: I guess they used some sort of automatic translation website (from Dutch to English). Danku !


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In Germany there is talk about a growing area and an increasing local production, but for most products of the food horticulture this is definitely not self sufficient. During the period 2000-2007 the area for this form of horticulture grew by 12%. A marked increase happened in the cultivation of asparagus, where production increased by 85% during the period 2000-2007. Other open ground cultivations showing a marked increase during the same period are onion, gherkin, iceberg lettuce, leeks and radishes. Also the hothouse cultivation of tomatoes, cucumber and peppers increased in Germany during the last few years.

More import of exotics

The import of both fresh vegetables and fresh fruit remained reasonably stable during the period 2000-2007. There have, however, been some changes. The import of some classic open ground vegetables, such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, leeks, cabbage lettuce, iceberg lettuce and asparagus, show a decreasing trend.
The import of hothouse vegetables, courgettes and beans is showing an increase.
Imports of fruit show a clear change to exotics, especially the large increase in banana and pine-apple imports. The increase in the import of exotic fruit is partly a matter of trading: export of these products via Germany has also increased, but not as much as the imports.

Import from the Netherlands stable

Import of fresh vegetables from the Netherlands has apart from some fluctuations been reasonably stable during 2000-2007. The import of Dutch fresh fruit shows a decreasing trend. This is mainly the result of a decresasing export of apples to Germany, the Dutch export of pears to Germany is doing quite well during the last few years.

Growing (re-)export

Both with vegetables and fruit a substantial increase in the export from Germany
(respectively 53% and 155%) has been experienced during 2000-2007. The most important destination for the German export of vegetables is the Netherlands. This is partly explained by border traffic (German growers sell to Dutch sales organisations) and partly as transito of e.g.Polish products. Also Sweden and Italy are important destinations for the German vegetable trade. The most important destinations for the German fruit export are Poland, Austria, Sweden and Denmark.

Deceasing trend in household purchases

Of practically all varieties of fresh vegetables and fruit the percentage of purchasing households decreased during 2000-2007. Pineapples are the only remarkable exception. Possibly by coincidence the average consumer price of pine-apples is one of the few which decreased over the last few years. The purchased quantity of hothouse vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, show a decreasing trend. An increasing trend in the household purchase of open ground products, such as carrots, iceberg lettuce, asparagus, leeks, courgettes and radishes, is noticeable. A decreasing trend is noticeable in the sale of cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, chicory, celeriac and endive.

In general households purchase less fresh fruit. The most important exceptions are the exotics pine-apple and kiwi, of which the household consumption increased. A decreasing trend in household consumption does not automatically indicate a decrease in total consumption. The consumption out of home (catering and food service) is still relatively low compared to many other countries, but the "out of home" market is growing in Germany.

Is more information required? The report "Marktmonitor groenten en fruit Duitsland
(PT 2008-101)" can be downloaded free of charge by a member of the sector or by application from John Claassen via telephone no: 079-3470633.


Source: Productschap Tuinbouw, www.tuinbouw.nl


Publication date: 12/16/2008

Latest Market Intelligence Report

The latest pineapple Market Intelligence Report (MIR) is out! Here's the link from the Ghana Fresh Produce website:

MIR Pineapple Update 2008

Sri Lanka: Better income from export products

Note from David: Some fragmental information about the Iranian pineapple market

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A better income can be derived by producing export oriented products, said Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris. The Minister said so addressing a meeting that followed the distribution of pineapple shoots among farmers of Pahala Beragama Neela Gajaba Collective Farm. Under this project 50 acres will be brought under pineapple cultivation by CR exports company funded by the OXFAM G.B.

Prof. Peiris said there are people who go to Colombo and other urban areas in search of greener pastures, as a result urban areas are now becoming congested. "This is an era when infrastructure development has been given top priority in the villages not in urban areas. Steps have been taken to set up more and more export villages. Then the farming community will be able to produce goods to the local market as well as the foreign market.

There is a great demand for pineapples in Iran. As such pineapple cultivation will be a money spinner. The country can derive a colossal sum in foreign exchange if the farming community produce export oriented agricultural products. The private sector has been identified as the engine of growth. This sector has expressed its willingness to help the farming community." He said prominence will be given for the export of vegetables and fruits.

"As a country we are draining a colossal sum of money in the form of foreign exchange for import of food items. This is a national disaster we should put an end to," he said. Sri Lanka Export Board Southern Province Manager Prasad Daluwatta, Project Director OXFAM GB Amith Weerasinghe were also present.


www.dailynews.lk, 12/12/2008

Relevant pineapple links

Pineapple Crop Guides

* California Rare Fruit Growers
* University of Florida
* Purdue University
* UC/Davis Postharvest Technology and Information Center
* UC/Davis Fruit and Nut Research & Information Center

Chemical-free breakthrough on pines shipment

A new chemical-free technology developed to protect pineapples in overseas shipments has been declared a success by a new study.

Purfresh Transport has been proven to be more effective than fungicides and eliminates 95 per cent more bacteria than shipments that use chemicals. Purfresh uses refrigerated freight containers to protect against yeast, mould and bacteria.

A recent study of two pineapple shipments on a 16-day transatlantic journey from Costa Rica to the UK showed thatpineapples treated with a typical fungicide and wax combination left a heavy residue on the fruit.

The pineapples in the Purfresh containers, untreated by chemicals or fungicides, remained in their natural state.

David Cope, president and ceo of Purfresh, said: “With higher volumes of produce moving around the globe, retailers and shippers are seeking viable methods to minimize chemical usage, reduce costs, and capture lost revenue from produce decay and contamination.”

The gaseous ozone generated by refrigerated shipping optimises conditions in shipping containers, killing bacteria, yeast, and mould contaminants, and then reverts back to pure oxygen, leaving behind no residue. The solution also neutralises airborne ethylene to prevent premature ripening of fresh produce.

www.freshinfo., 28 nov 2008

Ghana: Farmers introduced to new pineapple varieties

Ghana: Farmers introduced to new pineapple varieties

About 450 pineapple farmers from a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) at the weekend ended a three-day seminar on Rapid Multiplication Technique production and marketing of varieties of pineapples. The varieties include smooth cayenne and sugar loaf, which were meant for the local and foreign markets.

The programme was organised by the Abibiman Sankofa Cultural Movement (ASCUM) for its members mostly banana, citrus and pineapple growers, drawn from Akim Oda in the Birim Central Municipality and Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District. In a closing address, Mr. Freeman Madji, Executive Director of ASCUM, said the aspiration of the small scale farmer in the area is to intensify pineapple production, especially the cultivation of the new varieties now popular among the local communities.

Mr. Madji said the Movement was ready to assist farmers with logistics and even loans for expansion of their farms to enable them to move from small-scale to large-scale farming. The Director urged the participants who were taught how to impact ideas and skills acquired to others for increased pineapple production for the local market as well as for export.

He thanked the facilitators from the Municipal Agriculture Office and said, among all the non-traditional crops, pineapple was one of the major crops with a high export value and accounted for about seven per cent of the total national export. Mr. Madji therefore, appealed to the youth of the area to register with ASCUM in their numbers to start the cultivation of pineapple, instead of going after white colour jobs in the cities.


Source: myjoyonline.com

Publication date: 11/3/2008

Costa Rican pineapple volume climbs even higher

(Nov. 21, 1:55 p.m.) European and North American consumers have contributed greatly to the gold pineapple’s popularity, leading to a rapid expansion in acreage in Costa Rica, a major supplier of the MD2 variety.

Now growers and marketers are working to make sure the explosive growth in pineapple production doesn’t strain Costa’s Rica’s pristine environment.

Costa Rica’s Environmental Tribunal raised an alarm this year that pineapple acreage — estimated at more 100,00 acres in 2007 compared with 30,000 acres in 2000 — could tax the country’s biodiversity and create pesticide residue in streams and rivers.

However, Costa Rica pineapple and agriculture industry sources say that producers are aggressively implementing sustainable agricultural practices to reduce erosion and continue reducing the carbon footprint of pineapple production.

Marty Ordman, marketing director for Dole Food Co. Inc., Westlake Village, Calif., said the company implemented carbon-neutral banana and pineapple programs in Costa Rica last season.

Abel Chaves of Agromonte SA, Pital de San Carlos, Costa Rica, and president of the National Pineapple Producer and Exporters Chamber, said of his company 4,940 acres 741 acres are used as environmental buffers. Chaves said members of the exporters’ group have signed on to 11 principles of social responsibility.

Manuel Sanchez, Agromonte general manager, said the company works with the Rainforest Alliance on environmental safeguards.

The expansion of pineapple production in Costa Rica has attracted some opportunistic players, said Dennis Christou, vice president of marketing in North America for Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. NA, Coral Gables, Fla.

“In particular, some new players might have chosen a quick financial return at the expense of the environment and local communities,” Christou said in an e-mail Nov. 20.

Christou said Del Monte’s Costa Rica operations were the first to be certified by independent third-party auditors for the ISO 4000 environmental standard.

Since 1998, he said Del Monte has participated on a voluntary basis in several national environmental programs, including Bandera Ecologica, a Costa Rican environmental compliance program sponsored and monitored by the Ministry of the Environment.

Eric Mora, researcher at the San Jose-based University of Costa Rica in San Jose, said conservationists are troubled by the fact pineapple needs to be managed with no natural ground cover. He said that use of herbicides on the crop has also raised concerns.

With the rising awareness of environmental issues, Mora said growers are becoming stricter with production practices, and organic acreage is growing.

“Organic pineapple is in a good position,” said Roger Vargas, controller for Proagroin, marketer of Costa Rica organic pineapples.

He said 35% to 40% of the company’s acreage is organic but there are plans to convert it all to organic within several years. The firm markets seven to 10 containers of organic pineapples a week, and about 60 of the company’s 100 growers are producing organic pineapples.

Pineapple boom

Fueled by the popularity of the MD2 variety — developed by Coral Gables, Fla.,-based
Fresh Del Monte Co. Inc. and now widely produced throughout the industry — U.S. per capita consumption of fresh pineapple has increased from 3 pounds in 1999 to 5 pounds a person in 2007.

The MD2 variety was developed in Hawaii by Del Monte, and the variety was first planted in Costa Rica during the late 1980s by Del Monte. Now available to all growers, it dominates exports from Costa Rica.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Costa Rica’s fresh pineapple exports to the U.S. increased from $80 million in 2004 to $372 million in 2007.

The U.S. accounted for 52% of Costa Rica’s1.8 million metric tons of pineapple exports in 2005, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Most pineapple industry leaders say that growth is expected to continue.

European demand for Costa Rica fruit has been growing rapidly, and current stats show the European market takes about 55% of Costa Rican pineapples compared with 45% for the U.S., Chaves said.

Chaves said acreage appears to be up 15% to 20% this year, and another 10% to 15% increase is possible next year.

While the industry may consolidate, he expects production to continue to trend upward for the foreseeable future.

Chaves said pineapple acreage has nearly doubled in less than five years, to 111,000 acres of pineapple.

However, Roberto Obando, director of an association of agricultural agronomists in Costa Rica, said there are reasons to suspect pineapple acreage growth will taper off in coming years.

Slower economic growth in the U.S., a renewed emphasis in Costa Rica agricultural policy on production of corn and beans and environmental pressures and possible new regulations on pineapple growers are factors that could slow acreage growth, he said.

Christou said the lack of expertise and financial backing for some new growers, combined with the credit crunch and economic slowdown, would likely accelerate their exit from the business.

Despite the economic challenges, Christou said Del Monte — the largest pineapple producer and exporter in Costa Rica — is well-positioned for future growth in demand for the Del Monte Gold variety, and he said Del Monte is also producing organic pineapples in Costa Rica.

The Packer - Nov 21 2008

MARKET INTELLIGENCE: US Imports between 2003 and 2008 (in metric tons)

• Costa Rica dominates the US market, representing 575,000 mt in 2007 and growing 10% a year between 2003 and 2007
• For the first seven months of 2008, shipments from Ecuador have dropped by nearly 30% when compared to the same period last year
  

Costa Rica witnesses pineapple boom

Due to growing popularity in Europe and North America, Costa Rican pineapple growers have been investing heavily in production

Costa Rica, which is a major supplier of the MD2 golden pineapple variety, has seen pineapple acreage increase from around 12,100ha in 2000 to over 40,000ha in 2007, according to The Packer.

The main factor behind this huge increase has been rising demand for golden pineapples from European and North American consumers.

According to the USDA, fresh pineapple exports to the US increased from US$80m in 2004 to US$372m in 2007.

However, The Packer reports, there is concern among environmentalists that this remarkable growth in acreage could have negative consequences for the country’s biodiversity.

www.fruitnet.com | 25 November 2008