Cuba: Ciego de Avila fighting to recover the pineapple production kingdom

The geographic lack of concentration of the pineapple plantations in 102 cultivation areas, conform the strategy of Ciego de Avila province for recovering the Cuban leadership in the fruits queen harvest.

Almost all municipalities dedicate their lands to the promotion of the fruit, fact that is no more an exclusive responsibility of the state including farmers ... read more...

Ecuadorian pineapple exports 'recover'

June 18, 2009 – by Reefer Trends

After a dip in value last year the country’s Central Bank reports that pineapple exports in the first four months of 2009 are trending similarly to 2007.

US: Golden Goodness

June 16, 2009

Organics Unlimited Organic Pineapples now available throughout the U.S.

Organics Unlimited is now offering organic pineapples throughout the United States. Organic gold pineapples, which are being shipped from Ecuador through the Port of Los Angeles to ensure quality and freshness, will soon be available under the GROW (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers) label. Rich in Vitamin C and fiber, gold pineapples continue to lead as one of the most popular types of produce in the U.S. with its peak seasons in spring and summer.

"By utilizing small growers in Ecuador, we are continuing our mission to provide better lives for the workers, their families, and future generations," says Organics Unlimited President, Mayra Velazquez de Leon. "In an effort to assist our partners meet the growing demand for high quality produce, Organics Unlimited is now offering the gold standard of organic gold pineapples which will soon feature the GROW label."

The GROW program was established in 2005 by Mayra and Manuel Velazquez de Leon. Through this program, buyers in the United States can help improve the lives of these workers through a small surcharge on each box of GROW produce. GROW has provided educational assistance, scholarships, homework clubs, dental health and medical assistance to the workers and their families. Produce sold with the GROW label are available exclusively through Organics Unlimited.

All Organics Unlimited produce is USDA certified "organic", ensuring quality organic processes are used in all growing and handling of the produce. Organics Unlimited works closely with growers to oversee the growing process. Through standardizing growing from one farm to another, they ensure the finest and most consistent quality for their customers.

Contact:
+1 619.710.0658
www.organicsunlimited.com

EU Pineapple Imports in 2008 / 1st part

by David Ivanovic

In 2008, pineapple imports for the EU-15 have witnessed another big jump in terms of pineapple shipments. Between 2004 and 2008, arrivals have grown by nearly 80%, representing an annual growth rate of 15%.

Costa Rica is the main locomotive in this highly competitive market, growing from 250,000 metric tonnes in 2004 to 670,000 four years later. Latin American suppliers are confirming their leaderships while traditionnal West African suppliers are progressively switching their products from Smooth Cayenne to MD-2 varieties.

In 2008, pineapple imports recorded a CIF value of €595 million.

Project for management of pests and diseases in pineapple

A union between two private companies from Costa Rica and the Netherlands are investigating how to help pineapple producers to produce environmentally fair products in Pital, San Carlos. It will start this year with a project of international character whose goal is to offer alternatives for pest and disease control in the cultivation of pineapples by small and medium producers. This project was started given the increasing participation of Costa Rica in the international market as an exporter of agricultural products such as pineapple and the market trends as forcing domestic producers to be not only competitive, but to adapt to market demands. In this regard it is noteworthy to mention that the international markets (especially European) are increasingly seeking producers who comply with regulations, standards and certifications such as Fair Trade, which seeks voluntary trade relations, friendly and just between producers and consumers.

Taking into account that to achieve social and economic justice, the application of measures of friendly production with people and the environment is where the proposed project arose from.

TASTE Dutch company dedicated to promoting Fair Trade, together with the Dutch company Koppert Biological Systems, who are dedicated to control agricultural pests and diseases by using living organisms or derivatives that are safe for the environment or human beings, have taken the step to fund the project that seeks to change the old paradigms of using highly toxic chemicals to control pests and disease in pineapples. In Costa Rica the project is implemented by the company Reflex Central America and the Association PROAGROIN, so commercial products and products of the company Koppert BS will be evaluated scientifically in two pineapple farms in Guatuso de San Carlos.

For all parties involved in this project it is prideful to plan and evaluate a new production that can bring benefits to international trade, as well as for domestic producers and ultimately consumers.

Contact:

Reflex S.A Central America
Tel: +506 2273-0981
Email: info@reflexca.com

Publication date: 6/5/2009

AU: Sweet future for pineapple growers

One of only two remaining pineapple farmers in the Gympie region to still have a Golden Circle canning contract, veteran grower Ken Buchanan sees the future as sweet.

Food manufacturer Heinz formally took ownership of Golden Circle on December 19, 2008 and for Mr Buchanan it's business as usual at the family's 4000 tonne a year Sandowne Pineapple Company.

He says while it's early days, once the integration is complete he is cautiously optimistic about the continued viability of pineapple growing in the area.

“We hope it will be good - it will take 12 months to sort out where Golden Circle fits in to their organisation.”

The gradual decline of growers in an area that prided itself on producing a solid percentage of the state's pineapples is not without its problems in an industry that is simply not as profitable as it once was.

“There's still some other growers (in the region) but they won't be replanting,” he said. “It's causing some difficulties with transport - there's less pineapples going out and that impacts on the economies of scale and people aren't eating as many pineapples,” he said.

Imported pines, he says, are an influencing factor, but not a major one. Like most Queensland pineapple growers, he is welcoming the new national pineapple industry levy that will come in on July 1.

The levy was proposed by the Australian pineapple industry body Growcom and was met with overwhelming endorsement from growers. Pineapple Growers Advancement Group chairman Chris Fullerton said in the first year the research and development levy would be used to address a range of urgent research needs including chemical registration and research into more modern and effective pest and disease control methods.

Mr Buchanan agrees with the levy's focus: “Nothing happens if you don't have the money,” he said.

Growing premium pineapples for some 40 years means Mr Buchanan has seen many changes in the industry and has always embraced innovation in streamlining production. Sandowne is the only farm in the region growing the Golden Circle Gold hybrid - its less acid, sweeter taste becoming favoured on the fresh fruit market.

“The price is about two-thirds more than smooths so it's quite attractive to grow them,” he said.


Source: gympietimes.com.au

Publication date: 5/27/2009

Australia: Pineapple growers want to decide how levy is used

The Pineapple Growers' Advancement Group says it's determined to spend the new pineapple levy in consultation with growers.

The levy of $2 for production fruit and $5 for fresh fruit will be introduced on July 1.

PGAG chairman Chris Fullerton says growers are keen to see more research and development, as well as promotional projects for the industry.

"So we have identified priorities where those growers think the best spend for their money should be directed," he says.

"We are really going to concentrate on spending the grower's money on where they want it spent most."


Source: abc.net.au

Publication date: 5/28/2009