No 1. Pineapple Producer Worldwide - Costa Rica

The next time you're eating a pineapple tart, drinking fresh or concentrated pineapple juice and biting into a fresh juicy fresh pineapple, you know it's sweet, healthy and juicy…but do you know where ti comes from? Or where is the best place to cultivate it? The answer is likley to be: Costa Rica.

Why Costa Rica? Here in Costa Rica, the warm climate and fertile soils are suitable for agricultural production. Water is abundant with yearly rainfall averages of up to 4 meters and irrigation has been successfully implemented to develop more arid regions. The government supports growers through research, training, and technical assistance, a wide range of nontraditional products have appeared since the 1980s that have begun a revival in agricultural exports.

Ten years ago, Costa Rica's pineapples were grown mainly for home consumption; now Costa Rica has rocketed to be the world's number-one producer of fresh pineapples, knocking the Ivory Coast back into second place.

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. Acreage under cultivation appears to be up between 15% and 20% in 2007, and another 10% to 15% increase is expected in 2008. While the industry may consolidate, production is expected to continue to trend upward in the foreseeable future.

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 may slow acreage growth.

Despite the economic challenges, 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. Del Monte has also invested heavily in the production of organic pineapples in Costa Rica.

The Costa Rica pineapple is scrumptiously sweet and deliciously juicy. The very low acid content makes room for its very high sugar content. Its tender bright yellow flesh is encased by its attractive very yellow shell.

Not only rich in taste, it's rich in color and its characteristic fresh tropical aroma which adds to the culinary experience. Full of fiber, vitamin C, iron and calcium, Costa Rica’s pineapples are available all year round and remain the most popular of all the tropical fruits. Next time, when you come to Costa Rica don'f forget to taste the pineapples

Peter Zhang August 09