Bad weather in Costa Rica during the previous planting season has limited the amount of pineapples available in the United States. For the importers who are able to secure pineapples, prices for that fruit have been high.
“There was lots of rain last season, and growers weren't able to get into fields and prepare the land to plant,” said Tiffany Sedlacek of Ayco Farms. “That's creating gaps in supplies, and our growers are estimating that production is down 15 to 20 percent from last year.” Those supply gaps have caused prices to remain high. While prices per carton were between $8.00 and $9.00 at this time last year, Sedlacek noted that she's seen prices in the $14.00 to $15.00 dollar range. But those prices could ease as the after-effects of last year's bad weather clear up.
“In about three weeks, supplies will probably be back to normal,” said Sedlacek. “But I think this strong market will last until then.”
