While the production and marketing of pineapples in the domestic market is a well-known field for Colombia, the country has recently started to explore the international market. "There is currently a supply of more than 450,000 tonnes in the Colombian domestic market, but exports are becoming interesting for us as producers. The companies that are starting to export overseas are shipping about 15 containers per week," affirms Luis Miguel Cabal, representative of Elixir SA.
Although the Colombian domestic market remains the most important, the United States and Europe are the main importers. "The U.S., with its 200 million inhabitants, is consuming 800,000 tonnes; meanwhile, Europe is consuming 600,000 tonnes, and Chile is a small market, but with potential for the future," states Cabal.
Also, while Costa Rica continues to lead the export market, accounting for 60% of the world's pineapple exports, Colombia is starting to become more aware of its international potential. "Countries like Brazil and Mexico are producing mainly for the domestic market, but Costa Rica, given that it has no domestic market, focuses mainly on exports. Colombia is starting to explore the export market, with 1-2% of the global consumption, but if we take into account the devaluation of the Colombian peso and Costa Rica's weather issues, Colombian exports are bound to become profitable," adds the Colombian company's spokesperson.
These circumstances have brought much excitement to the cultivation of pineapples for export, which has subsequently also created new needs for the improvement of the country's logistics. The constant controls on drug trafficking have caused logistics costs to be much higher than in competitor countries, which has led to an increase in freight rates.
"Colombia is planning for the Cauca Valley's production to be devoted to pineapple cultivation, as it is seen as a viable alternative for the region's agricultural development. Traditionally, sugar cane cultivation has been the most common, but due to the impact of El Niño, we have been forced to rationalise the water resources. We have addressed producers to suggest the cultivation of pineapples as a good and profitable alternative, considering that both products are grown in similar conditions," concludes Luis Miguel Cabal
