Although Golden pineapple supply from Costa Rica has been a bit tight it will begin to ramp up this fall. “Typically every year August and September are the two months of the year that have the lowest production so we’re just kind of getting out of that and heading into the fall when it’s full production again, starting in October,” said Chris Elsie of Pura Vida Farms.
Last year’s rain hit the pineapple fields hard but this year was much more mild, even though it rains every day in the country. “Last year we had a lot of issues because it interfered with our planting schedule,” said Elsie. “Because we’re harvesting every week, you’re planting every week. Delays in planting cause gaps. Last year the rain was so bad it hindered planting. That didn’t happen this year.” Yields have been typical so far, he adds.
Prices have been going up in the last six to eight weeks because of the lack of fruit. This is also the time of year when demand is at its lowest. “There are so many options out there for people to buy, like grapes and melons. Pineapples and bananas – those tropical fruits we have year round, get pushed to the back burner while people are enjoying the peaches, plums and nectarines that they can only get at certain times of the year,” he said.
Demand will start picking up in October – it’s a big fall fruit - and Elsie says demand jumps up into November and December, straight through to Easter. “Pineapple is a big holiday fruit and going into Easter and Mother’s Day there’s always a lot of consumption of pineapples,” said Elsie. “In the wintertime it’s natural that the tropical fruit will stand out. It tastes (great) 365 days a year.” Elsie says it’s looking like they’ll have great supplies for the busy season. “It’s going to be a bumper crop.
