ISHS Acta Horticulturae 702: V International Pineapple Symposium
CHARACTERISTICS AND STATUS OF THE BRAZILIAN PINEAPPLE INDUSTRY |
| Authors: | D.H. Reinhardt, C.O. de Almeida, L. da Costa Vilar |
| Keywords: | Ananas comosus comosus, production, markets, ‘Pérola’, ‘Smooth Cayenne’ |
| Abstract:
In Brazil, FAO statistics show that more than 18,000 farmers and their families grow pineapple on areas of less than 5.0 ha each and in 2004 produced 1.43 million t of fruit. However, based on a more recent scientifically estimated average fruit weight of 1.44 kg, actual production in Brazil is about 1.96 million t. The latter would rank Brazil first in the world in pineapple production. More than 70% of this production comes from the Northeast, mainly from the States of Paraíba, Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte, and the Southeast, especially Minas Gerais State. ‘Pérola’ accounts for about 80% of the production with ‘Smooth Cayenne’ accounting for most of the other 20%. The domestic markets consume about 96% of the pineapples produced, around 65% as fresh fruit (about 5.4 kg/capita) and 35% as juice and other processed forms (3.0 kg/capita). Consumer preferences are for large (>1.5 kg), sweet and juicy fruits, with a good external appearance, including a partly yellow rind. Lower volume of fruits offered from January to April results in higher prices at the farmer and consumer levels. Exports have been rather low, with fresh and processed fruits accounting for about 80,000 t or 4.0% of the production. Fresh fruits have traditionally been exported to the neighboring countries like Argentina, but exports of ‘Pérola’ pine¬apples to Europe are increasing. In 2003 ‘Del Monte Gold’ fruits began to be exported to Europe reaching about US$ 6 million in 2004. | |
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