Post by Trade Coach on May 11, 2019 22:04:26 GMT 1
One of the fruit crops that has been generating foreign exchange and creating jobs is pineapple. Besides the pineaple fruit itself, products processed from pineapple can be exported also.
Investors are encouraged to tap into the yet-to-be fully explored opportunities in pineapple fruit export.
Product Description
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical plant with an edible
multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries. Pineapples are members of the bromeliad family, and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae.
The fruit is actually made of many individual berries that fuse together around a central core.
The latest variety of pinneaple dominating trade and consumption in the world is MD2, it grows faster, it is bigger and sweeter with a lot of flesh and long shelf life.
The MD2 variety replaced the Smooth Cayenne pineapples which is characterised by high sugar and acid content since mid-1990s. The MD2 has an even sweeter taste, higher vitamin C content and a longer shelf life. It is the preferred variety in every major market. Over 80% of all European imports are MD2.
Pineapples’ nutritional benefits are as fascinating as their anatomy. Pineapples contain high amounts of vitamin C and manganese. Pineapples also contain important dietary fiber and bromelain (an enzyme).
Produce Conditions for Export
Pineapple fruits for export should meet the following conditions:
- Fresh in appearance.
- Free from flesh damage caused by pests.
- Intact fruit with or without crown, which if present may be reduced or trimmed.
- Free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
- Free of abnormal external moisture
- Produce should not be affected by rotting or deterioration, such that could make it unfit for consumption.
- Produce should be practically free of any visible foreign matter.
- Labelling: Labelling on consumer packaging must comply with the rules and regulations applying to the European market. Labels must not contain any toxic ink or glue and must be detailed.
- Packaging must be new, clean, and of high-quality. The packaging should ensure proper protection of the produce. Talk to your customers
Find out about the requirements and packaging preferences according to the export destination. Packaging requirements differ by customer and market segment.
General characteristics of packaging:
Wholesale packaging in carton boxes or crates which can vary in size.
Most fresh pineapples are packed in boxes containing 5–10 pineapples, with approximately 12 kilo net weight.
Global Export Market for Pineapple
The market for pineapples has matured and large companies are setting up the fruit business in producing countries. Investors are continuously taking advantage of the opportunities in the fruit business. Even as a smaller supplier, you can optimise your performance and distinguish yourself by having steady supply of good and quality produce. This would give you an edge against competitors.
European major markets for pineapple include Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy and France. The Netherlands is the largest importer of fresh pineapples. These European countries import directly from the country of origin. Pineapples can be exported to African countries too. As an exporter, you can select and directly supply the market that best suits you.
Produce Profitability
Although, pineapple farm is quite expensive and it takes almost two and half years before one starts harvesting it. You can buy your supplies from farms at cheap rates and export them with high profits.
The fruit is not only consumed and demanded for its sweetness and health benefits, it can also be processed into juice, syrup, sweetener etc.
The many benefits of pineapple fruit makes the business highly profitable. You can begin small, depending on your capital capacity and be assured of smiling to the bank in a short while. Invest in pineapple export and join the league of successful entrepreneurs and investors.