The Indian pineapple industry stands at a pivotal moment, straddling steady production, expanding exports, and significant unrealized export potential. India’s flagship ‘Queen’ variety, prized for its sweetness and carrying a GI tag, hails chiefly from Central Kerala where dedicated farmers combine traditional know-how and a nimble, export-focused approach. This season has seen stable production volumes, but with international demand rising and exporters pushing into new markets, India’s exports have inched up as well. However, this progress comes amid a deflationary price environment — average prices are currently around 11% lower year-on-year, translating to an $0.08/kg drop. The reliable, year-round supply chain that gives India export agility also lessens price volatility while sometimes dampening upward price trends.
The Gulf region and the Maldives remain the bedrock of Indian pineapple exports, bolstered by quick air or sea shipment options and growing market appetite. However, logistical challenges persist: high air freight rates, limited cargo space, and the delicate trade-off between speed, quality, and cost for longer-haul destinations. With only about 1% of India’s >1 million tonne output exported, immense room remains to capture global market share. Prospects are bright as India eyes Europe and the UK as growth frontiers, targeting consumers seeking premium, GI-certified tropical fruit. Despite current headwinds, the country’s next steps will define its position as a world export player — and whether its Queen pineapple can command a queen’s premium in the global marketplace.
Exclusive Offers on CMBroker
Pineapple dried
FOB 6.85 €/kg
(from VN)
Pineapple dried
normal sugar, 5-7 mm
FCA 4.55 €/kg
(from NL)
Pineapple dried
normal sugar, 8-10 mm
FCA 4.60 €/kg
(from NL)
📈 Prices
| Product Name | Origin | Location | Delivery Terms | Price (EUR/kg) | Weekly Change | Market Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pineapple dried | Vietnam | Hanoi, VN | FOB | 6.85 | 0.00 | Steady |
| Pineapple dried, normal sugar 5-7 mm | Thailand | Dordrecht, NL | FCA | 4.55 | 0.00 | Steady |
| Pineapple dried, normal sugar 8-10 mm | Thailand | Dordrecht, NL | FCA | 4.60 | 0.00 | Steady |
🌍 Supply & Demand
- Production: Stable YoY in Indian key regions (Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, Kerala).
- Exports: Gently increasing, now at < 1% of national production (over 1M tonnes/year).
- Main Destinations: Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia), Maldives, emerging shipments to Europe (notably the UK).
- Consumption Trend: Rising global demand for premium, GI-protected tropical fruits.
📊 Fundamentals
- Price Trend: Down 11% YoY, mainly due to persistent, year-round supply cycle.
- Speculative Positioning: Traders cautious due to high logistics costs and limited air cargo capacity.
- Cost Challenges: High air freight, reefer container transit limits product freshness to ~3 weeks.
- Opportunities: Underexploited exportable surplus, particularly for high-value European markets.
🌦️ Weather Outlook & Yield Impact
- Kerala, India (Key production area): Southwest monsoon onset is on schedule, with normal rainfall expected over the next week. No significant storm threats are forecasted. This bodes well for stable yields and minimal harvest disruption.
- Global Outlook: Southeast Asia production (main Vietnam and Thailand) remains steady with normal precipitation. No major weather threats reported.
- Potential Impact: With no severe weather events on the horizon, supply continuity is assured, further supporting the current stable-to-soft price environment.
📊 Global Production & Stocks
| Country | Annual Production (tonnes) | Export Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| India | >1,000,000 | <1 |
| Costa Rica | ~3,200,000 | >60 |
| Philippines | ~2,700,000 | ~35 |
| Thailand | ~2,000,000 | ~10 |
| Indonesia | ~1,800,000 | ~1-2 |
📌 Trading Outlook & Recommendations
- Exporters: Focus on Gulf and near-EU markets for optimal logistics costs and rapid turnover.
- Traders: Maintain moderate inventory positions; anticipate stable prices short-term.
- Buyers: Leverage soft prices; consider pre-contracting for Q3/4 to hedge against possible logistics surges.
- Producers: Monitor freight rates closely; any drop in air/sea costs could quickly improve export margins.
- Investors: Watch for India’s regulatory pushes and trade agreements, especially related to the EU and UK.
📆 3-Day Regional Price Forecast
| Region/Exchange | Product | Current Price (EUR/kg) | Forecast Range (Next 3 Days, EUR/kg) | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi, VN (FOB) | Dried Pineapple | 6.85 | 6.80 – 6.90 | Stable |
| Dordrecht, NL (FCA) | Dried Pineapple (TH, both types) | 4.55 / 4.60 | 4.50 – 4.60 | Stable |
| Indian Domestic Fresh (Spot, average) | Fresh Pineapple | Est. 0.64 | 0.63 – 0.65 | Soft |
