Pineapple Price Plunge: North Macedonia Feels the Costa Rican Effect Amid Global Oversupply

The pineapple market in North Macedonia is undergoing a dramatic transformation fueled by a surge of imports from Costa Rica, now retailing at historical lows. Imported pineapples, shipped over 10,500 km, are available for just €1.32–€2.64 per piece—up to seven times cheaper than the nation’s locally grown fruit. This price point places pineapple on par with staple vegetables like onions and cucumbers and considerably below both nuts and other mainstream fruits such as apples and pears. The drastic retail price drop is largely attributed to global oversupply: exporters are racing to clear excess stocks amid waning demand, particularly as tropical fruits remain non-essential in the local diet.

While orchard expansion and bumper cherry crops signal positive trends for North Macedonia’s domestic sector, local fruit simply cannot compete with the efficiency and reach of global supply chains for tropical imports. For retailers and buyers, this oversupply opens a rare window of opportunity to secure low-cost tropical fruit, while local growers face intense pricing pressures and rising concerns over the sustainability of traditional production. The current scenario serves as a crucial indicator of both the vulnerability and adaptability of fruit markets in the age of globalization.

📈 Prices & Market Table

Product	Origin	Location	Delivery Terms	Latest Price (EUR)	Previous Price (EUR)	Update Date	Market Sentiment
Pineapple dried	Vietnam	Hanoi	FOB	€6.80/kg	€6.80/kg	2025-08-22	Stable
Pineapple dried (normal sugar, 5-7 mm)	Thailand	Dordrecht, NL	FCA	€4.53/kg	€4.53/kg	2025-08-21	Stable
Pineapple dried (normal sugar, 8-10 mm)	Thailand	Dordrecht, NL	FCA	€4.55/kg	€4.55/kg	2025-08-21	Stable

🌍 Supply & Demand Overview

• Import Surge: North Macedonia’s pineapple imports from Costa Rica have increased significantly, flooding the local market and driving down prices.
• Domestic Market Stress: Local fruit growers struggle to compete as high-cost domestic apples (€1.47–€2.21/kg), pears (up to €2.64/kg), and even bananas (€1.12–€1.46/kg) are consistently underpriced by imports.
• Consumer Trends: Tropical fruits are still not a staple in North Macedonian diets; the seasonal oversupply coincides with reduced consumption, further amplifying downward price pressure.
• Orchard Expansion: A 3.1% increase in orchard area and a stunning 41% surge in cherry production signal local agricultural dynamism—but price competition remains stiff.

📊 Fundamental Data & Market Drivers

• Global Oversupply: Pineapple exporters in Costa Rica and Southeast Asia continue to operate at high capacity, leading to excess stock in distribution channels.
• Speculative Positioning: Slow demand recovery and storage clearing sales point to a bearish market, with suppliers prioritizing inventory rotation over margin expansion.
• Competing Commodities: Compared to cashews (€3.54/kg) and domestic fruit, pineapple’s low price is attracting attention from value-focused retailers and consumers.
• Seasonality: Typical for this time of year, oversupply and reduced demand for tropical fruit are contributing to lower price points across the board.

☀️ Weather Outlook & Production Forecast

• Growing Regions: Costa Rica, Thailand, and Vietnam benefit from stable tropical climates in the main producing zones with no major disruptive weather events reported for the current cycle.
• Short-Term Forecast: Tropical regions supplying Europe are expected to maintain favorable growing conditions in the coming three days, with scattered light rains and moderate temperatures supporting continued high yields.
• Impact on Supply: Weather stability will likely sustain the current oversupply, constraining any short-term price recovery for both fresh and processed pineapple.

🌐 Global Production & Stock Comparison

Country	2024 Export Volume (Est.)	Stock Dynamics
Costa Rica	~2.2 million tonnes	High, trending upward
Philippines	~650,000 tonnes	Stable
Thailand	~500,000 tonnes	Moderate, stable
Vietnam	~280,000 tonnes	Rising

📆 Trading Outlook & Recommendations

• ✅ Buyers: Leverage continued low-priced import opportunities, especially for processed pineapple; current offers remain attractive for inventory build-up.
• ✅ Retailers: Position pineapples as affordable alternatives to seasonal fruits—highlight price differentials vs. local apples and pears.
• ⚠️ Local Producers: Explore cost reduction strategies and product diversification to regain competitiveness.
• ⚠️ Exporters: Consider moderating shipment volumes or targeting alternative markets to alleviate storage pressure and prevent further price erosion.
• 🟡 Speculators: Remain cautious—market sentiment is neutral-bearish given persistent oversupply and competitive pricing from global suppliers.

⏩ 3-Day Regional Price Forecast

Exchange/Origin	Current Price (EUR/kg)	3-Day Forecast	Market Sentiment
Hanoi (VN, FOB)	€6.80	Stable to slightly lower	Neutral-Bearish
Dordrecht (NL, FCA, TH origin)	€4.53–€4.55	Stable	Neutral
North Macedonia Retail (Fresh)	€1.32–€2.64/piece	Minor downside potential	Bearish