Global Markets of Fresh and Dried Pineapple

The global trade of fresh and dried pineapple in 2015 accounted for almost US$2.1 billion, while the global trade of prepared or preserved pineapple totaled approximately US$1.3 billion. In the case of fresh and dried pineapple, the largest global supplier is the small Central American nation of Costa Rica, which represented 59% or US$1.2 billion of international trade during 2015. Simultaneously, the largest global supplier of preserved or otherwise prepared pineapple was Thailand with 46% or US$579 million of international trade during 2015.

Meanwhile, in 2015, the largest importers of fresh or dried pineapple were the United States, with 29% or US$599 million of global imports, and the European Union, particularly the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Italy. In terms of preserved or otherwise prepared pineapple, the largest global importers during 2015 were also the United States, with 33% or US$414 of international imports, and the European Union, mainly Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

Global Markets of Fresh and Dried Pineapple

During 2015, Costa Rica imported US$15 billion worth of goods and exported US$12.6 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of US$2.4 billion. Furthermore, that same year, Costa Rica’s main agricultural export, representing US$1.2 billion of the country’s total, were bananas and plantains. Similarly, the country’s second largest agricultural export were fresh and dried pineapples, accounting for US$1.2 billion of the country’s total exports. Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s main import in 2015, representing 8.4% or almost US$1.3 billion of all international purchases, was refined petroleum. Since 2009, Costa Rica has been a member of the United States – Dominican Republic and Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Likewise, Costa Rica’s main trade partners are the United States, Guatemala, Panama, and the European Union, amongst others.

During 2015, Thailand imported US$190 billion worth of goods and exported US$231 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of US$41 billion. Furthermore, that same year, Thailand’s main export, representing 7.9% or little over US$18 billion of the country’s total, were computers. Similarly, Thailand’s main import in 2015, representing 9% or US$17.2 billion of all international purchases, was crude petroleum. In terms of trade, Thailand is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) trade bloc and the country’s main trade partners are the United States, China, Japan, and Malaysia, amongst other neighbors from the Asia Pacific region.

Lastly, Farmfolio’s team, under the leadership of CEO J. Dax Cooke, is exploring the possibility of opening another investment opportunity in the pineapple sector in Panama. This Central American country has a very positive macroeconomic outlook, a strategic geographic location, and has had a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States since 2012. In 2015, Panama imported US$28 billion worth of goods and exported US$4.8 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of US$23.2 billion. Meanwhile, that same year, Panama’s main export were passenger and cargo ships, accounting for 16% or US$741 of the country’s international sales.

(Read more about Fruit Trade and Agribusiness in Costa Rica)