Global demand for PH pineapples to spike by 16%

THE volume of world trade in major tropical fruits most likely reached a new peak of $11 billion in 2014–2016 dollar terms in 2024, according to preliminary results of a market review by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The figure is 1.8 percent higher than the world trade volume in 2023.

However, it also reflected a slowdown in growth compared to the rates in the previous decade, which the FAO linked to production difficulties caused by adverse weather conditions in key exporting countries.

For instance, high temperatures and tropical storms due to El Niño caused declines in fruit quality and production outcomes, particularly in papayas from Guatemala, and avocados and mangoes from Mexico and Peru. Mango exporters struggled with reduced availability of flights, as well as high costs of air freight.

Conversely, pineapples had favorable production conditions in two major global exporters, Costa Rica and the Philippines.

Steady demand

As for imports, there was a steady demand for avocados, mangoes and pineapples in two main importers, the United States and the European Union. This was evident in the fruits’ average unit values at the import and wholesale stages, which rose to 20 percent from 2023 for avocados and pineapples, and 40 percent for mangoes.

China also had a growing demand for tropical fruits such as mangosteen and pineapple. Its pineapple imports are expected to grow by 4 percent to 230,000 tons. While China itself produces around 2 million tons of the fruit annually, these are allotted for domestic consumption. China is the third leading global importer of the fruit, with an increased demand for higher quality pineapples, particularly the MD2 variety from the Philippines.

Avocado, mango and pineapple are seen to remain the most significantly traded tropical fruits in terms of export quantities, aside from bananas. Pineapple exports are forecast to expand by 4 percent to an estimated 3.3 million tons. With low average export unit values, pineapples will still be the top commodity in terms of quantity.

Second leading exporter

Demand for pineapples from the Philippines, the second leading exporter to global markets, would spike to 16 percent to 690,000 tons. Up until August, it posted a 3-percent year-on-year increase in exports to China.

Japan and the Republic of Korea also remained key markets for the Philippine pineapples, with 33- and 16-percent share of total export quantity, respectively.

The average export unit value of pineapple shipments from the Philippines to world markets climbed by 5 percent from 2023 at $617 per ton until August.

Global exports of avocados would surge to a global trade quantity share of 32 percent. However, it is estimated to have a greater share in terms of value at 57 percent of major tropical fruits’ global trade value for the year, due to the fruit’s higher average export unit value.

Mango, mangosteen and guava will account for 27 to 28 percent in quantity and value of the global trade.