Pineapple monthly review: April 2022

In April, the pineapple market maintained a positive trend. The supply, still disrupted by logistical concerns and various shipping delays, was fairly irregular during the first half-month, marked by the Berlin Fruit Logistica trade fair and the Easter celebrations. Retail sales were rather slow, and it was this irregularity in the supply rather than a lively demand which enabled operators to maintain spot market price stability, at a relatively high level. During the second half-month, the market remained stable, with a lower demand. Shipping delays and logistical problems continued, indeed including the suspension of a shipping line (Hapag-Lloyd), which contributed to disrupting the supply a little further. The operators were nearly all busy managing the volumes available in order to meet their commitments, while monitoring the evolution of demand. With the start of Ramadan, demand seemed to be turning away from the pineapple in favour of an increasingly varied fruit supply.

The air-freight market was mainly buoyant in April, although the frenzy for the pineapple over Easter was distinctly milder than in previous years. The overall supply was small throughout the month, especially on the Cayenne market. Sugarloaf sales on the wholesale markets were less fluid, in particular for the coloured fruit supply, which was actually lacking coloration. Conversely, the green fruit supply sold rather well in the supermarkets. On the Sweet market, the increased freight costs out of Latin America led to a revaluation of fruit from these origins.

The overall Victoria supply remained small throughout the month. Fruit from Reunion, more sought-after but scarcer, continued to sell well. After Easter, demand saw a fall, and we observed a slump in rates for less popular Mauritian fruit. 

pineapple - france - import price April 2022