Pineapple producers in the regions of Isla, José Azueta, and RodrÃguez Clara (Veracruz) are asking the Federal Government to limit imports of industrialized pineapple, arguing that these imports constitute unfair competition for producers and the national industry. Alfonso Barrera Rosas, a local producer, stressed that this measure would benefit rural producers by generating more employment in these areas and helping them deal with competition from imported products that are sold at lower prices than the national production.
The national industry faces disadvantages in terms of production costs compared to imported products, Barrera Rosas stated. The cost of producing and industrializing a can of pineapple in Mexico amounts to 30 pesos, while the price of an imported can is only 20 pesos. This cost difference makes it difficult for Mexican producers and industry to compete effectively.
Restricting imports of industrialized pineapples would benefit producers in Veracruz, Colima, Tabasco, and Nayarit. The pineapple from these regions has been exported to markets in the United States and Canada, which demonstrates the quality of the fruit produced locally, he added.
He also said that these regions had more than 25,000 hectares devoted to pineapple production with an estimated production of 20 tons per hectare. However, more than 30% of the production was lost in 2024 due to adverse weather conditions, such as drought and high temperatures that exceeded 50 degrees Celsius, damaging the fruit even under shade-mesh protection.
To face climatic challenges, producers are preparing for the 2025 hot season, aiming to harvest the last pineapple by March at the latest, to minimize losses and ensure the viability of pineapple production in Mexico.
Source: avcnoticias.com.mx