The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the Philippines' pineapple export earnings reached approximately $787.12 million last year, marking a 7.5% increase. Shipments of fresh or dried pineapples contributed over half of the export revenue, totaling $428.74 million. China emerged as the leading destination, importing $183.43 million worth of pineapples, an 18% increase from 2023.
According to PSA data, the Philippines exported a total of 675,540 metric tons (MT) of fresh or dried pineapples last year, with China receiving 42% or about 282,460 MT. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) anticipates a rise in Philippine pineapple exports in 2024, driven by the demand for premium pineapples, particularly the MD2 variety.
The FAO highlighted, "The long shelf life, year-round production cycle, and attractive price-to-quality ratio of the MD2 pineapples, the main variety cultivated in the Philippines, proved to be a particularly strong selling point." The Philippines remains China's top pineapple supplier, accounting for 90% of its annual import volume over the past two decades.
Globally, the Philippines ranks as the second-largest pineapple exporter, following Costa Rica. Industry experts foresee pineapples becoming the Philippines' next billion-dollar export. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and FAO project that by 2033, one out of four pineapples produced in the Philippines will be exported.
Export earnings from prepared or preserved pineapples rose 2% to $220.49 million, while unfermented pineapple juice exports increased by 35% to $101.68 million. However, exports of pineapple juice with a brix value not exceeding 20 declined to $36.21 million.
Source: Philstar Global