History Lesson 🍍 Pineapple Farming

This one’s for you, Kayce.

The Sweet Story of Pineapple Farming: From its Humble Origins to Today's Juicy Methods

Pineapples, those sweet and juicy tropical fruits, have come a long way since their first discovery in South America over 7,000 years ago. It wasn't until the 15th century when Portuguese explorers brought the fruit to Europe that it started to gain popularity. Fast forward to today and pineapples are now grown all over the world, from tropical regions to even some parts of the United States.

From ‘slip’ to sliceable fruit

But how do farmers grow these delicious treats? The process of growing pineapples starts with the planting of a "slip", a stem cutting from a mature fruit, in well-drained soil. From there, farmers must ensure that their plants receive plenty of sunlight and water, as well as proper nutrition from fertilizer. This can be a bit of a challenge in some regions, but innovative farming methods have made it possible to grow pineapples even in less-than-ideal conditions.

One such method is called "trench planting". In this method, farmers dig trenches and plant their slips in them, then cover the trenches with soil to protect the plants from wind and direct sunlight. This allows the plants to grow strong roots and produce high-quality fruit. Another popular method is called "raised-bed planting", where farmers create raised beds and grow their plants in them, which helps to regulate soil temperature and prevent soil erosion.

The past: small and labor intensive

In the past, pineapples were typically grown on a small scale, with farmers using traditional methods such as hand planting and once the pineapples are ready for harvest, it's time for some more manual labor. Harvesting pineapples is no easy feat, as the fruit can be quite heavy and the spiky leaves can make it difficult to pick. Pineapple farming has evolved greatly over the years, with advances in technology and techniques leading to increased yields and improved fruit quality.

Innovation leads to consolidation

Today, pineapple farming is a highly developed and sophisticated industry, with large-scale operations using modern techniques such as genetic improvement, irrigation systems, and specialized machinery for planting, harvesting, and processing. The use of greenhouses and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) has also become increasingly common, allowing farmers to grow pineapples in regions where they might not have been able to grow them in the past.

The industry is now dominated by a few large corporations (many household names), which control the majority of pineapple production globally. These corporations use advanced technologies, such as computerized climate control and automated planting and harvesting systems, to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The largest companies are:

• Dole

• Chiquita

• Del Monte

• Taledo

• Fyffes

Sweet demand spurs consumption sprout

The exact amount of pineapples produced and consumed annually varies from year to year, but according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global production of pineapples was estimated to be around 20 million metric tons in 2020. This amount is consumed by people all over the world, with the largest consumers being countries in Asia and Central and South America.

It's worth noting that the demand for pineapples has been growing in recent years, driven by the fruit's popularity as a healthy and versatile snack, as well as its use in a variety of culinary dishes. As a result, the production and consumption of pineapples is likely to continue to grow in the coming years.

And no, pineapples do not grow on trees.

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