Pineapples Production in Australia (2019)

Overview

The majority of pineapple production in Australia occurs predominantly in Queensland. Over 36% of the pineapples grown in Australia are sent to be processed into juices. After being juiced, they are tinned and sold in the market. There are approximately 35 million pineapples produced each year in Australia thanks to the fine labour of the farmers.

Pineapple Growth

Pineapples are a multiple fruit, which means they grow from a cluster of up to 150 fertilised flowers that join together. Pineapples take up to two years to be ready for harvesting. After a pineapple has been cut from its parent plant another fruit will start to develop called the ratoon crop. Once this ratoon crop is harvested the plants are usually mulched into the ground and the tops from previously harvested fruit are planted to begin the cycle again.

A pineapple’s parent plant is the leafy part from which the pineapple blossoms. The parent plant’s blue-green, sword-like leaves are arranged like a spiral staircase and these leaves ingeniously retain moisture, making the pineapple a crop that can survive in very hot, dry conditions. The pineapple’s flowering stalk emerges from the centre of the leaf coil, as a cluster of flowers, which are purplish to lavender in colour, and appear about 16 months after the pineapple has been planted. Pineapples are multiple fruits, which means they grow from a cluster of fertilised flowers that join together. The flowers are also known as the eyes of the fruit and there are approximately 150 on each mature pineapple.

Statistics

1. 70,538 tonnes were produced and valued at $49.7 million. 36% of this total amount was sent to be processed.
2. The supply per capita was estimated at 1.8 kg, based on the volume that was supplied.
3. The wholesale value of the fresh supply was estimated at $46 million. Out of this $39.9 million was distributed into retail and $6.2 million went into food service.
4. 40% of Australian households purchased fresh pineapples, buying an average of 1.5 kg per shopping trip.

Major Pineapple Producing Areas

These fruits are majorly produced in Queensland. Some of the other producing areas include South East Queensland, Mareeba, Yeppon and Wide Bay.

Processed Pineapple International Trade

As of June 2019, an additional 21,300 tonnes of preserved fruit were imported. Moreover, 194 tonnes of pineapples were also exported. In addition, Australia was also able to import 4,557 kilos of pineapple juice, while exporting 1,816 litres of pineapple juice.

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech)