Pineapples Production and Growth in Australia (2020)

Overview

The majority of pineapple production in Australia occurs predominantly in Queensland. Over 36% of these fruits are 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 fruits produced each year in Australia thanks to the fine labour of the farmers.

Statistics

1. 66,069 tonnes of pineapples were produced and valued at $52.2 million. 36% of this total amount was sent to be processed.
2. The supply per capita was estimated at 1.6 kg, based on the volume that was supplied.
3. The wholesale value of the fresh supply was estimated at $48.2 million. Out of this $42.5 million was distributed into retail and $5.7 million went into food service.
4. 40% of Australian households purchased fresh fruits, buying an average of 1.5 kg per shopping trip.

Major Pineapple Producing Areas

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

Pineapple Growth

Pineapples are multiple fruits, which means they grow from a cluster of up to 150 fertilised flowers that join together. Their parent plant is the leafy part from which the pineapple blossoms. They take up to two years to be ready for harvesting. After the fruit 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.

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 juice, while exporting 1,816 litres of pineapple juice.