Limitations for pineapple production and commercialization and international research towards solutions

Pineapples are grown in more than 80 countries in tropical and subtropical regions. The global volume reached 25.44 million t in 2014 (FAO, 2014), ranking pineapple among the most important fruits. About 81 % of that amount was produced in Asia and Latin America, where the leading countries of Costa Rica, Brazil, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia are located. In spite of their similar large production volumes, there are significant differences among these countries in technological levels of crop and postharvest management and in the fruit markets targeted. Even within large countries like Brazil there are great variations in these aspects due to contrasts in regional environmental conditions and social factors representing strong challenges to be addressed by growers and traders. Costa Rica and Indonesia, among the big producers, are examples of pineapple industries with high technological input and outcome mostly focused on international markets. Australia, a smaller producer, has a similar input level, but fruits are directed to the inland market. On the other side, there are many countries, such as Brazil, where pineapples are mostly produced by small-holders using low inputs and their production is directed to national markets. And there are other countries in an intermediate position, such as Mexico and South Africa, with important volumes placed both into national and international markets. This work will give information on main challenges for pineapple production and commercialization in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and some African countries with French background and make an analysis on research contributions to mitigate some of these challenges.