South East Asia Pineapples
Philippines
and Viet Nam


Process of Pineapple Farming and Exporting from Vietnam and the Philippines

The process of pineapple farming and exporting from Vietnam and the Philippines involves careful planning and adherence to quality and regulatory standards at each stage. From land preparation to harvesting, packaging, and finally shipping, each step is crucial to ensuring the pineapples reach international markets in prime condition, supporting the agricultural economy of these countries while satisfying global demand for high-quality pineapples.

Current Market Price: be noted that this is the market price from the price per MTS – FOB – FY

1. Pineapple Farming:

  • Land Preparation: Farmers clear and prepare the land, ensuring it has well-drained soil, which is essential for pineapple cultivation. This involves plowing and sometimes terracing in hilly areas.
  • Planting: Pineapple suckers or crowns are planted in rows, typically spaced to allow for adequate growth and access for maintenance. Popular varieties include Cayenne, Red Spanish, and Queen.
  • Fertilization: Regular application of organic and inorganic fertilizers promotes healthy growth and improves fruit quality.
  • Irrigation: Although pineapples are drought-resistant, adequate irrigation is necessary during dry spells to ensure good fruit size and yield.
  • Pest and Disease Control: Integrated pest management practices are used to control common pests like mealybugs and diseases such as pineapple wilt.

2. Growing and Harvesting:

  • Growth Monitoring: The growth of the pineapples is monitored closely. They typically take about 18-24 months to mature.
  • Harvesting: Pineapples are harvested when they reach optimal ripeness. The fruit is cut close to the crown using sharp knives or machetes.

3. Post-Harvest Processing:

  • Initial Cleaning: Harvested pineapples are cleaned to remove dirt and debris.
  • Quality Grading: The pineapples are graded based on size, weight, and external appearance to meet export standards.

4. Packing:

  • Packing Facility: Pineapples are transported to a packing facility where they undergo further cleaning and inspection.
  • Packaging: The pineapples are carefully packed into cartons or crates lined with protective materials to prevent bruising during transport. Cartons are labeled with variety, weight, and origin.

5. Storage and Transport to Port:

  • Cold Storage: Packed pineapples are stored in temperature-controlled facilities to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.
  • Transport: The pineapples are then transported to export terminals using refrigerated trucks to ensure they remain fresh during transit

6. Documentation and Approval Process:

  • Export Documentation:
    • Commercial Invoice: Details the transaction between exporter and importer.
    • Packing List: Lists the contents and details of each shipment.
    • Certificate of Origin: Verifies the origin of the pineapples.
    • Phytosanitary Certificate: Ensures the pineapples are free from pests and diseases.
    • Quality Certificate: Confirms the pineapples meet the export quality standards.
    • Bill of Lading: Issued by the carrier to acknowledge receipt of the cargo for shipment.
  • Approval Process:
    • Customs Clearance: Submission of all required documents to customs authorities for clearance.
    • Inspection: Regulatory bodies may inspect the shipment to ensure compliance with export regulations.
    • Export Permit: An export permit is issued by the relevant agricultural authority.

7. Loading onto Export Vessel:

  • Containerization: Pineapple cartons are loaded into refrigerated shipping containers, ensuring they are securely packed to prevent damage during transit.
  • Loading: The containers are transported to the port and loaded onto large export vessels, which may carry a variety of goods in other containers.

8. Transit and Delivery:

  • Shipping: The vessel sails to the destination port, maintaining the necessary refrigerated conditions to ensure the pineapples remain fresh.
  • Arrival and Unloading: Upon arrival, the containers are unloaded and the pineapples undergo customs clearance at the destination port.

9. Market Distribution:

  • Transportation to Distributors: The pineapples are transported to distribution centers or directly to buyers.
  • Final Delivery: Distributors deliver the pineapples to retailers, supermarkets, and other end-users in the destination country.
Scroll to Top