Prepared or preserved pineapples market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared pineapples in Asia saw significant shifts between 2018 and 2020. In 2019, domestic market volume jumped to 663 thousand tonnes, largely because a sharp drop in exports freed up supply for local consumption. This export decline was influenced by Thailand's decision to cut pineapple production by over 35%, which reduced canned pineapple availability for overseas sales. At the same time, the industry began adopting the MD2 pineapple variety, which offered better shelf life and taste, aligning with growing European demand for convenient, high-quality canned fruit. By 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global logistics, raising freight costs and making trade unpredictable; this contributed to a contraction in the Asian market volume as export patterns became more volatile.

From 2021 onward, the market experienced further adjustments. Despite a gradual recovery in global pineapple trade, high freight costs and logistical delays persisted, and Asian export volumes remained unstable. In 2021, increased exports diverted product away from the domestic market, shrinking the local volume to 427 thousand tonnes. However, in 2022 and 2023, the market rebounded, reaching 576 thousand tonnes, as exports from Asia fell due to intense competition from Costa Rica and a historic freight crisis that raised input costs and disrupted supply chains. The continued shift toward the MD2 variety also supported demand for quality processed pineapples.

Production prepared or preserved pineapples in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of prepared or preserved pineapples, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved pineapples, 2017-2020

Asia's production of prepared or preserved pineapples declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 123 thousand tonnes, representing a year-on-year decrease of 2.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 247 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 7.9%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 1.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports prepared or preserved pineapples from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Asia's exports of prepared or preserved pineapples rebounded in 2020. Export volumes reached 677 thousand tonnes, marking a 19.7% increase compared to 2019. However, over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 28.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 10.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 565 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 31.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and Spain were the primary destinations for Asia's prepared or preserved pineapple exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 39.5% of exports, Germany for 6.3%, and Spain for 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 50.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Asia's prepared or preserved pineapple exports were valued at 883 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 74.1% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 507 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 36.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's prepared or preserved pineapple exports in value terms were not highly concentrated. The United States accounted for 38.3% of export value, Spain for 5.8%, and Germany for 5.5%. Collectively, these three countries captured only 49.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports prepared or preserved pineapples to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia's imports of prepared or preserved pineapples amounted to 69 thousand tonnes, showing a significant decline of 13.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 41.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -16.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 34.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya consistently held the largest share of Asia's prepared or preserved pineapple imports in volume terms, accounting for 0.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's imports of prepared or preserved pineapples in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 156 million US dollars, up by 9.2% from the previous year. However, over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.9%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 5.2%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 139 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya and Asia, not elsewhere specified, remained the key sources for Asia's prepared or preserved pineapple imports in value terms, together accounting for 1.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020