Kerala’s pineapple growers, driven by a growing export demand, have been focusing on the globally accepted MD2 variety. The reason behind this is because of the latter’s better suitability for processing and its extended shelf-life, compared with the traditional Mauritius grades.

Kerala produces 400,000 tonnes of GI-tagged Vazhakkulam pineapple (Mauritius grade) on around 40,000 acres. However, the share of exports was very minimal with hardly 0.5 per cent. Majority of the produce goes into the fresh fruit segment in the domestic market, wher the demand is around 100 tonnes a day during festival seasons and 60-70 tonnes in other seasons.

Baby John, Executive Director, Pineapple Growers and Processing Company Ltd, said the MD2 variety is the most preferred one in the export market due to its long shelf-life of 30 days, while Vazhakkulam pineapple has got hardly 10-12 days. Despite surging demand, Kerala’s pineapple shipments have few takers overseas, due to its shorter shelf-life.

The fruit characteristics of MD2 variety with its cylindrical shape, flat eyes and thin core are most suitable for processing and exports. Though Vazhakulam pineapple has received GI tag about nine years ago, its production and export has not been initiated under this brand, he said.

Shift in cultivation
“What is needed is to ensure the availability of sufficient planting materials and shifting of 20-25 per cent area currently under traditional pineapple cultivation to MD2 variety farming to boost processing as well as exports,” PP Joy, former HOD of the Pineapple Research Station, Kerala Agriculture University, Vazhakkulam, told thehindubusinessline.com