Heavy rain results in low pineapple production

Kochi: With the advent of monsoon in the state, the sweetness of pineapple sales in the market is reduced. Pineapple production lowered by 15% due to heavy rains in the state. 

The production has lowered to 150 tonnes per day from the usual 1000-1200 tonnes. This has inadvertently led to an increase in prices in the market. Pineapple cultivators assume that this condition may last till mid-August. 

On Monday, the price of ripe pineapple was Rs 50 per kg, Rs 46 for raw and Rs 48 for special grade raw fruit. In June, this was Rs 26, Rs 32 and Rs 34 respectively. During the Vishu-Ramzan season, farmers got up to Rs 50 per kilo for pineapples.

Yet, the summer heat posed a great challenge to seasonal pineapple farmers whose plant-production suffered under the dry spell. Presently, the demand is low. Only 10-12 loads are taken while earlier 1000 loads were in demand.