Due to continued growth, the country remains the largest exporter of fresh pineapples.
According to the National Chamber of Producers and Exporters of Pineapples (Canapep), revenues from foreign sales totaled $743 million. Juice concentrates were valued at $82 million.
The country has been the world's largest exporter of pineapples since 2007.
"Currently, Costa Rica has 45,000 acres devoted to pineapple production, mostly located in the north and Caribbean side of the country, according to data from Canapep.
In Costa Rica, October’s excessive rain has caused losses of $2.5 million in the sector.
Abel Chaves, president of the Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (Canapep in Spanish) explained that the losses include damage to plantations, delays in the preparation of crop areas, damage to farm infrastructure (bridges, canals and roads) and increases in transportation costs to ports of embarkation.
Pineapple and banana farmers can take advantage of the increased demand coming from these countries.
Being the leading exporter of pineapples in the world has not limited fruit growers in Costa Rica, who are trying to improve cultivation and their commitment to the environment in order to increase production and meet the growing demand from countries like China and India.
An agreement has been signed with the Environmental Tribunal to train 1300 farmers.
Throughout the year the fruit producers will participate in seminars where they will be taught about best production and environmentally friendly practices.
They will receive instruction on technical methods of land use, and function and location of treatment plants, among other things.
The sector expects to increase exports in 2010, and for this they have planted 45.000 hectares.
Canapep, the National Chamber of Pineapple Growers and Exporters, is betting on increased demand from the U.S. west coast and new markets like Turkey and Iraq.
"According to Canapep forecasts, this combination of factors, plus good sales to Europe, will make the sector grow in 2010", reported Nacion.com.
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