New figures released by the Philippines’ Bureau of Agricultural Statistics show exports of pineapples from Mindanao rose 42.17 per cent in 2008 on the previous year.
The sales generated US$352.3m for the industry, defying a global economy that slowed progressively throughout the year, reported Business World.
Japan and the US were the Philippines’ leading markets, accounting for 60 per cent of exports.
Japan took the majority of fresh pineapple volume, while the US was the leading buyer of canned pineapple.
Export volume hit 809,315 tonnes in 2008, 37.36 per cent higher than 2007’s 589,206 tonnes.
Mindanao produces about 90 per cent of the Philippines’ total pineapple crop.
