With the European market for MD2 pineapples set to remain tough in 2013, one leading supplier is turning its attention across the Atlantic.
Irish marketer Fyffes, which has its own extensive production in Costa Rica and Panama, is looking at increasing shipments to the US in order to relieve pressure on its European pineapple business.
“We see a good chance to develop our pineapple business in the US due to our quality and social and environmental practices,” says Wolter von der Koij, who overseas the company’s pineapple deal. “Europe remains our biggest market but it was a real challenge last year as demand slowed in the wake of the difficult economic situation.”
Fyffes has done a lot in recent years to expand its own production and corporate social responsibility is integral to the company’s culture – making it an ideal fit for the US market according to von der Koij. Today it produces around half of the total volume of pineapples it sells.
