A sweet, second wind

Queen pineapple farmers in Bicol, particularly Camarines Norte are getting a sweet, second wind after their recent successful re-entry into the lucrative South Korean export market.

Last April, three shipments totaling 45 metric tons of Queen pineapple reached various ports in South Korea through a supply agreement signed by the Basud Federation of Pineapple Growers (BFPG) in Camarines Norte and Korea’s Manisan Trading Corporation.

The shipment was a breakthrough of sorts. In 2004, farmers in Camarines Norte made their first attempt to penetrate the lucrative South Korean market but technical problems and failure to comply with rigid sanitary and phytosanitary standards forced them to abandon their venture. Despite the rejection by South Korean buyers, farmers sought assistance from the Department of Agriculture to help them get back on their feet.

Today, Queen pineapple farmers are bullish again about the export market. There are now 2,400 hectares devoted to Queen pineapple farming. Traditionality grown in Camarines Norte, the fruit is relatively smaller compared to Sweet Cayenne or to Red Spanish but it is more crisp even when ripe, less watery and does not have the acidic aftertaste of Hawaiian. Production of this fruit cannot cope with demand from buyers in terms of quantity, quality and timeliness of delivery. The characteristics of the fruit like sweetness, aroma, texture, color and size has opened up opportunities for export of both fresh and processed pineapple.

"The initial shipments were an eye-opener for many Queen pineapple farmers and the positive feedback is encouraging pineapple farmers in the region to expand their production for the South Korean market," said Department of Agriculture regional executive director Balagtas J.Torres.

Mel Brilias, provincial pineapple coordinator of Camarines Norte, said that based on agreed specifications, the exported fruits weighed 80-120 grams. The fruits underwent waxing and pythosanitary inspection by the Plant Quarantine Office.

The quarantine procedure included careful selection of mature fruits, trimming of stems close to the shoulder, removal of sepals, brushing and cleaning of entire fruit to remove dirt and insects, and finally, applying the waxing solution, air-drying of fruits and packing in cartons.

Torres said the export of Queen pineapple is a big boost to the pineapple industry in Bicol, particularly in the province of CamarinesNorte.

Currently, the market for Queen pineapple is limited to the Bicol provinces such as Camarines Sur and Albay, and Metro Manila. Aside from South Korea, farmers here are also growing Queen pineapple for Dole Philippines which export both fresh and processed pineapples to Japan.

"The trial shipments spurred farmers’ interest in going into exports and producing quality fruits. Several have asked us for technical assistance and learn the recommended production technology preferred by this potential new market."

"We hope that in the process, this undertaking can be sustained and create new business opportunities for our pineapple producers here," noted Torres. The export market, added Torres, should also help boost local farmgate prices of Queen pineapple.

Currently, the commodity fetches just P4 to P8 per kilo at farmgate, depending on the weight. Fruits for export when brought to the processing facility in Basud fetch P10 per kilo. In South Korea, the fruit is being retailed at $1.50 each.

Torres said the DA is coordinating with the local government of Basud and has released a P300,000-counterpart fund for the upgrading of a pineapple packing house in Barangay Laniton, Basud.

The DA has also conducted free seminar-trainings on pineapple production, good agricultural practices and post-harvest practices while hosting various congresses in cooperation with the provincial and municipal government of Camarines Norte.