PINEAPPLE IN THE ANDEAN AREA

The pineapple production in the andean countries - Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela - was estimated in 1993 at about 565,000 metric tons. Nearly all the production is consumed in the area as fresh fruits, juices and a few processed products. The export part is very small. The cultivars are country specific, thus complying with a specific demand by consumers and adapted to edaphic, climatic and socio-economic conditions. The ‘Smooth Cayenne’ was introduced some years ago in order to try and enter the exportation markets, principally in the US. Agricultural practices are very different from one country to another but they tend to become more sophisticated by the introduction of those used in the main world production areas.