{"id":"f-9167777940-a8498790-f5fb-5aa1-b16c-a385baf6bb70","title":"Kerala Pineapples: Price Surge Amidst Farming Challenges and Climate Woes","description":"Explore the dramatic fluctuations in Kerala's pineapple prices, driven by seasonal demand and climate impacts. Discover how farmers grapple with high production costs, unpredictable weather, and the role of middlemen, while the GI-tagged Vazhakulam pineapple gains national and international recognition.","timestamp":1772796078,"category":"food_and_health","headline":"Kerala Pineapples: Price Surge Amidst Farming Challenges and Climate Woes","modifiedHeadline":"Kerala Pineapple Farmers Face Rising Costs","subCategories":["scid_6bda76c2"],"subcategoriesName":["Top Story"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"7b48871c-c993-4956-b43d-6f46f8e1b036","bundleTitle":"Today In India","cardData":null},"iabCategoryName":"null","fcSummary":"kerala's pineapple farmers face challenges despite soaring demand and prices. unpredictable weather, including intense heat and erratic rains, increases production costs, currently around rs 35/kg. middlemen often benefit disproportionately, while fertilizer shortages hamper yields. exports to the uae are growing, supported by new shipping protocols.","summary":"Kerala's pineapple farmers face price surges, climate woes & rising costs. GI-tagged fruit gains recognition amid market volatility.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/Science_and_Technology/IN/en/feedpost-digest/f-9167777940-a8498790-f5fb-5aa1-b16c-a385baf6bb70","sourceUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/Science_and_Technology/IN/en/feedpost-digest/f-9167777940-a8498790-f5fb-5aa1-b16c-a385baf6bb70","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/v1AJ7_25IaB0.webp","content":"

\n Kerala's famed pineapples are seeing record prices due to demand, but farmers face intense heat, unpredictable rains, and rising costs. Learn about the challenges and the future of this prized fruit.\n

Price Volatility Explained

Pineapple farmers in Kerala are navigating a turbulent market characterized by significant price swings, which directly impact their livelihoods. Just three months ago, the price per kilogram stood at a low

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of Rs 18. However, this figure has dramatically climbed to Rs 62 per kilogram, largely fueled by increased demand during the holy month of Ramzan and the summer season. This surge highlights the market's sensitivity to seasonal events and consumer patterns. The GI-tagged Vazhakulam pineapple, renowned for its large size, exceptional sweetness, juiciness, and distinctive aroma, is particularly sought after in North Indian states during these peak periods. Despite this high demand and the potential for lucrative returns, the article points out that it is often the middlemen who disproportionately benefit from the farmers' strenuous efforts and the fruit's market value.

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Climate's Unpredictable Grip

The agricultural sector in Kerala is increasingly vulnerable to the unpredictable nature of climate change, posing a significant threat to pineapple cultivation. Farmers are experiencing erratic weather patterns that make planning and cultivation exceedingly difficult. The current summer, for instance, has brought unusually intense heat, causing pineapple plants to wilt despite groundwater levels remaining adequate. While an anticipated 40% decline in production was a cause for concern, a recent spell of summer rains has provided a much-needed respite. Nevertheless, the challenges persist. During the summer months, pineapple plants require irrigation twice a week, a process that involves substantial upfront investment; laying the necessary pipeline for irrigation alone costs approximately Rs 50,000 per acre. Furthermore, a lack of rainfall since December, coupled with high ultraviolet radiation, has contributed to plant wilting, as observed by farmers since the end of January.

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Production Costs and Input Scarcity

The financial viability of pineapple farming in Kerala is constantly challenged by escalating production costs and the scarcity of essential agricultural inputs. The estimated cost to produce one kilogram of pineapple stands at Rs 35, a figure that is subject to fluctuations based on prevailing weather conditions. A critical component of cultivation involves the application of fertilizers, with each plant requiring approximately 90 grams during the rainy season. Farmers utilize a combination of urea, potash, and phosphate to ensure healthy growth. However, a recurring issue is the severe shortage of these fertilizers during the peak season, which directly hampers crop yield. This input scarcity, combined with the external pressures of climate and market volatility, creates a complex and often discouraging environment for pineapple growers.

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Market Reach and Export Potential

The Vazhakulam pineapple market in Kerala is a significant hub, dispatching an impressive volume of approximately 2,000 tonnes of fruit daily to various destinations across the country. This highly valued fruit travels to major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, showcasing its widespread popularity. Beyond domestic borders, there is a burgeoning export market. Manna Pineapples, a firm based in Vazhakulam, initiated exports to the United Arab Emirates in 2025 and has since successfully dispatched six consignments via sea. The Managing Partner of Manna Pineapples noted the substantial demand for Vazhakulam pineapples in the Dubai market. This international recognition has been further supported by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), which, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, has developed protocols for the sea shipment of pineapples, facilitating recent successful consignments.

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Kerala Pineapples: Price Surge Amidst Farming Challenges and Climate Woes

SUMMARY