Labour shortage, price crash prompt pineapple growers to suggest pause on new crop

The Pineapple Growers Association Keralam has launched a campaign urging farmers to avoid fresh pineapple cultivation for the next 12 months and instead focus on maintaining existing farms amid acute labour shortages and falling prices.

Baby John, President of the association, said the migration of workers to North India during the election season has severely affected labour availability, making it difficult for farmers to harvest and manage current plantations efficiently.

He said the immediate priority should be the proper upkeep of existing farms, which would help reduce unnecessary expenditure, ease labour pressure and ensure market stability that could support better prices in the future.

Lower returns

At present, first-grade green pineapple is selling at around ₹46 per kg, while ripe pineapple prices in wholesale markets have plunged to between ₹10 and ₹13 per kg. Farmers require at least ₹35-₹40 per kg to break even, resulting in substantial financial losses under current market conditions.

The association also pointed to extreme temperatures during March and April, which disrupted flowering and fruiting cycles, affecting production patterns and contributing to excess supply in the market.

Typically, pineapple cultivation provides three harvests over a period of two to three years. However, rising fertilizer prices and persistent labour shortages have increased the burden on small and medium-scale farmers, many of whom are struggling to realize yields from existing farms.

Growers said the strong demand and high prices witnessed in recent years had encouraged many new entrants into pineapple farming. Combined with favourable growing conditions, this led to a sharp increase in production, eventually creating a market glut and steep fall in prices.

Weak hospitality demand

The sector is also facing weaker upcountry demand from the hospitality industry and reduced consumption of processed fruit products and juice, leaving large quantities of harvested pineapples unsold.

The association further warned that the Centre’s call to reduce fertilizer usage and concerns over possible shortages arising from geopolitical tensions could adversely affect new planting, since fresh cultivation requires higher manure application.

In this backdrop, the growers’ body believes that suspending new cultivation for a year would help stabilize the market and provide financial relief to farmers.

Published on May 22, 2026