Exploring Bolivia's Pineapple Cultivation Possibilities

Pineapples are tropical fruits that are mostly found in Latin America and West Africa. In Europe, Costa Rica is the main supplier of pineapples. However, do pineapples grow in Bolivia? Bolivia has a pineapple production of 175,316 tonnes, with an estimated 10,166.00 hectares of land dedicated to pineapple cultivation. In the municipality of Guarayos, pineapple producers are working towards cultivating the fruit all year round and reducing the time it takes to produce a pineapple from 18 months to 10 months.

Pineapples are grown in Bolivia's Guarayos region

Pineapple producers in Guarayos are working with the Center for Research and Promotion of Peasants (Cipca) to achieve this goal. In 2016, the municipality invested 200,000 bolivianos in collaboration with Cipca to develop early-maturing pineapple varieties that maintain the same quality and taste as their longer-maturing counterparts.

The pineapple crop in Guarayos is an important source of income for local families, with around 100 families dedicated to its production. The fruit is characterised by its pleasant and sweet taste, and the manual cultivation methods employed by producers result in smaller yields compared to large-scale mechanised farming. The yield per hectare is 15,000 to 20,000 seedlings, and the production cost per pineapple ranges from 3 to 4 bolivianos, with a selling price of 5 bolivianos or more, depending on the size.

The Guarayos region has been declared the pineapple production capital through municipal law, and the producers organise an annual pineapple fair in November to showcase their fruit and its derivatives, such as jams and liqueurs. The main market for the pineapples from Guarayos is the municipality itself and the city of Santa Cruz.

Bolivia's pineapple exports have decreased since 2018

Pineapples are a native fruit of Bolivia, and the country exported 287 tonnes of the fruit in 2019. However, Bolivia's pineapple exports have been on a downward trajectory since 2018. In 2019, exports dropped by 46.053% compared to the previous year, and the value of exports fell by 38.71% from 2018 to $0.19m in 2019. This decline continued into 2022, with exports plummeting to 20 tons, an 87.5% decrease from 2021. The value of exports also took a dramatic hit, falling to $6.5k.

Bolivia's pineapple exports are primarily fresh or dried pineapples (HS code 080430) and pineapples that are prepared or preserved, sometimes with added sugar or other sweeteners (HS code 200820). The country's top export markets for pineapples include Argentina, Chile, Italy, Ireland, and Denmark.

Despite the decline in exports, there is still a demand for Bolivian pineapples, particularly in the municipality of Guarayos, which was declared the pineapple production capital in 2024. Pineapple producers in Guarayos are working to develop new varieties that mature earlier without compromising quality and taste. This initiative aims to reduce the time it takes to produce pineapples from 18 months to 10 months.

The Bolivian pineapple market has potential, and with the right strategies and advancements in production techniques, it may be possible to reverse the decline in exports and capitalize on the fruit's domestic popularity.

Bolivia's pineapple juice market is expected to grow

Pineapples are grown in Bolivia, with the municipality of Guarayos being a key producer. In 2024, the retail price of pineapples in Bolivia ranges from US$1.20 to US$4.45 per kilogram or between US$0.54 and US$2.02 per pound. The revenue generated from Bolivia's pineapple juice market is expected to grow. In 2024, the revenue generated at home (e.g. in supermarkets and convenience stores) is projected to be US$9.6 million, while the revenue generated out-of-home (e.g. in restaurants and bars) is expected to reach US$3.7 million. The combined revenue for the pineapple juice market in Bolivia is forecast to amount to US$13.4 million in 2024.

The pineapple juice market in Bolivia is expected to show volume growth, with the volume, at home, projected to reach 3.4 million litres by 2024, and the volume, out-of-home, expected to amount to 0.4 million litres in the same year. The average volume per person, at home, in the pineapple juice market is forecast to be 0.27 litres in 2024. The revenue, at home, in the pineapple juice market is expected to grow annually by 5.06% between 2024 and 2028.

Bolivia's pineapple exports declined to 20 tons in 2022, a significant decrease compared to previous years. In value terms, pineapple exports from Bolivia reduced to $6.5K in 2022. However, the average pineapple export price increased, amounting to $325 per ton in 2022, with export prices peaking at $449 per ton in 2019.

Pineapple producers in Guarayos aim to produce pineapples all year round and are working on achieving this goal by developing new varieties with early maturation. They are also working on reducing the time it takes to produce pineapples, aiming for a shorter time frame of 10 months instead of the current 18 months. Guarayos has 140 hectares of pineapple production, with the potential for expansion over time. The pineapple crop is a profitable business for producers, with a yield of 15,000 to 20,000 seedlings per hectare and a production cost of $3 to $4 per pineapple, which are sold for $5 or more, depending on the size.

Bolivia's pineapples are mostly exported to Argentina, Chile, Italy, Ireland, and Denmark

Pineapples are grown in Bolivia, with the municipality of Guarayos seeking to produce the fruit all year round. In 2022, Bolivia exported 20 tons of pineapples, with Chile being the major export destination. As a result, the average price level of Bolivia's pineapple exports is determined by prices for Chile.

Bolivia's top export markets for pineapples are Argentina, Chile, Italy, Ireland, and Denmark. In 2022, the average pineapple export price from Bolivia amounted to $325 per ton, a decrease of 7.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2012 and 2022, the export price increased at an average annual rate of 3.6%. The export price peaked at $449 per ton in 2019.

In 2022, the United States was the largest importer of pineapples globally, with imports totaling US$887.1 million. This was followed by mainland China, Japan, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Together, these five countries accounted for over half of the world's spending on imported pineapples in 2022.

Puya raimondii, a pineapple relative, grows in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia

Pineapples are tropical fruits that typically grow in hot and humid climates, and while they are grown in South America, it is unclear if they are cultivated in Bolivia. However, a relative of the pineapple, Puya raimondii, can be found in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia.

Puya raimondii, also known as the Queen of the Andes, is a giant bromeliad and the largest species of its kind. It is native to the high Andes Mountains of Bolivia and Peru, typically found at elevations between 9,800 and 15,700 feet. This puts it well above the typical elevation range of pineapples, which generally thrive at lower altitudes.

Puya raimondii has a unique and lengthy life cycle. It grows as a rosette, slowly forming a trunk over many years. When it reaches maturity, which can take 50 to over 100 years, it blooms spectacularly, producing between 8,000 and 20,000 flowers in a three-month period. After blooming, the mother plant dies, having reproduced only once in its lifetime.

The first scientific description of Puya raimondii was made in 1830 by French scientist Alcide d'Orbigny, who encountered the plant in the region of Vacas, Cochabamba, Bolivia. However, as the plants he observed were immature and had not yet flowered, he could not classify them taxonomically. It wasn't until 1874 that Italian scientist Antonio Raimondi, who the species is now named after, published a description of the plant under the name Pourretia gigantea. The name was later changed to Puya raimondii by German botanist Hermann Harms.

Puya raimondii is considered an endangered species by the IUCN. Its survival is threatened by human-caused fires, climate change, and a decline in genetic diversity.

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