Pineappale, scientifically known as Ananas comosus, is a commercially important fruit crop in India. Pineapple belongs to the family Bromeliaceae.

Pineapple was first discovered in the Caribbean Island but it is said to have originated in South America.

Pineapple is normally considered as a single fruit, but practically fruitlets of many flowers fuse together around a central core, where each fruitlet is called an eye.

The flesh of the pineapple is fibrous, which is yellow in color and it has a tropical flavor which equals the sweet and tart taste. The area with more sweeter taste is the fruit’s base.

Pineapple is good for human health and it has medicinal properties. Pineapple helps improve respiratory health, cure coughs and colds, improve digestion, prevent cancer, increase heart’s health, improve immune system, and increase blood circulation.

Good rainfall with humid climatic conditions are ideal for Pineapple cultivation.

Pineapple usually flowers from February to April and fruits are ready from July to September.

Major pineapple producing states in India are Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Mizoram, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa.

Top pineapple producing countries in the world are Philippines ,Thailand , Costa Rica, Indonesia, Chile, Brazil, India, Nigeria, Mexico and Vietnam.

The major exporting countries of fresh pineapple are Costa Rica, Netherlands, Belgium, Philippines, United States, Mexico, Honduras, Ghana, Ecuador, Taiwan, Ivory Coast, Spain, Germany, Panama and Italy.

Leading importing countries are United States, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Italy.

In India the major trading hubs of Pineapple are

Kerala (Ernakulam, Thrissur)

Manipur (Churachandpur Bazar, Thoubal)

Meghalaya (East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, Ri Bhoi)

Assam (Bongaigaon, Cachar, Darrang, Dima Hasao, Golaghat, Karimganj, East Karbi Anglong, Kamrup)

Rajasthan (Gopalpura)

West Bengal (Darjeeling, Malda)

Tripura (West Tripura, North Tripura)

Nagaland (Kohima, Mokokchung)

Tamil Nadu (Namakkal)