I believe the greatest need of the farmer is his market. The pineapple business is not as lucrative as it used to be. With the switch from smooth Cayenne to FD2 variety, pineapple farmers have struggled to meet the export requirements and hence do not benefit immensely from the export potential of this amazing fruit.
Mr. William Huletey, the 2010 National Best Pineapple Farmer stated on Rite FM’s Akuafo Se Sen segment that the local market is the major consumer of the pineapple fruits in Ghana. These markets are not as profitable as the export market.
‘In the past, I planted about 40,000 pineapple fruits that wallowed in the local market and I run at a loss. We do not get export sales and the local processing factories have their own farms so they buy from us only when we run at a loss’ Mr. Huletey said.
‘The pineapple export business is still struggling to find its feet in Ghana’ Mr. William Huletey, 2010 National Best Pineapple Farmer.
Patrick Laryea|Laryeapatricknii@yahoo.com|RiteFMonline.org
