In what could be called as a sweet and juicy milestone, India has made its debut in the premium pineapple market by exporting its first batch of high quality MD2 ‘Golden Ripe’ also known as ‘Super Sweet’ pineapples to the UAE, a sector traditionally dominated by Costa Rica, Thailand and the Philippines

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated the successful export of the first consignment of MD 2 variety pineapples to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The consignment, comprising 8.7 metric tons (650 boxes) of the MD 2 pineapples, was ceremoniously flagged off by Chairman, APEDA, Abhishek Dev, in the presence of senior officials from APEDA and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR CCARI).

“This marks a pivotal moment in India’s agricultural export history, showcasing our ability to produce and supply premium quality pineapples to global markets,” said Abhishek Dev. “The MD 2 variety is renowned for its exceptional sweetness and quality, and we are thrilled to introduce it to the UAE market”, he said.

The  MD2  or  Dinar  pineapple is developed  through  hybridization  by  Del  Monte scientists in Costa Rica and holds great popularity in the  international  market.  Its  superiority  in  terms of color, flavor, shape, lifespan, and ripeness set it  apart  from  other  varieties.

As a result, it has become the gold standard in the pineapple industry, with significant cultivation in countries like Costa Rica, the Philippines, and Thailand.

An official said that ICAR CCARI provided essential technical support for post-harvest management and development of sea protocol for the MD 2 pineapple produced in the Sindhudurg district of the Konkan region in Maharashtra. A private firm successfully grew this variety on 200 acres in partnership with local farmers, ensuring optimal quality and yield.

The harvested pineapples were meticulously graded, sorted, packed, and stored in Panvel, Navi Mumbai. From there, the consignment was transported to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) for its onward journey to the UAE.