Costa Rica's pineapple industry is entering its most challenging stretch of the El Niño cycle, with the national meteorological institute projecting its effects to extend through June 2027. The Cámara de Piñeros Unidos reports that fresh export volumes have remained similar to 2025 but that a recovery isn't expected — production regions are experiencing either severe rainfall deficits or excessive rain depending on their location, with one key area in Pital recording over 900mm of rain in August alone.
Costs are compounding the weather pressure. Freight rates, imported fertilizers, diesel, and packaging cardboard have all risen due to the geopolitical situation, and port tariffs in Costa Rica are among the most expensive in the region. A roughly 30% appreciation of the Costa Rican colón against the dollar since the start of the year has hit cash flow hard, particularly for small and medium growers. Labor competition from other agricultural sectors and neighboring countries is also straining workforce availability.
Costa Rica is the dominant supplier of fresh pineapples to the U.S. market, and buyers should factor in potential volume tightness and elevated pricing through the first half of 2027. The grower association noted it is confident the current U.S. tariff exemption policy will continue, but the combination of weather, currency, and logistics headwinds makes this a category worth watching closely for supply disruptions.