Will not spoil for up to 20 days after harvest: Sweetness of Vazhakulam Pineapple in Dubai too

KOCHI: As the Vazhakulam pineapple has become a favourite in the Gulf countries, it will regularly cross the sea from the new year. Vazhakulam pineapple is known for its speciality of not spoiling for up to 20 days after harvest. On a trial basis, 15 tons of pineapple from Koothattukulam Mannathoor were sent to Dubai on a ship on November 7. The fruit, which reached Dubai on the 10th day, was found to be undamaged even on the 16th day. It has become a big hit in retail sales as well.

Importers in the Gulf have informed that they can regularly buy Vazhakkulam pineapple with a geographical indication status. More export firms are also in the field. The pineapples were exported from the plantation of Paul Eldho, Sabu Varghese and Pavel Eldhos, natives of Koothattukulam. The process was initiated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority. The next harvest will be in January. Pineapple cultivation for export has started in more places.

Experimental cultivation in Keerampara

The Pineapple Research Centre at Vazhakkulam, Kerala Agricultural University, had developed technology in 2020-21 for a longer storage period. This was shared with the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council (VFPCK). Experimental cultivation was conducted at Keerampara, Kothamangalam. The pineapple harvested in April 2024 remained intact for 18 days. 40,000 plantlets were planted in Manathoor on a commercial basis. Scientists and officials of the research centre supervised this. This is what was exported.

'A mixture of calcium and potash was used to give the pineapple a longer storage life. No fertilizer or pesticides were applied after 90 days. High yield and pineapple weighing about 1.5 kg were obtained.'

- Dr. T. Maya,

Associate Professor

Pineapple Research Centre

"More and more people are cultivating pineapples in a way that is suitable for export. It is hoped that when production increases, we will be able to ship them every day next year." - Sabu Varghese, farmer