Rainy season affects pineapple production in Johor

Ripe pineapples are tied with red ribbons, ready to be harvested for the Chinese New Year market.

The rainy weather last month has affected the yield of pineapples, causing production in Johor to drop by at least 20% this year.

Federation of Malaysian Vegetable Farmers Association president Lim Ser Kwee said excess rainfall also caused the pineapples’ appearance to miss the mark.

“As a result, the harvest cannot be sold in the market.

“However, the reduction in output this year has not led to any price increase because of the overall market slowdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The price of pineapple is still similar to last year at about RM8 to RM10 each, ” he said in an interview in Johor Baru.

Lim, who is also a pineapple farmer in Simpang Renggam, one of the largest pineapple producers in the country, said besides supplying the local market, the fruits were also sent to Singapore, where there were no big changes in the orders compared to last year.

Workers harvesting pineapples at a farm in Simpang Renggam, which is one of the largest producers of the fruit in the country.

Another pineapple farmer in Simpang Renggam, Tan Eng Tong, said the prolonged rainy weather caused his fruit production to drop by about 50% compared to last year.

“My farm used to produce more grade A pineapples, which weigh about 3kg each, but this year, my harvest consisted mostly of smaller-sized grade B and C fruits, ” he said.

Tan said he also faced a 30% drop in local orders because of the movement control order, while the demand from across the border was still strong.

“Previously, my customers mostly said they wanted to wait for the government’s decision on the MCO before placing orders for the fruits, ” he said.

Although the MCO was in place until Feb 18, the Chinese community would still celebrate the Year of the Ox, albeit on a smaller scale this year, he added.

Pineapples are considered a must-have for Chinese New Year as the fruit signified prosperity.

Many in the community also used the fruits, especially those with larger crowns, as prayer offerings during the festive celebration.