Región Huetar Norte, Costa Rica
How is it produced?
Pineapple production is concentrated in the northern Huetar Norte border region of Costa Rica near Nicaragua, where the warm climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile soils provide ideal growing conditions that allow pineapples to mature approximately nine months faster than in many competing countries (Echavarría & Prunier, 2020). Pineapple plantations rely heavily on chemical herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides to maximize yields (Echavarría & Prunier, 2020). Production is characterized by intensive monoculture, where vast areas of diverse forest and pasture have been replaced by pineapples which has led to soil sterilization and a massive loss of local biodiversity (Lawrence, 2010). The rapid expansion of the pineapple industry resulted in the loss of over 5,000 hectares of forest cover between 2000 and 2015 (United Nations Development Programme, 2018).
Describe the supply chain to the store shelf in Canada:
Transnational institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) have also played a critical role by harmonizing pesticide and food standards. WTO rules can create conflict between trade liberalization and domestic environmental regulation (Ellwood, 2015; Rodrik, 2011). Although countries may implement health and environmental protections, these measures must generally comply with WTO requirements and cannot unfairly restrict trade (Ellwood, 2015; Rodrik, 2011). The presence of these pineapples on Canadian shelves is further supported by the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2002, which granted duty-free treatment to many agricultural products (Government of Canada, 2026).
What is the power balance between the producer and seller?
A handful of corporations, Del Monte, Dole and Fyffes, control 70% to 85% of Costa Rican exports and thus possess considerable influence over production, distribution, and pricing in the global market (Ortland & Schilling-Vacaflor, 2025). Large grocery chains in North America also hold significant bargaining power and demand low prices while enforcing strict quality standards (Ortland & Schilling-Vacaflor, 2025; Vagneron et al., 2009). Therefore, much of the financial value generated by the pineapple supply chain is captured by multinational corporations and retailers rather than by plantation workers (Banana Link, n.d.; Ortland & Schilling-Vacaflor, 2025). Seventy percent of the workforce consists of Nicaraguan migrants, many of whom are undocumented and lack legal protections making them vulnerable to exploitation because they may be afraid of reporting unsafe conditions or poor treatment (Banana Link, n.d.; Echavarría & Prunier, 2020).
Can you recommend changes to the system to improve the balance?
To improve this system, the global economy should be redesigned to prioritise human rights in trade policy rather than just export growth. Canada could adopt mandatory due diligence laws similar to emerging European models to hold parent companies legally responsible for abuses in their global supply chains. In addition, ending the systemic repression of unions would allow workers to bargain more effectively for safer conditions and fair pay.
References/Resources:
Banana Link. (n.d.). All about pineapples. https://www.bananalink.org.uk/why-pineapples-matter/
Echavarría, T. R., & Prunier, D. (2020). Agricultural extractivism, border and migrant workforce: The expansion of pineapple monoculture in Costa Rica. Frontera Norte, 32, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.33679/rfn.v1i1.1983
Ellwood, W. (2015). Globalization: Buying and selling the world (4th ed.). Between the Lines.
Government of Canada. (2026, February 6). Canada-Costa Rica free trade agreement. https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/costa_rica/fta-ale/background-contexte.aspx?lang=eng
Lawrence, F. (2010, October 2). Bitter fruit: The truth about supermarket pineapple. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/oct/02/truth-about-pineapple-production
Ortland, M., & Schilling-Vacaflor, A. (2025). New approaches to govern pineapple supply chains from Costa Rica: Towards more just and sustainable production and trade? Revista Académica Arjé, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.47633/0qw7d463
Rodrik, D. (2011). The globalization paradox: Democracy and the future of the world economy. Norton.
Save on Foods Website. (n.d.). Del Monte – Honeyglow pineapple. https://www.saveonfoods.com/sm/planning/rsid/1982/product/del-monte-honeyglow-pineapplesid-11407
United Nations Development Programme. (2018, May 27). Buyers of Costa Rican pineapples can now guarantee a deforestation-free commodity to their customers around the world. https://www.undp.org/foodsystems/news/news-buyers-can-now-guarantee-sustainable-pineapples-costa-rica
Vagneron, I., Faure, G., & Loeillet, D. (2009). Is there a pilot in the chain? Identifying the key drivers of change in the fresh pineapple sector. Food Policy, 34(5), 437-446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2009.05.001