The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry highlighted the importance of the work carried out towards the sustainability of pineapple culture. In this regard, he announced the holding of a meeting with producers for a reflection on the challenges faced by this fruit, whose dynamics has been growing in recent years as evidenced in the increase of demand and average price.

"We intend to hold a meeting with all producers to reflect on the future of pineapple production, as some suggestions for changing production methods and specifications have started to emerge, and it is important to reflect on that together," said João Ponte. He spoke on the closing session of a course on good practices in pineapple production, an initiative organised by São Miguel Agrarian Development Services.
 
The government official expressed his optimism about the future of pineapple production. In this context, he stressed that the Regional Government has supported producers by providing financial and technical tools, such as training, something that had not existed for some years.
 
Considering POSEI support and its amendments to ensure the sustainability of pineapple production, João Ponte stated that the exemption of all production areas up to 2,000 square metres in organic production mode from apportionment was proposed to the European Commission.
 
"Of the 216 producers, about 65% have production areas of less than 2,000 square metres," the government official said, adding that this measure intends to be an incentive for small producers not to abandon pineapple production.
 
Another proposed amendments under POSEI 2019 concerns the granting of aid only for PDO producers in order to adjust all production according to the specifications for a fruit that has been classified as a PDO since 1996.
 
João Ponte stated that there are still 22 producers that do not produce according to the PDO production system.
 
On the other hand, João Ponte pointed out that there is a slight increase in production areas, which grew from 52 hectares two years ago to 57 hectares this year. Simultaneously, there an increase in the average price due to the growing domestic demand.
 
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture considered that it is possible and desirable to have a better organisation of producers in order to achieve scale and negotiating power in large distribution chains and, consequently, boost gains generated from this production.
 
"The increase of production is one of the challenges for the future. I believe there are conditions for this, since there are many abandoned greenhouses that can be recovered under PRORURAL+," João Ponte said, adding that, as for changes to specifications, the process is still ongoing.
 
The 28-hour training that ended today was attended by 18 students, including pineapple producers and greenhouse keeper.
 
This training intended to disseminate new knowledge, which could contribute to improving the profitability of pineapple production.