Complete Pineapple Farming Guide: Climate, Soil, Cultivation & Yield

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the most loved tropical fruits in the world—cherished for its sweet taste, refreshing aroma, and nutritional value. Beyond its delicious flavor, pineapple offers numerous health benefits and can be cultivated profitably in tropical and subtropical regions.

Pineapple on a farm

🌿 Why Pineapple?

Pineapple is packed with vitamins A, B, and C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. It also contains bromelain, a powerful digestive enzyme known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Apart from being consumed fresh, pineapples are widely used in the canning, juicing, and food processing industries.

With global annual production reaching 14.6 million tonnes, India ranks fifth in pineapple production with about 1.2 million tonnes per year.

☀️ 1. Suitable Climate for Pineapple Farming

Pineapple thrives in humid tropical regions with moderate temperatures and ample rainfall.

• Optimum rainfall: 1500 mm annually (but it can tolerate 500–5500 mm)

• Ideal temperature range: 15.5°C – 32.5°C

• Altitude: Up to 1525 m above sea level

• Avoid: Frost, extreme cold, and total shade

Interestingly, pineapple grows well both near coastal areas and inland regions, as long as drainage is good and temperatures remain moderate.

Pineapple farm

🌱 2. Suitable Soil for Pineapple Farming

Pineapple adapts to various soil types, but well-drained, slightly acidic soil produces the best yields.

• Ideal pH: 5.5–6.0

• Best soils: Sandy loam, lateritic, or alluvial soils

• Avoid: Heavy clay or waterlogged soils

Proper soil aeration ensures healthy root growth and prevents diseases like stem rot.

🧑‍🌾 3. Land Preparation

Prepare the land by plowing and leveling to achieve uniform beds.
Depending on the land type:

• Create trenches about 90 cm wide and 15–30 cm deep

• Ensure good drainage to prevent water stagnation

🌦️ 4. Best Season for Planting

Pineapple grows well both in plains and at elevations below 900 m. It cannot tolerate frost or extreme heat.

• Flowering period: February–April

• Harvesting period: July–September

• Off-season harvest: September–December (in some areas)

🍀 5. Planting Material

Pineapple is propagated using suckers, slips, or crowns.

• Suckers and slips: Bear flowers after 12 months

• Crowns: Bear flowers after 19–20 months

• Tissue-cultured plants are also available for uniform and disease-free cultivation.

🌾 6. Plant Spacing & Density

For commercial cultivation, high-density planting ensures maximum yield.

Condition	Recommended Density	Spacing (cm)
Subtropical/mild humid	63,400 plants/ha	22.5 × 60 × 75
Hot & humid	53,300 plants/ha	25 × 60 × 90
Rainfed hilly areas	31,000 plants/ha	Variable

🌱 7. High-Density Planting Benefits

• Higher yields (70–105 tonnes/ha)

• Less weed growth

• Reduced sunburn damage

• Better plant stability (prevents lodging)

• Increased sucker and slip production

🌿 8. Planting Methods

Four main systems are used:

1. Flatbed

2. Furrow

3. Contour

4. Trench

In hilly or sloped areas, contour or terraced planting helps control soil erosion.

🔄 9. Intercultural Operations

• Earthing up: Strengthens plant anchorage and prevents lodging.

• Weeding: Regular removal ensures healthy growth.

• Mulching: Retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds.

In high-density systems, lodging is minimized as plants naturally support each other.

💧 10. Irrigation Management

Pineapple is mostly rain-fed, but supplementary irrigation is beneficial during dry spells.

• Frequency: Every 20–25 days during dry weather

• Benefit: Ensures uniform fruit size and enables off-season planting

🐛 11. Pest & Disease Management

Pineapple is relatively pest-resistant.
However, mealybugs and scale insects can occasionally cause problems.
Stem rot may occur due to poor drainage.

Preventive measures:

• Ensure good drainage

• Dip suckers in Bordeaux mixture before planting

🌾 12. Manure & Fertilizer Management

Pineapple has high nitrogen and potassium needs but shallow roots.

• Per plant: 12 g N, 12 g K₂O, and (if needed) 4 g P₂O₅

• Nitrogen: Apply in 6 split doses (from 2 to 12 months after planting)

• Potassium: Split into 2 doses

• Apply fertilizers when soil moisture is adequate (especially under rainfed conditions).

🍍 13. Harvesting & Yield

• Flowering: 12–15 months after planting

• Maturity: 15–18 months after planting

• Harvest window: May–August

• Ripening: ~5 months after flowering

To ensure uniform flowering, apply Ethrel (100 ppm) one month before expected bloom.

🧺 14. Post-Harvest & Ratooning

• For canning: Harvest when the base starts changing color

• For the fresh market: Wait until the fruits turn golden yellow

• Ratoon crops: Maintain for 3–4 years (yield declines with each cycle)

• Average yield: 50–80 tonnes/ha, depending on management practices

After about 5 years, replant the entire plot for sustained productivity.

💰 15. Marketing & Profitability

Pineapples enjoy strong domestic and international demand.
They are sold fresh or processed into:

• Canned slices & tidbits

• Pineapple juice & concentrate

• Dried fruit and jams

Value addition and export potential make pineapple farming a profitable agribusiness opportunity.

Freshly cut pineapple fruits

🌴 Final Thoughts

With proper climate, soil management, and high-density planting, pineapple farming can deliver exceptional yields and steady income. Whether you are a smallholder farmer or a commercial grower, pineapples offer a sustainable and rewarding cultivation venture.