Soil Preparation: Pineapples thrive in light soils with relatively low pH. Our farms are located in the fertile valleys of the Roxana de Guápiles and Villa Franca regions of Guápiles, Costa Rica.
Soil Preparation - Sub-Soiling: This process relieves compaction, promotes air and water movement, and mixes crop residue which improves aerobic microbial decomposition resulting in good quality humus formation. Crops growing on loose, well aerated soils will develop extensive root systems.
Soil Preparation - Sub-Soiling: Calcium is also added to the soil bed during this process.
Soil Preparation - Discing: Discing is then done in order to granulate the soil prior to forming the beds.
Soil Preparation - Primary Drainage: With Costa Rica's tropical climate and high amount of precipitation, extensive drainage is necessary to facilitate the rapid evacuation of excess water.
Soil Preparation - Primary Drainage
Soil Preparation - Primary Drainage
Soil Preparation - Primary Drainage
Soil Preparation - Bedding: Once the soil is ready, elevated beds are created to further protect the root systems from saturation and to create a favorable growing environment.
Soil Preparation - Bedding
Soil Preparation - Bedding
Soil Preparation - Bedding
Soil Preparation - Secondary Drainage: After the raised planting beds are prepared, surface drains are created to insure quick evacuation of rain from between the beds.
Planting - Seed Selection: Only the healthiest and strongest planting material is harvested and then it's separated by size and weight.
Planting - Seed Selection
Planting - Seed Harvest: Pineapple seed is harvested from the plants of the previous crop.
Planting - Seed Harvest: The newly harvested seed is graded by size before being transported to the field to be planted.
Planting - Seed Harvest
Seed Distribution: The harvested seed is transported as quickly as possible to the next fields. It's planted within 24 hours of harvest to insure highest potential for succesful fast root development and growth.
Seed Distribution
Seed Distribution
Seed Distribution
Planting: All planting is done by hand in evenly spaced and uniform rows. It's important that the plants develop at the same rate in order to receive equal amounts of nutrients and sun light and yield a uniform crop.
Planting
Planting
Planting
Planting
Planting
Recently Planted Fields: The cultivation process begins with continual foliar analysis of the plants to monitor composition and nutritional balance. The plants are also continually monitored for any signs of insects, blemishes and diseases.
Recently Planted Fields
Recently Planted Fields
Recently Planted Fields: Our plant mortality rate is extremely low due to all of the precautions taken during the planing process.
Cultivation Practices - Fertilization: All nutrients applications are topical or foliar and absorbed by the leaves and the new roots at the base of the developing leaves.
Cultivation Practices - Fertilization
Cultivation Practices - Erosion Control: With a strong company culture of sustainable farming practices, we go to great lengths to excercise good soil husbandry.
Cultivation Practices - Erosion Control
Cultivation Practices - Erosion Control
Plant Growth: These pineapple plants are 2 to 3 months old from date of planting.
Plant Growth
Plant Growth
Plant Growth
Plant Growth
Plant Growth: These pineapple plants are 3 to 4 months old from date of planting.
Plant Growth
Plant Growth: These pineapple plants are 4 to 5 months old from date of planting.
Plant Growth
Plant Growth: These pineapple plants are 5 to 6 months old from date of planting.
Plant Growth: These pineapple plants are 7 months old from date of planting.
Plant Growth: These pineapple plants are 7 to 8 months old from date of planting. They are ready to induce flowering.
Fruit Initiation: These are recently induced pineapple plants.
Fruit Initiation: This is how the plant looks 6 to 7 weeks after induction.
Fruit Initiation: 11 to 12 weeks after induction.
Fruit Initiation: 14 weeks after induction.
Fruit Initiation: 16 weeks after induction.
Fruit Initiation: 19 to 20 weeks after induction.
Fruit Initiation: 20 weeks after induction.
Fruit Initiation: 20 weeks after fruit initiation. Sampling of internal condition (brix & color) is undertaken weekly. This may also be started a few weeks earlier depending on time of year and weather conditions.
Fruit Initiation: 21 weeks after induction and ready to be harvested.
Fruit Harvest: The majority of our pineapple is harvested manually. While this is a slower process, it guarantees a superior product by eliminating potential for bruising and other mechanical damage.
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest: Extra precaution is taken to ensure that any possibility of damage during transport is minimized.
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Harvest
Fruit Logistics: The fruit is transported from the field to the packing station in bins.
Fruit Logistics: For control purposes, each bin is numbered.
Fruit Logistics: The driver brings a field report for each bin to the packing station to indicate precisely where the fruit was harvested.
Fruit Logistics: The entire bin is submerged in water to clean the fruit.
Fruit Logistics: The information recorded by the fruit receiver is the basis of the traceability code that is stamped on each box.
Fruit Logistics: Traceability codes are recorded and archived for every farm section.
Fruit Logistics: In addition to the library of field activities, there is also an excellent digital record of all the pineapples that are harvested and packed in the centralized packing station.
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging: We utilize state of the art equipment in our packing facilities in order to maximize efficiency and quality.
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging: The pineapples are simultaneously graded for quality and size and packed accordingly.
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging: Once packed, the pineapples are individually tagged.
Packing Operation - Boxing & Tagging
Packing Operation - Checking Weight: Each box is then weighed and checked again to make sure that proper weight is achieved.
Packing Operation - Palletizing: The boxes are then palletized and secured for cooling and shipping.
Packing Operation - Palletizing
Packing Operation - Quality Check & Shipping Preparation: Pineapples from each pallet are randomly tested for quality and sugar content one more time.
Packing Operation - Quality Check & Shipping Preparation: The pallets are then organized and labeled with full traceability codes prior to shipping.
Packing Operation - Pre-Cooling: The pineapples are pre-cooled in giant refrigeration units to a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Container Logistics: Our fruit goes to many different clients in many countries and it is necessary to use almost all the shipping companies that call in Costa Rica. When the fruit has been allocated to each client, the logistics department goes to work.
Container Logistics: When the containers arrive the generators are checked and set.
Container Logistics: It is important to insure that the temperature and ventilation are regulated accurately.
Container Logistics: Once the containers have been checked externally they are moved to the packing station.
Container Logistics: The container is then inspected internally to insure they have been cleaned and fumigated for hitch-hiking insects.
Container Logistics: Prior to loading fruit, the pulp temperature is taken.
Container Logistics: The temperature is recorded on a Quality Control inspection sheet for each pallet.
Container Logistics: Once loaded, a coded seal is placed on the door of the container. This seal must remain unbroken until the container reaches its final destination.
