With International Pineapple Day fast approaching on June 27, the sweet, juicy and iconic fruit is having a moment.
Del Monte Corporation, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors and marketers of fresh and shelf-stable produce and the inventor of the best-selling Del Monte Gold® pineapple, is honoring the fan-favorite fruit and the people behind its production by giving fans valuable insights into the pineapple and its cultural significance.
As summer heats up, pineapple continues to be
the defining flavor of relaxation and getaway moments, appearing more frequently in drinks, dishes and global menus. Its tropical taste offers a bright, refreshing profile, and consumers are increasingly reaching for it to bring a sense of escape to everyday life. Globally, pineapple production has grown by nearly 43 percent, from around 21 million metric tons to nearly 30 million metric tons—an expansion driven by improved practices across framing, trade infrastructure and global logistics.
1 Consumers are also consuming more pineapples today, with an average of 8.5 consumed per person per year in the U.S. compared to the 1970s when it was only 0.7 pounds.
2
For a fruit so beloved, there is still a surprising amount of information about this tropical delight that most people don’t know. Del Monte Corporation offers the following fun facts:
- Pineapples are not a single fruit; they are made up of about 100-200 small berries that fuse together as they develop in a process known as coalescence.
- The scientific name for pineapple, Ananas Comosus, means “excellent fruit.”
- The largest producer of pineapples in the world is Costa Rica, generating about 3.2 million tons annually.
- In 17th and 18th century England, pineapples were so rare and expensive that wealthy people would rent them for parties simply as table decorations.
- That tingle you feel in your mouth after eating pineapple comes from bromelain, a natural enzyme complex found in pineapple that helps break down protein. It also aids in digestion, reduces inflammation and acts as a natural meat tenderizer.
- Pineapple was not very popular until the launch of the groundbreaking Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet pineapple in 1996. This noticeably sweeter variety revolutionized the market and helped turn pineapple into a household staple.
Danny Dumas, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Management, Del Monte Corporation, North America, reminds pineapple lovers that behind every single fruit there’s a farmer, field worker, logistics team and buyer that work together to bring a perfectly ripe pineapple from a farm in Costa Rica, Kenya or the Philippines to your kitchen table.
As demand continues to surge, growers have diversified where pineapples are grown, adapting to various geographical regions for production, like Del Monte Corporation’s long-standing pineapple operation in Kenya. Growers have also achieved consistent quality among pineapples at scale, investing in post-harvest handling and cold chain infrastructure that transformed pineapples from a seasonal indulgence into a year-round category that consumers can rely on wherever, whenever.
“What excites me most is where innovation is taking this fruit,” adds Dumas. “Demand for fresh-cut pineapple is increasing because consumers want convenience without compromise, but they’re also seeking flavor varieties that excite an array of senses, not just their palates.”
With offerings like the pink-fleshed Pinkglow® pineapple, the ultra-sweet Honeyglow® pineapple, the luxurious Rubyglow® pineapple and convenient refrigerated pineapple spears, Del Monte Corporation is leading the way in pineapple innovation and reimagining what this exotic delicacy can become.
In recognition of International Pineapple Day, Del Monte Corporation acknowledges the growers, logistics teams and retail partners who make that innovation possible—growing the fruit that gives people joy, connects communities across the globe and reflects the best of what agriculture can achieve.
About Del Monte Corporation
Del Monte Corporation is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors and marketers of fresh and shelf-stable food products, with products sold in more than 90 countries worldwide. As the global owner of the Del Monte® brand, subject to certain existing licensing arrangements, the company operates across fresh produce, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, refrigerated foods and shelf-stable categories, serving consumers around the world with a portfolio built on quality, innovation and trust.
Formerly Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., the company changed its corporate name to Del Monte Corporation in June 2026, reflecting its expanded role as steward of one of the world’s most recognized food brands and its commitment to unlocking new opportunities for growth, innovation and global brand expansion.
The Del Monte® brand has been a symbol of quality, freshness and reliability for more than 135 years. Del Monte Corporation is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. The company is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative and has been recognized as one of America’s Most Trusted Companies by Newsweek and named a Humankind 100 Company by Humankind Investments.
Del Monte Corporation is currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FDP and will begin trading under the symbol DMC on June 29, 2026.
