For several years, demand for pineapples in Europe has been growing. This demand, driven by interest in the beneficial properties of a food considered a “superfood,” extends not only to the fresh fruit but also to processed products, such as juices and preserves, fostering a trend that could open up interesting prospects for Italian companies.
The world’s leading producer, with 2,930,661 tons of fruit harvested in 2022, Costa Rica is also the world’s leading exporter. Among the largest recipients of Costa Rican pineapples is Italy, which is the fourth largest market.
Italy plays an important role not only as a buyer. Italian companies are involved in both production in Costa Rica and exports to Europe. Among the key players is Orsero SpA, the largest exporter of fruit (primarily pineapples and bananas) and ornamental plants from the Central American country to Europe. The company controls the entire product transportation and distribution chain. The Orsero Group owns the Cosiarma shipping company, which specializes in the transportation of agricultural products on the Atlantic route. Its fleet transports approximately 100,000 tons of fruit from America to Spanish and Portuguese ports each year, which are then distributed throughout Europe. Globally, Orsero sells over 750,000 tons of fruit annually. Another significant company is Battaglio SpA, which has recently acquired a 500-hectare farm in the canton of San Carlos, one of the most renowned regions for pineapple production due to its soil and climate.
Alongside the larger companies, there are also small and medium-sized Italian companies, among which Nicofrutta stands out. Established in the 1980s in Verona as a small fresh fruit distributor, the family-run business grew rapidly, becoming one of Europe’s leading suppliers of quality fruit, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. With growing demand for tropical fruit, in 2017 Nicofrutta decided to expand its operations to Costa Rica, in the agricultural region of San Carlos, establishing Nicoverde SA. Continuing its commitment to sustainability, the Costa Rican branch – 100% owned by the parent company – produces and exports fruit and vegetables, especially pineapples, to Europe, following environmentally friendly farming practices and fostering strong ties with local communities.
The Costa Rican branch supports internationally certified organic farming and circular economy methods, which have earned it awards and recognition in both Costa Rica and Italy. At the social level, it actively supports host communities through decent work opportunities and training programs to enhance local skills.
Nicoverde’s experimental agricultural projects have also received technical and financial support from development cooperation agencies in Spain, Germany, and the European Union, further evidence of the quality of its entrepreneurial and social approach.
Nicoverde SA’s latest initiative is the inauguration of a bioactive compounds laboratory for the production and export of food supplements and natural cosmetics, whose active ingredients are derived from avocado, papaya, pineapple, turmeric, ginger, and other plant products. Current projects also include the production of beneficial fungi and bacteria for the control of pests and diseases in agricultural production, and the cultivation of mushrooms using only pineapple waste.
