June 27 marks International Pineapple Day, and for Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., the occasion is about far more than a celebration of a juicy, tropical fruit. It’s a tribute to a decades-long journey that has reshaped global perceptions of the pineapple—from a canned kitchen afterthought to a symbol of vibrant culinary creativity, wellness, sustainability, and hospitality.
What once languished as a rarely purchased shelf-stable item has now emerged as a pop-culture and food-world phenomenon. Pineapples are found everywhere—from grilled summer dishes and tropical cocktails to smoothie bowls and charcuterie boards. They’ve conquered grocery stores, Instagram feeds, and even home décor, becoming as visually enticing as they are flavorful.
But this transformation didn’t happen overnight—nor did it occur by accident.
Pioneering the Pineapple Renaissance
Back in the 1970s, the average American consumed less than one pound of pineapple per year. Fast forward to today, and that number has soared to over 8.3 pounds per person annually, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s an eightfold increase in just a few decades—a powerful indicator of changing tastes, globalized palates, and the impact of visionary food innovation.
At the heart of this evolution is Fresh Del Monte, a global leader in vertically integrated fruit and vegetable production. The company helped rewrite the narrative around pineapple with a groundbreaking move in 1996: the introduction of its Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet pineapple. This was no ordinary fruit. With higher sugar content, golden flesh, and a consistently sweet profile, it was unlike any other pineapple on the market at the time. It marked a turning point in how consumers related to and purchased pineapples, paving the way for demand that has only grown since.
“Our work has always been rooted in anticipating consumer needs—even before they’re articulated,” says Danny Dumas, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Management, North America at Fresh Del Monte. “When we launched Del Monte Gold®, we weren’t just selling a pineapple—we were introducing a new experience. And that philosophy has guided every innovation since.”
Meeting Global Demand with Innovation and Sustainability
Today, Fresh Del Monte continues to push the boundaries of what pineapple can be. As global demand consistently outpaces supply in key markets, the company is ramping up efforts not only in production, but in innovation, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency.
Pineapples are a challenging crop. Each plant takes about 18 months to mature and yields only one or two fruits in its lifetime. They grow not on trees—as commonly believed—but low to the ground, sprouting from a spiky-leafed plant and requiring very specific tropical conditions to reach peak flavor and texture. These constraints make growing high-quality pineapples as much a science as it is an agricultural art.
Fresh Del Monte’s agricultural and research teams have used this complexity to their advantage, leveraging decades of breeding expertise and consumer insight to develop new varieties that are as striking in appearance as they are delicious.
A Portfolio of Pineapple Innovations
Among the company’s most headline-making offerings are:
- Pinkglow® Pineapple: The world’s first commercially available pink-fleshed pineapple. This fruit boasts a unique, blush-colored interior and a cotton-candy-sweet flavor profile. Designed to appeal to the social media-savvy consumer, Pinkglow® quickly became a favorite for foodies, influencers, and home chefs alike.
- Rubyglow® Pineapple: Over 15 years in development, this visually stunning red-skinned pineapple is a hybrid marvel available only in select markets. With its deep red exterior and luxury positioning, Rubyglow® has been marketed as a collector’s fruit—so beautiful it’s almost too exquisite to slice.
- Honeyglow® Pineapple: A premium, golden-fleshed variety that’s noted for its smooth, intense sweetness and ideal texture. Designed for snacking, gifting, or gourmet culinary applications, Honeyglow® offers both versatility and elevated flavor.
- Del Monte Zero® Pineapple: This isn’t just a fruit—it’s a statement in sustainability. Produced with carbon-neutral practices, the Del Monte Zero® represents the company’s broader environmental commitments. From soil health and regenerative agriculture to energy use and shipping, every aspect of this pineapple’s production is tracked and minimized for environmental impact.
Controlling the Entire Pineapple Journey
What sets Fresh Del Monte apart is its vertically integrated model. From breeding and cultivating to harvesting, packing, shipping, and retailer partnerships, the company manages the full lifecycle of its pineapples. This allows Fresh Del Monte to maintain consistent quality while also being highly responsive to consumer trends, climate variables, and food supply challenges.
This structure has also allowed for rapid innovation cycles. By directly connecting its R&D teams with retail insights and market trends, Fresh Del Monte is able to ideate, test, and launch new pineapple varieties in response to changing demands—whether that’s for flavor, sustainability, visual appeal, or all three.
A Celebration of Pineapple and Purpose
On International Pineapple Day 2025, Fresh Del Monte is doing more than celebrating a fruit—it’s spotlighting the science, creativity, and care behind every pineapple it produces. The company is encouraging fans around the world to savor the fruit that has come to symbolize joy, hospitality, and tropical indulgence.
Whether served fresh on a platter, seared on the grill, blended into a refreshing smoothie, or featured in fine dining recipes, pineapple is having a moment—and Fresh Del Monte is driving that moment forward.
A Legacy Rooted in Responsibility
Beyond flavor and innovation, the company has long been a leader in sustainable agriculture and corporate responsibility. Fresh Del Monte was the first global fruit and vegetable marketer to join the Science Based Targets initiative, signaling its commitment to measurable climate action. Over the past five years, the company has received four SEAL Business Sustainability Awards, reflecting its leadership in emissions tracking, waste reduction, and regenerative farming practices.
These efforts are more than just add-ons—they’re integrated into how the company grows, packages, and delivers products like the Del Monte Zero® pineapple. From reducing pesticide usage to investing in community development in farming regions, Fresh Del Monte is demonstrating that the future of fruit must be as responsible as it is delicious.
A Slice Worth Celebrating
This June 27, Fresh Del Monte invites people everywhere to celebrate pineapple not only as a fruit, but as a symbol of innovation, sustainability, and global unity. Whether you’re enjoying a slice at a backyard barbecue, in a tropical drink, or featured in your favorite dessert, know that behind that sweetness lies a powerful story—one of transformation, science, and global impact.
So go ahead: raise a slice, snap a photo, and toast to the pineapple—a fruit that continues to reinvent itself, and in doing so, reminds us that even the most familiar things can be extraordinary.
