Vietnam Pineapple Export: Fresh and Frozen Options

Vietnam is an established pineapple-producing country with production concentrated in both northern and southern regions. The country has around 52,000 hectares of pineapple cultivation, with annual output of approximately 860,000 tons. Vietnamese pineapples are exported to more than 100 countries and territories, creating opportunities for both fresh fruit and processed products.

For international buyers, Vietnam can offer two main sourcing options: fresh pineapple for retail and foodservice, and frozen pineapple for food manufacturing, beverages, desserts and industrial processing.

1. Main Pineapple-Growing Regions in Vietnam

Important pineapple-producing areas include:

• Tien Giang
• Kien Giang
• Long An
• Dong Thap
• Ben Tre
• Hau Giang
• Thanh Hoa
• Nghe An
• Ninh Binh
• Lam Dong

The Mekong Delta is particularly important for commercial pineapple production. Tan Phuoc District in Tien Giang is one of Vietnam’s major specialized pineapple-growing areas.

Northern provinces such as Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh also contribute to national production, helping Vietnam maintain supply across different growing regions.

2. Main Vietnamese Pineapple Varieties

MD2 Pineapple

MD2 is one of the most relevant varieties for the international fresh-fruit market.

Typical characteristics include:

• Golden-yellow flesh
• Sweet flavor
• Mild acidity
• Low fiber
• Strong aroma
• Good appearance
• Relatively good transportability
• Suitable for fresh consumption and processing

Vietnamese suppliers currently offer MD2 for fresh export, with commercial fruit commonly around 1–2.2 kg per fruit and Brix specifications above approximately 11.5%, depending on supplier and crop.

Queen Pineapple

Queen, sometimes called Victoria or Queen pineapple, is widely cultivated in Vietnam.

Characteristics include:

• Smaller fruit
• Bright yellow flesh
• Strong aroma
• Sweet flavor
• Crisp texture
• Suitable for fresh consumption
• Suitable for juice and processing

Queen pineapple is particularly associated with Mekong Delta production and is also used in frozen and processed products.

Cayenne / Smooth Cayenne

Cayenne, also known as Smooth Cayenne, is an important processing variety.

It can be used for:

• Juice
• Puree
• Concentrate
• Canned pineapple
• Frozen pineapple
• Industrial ingredients

Vietnam has historically cultivated Smooth Cayenne for processing, while newer export supply chains also include MD2 and Queen varieties.

3. Vietnam Pineapple Supply Season

Pineapple has an important advantage compared with some other tropical fruits: production can be available throughout much of the year.

However, the main commercial harvest period varies by region and production system.

Many Vietnamese exporters currently identify March to July or March to August as the main season, while some production areas use off-season cultivation to extend availability.

A general commercial guide is:

For buyers requiring year-round supply, exporters can combine fruit from different production areas and harvest cycles.

4. Fresh Vietnamese Pineapple

Fresh pineapple is suitable for:

• Supermarkets
• Wholesale fruit distributors
• Asian grocery chains
• Foodservice
• Hotels and restaurants
• Juice companies
• Fresh-cut fruit processors

Export specifications can be customized according to:

• Variety
• Fruit weight
• Size
• Brix
• Color
• Maturity
• Crown or crownless
• Defect tolerance
• Packaging
• Destination

For example, a current Vietnamese commercial specification for fresh MD2 lists 6–10 fruits per carton, approximately 1–2.2 kg per fruit, with around 12 kg net per carton and Brix above 11.5%.

5. Fresh Pineapple Packaging

Fresh pineapple can be packed according to buyer requirements.

Common options include:

• Corrugated cartons
• 6–10 fruits/carton
• Approximately 10–12 kg/carton
• Crowned pineapple
• Crownless pineapple
• Individual protection where required
• Palletized export cartons

The final packaging should be determined according to:

1. Fruit size
2. Destination
3. Shipping method
4. Retail requirements
5. Buyer specifications
6. Expected transit time

For supermarket programs, buyers may also require customized labels, barcodes, carton markings and traceability information.

6. Fresh Pineapple Shelf Life

Pineapple is a non-climacteric fruit, meaning it does not continue to ripen significantly after harvest. Harvest maturity is therefore important when preparing fruit for export.

Shelf life depends on:

• Variety
• Harvest maturity
• Temperature
• Relative humidity
• Handling
• Packaging
• Post-harvest treatment
• Transit time

For long-distance shipments, exporters should select fruit at an appropriate maturity stage so that it reaches the buyer with the required color, firmness and eating quality.

7. Frozen Pineapple

Frozen pineapple is one of Vietnam’s strongest opportunities for international buyers.

Vietnamese processors offer products such as:

• IQF pineapple chunks
• Diced pineapple
• Pineapple tidbits
• Pineapple rings
• Pineapple slices
• Pineapple sticks
• Pineapple puree
• Pineapple pulp
• Pineapple juice concentrate

IQF technology rapidly freezes individual pieces, helping preserve the fruit’s color, flavor and texture.

Frozen pineapple can be supplied to:

• Beverage manufacturers
• Smoothie companies
• Bakeries
• Dessert manufacturers
• Ice cream producers
• Foodservice distributors
• Retail frozen-food companies
• Food ingredient importers

8. Frozen Pineapple Specifications

Vietnamese processors can offer different cutting formats depending on the buyer’s application.

Common formats include:

Some Vietnamese suppliers offer IQF pineapple at -18°C storage, with commercial shelf life of approximately 24 months from production, depending on the product and processing specification.

9. Frozen Pineapple Packaging

Common frozen export packaging includes:

• PE bags
• Cartons
• Bulk packaging
• 10 kg bags/cartons
• 1 kg–10 kg retail or foodservice packs
• Customized packaging

For example, one Vietnamese supplier lists 10 kg per bag for IQF pineapple, while other suppliers offer customized packaging according to customer requirements.

Frozen products should normally be maintained at -18°C or below throughout storage and transportation.

10. Frozen Pineapple Shelf Life

IQF pineapple can have a significantly longer commercial shelf life than fresh pineapple.

Vietnamese suppliers commonly specify:

Storage: -18°C or below
Shelf life: up to approximately 24 months

The exact shelf life should always be confirmed using the manufacturer’s specification and product’s processing date.

This long shelf life makes frozen pineapple particularly attractive for buyers who need:

• Year-round supply
• Large-volume purchasing
• Stable raw material costs
• Long-distance shipping
• Industrial food ingredients

11. Fresh vs. Frozen Vietnamese Pineapple

For buyers importing large quantities over long distances, frozen pineapple can provide greater flexibility because the product does not have to reach the destination within the short commercial window of fresh fruit.

12. Vietnam Pineapple Export Markets

Vietnamese pineapple already reaches a wide range of international markets.

Potential markets include:

Europe

The EU has been an important destination for Vietnamese pineapple exports. In the first five months of 2025, the EU accounted for approximately 48% of Vietnam’s pineapple export value, according to figures reported by VietnamNet.

Potential customers include:

• Fruit importers
• Supermarket distributors
• Juice manufacturers
• Frozen-food distributors
• Food ingredient companies

United States

The United States is another important market, particularly for frozen and processed pineapple.

Potential customers include:

• Food manufacturers
• Beverage companies
• Frozen-food distributors
• Asian supermarkets
• Restaurant suppliers

Japan and South Korea

These markets have strong demand for processed and frozen fruit and generally place high importance on:

• Food safety
• Traceability
• Consistent specifications
• Stable quality

China

China is geographically close to Vietnam and has very large fruit consumption. Pineapple has potential in both fresh and processed forms, particularly when Vietnamese suppliers can offer competitive pricing and consistent supply.

Middle East

Potential markets include:

• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Oman

Frozen pineapple, juice ingredients and canned pineapple can be particularly attractive because of their longer shelf life.

13. Why Vietnamese Pineapple Has Export Potential

Vietnam has several advantages:

Large production base
Vietnam produces approximately 860,000 tons of pineapple annually.

Multiple varieties
Buyers can source MD2, Queen and Cayenne according to application.

Fresh and frozen options
Exporters can serve both retail buyers and industrial food manufacturers.

Established processing industry
Vietnam has processing facilities capable of producing IQF pineapple, puree, juice concentrate and canned products.

Wide international market presence
Vietnamese pineapples are already exported to more than 100 countries and territories.

Growing processed-food demand
Vietnam’s processed fruit and vegetable exports exceeded US$2 billion in 2025, while pineapple products were reported at around US$360 million, showing strong momentum for processed pineapple.

14. What International Buyers Should Specify

When requesting a quotation for Vietnamese pineapple, buyers should provide:

1. Fresh or frozen
2. Variety
3. Quantity
4. Fruit size
5. Brix requirement
6. Maturity
7. Crown/crownless requirement
8. Cutting style for frozen products
9. Packaging
10. Monthly requirement
11. Destination country
12. Preferred port
13. Incoterm
14. Required delivery schedule
15. Food-safety or certification requirements

For frozen pineapple, buyers should additionally specify the cut size, freezing method, storage temperature, packaging size and required shelf life.

15. Buying Vietnamese Pineapple

ELOVA can supply Vietnamese pineapple in both fresh and frozen formats, depending on the buyer’s market and application.

Fresh Pineapple

• MD2
• Queen
• Customized sizes
• Crown or crownless
• Export cartons

Frozen Pineapple

• IQF chunks
• Dice
• Tidbits
• Rings
• Slices
• Sticks
• Puree
• Pulp

Specifications, availability, packaging and pricing should be confirmed for each shipment according to the destination market and required volume.

Contact ELOVA

ELOVA – Vietnamese Fruit Exporter

We supply Vietnamese fresh, frozen and processed fruits to international buyers and can discuss suitable pineapple products according to your market and specifications.

Website: export.elova.com.vn
Email: jason.cao@elova.com.vn
WhatsApp: +84 867 569 168

Contact us for Vietnam pineapple varieties, fresh and frozen specifications, packaging, quotation and export availability.