This process illustrates the stages and apparatus involved in the production and transportation of pineapples for consumption.
In general, this process includes both natural and man-made factors, starting with a natural growth process that consists of four stages, from planting to fruit ripening, and ending with the preparation, sorting based on size, and producing three different types of products, including juice, canned pineapples, and whole fruit for export.
The natural process begins in tropical climates, where temperatures range from 23°C to 30°C. During this stage, the pineapples are planted with a crown, and after seven months, ethylene is sprayed on the plant to help the fruit reach its maximum size for the next five months. Pineapples are harvested at different heights; at this stage, the size of the pineapples will range from 26 cm to 30 cm (2 kg).
In terms of the production process, pineapples are required to undergo a thorough cleaning step and are classified into three different groups depending on size. The smaller ones have just undergone the process of removing the tops and peeling. The small pineapples will then proceed to production through a juice extractor to make juice cans, while other small pineapples are sliced and prepared for canning. Meanwhile, pineapples that reach a full length of 30 cm will undergo a simpler wax coating process, then packed into barrels and finally exported by shipping to foreign countries.