Posted at 1:11 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Del Monte pineapple production to end on O'ahu by 2008
Advertiser Staff
Del Monte Fresh Produce will plant its last pineapple at the Kunia plantation this month and close the central O'ahu operation in 2008, officials said in a local company statement released today.The statement said that the growth of less expensive pineapple production in other parts of the world means pineapple growing in Hawai'i is no longer economically feasible for the company.
"It would be cheaper for Del Monte to buy pineapples on the open market than for the company to grow, market and distribute Hawaiian pineapple," the statement said.
Also factoring into the decision, according to the statement, was that Del Monte has not been successful in obtaining a long-term extension of its current land lease agreement, which expires in December 2008.
Planting will cease Feb. 19, but the current crop cycle will produce fruit through mid-2008 as pineapple has a crop cycle of about three years.
Del Monte officials said the company will work with employees, tenants and union representatives in an effort to ease their transition toward other employment opportunities.
