The future of one of the most lucrative and controversial crops in Costa Rica is being discussed by major business and agricultural players at the Cariari Double Tree by Hilton near San Jose. The International Pineapple Organization (IPO) Global Pineapple Conference is the world’s most important trade meeting on Ananas comosus, a fruit that has resulted in major profits for farmers in Costa Rica while at the same time taking a major toll on sustainable soil practices.

Here’s the official press release by the IPO on this conference:

Major Stakeholders met in San Jose Costa Rica for the International Pineapple Organization (IPO) Global Pineapple Conference (Costa Rica) held at the Famous Cariari Double Tree By Hilton.

One of the highlights of the event was a presentation By Pineapple Industry Legend Erich Hinrichs, who made a special presentation based upon a book that was published in 1996 called “Änanas, Fruit of Kings”.

Mr. Hinrichs was awarded the IPO Friend of the Pineapple Industry by Executive Director Will Cavan for Mr. Hinrichs amazing career in the Produce Industry which includes among other accolades, having been Director for Sales for the DOLE Empire.

The presentation was made to a gathering of Pineapple Industry Leaders & Legends from the entire Pineapple Industry Supply Chain that included such industry produce industry powerhouses such as Univeg, Compagnie Fruitiere,Kelly Brothers and Fresh Cut Giant Ready Pac which was represented by Oscar Delgado from the Marketing side.

As well as major USA Ports such as Gulfport, Mississippi which was represented by CEO Jonathan Daniels, Port Everglades which was represented by Robert Barcelo, and Port Miami which was represented by Sebastian Yavar.

The Production side was represented by Costa Rica industry Giant Transunion which was represented by Sergio Vargas, DOLE’s former head of Pineapple in Costa Rica. Transunion farms 1,000 hectares of Pineapple.

Industry newcomer Bengala Agricola from Colombia with a 500 hectare pilot program was headed by Dr. Belisario Caicedo, Gustavo Barona, Francois Cavard and Julian Martinez who will be hosting the next IPO Global Pineapple Conference in Cali, Colombia in March 18-20, 2015.

The International Pineapple Organization (IPO) is a Market Driven Organization (MDO) that exists to bring together the

greatest minds from the Pineapple Industry in all it’s forms under one roof on a regular basis throughout the calendar year.

The International Pineapple Organization (IPO) provides a forum for the representatives of Pineapple Producing countries and their counterparts in the various International Markets, Government Bodies, and Scientific Community, to meet on a regular basis and work together in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the Supply & Demand Equation (Market equilibrium).

Founded in 2012, The International Pineapple Organization (IPO) is the sister organization of the International Mango Organization (IMO) founded in 2000 by Executive Director Will Cavan. In 2014 the IPO & IMO is pleased to have Arne Rotne join the organizations as the Executive Vice President / Director Business Development. Together they lead a team of professionals to manage the organizations.