A European consumer shift towards fruits that are easy to peel has presented challenges for Costa Rica's pineapple growers, website Nacion.com reported.

National Foreign Trade Promotion (Procomer) director of business intelligence Francisco Gamboa, said the structural trend was 'here to stay', following a study of the European food market conducted in April.

"The research found that fruits that are easy to peel are a part of various European consumers' preferences," Gamboa was quoted as saying.

The fruit concerned included cherries, nectarines and melons, the story reported.

Procomer data shows the country exported US$757 million worth of fruit to Europe in 2010, with pineapples and bananas representing 90% of shipments and the remainder including melons and watermelons.

National Chamber of Pineapple Growers and Exporters (Canpaep) executive director Rebeca Sequeira, said the industry was exporting in ways that made the fruit easier to consume.

"Companies are exporting pineapple that has been through a process of industrialization, which could be in pieces, canned or dehydrated," Sequeira was quoted as saying.

Photo: EUVS

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