Pineapple Season

Pineapples in Australia are available year-round, but there are usually two distinct peak windows. The spring season runs from September to November, and the autumn season from March to May. The lowest supply is through winter. Both peaks are a knock-on effect of how the plant is grown, explained in the cultivation section below.

Pineapples are in season across spring and autumn in Australia, with peak supply from September to May.

Pineapples prefer well-drained sandy soils and consistent warmth. A typical crop takes 18 to 24 months to reach maturity, with each plant producing one fruit at a time. Most Australian farms then run a ratoon crop. After the main fruit is harvested the plant is left to produce a second fruit over another 12 to 15 months. That second-fruit cycle is what produces the two seasonal peaks each year. Once the ratoon fruit is harvested the plants are mulched and the cycle starts again.

Pineapples are native to South America and were first encountered by Spanish explorers in the late 15th century, who introduced them to Europe. Queensland dominates Australia's pineapple production, typically accounting for 99% of the national commercial harvest, with South East Queensland and North Queensland the main growing areas and a small Northern Territory harvest in December.

Smooth Cayenne has traditionally been Australia's main commercial variety. Queensland Gold (also known as MD2) has gained ground in recent years for its consistent sweetness and lower acidity, and is increasingly the variety you'll find in supermarkets. Extreme weather events, including Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and drought in 2018, combined to push pineapple prices up by roughly 15 to 20%.