A summer harvest, all year long.
Australian pineapples are the epitome of tropical sweetness, offering the unmistakable taste of summer no matter the time of year. Grown with precision, pride and patience across the sun-soaked fields of Queensland, they bring a burst of sunshine with every bite.
the golden bunch
With a proud horticultural heritage that spans multiple generations, our growers are committed and passionate in supporting and preserving their industry by delivering fresh, consistent, juicy and sweet Aussie pineapples all year long.
Queensland is renowned for producing some of the finest pineapples in the world. From the iconic heartland of the Sunshine Coast to the tropical Far North, Queensland’s warm climate and nutrient-rich soil creates ideal conditions for growing delicious pineapples that are bursting with natural sweetness.
For more than 150 years, Queensland’s celebrated pineapple-growing regions have produced pineapples that are loved by Aussies from coast-to-coast.
When you buy and bite into a pineapple, you’re not just enjoying a piece of tropical goodness – you're supporting hardworking Queensland growers and their workers, families, local communities and the vast supply chain they proudly represent.
The tipping point: How do pineapples grow?
Pineapples take up to two years to grow before they are ready for harvesting.
Pineapples are a truly fascinating fruit – they’re a multiple fruit, meaning they grow from a cluster of up to 150 fertilised flowers that fuse together to form the golden fruit we know and love.
Many don’t realise that a pineapple is part of the well-known Bromeliad family and it takes up to two years for a pineapple to be ready for harvesting.
As with anything golden and special, the process can’t be rushed and takes patience. Once a pineapple is cut from its parent plant, another fruit begins to develop, called the ratoon crop. After this second harvest, the plants are typically mulched back into the soil, and the cycle starts again using the tops from previously harvested fruit or slips that form on the original plants. This is why you might occasionally find pineapples in stores without their crowns.
New fruit can grow from these crowns or from the suckers of the plant, but not from seeds. A fully grown pineapple plant can reach anywhere between 60 and 120 centimetres in height, making it an impressive feature of Queensland’s horticultural landscape.
Smooth operators: pineapples varieties
Multiple pineapple varieties are grown throughout Queensland. Growers choose to grow a mix of varieties to ensure high quality, year round supply for shoppers.
Smooth Cayenne is the traditional canning variety grown by many producers. This variety is easily processed and every time you buy pineapple in a Golden Circle can, you are eating a Smooth Cayenne pineapple. ‘Smooths’ as growers call them, are also sold as fresh fruit and are excellent eating quality in the warmer months. ‘Smooths’ can be found in stores all across Australia with their tops or crowns still attached.
More recently industry has developed several newer varieties. These are designed to be very sweet and have low acidity. They are excellent to eat in the cooler months and can be found in stores across Australia without their tops or crowns attached.
history of pineapples
Across the world, Queensland is celebrated and respected as Australia’s premier pineapple-growing region, thanks to its warm climate and nutrient-rich soil, which offer the perfect conditions for growing sweet and golden pineapples.
It appears, that the first pineapple farms in Australia sprung up in New South Wales, but when farms in Zillmere and Wavell Heights, in Brisbane, were established in the mid-1860s, Queensland pineapples quickly became the nation’s choice.
Pineapples have since been a pivotal part of Queensland’s strong horticultural landscape for more than 150 years, with multiple generations of growers perfecting their craft.
From Mareeba to Yeppoon and all the way down to Sunshine Coast, Queensland’s pineapple-growing regions deliver fruit that’s bursting with natural sweetness and tropical flavour. Their hard work, and passion for ongoing research and development, means Australians can enjoy the taste of summer all year around with confidence.
Biting into an Australian pineapple means you’re supporting local growers, their families, regional communities, and our country’s proud horticultural heritage – and it also transports you to that sweet taste of summer, all year long.
