Luxury pineapple to be available in Europe early next year
A luxury pineapple that took more than 15 years to develop and costs nearly $400 will be available in Europe in early 2025.
Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow pineapple, which debuted in China in January and entered the U.S. market in May, is a red-shelled pineapple with red outer skin, bright yellow flesh and a sweet flavor. The pineapple sells for $395.99 at Melissa’s Produce, a California-based seller of specialty fruit and vegetables — though it is currently out of stock, according to Melissa’s Produce’s website.
A waitlist is now available in various European countries, according to a news release from Fresh Del Monte. Those already on the waitlist will be contacted once the product becomes available, with the first deliveries anticipated early next year.
“This Del Monte exclusive pineapple further cements our global leadership position in the pineapple market,” Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, chair and CEO of Fresh Del Monte, said in the release. “Our scientists continue to elevate the bar by creating new pineapple varieties, with varied tastes and colors, that cater to more and more consumers worldwide.”
Grown in Costa Rica, the Rubyglow has been in development for more than 15 years and has a registered plant patent in the U.S. A cross between a traditional pineapple and a Morada pineapple, which is typically inedible, the Rubyglow is a hybrid fruit produced through traditional crossbreeding techniques, according to Fresh Del Monte.
It takes two years to grow each Rubyglow pineapple. The fruit is then naturally ripened on the plant and sold crownless in elegant packaging.
