Consumption of fresh-market pineapples has trended upward since 1970. Pineapples can be planted all year round in Hawaii, although most plantings occur in the fall. They are generally grown as a monoculture crop because of the high capital investment in processing machinery, field equipment, and land. They are produced through vegetative means using various plant parts of a parent plant. Propagating materials come in the form of slips, suckers, crown, or hapas.
Drip irrigation is a standard practice in Hawaii.
It helps alleviate the effects of root damage caused by nematodes and reduces moisture stress since water is delivered directly to the root zone. Pineapple growers are often confronted with plant and fruit losses caused primarily by diseases, insects, and other pests. Weather perils are not much of a problem to production, but in some cases, excessive rains, excessive heat, and prolonged drought could result in losses. Frost and hail occur rarely. Pineapples are fairly tolerant of high winds.