1. Introduction to pineapple grown in Vietnam

Pineapple is a very common fruit in Vietnam, used directly or processed into smoothies, juices, or canned in the form of slices or pieces. This fruit is also a great ingredient for cooking. Pineapple has eye nods all over, yellow flesh, sweet and sour taste and high organic acid content. This fruit is considered a rich source of manganese, vitamins C & B1, and they add many good minerals to the body.

2. Pineapple varieties

There are three popular pineapple varieties being produced in Vietnam at present, namely: QUEEN, CAYENNE and MD2.

Pineapple QUEEN  is the most popular variety in Vietnam, grown from North to South, and suitable for the consumer tastes of the majority of Vietnamese people with outstanding characteristics of sweet, bright golden yellow color and very aromatic. The most recognizable feature of Queen pineapple is the tiny spine on the  edge edge of the leaf.

A Queen pineapple when ripe usually ranges from 0.3 - 2.0 kg. Bright and solid yellow. We should choose the fruit at 0.8-1.2kg. The fruit is most delicious when peel and stem are fresh, the eyes are open, the pineapple is ripe yellow ½ fruit from the stem.

CAYENNE pineapple is the second most popular pineapple variety in Vietnam, produced in Tam Diep (Ninh Binh), Quynh Luu (Nghe An), Dak Lak, Don Duong (Lam Dong) Quang Nam… Harvest time is short, mainly from June to August.

The biggest advantage of this type is that it doesn’r cause thrush when eating a lot, shallow eye nods and thin skin. However, not many Vietnamese consumers like this pineapple because it has a slightly sour taste when it is not fully ripe and is not as fragrant as Queen pineapple. Flesh color is light yellow. A Cayenne pineapple usually has a weight of 1 – 3 kg. We should choose 1-2 kg pineapple, balanced cylinder, and ripe yellow ½ fruit.

MD2 pineapple is a limited variety grown in Vietnam at present due to difficult and slow propagation. It is a selective cross between Queen pineapple and Cayenne pineapple, thus carrying most of the outstanding advantages of both parent varieties. It is sweet, aromatic, crispy and the flesh has a golden color. The fruit is large and has shallow eye nods. MD2 pineapple is one of the most popular fresh edible varieties in the world today.

MD2 pineapple is cylindrical fruit, dark green shoots; leaf margin without spines (like Cayenne). When ripe, the rind and flesh is bright yellow.

Local Wild Varieties

Apart from commercial types, several local or wild pineapple varieties are grown in smaller regions across Vietnam, such as the mountainous areas in the North and Central Highlands. These pineapples are typically smaller, more fibrous, and have a stronger, tangier flavor.

Though not widely available in supermarkets, they are often used in traditional dishes, soups, or fermented products due to their bold taste and natural enzymes.

Organic and Specialty Pineapples

With the global rise in health-conscious consumers, many Vietnamese farmers are shifting toward organic pineapple farming. These are usually grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, mainly in eco-agricultural areas such as Ben Tre and Long An.

Specialty pineapples, such as miniature pineapples or red-skinned varieties, are also being developed to cater to niche markets and gourmet food lovers.

>» See more: Canned Pineapple: A sweet, convenient taste of the tropics

3. Why Vietnam’s Pineapples Are Special

• Year-round availability: Due to diverse climate zones, pineapples can be harvested throughout the year.

• Ideal growing conditions: Volcanic soil and tropical climate help produce flavorful and juicy fruits.

• Export potential: Vietnam is steadily increasing its pineapple exports, particularly of MD2 and Queen varieties.

Conclusion

From the sweet and succulent Queen pineapples to the juicy and export-ready MD2, Vietnam offers a rich variety of pineapples that cater to both local tastes and global markets. As demand grows for tropical fruits worldwide, Vietnamese pineapples are well-positioned to shine on the international stage.

Whether you're a fruit lover, a buyer, or simply curious about tropical agriculture, exploring the different pineapple varieties grown in Vietnam offers a delicious insight into the country’s agricultural wealth.

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