Del Monte Fresh Produce raises the bar with one-of-one pineapple portfolio

Varietal innovation is a key trend in 2026, and Del Monte Fresh Produce is doubling down on its pineapple offer. With specialty cultivars now well past novelty status, sustained retail performance is shaping the company’s future strategy.

Senior Director of Marketing Ivan Brown tells FreshFruitPortal.com that the marketer and distributor is engaging in “several authentic and strategic partnerships” to further visibility around each of its proprietary pineapple varieties.

“From a performance standpoint, Pinkglow, Rubyglow, and Precious Mini Honeyglow have delivered consistent sell-through, high consumer engagement, and repeat purchase,” Brown says. “Ultimately, that sustained demand translates into incremental category growth and stronger sales for our retail partners.”

Beyond its efforts on the field, the company is exploring new tactics to “meet customers where they are” and find opportunities to put produce front and center.

One-of-one pineapples take root

In a fast-moving industry where consumers are perpetually chasing their next high, Del Monte is looking for ways to pick up on trends and create produce that has staying power in grocery aisles.

But don’t get it wrong: For Del Monte, pineapples and specialty fruit aren’t just a fad of the moment. These items are part of a larger commercial strategy that prioritizes proprietary growing methods and builds on performance and consumer feedback.

“We strive to make pineapples that are one-of-one—we’re launching products with a backstory,” he says.

Officially introduced in January 2024 in China and debuting later that year in the United States, the Rubyglow Pineapple reflects that approach.  

“It has been in development for nearly 16 years in Costa Rica, sourced from the tropical rainforest to ensure the freshest taste possible with the highest quality,” Brown explains. “It takes roughly two years to grow, making it a highly sought-after item.”

Similarly, Pinkglow pineapples, which hit the shelves in 2020, rely on a proprietary production process unique to Del Monte. Their pink hue is not only Instagram-worthy but also alluring to those who want to expand their palates and try something more exotic. 

“Fresh Del Monte is the only company to grow this unique pink pineapple variety, and it’s grown by planting existing pineapple crowns in the ground, allowing new pineapples to grow.”

As for the Precious Mini Honeyglow, the product emphasizes harvest timing and growing conditions: 

They ripen more slowly on the stem and are hand-harvested at peak sweetness and ripeness. 

These selected growing conditions, along with the valuable knowledge of experienced Fresh Del Monte personnel, enabled the company to successfully launch and grow the Honeyglow products, Brown adds.

From aisle to action

To drive retail velocity, Del Monte has leaned on entertainment partnerships, branded packaging, and geographic expansion to connect with consumers beyond the produce department.

“This past fall, we partnered with Disney on an exclusive licensing agreement to launch in-store and digital promotions in line with the global premiere of Zootopia 2,” Brown shares. He notes the initiative included co-branded packaging on Honeyglow pineapples and interactive digital promotions designed to encourage engagement and healthier eating habits.

The firm also expanded Pinkglow into the United Arab Emirates and launched Rubyglow pineapples in Europe and North America. The move, Brown says, helped accelerate momentum for the specialty pineapple portfolio and reinforce the company’s global presence.

The Disney campaign (which Brown says delivered more than 500 million co-branded stickers to grocery stores) and Del Monte’s annual partnership with the Miami Open Tennis Tournament, the executive says, are two examples of programs designed to translate awareness into purchase.

As more branded pineapples enter the market, Brown says Del Monte’s competitive advantage remains rooted in stand-out, proprietary varieties and global scale.

“The success of our pineapples across the globe has allowed us to roll out the varieties in different countries, exposing a new audience to luxury fruit,” he concludes. 

*All photos courtesy of Fresh Del Monte Produce.

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