Wanning Pineapples

Wanning Pineapples

　　Pineapple is a specialty of Hainan, and the Wanning region is particularly well known for its production. It is the fruit of the perennial evergreen plant *Ananas comosus* from the Bromeliaceae family and genus *Ananas*. Also called pineapple, yellow pineapple, grass pineapple, foreign pineapple, or pandanus fruit.

　　 Wanning pineapples are of high quality, with a unique flavor and rich in various vitamins. They are juicy, fragrant, and pleasantly sweet and sour. Research has shown that pineapple juice also contains bromelain, a valuable medicinal ingredient used to aid protein digestion and treat bronchitis. Drinking moderate amounts of green pineapple juice can also help expel roundworms and promote urination. In addition to being eaten fresh as a fruit, pineapples can be used in dishes, preserved fruits, candies, fruit pulps, and refreshing beverages. They can also be made into pineapple wine, pineapple vinegar, pineapple salad, citric acid, alcohol, lactic acid, and more. They are processed into canned goods and are known as the “king of canned fruits.” The residues left after canning or juicing are rich in phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter, making them excellent feed for livestock or fertilizer for biogas. The fibers from the leaves can be used to make ropes, yarn, fabric, and paper.

　　Wanning City has 45,000 mu (approximately 3,000 hectares) of pineapple planting area, with an annual output of 82,000 tons. There are various premium varieties such as curry pineapple and milk pineapple, and the annual off-island shipment accounts for two-thirds of the province’s total. Pineapple is a highly seasonal agricultural product. The harvest season is every June and July, when the fruit is crisp, sweet, and juicy. It is rich in sugars, fiber, vitamin C and B, and minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus. It offers medicinal benefits such as quenching thirst, improving digestion, reducing swelling, and eliminating dampness. It also has effects such as aiding weight loss, beautifying skin, reducing cardiovascular diseases, fighting fatigue, and relieving stress. Therefore, it is very popular among modern consumers, has a large consumer base, and enjoys good sales markets both domestically and internationally.

　　Pineapple is one of the four famous tropical fruits. Since the early 1990s, Longgun Town in Wanning City introduced and promoted the cultivation of Bali pineapple. After years of effort, it has developed into the city’s largest pineapple production base, establishing the high-quality brand of Longgun pineapple across the province and even nationally. Longgun pineapples are sold to 13 provinces and cities across China, as well as international markets including Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. The output value of pineapples accounts for 50% of the town's total agricultural output, making it a pillar industry of Longgun Town.