Today, we visited an organic Costa Rican pineapple plantation in Sarapiqui. This was the second fruit plantation we toured. However, the pineapple plantation was nothing like the strawberry plantation we visited earlier on the trip. The strawberry plantation was located at a higher, cooler elevation, while the pineapple plantation was much lower and hotter.

One of the first things I was able to notice was the differences and similarities between the supply chain of pineapples and coffee. Coffee requires numerous more steps within the processing stage than pineapples. Pineapples are harvested, cleaned, and then boxed to be shipped. The process is much faster than the days, almost weeks it takes to process coffee. Pineapples may have the fastest turnaround, but that also comes with quick perishability. Coffee has a much longer shelf life than pineapples, making shipments much easier and more relaxed.

There is a major difference between organic and conventional pineapple farming. Organic pineapple farming requires more natural forms of fertilizer and pest control, such as compost and biological pest control. This makes farming more difficult for workers, but allows the environment to flourish. To stay sustainable, farms reuse pineapple crowns to reproduce pineapple plants and use natural fertilizers. In addition, organic pineapple farms support thriving ecosystems, creating habitats that allow wildlife, like howler monkeys, to live nearby and giving visitors like me the unforgettable experience of seeing them in the trees surrounding the farm. Visiting the farm also taught me the tough conditions that Nicaraguan workers endure daily. Even after an hour in the shaded trailer, I felt like I was melting into the seat. The heat is unbearable, especially if you have to work in the sun for eight hours a day. If I ever had to choose between working on a coffee or pineapple plantation, I would most definitely choose the coffee plantation. I would much rather work in a higher elevation and cooler environment. Today was a good day to see really how tough some of these plantation workers have it.