Pineapples are assessed in the field for ripeness, sweetness and acidity to ensure that a crop is ready for harvest. Once ripe they are picked by hand, loaded onto a conveyor belt and packed into bins. The crown or top is often removed and left in the field for collection and planting at a later stage.
Farmers tend to wear heavy duty trousers, long sleeve shirts, gloves and sometimes even leather aprons – to fend off the sharp prickles of the pineapple plant and protect their clothing.
