Oman grows its first pineapples

SALALAH: After nearly 15 years of research and agricultural trials, Razat Royal Farm, operating under the Royal Court Affairs, has successfully produced pineapples locally, marking a significant milestone in Oman’s agricultural diversification efforts.
The pioneering initiative was launched to assess whether Oman’s climate and environment could support the cultivation of pineapples, a tropical crop with promising economic and nutritional value.
At Razat Farm in Dhofar Governorate, cultivation techniques progressed from small-scale container experiments to extensive field trials under tree shade and controlled greenhouse conditions. The crop has shown strong adaptability to Dhofar’s unique climate, with the growing season extending from July to December, benefiting from the mild temperatures and high humidity associated with the annual Khareef season.
The pineapple plant reaches full vegetative growth after about six months, while fruit development requires approximately 12 months before harvest. The fruit is considered ready when its lower section develops a distinctive golden-yellow colour.

Eng Suhail bin Said al Maashani, Senior Agricultural Engineering Specialist at the farm, described the achievement as a landmark development for Omani agriculture.
“Growing pineapples at Razat Royal Farm is a pioneering success in Omani agriculture,” he said, adding that the farm tested several varieties, including Queen, Mauritius and MD-2. The MD-2 variety has emerged as the most commercially promising due to its larger fruit size, sweetness and strong market demand.
MD-2 pineapples can produce fruits weighing between two and more than four kilogrammes, making them suitable for commercial cultivation.
Al Maashani also highlighted the crop’s efficient water requirements, noting that pineapples consume considerably less water compared with many other tropical crops.
The use of tissue culture technology has played a key role in producing large quantities of uniform, disease-free seedlings, supporting the farm’s potential for future expansion.