Bahamas Philately: Fruits of The Bahamas – Pineapples

Pineapples were grown in the Bahamas from the early 1700’s. It is believed that The Bahamas was the first country to produce pineapples on a commercial scale. Pineapples were not exported on a large scale until 1844. During that year, it is believed that upward of 15,000 dozen were shipped to England with their roots, in addition to cut pineapples to the United States.

In 1845, Eleuthera was the premier island growing pineapples exporting 400,000 pineapples to England and to The U.S.A. The first canning factory was established in Governor’s Harbour in 1857. By 1885 over a million pineapples were exported.

Pineapples remain an important part of Bahamian culture. The pineapple is used in tarts, cakes, jams, beverages and in tropical conch salad.