1.
SV Pineapples harvested & into baskets (3 shots)
0.11

2.
SV Pineapples into water, float down to processing plant (2 shots)
0.22

3.
SV Pineapples go through sorting machine
0.29

4.
SCU PAN prepared pineapples down chute & along conveyor bolt where they are trimmed (2 shots)
0.42

5.
SV PAN Prepared pineapples placed into cans by workers (2 shots)
0.58

6.
SV Tins along conveyor belt & placed into cartons, cartons stamped & stacked in warehouse (4 shots)
1.18



Initials SGM/1358 SGM/1415



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: When the Ivory Coast became independent in 1960 much of its agricultural production came from small, individual farms. These were gradually turned into farming companies, and the subsequent increase in efficiency was dramatic.

The pineapple crop increased from 20,000 metric tons in 1960 to 130,000 metric tons in 1972.

This has made the Ivory Coast the leading African producer of pineapples. The pineapple has become considerably important to the country's economy, overtaking the banana in exports. It is catching up on coffee, cocoa and timber.

Out of every 20 pineapples grown in the Ivory Coast only one is eaten in the country. Three are exported as they are, while 16 are canned for export.