The draft report proposes that the importation of commercially produced decrowned pineapples to Australia from all commercial production areas of India and Indonesia can be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
The draft report is being issued for a public consultation period, closing on 14 September 2026.
We invite you to have your say on the draft report. We will consider all stakeholder comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final report.
We announced the commencement of this risk analysis on 27 September 2023, via Biosecurity Advice 2023-P08, advising it would be progressed as a review of biosecurity import requirements.
The draft report identifies 8 pests associated with fresh decrowned pineapples from India and Indonesia that require risk management measures to reduce the biosecurity risk to an acceptable level. These pests are:
- hard scales: trilobite scale (Pseudaonidia trilobitiformis)
- mealybugs: grey pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), madeira mealybug (Phenacoccus madeirensis), Pacific mealybug (Planococcus minor), cryptic mealybug (Pseudococcus cryptus) and Jack Beardsley mealybug (Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi)
- thrips: cotton thrips (Frankliniella schultzei species complex).
The identified pests are the same, or of the same pest groups, as those associated with pineapple and other horticultural commodities that we have previously analysed.
The draft report proposes risk management measures, combined with an operational system, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.
The proposed risk management measures will reduce the risks posed by the 8 identified pests, to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. These measures are:
- a fruit treatment considered to be effective against all life stages of hard scale, mealybugs and thrips, such as methyl bromide fumigation or irradiation, or
- a systems approach considered to be effective in mitigating the risks of hard scale, mealybugs and thrips on decrowned pineapple fruit, and approved by the department.
The draft report and more information about the risk analysis process are available on the Decrowned pineapples from India and Indonesia page.
We are attending Australian Pineapple’s Pineapple Field Days in Hervey Bay, Queensland on Thursday 30 July 2026 to discuss the draft report. We are also holding a webinar for Australian industry on 14 August 2026. To register for the webinar, please email plantstakeholders@aff.gov.au.
We invite stakeholders to contribute scientific information relevant to this risk analysis at any time by emailing plantstakeholders@aff.gov.au.
We encourage stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses to subscribe via our online subscription service. By subscribing to ‘Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant’, you will receive Biosecurity Advice notices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy, including this risk analysis.
Dr Allison Jones
A/g First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (when prompted select option 1, then option 1)
Email: imports@aff.gov.au