Bukidnon Pineapple Country

The road climbing from Cagayan de Oro into Bukidnon runs for kilometres between pineapple fields - the plateau at around six hundred metres, with volcanic soil and a steady climate, produces a large share of the country's crop, and the Philippines is among the world's biggest exporters. The plantations belong mostly to a few large agribusiness operations, and the scale is what registers: rows running to the horizon in every direction, planted in staggered blocks so that something is being harvested at any time of year, with the Kitanglad range standing behind. Roadside stands sell fruit whole and cut, cold, at prices that make no sense to anyone used to buying it elsewhere, along with pineapple juice and preserves. Some estates run viewpoints and tours. The plantation economy here has its own long-running labour and land-tenure disputes, which are part of Bukidnon's history and not visible from the road.

What you actually see

• The plantation rows - fields running to the horizon.
• The staggered blocks - continuous planting and harvest.
• The roadside stands - fruit sold cut and cold.
• The Kitanglad backdrop - the range behind the plateau.

When to go

Year-round - the crop is harvested continuously. The drive up from Cagayan de Oro is best in the morning before cloud builds over the range.

Honest expectations

These are private commercial estates - viewpoints and tours are the only access, and wandering into fields is not on. There is little infrastructure beyond the roadside stands. The road is busy with plantation traffic.

Nearby

Dahilayan Adventure Park is on the same plateau; Malaybalay and the Kitanglad range are further south.