Del Monte Foods Co. — the company that made Hawaii famous for its pineapples — is shutting down its operations on the islands because it is cheaper to grow the fruit somewhere else.

"It would be cheaper for Del Monte to buy pineapples on the open market than for the company to grow, market and distribute Hawaiian pineapple," the company said.

Formerly a part of RJR Nabisco, it was bought by Texas Pacific Group in April 1997.

The last crop will be harvested in mid-2008 with the loss of about 700 jobs.

The departure of the Del Monte operations may affect the viability of the two remaining pineapple companies in Hawaii, Dole Pineapple and Maui Pineapple Co., said Fred Galdones, president of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142.

"I hope it's not a domino effect like it was with the sugar companies, where one had closed and the others followed suit," he said.

Del Monte claims to be the largest producer and distributor of branded processed fruit and vegetables in the United States, with sales of $1.3 billion US in 2001. It has plants across the United States and in Venezuela. Formerly a part of RJR Nabisco, it was bought by Texas Pacific Group in April 1997. Del Monte began pineapple operations in Hawaii 90 years ago.