“The current production of pineapple for canned-pineapple factories is at around 1,000 tonnes per day, while last year the average production capacity was at around 5,000-6,000 tonnes a day,” Wirat Piyapornpaiboon, president of the association, and chairman of Prachuap Khiri Khan Federation of Industries, said. 
“This has so far forced 18 canned-pineapple factories in Prachuap Khiri Khan to temporarily shut down since the start of June.” 
Wirat added that another factor that has contributed to the decrease in produce is the price of pineapple has plummeted since early this year. “Many farmers decided to stop growing as the profit was no longer enough to cover their investment,” he added. 
“Normally canned-pineapple factories will close their manufacturing line in around July-August and will open again at the end of the third quarter. But due to the problems they have faced this year, I am not sure they could reopen in September,” Wirat said. “It could take up to two years to restore the domestic production capacity to match the demand in domestic and overseas markets,” he added.

Raw material shortage puts the squeeze on pineapple processing factories

Pineapple processing factories are reeling under a serious shortage of raw materials due to the Covid-19 situation and drought, the Thai Pineapple Industry Association said.