THE PINEAPPLE INDUSTRY IN THAILAND

The local pineapple industry took off during the early seventies and Thailand is now one of the major producers and exporters of pineapple in the world.
During the past five years, the average annual production amounted to two million tonnes.
While the total production area of approximately 100,000 ha is spread over thirteen provinces, most of the pineapple farms are located along the East and the West Coasts of the Gulf of Thailand.
Smallholders, generally occupying between 1 to 5 ha of land, constitute more than 95% of all producers.
Roughly 80% of the production is destined for processing (especially canning), while the rest is mainly for domestic fresh consumption.
The production has long been a free trade enterprise but has gradually become a contract business.

Being the major organisation in conducting agricultural research, the Department of Agriculture has prepared guidelines for good agricultural practices (GAP) for the growers.
The guidelines aim at improving production efficiency, while being environmentally safe.
Thai pineapple factories have also adopted good processing practices (GPP) and a number of them have been awarded the ISO certificate.

III International Pineapple Symposium

P. Anupunt, P. Chairidchai, A. Kongswat, S. Isawilanon, S. Subhadrabhandu, S. Vasunun, S. Siripat

pineapple industry, Thailand

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2000.529.11