On 16 May 2025, stakeholders from across Thailand’s pineapple industry gathered in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province for a policy forum titled “Thai Pineapples in a Changing World,” aimed at addressing global market shifts and outlining a roadmap for sustainable industry development. The event was held at the Yothin Room of Hadthong Hotel in Mueang District.
The forum, initiated by the local pineapple growers’ group, the Thai Pineapple Growers Association, the Provincial Agricultural Council, and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, brought together over 200 participants. These included farmers, industry executives, food processors, and officials from seven provinces involved in pineapple cultivation and trade.
Pineapples remain a vital economic crop for Prachuap Khiri Khan and one of Thailand’s major export commodities. However, the sector faces challenges from evolving global trade dynamics, climate variability, and shifting consumer behavior. The forum aimed to analyze these impacts, share insights among industry participants, and generate collaborative strategies to improve productivity, enhance marketing efforts, and strengthen the value chain.
Key topics included the effects of changing U.S. trade tariffs, climate-related crop issues such as pineapple wilt disease, and the need for farmers to move beyond traditional methods. Experts from Dole Thailand and other leading companies discussed international market trends and proposed approaches to boost Thailand’s competitiveness in processed pineapple products.
Participants also contributed to the draft of a new five-year strategic development plan prepared by the Provincial Agricultural Council, outlining integrated efforts among growers, processors, and public agencies to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability.
In his opening remarks, Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sitthichai Sawatsan emphasized the importance of coordinated planning to help the province, as a major pineapple producer, adapt to the demands of a globalized marketplace. Anon Lothanong, president of the provincial pineapple growers’ group, echoed this need for transformation, stressing that collaboration across all sectors is essential for resilience and competitiveness in the future.
