Chiang Rai News
Chiang Rai Governor Steps in to Help Local Pineapple Farmers
CHIANG RAI – Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn and local authorities in Chiang Rai Province have held a meeting with a group of local pineapple farmers to address a price slump affecting their product.
According to the farmers, the price of Pattawia pineapples has fallen to 80 satang per kilogram, well below the minimum 4 baht per kilogram needed to stay profitable.
Currently, there are no local sales points to help reduce the oversupply of pineapples in the region. The farmers are required to travel long distances to reach pineapple manufacturers, such as those in the eastern province of Rayong or the province.
Some of the farmers have been forced to leave their pineapples to ripen and rot in the fields, as they were unable to make enough money to hire workers for harvesting.
Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn, has now instructed relevant authorities to seek cooperation from several local organizations to each buy 1,000 metric tons of pineapples as a short-term solution.
In the long term, the governor is promoting the use of pineapple in processed food products.
By Nuppol Suvansombut