PM orders measure to tackle pineapple oversupply

BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - Prime Minister ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to negotiate with traders to buy more pineapples after Nang Lae pineapple price has dropped to two baht per kilogramme. The prime minister’s order came after the Nang Lae pineapple price particularly in Chiang Rai had fallen to one baht per kilogramme, forcing farmers to give it away and use the fruit for animal feed. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha said after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting that according to the agriculture ministry, the falling prices was caused by increasing number of pineapple growers after the pineapple price had risen to 10-12 baht per kilogramme last year. To address the oversupply, the ministry will negotiate with traders to buy more pineapples. He believed the situation will return to normal in July. Gen Prayut also instructed three ministries – agriculture, commerce and interior ministries to compile information on agricultural produce supply nationwide and demands by consumers, the food processing industry and overseas market. The information will be used to help farmers make a decision what they should grow in the next cultivation season. (TNA)