Thailand is currently encountering a period of disruption in pineapple supply, with delays in the winter crop surpassing initial forecasts. Despite Thailand's emergence from El Niño conditions, insufficient rainfall during May-June has hindered fourth-quarter harvest prospects.

A significant 40% decline in September output compared to the original projections is anticipated to persist until November. The expected daily peak production volume during November-December, a critical period for the industry, is forecasted at only 4,800 metric tons, falling short of the industry's operational capacity of 6,000 metric tons.

Given the constraints in fruit availability and heightened market competition, there is a strong likelihood of a price increase of up to 15 baht/kg in the near future. Vigilant monitoring of fruit quality is imperative as nitrate levels trend higher, with choice-grade fruit maintaining a level between 7-10%.

By the conclusion of the year, Thailand is estimated to reach a total production volume of approximately 645,000 metric tons, representing a slight decrease of about 5% compared to the previous year (2023).