Bangkok: The central government, led by Minister Supajee, has announced an increase in the purchase of cooking coconuts to support farmers who have not yet received assistance. Minister Supajee has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to acquire additional central government funds to buy coconuts at above-market prices after finding that some farmers were overlooked, despite the Ministry of Commerce having already absorbed over 11 million coconuts, surpassing its target.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Kornnit Nonchui, the spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, directed the Department of Internal Trade to monitor coconut prices. Coordination with processing plants and wholesalers has been intensified to purchase coconuts from farmers in major producing regions. This effort has led to the purchase of over 11 million coconuts, exceeding the target. The purchases include 5.88 million coconuts from Prachuap Khiri Khan, 724,000 from Nakhon Si Thammarat, and 5.36 million from Surat Thani, Chumphon, and other areas, aiding in stabilizing prices amid high market supply.
Some farmers still face challenges in accessing assistance due to reliance on existing wholesale networks and specific standards required by export factories. Consequently, Ms. Supajee has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to request additional funds to buy more coconuts at higher prices and to conduct surveys to identify farmers who have yet to receive support. This aims to ensure comprehensive aid and accommodate incoming produce.
On the import front, the Department of International Trade is seeking cooperation from importers and coconut milk producers to suspend imports during periods of abundant domestic production. A survey of nine processing plants showed that 80% of their raw materials are locally sourced, with only 20% imported. Coconut imports from January to May 2016 amounted to 79,388 tons, a 58% decrease from the previous year, indicating a rise in domestic consumption.
Mr. Kornnit emphasized that the Ministry of Commerce will continue to monitor coconut production and prices and will implement measures to ensure fair prices and comprehensive farmer assistance. The Office of Agricultural Economics forecasts an increase in coconut production to 608 million by 2026, with 69 million more expected in the market during July and August. The Ministry is preparing measures to maintain price stability and mitigate impacts on farmers.