Bangkok: The Board of Directors of the Sugarcane Industry Association of Thailand (SIA) has announced the initial sugarcane price for the 2025/26 fiscal year, setting it at a uniform 890 baht per ton nationwide. This move aims to encourage farmers to cut fresh sugarcane and reduce burning.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Bai Noi Suwanchatri, Secretary-General of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB), shared that during the 9/2025 meeting of the OCSB, chaired on November 28, 2025, a single nationwide price for the 2025/2026 production season was approved. This price is based on a sweetness level of 10 CCS, with price fluctuation set at 53.40 baht per CCS unit and a return on sugar production and distribution at 381.43 baht per ton. The decision followed a public hearing with farmers, sugar mills, and stakeholders, as per Section 50 of the Cane and Sugar Act of 1984, and will soon be submitted to the Cabinet for approval before publication in the Royal Gazette.
The uniform pricing decision comes after deliberations in the 8/2025 meeting of the Cane and Sugar Committee (CSC) on November 25, 2025. Discussions focused on whether to maintain a single nationwide price or introduce varied pricing, considering the sugar yields in different zones. Ultimately, representatives agreed on a uniform price, with many sugar factories pledging an additional 40 baht per ton incentive for high-yield zones to support farmers.
The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB), under the guidance of Industry Minister Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkhongchana, has devised measures to aid sugarcane farmers facing higher production costs and stricter anti-burning policies. The “Measures to Address Sugarcane Burning and Reduce PM 2.5 Pollution in the 2025/2026 Production Season” were approved, imposing limits on sugar mills and promoting the acceptance of fresh cane only, from December 27, 2025, to January 10, 2026.
For the 2025/26 season, the Sugarcane Farmers’ Council has outlined support initiatives, including aiding farmers in purchasing inputs and providing equipment for fresh sugarcane cutting. The “Half-Half Farmer Plus” program will help form over 4,515 sugarcane farmer groups, involving more than 60,000 farmers, with government support for equipment procurement. The initiative aligns with the “Half-Half” policy and seeks to reduce sugarcane burning with tax incentives for compliance.
Mr. Bai Noi emphasized the commitment of the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) to promote sustainable practices under “Do Good, Get Good,” fostering cooperation between farmers, mills, and the government for environmental conservation and reduced burned sugarcane yield.