The "Commerce Ministry" is pressing for price reductions following energy cost decreases, emphasizing that prices must fall after rising. Urea fertilizer and plastic bag prices are gradually decreasing, while the ministry continues monitoring bottled palm oil prices closely.
Mr. Kornit Nonjui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that the ministry is closely monitoring product prices after energy market prices have fallen. Their review found clear cost reductions in several product groups, especially chemical fertilizers and plastic products.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to rigorously examine and monitor the cost structures of all products to ensure fairness and prevent consumer exploitation. She emphasized that while prices rose when costs increased, they must also fall accordingly when costs decrease.
Discussions with major producers and businesses indicate that prices of consumer goods and production inputs are beginning to decline in line with cost mechanisms, as follows:
Urea fertilizer Current prices have decreased to 1,200–1,300 baht per sack, down from 1,400–1,500 baht during the Middle East conflict period. The outlook suggests further easing ahead.
Plastic products and packaging Plastic resin prices are normalizing, leading to a drop in hot bag (market bag) prices to 42–45 baht per kilogram, down from 47–51 baht per kilogram previously.
Products under special scrutiny The Ministry of Commerce plans to inspect the pricing structure of bottled palm oil, currently sold at 50 baht per bottle, to verify if it reflects true current costs. Soap, shampoo, and detergent prices will also be reviewed.
Beyond consumer goods price management, the ministry has introduced urgent measures to address agricultural product pricing issues across various regions, as follows:
Agricultural products | Problems faced | Ministry of Commerce's solutions |
| Shrimp (five species) | Surplus caused by Malaysia’s ban on Thai imports. | - Engage 40 provincial commerce offices to distribute 10 tons per province. - Connect supply to 500 tons through modern retail chains (Modern Trade). - Coordinate with cold storage facilities to purchase an additional 2,000 tons (total demand 2,900 tons). |
| Coconut for cooking | Market oversupply from April to August. | - Coordinate with processing factories and trading centers to buy directly from farmers, targeting 9 million coconuts. - Delay imports from abroad, resulting in a 60% drop in coconut imports and a 50% decrease in frozen coconut milk in the first five months. |
| Aromatic coconut | Issues with middlemen depressing prices and adulterated coconut water. | - Organize and suppress price manipulation gangs, leading to an increase in farmgate prices from 3–5 baht to 12–14 baht per coconut. |
Regarding the important economic fruit "durian," the ministry's spokesperson stated that prices remain very good, with premium grades holding above 100 baht per kilogram, contrasting with severe price drops in neighboring countries. This is due to proactive advance market planning and systematic product distribution.
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