The Ministry of Commerce is closely monitoring coconut purchasing centers in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani, revealing that yard stocks have decreased while farmers continue to sell their produce. Plans are underway to propose a central budget for purchasing at market-leading prices and to order import delays to support Thai farmers.
The Ministry of Commerce is actively addressing agricultural production challenges, especially regarding prices and quantities of mature coconuts, or “cooking coconuts,” in the southern region. Recent signs show improvement after coordinating with purchasing centers and factories to expedite direct purchases from farmers, resulting in a continuous reduction of yard stockpiles.
Mr. Kornit Nonjui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that reports from the provincial commerce offices of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani confirmed the results of field visits to monitor mature coconut (cooking coconut) purchases, as coordinated by the Department of Internal Trade and Department of Foreign Trade with purchasing centers and factories to increase procurement.
Inspections found that local purchasing centers have been continuously buying produce from farmers to supply downstream factories, leading to a reduction in yard stockpiles compared to the previous week. Farmers are able to sell their products normally without backlog issues.
Regarding this field visit, Ms. Prapai Phetphongphan, Commerce Officer of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, monitored purchases in six key districts: Mueang, Tha Sala, Sichon, Khanom, Pak Phanang, and Hua Sai, while Mr. Kob Tuandam, Commerce Officer of Surat Thani Province, conducted follow-ups in Mueang Surat Thani and Ko Pha-ngan districts.
Mr. Kornit added that the visit was a follow-up after the Ministry of Commerce discussed with coconut milk and processing factory operators, asking them to prioritize purchasing domestic produce first and requesting importers to delay bringing in coconuts from abroad during this period, aiming to absorb domestic produce fully before importing.
Previously, the Ministry of Commerce expedited coordination with factories and purchasing centers to buy cooking coconuts in four key growing provinces: Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Surat Thani. Latest statistics show more than 11 million coconuts have been cleared, surpassing the initial target of about 10 million coconuts.
However, additional surveys found that some farmers have yet to receive adequate assistance. The Ministry of Commerce has assigned the Department of Internal Trade to prepare a proposal for central budget approval to purchase cooking coconuts at “market-leading prices” to help those farmers left behind. Measures to closely monitor and inspect coconut imports from abroad have also been strengthened to fully protect the interests of Thai farmers.
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