Flooding has affected the food supply, with holy basil prices rising to 150 baht per kilogram from the previous 50-60 baht, spring onions at 140 baht per kilogram, and 5-kilogram bags of Chinese morning glory reaching 350 baht. Vendors point out that flooding in Central Thailand, a key vegetable-growing area, has reduced crop yields, causing vegetable prices to surge over the past week.
On 7 Oct 2016, reporters surveyed vegetable prices today (Talad Thai (Thai Market)) and found that holy basil leaves are priced at 150 baht per kilogram. Looking back to late September before the floods, holy basil was 50-60 baht per kilogram. Spring onions are now 140 baht per kilogram, up from an average of 60-80 baht. Chinese morning glory is sold in 5-kilogram bags at 300-350 baht, compared to the previous average price of 91 baht per bag.
Mr. Jongkol Lertmai, a vegetable vendor at Sri Muang Thong Market, the central vegetable and fruit market in Khon Kaen Province, said that prices have clearly risen for spring onions, from 35-40 baht per kilogram to 120 baht, and for coriander from 40 baht to 140 baht per kilogram.
For 5-kilogram bags of morning glory, prices increased from 50-60 baht per bag to about 250 baht, and for culantro (sawtooth coriander) from 100 baht to 300 baht per 5-kilogram bag.
"The higher vegetable prices do not seem related to the Vegetarian Festival because last year during the festival prices were not this high. Especially for morning glory, which last year during the festival was under 100 baht per bag, but this year, before the festival, prices have risen to about 300 baht per bag already," he said.
Mrs. Sitthivej Han Kamjon, a fresh vegetable vendor at Sri Muang Thong Market, said that vegetable prices have started rising noticeably over the past week. Basil and Chinese kale have shown clear price increases. Basil costs 600-700 baht for a 5-kilogram bag, up from 200-300 baht previously.
Chinese kale prices rose from 120-130 baht to about 280 baht per 5-kilogram bag. She believes that flooding in Central Thailand, a major vegetable growing area, has reduced production amid ongoing demand, driving prices higher.
Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade addresses rising vegetable prices
Mr. Wathanasak Sueaiam, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, revealed measures to manage fresh vegetable prices during flooding and the Vegetarian Festival from 10-18 Oct. The department is urgently increasing vegetable supply by coordinating produce flow from production areas to key central markets, including Simum Mueang Market, Talad Thai, Sri Muang Market, and Lanna Market, to boost retail supply and meet public demand.
Regarding distribution in flooded areas, the department is closely monitoring. If any problems or obstacles arise in delivering produce to markets, it will coordinate with government and private sectors ready to assist with transport and distribution, especially as demand tends to rise during the Vegetarian Festival. A hotline, 1569, has been opened for complaints about vegetable prices and product issues daily.