Four sugarcane grower organizations have raised concerns about bearing high production costs, labor shortages, and unresolved low prices. Meanwhile, assistance for fresh cane cutting this year remains unclear and delayed.
The impact of the Middle East conflict has affected Thai agricultural products. Recently, the Thailand Sugar Mill Association’s Facebook page posted a letter complaining about unresolved hardships in the following areas.
Representatives from four sugarcane grower organizations (the Federation of Thai Sugarcane Growers, the Northeastern Sugarcane Growers Institute, the Thai Sugarcane Growers Association, and the Thai Sugarcane Growers Confederation) submitted a letter requesting a meeting with the Minister of Industry to report ongoing, long-term hardships that have yet to be seriously addressed, such as:
1. Falling sugarcane prices causing losses exceeding 400 baht per ton, with domestic sugar prices suppressed under the pretext of consumer hardship.
2. Being blamed as the source of PM2.5 dust even before the crushing season starts, despite over 96.21% of fresh cane cutting nationwide being completed in the 2025/26 season.
3. Assistance for fresh cane cutting in the 2024/25 season is only 69 baht per ton, citing limited budget, while actual cutting costs exceed 200 baht per ton.
4. Assistance for fresh cane cutting in the 2025/26 season (this year) remains unclear and delayed, with work disrupted by political changes.
5. There is no support for fertilizer, chemicals, or fuel costs despite rising prices, unlike in Brazil, China, and India where governments support sugarcane growers.
6. The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict causes labor shortages and dangers from landmines, delaying cane cutting and raising cutting costs above 400 baht per ton.
The sugar and sugarcane industry is a vital foundation of Thailand’s economy, providing over one million jobs, generating more than 100 billion baht annually in local revenue circulation, supporting related industries such as food, beverages, ethanol, and biomass electricity, and contributing export income from sugar and related products.
