Ministry moves to tackle falling coconut prices

BANGKOK, Oct 1 (TNA) -- The Office of Agricultural Economics is preparing a proposal for the Vegetable Oil and Crop Committee's meeting on October 3 to extend the ban on coconut imports to shore up the falling domestic prices. Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Krissada Bunrat said that the ministry was deeply concerned for coconut planters who have seen current prices for their crops tailing off to Bt5-6 per nut and has instructed the related departments to take corrective action to help. In contrast 2017, prices were Bt20-22 per nut. In light of the alarming developments, the Office of Agricultural Economics which heads the Vegetable Oil and Crop Committee will be convening a meeting on October 3 to table a proposal to extend the existing three month ban on coconut imports which came into effect since August. This will directly help local farmers whose crops are now in season and local supplies will be high. Coconut planters association from Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Chumphon provinces meanwhile have met among themselves to pressure the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Commerce to solve the problem. They state that the appropriate price per fruit should be 15 baht per nut which will sustain their farms and livelihood. The association states that coconut imports from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam have recently imported to the local market, driving domestic prices down. Making matters worse is the rise of cross-border smuggling of coconuts in to the country. If their demands are not met the members threaten to rally in front of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives at the middle of the month. (TNA)