Thailand speeds up food imports
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong promised speedy imports of food and drinking water, to ease the severe shortages in several parts of the country.
Referring to the Cabinet's meeting this week, he said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra instructed all to do their best in helping flood victims. Under the Commerce Ministry's responsibility, shortages of food must be addressed.
He said that such items would be imported from Asean countries including 7 million eggs from Malaysia and Hong Kong. The ministry will also import 400,000 canned food and 1 million drinking water bottles. He expected all to arrive in Thailand within this week.
The first lot of imported eggs is now distributed in several venues including the Aor Tor Kor market. They are to be sold at no more than Bt4 apiece, as the price earlier escalated to Bt6-Bt9 due to tight supply and spiking demand.
He noted that the imports would be cut once the situation improves. The Agriculture Ministry is now coordinated for the even distribution of eggs.
