Ministries asked to counter profiteering on

The PM organised surveys of food prices in markets and found that wholesale and retail traders had made “excessive” profits from sales of fruit and vegetables. They were found to make more than 50 per cent from sales of some fruit and vegetables, which was “unfair” for farmers and consumers. 

The PM has ordered the two ministries to come up with a structure of fair and suitable prices for all agricultural produce to ensure both retail and wholesale traders’ profits do not exceed 50 per cent of outlays. She also instructed the two ministries to provide market information to farmers so they can generate suitable amounts of produce to prevent problems of over- and under-supply of goods.

The PM asked the Agriculture Ministry to also analyse the problem of falling fruit prices in the lower central region. Palm mellow, for instance, is a fruit grown in Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon. She suggested that the ministry use technology to develop production of palm mellow and initiate agriculture zones for local fruit.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet has approved Bt33.1 billion in funds for 203 projects for eight lower central provinces, which include road construction, irrigation projects (in Ratchaburi) and an information technology project for food and health stability in Suphan Buri. Each province would be get Bt100 million for development projects.

On June 18-19, the Cabinet will visit eastern provinces such as Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Culture Minister Kusumol Khunplume will chair the meeting and present problems and analyses on solutions to the Cabinet a week before the meeting is held.