Some fruit, vegetable prices drop due to virus
The market price of some fruits dropped this week due to the Covid-19 virus, even as fruit exports shrank.
The Commerce Ministry’s Department of Internal Trade said in a report issued on Thursday (March 12) that golden bananas were selling for Bt10 less per bunch than they did last week.
“Namwa bananas went down Bt5 per hand and Baracuda and Khiew Sawoey mango Bt10 per kilogram,” it said.
Thai mangoes and bananas have always been in high demand in Japan, South Korea and China, but all three have cancelled or postponed most orders in a bid to curtail the spread of Covid-19.
Declining domestic consumption has meanwhile lowered the prices of vegetables, the department said.
Cherry tomatoes are selling for less by Bt2-Bt5/kg, water mimosa for Bt5 per bundle and morning glory Bt10/kg.
But the price of pork has risen by Bt5/kg and live pigs by Bt72/kg thanks to increased demand from neighbouring countries where domestic supplies were drained by African swine fever.
Thailand’s No 1 fruit export, durian – which is worth Bt50 billion a year – has stayed within a price range acceptable to farmers due to sustained demand from China.
Monthong durian is selling for Bt140-Bt150/kg, well above the standard domestic price of Bt100-Bt120.