Ministry of Agriculture Urgently Seeks to Reduce Raw Milk Stockpile

Vinaron Subsingsook, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed details after chairing a meeting to address and develop Thailand's dairy sector. The meeting with the Dairy Cooperatives Association of Thailand, led by Subin Pom-ocha, focused on resolving urgent issues of raw milk management and dairy product distribution. Key proposals include finding markets to purchase excess raw milk currently stored in cooperatives, creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for school milk programs in 2025/2026, and addressing the challenge of declining student populations affecting milk consumption. The cooperative members suggested extending school milk programs to cover 365 days per year and expand milk distribution to lower secondary students. The ministry acknowledged the cooperatives' challenges and agreed to explore multiple strategies, including expanding sales channels through gas stations, collaborating with private sectors, and reviewing the dairy organization's market structure. Vinaron committed to finalizing comprehensive action plans within 1-2 weeks to provide concrete solutions for all stakeholders.