Onion Prices Plummet to 5 Baht per Kilo, Commerce Ministry Launches Buying Program and Targets Japan Export

The Department of Internal Trade has visited Mae Wang District in Chiang Mai Province to address the onion market crisis, where prices have sharply declined due to massive market supply and import pressures. Deputy Director Jirawut Suwannarj revealed that farmers are experiencing significant impacts from the large volume of onion production flooding the market from mid-February to March, causing prices to drop dramatically. To mitigate the situation, the department has launched a market-leading purchase program targeting 1,000 tons of onions, with plans to distribute products and explore export opportunities to Japan. The ministry is implementing a multi-pronged approach including advance market agreements, cross-provincial distribution, government sector support, direct sales channels, and strict import monitoring to help stabilize the onion market and support agricultural producers.