Commerce Ministry Mobilizes Major Buyers to Support Coconut Farmers

Wityakorn Maneenat, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, announced that the Commerce Ministry is accelerating relief measures for coconut farmers hit by falling coconut prices. Active measures include slowing coconut imports and coordinating with 13 coconut processing factories and major raw-material users across the country to increase purchases from Thai farmers, absorb surplus production currently flooding the market, and help stabilize domestic prices.

Since discussions began in May, the department has connected factories to purchase from major production areas in multiple provinces to quickly clear inventory and create ongoing market support. Thephudung Coconut Company Limited, producer of the Chao Kao brand, has been purchasing daily from May 2 to July 15, 2569, using over 30 million coconuts from provinces including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Narathiwat, Samut Songkhram, and Ratchaburi.

Thai Agri Foods Public Company Limited, owner of the Aroi Dee brand, joined the effort by purchasing mature coconut meat from farmers at 24 baht per kilogram—about 4 baht above current market rates—targeting 175 tons daily for coconut milk production. Tropicana Oil Company Limited also purchases organic coconuts at 15 baht per kilogram, buying approximately 50,000 nuts monthly for two months to channel supply into the growing health-product market.

Wityakorn stated that cooperation from these three companies will significantly increase domestic coconut purchases, reduce supply pressure during peak harvest, stabilize prices, and reassure farmers of continuous market support. The Internal Trade Department will also compile farmer proposals for the Oil Crop and Plant Oil Committee to consider appropriate price-stabilization measures and system-wide balance through coordinated support with relevant agencies.