Farmers Struggle as Rice Prices Plummet to 4.50 Baht per Kilogram, Forced to Sell Land to Pay Fertilizer and Chemical Debts
Off-season rice farmers in central Thailand face mounting losses as prices crash to 4.50 baht per kilogram while production costs soar, forcing some to sell land to cover fertilizer debts.
Farmers cultivating off-season rice are experiencing severe difficulties as prices have fallen to 4.50-5 baht per kilogram, according to Chakrapruet Banjaedkij, a 59-year-old farmer from Nong Pla Lai subdistrict in Wang Sai Phun district, Phichit province. Despite this being early in the harvest season, prices are already critically low, raising concerns about even steeper declines as the season progresses. Farmers have invested 6,000-7,000 baht per acre, making the current prices entirely unprofitable and guaranteeing losses this year.
Compounding the crisis, production costs have surged dramatically. Fertilizer prices have jumped from 800-900 baht per sack to 1,200 baht, while harvesting costs have increased from 500-600 baht to 700 baht per acre. Fuel prices have also climbed significantly. Some desperate farmers are resorting to selling their land to pay off debts for fertilizer and chemicals. Chakrapruet criticized the current government, saying it has provided no assistance to farmers while they face mounting problems, and called for intervention on the falling rice prices.
