Southern Thailand Mangosteen Harvest Surges 75%, Trade Ministry Opens Auction Centers

Southern Thailand's mangosteen production has surged 75% to 139,000 tonnes in 2025, prompting the Department of Internal Trade to open three auction centers in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon and launch a campaign urging Thai consumers to "eat southern mangosteen, help Thai farmers." Deputy Director Jirawut Suwannaacha said the department is proactively opening distribution channels through trade shows and department stores rather than waiting for market oversupply to become a crisis. The strategy includes partnering with influencer Supachai at the A FAIR event in Bangkok from August 13–19, 2025, where 4.5-kilogram baskets will sell for 180 baht, and coordinating with government agencies, state enterprises, and large organizations to expand retail access. Additional promotional events include the Premium Durian Fest 2026 at Central North Village and Larn Park Paragon in early September, alongside sales partnerships with Modern Trade stores, public agencies, and companies including the Thai Teachers Council, Thammasat Hospital, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Customs Department, Thai Airways International, the Royal Thai Army, and the Commerce Ministry. Officials emphasized that supporting farmers requires building consumer demand and market awareness, not just procurement, and that consumer choices to buy Thai mangosteen directly benefit producers during this peak harvest period.