AFTER THE Commerce Ministry’s Internal Trade Department stepped in to help mangosteen farmers in southern Nakhon Si Thammarat province last week prices of this fruit have now increased, Naewna newspaper said today (July 10).
The farmers’ plight came to light when Commerce Minister Jatuporn Buruspat visited this province on July 4 after which he issued the “Thais make, Thais use, Thais help Thais” policy to accelerate the process of connecting entrepreneurs, retail stores and other private sector businesses in purchasing mangosteen from farmers in this area,
Currently 12 purchasing points have been opened in the targeted area with average purchase volume of 200-250 tonnes per day significantly helping lift prices.
According to local data, the price of mixed-grade mangosteen or “mixed number”, which was only 10-11 baht per kilogramme at the beginning of the month, has now climbed to 17-20 baht per kg, while the price of good-grade mangosteen has exceeded 33 baht per kg at auctions.
This department’s Deputy Director-General Udom Srisomsong also visited the southern province during July 7-9 and found that prices at a sorting plant had risen to 18-20 baht per kg with more vendors from the eastern region, especially Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat provinces, gradually coming to purchase the fruit.
A purchasing point operator in Phrom Khiri district revealed that he is currently getting mangosteen purchase orders throughout the day and is also rushing to pack the produce for export to China.
At the same time, the department has also launched “mangosteen caravans” to distribute over 40 tonnes of produce in various regions while the private sector too has helped significantly especially major retail stores such as Tops, Big C, Makro, Lotus, The Mall and Fresh Market Association which are distributing it at all their outlets,
Petrol pumps and Thailand Post too are helping in this effort to lift the prices of the fruit.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Mangosteen on sale at Nakhon Si Thammarat. Photo: Naewna
Front Page: Lots of mangosteen. Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand
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