BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Commerce has called for an emergency meeting of the National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC) Subcommittee on Rice Market Management on February 20 to address falling rice prices. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has directed the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to develop immediate support measures for farmers affected by price fluctuations in off-season rice.
To support farmers and create price competition, the ministry is launching “Paddy Market Fairs” across 20 provinces from February to April 2025. The first event is being held in Ayutthaya province from February 16 to 20 before expanding to other key rice-producing regions, including Ang Thong, Surin, Sing Buri, and Nakhon Ratchasima. These fairs are expected to improve farmers’ bargaining power and help increase paddy prices by 100 to 200 baht per metric tonne.
The NRPC meeting will bring together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Commerce, and private sector stakeholders. The subcommittee will evaluate current market conditions and propose relief measures to stabilize prices. The recommendations will then be submitted for approval to the entire National Rice Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira.
In addition to market fairs, the Commerce Ministry has tasked the Department of Internal Trade and Provincial Commerce Offices with identifying strategic locations for selling rice. The efforts are being aligned with peak harvest periods to maximize benefits for farmers and ensure fair pricing. (NNT)
