Bangkok: Coconut farmers are experiencing relief as the Commerce Ministry has successfully brought in three major processing companies to increase the purchase of cooking coconuts, a move aimed at stabilizing farm-gate prices.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Witayakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, disclosed that the Ministry of Commerce has implemented measures to support coconut farmers who have been impacted by falling coconut prices. Following directives from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, these measures include postponing coconut imports and working with coconut processors and major raw material users nationwide to boost purchases of Thai coconuts from farmers. The goal is to absorb the surplus entering the market and stabilize domestic prices.
Mr. Witayakorn explained that the Department of Internal Trade has been in ongoing discussions with all 13 coconut processing plant operators since the situation emerged in May. The department has been facilitating connections between the plants and key production areas in several provinces to expedite the distribution of produce from affected areas, thereby creating a continuous market for farmers.
Theppadungprom Coconut Co., Ltd., a producer of the "Chaokoh" brand, is one of the companies involved in the relief efforts. The company has consistently increased its purchase of mature coconuts from domestic farmers. Mr. Kiattisak Theppadungprom, Managing Director of the Chaokoh factory, reported that the company has been buying coconuts daily since May 2nd, 2026, using over 30 million coconuts in total. This initiative has helped distribute surplus produce from various production areas, including provinces such as Prachuap Khiri Khan and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Thai Agri Foods Public Company Limited, the owner of the "Aroi-Dee" brand, is also participating by purchasing produce from farmers at prices higher than the market rate to enhance farmers' income. Ms. Kanjana Kunapornphatrakul, Managing Director of the company, stated that they are buying white coconut meat from farmers at 24 baht per kilogram, which is about 4 baht higher than the current market price. The company targets purchasing approximately 175 tons per day, which translates to about 578,000 coconuts, to use as raw material for coconut milk production.
Furthermore, Tropicana Oil Co., Ltd., a producer of organic coconut oil products, is contributing by purchasing around 50,000 organic coconuts per month from farmers for two months at a price of 15 baht per kilogram. Mr. Suradech Nilek, the managing director, emphasized that this effort helps integrate coconuts into the health product market, which is experiencing continuous growth.
Mr. Witayakorn noted that this collaboration among the three companies will significantly increase domestic coconut purchases, reduce supply pressure during peak production times, stabilize coconut prices, and assure farmers of a consistent market for their produce. Additionally, the Department of Internal Trade plans to compile proposals and demands from coconut farmers to present to the Oilseed and Vegetable Oil Committee for consideration, aiming for sustainable stabilization of coconut prices through integrated cooperation with relevant agencies.