Trat: The Department of Internal Trade is moving forward with efforts to assist rambutan farmers in Trat province after the price of late-season golden rambutan weakened due to continuous rainfall affecting product quality and Vietnam slowing down its purchases. The department is preparing to open three purchasing points offering above-market prices and will encourage retailers and wholesalers to purchase an additional 100 tons to help stabilize prices and accelerate the distribution of the produce outside the production area.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirawut Suwannach, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that the current average price of golden rambutan sold by farmers at purchasing points in Trat Province is 11-13 baht per kilogram, while the export price averages 18-20 baht per kilogram. The Department of Internal Trade, in collaboration with the Trat Provincial Commerce Office, is preparing to open purchasing points for golden rambutan at a price 2-3 baht per kilogram above the market rate to help stabilize prices and absorb the late-season surplus. The late-season rambutan prices have decreased due to several factors, including continuous rainfall affecting the quality of the second crop and a slowdown in purchases from Vietnam, a major end-market, causing local prices to weaken. Therefore, the Department is preparing to open three golden rambutan purchasing points in Khao Saming and Bo Rai districts, key production areas in Trat Province, starting from May 30, 2026, and will continu
e until the situation improves. Simultaneously, they have coordinated with leading retailers and wholesalers such as Makro, Lotus’s, and Tops to purchase additional golden rambutan beyond their normal trading volume, with an initial target of 100 tons to help absorb the surplus. Distributing products outside of production areas reduces price pressure on farmers.
Previously, the department had begun connecting farmers with golden rambutan produce at above-market prices for sale at various events, including trail running events organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Rayong Province, the Customs Department, and the Ministry of Commerce, totaling 10 tons. This assistance will be expanded as production increases. Mr. Jirawut stated that field inspections revealed that some of the offered purchase prices were for businesses harvesting the produce directly from the orchards, which differs from the price offered when farmers harvest, sort, and package the produce ready for sale, due to differences in cost structures and purchasing prices.
According to the fruit price report from the Trat Provincial Commerce Office on May 26, 2026, the price farmers received at the purchasing point for export-grade rambutan was 27-29 baht per kilogram, averaging 28 baht per kilogram. Regular rambutan was 18-21 baht per kilogram, averaging 19.50 baht per kilogram. Export-grade golden rambutan was 18-20 baht per kilogram, averaging 19 baht per kilogram, and regular golden rambutan was 11-13 baht per kilogram, averaging 12 baht per kilogram. As for retail prices, regular rambutan was 30-40 baht per kilogram, averaging 35 baht per kilogram, and regular golden rambutan was 20-25 baht per kilogram, averaging 22.50 baht per kilogram. Furthermore, the Department of Internal Trade has requested the Trat Provincial Commerce Office to survey the remaining production volume in each district, especially in the Khao Saming and Borai areas, to enable timely management of excess supply and help maintain price stability in the area.