Chiang mai: The Department of Cooperative Promotion is gearing up to launch a convoy of trucks to transport onions on March 7th, aiming to support onion farmers in Chiang Mai province by purchasing their produce at prices above the current market rate. The initiative is set to connect cooperative networks across Thailand to facilitate the distribution of onions from four key production cooperatives in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, this effort is a response to the current harvest season, which has led to a significant influx of onions in the market, particularly in the districts of Mae Wang, Fang, and Phrao. To address this, the Department of Cooperative Promotion, in collaboration with the Chiang Mai Provincial Cooperative Office, has coordinated with four local onion-growing cooperatives. These include the Fang Onion Growers Cooperative Limited, Ban Kad Pattana Onion Growers Cooperative Limited, Mae Wang Onion Growers Cooperative Limited, and Phrao Onion Growers Cooperative Limited. The cooperative network will facilitate the collection and nationwide distribution of onions, ensuring that the produce is purchased at a price above the market rate of 8 baht per kilogram, in contrast to the current price of 5 baht per kilogram.
Director-General of the Department of Cooperative Promotion, Mr. Nirun Multhida, highlighted the department’s plan to initiate the onion transportation on March 7th, starting from the Huai Manow Agricultural Cooperative in Mae Wang district. He emphasized that the cooperative aims to purchase 565 tons of onions at an above-market rate to mitigate the financial challenges faced by farmers during this period.
The onion production capacity of the four Chiang Mai cooperatives is substantial. The Fang Onion Growers Cooperative Limited, with 1,932 members and 1,939 rai of cultivated land, yields 9,650 tons. The Ban Kad Pattana Onion Growers Cooperative Limited, with 1,661 members and 2,133 rai of cultivated land, produces 8,320 tons. The Mae Wang Onion Growers Cooperative Limited, with 1,201 members and 1,900 rai of cultivated land, has a yield of 6,700 tons. Finally, the Phrao Onion Growers Cooperative Limited, with 100 members and 120 rai of cultivated land, contributes 477 tons.
Ms. Yupin Inthayathi, Director of the Cooperative Business Promotion and Development Group at the Chiang Mai Provincial Cooperative Office, outlined additional government support measures. From February 21-28, 2026, the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, facilitated the presence of over 30 businesses to purchase onions at a price above the market rate of 6 baht per kilogram. Furthermore, the Chiang Mai Provincial Cooperative Office and Chiang Mai Province provided sales space at the provincial hall, where cooperatives could sell onions two days a week.
Despite the current market price of 5 baht per kilogram at wholesalers, previous government interventions have helped secure higher prices. By opening a sales point at the Chiang Mai Provincial Hall, the cooperatives can continue purchasing onions from their members and sell them directly to consumers every Tuesday and Friday, ensuring a steady distribution of produce.