NAKHON SI THAMMARAT - Palm tree planters have again asked the government for price support to guarantee them an income equivalent to 3.38 baht a kilogramme for fresh palm nuts.
Planters' representatives gathered in the provincial hall on Tuesday to make their latest demand after earlier attempts to get assistance from the government brought no response.
Somporn Sripetch, president of Nakhon Si Thammarat Palm Planters Association said they wanted the Agriculture Ministry to make up the difference if they have to sell palm nuts in the market at less than 3.28 baht/kg, which they see as the production cost price.
They also want the government to allow at least 20 planters to participate in setting up a standard for the palm oil industry and provide support farm materials such as fertiliser or seeds.
The planters want a palm nut purchase system based on ripeness and freshness, not the percentage of oil content.
The government should control the smuggling of palm oil from neighbouring countries and regulate both the seedless and seed business, and provide financial support to agricultural institutes for the establishment of extraction factories. The Palm Act should also be enacted urgently.
Mr Somporn said it was unacceptable that the price of fresh palm nuts had fallen to 2.60-2.80 baht/kg, which was below the cost of production.
The Commerce Ministry last week cut the reference price for manufacturers buying palm nuts from farmers by one baht to 3.20 baht/kg after a rise in the crude palm oil supply to 450,000 tonnes.
This is far higher than the typical level of 200,000 tonnes held in stock.
In addition to over supply, planters complained the price of fresh produce was also forced down by cheap palm oil smuggled into Thailand.
The planters said they would give the government 15 days, and if it had not given a satisfactory reply by then they would meet again to decide on further action.