Govt prepares measures to shore up fruit prices during oversupply period

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BANGKOK, 17 May 2012 – The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has laid in store measures to prevent a drop in fruit prices during the oversupply period in August and September, including encouraging people to consume Thai fruit. 

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut talks about ways to tackle the low fruit price crisis during the plentiful season in August and September, particularly in the South and the North. Over 360,000 tons of fruit from seven southern provinces, namely Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat are expected to be in the market in the months. Mr Theera said the ministry will help release around 31,500 tons of these fruit to markets in other regions.

Meanwhile, the North is expected to produce 470,000 tons of longan. The government is prepared to support farmers and fruit dealers with transportation, marketing, and fruit preservation costs.