BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cooperative Promotion Department is moving ahead with plans to establish central collection hubs to address falling prices of Nam Hom (aromatic) coconuts. The approach aims to absorb excess supply, ease price pressure, and expand access to new markets beyond traditional channels.
Director-General Nirun Multhida said cooperatives will act as key collection points, gathering produce from farmers and supplying it to the hubs. The effort will involve coordination with private sector partners and marketing specialists to strengthen distribution and improve market access.
Authorities are also promoting value-added processing to increase farmer income. Support has been provided for equipment such as cooling storage for coconut sap, enabling further development into products including coconut sugar and syrup.
Cooperative networks have increased purchases in recent months to support farmers, including buying coconuts at higher prices than previous farm-gate levels. More than 2.3 million coconuts have been distributed to markets nationwide, generating over 11.8 million baht and contributing to a gradual price improvement. (NNT)
