Oil palm growers to petition government for help to seed prices

Oil palm growers across Thailand plan to submit simultaneous petitions to authorities in each province, seeking government help to boost the prices of raw oil palm seed, which have fallen to an average of 4 baht/kg.
The growers are complaining that, while the prices of raw palm seed continue to plummet, from a peak of 12 baht/kg to 4 baht/kg at present, the price of chemical fertiliser continues to rise, from an average of 600 baht/bag to between 1,500-1,800 baht/bag today, and it is still increasing.
For the growers to make a living, they claim that the minimum price of raw oil palm seeds should be 6 baht/kg.
The war between Russia and Ukraine this year has rapidly driven up the prices of chemical fertilisers, due to supply shortages and sanctions imposed on Russia.
Meanwhile, associations and representatives of sugarcane farmers plan to meet Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit to discuss the prices of the new sugarcane crop, which are yet to be set by the Sugarcane and Sugar Committee.