The Commerce Ministry’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) will closely monitor increases in vegetable prices, and pledges to come up with price-control measures.
Udom Srisomsong, DIT director-general, yesterday said prices have been increasing due to floods in many provinces affecting the quality of produce and transport costs. “The Provincial Commercial Offices are ordered to keep a closer watch on prices and aim to provide enough vegetables to consumers at fair prices,” he said.
Mr Udom said the DIT also plans to distribute more vegetables from the provinces unaffected by floods, such as Songkhla, Phuket, and Satun, via a central market to provide more alternatives to consumers.
The price of many domestic vegetables, such as morning glory, spring onions, and coriander, have increased this year, with some reaching the highest levels in a decade.
According to reports, the price of coriander per 1kg has now reached 140–150 baht, an increase of about 40% when compared to the previous prices.
Meanwhile, the price of spring onions per 1kg has climbed from 80 to 150–160 baht.
In Nakhon Sawan, the prices of vegetables sold at the Bon Kai Fresh Market have drastically increased over the past few days.
One market vendor said the problem stems from the increased costs she has to bear and the floods. This trend can also be seen in fresh markets in Chaiyaphum’s Muang district and Yala’s Betong, observers say.
One of the vendors at the Chaiyaphum fresh market said prices have increased since last month, when floods were starting to be detected.
Customers can file a complaint regarding vegetable price increases which they regard as excessive with their provincial commercial offices or call the 1569 hotline, Mr Udom said.