Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has admitted that certain products will be allowed to increase their prices because of higher oil costs, which directly affect production costs and transport fees.
However, he pledged the ministry will try its best to supervise and maintain consumer goods prices to ensure a minimal impact on consumers, saying the approval for any price hike will be primarily based on the ex-factory prices.
According to Mr Jurin, the ministry will work in a supervisory role to ensure only a minimal impact on farmers whose products now fetch relatively high prices, such as rubber, oil palm, maize, tapioca and rice.
He said rice in particular has promising prospects this year, with exports expected to reach 7-8 million tonnes, up from 6.1 million tonnes last year.
Mr Jurin said the ministry also vowed to maintain the price of cooking palm oil at…
