Sugar cane farmers in Thailand are seeking clarification from the industry and commerce ministries regarding the Cabinet’s decision to allow a mere 2-baht increase per kilogramme in ex-factory sugar prices. The decision has been deemed unfair by sugar manufacturers as it falls short of the four-baht price hike requested by the Cane and Sugar Board.
Citing escalating manufacturing costs due to drought-induced rise in cane prices, the Board’s proposed increase was set to come into effect from October 28.
The government, however, approved only half of the proposed increase, to align with the increased production costs. An additional 2-baht rise for the Cane and Sugar Fund, intended for environmental purposes, was rejected. The official stance was that consumers should not shoulder the burden of this additional hike.
Narathip Anantasuk, head of the Thailand…
