Government aims to see 65 baht per kilogram rubber price within two months
The government aims to push the price of rubber to 65 baht per kilogram within two months by means of setting up central markets for rubber trade in various rubber growing provinces, says Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Amnuy Patisae.
According to Mr. Amnuy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has already set up ten central markets for rubber trade and another 108 smaller trading stations, to allow rubber tree growers easy access to buyers. The rubber trading centers make up a part of the governments efforts to solve the problem of low rubber prices, explained the deputy agriculture minister, who also said his ministry was aiming to achieve a rubber price of 65 baht per kilogram, up from the current price of 62 baht per kilogram.
The most recent central market for rubber was opened in Phang-nga on Tuesday. Around 100 tons of rubber brought in by rubber tree growers was auctioned off at the median price of 57 baht 75 satang. The price at the Phang-nga market was pegged to the price at the central market in Hat Yai district of Songkhla, which effectively allowed the rubber tree growers to reap a 10 baht 75 satang premium over the local price of 47 baht per kilogram in Phang-nga. The Phang-nga market will be open every Tuesday.
Sinchai Withunphisansin, director of the Phang-nga office of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund, said local rubber tree growers can now save transportation cost and avoid middlemen. However, the rubber brought in must of good quality if it is to be sold at the reference price.
(NNT)
