Bangkok: The Ministry of Commerce is set to propose additional measures to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) to assist farmers facing challenges in the rice market.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Internal Trade is advancing efforts to provide support through various initiatives, including expediting interest compensation for rice mills, and removing 4 million tons of rice from the market at the beginning of the season. It also proposes that three government agencies purchase an additional 3 million tons of rice to stabilize rice prices for the 2015/2016 rainy season.
Ms. Yanee Srimanee, Deputy Director General of the Department of Internal Trade, stated the department has formed a working group to drive the interest compensation project for rice traders, aimed at stockpiling rice for the 2025/26 production year. The project has attracted 217 applicants from 44 provinces, involving the stockpiling of 4 million tons of paddy rice with a budget of 642 million baht. Entrepreneurs involved will purchase and store paddy from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, receiving government compensation at an interest rate of 3 percent per year. This will help reduce financial costs and allow entrepreneurs to purchase paddy from farmers for storage before selling it post-season.
Currently, over 6.76 million tons of paddy rice, accounting for approximately 25% of the total production, have entered the market. Peak production is anticipated in November, making the project crucial for diverting rice from the market and maintaining domestic price stability.
The Department is also implementing parallel measures to stabilize rice prices, such as a project to delay the sale of paddy rice for the rainy season. This initiative allows farmers to store rice in barns and receive a storage fee of 1,500 baht per ton, targeting 3 million tonnes. Additionally, the rice collection and value-added loan project by farmer institutions aims to support more than 1.5 million tons of paddy rice.
As an Assistant Secretary of the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee (NRAC), the Department of Internal Trade is preparing to propose further measures to the NRAC. This includes plans for the Public Warehouse Organization (PWO), the Marketing Organization for Farmers (MOF), and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to purchase an additional 3 million tons of paddy rice from farmers to support rice prices during periods of high production.
Efforts are also underway to expedite rice distribution and promote value-added initiatives, such as supporting rice milling machines, developing packaging, and promoting high-quality rice markets to sustainably increase farmers' incomes.
For the latest rice price situation as of October 27, 2025, Jasmine rice is priced between 15,200-16,500 baht per ton, Pathum Thani rice between 8,200-8,700 baht per ton, paddy rice between 6,100-6,800 baht per ton, and glutinous rice between 8,000-8,700 baht per ton.