Farm-gate prices for Thailand’s Nam Hom (aromatic) coconuts have fallen sharply to just 1–2 baht per fruit, pushing growers towards financial ruin. The slump has prompted urgent action from Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, who has ordered officials to closely monitor the situation and assist farmers and entrepreneurs across the supply chain. Authorities are also expanding export efforts and investigating nominee firms accused of distorting the market.

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Suphajee said the Ministry of Commerce has been tracking the price decline and had previously implemented comprehensive support measures since July 2025. Nantapong Chiralerspong, Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) and ministry spokesman, said agencies have coordinated efforts to tackle the low-price problem.

The Department of Internal Trade had divided its response into three phases. During the first round of low prices from July to September 2025, it absorbed 830,000 coconuts, opened purchase points offering above-market prices in Bang Phae district, Ratchaburi province and organised pre-orders and CSR activities with major private companies and government agencies.

In the second round, from November to December 2025, 460,000 coconuts were absorbed. Measures included linking provincial commerce networks, orders via the MOC GO app, distributing coconuts through petrol stations including PT, Susco, PTT and Bangchak in Bangkok and surrounding areas, and promoting consumption through MasterChef Thailand Season 7.

The third round, from late January 2026 to the present, targets management of 1 million coconuts. Purchase points offering above-market prices have opened in Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Songkhla, alongside sales points in Bangkok and nearby areas, Thong Fah fairs and coordination with modern trade operators and private firms.

Despite a global surge in demand for Thai coconut water, growers report limited benefit from export growth. Industry leaders attribute the collapse to foreign investors, predominantly from China, who they say operate through local nominee companies and now control much of the supply chain.

Natthasak Manusrungsri, managing director of K-Fresh and owner of the All Coco brand, said the industry ecosystem is being hollowed out by foreign capital using nominee firms. “The most heart-breaking reality is that farmers are being squeezed to the point of no return,” he said, warning that growers cannot afford fertilisers or irrigation, leading to stunted fruit and inferior flavour.

In Ratchaburi and other key provinces, foreign-funded factories have expanded rapidly, reportedly renting plantations, building high-speed processing plants and managing their own logistics. Industry sources warned that without protective measures, Thai operators risk displacement from the market.

The Nation reported that calls for intervention are increasing to safeguard local producers and stabilise prices. The future of Thailand’s aromatic coconut sector now depends on whether regulatory or protective measures are introduced.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

Key Takeaways

• Farm-gate prices for Nam Hom coconuts fell to 1–2 baht per fruit.

• The Commerce Ministry has implemented phased absorption measures totalling more than 2.29 million coconuts since July 2025.

• Industry leaders blame foreign-backed nominee firms for controlling the supply chain and suppressing farm prices.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 28 Feb 2026

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The result of the too expensive THB

30 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

The result of the too expensive THB

The result of too expensive coconuts.

When they doubled in price a few years back, I stopped buying them.

Suspect everyone else did the same.

Cavendish bananas are playing the same game.

Probably due to Intense competition from Vietnam and foreign-Controlled Supply Chain, mainly China.

Cavendish bananas has always been expensive, not only in Thailand, but in other countries around.

Highly unlikely that that a few persons avoidance would effect market prices - its more complicated IMHO.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

The result of too expensive coconuts.

When they doubled in price a few years back, I stopped buying them.

Suspect everyone else did the same.

Cavendish bananas are playing the same game.

That too.. same as durians... They have raised the prices, but now eith the too expensive THB, they are almost not exported anymore... Greed has killed it

23 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

That too.. same as durians... They have raised the prices, but now eith the too expensive THB, they are almost not exported anymore... Greed has killed it

It would be good to see Durians at 1-2 baht a kilo, same as Coconuts...

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

That too.. same as durians... They have raised the prices, but now eith the too expensive THB, they are almost not exported anymore... Greed has killed it

Don't let realty interfere with your "expert insights"
In 2025, Thailand remains the top global exporter of fresh durian, with exports to China generating approximately $3.9 billion in the first 11 months. Despite facing challenges from erratic weather affecting quality, over 4,500 containers were processed at the border in May 2025 alone, driven by high demand for the "Khao Banthat Mon Thong" variety.

So then, should we buy more coconuts at the market?

I would if I knew how to open them.

I recall, many decades ago, searching for coconuts in the Northeastern USA, during winter months.

They were awfully expensive.

Now that I am here in Thailand, I do not buy them.

I don't know when they are completely fresh, for example.

And, even if I knew that they were fresh, I still would not know how to open one.

They are very heavy, too.

I sometimes see them in the trees growing above the road in front of my house.

Quite beautiful even if nobody seems interested in eating them.

This is why I make coconut wine

50 minutes ago, JustinTyme said:

Don't let realty interfere with your "expert insights"
In 2025, Thailand remains the top global exporter of fresh durian, with exports to China generating approximately $3.9 billion in the first 11 months. Despite facing challenges from erratic weather affecting quality, over 4,500 containers were processed at the border in May 2025 alone, driven by high demand for the "Khao Banthat Mon Thong" variety.

In 2024, Thailand exported 859,157 tonnes of durian worth 134.852 billion baht. Exports rose to 982,016 tonnes in 2025, but the value fell to 125.868 billion baht.

nationthailand

Thailand faces tougher durian export competition in China...

Thailand’s Office of Agricultural Economics warns durian exporters to tighten quality control to meet China’s stricter safety checks and rising competition from Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and

5 hours ago, ravip said:

Probably due to Intense competition from Vietnam and foreign-Controlled Supply Chain, mainly China.

Cavendish bananas has always been expensive, not only in Thailand, but in other countries around.

Highly unlikely that that a few persons avoidance would effect market prices - its more complicated IMHO.

I agree with this post. I hope a fair market price can be found as the suppliers need to be able to earn a fair living

Re paragraph 8 of the article.

The foreign investment which Thailand craves and encourages has funded coconut processing factories in Ratchaburi which are indicated as causing oversupply leading to depressed prices affecting indepent growers?

2 hours ago, Legal Lifeline said:

suppliers need to be able to earn a fair living

Did pig-tailed macaques (monkeys) unionize?

A post with misquoted content has been removed.

I guess I need to start eating more coconuts here in Thailand. They used to be for sale along the roads in the Northeast, but now i do not see them as often. When we traveled to Rachaburi last year and i was impressed buy how delicious they were.

I love coconut water while I am here in Thailand, but it is terrible when you buy it in the states - watered down and tasteless. The package will say "100% Thai coconut water", but I assume that there is a lot more water than coconut. I refuse to buy it in the states.

After getting stupid expensive. Good to see the prices are down, now let's see that reflected in retail prices.

On 2/28/2026 at 11:22 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

So then, should we buy more coconuts at the market?

I would if I knew how to open them.

I recall, many decades ago, searching for coconuts in the Northeastern USA, during winter months.

They were awfully expensive.

Now that I am here in Thailand, I do not buy them.

I don't know when they are completely fresh, for example.

And, even if I knew that they were fresh, I still would not know how to open one.

They are very heavy, too.

I sometimes see them in the trees growing above the road in front of my house.

Quite beautiful even if nobody seems interested in eating them.

Do you not know that when you buy them roadside or in a market they open them for you and even give you a straw to drink the delicious juice inside. 30 to 50 THB. In my view not expensive for such a nutritious drink and food.

23 minutes ago, SunsetT said:

Do you not know that when you buy them roadside or in a market they open them for you and even give you a straw to drink the delicious juice inside. 30 to 50 THB. In my view not expensive for such a nutritious drink and food.

I actually did know that, and you are right that they are delicious and nutritious.

Also, I know that some people throw the coconut in a fire and let it burn for a while, before adding a straw.