DFNet

May 28, 2026 | Thai PBS World |

Rambutan growers in Thailand’s Trat Province are facing a severe price crisis, with farm-gate prices falling to as low as 6–8 baht/kg for the Si Thong variety and 16–17 baht/kg for the Rong Rien variety. The sharp decline has left many farmers struggling to cover rising production costs, including electricity, fuel, fertilizers, and pesticides.

To reduce expenses, many farming families have stopped hiring harvest workers and instead rely on family members, including elderly relatives, to harvest the fruit themselves. Hiring labor would add 3–5 baht/kg in costs, making production unprofitable under current market conditions.

Farmers say prices below 20 baht/kg are unsustainable and are calling for government intervention to stabilize the market. They estimate that a price of 27–28 baht/kg is needed to cover costs and provide a reasonable income.

Meanwhile, traders and middlemen are also facing uncertainty, as their buying prices depend on fluctuating rates offered by fruit packing facilities. With no clear signs of market recovery, both growers and buyers remain concerned about the long-term viability of the rambutan industry in the region.

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