Boonyarit Kalayanamit, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said the domestic garlic prices have fallen to $2.42 per kg from $3.59 per kg in the same period last year. Much of the drop is attributed to smuggled garlic from neighbouring countries.
“The Foreign Trade Department is working closely with the Internal Trade Department, the Customs Department and Internal Security Operations Command to deal with the issue, particularly garlic smuggled from neighbouring countries,” said Boonyarit.
Thailand is set to produce some 76,500 tons of garlic this year, 10.6 percent more than in 2017, as the acreage has increased. Domestic consumption amounts to 100,000-110,000 tons, so Thailand annually imports about 40,000 tons.
According to scmp.com, the director-general of the Customs Department said his department pledges to inspect garlic imports from neighbouring nations, particularly when the Thai harvest is sold during March and April. He said the smuggling is mostly taking place in Chiang Rai province.
