Middlemen traders in Thailand are being warned they could face imprisonment and heavy fines if they collude to suppress the price of southern durians. Last week, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said he instructed the Internal Trade Department and commerce officials in the southern provinces to investigate any attempt by middlemen to collude in refusing to buy durian and mangosteen, to suppress their prices.
Only about 5% of the durian output in southern provinces has been harvested so far. The average price of export-grade durian currently ranges from 130-135 baht/kg, compared to about 116 baht/kg last year, while the prices of export-grade mangosteen range from 74-98 baht/kg, compared to an average of 37 baht/kg last year.
Southern durian is harvested later than in eastern provinces, such as Prachin Buri, Rayong and especially Chanthaburi, which is the largest producer of durian in the country.
[ 100 baht = €2.60 ]
Source: thaipbsworld.com