Bangkok: The Commerce Ministry is set to engage in discussions with chicken and pork farmers, emphasizing that any price increases should accurately reflect the actual production costs. This initiative comes amidst rising costs in egg and pork production, sparking concerns over the impact on farmers and consumers alike.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Internal Trade has scheduled meetings with pig, broiler, and egg farmers on April 2nd to closely monitor production, costs, and trade conditions. The department assures that the current supply system is sufficient and aims to safeguard farmers' livelihoods while minimizing adverse effects on the public during this crisis.
Mr. Jirawut Suwannach, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, stated that there has been ongoing monitoring of the production and trade of chicken eggs, pork, and chicken meat at both wholesale and retail levels. The department plans to invite producers for discussions to develop pricing strategies that accurately reflect the production situation without negatively impacting the public.
Currently, the supply to the market includes approximately 43.49 million chicken eggs per day, meeting the daily consumption demand of 43 million eggs. Pork production stands at 0.066 million pigs per day, surpassing the consumption demand of 0.056 million pigs per day, indicating a sufficient overall supply.
The recommended farm-gate price for mixed chicken eggs has been adjusted to 3.60 baht per egg from the previous 3.40 baht. This adjustment aligns with the actual production cost of 3.29 baht per egg, which has increased due to extremely hot weather since February 2026 affecting egg production and farm incomes. Additionally, increased water and electricity costs have arisen from the use of cooling equipment on farms.
Farm-gate pork prices have seen a rise to 72 baht per kilogram, aligning closely with the production cost of 68.57 baht per kilogram, and are within the department's regulatory range. The price increase is attributed to the pig production cycle during hot weather, affecting pigs' growth rates. Despite the current price increase, it remains lower than the same period last year, when the average was 78.26 baht per kilogram.
Mr. Jirawut emphasized that the discussions on April 2nd aim to closely monitor production, cost, and trade situations to determine appropriate pricing strategies. These strategies will strive to balance the interests of farmers and consumers, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers while keeping consumer prices manageable during the crisis, with a sufficient supply to meet demand.