January 14, 2013
Increase in feed prices in Thailand pushes up livestock costs
The Thai ministry of commerce has allowed feed meal producers to increase prices by THB10 (US$0.33) per 30-kilogramme bag, resulting in higher costs for livestock farmers.
Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa, director-general for the Internal Trade Department, said the department had allowed an increase in the price of feed meal as raw materials were becoming expensive.
Prices of feed meal for aquaculture, chicken and cows are increased thus far. Wiboonlasana said the department would not allow any food retailers to increase their prices because the cost of feed meal accounts for a very small percentage of their production costs.
Producers may be urged to cut down their marketing costs before being allowed to increase their retail prices. No livestock producers have asked the department for permission to increase their prices so far.
In addition, the department is conducting a cost-structure survey on dairy products to protect consumers.
