Thailand’s Trade Policy Office Proposes Climate Strategy to Stabilize Food Prices
The Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) is implementing a three-part plan to mitigate the impact of climate change and recent flooding on agricultural output and food costs.
The Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) under the Ministry of Commerce has announced a new three-pronged strategy to address the rising cost of living and food price volatility caused by climate change. According to TPSO Director Nantapong Jiralertpong, climate instability is creating uncertainty in agricultural production cycles, which threatens long-term price stability and supply chain efficiency.
The proposed plan focuses on utilizing data-driven forecasting to manage risks and prepare proactive trade measures. A key component is the 'Near-Harvest' system, which aims to predict regional crop yields, allowing authorities to respond more effectively to supply disruptions. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Commerce’s goal to balance support for farmers' incomes with the need to keep consumer food prices affordable.
This policy response follows significant agricultural damage caused by recent flooding. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives indicates that between August 21 and October 19, 2026, approximately 240,598 rai of crops were damaged, including 195,887 rai of rice, alongside 79,318 units of fishery assets.
For residents and travelers, these measures are intended to stabilize food markets, though the effectiveness of these forecasting systems remains to be seen. It is not yet confirmed how quickly these measures will impact retail prices or if further government subsidies will be required to offset the losses reported in the agricultural sector.
