Fruit feud meeting in FebruaryThe Commerce Ministry is scheduled to hold a joint meeting with fruit brokers, traders, exporters, farmer representatives, retailers and related agencies on Feb 8 in Chanthaburi province to tackle unfair fruit purchase contracts. According to Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, the joint meeting was called after the department received many complaints from fruit traders and growers about unfair purchase contracts and breached contracts. He cited examples of traders refusing to buy fruit from growers once fruit prices surged, and farmers selling their produce to traders who offered higher prices instead of those they had a purchase agreement with. The Internal Trade Department is also ready to step in to supervise the purchase contracts between fruit traders and farmers who own fruit orchards to ensure fairness. Most fruit exports are from the eastern and southern parts of Thailand, particularly Chumphon, Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat provinces.

Source: Bangkok Post January 26, 2020 21:45 UTC