Shaking up the sugar bizThere's no denying that Thailand's sugarcane industry is in a state of crisis. Sugarcane farmers are big users of the chemicals and, with support from lobbyists, they joined hands with other cash-crop planters to have the ban revoked. But financial incentives to fight the haze do nothing to help diminish the oversupply that has caused prices to plunge. Subsidies reflect the government's priorities, and subsidising the sugarcane industry at this stage sends out the wrong message. They will work against the government in the long run for as long as Thailand's ability to absorb its sugar output remains low, it will remain dependent on global fluctuations.

Source: Bangkok Post June 12, 2020 21:33 UTC