Thai Farmers Seek Halt to Milk Powder Imports
Thailand’s dairy farmers have urged the government to temporarily halt milk powder imports amid a severe raw milk surplus that has left large volumes unsold. The Dairy Cooperatives Federation of Thailand (DCFT) said around 211 tonnes of raw milk per day have remained unsold for three months since January, affecting as many as 15,000 dairy farmers. According to the federation, the main reason for the glut is cheaper imported milk powder, which costs about THB 12–13 per kilogram, nearly half the price of locally produced raw milk at around THB 23 per kilogram (reference price THB 22.75/kg), prompting manufacturers to shift to imported powder.
DCFT chairman Subin Pom-ocha submitted a petition to four bodies—the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Public Health, and the Bhumjaithai Party—requesting urgent measures. The federation proposed six key actions, including delaying dairy imports under the Thailand–New Zealand FTA (TNZCEP) and Thailand–Australia FTA (TAFTA) in 2026 until all domestic milk is purchased, accelerating raw-milk purchases under the 2025–2026 MOU from 24 cooperatives and 4 private operators totaling 211.686 tonnes/day, clearing stocks of UHT carton milk and school milk, improving product labeling to distinguish fresh Thai milk from reconstituted imported powder, ensuring students receive school milk for 365 days in the 2026 academic year, and allocating urgent funds to pay outstanding milk payments owed to farmers since September 2025.
The Department of Internal Trade said it has accepted the proposals and is preparing to distribute surplus milk through modern retail, industry buyers, the nationwide 169,138 Thong Fah (Blue Flag) shops, provincial sales events, and partner fuel-station networks to expand consumer access.
Source: Dairynews7x7 7th March, 2026 Get full story here
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