Decharat Challenges Supachee: Rushing to Showcase Results Without Reviewing Data, Fruit Exports Up But Farm-Gate Prices Down
Pheu Thai policy director Decharat challenges Commerce Minister Supachee over April fruit export claims, noting that while durian, rambutan and lychee exports surged, farm-gate prices for farmers actually fell due to earlier harvests floodi
On May 23, 2025, Decharat Sukkamagnet, policy director of the Pheu Thai Party, commented on Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Suthermphan's social media post presenting fruit export achievements for April 2025, which returned to positive growth after eight consecutive months of decline. Supachee highlighted three commodities: durian exports up 109.5%, rambutan up 92.8%, and lychee up 70.0%. While Supachee indicated this was a year-on-year comparison and represented a ministry accomplishment, Decharat questioned why farm-gate prices for these fruits actually decreased.
According to agricultural price index data from the Office of Agricultural Economics, April 2025 compared to April 2024 showed durian prices down 1.7%, rambutan prices down 22.8%, and lychee prices down 7.4%. This means increased exports did not translate to higher prices for farmers—a point Supachee did not address.
Decharat noted that fruit farmers had already challenged Supachee, explaining that last year durian production came late, reducing export values in April. This year, production arrived earlier, boosting April export values, but simultaneously depressing farm-gate prices. Production data from the Office of Agricultural Economics confirmed durian production in April 2025 increased 26.1% year-on-year, while rambutan production surged 6,137.0%, having been minimal in April 2024 but peaking in June 2024. This earlier harvest timing this year drove down rambutan prices by 22.8%.
Even lychee, where April 2025 production declined compared to the previous year but exports increased, still saw farm-gate prices fall. Decharat stated: "Agricultural commodity figures must be viewed comprehensively. I would advise Supachee not to rush presenting achievements. Agricultural products are complex, involving seasonality, production volatility, and supply chain dynamics. We must examine figures from multiple dimensions simultaneously to verify whether improvements stem from genuine progress or mask underlying problems that need correction."
Decharat further suggested that Supachee should accelerate the Commerce Ministry's publication of export data online, as current updates only cover through March 2025. This would allow broader analysis to identify which agricultural exports are declining and require attention. Beneath the preliminary positive signals Supachee and the Commerce Ministry highlighted lie negative signals and problems requiring deeper understanding and correction.
