โรงงานน้ำตาลทราย จ่อปรับขึ้นราคาใน พ.ค. หลังต้นทุน ‘บรรจุภัณฑ์-ขนส่ง’ พุ่ง | THE STANDARD WEALTH

Business owners are facing significant cost increases, particularly in the energy and chemical sectors, which are impacting various industries, including the domestic sugar industry. Rising prices for packaging materials like plastic pellets, palm oil, and general oil have led to higher transportation costs, affecting the distribution of goods nationwide. For over a month, sugar industry operators have been working with the government to manage these escalating costs and mitigate the impact on consumers, especially given the current high cost of living. To help alleviate financial burdens, the retail price of granulated sugar will remain fixed throughout April. However, due to ongoing cost trends, a restructuring of pricing is necessary to reflect the actual situation and maintain the balance of the overall system, ensuring liquidity management and continuity. Consequently, retail prices will be adjusted starting in May. This measure aims to support the long-term freedom and resilience of the industry, benefiting both consumers and agricultural entrepreneurs. Thailand has a sugar production capacity of 11.8 million tons annually, with domestic consumption around 2.3 million tons. Of this, 450,000 tons are for household use, and the remainder is for industrial consumption in sectors like food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The planned price restructuring specifically targets the retail price, with no adjustments for the industrial sector to avoid a ripple effect on consumer goods. This decision was made after a comprehensive impact assessment and aims to maintain economic balance. Granulated sugar is a controlled product, and any price increase requires prior notification to the Department of Internal Trade. The retail price will be held until April, with adjustments to the retail selling price planned for May, while industrial sector pricing remains unaffected for now.