Worries about fertiliser supply have eased after Thailand-bound cargo ships were allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but the government is still seeking additional sources of supply, the commerce minister said on Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said at Government House that five cargo vessels carrying fertiliser destined for Thailand were stranded by the Mideast war. Two of them had now been allowed passage through the strait.
A third shipper had managed to transport fertiliser overland to the Red Sea coast, and that cargo was now also on its way to Thailand.
As a result, the fertiliser supply situation had significantly improved, she said.
Ms Suphajee said the ministry is also distributing discounted fertiliser to the provinces and looking to further increase supply by buying fertiliser from China, Russia and other exporting countries.
“Although an end to the [Mideast] war is still uncertain, the government will prevent a shortage and keep prices reasonable,” Ms Suphajee said.
The Department of Internal Trade had already taken legal action against 1,640 traders who inflated fertiliser prices, she said.
Wittayakorn Maneenetr, director-general of the department, said that since the Mideast war erupted, the price of urea for fertiliser had risen by 60%, phosphate 20% and potassium 0.2%. Urea prices were now obviously falling, he said.
His department checked local fertiliser stocks twice a month. There was an adequate supply of all formulas of fertiliser, Mr Wittayakorn said.
