Bangkok: Strict controls are being implemented on the moisture content and weight of animal feed corn to prevent exploitation of farmers. The Department of Internal Trade is conducting widespread inspections of animal feed corn purchasing points in 22 provinces, strictly enforcing controls on moisture content and weight accuracy. Inspections of moisture meters, weighing scales, purchase prices, and weight deduction criteria are being monitored to prevent farmers from being exploited. The target is to inspect 1,475 purchasing locations by December.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Yanee Srimanee, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that following instructions from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, to expedite the monitoring of the animal feed corn purchasing situation and ensure fairness for farmers, the Department of Internal Trade conducted inspections of purchasing points nationwide. The focus was on checking moisture meters, weighing scales, purchase prices, and purchasing criteria, as moisture content and weight directly affect the price farmers receive. The inspections in Nakhon Sawan and Phetchabun provinces revealed no irregularities. On August 21st, Ms. Yanee led officials to inspect two purchasing points in Nakhon Sawan province: Lee Boon Seng Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. in Phayuha Khiri district and Kan Eng Agricultural Products Limited Partnership in Tak Fa district. They found that the moisture meters and weighing scales were accurate, and the purchase prices and criteria were clearly displayed. Corn with a moisture content not exceeding 14.5% was purchased at 9.13 baht per kilogram, while corn with a moisture content of 30% was purchased at 7.14 baht per kilogram.
On August 22, officials from the Department of Internal Trade, in collaboration with the Phetchabun Provincial Commerce Office, inspected four corn buyers in Wang Pong and Chon Daen districts. They found that the buyers displayed clear purchase prices, and that their moisture meters and weighing scales were still certified. Furthermore, weight slips showed that the buyers were purchasing at prices no lower than those displayed. The purchase price for corn in Phetchabun with 14.5% moisture content was 8.60-9.05 baht per kilogram, while the price for corn with 30% moisture content was 6.40-7.16 baht per kilogram. A deduction of 7 kilograms per ton was made for every 0.5% increase in moisture content.
Furthermore, the Department of Internal Trade has developed a plan to inspect corn moisture meters in 22 provinces with significant corn trading in the northern, central, and northeastern regions from August 20 to December 2026. The target is to inspect 1,475 purchasing locations, 1,051 corn moisture meters, and 1,497 weighing scales at purchasing yards. The department will also coordinate with provincial commerce offices to continuously monitor and investigate the situation.
Ms. Yanee stated that moisture content and weight directly affect farmers' income. Therefore, it is necessary to check the equipment, purchase price, and weighing slips to ensure farmers receive prices reflecting the true quality of the produce, under the guideline of "Moisture content must be accurate, weight must be correct." If incorrect equipment is used or unfair purchasing practices are found, legal action will be taken immediately. Farmers who encounter unfair purchasing practices can report them to the Department of Internal Trade hotline at 1569 or to the provincial commerce offices nationwide so that officials can investigate and take legal action.