Thailand Approves 114 Buyers for 2026 Mature-Coconut Absorption Program

Province clears 114 collection depots and factories

Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province has approved 114 collection depots and factories to participate in its 2026 mature-coconut absorption program, creating a regulated purchasing channel for local growers during the main marketing period. According to Thansettakij, 118 businesses applied to join, of which 114 passed the required qualification and document checks.

Approved participants may buy and sell mature coconuts or dried coconut meat, commonly known as copra, from September 3 to October 30, 2026. The provincial committee also agreed to accept applications from additional buyers during a second registration period from September 3 to 10. The measure is intended to broaden access to qualified purchasers and move more of the crop into commercial and processing channels.

Quotas and weekly prices will govern purchases

The provincial committee, chaired by Prachuap Khiri Khan Deputy Governor Apinya Iam-ampha, approved lists of eligible farmers, aggregators and buyers whose documentation met the program’s rules. It also considered the allocation of trading quotas and the establishment of weekly benchmark prices based on provincial coconut purchasing prices. These benchmarks are designed to give participants a clear price reference while keeping subsidized transactions within the scheme’s conditions.

The program covers both whole mature coconuts and coconuts processed into copra. Eligible farmers selling whole fruit may receive management support of up to 5 baht per coconut, covering production from no more than 10 rai per farmer. Participating businesses may receive up to 0.25 baht per coconut. For coconuts converted into copra, farmers may receive up to 5 baht per kilogram, while participating operators may receive up to 0.50 baht per kilogram.

National target set at 10 million coconuts

Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade is implementing the scheme after the Farmers Assistance Fund Management Committee approved it at its August 13, 2026 meeting. Thansettakij reported that the committee authorized a non-repayable budget of 56.6075 million baht to support the management costs of absorbing coconut output into the market. The national target is 10 million mature coconuts and 500 tonnes of copra, with the output directed toward commercial channels and domestic consumption.

Prachuap Khiri Khan, one of Thailand’s principal coconut-producing provinces, has been allocated 27,498,425 baht. This funding covers support for farmers and buyers of mature coconuts or copra, as well as provincial administrative expenses. The province must operate a dedicated bank account for the program. For growers, the immediate effect will depend on the quotas assigned to individual participants and the weekly benchmark prices. For collectors and processors, the 114 approved sites provide a defined procurement network, while the second application round could add further buying capacity before the program closes on October 30.