Thailand Extends School Milk Scheme to Junior Secondary Students Through 2027
Thailand has approved an expansion of its school milk program to students in grades 7-9 at educational opportunity expansion schools. The measure, planned for the 2027 academic year, is intended to raise domestic raw-milk purchases and support dairy farmers facing excess supply.
Thailand broadens eligibility for school milk
Thailand’s cabinet has approved an expansion of the national school milk program to cover students in grades 7-9 at educational opportunity expansion schools. The new group will join children from pre-primary through grade 6 who are already covered by the scheme. The expanded eligibility is due to apply in the 2027 academic year.
Thairath reported that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives proposed the change to improve children’s health while providing continued support to domestic dairy farmers. The report did not disclose the number of additional students, the budget for the expansion, the volume of milk to be supplied or the procurement price.
Government seeks an outlet for surplus raw milk
The program is also part of the government’s response to excess milk production and pressure on farmgate raw-milk prices. Matichon reported that Deputy Prime Minister Yoshanan Wongsawat said the government had coordinated with the Ministry of Education to widen the age range of eligible students. The aim is to increase purchases of raw milk from farmers and help move accumulated dairy stocks.
The policy creates an additional institutional demand channel for Thai milk. Its effect on farmer revenue will depend on the eventual number of participating schools and students, the quantity supplied per student and the terms offered to processors and suppliers. None of those operational details was included in the available reports, making it impossible to quantify the expected increase in raw-milk demand.
Dairy-sector finances remain under pressure
The expansion comes as the government considers broader measures for the dairy industry. According to Matichon, officials are examining the use of loans and fund resources to provide liquidity while raw-milk production exceeds market demand. The government is also preparing a recovery plan for the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand, which the publication said has accumulated losses of more than 4.5 billion baht.
Siam Rath reported that the proposed response includes support for community processing plants and greater use of milk in government activities. These measures would complement the school program by developing outlets beyond ordinary retail demand. The government has also cited processing and tourism initiatives used abroad as possible models for raising the value of Thai dairy products.
Political leaders promote domestically produced milk
The cabinet decision was highlighted during a dairy promotion event at Thailand’s parliament on September 8, 2026. Thairath said Deputy Agriculture Minister Watcharapol Khaokham led ministers and Pheu Thai lawmakers attending the Phasuk Market, where they bought Thai-Danish fresh-milk products. Yoshanan encouraged consumers to support the brand, describing its products as made from 100% fresh cow’s milk supplied by Thai farmers.
For dairy farmers and processors, the school program offers a state-backed destination for part of domestic production, but the available information does not establish how much additional milk will be absorbed. Procurement rules, funding and delivery arrangements will determine whether the expansion produces stable purchases or only temporary relief from surplus stocks. Implementation details for the 2027 academic year will therefore be central to assessing its commercial impact.
