Govt Checks Sticky Rice Stocks Nationwide

NONTHABURI, Aug 26 (TNA) – Commerce Minister ordered sticky rice traders nationwide to report their inventories by tomorrow to prevent hoarding or profiteering as the glutinous rice price has skyrocketed 56 per cent year-one-year due to drought and supply shortage. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Jurin Laksanavisit said that he instructed the Internal Trade Department to issue the notice for all rice traders including millers and exporters to report their rick stocks to the authorities. Violators are subject to five years in jail and /or a maximum fine of 5,000 baht. Those, who are engaged in hoarding and profiteering face seven years in jail and/or a maximum fine of 140,000 baht. The ministry is considering a short-term measure to offer packaged sticky rice at a lower price. Sticky rice costs 45-50 baht per kilo currently. The sticky rice price has risen to 15,179 baht per tonne in August, 2019 from 9,697 baht in the same period last year, up 56.53 per cent. (TNA)