31/03/2012 (Bangkok Post) - The Commerce Ministry will seek 1.5 billion baht to set up a fund to stabilise prices of farm products such as palm oil, pigs and eggs to ensure both farmers and consumers benefit.

Vatchari Vimooktayon, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said the budget would be for fiscal 2013 to be used from Oct 1.

The fund will help create confidence among farmers that the government will assist small farmers when crop and livestock prices plunge.

Ms Vatchari said swine raisers are incurring losses from farm-gate prices of 55-57 baht a kilogramme, as the cost is 62 baht.

However, the retail price of pork is still considered high, so the department will consider setting an appropriate retail price of 110-120 baht per kg later.