Cabinet Approves Onion & Potato Market Opening Per WTO Rules

Khaosod•Economy•8h ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Cabinet has approved the import of onions, potatoes, and their seeds and tubers, aligning with World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments for the years 2026-2028.

•The Thai Cabinet has agreed to open the market for agricultural products, specifically onions and potatoes, including seeds and tubers.
•This decision is in accordance with Thailand's obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements.
•The import quotas and tariffs for various forms of onions and potatoes are detailed, with specific entry periods for some items.
•The approval covers the period from the Thai Buddhist year 2026 to 2028.

Overview

•The Cabinet approved the opening of agricultural product markets from 2026-2028.
•The Cabinet agreed to open the market for onions, potatoes, and their seeds and tubers according to WTO obligations.
•The import of onion seeds, onions (powder and non-powder), potato seed tubers, and fresh potatoes for processing has been approved.
•The decision aligns with commitments made under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement.
•Import quotas include 3.15 tons annually for onion seeds with a 0% tariff in-quota, and 1,256.50 tons for onions with a 27% tariff in-quota.
•Potato seed tubers have unlimited in-quota volume with a 0% tariff, while fresh potatoes for processing have an 83,000-ton quota with a 27% tariff in-quota.
•Imports for onions and potato seed tubers are allowed from January 1 to December 31 annually.
•Fresh potatoes for processing can be imported during January and July-December annually, with January imports capped at 20% of the allocated quota.

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Key Entities

Organization

Cabinet(ครม.)

The Thai Cabinet that approved the opening of onion and potato markets.

World Trade Organization(องค์การการค้าโลก)ℹ️

The international organization whose obligations are being met by Thailand's market opening for agricultural products.

Agricultural and Cooperative Development Policy and Plan Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบาย และแผนพัฒนาการเกษตร และสหกรณ์)

The committee whose resolution led to the Cabinet's decision on agricultural product imports.

Person

Ms. Aiyarin Panrit(น.ส.อัยรินทร์ พันธุ์ฤทธิ์)

Deputy Government Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister who announced the Cabinet's decision.