Goods sold cheaper before 2011 Chinese New Year

BANGKOK, 28 January 2011 (NNT) – Prices of many goods before the Chinese New Year festival are found to be cheaper than last year, except chicken and orange, according to the Department of Internal Trade (DIT).

DIT Director-General Vatchari Vimooktayon on Friday unveiled the survey on product prices during the five-day period before the Chinese New Year festival. She said the DIT believed that when the festival comes during 1-3 February 2011 prices would generally be lower than last year, or otherwise they should increase only slightly in accordance with the market mechanism.

Streaky pork this year is sold at 108-110 THB/kilogram, cheaper than 115-120 THB/kilogram last year. However, fresh whole chicken price increases to 66-68 THB/kilogram from last year’s price of 65-66 THB/kilogram.

Most of vegetables such as Chinese kale, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, wax gourd and turnip are sold at cheaper prices, compared with last year. According to Mrs Vatchari, the weather is good for vegetable cultivation so there are more supplies to the market.

As for fruits used in the worshipping ceremony during Chinese New Year festival, grade-A orange is sold at 60 THB/kilogram, increasing 10 THB/kilogram from last year’s price of 50 THB/kilogram since growers have downsized orange plantations to plant something else.

Thai people who are Chinese descendants will be celebrating the Chinese New Year festival from 1 to 3 February 2011.