Smog clears as Thai sugar mills slash burnt sugarcane purchases

Government hails historic reduction in sugarcane burning after increasing fine for mills and providing 7 billion baht in farmer subsidies

Thai sugar factories have reduced their sugarcane purchases from plantations that burn their fields, according to the Industry Ministry, which supervises the Cane and Sugar Board.

Sugarcane harvest burning is a major contributor to smog that has soared beyond safe levels across the country over the past few weeks.

Fifty-eight sugar mills nationwide reported that as of January 26, non-burning plantations supplied nearly 90% of their cane while about 10% came from farms that used burning, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan reported on Monday.

“Thanks to the efforts of sugar manufacturers and related agencies, Thailand has achieved its lowest ever ratio of charred sugarcane,” he said.

The reduction resulted in improved air quality in the upper Northeast and Central regions, where PM2.5 levels have dropped, the minister said. This had boosted outdoor economic activities, he added.

PM2.5 refers to dust particles 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter that are linked with chronic diseases including lung and heart problems.

The ministry has introduced measures to curb crop burning, aiming to reduce the ratio of charred sugarcane to single digits. Farmers are being offered subsidies under a 7-billion-baht budget to harvest their cane by cutting instead of burning. Leaves and other harvest residue will be sold to biomass power plants for use as fuel.

Meanwhile, the penalty for farmers selling burnt sugarcane to sugar mills is being increased from 30 baht per tonne to 130 baht per tonne.

(2025/01/28-00:00)