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Thailand’s agricultural supply chain faces vulnerability due to complex carbon management challenges. Without clear government policy and investment in technology, small farmers risk losing access to vital global markets.

Key Points

• Complexity and Challenges: Thailand’s agriculture has a lengthy supply chain involving inputs, processing, and exports. This complexity complicates carbon management, especially for smallholder farmers who lack economic incentives to adopt sustainable practices. Efforts to enforce compliance, such as bans on burning, encounter resistance due to concerns over profitability.
• Need for Technology and Data: Accurate traceability and reliable data are essential for Thailand to establish a low-carbon footprint. The private sector has begun collaborating with institutions to gather data on carbon emissions; however, significant investment is required to build the necessary technological infrastructure—a challenge for smaller farmers and businesses.
• Government Leadership and Urgency: The absence of cohesive national policies from various ministries hampers funding, creates confusing standards, and diminishes negotiation power in global markets. Without immediate government action to address carbon certification, Thai agricultural exports may face significant barriers within two years, jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions.

Complex Supply Chains and Carbon Management Challenges

Thailand’s agriculture and food industry features a complex, multi-tiered supply chain, ranging from upstream inputs like seeds to downstream processing and exports. This intricate system complicates carbon management, as all elements are interconnected. The primary challenge lies with smallholder farmers, who often question financial incentives when pressured to modify practices, such as banning burning or reducing chemical fertilizer use. Their inquiries emphasize a need for economic viability, indicating that traditional enforcement methods, like laws and penalties, are insufficient. To foster genuine compliance, there must be real economic benefits for environmentally friendly practices.

The Need for Technological Infrastructure and Data Accuracy

A significant hurdle in achieving low-carbon claims is the absence of credible data. Thailand must develop accurate traceability systems and internationally recognized metrics to qualify its rice as low-carbon. Currently, private sector initiatives, including collaborations with educational institutions, are attempting to establish carbon footprint metrics. However, this requires substantial investment in technology and big data infrastructure, which is often beyond the means of small farmers and mid-sized enterprises. Innovation is crucial, as it can streamline manual processes and produce trustworthy carbon metrics needed for global markets.

Absence of Cohesive Government Policy

The lack of a unified government approach poses serious challenges to the agricultural sector’s future. With more than ten ministries involved but operating independently, there is no integrated national policy to unify efforts, leading to budget misalignments and confusing standards for farmers. This policy vacuum impacts farmers’ ability to adapt and undermines Thailand’s bargaining power in international negotiations. Stakeholders warn that without prompt action, Thailand may face consequences, including exclusion from vital global markets due to the absence of necessary carbon certification. The survival of countless Thai farming households hangs in the balance, contingent on decisive government leadership.

A food safety alert has been issued over an E. coli and salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens of people across 15 states, most of whom reported eating alfalfa sprouts before they fell ill, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, 55 people have reported falling ill, including four hospitalizations.

No deaths have been reported.

FDA WIDENS CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION TO SIX MORE STATES AS CONFIRMED CASES TOP 6,000

A food safety alert has been issued over an E. coli and salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens of people across 15 states, most of whom reported eating alfalfa sprouts before they fell ill, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and (CDC / Unknown)

The affected alfalfa sprouts were produced by Everything Sprouts and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands at retailers and grocery stores.

Customers should throw away or return any of the affected products and wash surfaces that may have come into contact with sprouts.

E. coli symptoms include stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and nausea, and salmonella symptoms involve diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever.

The CDC urged people to see a doctor immediately if they experience diarrhea and fever higher than 102 degrees, bloody diarrhea or diarrhea for more than two days, the inability to keep anything down, or signs of dehydration, including not peeing much, dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy when standing.

MICHIGAN REPORTS 2 DEATHS IN RARE PARASITE OUTBREAK THAT HAS SICKENED MORE THAN 11,000

Fifty-five people have reported falling ill in 15 states.  (CDC / Unknown)

The majority of people sickened were in Minnesota, 21, and Wisconsin, 17; while two people were sickened in New York, North Dakota, North Carolina and Florida; and one illness was reported in Washington, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

LETTUCE FARMERS PLOW CROPS BACK INTO SOIL AS CYCLOSPORIASIS FEARS TANK DEMAND FOR FRESH GREENS

Along with the CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating the outbreak, which involves three strains of E. coli and one of salmonella.

DOCTORS WARN YOUR ‘STOMACH BUG’ MAY ACTUALLY BE A PARASITE THAT’S HARDER TO DETECT

A Cyclosporiasis outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce.  (iStock / iStock)

Of those sickened, 46 were infected with E. coli, seven with salmonella, and two with both. The CDC said that some people were infected with more than one strain of the infections.

The illnesses started in late May and continued through Aug. 8.

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This outbreak comes amid several other food-borne ones reported recently that are connected to jalapeños, iceberg lettuce, eggs and blueberries.

President Donald Trump said Friday that he would allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported into the United States tariff-free for the next 90 days, with a commitment that the meat would be sold at 25% below current market prices.

The announcement immediately drew backlash from cattle industry groups and several Republican senators who warned that increasing imports could hurt American ranchers.

In a Truth Social post announcing the plan, Trump said it would “substantially lower” the price of ground beef for American families, arguing that prices had soared under the Biden administration as the domestic cattle supply had shrunk.

“As we work to rebuild this herd and help our ranchers, for the next 90 days, the United States will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of product for ground beef to be imported with no out of quota tariff,” Trump wrote.

A HISTORIC SHORTAGE IS SQUEEZING AN AMERICAN DINNER STAPLE, AND RELIEF COULD BE YEARS AWAY

President Donald Trump announced a plan to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported tariff-free for 90 days in an effort to lower prices for American consumers. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“We have a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices,” he continued. “This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again.”

After Trump’s announcement, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said it was “disappointed” by the plan, arguing that introducing below-market beef could negatively affect American cattle producers.

Speaking with FOX Business’ Nicole McManus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall urged the federal government not to interfere with the cattle industry.

“The best thing is to stay out of our business. That’s what we want, first and foremost,” Woodall said. “Let us work the way we do as producers to take care of our cattle, to take of our natural resources and to be able to grow.”

TRUMP PAUSES 50% TARIFFS ON CANADA HOURS BEFORE DEADLINE AFTER ANNOUNCING POTENTIAL DEAL

The U.S. cattle herd has fallen to its lowest level in 75 years. (Jonne Roriz/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Woodall sharply criticized Trump’s plan, arguing the president was overlooking strong consumer demand for U.S. beef.

“This is the third time in less than a year that the president has made a similar announcement about increasing imports in order to decrease the price of beef,” Woodall said.

“And, once again, he’s missing the point,” Woodall continued. “He’s missing the picture, and he’s definitely lost the plot line. This is about demand. The consumer demands our product. The customer loves what we’re producing. 

“We’re producing the highest quality beef we ever have, and they have shown their willingness to pay for it. The American consumer does not have to buy beef. They want to buy beef and, unfortunately, the president is just not factoring that into his consideration.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation also responded to Trump’s announcement, warning that “short-term measures could have long-term negative effects” for consumers and ranchers.

PIZZA HUT MAKES SURPRISING CHANGE TO ICONIC NAME AHEAD OF NFL SEASON

President Donald Trump said imported ground beef under his new plan would be sold at 25% below current market prices. (Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images / Getty Images)

U.S. Cattlemen’s Association President Justin Tupper also criticized the plan.

“You don’t put America first by putting U.S. cattle producers last,” Tupper said in a statement. “This move will weaken our markets and gamble with food safety in the process.”

Several Republicans on Capitol Hill also pushed back, including Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., who said he had advised Trump against the move and warned it could hurt ranching families.

“The President’s heart is in the right place on wanting lower prices for the American people, and beef prices have been impacted by the Mexican screwworm,” Sheehy posted on X.

FORD’S US MANUFACTURING EXPANSION TO BRING ‘THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF JOBS,’ LUTNICK SAYS

America’s ranchers are facing the smallest domestic cattle herd in 75 years as consumers contend with elevated beef prices. (Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning News / Getty Images)

“But the reality is this action will make it more difficult for American ranchers to rebuild our herd and bring prices down for the American people. And most importantly, this will harm our ranching families who feed the nation.”

Trump responded to the criticism while speaking to reporters Friday.

“I love the ranchers; they’ve done a fantastic job,” Trump said. “But they admit that we need a little help, and, in order to get the prices down, so that’s what we’re doing.”

Trump did not specify which countries would supply the beef, telling reporters only that “there are a few” and that they would send the “highest quality beef.”

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The announcement comes as U.S. ranchers face the smallest domestic cattle herd in 75 years and Tyson Foods announced last week that it would close beef facilities in Illinois and Utah.

FOX Business has reached out to the White House for additional comment.

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to the Onfolio Holdings Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. Joining us today are Dominic Wells, Chief Executive Officer; and Adam Trainor, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer. Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that certain statements made during this call may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act — Reform Act of 1995.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations as of today’s date, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such statements.

For a detailed description of risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the company’s most recent Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Additionally, during this call, management may reference certain non-GAAP financial measures and supplemental operating metrics as indicators of performance.

These measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for GAAP results. A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures is available in the company’s SEC filings, which can be found on the company’s website at investors.onfolio.com/filings. With that, I’ll turn the call over to Dom. Please go ahead, sir.

Dominic Wells
Founder, Chairman, CEO, Chief Revenue Officer, Secretary & Treasurer

Thank you, and good morning, everyone. We appreciate you joining us today. For anyone newer to the Onfolio story, we are an owner-operator of cash-generating digital businesses, primarily in B2B marketing agencies and B2C online education. Since our IPO in 2022, we have grown