- Title: REFILE: Thai vendors squeezed by costs driven by Iran war, weak demand
- Date: 2nd April 2026
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (APRIL 2, 2026) (REUTERS) MARKET STALLS AND PEOPLE EATING AT MARKET PEOPLE EATING AT MARKET CABBAGE PACKS WRAPPED IN PLASTIC BAGS DISPLAYED AT VEGETABLE SHOP VEGETABLES DISPLAYED AT STALLS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DISPLAYED AT STALL FRONT 43-YEAR-OLD OWNER OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SHOP, SOMKIARTI CHINPAKDEE, SITTING AT HIS SHOP / VEGETABLES CHINPAKDEE SP
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Plastic Thailand consumers diners economic fruit and vegetable seller iran iran crisis market stalls middle east plastic bags plastic product rishing cost stall operators
- Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001946002042026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thai vendors in Bangkok markets said on Thursday (April 2) that rising plastic and fuel costs were squeezing their businesses as the Middle East crisis pushed up prices and demand remained weak.
A business owner at a general store said the cost of plastic bags have risen from 40 to 55 baht ($1.22 to $1.68), an increase of 37.5%, within two weeks, while a smoothie shop owner said he had “never faced a crisis like this.”
Disruptions to oil and petrochemical flows through the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war involving Iran have tightened global chemical supplies and lifted prices of plastics and polymers—used in everything from auto parts to toys—to roughly four-year highs.
In Thailand, business owners said purchasing power had been declining even before the war, but rising fuel and plastic costs have added pressure, making it harder to stay afloat and increasing concerns.
(Production: Artorn Pookasook, Napat Wesshasartar) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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