Makro–Lotus’s under CP AXTRA Partners with Public and Private Sectors Launches “AXTRA AGRI-CONNEXT” Platform of Opportunity 24/7 Online Access Connecting Thai Farmers to Modern Trade
Bangkok, 7 May 2026 – CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, operator of wholesale and retail businesses under “Makro–Lotus’s,” in collaboration with public and private sector partners, has officially launched AXTRA AGRI-CONNEXT, an “Platform of Opportunity” designed as a key mechanism to connect farmers, entrepreneurs, and modern trade markets. The initiative aims to enhance competitiveness and drive sustainable growth for Thailand’s grassroots economy.
Mrs. Siriporn Dechsingha, Chief Corporate Sustainability and Communication Officer of CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, stated: “CP AXTRA believes that ‘good opportunities’ should be equally accessible. We have therefore developed this ‘Platform of Opportunity’ as a 24/7 online platform designed to reduce limitations and complex procedures, accelerate business processes, and create real business opportunities. The platform seamlessly connects farmers with modern trade, enabling them to directly present and introduce their products to Makro and Lotus’s. It helps bridge market gaps, enhance competitiveness, and provides support ranging from training and product development to product selection and sales opportunities”.
Mr. Jirawut Suwanart, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, said: “The Department of Internal Trade plays a key role in maintaining price stability and ensuring fairness in the market system, especially for agricultural products, which are the backbone of Thailand’s economy. A major challenge today is enabling farmers to access markets more directly, reduce inequality, and strengthen their bargaining power. This ‘Platform of Opportunity’ is an important mechanism to connect farmers with modern trade, both in retail and digital channels. This collaboration will expand distribution channels, ensure fair pricing, and improve consumer access to quality products. The Department fully supports this initiative and believes it can serve as a model for the future development of Thailand’s agricultural market.”
Mr. Weerasak Boonchorn, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, added: “Our key mission is to empower Thai farmers to ‘produce quality and sell with value.’ We have focused on knowledge transfer, technology adoption, and production planning to help farmers become Smart Farmers who can meet market demand. Equally important is building consumer confidence in product quality and safety. We support this through the i-Trace (Traceability System), which enables end-to-end supply chain verification. By simply scanning a QR code, consumers can access key product information from origin, species, production standards, and farm location to nutritional data.”
Mr.Pakdee Chantraket, Deputy Director-General of the Cooperative Promotion Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, commented: “Cooperatives are a crucial mechanism in strengthening farmers by enhancing production capacity and product quality through standardized packing facilities and effective market management. This collaboration will strengthen cooperatives’ ability to access modern trade, improve distribution efficiency, and support their transition into capable players within the supply chain.”
Mr. Viboon Supakrapongkul, Vice Chairman of The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Agriculture and Food Coordination and Public Relations Center (AFC), stated: “This collaboration is a key driver for Thailand’s economy by building a comprehensive economic ecosystem from production to distribution while connecting Young Smart Farmers to modern trade markets. It enables entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, to access markets, scale their businesses, and expand opportunities both domestically and internationally, leading to strong and sustainable growth across all sectors.”
The company aims to develop the platform into the country’s largest hub for farmers and SMEs, alongside promoting knowledge sharing and training to enhance production capabilities and structured business operations. It will also facilitate trade linkages and business matching activities between producers and buyers to expand market opportunities. In 2026, the company targets procurement of 30,000 tons of agricultural products, with a total value of THB 35 billion, to drive tangible economic opportunities nationwide.
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