With the approach of the Winter Solstice Festival, it's time for glutinous rice balls again. But you may find the festival staple a lot pricier than before. Due to a drop in harvest of glutinous rice, its prices have increased by 10 to 30% from a year ago. And the Council of Agriculture has already stepped in to stabilize the market.

Many housewives are heading to traditional markets to purchase glutinous rice balls for the winter solstice, which is next Wednesday.

Although glutinous rice prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, the majority of vendors say that they need to keep customers happy and therefore are not raising prices.

On December 15th, wholesale prices for round and long glutinous rice rose to, respectively, 40.55 NT and 46.77 NT per kilogram. Overall, prices have risen 10% to 30% from last year.

According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, the drought in Thailand this year has affected imports of glutinous rice, while domestic production declined by more than 6,400 tons from last year.

Glutinous rice prices have been continuously rising throughout the year, and the AFA will be releasing its supply of glutinous rice to meet market demand and hopefully stabilize prices.

It will also begin purchasing glutinous rice from abroad in January to prepare for increased demand during Chinese New Year.