Bangkok Mango Sticky Rice Price Holds Steady Despite Cheaper Mangoes
Bangkok—Despite falling mango prices, the beloved Thai dessert, mango sticky rice, is expected to retain its premium price tag in 2025. The Kasikorn Research Center forecasts a serving will cost approximately 138 baht ($4.10), mirroring 2024 levels. This is surprising, given that the price of Nam Dok Mai mangoes, the key ingredient, continues its decline for the second consecutive year. While mango enthusiasts may welcome cheaper fruit, rising costs of other essential components offset potential savings for consumers.
The Kasikorn Research Center report, released March 14, 2025, projects farm-level Nam Dok Mai mango prices at around 16.3 baht (48 cents) per kilogram this year. This represents an 8.5% drop from 17.9 baht (53 cents) in 2024 and a steeper decline from the 2023 high of 21.3 baht. This downward trend is attributed to several factors. Favorable weather conditions have resulted in a bountiful harvest, with a projected 9% increase in Nam Dok Mai mango production in key growing regions. This abundance translates to a greater market supply, primarily between March and May, when approximately 70% of the annual yield is available. Furthermore, slower domestic consumption, impacting both Thai consumers and foreign tourists frequenting restaurants and street food vendors, has also contributed.
However, the picture becomes more complex when considering other essential ingredients. While mangoes are becoming more affordable, other components and operational expenses are increasing, negating any potential price decrease for the dessert. Sticky rice, another key ingredient, has seen a 1.4% price increase. More significantly, the cost of white coconut meat, crucial for the rich coconut milk, has surged by a staggering 71.4%. Although sugar prices remain stable at 21 baht (62 cents) per kilogram, other costs, including vendor rental space, labor, and packaging materials, are also rising, further impacting the final price. Labor costs alone are predicted to increase by 2.9% in 2025.
This interplay of market forces reveals a delicacy facing opposing pressures. The abundant mango harvest offers potential consumer relief, but escalating costs throughout the supply chain, from coconut to packaging, maintain upward pressure on the final price.
Despite these economic realities, mango sticky rice remains a culinary icon and a firm favorite domestically and internationally. The Nam Dok Mai mango, a Thai Geographical Indication (GI) product, is prized for its superior quality and is increasingly featured on restaurant menus. Its global recognition continues to grow, with the dessert securing second place in the “Best Rice Puddings” category in 2024 and earning a spot among the world’s top 50 most popular desserts. This sustained popularity highlights the enduring appeal of this sweet treat, suggesting consumers are willing to pay a premium for its unique flavor and cultural significance, even with persistent price pressures. The long-term balance remains to be seen, but for now, mango sticky rice remains a delightful, albeit pricey, indulgence.
