05/08/03
Thai
rice export volume is expected to increase from 7.25 million tons
in 2002 to 7.5 million tons this year.
Since
Thai Commerce Minister was leading a Thai delegation to promote
Thai fragrant rice in China during July 20-24, rice market was
boosted up a little by 34,000 tons of Thai fragrant rice from
China. In addtion, Thai government also planned to increase rice
export quantity to China from 200,000-250,000 tons to 500,000
tons in the next two years.
Thailand
has tried to boost rice export to Brazil with belief that Thailand
has more competitive prices than US. There was 10,000 tons of
rice sold to Brazil last week, and they also anticipate that Brazilians
will order more in the coming months.
Thai
government has a project to establish rice-distribution center
with warehouse in Middle East, Commonwealth of Independent States,
China and Africa. The government allow exporters to join in marketing
campaign.The center would help thai rice exporters to negotiate
with customers in case of any disagreement.
To
support domestic rice prices, Thai government had announced to
stop purchasing rice at the government-set prices. However, since
local farmers appealed to extend this program beyond July 31,
Thai government made a decision to continue the program till the
end of this month.
According
to the Thai Internal Trade Department, Thai rice export volume
excluding jasmine rice between July 1-24, 2003 has a 27.4 percent
decline from the same period last year. On the other way, Thai
rice exports including jasmine rice between the same period last
year and this year has increased about 130,000 tons.
Most
of Thai rice prices are rather stable except Thai fragrant rice
grade A. Due to recent demand from China, Thai fragrant rice price
is quoted higher.
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