BANGKOK – The Thai Commerce Ministry has launched measures to increase rice exports to six million tonnes, valued at some 150 billion baht (RM20 billion), this year, with Indonesia, China, Bangladesh and Iraq set to be the main markets under government-to-government (G2G) deals.
These deals and a campaign to make Thai rice more recognisable in other countries will spearhead efforts to boost the export volume from last year’s 5.7 million tonnes, said Minister Jurin Laksanawisit recently.
To meet the goal for 2021, Thailand must export at least 500,000 tonnes of rice per month.
However, the export volumes in January and February did not meet the benchmark due to relatively high prices compared with rival exporters resulting from a strong baht and low supply levels caused by drought, said Thai Rice Exporters’ Association president Charoean Laothammatas.
Jurin said the ministry is working with the group to promote locally produced rice under the Think Rice, Think Thailand campaign.
The kingdom has seen success in Canada, increasing its exports to the North American nation by 21% to 120,000 tonnes last year from 80,000 tonnes in 2019.
Recently, the Thai cabinet approved the export of four million tonnes of rice to Indonesia for four years, and five million tonnes to Bangladesh for five years, under G2G deals.
Thailand sold a total 925,000 tonnes of rice under G2G deals between 2012 and 2016. – Bernama, March 26, 2021
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