Thailand should remain biggest rice exporter in 2011

The Commerce Ministry projected Thailand’s volume of rice exports will reach 9-9.5 million tonnes this year, believing the country can retain its rank as the largest rice exporter in the world market, Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai said on Friday.

Targeted high volume was attributed to more purchasing power from consumers in the world market, well-accepted quality of Thai rice among global trading partners and market expansion strategies to boost more rice exports as well as strategies to maintain major markets, Ms Pornthiva explained. These factors will enhance Thailand to remain the world’s leading rice exporter.

Rice exports in 2011 were expected to reach US$5.3-5.6 million, the minister said.

Meanwhile, rice prices in the world market in 2011 are projected to increase by five per cent compared to 2010 in line with market mechanism.

In 2011, the ministry will focus on additional exports of parboiled rice, accounting for 50 per cent of all exported rice, up 10 per cent from last year as the major market is mainly in Africa, which imported about 15-16 per cent of Thailand’s rice exports.

The ministry saw Thailand has potential to produce this parboiled rice which currently remains in low competition.

via Commerce Ministry confident Thailand to remain world’s top rice exporter in 2011.