Thailand likely to export 6.5-6.6m tons of rice in 2013

BANGKOK, December 28 (TNA) - The Thai Rice Exporters Association has forecast that Thailand’s rice exports this year should reach 6.5-6.6 million tons, with shipments of Thai rice to overseas markets in December 2013 alone expected to total 600,000-650,000 tons. In its press release issued on Saturday, the Thai Rice Exporters Association said that the projected figures were based on the fact that the prices of Thai rice have been declining to now become competitive with those of rival countries on the world market. According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, major importers of Thai fragrant, or "Hom Mali" rice, including the United States, China and Hong Kong, have also steadily purchase the high-quality Thai rice for their domestic consumption, especially during annual festivals. Besides, Thai exports of steamed rice have been on the rise, as Nigeria is reportedly reviewing its rice import tariffs, which is beneficial to Thai rice exporters. The Thai Rice Exporters Association acknowledged, however, that the volume of Thailand’s rice exports in the first 11 months of 2013 totaled 5.9 million tons, a 5.4 per cent year-on-yar shrink, while the total value of Thai rice exports during the January-November 2013 period stood at 120.84 billion baht, a 8.8 per cent year-on-year shrink, with five major importers of Thai rice including Benin (855,636 tons), Iraq (703,869 tons), South Africa (373.698 tons), the United States (347,733 tons) and Ivory Coast (271,935 tons). The volume of Thai fragrant rice exports in November 2013 alone, however, soared by 32 per cent from a month earlier to stand at 189,452 tons, with key importing markets including the United States, China, Hong Kong and Ghana. (TNA)