Thailand becomes biggest rice supplier to Hong Kong

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) - Thai rice is increasingly popular in Hong Kong, thanks to its prices and quality, according to spokesperson of the Commerce Ministry. Duangkamol Jiambut told reporters on Monday Hong Kong imported 80,400 tons of rice in the first quarter this year, up by 0.75 percent year on year. Of the amount, 49,900 tons or 62.2 percent of the total rice import was from Thailand, she noted. According the spokesperson, Thailand exported 33.500 tons of rice to Hong Kong during the same period last year, accounting for 42 percent of the market share. Duangkamol attributed the growing popularity of Thai rice in Hong Kong to its prices and quality. She pointed out that Hong Kong imported more Thai rice because prices of Thailand's Hom Mali rice were cheaper than last year while Hong Kong rice importers became more confidence in the quality of Thai rice after meeting Thai commerce authorities in January. Duangkamol said Hong Kong imported 21,700 tons of rice from Vietnam in the first quarter this year, down from 31,900 tons last year. As a result, Vietnam's rice market share in Hong Kong dropped from 40 percent last year to 27 percent this year, she said. According to the spokesperson, Hong Kong is likely to import 300,000-330,000 tons of rice throughout this year. (TNA)