Mexico imports Thai rice

BANGKOK, March 16 (TNA) --- Mexico is to open door for 150,000 tons of Thai long grain rice with a tariff-free import deal. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said Wednesday that Thai rice exporters would be granted the tariff-free export to Mexico until December 31 this year. Exporters can each ship 10,000 tons of rice to Mexico under the agreement without having to pay 20 percent tariff. Earlier this year, COSTCO-MEXICO superstore imported 112 tons of Thai rice for distribution to its 32 branches in 18 Mexican states. It is a part of coordination between the Thai Trade Centre in Mexico and Otis McAllister Co Ltd – a US-based importer of Thai rice – to promote the product. According to Ms Apiradi, Costco is also willing to join the Thai Trade Centre to organize marketing campaigns for Thai rice to expand its market share in Mexico. The ministry had positioned Mexico as the base to distribute Thai rice in Central America, especially Panama and Cuba. (TNA)