Record rice export volume last year
Thailand achieved its highest-ever rice export volume of 10.8 million tonnes last year, enabling the country to reclaim its crown as the world's largest rice exporter, according to the Commerce Ministry.
The target for this year is to continue the huge export volume in a range of 10 million to 11 million tonnes.
Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya said yesterday that 10.8 million tonnes of rice valued at US$5.37 billion (Bt174.8 billion) were shipped overseas last year.
This was some 64 per cent higher than the 2013 level of 6.6 million tonnes, and 22 per cent above last year’s value of $4.42 billion.
"Thailand was able to ship more rice last year and will continue to export a large volume this year, thanks to closer cooperation between the government and private exporters to help release rice from the stockpiles," he said.
He expects export shipments will continue to come in at a high level this year, due to more demand in the global market.
According to a report by the Department of Agriculture in the United States, rice production in the world market will decrease by 0.3 per cent from 476.9 million tonnes in 2014 to 475.2 million tonnes this year because of lower production in many countries, including Thailand, India, Japan, Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, global rice consumption is forecast to increase to 482.9 million tonnes, exceeding output by 7.7 million tonnes.
As a result, rice-trade volume in the world market is expected to reach the highest level on record at 41.92 million tonnes, from 41.88 million tonnes last year, said the US agency.
Many countries will need to import more rice, such as China, which is expected to import up to 4 million tonnes, and Nigeria (3.5 million tonnes), as well as Iran and the Philippines, which are estimated to require 1.7 million tonnes each.
Chatchai said that with lower rice production and higher import demand in many markets, Thailand would be able to release large volume of rice from the stockpiles this year, and could once again break the record high with export shipments of 10 million-11 million tonnes.
As part of the effort to achieve more shipments, the Commerce Ministry plans to forge closer ties with the private sector in promoting and expanding Thai rice trade to many markets, he added.
The effort will focus on meeting each market’s particular needs, as Thailand has a wide variety of rice grains to serve consumers in different markets, such as in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, said the minister.
