Rice export goal for 2015 still on course

Rice export goal for 2015 still on course

The government is upbeat about achieving this year's rice shipment goal of 10 million tonnes.

Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said Thailand already exported 9.29 million tonnes worth 148 billion baht as of last Tuesday. The ministry set a target to ship 10 million tonnes this year worth $5.1 billion, but the minister yesterday said actual shipments might reach 10 million tonnes but with a value of $4.85 billion.

Thailand lost its No.1 rice exporter status to India in 2012, while Vietnam rose to second place. Despite a late surge by Thailand, India held onto the title last year, selling 11.3 million tonnes globally compared with 10.8 million tonnes for Thailand.

Thailand's rice shipments rose 66% last year from 2013. Export value rose by 23% last year to $5.43 billion.

Mrs Apiradi said Thai rice shipments still faced many challenges next year including drought conditions, anticipated low oil and commodity prices and weak purchasing power of buying countries due to the global economic slowdown.

The ministry set a target of 9 million tonnes of rice shipments next year, worth $4.78 billion.

Mrs Apiradi said the Thai government was pursuing new rice deals with many countries including China, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Iraq and Iran. Next year it wants to expand premium rice shipments into high-purchasing-power markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

It reported since the May 2014 military coup, a combined 8.27 million tonnes had been sold from 18.7 million left over from various rice schemes, fetching 103 billion baht.

The government sold a combined 4.87 million tonnes through auction, fetching 52.6 billion baht, while government-to-government sales accounted for 3.4 million tonnes worth 50 billion baht.

Of the rest, 12 million tonnes were categorised as Grade P, meaning the grains successfully passed ministry certification and were a mix of Grades A and B. Grades A and B are defined as in slightly poor condition and in need of sorting for improvement. Some 6 million tonnes were rated as substandard or Grade C. 

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