Lower pledging price for next rice crop

Lower pledging price for next rice crop

The price of pledged rice for the next harvest is certain to be less than the current 15,000 baht per tonne, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisarn said on Wednesday.

Mr Niwatthamrong said Thai rice is already more costly than rice from other countries, particularly Vietnam, putting Thailand at a competitive disadvantage and at odds with the world market.

He said that meant the pledging price for the next crop season would have to be less than 15,000 baht per tonne, but government would try to make sure that farmers get a reasonable price for their grain, even if the government had to take a loss.

Mr Niwatthamrong said he would invite representatives of farmers from all regions to discuss ways of solving problems with the rice scheme and consider a suitable price for the next harvest at some point in the next two weeks.

Their opinions would be forwarded to the National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC) for consideration, he said.

Mr Niwatthamrong reaffirmed that the pledging price will be retained at 15,000 baht per tonne until Sept 15, by when the current second-crop harvest should be over.

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