The rice exports target for 2013 has been set at 8.5 million tonnes, up 16.44% from this year's expected result, the Foreign Trade Department reported.
Director-general Pranee Siriphand said the anticipated export value for 2013 was US$5.7 billion, or 15.20% higher than 2012. This year, the department projects exports will total of 7.3 million tonnes of rice, worth $4.9 billion, she said.
Thailand shipped a record 10.6 million tonnes of rice worth $6.4 billion in 2011.
Ms Pranee expressed confidence that there is still a global demand for Thai rice due to its accepted quality and standard.
She expects a boost in Thai rice exports in 2013 as a result of joint cooperation with the private sector in promoting Thai rice in new markets including Africa, South America and the Middle East and existing Asean importers such as Indonesia and the Philippines.