Rice price increasing due to drought, Covid-19

By The Nation

 

 

The price of rice packs have been on an increasing trend in the second quarter of this year after rice prices in the country rose from the beginning of this year by 20 to 30 per cent due to the drought and increasing demand in foreign markets amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Somkiat Makcayathorn honorary president of Thai Rice Packers Association (TRPA), said that currently rice prices had risen to Bt15 per kilogram, up from Bt12.50 in January, or about 20 to 30 per cent.

 

“Rice prices will tend to rise until a new season of rice production starts between August and September this year,” he said.

 

He explained that a five-kilogram white rice pack costs between Bt70 and Bt120 per pack and tended to increase to between Bt90 and Bt150 per pack, up by approximately 20 to 30 per cent depending on the product brand.

 

“Meanwhile, the price of a five-kilogram Hom Mali rice pack was unchanged at between Bt160 and Bt250 per pack,” he said.

 

He further explained that the worst drought crisis in 40 years had caused rice prices to increase, resulting in farmers being unable to tap four to five million rai of land for off-season farming.

 

“We expect rice production to decrease by approximately 1.5 to 2 million tonnes,” he said. “Besides, export market demand has also increased during the Covid-19 outbreak.”

 

He said there was no need for people to hoard stocks as Thailand will not face rice shortage.

 

“Retail departments have a policy to store products at the distribution centre, then they will distribute to each branch, so it would take time to send products,” he said.

 

He added that demand for rice consumption in the country would not increase from the previous year and may decrease as the number of tourists has declined.

 

“Demand for rice in the previous year was 7.5 million tonnes, up from 2018 by approximately 8 per cent due to the increasing number of tourists. This year, Thailand will be able to produce 17.5 million tonnes of rice,” he added.

 

“The Thai rice pack market has a value of about Bt30 billion in the previous year, but this year it is expected that the value would increase due to the rising price.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384583

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-23

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So, they see the opportunity to make money and are going to be allowed to profit, the rice has been in "their " warehouses waiting for this opportunity for how long?

Fairly obvious this was going to happen. All the rice paddies near us have been dry for months, dust bowls producing no crop at all. I feel bad for the farmers, paying thousands to plough the fields and plant the crop and then getting nothing in return.

Well ain't gonna be no rain for at least another two months,and if we have a wet season like last year,things are going to get very bad,we have had 27 mm so far,but we are lucky ,check the gov website,some place's still have had 0 mm this year and probably 0mm since the end of sept,in 8 years here i have not know such a weak and hot wet season.

Weren't they just cheering that rice exports were expanding?

Quote

“Demand for rice in the previous year was 7.5 million tonnes, up from 2018 by approximately 8 per cent due to the increasing number of tourists. This year, Thailand will be able to produce 17.5 million tonnes of rice,” he added.

No shortage then.... just exporting it and raping the Thai people for more as usual... 

So no jobs, no money and food price going up. What will it take for Thais to revolt, a hot poker up the chimney? 

12 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Fairly obvious this was going to happen. All the rice paddies near us have been dry for months, dust bowls producing no crop at all. I feel bad for the farmers, paying thousands to plough the fields and plant the crop and then getting nothing in return.

what a supreme leader P-wit has been, the nation is excelling in all sectors, firing on all cylinders 

Luckily we have plenty of home grown rice stored in the garage. Told the wife to buy plenty of fish sauce to have with it.

Which will put inflationary pressure on food further accentuating the divide between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' and a large segment of the population has been tossed into the ranks of the unemployed.  Pretty soon we'll hear the strains of "let them eat somtum". 

14 hours ago, englishoak said:

No shortage then.... just exporting it and raping the Thai people for more as usual... 

Durian is cheap now that the export window to China is closed.  Well, it's cheap as long as the government allows the road vendors to hawk it. 

So why not buy vietnamese rice? Cheaper, and quite delicious. Maybe Thailand should stop trying to be a rice-producing country with their outdated ways of growing it and increasing droughts.

 

They should focus on other produce, but please, please, not all of them the same crop at the same time....