Can Thailand save its rice bowl, or will China, India and Vietnam eat it for lunch?

Jitsiree Thongnoi

 

Jasmine rice, once the star of Thailand’s grain exports, is facing the heat from cheaper varieties in the region

As the country cooks up a plan to regain world dominance, observers say more incentives and support for farmers are needed

 

A farmer harvests rice in a field in Thailand. Photo: AFP

 

Thailand’s famous jasmine rice claimed yet another top prize on the world stage this month, marking the sixth such honour the World Rice Conference has bestowed on the fluffy, fragrant and full-bodied grain since 2009.

 

The “Khao Dawk Mali 105” – a code name for the most renowned Thai jasmine rice variety – defeated rivals from Cambodia, China, the United States and Vietnam with “its combination of aroma, texture, and flavour”, said the judging panel at the annual forum for rice suppliers and policymakers.

 

Thai growers attributed the win to an early onset of cool winds that swept Thailand’s northeast earlier this year, making the grains “particularly shiny, strong and fragrant”, said Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

 

Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3113651/can-thailand-save-its-rice-bowl-or-will-china-india-and-vietnam

 

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31 minutes ago, webfact said:

Can Thailand save its rice bowl, or will China, India and Vietnam eat it for lunch?

 

Yes with donuts and custard for dessert .. 

courtesy of Thai Donutways ..

A quick look at the baht/rupee from 2016 to 2020 , shows 1 baht going from 1.8 to 2.47 rupees. or 30% currency growth in 5 years. Thailand is quite simply pricing itself into non-existence in the rice market.

 

I can't see that any rice, no matter what the quality could withstand an opposition rice 30% cheaper - and getting cheaper daily

Government can save the rice bowl—and they should.  But methinks they’d rather keep those mysterious foreign inflows coming.  It will cost them with rice subsides, though.

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

A quick look at the baht/rupee from 2016 to 2020 , shows 1 baht going from 1.8 to 2.47 rupees. or 30% currency growth in 5 years. Thailand is quite simply pricing itself into non-existence in the rice market.

 

I can't see that any rice, no matter what the quality could withstand an opposition rice 30% cheaper - and getting cheaper daily

Maybe it's the market telling ???????? to move on from exporting agricultural commodities to more higher value goods like manufactered goods (and services).

1 hour ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Maybe it's the market telling ???????? to move on from exporting agricultural commodities to more higher value goods like manufactered goods (and services).

That same reasoning about overpriced rice, holds true for higher priced manufactured goods.  They cannot compete with the big boys using an overpriced Baht.

6 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

A quick look at the baht/rupee from 2016 to 2020 , shows 1 baht going from 1.8 to 2.47 rupees. or 30% currency growth in 5 years. Thailand is quite simply pricing itself into non-existence in the rice market.

 

I can't see that any rice, no matter what the quality could withstand an opposition rice 30% cheaper - and getting cheaper daily

That's why we only get 6 Baht a kilo.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The “Khao Dawk Mali 105” – a code name for the most renowned Thai jasmine rice variety – defeated rivals from Cambodia, China, the United States and Vietnam with “its combination of aroma, texture, and flavour”, said the judging panel at the annual forum for rice suppliers and policymakers.

 

I'm sure people in Asia are all excited about this, and I guess they should be. But personally, I just want to know how well it goes with black beans and rice or rice-a-roni.

Plenty of rice for the domestic market.

4 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Maybe it's the market telling ???????? to move on from exporting agricultural commodities to more higher value goods like manufactered goods (and services).

'Services' seem to be constantly holding their value. Indeed some 'services' now give you far too many KG for your money !

4 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

That same reasoning about overpriced rice, holds true for higher priced manufactured goods.  They cannot compete with the big boys using an overpriced Baht.

Its not all about the overpriced Baht, although it is a major factor.

For many years there has been a lack of Investment, just profit taking , not just in the Rice Industry but the also in the Manufacturing Sector as a whole.

This coupled with poorly Trained  and Educated Staff in Factories and in the service Sector has placed Thailand way behind its competitors such as Vietnam, India and Cambodia.

18 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

Its not all about the overpriced Baht, although it is a major factor.

For many years there has been a lack of Investment, just profit taking , not just in the Rice Industry but the also in the Manufacturing Sector as a whole.

This coupled with poorly Trained  and Educated Staff in Factories and in the service Sector has placed Thailand way behind its competitors such as Vietnam, India and Cambodia.

This is indeed the major threat to Thailand’s future . Low skilled Tourism and agriculture can cope with poor educational qualifications and training,but the pandemic has exposed the country has nowhere to go once those industries cease to be what they were and it’s a generation to fix . Competing on low cost labour will also find Thailand struggling agains its neighbours. Poor education suits the elite for now but it’s an eventual terrible price for the young and the country to pay.