El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister

[webfact]

 

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption.

 

Phumtham commissioned the Internal Trade Department and Foreign Trade Department to jointly monitor and alleviate the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and the ensuing drought.

 

He voiced his concerns over the possible effects on the cultivation of key agricultural commodities such as rice, cassava, maize, and oil palm. This could result in a diminished supply due to the global drought affecting various countries.

Phumtham noted that while a number of nations are keen on procuring these products from Thailand, and the country has a sufficient domestic supply, excessively rapid exports could precipitate domestic shortages. Therefore, it is pivotal to appropriately manage domestic stocks and balance export activities so as not to destabilise domestic product prices.

Phumtham reassured that the Commerce Ministry has no plans to impose export bans or restrictions on agricultural commodities, despite the increased international demand for rice and other agricultural products due to apprehensions surrounding the potentially severe ramifications of the El Niño phenomenon.

 

by Alex Morgan 

Photo by Oleksandr Sushko on Unsplash.

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-12

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Eff1n2ret]

Well, as long as they don't do the same as the last time there were forecasts of a rice shortage during Yinglak's time in power, and they bought up huge quantities at a guaranteed inflated price. In the event there was no real shortage and Thailand lost its position as the world's leading rice exporter to other countries such as Vietnam.

[digger70]

There shouldn't be a shortage . We get plenty off rain and when we don't get rain Get the farmers to invest in some pumps and Drill a Well and irrigate then the problem is solved .

That will be good for many yrs to come and than the farmers don't have to Whinge Again.

[Sydebolle]

What's Thailand's sweet heart agricultural minister Thammanat's opinion ........? 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption.

Just waiting for the prices to start rising already.... just in case.

[dinsdale]

Stupid stock photo. Rice paddies are getting a good soaking.

 

[BritScot]

Pity they hadn't been putting rice in storage for bad/hard times. Oh I forgot!!!!! What ever happened to the money when the generals sold it all off?

[zzaa09]

Nothing like a good fanciful speculation from experts to set us straight. 

[thailand49]

It is all about raising prices,  which past month has already. Rice I buy for wife restaurant 15.kilo bag before 475.now 509.

Palm oil 2 years ago 24 baht said it was too low today if lucky 48 baht, 

Cooking gas 355 today 475.

[jacko45k]

On 10/12/2023 at 1:37 PM, digger70 said:

There shouldn't be a shortage . We get plenty off rain and when we don't get rain Get the farmers to invest in some pumps and Drill a Well and irrigate then the problem is solved .

That will be good for many yrs to come and than the farmers don't have to Whinge Again.

Sometimes there is too much rain.... a family member has lost the rice crop due to flooding in Tak province.

[digger70]

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Sometimes there is too much rain.... a family member has lost the rice crop due to flooding in Tak province.

Flooding can't always be avoided but one can Drain the land that will help.

My Dad in Holland had to dig drains along his land to let most off the water drain away

It's always something it's never Perfect for a farmer they depend on the weather being good or bad .

Farmers have to persevere and work with the weather.

[rickudon]

Looks like a bumper crop of rice here around Udon Thani. Just a speculator who wants to push up prices.

[Puccini]

Wasn't there a news article recently about some government official saying that rice farmers in Thailand should skip one harvest this year because of oversupply?