Local Thai rice types could vanish from the market as farmers prefer a foreign Vietnamese variety recognized for its softness. This warning comes from Charoen Laothamatas, the Head of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, who fears for the future of traditional Thai strains. He reports that popular local versions like Pathum Thani fragrant rice and KB 79 have seen a decrease in production, being edged out by Vietnamese Khao Hom Phuang, also known as jasmine 85.

 

Charoen noted that "80% of the packaged rice sold in Thailand is the Vietnamese Khao Hom Phuang. This has caused the Pathum Thani fragrant rice to nearly vanish from the market because the Vietnamese variety provides a larger yield of 1,200-1,500 kg per rai, grows fast, and can be grown throughout the year".

 

In contrast, Pathum Thani fragrant rice produces 800-900 kg per rai, takes four months to harvest, and can only be grown once a year. Surprisingly, farmers are projected to decrease the cultivation of hom mali rice in favor of white rice, as it offers a higher yield and can be grown twice a year.

 

"Thailand doesn't have enough rice types that can meet the needs of farmers and match the taste of consumers. Farmers are therefore opting for foreign options, notably Vietnamese and Chinese varieties," pointed out Charoen, implying that those countries have strong government support for rice development.

 

Charoen is urging the Rice Department to speed up its research to breed new rice types that have higher yields per rai to cut production costs. He is also advocating for the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to adjust its regulations, allowing farmers to grow foreign rice alongside local strains.

 

Charoen insisted the government must prioritize developing the Thai rice industry to match what the market demands. He noted that Vietnam is successfully transitioning towards producing high-quality, competitively priced rice for export, adding value compared to Thai hom mali rice.

 

The US Department of Agriculture predicted that India will continue to be the top rice exporter in 2025, followed by Vietnam and Thailand. Charoen warned that Thailand could lose its spot among leading rice exporting countries if they don't take action. As it stands, Thailand is losing its parboiled rice export market to India. It mainly exports white rice, which remains popular in Iraq, Indonesia, and some African nations.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-08-13

 

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Will Thailand up its game and research and plan to grow better rice? Probably not; it’ll just moan about ‘foreign’ rice and how unfair it all is. 

Some farmers need to up their game. The old boy who rents wifeys lands normally gets 3 harvests a year. A short distance away where the paddy is connected directly to a large canal the farmer crops every 3 months. Literally planting a new crop a few days after cutting the old one.

Never thought much to even the best Thai rice, much prefer Indian varieties. 

19 minutes ago, proton said:

Never thought much to even the best Thai rice, much prefer Indian varieties. 

When wifey and I first got married she came to the UK for 3 years and really enjoyed eating Basmati rice. Still raves about the Indian curries we bought in the local takeaway.

Like everything else, Thailand is stuck in its ways and will refuse to adapt

like who cares? they are going to be another %whatever% hub soon.

It does not seem that complex a problem to solve.