Jasmine rice task force heads for Hong Kong

By Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Because of a drop in exports of Thai jasmine rice, the Commerce Ministry will lead a delegation of exporters of the country's famous rice strain to Hong Kong and Macau this weekend in a bid to boost sales.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said Thailand needed a marketing campaign emphasising the high quality of the rice to boost export value. The move would be in line with the government's policy of encouraging Thai rice exporters to concentrate on more valueadded goods.

"Thailand is losing market share of fragrant rice to Vietnam and other countries, so we should take this as a serious problem," she said. "The ministry's roadshow campaign will tighten connections with traders in potential export markets."

Porntiva will lead a team from the Thai Rice Exporters Association to meet with the Rice Merchants Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Rice Suppliers Association and Hong Kong rice importers and exporters.

Macau and Hong Kong are considered important markets for Thai rice exports, particularly jasmine rice, as they have high purchasing power and are familiar with Thai rice. Exports of jasmine rice to the market reach

-- The Nation 2010-12-11

This is reflected by the price of rice being offered to the farmer at 12.80 baht per kilo in Surin. This is a far cry from this time last years of 15.50 and where is the so called 20 baht projected due to the floods.

This is reflected by the price of rice being offered to the farmer at 12.80 baht per kilo in Surin. This is a far cry from this time last years of 15.50 and where is the so called 20 baht projected due to the floods.

The cartel of 30+ families who control all the rice in Thailand will still want their margins so the farmer must do without. How much longer will Thailand be dictating the world market price for rice?

Having been forced to eat 'rice' in HK for the last 10 days I would say go for it. The rice in HK is absolute garbage.

This is reflected by the price of rice being offered to the farmer at 12.80 baht per kilo in Surin. This is a far cry from this time last years of 15.50 and where is the so called 20 baht projected due to the floods.

The cartel of 30+ families who control all the rice in Thailand will still want their margins so the farmer must do without. How much longer will Thailand be dictating the world market price for rice?

Not long, surpassed by Vietnam, and India has some new agricultural systems in place and are more innovative than Thailand.

One study showed the bags of rice in other countries are often a competetive price and the presentation is in other languages on the labels, not just thai. they better get it together

The market for rice is price sensitive the rise of the Baht has made Thai rice even 'premium strains' uncompetitive.