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Private sector confident to remain leader in rice exporting this year



BANGKOK: -- The private sector has voiced concern of lower rice export this year, though is confident to remain the world's leader in rice exporting.

It is concerned that Thailand’s rice export will decline by a small margin but that the country will still maintain its position as the number one rice exporter in the world for the second year running.

Thai Rice Exporters Association president Charoen Laothamatas released rice export statistics for 2014 which shows a record breaking figure in excess of 10,969,000 tons.

This figure represents an increase of 65.9% over the previous year’s export figures amounting to a 30.6% increase in income.

For 2015, it is predicted that rice exports will not exceed 10 million tons.

Bu despite this, he stated Thailand will still hold its position as the number one rice exporter in the world.

The association is confident that Thailand will still maintain its position as the leading rice exporter in the world – a position that it has held for two years running – because the country still has 17 million tons of rice stocks remaining.

He said the government should speed up the release of this remaining stock of rice.

But the Thai Rice Exporters Association doubts that this will be easily achieved due to the fact that dumping such a large amount of rice into the market will adversely affect rice prices.

Furthermore, Thailand faces strong competition from many rice exporting countries and the ever strengthening Baht will not help the country’s rice exports, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/private-sector-confident-remain-leader-rice-exporting-year


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-04

[chooka]

Thai rice has got far to expensive to buy now. 1 kilo in Australia will set you back around $7.00 200 Baht. Indian and viet rice is half the price. I notice that aussie supermarkets carry very limited stock of Thai rice, probably due to the cost.

[Costas2008]

Thai rice has got far to expensive to buy now. 1 kilo in Australia will set you back around $7.00 200 Baht. Indian and viet rice is half the price. I notice that aussie supermarkets carry very limited stock of Thai rice, probably due to the cost.

It seems that Australia is not the only country in this world.

Somebody else must be buying those 10 million tons of rice, although I agree that the strong Baht will affect exports in general.

Let's wait and see the figures to be released in the next months.

[clockman]

As there no transparency in any sector of Thailand. And white lies are acceptable! Believe what you may.

[Lobo4819]

Didn't they lose the #1 Exporter designation last year? How can they hold on to it? Oh, I'm sorry - Thai math in the schools.

[Robby nz]

Didn't they lose the #1 Exporter designation last year? How can they hold on to it? Oh, I'm sorry - Thai math in the schools.

Nope, last year was 2014 that was when they regained the top spot after the debacle of the pledging scheme where rice was withheld from the market between 2011 and 2013 causing exports to drop and other countries to increase production to make up the shortfall in world demend.

This is now 2015.

Failed attempt at Thai bashing. Recommendation : Get a new calendar.

Edited February 4, 2015 by Robby nz

[rubl]

10m++ tonnes, but no data on value?

[apetley]

I guess anyone can be number 1 when they are dumping old stock at a loss.

Tbh dumping old warehouse stock, claiming an increase of 65.9% in sales over the previous year and then admitting to only a 30.6% increase of income is hardly anything to crow about. In fact, all it highlights is the ruinous consequences of the rice scheme.

Edited February 4, 2015 by apetley

[Robby nz]

I guess anyone can be number 1 when they are dumping old stock at a loss.

Tbh dumping old warehouse stock, claiming an increase of 65.9% in sales over the previous year and then admitting to only a 30.6% increase of income is hardly anything to crow about. In fact, all it highlights is the ruinous consequences of the rice scheme.

Indeed, when they can claim a 36% increase in sales with a 65% increase in income that will be a big success.

However the reality is that the stored rice must go and the majority of it is in less than optimal condition due to poor storage, so it will obviously garner a lower price than top quality new seasons rice.

Until the warehouses are empty there can not be any expectation of corresponding increase of income to sales quantity.