The Commerce Ministry Aims to Dispose of 10 Million Tonnes of Rice in 2015

[Jacob Maslow]

The overwhelming stock piles of rice, measuring 18 million tonnes, is expected to be lowered to 8 million tonnes by the end of 2015. The Commerce Ministry states that they are working diligently to boost rice sales and will be talking with trade partners over the next 6 months to rid the country of some of the rice stock piles that have amassed.

During the ministry’s six-month performance, the Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya states that the goal is to sell 10 million tonnes of rice by the end of the year. In the first six months in office, Chatchai has been able to sell 3 million tonnes of rice for an estimated 36 billion baht.

High-quality grain will account for 60 percent of the rice to be sold, while 40 percent will be degraded rice.

Exports have been on the decline, falling for the second month and down by 6.14% on the year. Lower oil and crop prices were to blame for the decline.

Rice exports fell in February.

Of the 3 million tonnes of rice sold in the last 6 months, 2 million were sold at general auction, and the remaining 1 million were sold in government-to-government contracts. The ministry is already contracted to sell 2.6 million tonnes of rice to China by the end of the year.

-- 2015-04-22

[Local Drunk]

Thank you very much Yingluck... So they were able to sell 3 million tons of rice over the last six months... "Sunk costs" I'm sure.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Local Drunk

[Lupatria]

They missed a unique opportunity to get some credit and respect from the rest of the world, and become "Thailand No.1" for a good reason, instead of being seen as a country ruled by greed and ignorance.

They should have used their worthless aircraft carrier to bring rice (before it was rotten) to the needy in the refugee camps of the Middle East. But they prefer to bring “happiness” to their own farming population by dumping it.

Losing face over a stupid vote buying rice scam is one thing this country can get over with.

Losing face for dumping millions of tons of rice, while others starve, would not be that easy and brings nothing but shame to the country.

If this is part of your high moral standards behind the curtain of Thainess- dump that instead!

Edited April 22, 2015 by Lupatria

[trainman34014]

Thailand has rather a lot of ''Aims''. Achieving those aims will be another story !

[dcutman]

The overwhelming stock piles of rice, measuring 18 million tonnes, is expected to be lowered to 8 million tonnes by the end of 2015.

The only why this could happen if this years crop(s) was reduced by nearly 30%.

Edited April 22, 2015 by dcutman

[Srikcir]

Never again will the government pay farmers more than market value for their crops.

EXCEPT

When the Junta is threatened with public protests by rice, rubber, cassava, palm oil, etc. farmers. Then the Junta-led government buys their silence with above-market subsidies and finances lower production costs. Influence buying and populist policies are still alive and well!

[Local Drunk]

They missed a unique opportunity to get some credit and respect from the rest of the world, and become "Thailand No.1" for a good reason, instead of being seen as a country ruled by greed and ignorance.

They should have used their worthless aircraft carrier to bring rice (before it was rotten) to the needy in the refugee camps of the Middle East. But they prefer to bring “happiness” to their own farming population by dumping it.

Losing face over a stupid vote buying rice scam is one thing this country can get over with.

Losing face for dumping millions of tons of rice, while others starve, would not be that easy and brings nothing but shame to the country.

If this is part of your high moral standards behind the curtain of Thainess- dump that instead!

You're maybe suggesting that they feed poor Thai's with the surplus... You heretic!