Expert warns low quality of Thai rice turning buyers towards competitors

[webfact]

Expert warns low quality of Thai rice turning buyers towards competitors

  

BANGKOK, 9 November 2016 (NNT) – Experts have recommended farmers improve the quality of their rice, especially rice of the Jasmine variety, following a market shift towards Vietnam. 

At a seminar titled “Unlocking the Rice Price Problem”, organized by Kasetsart University and the National Agriculture Media Association, Somporn Isawilanon, senior academic from Knowledge Network Institute of Thailand, pointed out rice prices across the globe are down due to high supply and lowered demand. He however emphasized that key Thai competitors India and Vietnam have already been able to adapt by lowering capital costs.

 

He also mentioned a downgrade in the quality of Thai rice, especially of Jasmine rice due to the use of chemicals and overly strict control. The academic reasoned such factors have turned buyers towards Vietnam rather than the Kingdom. 

Somporn also chastised the previous government’s rice pledging scheme has eroding normal market mechanisms in the country. He urged rice production be restructured at all levels with farmers improving their growing techniques and the state providing greater credit assistance and other help to rehabilitate the nation’s market mechanisms. 

 

-- nnt 2016-11-09

[trogers]

I have already said that enriching foolish acts only perpetuate the cycle.

 

The rush for quantity...

[Brer Fox]

It's interesting to see at least some people outside the government have recognised that Thailand's main competitors India and Vietnam have overtaken them on quality, price and productivity not to mention marketing. Thailand has been in a time warp with rice production for many years. Recognising these problems and fixing them are poles apart.  Fixing the corruption from within is a separate challenge all on it's own.

Looks like rice subsidies are here to stay for some time. Submarines, fast trains and armoured tanks and other grandiose schemes might have to be placed on hold for a while.

[BuckBee]

thailands rice reputation is tarnished and with easier dealing and reliability, better quality, better price, better quality from India & fast improving Vietnam, thailand is bottom of the bag .

[lungbing]

My wife has stopped buying Thai jasmine rice for me because it has little flavour.  It's either old by the time we get it, or it's so adulterated with ordinary rice and is not worth the premium you pay.

[bokningar]

So if you keep selling old rice that has been stored for some years, you risk geting an reputation of selling/producing lower quality rice.. what a SURPRISE  

[ExpatOilWorker]

Cam you get some of that fine Vietnamese rice in the local supermarkets?

Maybe time to try it out for dinner.