Thailand regains world’s No1 rice exporter ranking. (Photo: AFP/VNA)Thailand shipped about 5 million tonnes of rice abroad in the first half of 2016, a year on year increase of 12.1 percent, making it the world’s largest rice exporter.
Charoen Laothammatas, President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, expected Thailand would remain its leading position until the year-end with the total export of 9.5 million tonnes of rice.
Thailand rice export was higher in volume than that of India, Vietnam and Pakistan which exported 4.7 million tonnes, 2.66 million tonnes, and 2.44 million tonnes, respectively, he said.
Charoen also expressed his concern that fierce rivalry from its competitors, a reduction in purchase volume from buyers and the rising baht would affect its position in the global market.
He urged for support from the government for farmers to ease impacts of declining rice prices but was against any price intervention.
He suggested that the government could offer a state subsidy of 2,000 THB, or 57.2 USD, for each rai (0.16 hectare) if a farmer grows less than 20 rai of rice area./.