The Thai Foreign Trade Department is confident that the country will sell no less than 11 million tonnes of rice to foreigners this year. (Photo: Bangkokpost)The Thai Foreign Trade Department is confident that the country will sell no less than 11 million tonnes of rice to foreigners this year as demand for rice continues to increase.
Director-General of the department Adul Chotinisakorn said that Thailand is delivering the 6th batch of rice totaling 100,000 tonnes to the China Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) under the government-to-government deal between the two countries.
He added that the Philippines and Japan have been holding rice import auctions, so Thailand can expect more orders from both countries. Thailand and Japan have already agreed on an 87,000-tonne rice deal.
During January-October, Thailand sold 8.9 million tonnes of rice worth 4.6 billion USD, he said, expressing his belief that this year’s target of 11 million tonnes will be achieved.
The Ministry of Commerce said that it is keeping a close watch on fluctuations in the price of agricultural products to prepare special measures to maintain their value. It will work closely with relevant authorities to promote the selling of agricultural products in the last three months of the year. The focus will be given to coconut, palm oil, rice and pineapple which are facing excess supply./.