Co-operation between Vietnam and Thailand to stabilise rice prices will give both countries a better chance to negotiate sales contracts, President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association Chookiat Ophaswongse, said on July 13.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2009 Thai Rice Forum held in Bangkok, Mr Chookiat said Vietnam and Thailand are promoting co-operation and information exchange.
The same day, general secretary of the Vietnam Food Association Huynh Minh Hue said Thailand and Vietnam are the world’s two leading rice exporters and should co-operate with each other to ease competition in order to avoid dumping prices to the detriment of producers.
Mr Hue emphasised the need to improve the quality and trademark of Vietnamese rice on the market.
Thailand ranks first among rice exporters with an export target of around 8.5 million tonnes this year while Vietnam ranks second with an export target of 5.5-6 million tonnes.