Thailand exports more rice in December. [Dec 29, 2013]

The Thai Rice Exporters Association has projected that the Thai rice exports in 2013 will stay between 6.5-6.6 million tons with an increase in December, following lower rice prices in the global market. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations
Trade boss: Rice exports wilt in 2013. [Dec 27, 2013]

The government acknowledged for the first time rice exports in 2013 will reach a mere 6.68 million tonnes worth US$4.38 billion, down by 3.9% and 7.9%, respectively. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Rice Export - Govt targets rice exports of 8m tonnes next year. [Dec 27, 2013]

THE COMMERCE Ministry targets rice exports of at least 8 million tonnes next year, making Thailand once again the world's top rice exporter. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
World rice market to shrink: TDRI. [Dec 17, 2013]

Offshore consumers have been buying more jasmine rice from Laos and Cambodia after Thai farmers cranked up production to cash in on the government. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Thai rice struggles to find buyers. [Dec 17, 2013]

Rice buyers remain reluctant to purchase Thai rice even though prices are now competitive with Vietnamese grain. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Caretaker govt continues rice subsidy scheme. [Dec 12, 2013]

The National Rice Policy Committee today approved the release of rice from the 2013/14 harvest into the market to avoid excessive stock. ... [More]

Source: MCOT online news
Commerce Min in talks to sell rice. [Dec 6, 2013]

Thailand has been in talks with many countries to sell rice in its stockpile, and the deal might be concluded within this year, according to the Ministry of Commerce. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations
615,000 tonnes of rice sold, says govt. [Nov 30, 2013]

The government has sold around 615,000 tonnes of stockpiled rice to local entrepreneurs for 12.3 billion baht, and the money will be used to repay the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the Foreign Trade Department announced. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce forecasts this year's rice export total at 8.5m tonnes. [Nov 29, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry is projecting that Thailand should be able to get this year's rice-export total up to 8.5 million tonnes, earning as much as US$5.7 billion (Bt183 billion), thanks to efforts by both the government and private exporters. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Thai rice export outlook improves. [Nov 23, 2013]

Rice exports will likely fare better than expected, as demand for Thai rice should become more active next month, says the Thai Rice Exporters Association. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce Min to quickly sell more of pledged rice via Agricultural Futures Exchange and G2G deals. [Nov 23, 2013]

The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has revealed that the Government will quickly sell more pledged rice via the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET), government-to-government deals and a business matching approach between rice mills and exporters. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations
Govt expects more rice deals with China in 2014. [Nov 21, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry expects to sell more rice to China and other countries next year after clinching a contract to supply about 3 million tonnes to China this year. ... [More]

Source: The Nation

Thailand, China ink rice deal, Tapioca also part of large G2G pact. [Nov 21, 2013]

The government signed a contract yesterday to sell 1.2 million tonnes of 5% white rice and 90,000 tonnes of tapioca on a government-to-government (G2G) basis to a state enterprise in Harbin, in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, but the value of the deals were not disclosed. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Government under fire for not disclosing value. [Nov 21, 2013]

Rice exporters and academics have again slammed the government for not disclosing the value of the latest rice deal, saying the agreement with the Chinese state enterprise cannot be considered a government-to-government (G2G) contract. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Thailand to reclaim world's leading rice exporter role next year. [Nov 20, 2013]

Thailand is maintaining its original projection to export seven million tonnes of rice this year and is set to reclaim its previous role as world’s top rice exporter next year, according to the Commerce Ministry. ... [More]

Source:  MCOT online news
Bond to help fund rice plan; B75bn note to lower BAAC borrowing costs. [Nov 20, 2013]

The government will issue a 75-billion-baht bond to finance the rice-pledging scheme as it has failed to pay farmers since the main crop began in October. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Government shrugs off rice programme concerns. [Nov 18, 2013]

Despite mounting complaints by rice farmers over late payments in the government's rice pledging scheme, the national rice policy committee has yet to call a meeting about the issue. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Further monetary easing needed. [Nov 14, 2013]

THAILAND STILL needs an easing monetary policy to boost the economy, while the current interest rate is appropriate for the country's economic situation, according to the Bank of Thailand, which expressed confidence that there remained sufficient monetary room for rate adjustment in either an upward or downward direction. ... [More]

Source: The Nation

IMF calls on Thailand to end costly rice subsidies. [Nov 13, 2013]

The International Monetary Fund called on Thailand to drop its multibillion baht subsidies for rice growers, saying the programme is undermining confidence in the country's finances. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Domestic rice prices in free fall; Payment delays force farmers to sell cheaply. [Nov 11, 2013]

The government's delay in paying farmers for rice earmarked for the pledging scheme has resulted in declining domestic paddy prices, say traders. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Thailand proposes ASEAN Rice Association be set up. [Nov 8, 2013]

Thailand has proposed that an ASEAN Rice Association be set up in order to increase the negotiating power of its members. ... [More]

Source:  National News Bureau & Public Relations
Thai rice exports in September still expand at a declining rate. [Oct 30, 2013]

The Thai Rice Exporters Association has reported that the nation's rice exports last month expanded 27.2% compared to the same period last year, but the figure was 4 % lower than that of August 2013. ... [More]

Source:  National News Bureau & Public Relations
Commerce minister says China still wants to trade Thai rice for Chinese trains. [Oct 29, 2013]

Minister of Commerce Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan asserted on Monday the Chinese government remained interested in exchanging Chinese high-speed trains for Thai rice. ... [More]

Source:  National News Bureau & Public Relations
AFET rice sale falls flat. [Oct 28, 2013]

The government's attempt to sell its rice stocks through the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET) has won a lukewarm response from the private sector, with only five potential buyers participating in the rice sales. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Govt auctioning 140,000 tonnes of rice tomorrow. [Oct 24, 2013]

Over 20 rice traders are keen to bid on the government’s new batch of 140,000 tonnes of premium quality rice, according to the Commerce Ministry. ... [More]

Source: MCOT online news
Govt plans to release 6-7m tonnes of rice a year under G2G, private deals. [Oct 21, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry plans to release about 6 million to 7 million tonnes of rice annually under government-to-government and government-private contracts a year, while retaining 3 million to 4 million tonnes as security stock. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Govt focuses on G2G deals to boost rice exports. [Oct 18, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry is confident it can increase Thai rice shipments to 8 million to 10 million tonnes next year, thanks in part to government-to-government (G2G) contracts, including a pact with China. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Cofco agrees to purchase 1m tonnes of Thai rice. [Oct 14, 2013]

China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (Cofco), a Chinese state-owned food conglomerate, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thai rice exporters to buy 1 million tonnes of rice over five years. ... [More]

Source:  Bangkok Post

Commerce Ministry aims for annual rice export of 8 to 10 million tonnes. [Oct 9, 2013]

Stockpile sales from pledging continue via private, govt deals. Thailand will try to export about 8 million to 10 million tonnes of rice a year to continue releasing its inventory from the pledging scheme. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Plenty of cash on hand for loans. [Oct 7, 2013]

The state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is talking up a liquidity surplus of 160 billion baht available for new loans. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
Souvenir jasmine rice packets to be sold at airports. [Oct 4, 2013]

Thai jasmine rice, including an organic variety, will go on sale to tourists for the first time at international airports around the country this month, as part of a government plan to promote the famed Thai rice to the rest of the world. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Bt400 bn rice pledging loss in 2 years refuted. [Oct 1, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry has refuted the Finance Ministry's claim yesterday that the country has suffered a huge loss of up to Bt400 billion from two years of the rice pledging programme. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Farmers urge rice-pledging scheme continue. [Sep 25, 2013]

Farmers insist that the government should continue its rice-pledging programme, suggesting authorities work out measures to offset the impact on exporters if the scheme affects the country's rice trade, according to a new survey. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
Thai rice export well short from target. [Sep 24, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry may review the full-year rice export target in the fourth quarter, following the lower-than-expected export figures in the first eight months. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Ministry plans 16 measures to boost trade, Aim is to lift Q4 exports by $758 million. [Sep 23, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry has introduced 16 measures to boost exports of food, agricultural-industrial, and industrial goods in the final quarter of the year. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Chamber seeks farming structural reform to avoid dependency on subsidies. [Sep 18, 2013]

The Thai Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to reform the country's agricultural structure within five years in order to avoid further losses from the continued subsidisation of crop prices. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Rice DNA inspections on the cards. [Sep 18, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry is teaming up with Kasetsart University (KU) to set up a laboratory for DNA identification of Thai rice in a bid to strengthen confidence among foreign buyers in terms of grain quality. ... [More]

Source : Bangkok post

China rice deal not a set-up, says minister. [Sep 17, 2013]

Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan insists the deal to sell 1.2 million tonnes of rice to China is real and that the two governments will sign an agreement in the next two weeks. ... [More]

Source : Bangkok post

Govt banks on 10m tonnes of G2G rice sales. [Sep 9, 2013]

Thailand has sold more than 10 million tonnes of rice under government-to-government contracts to many countries, ensuring that the Commerce Ministry should be able to pay back Bt220 billion in state support for its pledging programme before the end of the year, it says. ... [More]

Source : The Nation
New season of rice pledging scheme to start on Oct 1. [Sep 6, 2013]

The new season of government’s rice pledging program is set to commence on October 1st, as the cabinet has approved a budget of 270 billion baht for the new scheme. ... [More]

Source:  National News Bureau & Public Relations
Bright future for Thai jasmine rice in Australia. [Sep 6, 2013]

The Ministry of Commerce is gearing up to promote organic Thai jasmine rice in Australia following the increasing popularity of Thai rice down under. ... [More]

Source:  National News Bureau & Public Relations
Government approves rice pledging budget. [Sep 4, 2013]

The cabinet has approved a total budget of 270 billion baht for the government’s rice pledging scheme, Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Puangraj said on Tuesday. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Jasmine rice to be sold as souvenir at Thai airports. [Sep 2, 2013]

THAI jasmine and organic jasmine rice will be on sale to tourists for the first time at airports around the country this month as part of a government plan to promote the famed Thai rice to the rest of the world. ... [More]

Source : The Nation
Thai hold on jasmine rice challenged. [Sep 2, 2013]

Thai Hom Mali rice exports are expected to remain in good shape this year, but stiffer competition looms as several countries step up their efforts to expand their export markets for aromatic grains. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Lab tests show Thai rice clear of chemical residues, toxins. [Aug 31, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry reports that the latest tests on 220 rice samples from various provinces found no hazardous residues or chemical toxins. ... [More]

Source: MCOT online news
Direct rice sales to foreign traders eyed to speed release of stockpiles. [Aug 23, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry plans to sell rice directly to foreign importers and state-owned enterprises to accelerate the release of its huge stocks and earn more income. ... [More]

Source:  The Nation

Commerce Ministry auctioned 200,000 tonnes of rice, only 30,000 tonnes sold. [Aug 21, 2013]

The newest batch of 30,000 tonnes of rice under the government’s pledging scheme will be sold to two companies which won the latest auction, according to a senior Commerce Ministry official. ... [More]

Source:  MCOT online news
Traders not keen to bid in govt rice auctions. [Aug 20, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry called for bids on three batches of rice in the past week but rice traders were less enthusiastic to buy grain under the government’s rice pledging scheme. ... [More]

Source:  MCOT online news
Speed up rice releases, BAAC urges ministry. [Aug 19, 2013]

The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has called on the Commerce Ministry to accelerate the release of rice from its stockpiles so that it can return at least Bt10 billion to the bank to continue the next pledging round. ... [More]

Source:  The Nation

Finance Ministry clamps limit on its rice-pledging burden. [Aug 17, 2013]

The Finance Ministry has ruled out increasing its share of the financial burden under the government's costly rice-pledging scheme from the current level of 410 billion baht. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
TDRI academic calls for relief measures to shield. [Aug 17, 2013]

The Thailand Development Research Institute suggests that relief measures for farmers be considered by Parliament in case the rice pledging scheme is abolished, while the Department of Internal Trade believes the programme is transparent. ... [More]

Source:  The Nation
Minister says cost of rice scheme will not exceed Bt500 billion. [Aug 14, 2013]

The commerce minister yesterday insisted that the cumulative cost to the country of the government's rice-pledging scheme over its first two years had not exceeded Bt650 billion, and said the government would be able to bring the figure down to Bt500 billion this year through stepped-up selling of rice stocks. ... [More]

 
Rice stockpile size still secret. [Aug 13, 2013]

The amount of rice in state stockpiles under the government's rice pledging scheme remains a mystery, even after a sweeping inspection was done on more than 2,000 warehouses nationwide on June 27, says a source at the Finance Ministry. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
200,000 tons of rice to be listed for auction on Aug 19. [Aug 13, 2013]

200,000 tons of rice will be listed for auction on August 19th from 9am to 4:30pm at the Foreign Trade Department. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations
Commerce Ministry to trade 150,000 tonnes of rice on futures exchange. [Aug 9, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry plans to trade 150,000 tonnes of rice on the Agriculture Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET) in the next couple of weeks as it works to reduce its stockpiles. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
First AFET rice sale set for Aug 15; Small lots expected to attract private buyers. [Aug 8, 2013]

The government is preparing to sell 150,000 tonnes of its rice stocks through the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET), starting from Aug 15, which is the first batch of 1 million tonnes it hopes to sell through the local futures market this year. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Rice exporters upbeat about second-half prospects. [Aug 1, 2013]

The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) expects exports to recover in the second half of this year, boosted by higher purchases from China, Hong Kong and Singapore during the peak season. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Twice-monthly auction of pledged rice. [Jul 31, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry’s Foreign Trade Department plans to auction a total of 400,000 tonnes of different types of rice twice a month to reduce the huge stockpile of pledged grain. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Government declares rice auction 'success; Bids satisfactory but short of expectations.[Jul 30, 2013]

More than 200,000 tonnes of rice will be auctioned next week, following the first bid in two years of 60,000 tonnes two weeks ago. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Commerce to sell 250,000 tonnes of rice to Iran in G2G deal. [Jul 26, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry has signed a government-to-government contract with Iran to sell it 250,000 tonnes of rice this year, as the ministry continues to pursue opportunities to reduce its rice stocks piled up under the pledging scheme. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Finance caps loss from rice pledging-scheme at Bt70 bn for upcoming harvest. [Jul 25, 2013]

THE MINISTRY of Finance has set the rice pledging scheme's loss limit at Bt70 billion for the upcoming harvest season this October, while the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has suggested six alternatives for setting the pledging price. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Rice stockpile bids to open on July 26. [Jul 16, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry will open bidding for more than 350,000 tonnes of rice on July 26 under the government's plan to accelerate the release of its stockpiles. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Govt to sell big lots of rice and paddy. [Jul 13, 2013]

The government plans to sell 500,000 tonnes of rice, plus a further 400,000 tonnes of paddy (unmilled rice) from its stockpiles each month, Commerce Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan has said. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Monthly rice bids, audits promised. [Jul 9, 2013]

The government plans to call rice bids for at least 300,000 tonnes every month, and pledges to disclose all information on government rice sales as well as re-audit controversial loss figures from the pledging scheme. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Government plans to beef up parboiled rice production, vows to become No 1 exporter again. [Jul 8, 2013]

Thailand will regain its position as the world's number one exporter of parboiled rice from India within the next two years, the Commerce Ministry claimed yesterday - even as the government pushed forward with its rice-pledging scheme. ... [More]

Source: The Nation

Govt to open 500,000 of stockpiled rice to bidding. [Jul 4, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry will open bidding for about 500,000 tonnes of rice to general traders within two weeks to accelerate the clearing out of government stocks and contribute cash to the country's coffers. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Govt denies reports of Thai rice shipments detained by US. [Jun 29, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry yesterday denied reports that shipments of Thai rice had been detained by the US Food and Drug Administration, saying that as far it was concerned, exports to the US continued to take place as normal. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
TCC takes aim at rice secrecy; Private sector urges transparent sales. [Jun 20, 2013]

Businesses are calling on the state to scrap secret sales of rice stocks and return to the common rice auction that generated much lower losses. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Exports to advance as pledging prices are cut. [Jun 19, 2013]

Rice shipments from Thailand, the second-biggest exporter, are set to increase as the government reduces the price paid to farmers to rein in spending, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Govt forced to cut rice price 10-20%. [Jun 18, 2013]

Though the government's controversial rice-pledging scheme has incurred higher losses than initially projected, it will continue with marginally lower prices - from Bt15,000 per tonne to between Bt13,500 and Bt12,000 for future crops, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said after a key meeting late yesterday. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
No change yet to rice pledging. [Jun 14, 2013]

The controversy over the rice-pledging scheme is not yet over, as the National Rice Policy Committee did not reach any decision on the expected modifications in the scheme. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Boonsong to bid for lower rice pledge price ceiling. [Jun 8, 2013]

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom will propose lowering the ceiling price of the government's rice pledging scheme to 10,000 baht per tonne at a National Rice Policy Committee meeting on Thursday. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce Minister confident 2013 rice exports will meet target. [Jun 7, 2013]

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom has revealed that his ministry is gearing up to clarify the rice pledging scheme to the public while expressing his confidence that this year’s rice exports will meet the target of 8.5 million tons. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations
Bleak future seen for Thai rice exporters. [May 27, 2013]

With rice-importing nations becoming more reliant on their own production, and Thai prices remaining high, the Kingdom's exporters will find it more difficult to win orders in an increasingly competitive global market. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Commerce Ministry: Japan’s confidence in Thai rice signals more imports. [May 24, 2013]

Japan is set to order more rice from Thailand due to its confidence in the quality of Thai grain, according to the Commerce Ministry. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations
Thailand to regain role world's leading rice exporter. [May 24, 2013]

Permanent-Secretary for Commerce Vatchari Vimooktayon said she is certain Thailand will regain its leading position as the world's No. 1 rice exporter this year. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce Ministry looking for new markets for Thai rice in govt's stock. [May 24, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry is considering a quick approach to selling the rice in the government's stock after the baht continues to rise.  ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations
Strong baht may drag down Thailand’s rice exports. [May 16, 2013]

Thailand is unlikely to re-emerge as the world’s top exporter of rice given its current high prices and the strengthening baht, a leading rice exporter said today. ... [More]

Source: MCOT online news

Commerce Ministry to host 6th Thailand Rice Convention 2013 during May 26-28. [May 16, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry is ready to play host to the 6th Thailand Rice Convention 2013 (TRC 2013), which will be held in Chiang Mai later this month. ... [More]

Source:  National News Bureau & Public Relations
Officials sure of rise in 2013 rice exports. [May 16, 2013]

Despite sluggish global demand and reduced competitiveness, the Commerce Ministry is confident Thailand will be able to export 8.5 million tonnes of rice this year, generating US$5.7 billion (Bt169.4 billion) - 20 per cent higher than was achieved last year. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
High prices, strong baht batter exports. [May 9, 2013]

Rice exports are projected to plunge to only 6.5 million tonnes this year, the lowest volume in a dozen years, because of uncompetitive prices. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Commerce to urgently export rice under G2G. [May 8, 2013]

The Ministry of Commerce will speed up the release of rice from its stockpile in light of the impact of the appreciating baht on rice export. ... [More]

Source:  National News Bureau & Public Relations
Boonsong pins rice deal woes on baht. [May 1, 2013]

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom has blamed the soaring baht for hampering government-to-government (G-to-G) rice export deals. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Bath rise hits income from G2G deals. [Apr 29, 2013]

The baht's strengthening is causing the Commerce Ministry to fear that it will miss its target for returning money to the Finance Ministry by selling government rice from the pledging scheme. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Stronger ties with Cambodia sought ahead of rice-trading zone. [Apr 19, 2013]

Thailand will forge closer ties with Cambodia and other neighbouring countries to increase competency in rice trading and boost the bargaining power of Asean countries by setting up a rice-trading zone soon. ... [More]

Source: The Nation

State frets about pledging overages. [Apr 19, 2013]

The government tightened rice-pledging measures for fear the amount pledged for the 2012/2013 season will exceed the 22 million tonnes budgeted. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Exporters call on govt to release older rice from stockpiles. [Apr 9, 2013]

Leading exporters have urged the government to release older rice from its stockpiles because of the continuing drop in the country's export competitiveness, a situation that will make it increasingly difficult for the Kingdom to regain its status as the its status as the world's rice-export champion. ... [More]

Source: The Nation

Ministry to release 6-7 m tonnes of rice this year. [Apr 6, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry aims to release another 6 million to 7 million tonnes of rice this year to reduce its stockpiles under its continuing price-pledging policy. ... [More]

Source: The Nation

Cabinet backs rice budget, other projects. [Apr 1, 2013]

The mobile Cabinet yesterday approved the rice pledging scheme for the 2012/2013 fiscal year, worth Bt105 billion in totals, proposed by the Commerce Ministry. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Rice accord with Bangladesh extended. [Mar 25, 2013]

Commerce Ministry on Friday signed an amended memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh, extending an agreement on unfilled sales of Thai rice. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Rice trade zone to be set up in East. [Mar 25, 2013]

The Department of Foreign Trade plans to set up a "rice trade zone" project in the East to process Cambodian rice for export to other countries. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Commerce Ministry: No corruption in government rice deals. [Mar 23, 2013]

Thailand's Commerce Ministry today quashed allegations of corruption and gave a clean bill of correctness to the government’s rice trading activity during the last three years. ... [More]

Source: MCOT

Thailand sees continuing decline in rice exports. [Mar 23, 2013]

Thailand’s rice exports in the first two months of this year dropped both in volume and value, the Rice Exporters Association reported today. ... [More]

Source: MCOT

Govt admits rice scheme debt. [Mar 22, 2013]

Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar has admitted the government's rice pledging scheme is ridden with debt. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Government finally unloading some rice. [Mar 16, 2013]

The government approved in principle yesterday a proposal for the Foreign Trade Department to sell a combined 50,000 tonnes of rice from its massive stock. ... [More]

Source:  Bangkok Post

Panel keeps pledge price unchanged. [Mar 15, 2013]

The national rice policy committee yesterday decided to leave the price of pledged price unchanged at 15,000 baht per tonne. At that price the government needs more than 100 billion baht to pay for the next round of grain purchases in its rice-pledging scheme. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
Government says rice pledging price to remain static. [Mar 11, 2013]

The pledging price for the 2012-2013 second crop of off-season rice will remain unchanged, Internal Trade Department director-general Wiboonlaksana Ruamraksa says. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
Govt accepts it will lose on rice. [Mar 8, 2013]

The government will have to sell off its rice stockpile amassed under the rice pledging scheme at market prices, PM's Office Minister Nawatthamrong Boonsongpaisan admitted on Thursday. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
State pushes for GI award for sangyod rice, Isan silk. [Mar 7, 2013]

Thailand is stepping up efforts to apply for geographical indication (GI) registration in the EU for the sangyod strain of rice from Phatthalung province and Isan silk. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
Rice pledging budget set to be slashed. [Mar 5, 2013]

The budget to subsidise rice pledgxc  ng for the 2012-13 crop year may be cut from an earlier proposal of 405 billion baht, with drought expected to reduce the harvest of the second crop of paddy this year. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
Rice-pledging price maintained. [Mar 5, 2013]

The government will have adequate funds to continue its rice-pledging scheme this year, with the guaranteed price remaining at Bt15,000 per tonne, the Commerce Ministry says. Ministry permanent secretary Vatchari Vimooktayon said yesterday that the government is expected to spend Bt297 billion on the scheme for this year's harvests. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Private rice exporter supports reduced rice subsidy. [Mar 2, 2013]

A leading Thai rice dealer has called on the government to reduce subsidy under the rice pledging scheme to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the global market. ... [More]

Source:  MCOT online news
Vatchari makes U-turn, says rice pledge price to stay put. [Mar 1, 2013]

The price of rice under the government's pledging scheme will not change next season, commerce permanent secretary Vatchari Vimooktayon said yesterday. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok post
Ministry seeks to trim rice price. [Feb 28, 2013]

With rice exports moving sluggishly, the Commerce Ministry will tomorrow propose that the National Rice Policy Committee revise down its pledged price from Bt15,000 a tonne to Bt13,000 or Bt14,000 a tonne for white paddy rice in April's second-crop harvest season. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Thailand’s export volume in January breaks record. [Feb 28, 2013]

Thailand’s exports last month reached the historic value of US$18.27 billion, a 16.09 per cent increase from the same period last year, a senior Commerce Ministry official said today. ... [More]

Source: MCOT online news
Thai rice export plunges due to weak Euro. [Feb 25, 2013]

Thailand's rice exports to European Union (EU) continue to decline due to the depreciation of the Euro and the higher prices of Thai rice. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations

Rice shippers scoff at forecast. [Feb 18, 2013]

The government expects to deliver 2.5 million tonnes of rice through government-to-government (G2G) contracts this year amid scepticism from the private sector that the goal is daunting, given the relatively high price of Thai rice and burgeoning supplies. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Govt promoting rice sales at trade fairs in Germany, UAE. [Feb 14, 2013]

As one of its strategies to release rice from the government stockpiles, the Commerce Ministry is participating in two giant international exhibitions this month to promote the sale of Thai rice overseas. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Ministry rejects Democrats' complaints over poor rice quality. [Feb 11, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry says the Democrat Party's allegations over poor quality control of rice under the government's rice pledging scheme are not true. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
FAO warns of rice warehouse shortage. [Feb 11, 2013]

Rice stockpiles in Thailand will surge to a record this year driven by the government's price support scheme, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which said the country may be running out of room to store the staple. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
White rice standards help ensure quality of exported Thai rice. [Feb 6, 2013]

 The Department of Foreign Trade has stressed the importance of Thai white rice standards, which are hoped to help boost the global market’s confidence in the quality of Thai rice and help rice farmers sell their produce at higher prices. ... [More]

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand, Public Relations Department

EU to Certify GI Protection for Thai Jasmine Rice, “Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Ronghai”. [Feb 6, 2013]

Thai jasmine rice, also known as “Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Ronghai,” will become the first product in Southeast Asia to be registered under the European Union’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) scheme. ... [More]

Source: Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister
EU set to grant recognition to Hom Mali jasmine rice. [Feb 5, 2013]

After a campaign of almost five years, Thailand's Hom Mali Thung Kula Ronghai jasmine rice will soon become the first Southeast Asian product to win Geographical Indication recognition from the European Union. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Rice exports to sink deeper, 6.5m tonnes vs official forecast of 8.5m. [Jan 31, 2013]

Thai rice exports this year may fall for the second year to 6.5 million tonnes due largely to strong market competition and weak global demand, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post
Thai rice exporter predicts another declining year for Thailand. [Jan 31, 2013]

The future of Thai rice exports remains dim this year while last year’s export volume at 6.94 million tonnes was 35 per cent lower than the preceding year, a leading rice exporter said today. ... [More]

Source: MCOT online news
Thailand rice exports hit 12-year low. [Jan 24, 2013]

Rice exports from Thailand plunged 37 per cent last year to the lowest in more than a decade, plunging the nation from best in the world to third place. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Govt to release rice to domestic traders. [Jan 24, 2013]

The Commerce Ministry will soon release rice from its stockpiles to domestic traders to cater to high demand in the Thai market, though the stronger baht has caused difficulties for rice export. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Govt running out of warehouse space as rice fails to sell. [Jan 23, 2013]

The government faces a potential crunch over where to stock excess rice after failing to release its huge stockpiles to the market because of high prices, according to exporters. ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Commerce Min expects 500,000 tons of rice export in January. [Jan 15, 2013]

 The Commerce Ministry is expecting to export at least 500,000 tons of rice in January this year.  ... [More]

Source: NNT
Government running out of space to store pledged rice. [Jan 14, 2013]

The government is expected to have trouble finding enough space to hold its rice stocks, as millers are complaining that their warehouses are already nearly full. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

Finance to boost loan guarantee for rice-pledging scheme by Bt70 billion. [Jan 10, 2013]

The Finance Ministry is prepared to raise the loan guarantee for the rice-pledging scheme by Bt70 billion to Bt220 billion, according to an official of Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). ... [More]

Source: The Nation
Rice exporters decry new measure; Ministry move 'another blow against industry'. [Jan 7, 2013]

Exporters are warning that the Commerce Ministry's plan to include white rice on the list of standard export commodities will likely turn into yet one more hardship for them this year. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post

7m tonnes under G2G deals planned for this year. [Jan 3, 2013]

The government vows to sell 7 million tonnes of its rice stocks this year through government-to-government (G2G) deals amid lingering concerns among rice exporters that the mission is impossible. ... [More]

Source: Bangkok Post