Paddy rice output from the main crop this year is expected to increase 15-20% due to heavy rain from typhoon Ketsana.The higher output in Thailand is in contrast to other rice-exporting countries that sustained heavy damage to their rice fields.
Chookiat Ophaswongse, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said it had surveyed paddy rice from the main crop for 2009-10 and found fields in the Northeast would have higher yields, increasing paddy output by 15-20% to 35 million tonnes.
"The yield per rai increased to 450 kilogrammes from 380 to 410 kg in the last crop," he said.
Global rice prices have been rising for the past two weeks. Thai Hom Mali is now quoted at US$1,100 per tonne, up from $1,077, and 100% white rice (Grade B) has risen to $561 from $542. The price of 5% white rice is $529, up from $511, while white glutinous rice is up 10% to $607. Global glutinous rice demand has sent the local price to 18,000 baht per tonne from 14,000 baht.
Mr Chookiat said the new price guarantee scheme also had encouraged farmers to plant more jasmine rice.
Thai exporters are waiting for the Philippine government's tender to buy 1.2 million tonnes of rice. If Thailand wins part of the bid, the local rice market will become more active.
Thailand was also negotiating a big sale to India, but the Delhi government decided on the weekend that it did not need to import any rice for now.
As of Oct 31, Thailand had exported 7.2 million tonnes of rice and full-year exports are expected to reach 8.7 million, rising next year to between 9.5 million and 10 million tonnes.
Source: Bangkok Post
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