The popularity of Thai fragrant rice has resulted in the exploitation of the Thai Hom Mali trademark and jasmine variety in China and Argentina.

The trademark, which has been registered in 55 countries by the Commerce Ministry's Foreign Trade Department, is used in the packing of Thai jasmine rice.

However, the department has discovered a very similar trademark being used on Chinese and Vietnamese rice being sold for 20% less in Hong Kong, a traditional gateway into China for Thai fragrant rice.

Pranee Siriphand, deputy director-general of the department, said Thailand's trademark was registered in China on April 21, 2006.

The copycat Thai Hom Mali trademark uses the Thai language and has confused buyers, who eventually opt for the cheaper product.

The situation has resulted in a drop in exports of fragrant rice to China from the normal 300,000 tonnes annually to only 130,000 tonnes last year.

Thailand produces four million tonnes of fragrant rice each year, of which 2.5 million to 3 million tonnes are usually exported.

Last year, the country exported 2.3 million tonnes under the Thai Hom Mali Rice trademark and another 52,000 tonnes mixed in with other white rice.

Ms Pranee said the department had invited representatives from China's State Administration of Industry and Commerce and its Inspection and Quarantine Office, which oversee trademark and quality issues, respectively, to come to Bangkok to learn more about rice standards and the Thai trademark.

Meanwhile, in South America the Thai Embassy in Buenos Aires has been informed about rice produced by Grupo Estrella S.A. under the Arroz Gallo brand.

This rice is advertised as including a variety called "Thasmin", which sounds similar to "jasmine". The products are sold in Argentina and exported to Uruguay and Paraguay.

The package labelling explains that Thasmin rice is a variety of typical Thai rice adapted to Argentine soil and weather. It says this "Thai rice", with its characteristic jasmine aroma, is widely used in Asian dishes.

Pajchima Tanasanti, director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said that if Thasmin actually has been developed from Thai jasmine rice, the two countries may need to discuss benefit sharing.

Both Thailand and Argentina have long been members of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), she said.

The CBD binds members to upholding three goals _ conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biodiversity and fair and equitable sharing of any benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Ms Pajchima said initial cooking and taste tests of Thasmin showed the aroma was not like that of Thai jasmine rice, while the taste resembled that of normal white long-grain rice.

Thasmin rice is sold at double the price of other brands in Argentina, she said. It will be analysed further to confirm its parent variety.

"If the results show Thasmin rice was indeed developed from a Thai variety, then the issue of benefit sharing will be raised with Argentina," said Ms Pajchima.

She added that the issue would fall under the purview of the Plant Varieties Protection Act enforced by the Agriculture Ministry.

Source: Bangkok Post