Thai Govt must continue Hom Mali rice promotion. [Dec 29, 2009]
The CEO of the Marketing Organisation for Farmers talks about his recent visit to leading Hong Kong rice traders and government officials. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Commerce ministry to fine-tune rice price guarantee scheme. [Dec 22, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry is looking to fix problems in the rice price guarantee scheme ahead of the new round of registration scheduled to kick off next month. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Guarantee price for PathumThani rice slammed. [Dec 17, 2009]
Thai rice exporters have spoken out against the government's decision to increase the guaranteed price for Pathum Thani fragrant rice by Bt1,000 a tonne next year, as it will send the wrong signal to farmers to grow more of the strain at the expense of highvalue Hom Mali rice. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
In an effort to tackle price distortions in the domestic rice market, the Commerce Ministry will ask Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to authorise the release of a portion of the government's rice stockpile, an official source said last week. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Volatility in global rice prices has stalled attempts to sell the government's huge rice stocks, estimated at 6 million tonnes. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET) plans to add paddy rice futures contracts for trading next year. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Public and private agencies are upbeat about the higher prices of agricultural goods. However, the Federation of Thai Industries has expressed concern over the shortage of skilled workers in various industries as many have turned to farm works in light of rising crop prices. ... [More]
Source : TANN
GGF Thailand cancels doubtful rice deal. [Dec 12, 2009]
To end questions over whether it breached the Foreign Business Act, GGF Thailand recently submitted a letter cancelling its commitment to sell 2 million tonnes of government rice. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Govt to help by delaying release of stockpiles. [Dec 8, 2009]
The government will delay the release of its farm stockpiles to allow farmers to sell their product first, a decision that will likely prove expensive given the government's Bt342-million monthly stockpiling bill. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Retailers told to trim rice prices. [Dec 8, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry is pressing large retailers to cut the prices of packed rice and other consumer goods to help consumers. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
New price-guarantee scheme for major crops proves less cost. [Dec 8, 2009]
The new government scheme to guarantee the prices of three major crops has cost the Treasury less than the long-standing. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Manila forced to import rice at higher prices. [Dec 3, 2009]
Rising global demand has forced the Philippines to import rice at a much higher price then it intended doing. Manila, which is now the world's biggest rice importer, opened the bidding yesterday for 600,000 tonnes of 25-per-cent rice. Vietnam is likely to win an order for 300,000 tonnes, Thailand for 100,000-200,000 tonnes and Pakistan for about 100,000 tonnes. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Commerce Min keeps watch on situations in Dubai, Vietnam. [Dec 1, 2009]
The permanent secretary for commerce affirms devaluation of the Vietnamese currency will not hurt Thai rice export as Vietnam's output scale is not as large as Thailand's. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Dong devaluation a blow for Thai rice firms. [Nov 27, 2009]
This week's devaluation of the dong will affect Thai rice exports, particularly to the Philippines, as it strengthens the competitiveness of Vietnamese exporters. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
2010 outlook for rice export prices likely to rise 5-10 percent. [Nov 24, 2009]
High demand from India, RP, Indonesia to benefit Thai firms. Rice export prices are expected to rise 5-10 per cent next year, thanks to demand from the Philippines, Indonesia and India, which could order several million tonnes. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice traders turning to Euro. [Nov 24, 2009]
Thai rice exporters are expected to gradually shift to trading in euro to mitigate the impact of the US dollar's continued weakening against the baht, which has hurt their revenue, industry experts said. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Heavy rains from Ketsana pushing up local rice output. [Nov 23, 2009]
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. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce Ministry asked to study price details of India rice deal. [Nov 20, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry will handle a request from India to buy 2 million tonnes of 25% white rice from Thailand on a government-to-government basis. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Prices inert as harvest ebbs. [Nov 17, 2009]
Rice prices will remain stable as several rice-producing countries have suffered abysmal harvests, the Foreign Trade Department says. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce min to propose revised rice trade act to cabinet on Tuesday. [Nov 17, 2009]
A source within the Government House revealed that the Commerce Ministry will discuss a draft of the revised Rice Trade Act at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Higher global demand, Indian shortage to boost rice prices. [Nov 16, 2009]
Rice farmers and the government will soon enjoy better prices due to higher global demand and a shortage in India. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thailand to hold talk with Vietnam on rice market. [Nov 10, 2009]
The prime minister insists that an income-guarantee scheme for farmers would raise the price of rice. He is preparing to meet with Vietnam to discuss the rice market early next year. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Thailand girds for a rice war. [Nov 10, 2009]
Exports are under pressure with the US marketing Jazzman and China and other countries upping the ante on quality. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Paddy prices may go up. [Nov 6, 2009]
Local paddy prices are on the rise after the Commerce Ministry kicked off the income guarantee project on Monday. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Jazzman not grown from Hom Mali. [Nov 5, 2009]
DNA test of the new US fragrant rice strain known as Jazzmen shows it is developed from a Chinese strain and is inferior to Thai Hom Mali fragrant rice when cooked, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut says. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Cabinet approves budgets for various projects. [Nov 5, 2009]
The Cabinet approved a budget worth 60 billion baht for the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, or BAAC, to purchase rice from farmers and provide credit to rice mills to improve their liquidity. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Thailand to benefit from India move to import rice. [Nov 4, 2009]
Thailand could benefit immensely from an export windfall when India turns from a world supplier to buyer of rice to maintain stocks of about 10 million tonnes. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Plans worth 65 billion baht in pipeline to deal with rice price. [Nov 4, 2009]
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives president revealed that at the bank's executive board meeting last week, which was chaired by the Finance Minister, three plans to maintain rice price were approved. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Domestic paddy and rice prices are expected to rise after the government kicked off its paddy-buying programme to prop up prices during the current harvest. But rice traders said rice prices would be mainly determined by demand from the Philippines and India as their production has been hit by adverse weather. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The Commerce Ministry will urge Japan to enlarge its import quota for Thai rice, as part of the government's plan to boost new-harvest exports. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
B60bn credit allocated to shore up rice prices. [Oct 29, 2009]
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives will set aside 60 billion baht in credit to help prop up rice prices during the upcoming harvest. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Rice exports drop 20%. [Oct 28, 2009]
The country’s rice exports from Jan 1 to Oct 26 stood at 7.06 billion tonnes, down 20.67 per cent year-on-year, worth US4.06 billion, down 25.91 per cent, Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai said on Wednesday. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Rice trading schemes pushed forward, Exporters say prices starting to improve. [Oct 28, 2009]
The government is preparing to buy paddy from farmers starting early next month and will accelerate sales from its huge rice stocks through government-to-government contracts to stabilise prices, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Experts seek grains of truth. [Oct 28, 2009]
A team of Thai rice experts will visit the US next month to collect samples of Jazzman rice to see if the new strain violates a patent for Thai Hom Mali fragrant rice. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Corn farmers receive government compensation. [Oct 28, 2009]
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday approved the Bt55 million transfers to over 3,000 corn growers, as the first batch of compensation under the price guarantee scheme. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Only broken rice to be imported under AFTA. [Oct 27, 2009]
To protect against a flood of low-quality rice from Asean next year, Thailand will allow the import of only broken rice for use in manufacturing. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
PM confident in shoring up paddy price. [Oct 27, 2009]
The government is confident its policy on rice price support will effectively help farmers while rice millers' association asks the state to raise the rice procurement price. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Rice dispute with the Philippines simmers on the back burner. [Oct 23, 2009]
The dispute over rice import tariffs between Thailand and the Philippines continues to simmer. The dispute was a key point of bilateral trade talks between Thailand and its partners, including China, attending the Asean summit. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Agriculture min to address declining rice prices. [Oct 22, 2009]
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will issue a reference price on rice according to moisture levels to counter the rapid decline in rice prices during this rainy season. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Rice exports to Nigeria plunge. [Oct 21, 2009]
The bail-out of Nigerian banks has hit Thai rice exports in the past month, as some rice importers in that country have suspended ordering rice from the Kingdom. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Asean rice deal hinges on tariffs. [Oct 20, 2009]
Thailand has threatened not to ratify the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) at the Asean summit this weekend if it cannot get a fair deal from the Philippines on rice. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Rice policy committee to consider direct purchase of rice from farmers. [Oct 20, 2009]
The Commerce ministry is urging the National Rice Policy Committee to control the price of rice in the market and keep it at the same level as the guarantee price, in order to further support rice farmers. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Thailand to press Manila on rice tariffs. [Oct 19, 2009]
Thailand will use the Asean Summit to propose that the Philippines cut import tariffs on rice and raise rice import quotas in compensation for the latter's failure to honour the Asean Free Trade Agreement (Afta). ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Higher rice quota demanded of Philippines. [Oct 19, 2009]
Thailand will make a final proposal to the Philippines that it import at least 360,000 tonnes of rice annually from Thailand tariff-free. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Govt seeks to impose rice procurement scheme. [Oct 19, 2009]
The government plans to purchase rice directly from farmers, to solve the problem of falling rice prices. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Millers switch to parboiled rice as demand surges. [Oct 15, 2009]
Strong exports of parboiled rice have drawn new players and investment into the business, say leading exporters. About 50 rice millers are planning to remodel their milling process and install steamers and dryers to produce parboiled rice, which is popular in many countries in Africa and the Middle East. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Korbsak vows to stabilise prices before he leaves. [Oct 15, 2009]
Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu pledged yesterday to finish the guidelines for stabilising agricultural product prices before taking a new post. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Rice intervention fund on table. [Oct 15, 2009]
The National Rice Policy Committee will today consider authorising Bt50 billion-Bt60 billion to support the government's intervention measures for the new rice crop. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice shippers wary of venture. [Oct 14, 2009]
Rice exporters are calling on the government to revise a partnership deal between the state-owned Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) and GGF Group, a Malaysian-Thai joint venture that wants to set up silos in several provinces and handle rice exports. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Manila offers 50,000-tonne duty-free quota. [Oct 13, 2009]
The Philippines, which will not be implementing a zero import tariff on rice next year under the region's free-trade agreement, Afta, has offered Thailand an import quota of 50,000 tonnes at the zero rate as compensation. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice insurance delayed on eligibility concerns. [Oct 12, 2009]
The government's first rice insurance scheme hit a snag, as many farmers are concerned over their eligibility and have yet to fully understand the process. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thailand to export rice to Philippines. [Oct 10, 2009]
The Thai Rice Exporters Association is in talks with the government of the Philippines about the possibility of increasing the export of Thai rice to the Philippines. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Manila may step up Thai rice imports. [Oct 9, 2009]
The government is in talks to supply the Philippines with 500,000 tonnes of milled rice, exporters say. The move comes as rice shipments are being stepped up to help clear state stockpiles ahead of the 2009-10 main crop season. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Market opening under Afta in doubt. [Oct 7, 2009]
Thailand must soon consider whether to open up its rice market or put off eliminating tariffs under the Asean Free Trade Agreement early next year. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Commerce min to propose measures to stabilize rice prices. [Oct 7, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry will propose to the Prime Minister additional measures to maintain the stability of rice prices in the rice price guarantee scheme, and believes it will help the government reduce the amount of compensation paid to farmers. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Rice panel to consider measures on rice import under AFTA. [Oct 6, 2009]
The National Rice Policy Committee is considering measures to control rice imports following the new AFTA free trade agreement and will seek the Cabinet's approval by the end of the year. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Govt asked to do more to protect local rice industry after Afta takes effect. [Oct 5, 2009]
The government should implement a clear policy on development of local industry besides take measures to prevent the free flow of rice when Asean kicks off seamless trade early next year, exporters said yesterday. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thailand to examine newly-developed American aromatic rice. [Oct 1, 2009]
The Thai government is examining whether America’s newly-developed aromatic 'Jazzman' rice, similar to the famous premium grade Thai jasmine rice, violates any intellectual property rights, Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Polabutr said on Wednesday. ... [More]
Source : TNA
Rice pledging scheme gets extension. [Oct 1, 2009]
The Cabinet has approved the extension of the government's pledging scheme for off-season paddy rice to October 15th. Meanwhile, the Internal Trade Department expects to pledge an additional 300,000 tons of paddy rice during the extended period. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Govt asked to do more to protect local rice industry after Afta takes effect. [Sep 30, 2009]
The government should implement a clear policy on development of local industry besides take measures to prevent the free flow of rice when Asean kicks off seamless trade early next year, exporters said yesterday. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
The Commerce Ministry's Foreign Trade Department will propose measures to reduce a possible impact of opening up the rice market early next year. ... [More]
Source : TANN
US 'Jazzman' poses threat to jasmine rice. [Sep 28, 2009]
Jasmine rice exports will soon run into fierce competition in the United States, which has successfully grown and registered a new type of fragrant rice called "Jazzman". ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Government to lower rice stockpile. [Sep 26, 2009]
The government plans to sell up to 500,000 tonnes of rice from its stocks by the end of next month, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Bidding to open for white rice. [Sep 23, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry would soon open bidding for white rice to relieve rising pressure on rice prices and free up warehouse space for the upcoming harvest. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
The rice exporter association and the National Food Institute have urged the government to address the baht's appreciation for fear of adverse impact on the export of food and agricultural products. ... [More]
Source : TANN
The Foreign Trade Department will implement stringent measures to prevent low-quality rice from entering Thailand after Asean members launch liberalised trade early next year, a senior official said. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Crop insurance programme not expected to hit rice exports. [Sep 18, 2009]
Thailand's new crop insurance programme will not affect the country's position as the world's leading rice exporter, say local academics. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Agriculture bank to launch price guarantee program. [Sep 18, 2009]
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives will begin taking farmers' applications for crop price guarantee program by the end of the month while pledging cooperation for the government's policy to tackle problems of nonbanking debts faced by farmers. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Thai exports in 2010 would likely rebound by 10 to 15 per cent, according to the Commerce Ministry's forecast. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Huge scope for food exporters amid greying population. [Sep 15, 2009]
The National Food Institute yesterday urged manufacturers to focus on creating food products for the older generation, soon to become the biggest consumer group in the world. Europe, Japan and the Middle East are still major food importing markets while demand is increasing from emerging markets including Russia and Africa. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Pathum thani strain getting noticed in US. [Sep 11, 2009]
The volume of rice exports to the United States is expected to double in the next few years because more and more people are starting to go for the Pathum Thani variety, Thai exporters and American importers said yesterday. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Govt to announce standard rice price. [Sep 4, 2009]
A recommended price for rice, to be used as a reference under the government's price-guarantee scheme, will be announced every seven or 15 days to facilitate price subsidy. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
SPECIAL REPORT : Rice policy in for an overhaul. [Sep 3, 2009]
Changing from the price-intervention policy to price-guarantee is not enough. The government's plan for Thai rice is to achieve price stability and sustainable marketing and production development by focusing more on fragrant rice and geographical indication rice. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice price scheme starts next week. [Sep 3, 2009]
The second round of the government's rice pledging scheme will start next Wednesday, Sept 9, to help farmers hit by low prices for paddy, Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Polbutr said on Thursday. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The Foreign Trade Department is cooperating with three Chinese organisations to protect Thai jasmine rice from deliberate contamination in the mainland, a practice that has damaged the reputation of Thai rice. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Govt approves prices for rice guarantee scheme. [Aug 31, 2009]
The prime minister has approved procurement prices for the state's rice guarantee scheme. However, he has referred certain measures back for revision with concern that the budget would be too high. ... [More]
Source : TANN
Rice committee delays crucial decision. [Aug 28, 2009]
The National Rice Policy Committee yesterday decided to guarantee Hom Mali paddy rice at Bt15,300 per tonne and paddy rice at Bt10,000 per tonne. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Guarantee prices of maize, cassava, paddy rice finalised on Thurs. [Aug 27, 2009]
The Rice Policy Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday to final the guarantee price of maize, cassava and paddy rice. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Chia Meng to take rice cost hikes in its stride. [Aug 25, 2009]
Chia Meng Marketing, producer of Hong Thong rice, plans to maintain retail prices until year-end despite a surge in some operating costs, particularly global oil prices, which have affected transportation costs. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Indian drought threatens rice output. [Aug 20, 2009]
India said Wednesday it would step up its food distribution programme for the poor as a widening drought threatened to cut rice production by 10 percent and sharply reduce sugar supplies. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET) expects interest in rice futures to pick up sharply over the next several months, with trading volume likely to jump to as high as 1,000 contracts per day during the September and October settlement period. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thailand plans to team up with rice-producing countries in the region to set up rice-trading consortium to build up bargaining power and stabilise prices. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The government's recent cancellation of planned paddy-rice bidding has damaged export opportunities for parboiled rice, which is produced from unhusked rice. Thai rice exporters expressed their disappointment at the cancellation. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice export outlook improves; Weak monsoons curb competitors' output. [Aug 10, 2009]
Thailand's rice exports are expected to exceed the target of 8.5 million tonnes this year, as some rival countries are likely to bar exports until next year because of weak monsoon rains. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The Thai Farmers Association has called for the government to begin its guaranteed-price programme for rice soon, as the domestic price has dropped below Bt8,000 a tonne. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
National rice policy committee to discuss rice stockpiles. [Aug 6, 2009]
The deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs has revealed that the national rice policy committee will discuss an inspection report on the status of off-season rice in the government stock. ... [More]
Source: TANN
New rice seed ideal for Isan. [Aug 4, 2009]
The Rice Department plans the commercial launch of a new fragrant rice strain, Kor Khor 33 or Ubon 80. The first 20 tonnes of the seed will be on sale over the next few months to cash in on the coming main-crop harvesting season, said Poonsak Mekwatanakarn, director of the Ubon Ratchathani Rice Research Centre. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Govt under pressure on rice polishing. [Aug 4, 2009]
Some 200 millers gathered at the Commerce Ministry yesterday to pressure the government into cancelling its order to suspend rice polishing, which caused them to lose income. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
AFET will open rice bidding to solve supply shortage. [Aug 1, 2009]
Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (Afet) will open bidding a big lot of rice 763,920 tonnes including jasmine rice and 5 per cent rice on August 6. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice packers to cap prices. [Jul 31, 2009]
Rice packers agreed yesterday to cap their prices for two months effective immediately, but asked the government to address hefty fees now charged by chain retailers. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Only two of four rice price levels approved. [Jul 31, 2009]
The National Rice Policy Committee yesterday approved benchmark prices for white rice and Pathum Thani paddy under a new subsidy scheme for the 2009-10 crop. But it said prices for glutinous and Thai Hom Mali rice were too high. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Farmers welcome rice pricing reforms. [Jul 30, 2009]
Farmers have welcomed benchmark prices for paddy set under a new subsidy scheme for the main 2009-10 crop, but asked the government to raise the amount of paddy that the scheme would cover. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce ministry to open rice bidding on August 6. [Jul 30, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry announces that it will open bidding on 764,000 tons of stockpiled rice, in line with the government pledging program for 2008 and 2009 at an auction scheduled for August 6. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Trade min to propose measures to stabilize rice price. [Jul 28, 2009]
To support the government's newly-announced rice price guarantee scheme kicking off in November, the trade minister is planning to propose measures to maintain the rice price. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Forward with new rice price-guarantee scheme. [Jul 28, 2009]
The Commerce ministry will move forward with its price guarantee program, which will replace its rice pledging scheme, as the new plan has been deemed to provide more benefit to farmers and to reduce government's burden. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Commerce ministry proposing 7 measures shoring up rice prices. [Jul 28, 2009]
As the Cabinet is acting to adopt a price guarantee programme for agricultural products and is abandoning the existing mortgage system, the Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce will this week propose seven measures to maintain rice prices, a senior ministry official said Sunday. ... [More]
Source: TNA
Government plans major milled rice sale from surplus. [Jul 25, 2009]
The government will sell 500,000 tonnes of milled rice for export only as it attempts to whittle down its record-high stockpile of 6 million tonnes, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai. The rice to be sold would include 70,000 tonnes of Thai Hom Mali fragrant rice, and 430,000 tonnes of white rice of different types, the minister said yesterday after chairing a meeting of a subcommittee handling state rice sales. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The bidding for 500,000 tons of rice in the government's stockpile continues to create a headache for the current adminsitration. The Commerce Minister will ask the Prime Minister to allow rice traders to purchase the rice stockpile in smaller consignments. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Release rice stock quickly, exporters tell govt. [Jul 23, 2009]
Thai rice exporters are calling for the government to release some of its stockpile quickly, to relieve skyrocketing domestic prices and the worsening supply situation. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Low-price rice for consumers. [Jul 23, 2009]
The National Rice Policy Committee plans to launch special low-price packs aimed at helping consumers stymied by rising retail prices stemming from a supply shortage. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Low quality rice is the fault of govt policy. [Jul 23, 2009]
Short-sighted populist policies and massive corruption have caused severe damage to Thai rice in only six years. That's the opinion of Chookiat Ophaswongse, president of the Thai Rice Export Association, who recently lamented that Thai rice has lost favour in the world market while other producers such as Vietnam and Burma are catching up fast. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Small lots to be sold from state rice stock. [Jul 22, 2009]
The government will start releasing milled rice and paddy from its huge stocks this week, but in small lots, rather than in batches of several hundred thousand tonnes only for export, according to Chutima Bunyapraphasara, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Chia Meng lures young diners. [Jul 22, 2009]
Chia Meng Co, Thailand's leading fragrant rice processor and exporter, has launched a new marketing plan to expand its market base to cover younger customers. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce ministry to allow retail rice price hike. [Jul 22, 2009]
Rice distributors are preparing to raise the retail price by five to ten baht per five-kilogram bag next week. The Internal Trade Department is receptive to the move, saying the increase is based on market mechanism. ... [More]
Source: TANN
The cabinet on Tuesday approved the National Rice Committee's proposal to replace the current paddy mortgage scheme with a price guarantee programme, said deputy government spokesman Vachara Kannikar. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Hom Mali rice under threat; Lack of R&D leads to smaller market share. [Jul 21, 2009]
Thai Hom Mali rice is under threat of losing its market share to Vietnam and China, as higher prices and a lack of investment in research and development are harming the prized Thai grain's export competitiveness, exporters warn."Thai Hom Mali rice quality is deteriorating, as higher-than-market prices in the government's conventional rice pledging programme have encouraged farmers to grow the grain in large amounts without concern for quality," said Charoen Laothamatas, the president of Uthai Produce, the country's largest Thai Hom Mali rice exporter. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The deputy premier in charge of economic affairs has confirmed the implementation of the state's farm price guarantee program starting with rice, corn and tapioca. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Project is aimed at reducing govt losses from subsidy programme. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has taken its first steps into the rice-export business as it prepares to manage the government's guaranteed-price scheme. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice options aim to end distortions. [Jul 18, 2009]
An option programme will be used to manage rice prices starting with the 2009-10 crop season, as the government attempts to wean farmers and processors off costly state price supports. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thailand at risk of losing top rice-exporter. [Jul 14, 2009]
Thailand will lose its position as the world's largest rice exporter to Vietnam in the next five years due to the high price and the emergence of new exporting countries, rice traders said at a seminar yesterday. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
The government is set to start selling rice from its huge stockpile for export this month and plans to introduce a put option programme for this year's first-crop production due in November. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Mortgage scheme for paddy set to resume. [Jul 13, 2009]
The National Rice Policy Committee has agreed to resume the mortgage scheme for second-crop paddy, says Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thai rice exports fall sharply in first five months of 2009. [Jul 9, 2009]
Rice exports by Thailand, the world’s number one rice exporter, is facing fierce competition from Vietnam as exports in the first five months of 2009 have slumped sharply, according to a report issued by Kasikorn Research Centre. ... [More]
Source: TNA
Govt to implement rice pledging scheme and price guarantee measures simultaneously. [Jul 9, 2009]
The government is continuing with a rice pledging scheme. Both price guarantee measures and the pledging program will be used simultaneously, while new procurement methods are being considered. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Rice exporters are struggling hard to fill their orders, as supply appears low and much of the grain is in the government hands, local traders said. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The business system for locally grown rice has been distorted by the government's pledging programme, which guarantees higher prices than in the market. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thai rice gene patent 'sends wrong signal'; Overseas firms could claim Thai resources. [Jul 3, 2009]
The recent patenting of a Thai rice gene will pave the way for overseas firms to obtain copyrights of Thai biological and genetic resources, intellectual property rights experts and farmer advocates warn. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Rice exporters chastise PM. [Jul 1, 2009]
Disgruntled exporters yesterday accused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of avoiding a decision on contentious deals for 2.6 million tonnes of rice. They said the premier dodged a meeting with exporters who had sought explanations about why an earlier bid was scrapped and how the government should handle 124,000 tonnes of rice already paid for by winning exporters. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Exporters urge release of some rice stocks. [Jun 30, 2009]
Thai rice exporters are calling for the government to release at least some of its stockpile, to relieve the shortage of supply for export. The move came after the government abruptly terminated the auction of 1.95 million tonnes of the crop. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice exporters relieved by Indian delay. [Jun 30, 2009]
Thailand's rice exporters breathed a sigh of relief on news that India will likely delay its shipments of non-basmati rice. India is expected to postpone the exports from July until the fourth quarter or early next year. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thai and Vietnamese rice exporters ink trade pact. [Jun 29, 2009]
Thai and Vietnamese rice exporters have signed an agreement to tighten co-operation in rice trade and beef up their bargaining power in global markets. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
PM secures Bt36bn trade deals in China. [Jun 26, 2009]
A high-powered trade and investment delegation led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday clinched 18 business deals worth a combined Bt36 billion from its Chinese counterparts. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
HM King praises Thai rice patent. [Jun 25, 2009]
His Majesty the King has applauded Thai researchers and others involved in patenting the genes that produce the aroma in Thai rice. The King yesterday addressed a delegation saying the patent was a significant step in keeping Thai rice in the possession of Thais. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The Prime Minister says he will take a closer look at interest to invest in the Thai farming sector by investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council. However, he reiterates that local farmers must not be affected by the investment. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Rice exporters want the flexibility to sell rice locally as well as abroad when the government reopens bids to sell its stocks totalling 5.5 million tonnes. They also favour sales in smaller lots. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Seventeen rice-bid winners are pressuring the government to urgently allow transportation of the produce from its warehouses and pay compensation for cancelled contracts, with one of them already threatening to sue if it fails to comply. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday ordered the Commerce Ministry to scrap its sale of 2.6 million tonnes of government rice and open a fresh round of bidding to obtain a more reasonable price, a source said. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Government urged to sell smaller lots. [Jun 16, 2009]
The government is being urged to sell its stockpiles of rice in small lots, rather than in batches of several hundred thousand tonnes, to enable small-scale exporters to participate in rice bids and to increase competition. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The Prime Minister confirms that the government will take a new approach to guarantee fair crop prices for farmers. The current mortgage scheme will be replaced as it has benefited only 20 per cent of the farmers. ... [More]
Source: TANN
PM says current price intervention system benefits less than 20 per cent of farmers. [Jun 15, 2009]
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday that the current commodity price intervention system benefited less than 20 per cent of farmers. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice pledging opens loopholes for millers. [Jun 12, 2009]
The government's price pledging scheme has opened a loophole for unscrupulous rice millers to recycle their old stocks to cash in on the high subsidy prices. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Farmers worried over rice liberalization. [Jun 11, 2009]
Rice growers in the North expressed concerns over the influx of cheap rice once the rice liberalisation under the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) will take effect on January 1, 2010. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce Ministry to investigate rice buy-back scheme. [Jun 11, 2009]
The Commerce Minister orders an investigation into the rice-purchase scheme after receiving complaints from farmers that the quota has been reached too quickly. ... [More]
Source: TANN
The Thai Rice Exporters Association is asking the Board of Trade to meditate with the government over a delay in a 2.6 million-ton rice deal. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Rice stock release plan completed in 15 days. [Jun 6, 2009]
The working committee on rice stock releases expects to complete the rice stock release framework within 15 days, before submitting it to the government. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Govt agrees to increase purchase of 2nd-crop rice. [Jun 5, 2009]
The government has bowed to mounting pressure from farmers, agreeing to buy an additional 2 million tonnes of second-crop rice. The additional purchase will cost the government 23.6 billion baht, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
TDRI supports agricultural price guarantee programme. [Jun 5, 2009]
Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) chairman Nipon Poapongsakorn yesterday reiterated his supports for the government's rice price guarantee programme. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Off-season rice pledging to be extended past July. [Jun 4, 2009]
Under growing pressure from farmers, the government has undertaken to extend its mortgage programme for off-season rice, currently set to end next month. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Cabinet OKs price support for Hom Mali harvest. [Jun 4, 2009]
The cabinet has ignored the protests of rice farmers and approved a crop price guarantee pilot project which pledges a set price for 200,000 tonnes of Hom Mali rice in the coming harvest season. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Milled rice import rules to be tightened; Attempt to clamp down on smuggling. [Jun 3, 2009]
The government wants to bring down the current one-tonne per person limit on milled rice importing to stop local traders smuggling rice to cash in on the government's pledging scheme. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Rice bidding for 2.6mn tonnes to be cancelled. [Jun 3, 2009]
The government soon plans to announce the cancellation of its bidding for 2.6 million tonnes of rice under Commerce Ministry management. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Crop price guarantees will be at least 1,000 baht per tonne more than current mortgage prices to encourage rice farmers to participate in the new programme, says Ennoo Suesuwan, acting president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Farmers protest govt rice price guarantee scheme. [Jun 2, 2009]
Protesting farmers have asked the government to extend the rice-pledging period. They have also opposed an idea of rice price guarantee out of concerns over the scheme's efficiency. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Thai exporters urged to apply GSP on exports to Russia. [Jun 2, 2009]
Thai exporters, especially rice dealers, are urged to exercise the generalized system of preferences (GSP) programme given by Russia to the kingdom in order to boost exports to that country, a senior Thai commerce ministry official said. ... [More]
Source: TNA
Unstable prices hit rice sales to China. [Jun 1, 2009]
Unstable prices and exchange rates are threatening the competitiveness of Thai rice exports to China, one of the major importers of Thai Hom Mali rice. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
The Foreign Trade Department will likely negotiate with private rice-exporters for a more advantageous deal regarding the government's 2.6-million-tonne stockpile. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice scheme may lose state B30bn; Korbsak sees no grounds for lawsuits. [May 29, 2009]
The government expects to lose 20-30 billion baht from its mortgage programme this year including 4 billion baht from releasing 2.6 million tonnes of milled rice in the Commerce Ministry's stockpile. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Foreign trade department to take over crop distribution program. [May 29, 2009]
The crop distribution revision committee has agreed to shift the authority to distribute agricultural products acquired through the price intervention program from the Public Warehouse Organization to the Department of Foreign Trade in hope of putting an end to the dispute over the Commerce Ministry's plan to distribute 2.6 million tonnes of rice. ... [More]
Source: TANN
PWO set to lose rice bidding. [May 28, 2009]
In a bid to avoid suffering another huge loss, the government is planning to switch the rice bidding process from the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) to the Foreign Trade Department to reduce political interference. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Asia rice-Thai prices bounce on govt stocks sale delay. [May 28, 2009]
Thai rice prices rebounded 3.8 percent as traders' hopes warmed after the government delayed a sale of its rice stocks, signalling no additional supplies would reach the market in coming days, exporters said on Wednesday. ... [More]
Source: Reuters
The Deputy Prime Minister for national security is confident that a dispute between two members of the national rice committee will be settled at tonight's meeting and will not cause a ripple effect among the coalition parties. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Deputy PM appointed member of rice committee. [May 28, 2009]
To improve the performance of the national rice committee, the prime minister has appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, to serve on the committee. Suthep is expected to serve as mediator between the 2 ministers, who have different views about the best way to solve the ongoing rice problems. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Rice traders threaten to sue govt. [May 26, 2009]
Rice traders have threatened to sue the government for damages if the Cabinet today cancels the Commerce Ministry's recent auction. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Murky actions seen in rice auction. [May 26, 2009]
Fearing Cabinet would scrap the rice bidding results, the Commerce Ministry has called for the 10 bidders who won the auction totalling 2.6 million tonnes of rice to hurry and sign contracts. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Commerce Ministry looks set to recommend end to all pledging schemes. [May 23, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry is likely to suggest that the government soon end its vast price-subsidy schemes for agricultural products, after finding they create only short-term benefits for farmers and pave the way for middlemen to take advantage of the subsidies. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thai rice prices are expected to come under pressure in the remaining months of the year, particularly as India will resume its rice shipments in July. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Govt to regulate rice imports. [May 19, 2009]
The government will this week set clear regulations to prevent the import of rice into the country under the Asean Free Trade Agreement (Afta) amid fears of the crop from neighbouring countries circumventing the rice-pledging scheme. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thai government sells 2 mln tonnes rice to exporters. [May 18, 2009]
The Thai government has approved the sale of 2 million tonnes of rice from its stocks through a tender, a senior Commerce Ministry official said on Monday. ... [More]
Source: Reuters
Vietnam, Thailand cooperate in rice production, exports. [May 18, 2009]
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on May 15 welcomed the signing of cooperation agreements on rice production, processing and exports between Vietnam and Thailand while receiving Thai Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai in Hanoi on May 15. ... [More]
Source: VN NET
The government is set to sell 2 million tonnes of milled rice from its stockpiles to as many as 15 winning exporters. But at an average selling price of 15,000 baht per tonne, it stands to lose up to 20 billion baht. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai insisted yesterday that the rice auction was corruption-free, thanks to scrutiny by various agencies including the PM's Office, and that no rice traders were asked to pay upfront fees to enter a bid. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thirty-two rice bidders have proposed to the government prices Bt1,000-Bt1,500 per tonne lower than the market figure and Bt3,000-Bt4,000 per tonne below the middle price. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the pledging programme for 1.5 million tonnes of off-season rice, which could require a budget of Bt17 billion. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Commerce to auction 3.8 million tons of rice on Wednesday. [May 4, 2009]
The trade ministry will hold an auction for 3.8 million tons of rice on Wednesday, while private firms are concered that the bidding will only benefit large exporters. ... [More]
Source: TANN
State ready to buy 60% more rice. [April 30, 2009]
The government plans to increase rice purchases from farmers at assured prices by 60% as production rises. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
No contamination found in Thai rice-based products. [April 28, 2009]
The Department of Agriculture insisted that Thai rice-based products are not GM-contaminated, following the European Union's complaint on contamination in Thai noodle exported by Thai President Food Plc. The exports have been recalled. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice exporters oppose sale plan for fear of price drop. [April 23, 2009]
Rice exporters are calling on the government to reconsider a plan to sell 3.8 million tonnes of milled rice from state stockpiles, as they fear this could push prices down by 10% over the next few months. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Rice, tapioca from state stocks to be sold. [April 21, 2009]
The government is preparing to sell 3.8 million tonnes of milled rice and 2.2 million tonnes of tapioca from its stockpiles in a bid to ease its huge stocks and reduce warehousing costs. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thai farmers want government to buy 1.5 million tonnes more rice. [April 20, 2009]
The Thai government should buy another 1.5 million tonnes of rice under its intervention scheme that ends in July, farmers said on Thursday, and traders said they expected the government to comply for political reasons. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Africa beckons for rice firms; besides imports, some countries seek farmers. [April 17, 2009]
African countries have become a major destination for Thai rice as purchasing volume surged substantially to more than 4.6 million tonnes last year out of 10 million tonnes in total exports. The region continues to have great market potential as a number of Thai rice companies have offices there and some have been approached by local governments to invest there in milling, processing and even growing rice. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thais eye Nigerian rice plantations. [April 1, 2009]
Several major Thai rice exporters have expressed interest in investing in rice plantations in Nigeria, to boost their competitiveness. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
March rice exports to drop 31% in volume. [Mar 31, 2009]
Thai Rice Exporters Association yesterday said rice exports were expected to drop 31 per cent in volume this month, although domestic prices were rising. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thailand to seek rice deals with African buyers. [Mar 31, 2009]
Thailand's commerce minister and rice exporters will visit African countries next month in a bid to secure rice deals, a senior official said on Monday. ... [More]
Source: Reuters
Thai rice imports surge as domestic prices rise. [Mar 27, 2009]
Thai rice imports surged 2,600 percent in the first quarter of 2009 as high domestic prices encouraged traders to bring in cheap rice from neighbouring countries, officials and traders said on Friday. ... [More]
Source: Reuters
Thai rice exports fell sharply in the first quarter due to uncompetitive prices but Vietnamese shippers remained busy and that kept prices there firm, exporters said on Wednesday. ... [More]
Source: Reuters
Exports fall 11.3 per cent in February. [Mar 19, 2009]
Thailand's exports in February fell 11.3 per cent year-on-year while imports tumbled 40.3 per cent, the Ministry of Commerce disclosed Wednesday. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Rice sales to Japan resume after toxin scare. [Mar 18, 2009]
Thailand's rice exports to Japan look promising, with shipments expected to top 200,000 tonnes this year after Thailand has successfully solved problems related to aflatoxin-tainted rice. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said Thailand had won the bids to export up to 90,000 tonnes of rice to Japan this month. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
The government’s price pledging program for off-season rice kicked off on Sunday Throngs of farmers in Sukhothai province packed five mills to register for the government’s rice price pledging program which will buy up farmer's off-season harvests. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Call for agency to police rice imports. [Mar 16, 2009]
Thai Rice Exporters' Association and the Board of Trade of Thailand (BoT) will soon propose that the Commerce Ministry set up a Public Warehouse Organisation as an "import agency" to oversee rice imports once the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) eliminates all import tariffs. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Commerce sets price for rice mortgage scheme. [Mar 14, 2009]
The government is to provide an 11,800 baht (US$332) mortgage for every tonne of this year's extra crop of rice, Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakhasai said on Friday. ... [More]
Source: TNA
PM to approve govt's rice-pledging price next week. [Mar 13, 2009]
The prices the government will pay farmers as part of the rice-procurement program will be submitted to the prime minister for approval next week, as farmers have backed off their vow to block highways tomorrow in protest against a proposal to lower prices. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Second rice crop prices set. [Mar 12, 2009]
Guarantee prices for the second rice crop have been tentatively set at 12,000 baht per tonne of paddy, said Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai on Tuesday. ... [More]
Source: Bangkok Post
Thai rice exports slowdown for five consecutive months. [Mar 11, 2009]
According to the Kasikorn Research Centre, Thai rice exports slowed for the fifth consecutive month in February amid a sharp fall in global prices. ... [More]
Source: TANN
Rice pledge price to conclude next week. [Mar 7, 2009]
The pledge prices for off-season rice will be proposed to the prime minister for a decision by next week, while farmers are calingl on the government to set the pledge price over 13,000 baht per tonne as a result of increasing costs. ... [More]
Source: TNA
Rice exporters concerned about transparency. [Mar 5, 2009]
Rice exporters back a government plan to release most of its rice stockpiles this month through bidding but remain concerned about the transparency of the bidding process. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Farmers nationwide have threatened to block four major highways if the government sets the guarranteed buying price for rice at only 10,000 baht per tonne. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
STC Group to sell smaller rice packets; Strategy adjusted to suit tough times. [Mar 3, 2009]
STC Group plans to capture more of the retail segment in foreign markets by offering rice in smaller packs to suit frugal consumers. The group is aiming to maintain its market share this year to stay Thailand's leading rice exporter, while the country's rice exports shrink to about 8.5 million tonnes. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Rice-quality rules urged. [Feb 25, 2009]
The Thai Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to finalise measures to control imported rice quality, as Thailand is due to open trade for rice next year. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Thai minister, team to ask Vietnam to help stabilize rice prices. [Feb 23, 2009]
Thailand’s Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot is scheduled to leave for Vietnam on Sunday for a three-day visit to find ways to keep rice prices stabilized. ... [More]
Source : TNA
Rice-pledging price may rise. [Feb 20, 2009]
The government will soon propose that the National Rice Policy Committee consider rice pledging at a guaranteed price that is higher than the current market price. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Govt to support 2nd rice crop. [Feb 19, 2009]
The government plans to extend its rice buying scheme covering 2 million tonnes for second crop paddy due to come onto the market next month. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Rice export prices flat; $530-540 per tonne forecast for 2009. [Feb 18, 2009]
Rice export prices will move in a narrow range of US$530-540 per tonne this year, well below $1,080 seen in April last year, while shipments will be 8.5-9.5 million tonnes in 2009, according to the Foreign Trade Department. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Exporters face barriers as protectionism intensifies. [Feb 18, 2009]
Thailand's exporters should pay more attention to growing trade protectionism in the light of the global crisis, as the trend will not only damage their business, but also raise operating costs, businessmen said yesterday. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Danger of 'huge losses' when Afta rice tariff cut. [Feb 18, 2009]
Thailand will shoulder huge losses when the import tariff for rice traded among Asean members is reduced to zero, due to the wide price gap between Thai rice and that grown in other countries, experts have warned. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Talks with Vietnam to be revived to lift rice prices. [Feb 16, 2009]
Thailand is reviving talks with Vietnam this week on ways to stabilise rice export prices, which are now well below the record of US$1,080 per tonne seen in April 2008. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Rice exports look set to miss target; Low demand and subsidies hurt sales. [Feb 10, 2009]
Thailand's rice exports are unlikely to reach a target of 8.5-9 million tonnes this year, if shipments remain in free-fall for another two months, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Commerce minister urges Japan to import more Thai rice. [Feb 6, 2009]
Visiting Thai Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai on Thursday urged Japanese traders to import more Thai rice, especially cooked food, and food seasoning. ... [More]
Source : TNA
Asia Rice-Prices firm on demand, intervention. [Feb 5, 2009]
Rice prices in major producing countries rose on Wednesday, largely due to government efforts to lift the market, while strong demand in Africa and the Philippines provided support, traders said. ... [More]
Source : Reuters
Thailand to push regional rice stockpile role. [Jan 30, 2009]
Thailand will propose at an upcoming South-East Asian summit to set up a regional rice reserve in the kingdom to ensure food security, media reports aid Thursday. ... [More]
Source : TNA
Big grant for new rice product. [Jan 27, 2009]
The National Innovation Agency is to make grants totaling Bt1.6 million, from an annual budget amounting to Bt5.2 million, to the development of a nutritional food product from brown rice. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thailand eyes sales of rice. [Jan 23, 2009]
Thailand, the world’s largest rice exporter, is considering selling up to 5m tonnes from its stockpile – equal to a fifth of the world’s annually traded rice. ... [More]
Source: FT.com
Govt aims to cut huge rice stockpile. [Jan 21, 2009]
The government is planning to cut its huge rice stockpile of about 5 million tonnes from the trading system in a bid to reduce supply, shore up domestic prices and boost exports to as many as 100 countries. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Commerce seeks more funds to boost export. [Jan 16, 2009]
Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said on Thursday that she would seek a discussion with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for additional budget to promote exports, citing that the allocation of Bt1 billion this week is earmarked mostly to reduce the public's cost of living. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Government aims to increase farm prices by 30% this year. [Jan 13, 2009]
The government has undertaken to raise prices of key agricultural products this year by 30%, or about 64 billion baht. The Commerce Ministry is to intervene with urgent measures including extended agricultural product-pledging programmes, additional funding schemes, product development and market distribution centres and agricultural database systems, Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai said yesterday. ... [More]
Source : Bangkok Post
Rice millers aghast at govt plan to put stockpiles up for bid. [Jan 12, 2009]
The Thai Rice Millers Association opposes the Commerce Ministry's plan to open its warehouses to rice bidding, saying the release of huge rice stockpiles would affect the market price. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Bt 63-bn budget sought for agricultural pledging programmes. [Jan 9, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry will seek a Bt63.3-billion budget from the Cabinet to facilitate subsidy programmes for 11 farm goods this year. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Export target set at 3%. [Jan 9, 2009]
The Commerce Ministry has revised its 2009 export-growth target to 3 per cent, for a total of US$184.7 billion (Bt6.43 trillion). It is banking on the effectiveness of five newly launched measures to drive the sector. The previous target was for growth of 0-5 per cent. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
Thailand, the world’s biggest exporter of rice and rubber, may produce fewer commodities this year, as a global recession weakens buyers’ purchasing power. Rice output may fall 1.6 percent this year from 2008, while rubber production will probably drop 1.3 percent, according to a report by the farm ministry on this year’s crop outlook. ... [More]
Source: The Nation
The trade ministry is hosting a workshop with private firms today to brainstorm and assess ways to push Thai exports. The agency also plans to request 1.2 billion baht in state budget to solve high living costs and farm product price drops. ... [More]
Source: TNA