Thailand will boost its export of rice in December to raise the year’s total export volume to 8.5 million tonnes for a value of 171.3 billion baht (5.32 billion USD), said the Thai Department of Foreign Trade.

By November 20, the country sold 5.6 million tonnes of rice abroad for 114.7 billion baht (3.56 billion USD), lower than last year's respective figures of 6.2 million tonnes and 131.3 billion baht (4.07 billion USD).

According to the Department’s Director General Surasak Riengkruea, the surge in rice export volume was attributed to the government's efforts in clearing the stockpiled rice via G-2-G deals as well as selling it to domestic vendors. In addition, Thai rice prices are more competitive than those offered by other rice exporting countries.

The nation is estimated to earn 154 billion baht (4.78 billion USD) from shipping abroad at least 8 million tonnes of rice in 2014, said the Thai official.-VNA