FAO: Thai rice stocks to rocket in 2014

Thailand’s rice stocks will climb to a “huge” 20.4 million tonnes in 2014, according to a recent Rice Market Monitor report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Thailand’s rice stocks will climb to a “huge” 20.4 million tonnes in 2014, according to a recent Rice Market Monitor report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

FAO estimated Thai rice exports will reach nearly seven million tonnes by the end of 2013 and about 8.5 million tonnes next year.

It also projected global rice stocks will increase by 2.6 percent to 179 million tonnes in 2013-2014.

The report also lowered its global paddy production estimate from July by five million tonnes to 741.4 million tonnes, citing adverse weather in China, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The agency maintained its global rice trade estimate at 37.5 million tonnes in 2013 and projected 38.3 million tonnes will be traded in 2014.

China will import 3.3 million tonnes in 2014 followed by Nigeria with 2.7 million tonnes and Indonesia with 1.1 million tonnes, the report said.-VNA

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