Thailand expects to export over 8 million tonnes of rice this year

Thailand is the world's second-largest rice exporter after India. (Photo:AFP/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand is benefitting fromIndia's rice export ban and has no reason to halt shipments of the grainitself, caretaker Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit said on August 7.

The government would ensure sufficient rice output forboth domestic consumption and exports, and also make sure domestic prices arenot too high, he told a press briefing.

In the first seven months, Thailand shipped 4.8million tonnes abroad, he said, adding that monthly exports stood at 700,000 - 800,000 tonnes.

Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporterafter India, is expected to export more than 8 million tonnes of rice thisyear, said Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai Rice ExportersAssociation, up from 7.71 million tonnes last year.

Laksanawisit’s message came at a time when riceprices in Asia in July 2023 reached a record high over the past three years, afterIndia banned the export of non-basmati white rice to increase its domesticsupply and curb rice prices in the domestic market./.

VNA