Rice sold at a supermarket in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 2020 (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand is planningto ship 6 million tonnes of rice abroad in 2021, higher than the figure of 5.27million tonnes last year.
Of the targeted volume, white rice will make up2 million tonnes, followed by Thai hom mali rice at 1.5 million tonnesand parboiled rice at 1.5 million tonnes. Meanwhile, Pathum Thani fragrantrice, provincial fragrant rice, and sticky rice would account for theremainder, said Keerati Rushchano, Director-General of the Foreign TradeDepartment under the Ministry of Commerce.
Local media quoted Keerati as saying thatThailand's rice exports still have to brave a spate of challenges, including astrong baht, container shortage or relatively higher prices than those ofcompetitors.
Weak purchasing power of rice-importingcountries due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact will also affect rice purchasedemand, he said, adding that natural disasters in rice exporting countries andimporters, if they occurred, may trigger the demand.
Last year, Thailand exported a total of 5.72million tonnes worth 3.72 billion USD, down from 7.58 million tonnes and 4.27billion USD in 2019.
South Africa was the biggest importer, followedby the US, Benin, China, and Angola./.
Thailand’s rice exports are expected to recover slightly from an estimated 5.8 million tonnes in 2020, which was the lowest in 20 years due to weak global purchasing power caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a container shortage and the strong baht.
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Rice sold at a supermarket in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 2020 (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
