Thailand: over 200,000 tonnes of rice sold by auction

A total of 246,000 tonnes out of the 400,000 tonnes of rice were sold during the fourth round of auction this year in Thailand with 21 companies clinching deals.
A total of 246,000 tonnes out of the 400,000 tonnes of rice were soldduring the fourth round of auction this year in Thailand with 21companies clinching deals.

The Thai Department of Foreign Tradewill officially announce the auction result at a later date afterreceiving the approval from the National Rice Policy Committee, which isexpected to meet after the New Year holiday.

The ThaiGovernment will seek to strike a deal with the private sector on theremaining 150,000 tonnes, whose prices in the last round of auction werestill lower than the minimum prices.

Meanwhile,Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade Duangporn Rodphayastated that this year’s rice exports should be as high as 10.7 milliontonnes worth about 5 billion USD.

She predicted that next year’svolume will be slightly lower, but the value will increase to 5.2-5.3billion USD due to lower global output affected by natural disasters anddrought and rising demands.-VNA

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