The Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade is confident after the problem of India banning rice exports in mid-July 2023, but later led a visiting group to many countries to explain the good news that Thai rice is sufficient to export to the market. There is no shortage, plus the price of Vietnamese rice is becoming more expensive than Thai rice by more than 10 USD per ton. Indicates that Thai rice exports this year will meet the target of more than 8 million tons, but is still concerned about the drought problem that will become more severe next year.
Mr. Ronarong Poolpipat, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, said that the Department of Foreign Trade is accelerating the promotion and publicity of Thai rice abroad. Organize government and private sector delegations to visit key trading partner markets. including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan in order to strengthen relations. build confidence and maintain the Thai rice market It is expected that trading partners’ orders will continue to increase. It is considered to be the driving force of Thai rice strategy in international marketing. has accelerated the implementation of the policy “Production Leading Market” with visits to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan being more successful than expected. Many countries are interested in purchasing Thai rice.
BPI), Ministry of Agriculture, to create an understanding of the regulations and procedures for issuing import licenses and sanitary and phytosanitary certificates for imports. This will help reduce barriers to rice exports from non-tariff measures from the Philippines. In addition, we also met with the Philippine agencies. International Trading Corporation (PITC) and the National Food Authority (NFA), which is the agency responsible for managing the Philippine rice stockpile. They exchanged information on rice procurement and import policies. including the Philippines’ food security policy. The Thai side has given confidence that Thailand has a plan for effective rice management. and is ready to support food security in the Philippines. In addition, the Thai delegation also met with Philippine rice importers to exchange information on rice trade. Including preparing samples of soft white rice which is becoming popular among Filipinos. to rice importers to test the market. Philippine rice importers are interested and willing to import more rice from Thailand.
Next, Malaysia between 21 – 22 August 2023, where the Thai delegation met to discuss with the Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) agency, which has the right to regulate Malaysian rice imports. and rice importers Wholesaler/Retailer (Wholesalers/Retailers) by discussing and exchanging information on the rice market situation between each other. It has been learned that this year Malaysia will import more rice. However, the main factor affecting the decision to import rice is the high price and high volatility. In addition, at present, Malaysian consumers have turned to prefer soft rice. which is more new season rice. The Thai side has presented samples of Thai soft ground rice to Malaysian rice importers. It is expected that the products can be released to the international market within 2 – 3 years, Malaysia has expressed interest in considering importing rice from Thailand because consumers have confidence in the quality of Thai rice and Thai exporters have always had the potential to deliver rice to meet Malaysia’s needs. Both in terms of quality, quantity and delivery time.
As for Indonesia, on August 23, 2023, the Thai delegation met to discuss with the National Food Agency, which the Indonesian government established in 2021 to manage food efficiently and adequately to meet the needs of the country. Agencies involved in Indonesian rice imports participated in this discussion, including the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, which oversees all state-owned enterprises in Indonesia, and The State Logistics Agency (BULOG), a state-owned enterprise that oversees government rice imports. Indonesia and ID Food Holding Company, a rice exporter-import company. This is the first time that the Thai side has had the opportunity to meet and discuss with all agencies related to Indonesian rice imports. The results of the discussion revealed that this year Indonesia has a need to import more than 400,000 baht of rice. 000 tons to meet domestic demand. Indonesia is willing to import rice from Thailand because Thai rice is of good quality, however, it depends on the appropriate price. In addition, the Thai delegation also visited Food Station, which is the largest rice collection and distribution center in Indonesia. This made them know and have a better understanding of Indonesia’s rice distribution and distribution system. The Thai side has expressed its readiness to support rice exports in order to increase food security for Indonesia.
In addition, recently a Thai delegation visited Japan. Between 27 – 29 August 2023, meeting and discussing with agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), which manages production and rice trade including supervision of rice auctions Determine the quantity and type of rice to be imported into Japan. From the discussion, it was learned that Currently, Japan’s rice consumption demand is likely to decrease by approximately 100,000 tons/year due to the decrease in the population and tourists visiting Japan. However, Japan still imports rice from Thailand approximately 0.26 – 0. per year. 29 million tons, most of which is imported white rice from Thailand for use in the Japanese rice industry, such as crispy snacks, rice flour, and awamori liquor, etc. In addition, they met with the president of Overseas Merchandise Inspection Company (OMIC) and exchanged Information on quality inspection of Thai rice exported to Japan in the past. and the Thai delegation also met with Japanese rice importers. Importers have expressed concerns about the impact on Thai rice exports to Japan due to the drought situation, El Niño, and India’s announcement to suspend non-basmati rice exports. The Thai side confirmed that This year’s Thai rice production is sufficient for export and is ready to continue delivering quality rice and standards that meet the contract to Japan. (OMIC) by exchanging information on quality inspection of Thai rice exported to Japan in the past and the Thai delegation also met with Japanese rice importers. Importers have expressed concerns about the impact on Thai rice exports to Japan due to the drought situation, El Niño, and India’s announcement to suspend non-basmati rice exports. The Thai side confirmed that This year’s Thai rice production is sufficient for export and is ready to continue delivering quality rice and standards that meet the contract to Japan. (OMIC) by exchanging information on quality inspection of Thai rice exported to Japan in the past. and the Thai delegation also met with Japanese rice importers. Importers have expressed concerns about the impact on Thai rice exports to Japan due to the drought situation, El Niño, and India’s announcement to suspend non-basmati rice exports. The Thai side confirmed that This year’s Thai rice production is sufficient for export and is ready to continue delivering quality rice and standards that meet the contract to Japan.
However, the Department has organized the Thailand Rice Convention 2023 activity to travel to 4 regions with the objective of allowing farmers Community enterprise group and those involved in the rice industry in the region Get to know the policy and the direction of development of the Thai rice industry The activities include Seminar to provide knowledge about the rice market Demand and behavior of rice consumers abroad and the direction of development of the Thai rice industry as a whole system according to the policy of market leading production. Since the development of rice varieties, etc. in the past, the Department Activities have been completed in 3 regions: the northern region at Chiang Rai Province (24-25 April 2023), the central region at Suphanburi Province (7 July 2023), and the northeastern region at Ubon Ratchathani Province (21st). – 22 August 2023) which received a good response. There were no less than 150 participants in each region.
It is currently being observed in the world rice market that recently Vietnamese white rice is more expensive than Thai white rice. Currently, Vietnamese white rice is at 635 USD per ton. Meanwhile, Thai white rice is only at 620 USD per ton. As a result, there is definitely an opportunity for Thai rice to compete in the world market and be in demand in many countries. From the figures for Thai rice exports in 2023, from January to July 2023, a total of 4.64 million tons of rice could be exported, an increase compared to the same period last year at 4.09 million tons, an increase of 13.45%, or a value of 2,518 million dollars. United States or baht 87, 411 million baht and as far as talking with the private sector and various rice exporters confirmed that in 2023 there will be orders coming in continuously throughout the year. Therefore, it is believed that the total participation in Thai rice exports this year is as expected. Not less than 8 million tons, even though Thailand is experiencing drought problems this year. But this year’s impact is not worrisome, but next year we will have to monitor the drought problem, which may be more severe. Especially the cultivation of off-season rice, etc.
Source: Thai News Agency