By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Thailand exported 7,448,941 tons of rice worth 172.019 billion baht in the first nine months of 2024 (January-September), an increase of 22 percent in volume and 45.8 percent in value compared to the same period in 2023, according to Pol. Lt. Col. Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Rice Exporters Association of Thailand.

He stated that white rice led exports with 4,702,455 tons (up 42 percent), followed by jasmine rice with 1,233,108 tons (up 9 percent), parboiled rice with 814,791 tons (down 28.2 percent), Thai fragrant rice with 487,587 tons (up 42.5 percent) and glutinous rice with 211,000 tons (up 15.7 percent).

The top five importers of Thai rice were Indonesia (1,092,128 tons, up 20.7 percent), Iraq (907,715 tons, up 25.1 percent), the United States (609,430 tons, up 19.5 percent), South Africa (580,288 tons, down 20.6 percent) and the Philippines (399,493 tons, up 246.7 percent).

India remained the world’s largest rice exporter in the first nine months, followed by Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and the United States.

In September 2024, Thailand exported 878,711 tons of rice worth 19.463 billion baht, down 0.8 percent in volume and 3.5 percent in value from August 2024, due to a decline in exports of parboiled and broken rice, while exports of white rice and jasmine rice remained strong.

For October, The country is expected to export no less than 700,000 tons, driven by demand from African countries preparing for Christmas and New Year and pending contracts from the previous month.

The Rice Exporters Association of Thailand foresees intense competition in the market as India lifts its export restrictions, which should allow Indian exporters to expand their exports of white and parboiled rice, potentially impacting Thailand’s market share in these categories.

At the end of October 2024, Thai rice prices showed signs of decline amid increased price competition. Thai 5 percent white rice was at 507 US dollars per ton, compared to 524-528 US dollars for Vietnam, 444-448 US dollars for India and 461-465 US dollars for Pakistan. Thai parboiled rice cost 522 US dollars per ton, while Indian and Pakistani parboiled rice cost 439-443 US dollars and 493-497 US dollars respectively.

Published Date: November 4, 2024