BANGKOK: Thailand’s rice exports reached a six-year high in 2024, with a total volume of 9.95 million tonnes, marking a 13 per cent increase from a year earlier, reported Xinhua, citing official data.

The South-East Asian nation’s rice export value last year amounted to 225.66 billion baht (about US$6.43 billion), accounting for a rise of 27 per cent compared to 2023, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The surge, exceeding earlier projections of 9 million tonnes, was driven by growing global demand to counter reduced domestic yields, mitigate food inflation and bolster food security, the ministry said in a statement.

Looking ahead, the global rice trade is expected to face heightened competition due to India’s resumption of rice exports and improved yields in both exporting and importing countries as drought conditions ease, it said.

The ministry projects the kingdom’s rice exports to fall 24.62 per cent year-on-year to 7.5 million tonnes in 2025. – Bernama-Xinhua

Published Date: January 29, 2025