BANGKOK, April 1 (TNA) — Kasikorn Research Center predicts Thailand will export 6.2-6.6 million tons of rice this year, the lowest amount in seven years.
The center stated that Thai rice exports continued to suffer from old negative factors including fierce competition, global economic problems, baht exchange rate and drought. Besides, China becomes a rice exporter instead of an importer and the coronavirus disease 2019 has severe impacts.
The estimation of 6.2-6.6 million ton exports will result in a rice export decline by 12.9-18.1%, it said.
The center warned that Thai rice exports would have a bad future if the country continued to emphasize the production of hard white rice. It suggested the country increase the production of soft white rice to attract buyers with purchasing power.
If Thailand raises its export-oriented production of soft white rice to about 7 million tons within seven years, it can make up for its 5.2% lost market share of white rice and fragrant rice and claim a global rice market share of more than 24.5%, the research center stated. (TNA)
