Thai rice exports expected to meet target in 2016

BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) - Thailand's rice exports are expected to reach at least 9-9.5 million tons this year, as targeted. Thai Rice Exporters Association President Charoen Laothamatas voiced the prospect on Friday, saying that his association is supporting the government's campaigns to promote Thai rice overseas and, thus, sees the bright prospect for Thai rice exports. Charoen stressed that the private sector fully supports the government's move to restore confidence in Thai rice after it was earlier affected by high prices and other factors. Charoen told journalists that promotional trips overseas by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn have also received positive responses from important markets, like China, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. Charoen proposed, however, that the government also launch the promotional campaigns in the Middle East and Africa, key markets for Thai white and parboiled rice which had imported rice from Vietnam for lower prices. The Thai Rice Exporters Association chief foresaw limited impacts from drought on Thai rice, pointing out that it is time for Thailand to focus on rice quality, rather than quantity, for easier marketing and higher revenues. "Rice is different from fashion products. That is, in time of economic problems, buyers delay orders for unnecessary goods, but people regularly eat rice. So, I think that countries that supply food to the world have opportunities to sell more food to countries where there are demands", the Thai Rice Exporters Association chief noted. (TNA)