Exports of Thai jasmine rice to reach 2m tonnes in 2012

BANGKOK, November 27 (TNA) - Thailand's exports of "Hommali" or jasmine rice are likely to reach two million tonnes in 2012, as targeted by the government, and 2.4 million tonnes in 2013. President of Thailand Trade Representatives Olarn Chaiprawat, who is also an advisor to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, made the projections on Tuesday, reasoning that the country's exports of the fragrant rice during the first 10 months of this year had already reached 1.6 million tonnes. Olarn acknowledged that Thailand's anticipated jasmine rice exports next year at 2.4 million tonnes represent a 20 per cent increase, also meeting the government's target. Olarn dismissed an allegation by the opposition camp during the ongoing censure debate in the Parliament that the prices of Thai grains on the world market are lower than those of rival countries and, thus, earn Thai farmers less income, affirming that the prices of Thai jasmine rice have stood at some 1,100 US dollars per tonne and the prices of 100 per cent white rice at about 600 US dollars per tonne; so, the average price of the two premium types of Thai rice has stood at 670 US dollars per tonne, which is higher than the average 450 US dollars per tonne of Vietnam's rice exports. However, Olarn suggested, as Thailand's jasmine rice exports have been limited as it can be now harvested only once a year, there is a need to support more production of the Thai jasmine rice to boost its exports by 20 per cent, along with the expansion of jasmine rice exports into Africa. According to Thailand Trade Representatives, five top markets for Thai jasmine rice exports currently include the United States, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Canada. (TNA)