Thailand to produce more organic rice to meet China demand

BANGKOK, Sept 24 (TNA) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives said that it will produce more organic rice to meet rising demand among health conscious Chinese consumers. Luck Wajananawat, Deputy Minister of the Agriculture and Cooperatives said that a recent visit by officials from the Department of Rice to China resulted in an agreement to mutually develop agricultural technologies for the cultivation of organic rice corresponding to Chinese standards. During the visit, the Thai officials met with officials from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Organic Food Development Center where a wide ranging co-development agreement for organic foods was negotiated. Important issues that were discussed include R&D programs, quality control standards on par with Chinese requirements and export procedures. These insights will allow Thailand's organic food sector to be developed in conjunction with Chinese standards thereby providing it with the unprecedented advantage of meeting all future demands from the ever expanding Chinese market directly. Having been made aware of Chinese requirements and more importantly, potential demand, attention can now focus on fine tuning developments in the local rice sector to meet these goals. Thai Jasmine rice being a premium grade rice enjoys a special preferential place among Chines consumers due to its fragrant and unique properties. Statistic indicate that in 2017 Thailand sent out Bt42 billion worth of Jasmine rice globally. The main markets by order are the USA 28%, China 15% and Hong Kong 11%. China despite being one of the major producers of rice in the world cannot currently meet local demand which correspondingly bodes well for Thai rice exports. (TNA)