Thai rice exports boom

Thai rice exports boom

BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand is expecting rice exports next year to
reach record levels because of poor weather in other producing
countries and the weakening baht, reports said Saturday.

A commerce ministry official said rice exports were enjoying
much higher earnings since the baht was floated in July, the
Nation newspaper reported.

The commerce ministry predicted six percent growth in rice
exports next year to a record 5.3 million tons worth 53 billion
baht, the reports said.

Foreign trade department director general Pracha
Jarutrakulchai predicted exports this year would reach 5.1
million tons and earn 59.9 billion baht, up 27 percent on an
earlier projection of 47 billion baht, the Nation said.

The commerce ministry official said the El Nio weather
phenomenon would affect rice production in importing countries
such as Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as in Africa,
Latin America and the Middle East.