thai rice

  • Thailand NewsBio-cement project launched to combat soil salinity in Thailand

    Bio-cement project launched to combat soil salinity in Thailand

    King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) have launched an innovative project to address agricultural issues caused by soil salinity in northeastern Thailand using bio-cement. Thidarat Bunsri, part of the Smart Biomaterials and Technology Research Group at KMUTT, explained that bio-cement is created through microbial-induced calcium carbonate. The key organic compound in this process…

  • Business NewsRice to the occasion: Thai prices drop as India returns to the market

    Rice to the occasion: Thai prices drop as India returns to the market

    Thai white rice prices have started to fall after India decided to resume non-basmati white rice exports. Despite this development, this year’s rice export volume remains unaffected, according to Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association. Chookiat stated that on September 28, the Indian government lifted a ban on non-basmati white rice exports that had been in…

  • Thailand NewsRice Department fraudsters cook up fake seed sales online

    Rice Department fraudsters cook up fake seed sales online

    The Rice Department’s Facebook page highlighted an increase in online scams. Fraudsters are using fake pages to impersonate legitimate businesses, luring victims to purchase rice seeds and disappearing after receiving payments. The Rice Department’s Facebook page revealed that scammers have created a fake page named Phantawee Mall Corporation, falsely using images and names of Rice Department officials to build trust.…

  • Business NewsThai rice export prices hit 14-month low amid weak demand

    Thai rice export prices hit 14-month low amid weak demand

    Thai rice export prices have hit a 14-month low due to subdued demand and competition from more affordable suppliers, while Indian rice prices increased slightly owing to a stronger rupee, despite weak demand from Asian and African markets. Thailand‘s benchmark 5% broken rice is now quoted at US$560 per tonne, marking its lowest price since July 20, 2023, and a…

  • Thailand NewsThai rice prices fall in a grainy twist as Indonesian bids drop

    Thai rice prices fall in a grainy twist as Indonesian bids drop

    Thai rice prices plunged to their lowest levels in over a year as Indonesian bidders were compelled to lower their high prices in a recent auction. Meanwhile, Indian rice export prices continued their downward trend, reaching an eight-month low. Indian 5% broken parboiled rice was priced at US$534 (around 17,000 baht) per tonne this week, marking the lowest level since…

  • Thailand NewsThailand rice is on the rise with global GI glamour

    Thailand rice is on the rise with global GI glamour

    The Thailand Rice Department is on a mission to put Thai rice in the global spotlight by promoting its distinctive strains with certified Geographical Indication (GI) labels to a wider audience. Farming communities in Phatthalung and Trang in the south, along with Phayao in the north, have crafted premium rice products that command top prices. These farmers are betting on…

  • Thailand NewsThailand Department of Rice aids northern farmers after floods

    Thailand Department of Rice aids northern farmers after floods

    Thailand’s Department of Rice, in collaboration with three rice associations, has donated survival bags and over 50 tonnes of rice to assist northern farmers affected by recent floods. Recent floods have ravaged the northern provinces of Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, leading to extensive damage to homes and farmlands. This disaster has severely impacted the agricultural sector in these…

  • Business NewsThai rice faces sticky situation as Vietnamese rice steals the show

    Thai rice faces sticky situation as Vietnamese rice steals the show

    Rice exporters are sounding the alarm over the possible disappearance of local Thai rice varieties, as farmers increasingly switch to a Vietnamese strain celebrated for its soft texture. Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, raised concerns about the dire state of the industry. Production of beloved Thai varieties like Pathum Thani fragrant rice and KB 79 has…

  • Business NewsThai-Philippine MoUs for rice exports worth 2.8 billion baht signed

    Thai-Philippine MoUs for rice exports worth 2.8 billion baht signed

    The Commerce Ministry recently facilitated a significant trade development, leading a team of rice exporters to the Philippines and securing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) valued at 2.8 billion baht (US$77 million). Ronnarong Phoolpipat, Director-General of the Foreign Trade Department, headed the delegation, which included Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, during a visit from July 3 to…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s Half-Half fertiliser project aims to grow rice prices

    Thailand’s Half-Half fertiliser project aims to grow rice prices

    The Thai government has launched the Half-Half Fertiliser project, aiming to improve rice prices for farmers while continuing the 1,000 baht per rai support scheme. The initiative is intended to help farmers in times of crisis and enhance rice quality. Thammanat Prompao, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, addressed criticisms of the Half-Half Fertiliser project at the Government House today.…

  • Thailand NewsRice to the occasion: Decade-old rice sold for a steal

    Rice to the occasion: Decade-old rice sold for a steal

    V8 Intertrading Ltd from Kamphaeng Phet Province triumphed in the high-stakes bid for 15,000 tonnes of decade-old jasmine rice. This controversial stock, a remnant of Yingluck Shinawatra’s scandal-ridden rice-pledging scheme, has been secured by V8 Intertrading for an astounding 286 million baht, averaging 19.07 baht per kilogramme. The Thai Rice Mills Association yesterday listed the price of 100% jasmine rice…

  • FoodExplore the different types of rice in Thailand

    Explore the different types of rice in Thailand

    Thailand is establishing itself as a prominent leader in the rice industry, providing a diverse range of high-quality varieties upon which many countries depend. Understanding rice in Thai culture and cuisine is crucial before exploring the specifics. In Thailand, rice transcends the boundaries of mere sustenance to represent a cultural ethos. The expression “kin khao,” which signifies to eat, literally…

  • Thailand NewsPanel to auction 15,000 tonnes of rice from Yingluck era

    Panel to auction 15,000 tonnes of rice from Yingluck era

    A dedicated panel has been established to manage the auction of 15,000 tonnes of rice remaining from the contentious rice-pledging scheme initiated during former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s tenure. This announcement came from Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The panel is set to draft the terms of reference (ToR) for the auction, with completion expected by the end of this month.…

  • Thailand NewsFears mount as Thailand’s 10 year old rice set to hit Nigeria

    Fears mount as Thailand’s 10 year old rice set to hit Nigeria

    Growing concerns and fears are emerging in Africa’s most populous country over the possibility of Thailand’s 10-year-old stored rice entering the Nigerian and African markets. This comes after the Thai government announced plans to sell it to the public, BusinessDay Nigeria has reported. Thailand plans to auction 150,000 sacks of rice that have been kept in warehouses for 10 years,…

  • Thailand NewsThai govt plans to ‘rice’ to the occasion with decade-old grain auction

    Thai govt plans to ‘rice’ to the occasion with decade-old grain auction

    The Thai government expressed a strong intent to auction off the last remaining stocks of decade-old rice. This move is in line to replenish the state coffers, as made clear by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in a recent Facebook post. The aged rice in question is part of the controversial rice-pledging scheme initiated during the administration…

  • Thailand NewsMilitary’s risky rice plan revealed

    Military’s risky rice plan revealed

    Thailand’s Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang unveiled a bold plan regarding the nation’s rice surplus, promising to purchase rice stored under a contentious scheme. Responding to the alleged disclosure by Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Sutin confirms that a portion of the 15,000-tonne rice stockpile could be destined for the bellies of military personnel. Sutin addressed concerns about oversupply.…

  • Thailand NewsThai rice redemption price drops ahead of farming season

    Thai rice redemption price drops ahead of farming season

    The upcoming farming season in Thailand, set to start this month, is witnessing a significant drop in the rice redemption price. This sharp decline, according to the Thai Agriculturist Association, is primarily due to market mechanisms and an oversupply of rice, particularly a Vietnamese variety. Agriculturist Association President Pramote Charoensilp noted that during the first crop season of the year,…

  • Thailand NewsDecade-old rice prompts questions about health risks

    Decade-old rice prompts questions about health risks

    In an urgent call to the authorities, a rice specialist has sounded the alarm over the government’s plans to distribute a decade-old rice stockpile to the public, highlighting serious health risks. This comes in the wake of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s inspection of two Surin province warehouses on March 14, where he declared the 10 year…

  • Thailand NewsDecade-old Thai rice from controversial scheme found fresh

    Decade-old Thai rice from controversial scheme found fresh

    Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai conducted a rice inspection following an invitation from the Association of Thai Agricultural Product Surveyors. The association, keen to dispel allegations regarding the quality of rice held under the contentious rice-pledging scheme, orchestrated an eventful visit to warehouses owned by Poonpon Trading Ltd and Kittichai Ltd in different districts of the northeastern…

  • Business NewsThailand to boost rice exports to Hong Kong and China

    Thailand to boost rice exports to Hong Kong and China

    An upward trend in rice exports from Thailand to Hong Kong and China is anticipated this year, with a particular demand for riceberry and brown rice. This expectation is driven by the global economic recovery and a discerning preference for high-quality rice grains. Thailand is also aspiring to establish a distribution centre in Shenzhen to bolster its market presence. The…

  • Business NewsThai rice exporters stir in choppy waters as challenges loom ahead

    Thai rice exporters stir in choppy waters as challenges loom ahead

    Rice exporters in Thailand are bracing for a challenging year ahead due to a host of risk factors, including fluctuating exchange rates, waning competitiveness of Thai rice, fierce price competition, the potential impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon, and India’s restrictive export policies, as reported by the Thai Rice Exporters Association. The association’s honorary president, Chookiat Ophaswongse, referred to…

  • Business NewsThailand’s rice exports expected to drop 14.4% amid global competition

    Thailand’s rice exports expected to drop 14.4% amid global competition

    A projected drop of 14.4% in Thailand’s rice exports is anticipated for this year, due to a combination of reduced production and increased global competition, as reported by the Foreign Trade Department. The department’s director-general, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, revealed that the estimate of 7.5 million tonnes of rice exports this year was jointly made with the Thai Rice Exporters Association. This…

  • Thailand NewsGerman president visits rice fields in Isaan and North Thailand

    German president visits rice fields in Isaan and North Thailand

    German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier embarked on a journey to Thailand’s rice fields in Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai. The two Thai provinces boast over 4.2 million rai of rice fields. President Steinmeier and his delegation paid a visit to the Suan Ta Rom Demonstration Farm in Trakan Phuet Phon district, Ubon Ratchathani. The 35-rai (56,000 square metres) integrated farmland showcased…

  • Business NewsThai commerce minister targets US for premium rice exports boost

    Thai commerce minister targets US for premium rice exports boost

    Thai Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, during his visit to the US, affirmed his determination to boost exports of premium rice and other food products from Thailand. His ambition is to amplify exports of rice and food items from the Land of Smiles by 1.75 billion baht. The US, Thailand’s second largest trading partner and the principal importer of Thai hom…

  • Thailand NewsRice-rumble rocks markets: Thailand anticipates 15% export dip, global repercussions loom

    Rice-rumble rocks markets: Thailand anticipates 15% export dip, global repercussions loom

    In a rice-rumble that could shake global markets, Thailand’s rice exports are poised to plunge by a staggering 15% this year. Thailand, the rice heavyweight, is set to face a double whammy. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, predicts a dip in demand from Indonesia, last year’s top buyer. “Indonesia, after its presidential election next…

  • Thailand NewsThai rice purity at risk due to popularity of foreign strains

    Thai rice purity at risk due to popularity of foreign strains

    Thai rice finds itself in a perilous position as the purity of its strains is at risk due to the rising popularity of foreign rice strains smuggled from neighbouring countries, warns the nation’s agriculture minister, Thammanat Prompow. Speaking at the annual Thai rice conference organised by the Thai Rice Foundation Under Royal Patronage, Thammanat expressed his worries about the future…

  • Thailand NewsThai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains

    Thai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains

    Thailand‘s Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Captain Thamanat Prompow, cautioned local farmers against cultivating or smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains. The warning, issued yesterday, December 8, comes in light of potential complaints from Vietnam, which could negatively impact Thailand’s reputation and bilateral relations. Despite the higher yield per area of Vietnamese rice strains providing increased income for farmers, the minister emphasised the…

  • Thailand NewsThai rice absence from World’s Best Rice 2023 comp sparks debate

    Thai rice absence from World’s Best Rice 2023 comp sparks debate

    The online community is embroiled in a heated debate following the omission of Thai rice from the top three spots in the World’s Best Rice 2023 competition. This has sparked questions about the quality of Thai rice, a key export and a source of national pride. However, it has been revealed that Thailand did not participate in this year’s competition…

  • Business NewsEl Niño effect forecasted to lower Thai rice production in 2023-24

    El Niño effect forecasted to lower Thai rice production in 2023-24

    The Agricultural Economics Office of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry in Thailand forecasted a decline in rice production for the 2023-24 harvest season. The expected drop is approximately 871,000 tonnes, a decrease of 3.27%, totalling 25.8 million tonnes. This significant decrease is primarily due to the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon. Deputy Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Department,…

  • Business NewsThai rice body urges government to focus on new rice strains

    Thai rice body urges government to focus on new rice strains

    The Thai Rice Exporters Association is calling on the new government to avoid manipulating rice market prices and instead focus on the strategic production of new rice varieties. Chookiat Ophaswongse, the association’s honorary president, emphasised the importance of developing new rice strains to maintain competitiveness with other exporting nations. “This is crucial for the future of Thai rice. Following roadshows…