Thailand sees long-term opportunities for organic rice exports
The official indicated that the exports of locally-harvested organic rice generally grew by 32% in 2024, but particularly expanding as high as 72.1% for its fragrant strain, or Hom Mali, followed by 23.1%, 3.3% and 1.5% for its brown, white and broken grains respectively.
Thai exporters have long-term opportunities to ship a massive amount of locally-harvested organic rice to overseas markets. (Photo: thaipbs.or.th)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai exporters have long-term opportunities tꦰo ship a massive amount of locally-harvested organic rice to overseas markets, especially Europe, due to increasing demands for healthy food products i𒊎n the world.
Poonpong Naiyanapaporn, Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, told reporters that an increasing popular trend for the more consumption of “green products” internationally further heightens the prospect.
The market value of organic rice globally is expected to reach 12 billion USD in 2034, from 7.8 billion USD in 2024.
Poonpong stated that shipments overseas of Thai organic rice reached over 22,300 tonnes in 2024, valued 31.1 million USD. He said that there will still be plenty of markets to welcome the environmentally-friendly Thai grains with lower competition compared to others.
The official indicated that the exports of locally-harvested organic rice generally grew by 32% in 2024, but particularly expanding as high as 72.1% for its fragrant strain, or Hom Mali, followed by 23.1%, 3.3% and 1.5% for its brown, white and broken grains respectively.
Poonpong, who is also the ministerial spokesman, suggested that local agriculturists develop and introduce their own and unique “Brand Story” in order to promote and spur the domestic sale and shipments overseas of their organic grains.
According to the official, domestic farmlands and locally-produced green crops and grains have been approved internationally-recognised standards, namely Organic Thailand, IFOAM, EU Organic, JAS Organic and even USDA Organic./
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Thailand is in talks with some countries, including India, to reduce competition, hoping to create a balance in rice prices in the global market and help farmers have stable income.
President of the Thai Rice Exporters AssociatioCharoen Laothammatas predicted that the figure will reach 7.5 million tonnes this year, a 24.2% drop from last year’s 9.94 million tonmes.
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