A projected decrease in Thailand’s yield of cassava and its by-products from 11 million tonnes last year to an estimated 9 million tonnes this year has been attributed to drought conditions. This situation is further compounded by more farmers opting for sugar cane cultivation instead.
Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, revealed that despite the drought-induced shortfall in production, demand for Thailand‘s tapioca and other cassava products remains high. He noted that purchasers are eager to acquire any available quantities.
In view of the stable demand and shrinking supply, Ronnarong suggests that tapioca prices will continue to hold up throughout the year. He urges farmers not to compromise on quality by prematurely harvesting smaller, unripe cassava roots during periods of high prices….
