El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption.

Phumtham commissioned the Internal Trade Department and Foreign Trade Department to jointly monitor and alleviate the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and the ensuing drought.

He voiced his concerns over the possible effects on the cultivation of key agricultural commodities such as rice, cassava, maize, and oil palm. This could result in a diminished supply due to the global drought affecting various countries.

Phumtham noted that while a number of nations are keen on procuring these products from Thailand, and the country has a sufficient domestic supply, excessively rapid exports could…