Rice exporters have expressed growing concerns about shipment prospects in the second quarter, as a sharp rise in domestic prices may lead importers to baulk at buying Thai grains.
Chookiat Ophaswongse, an honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said 5% white rice prices in the domestic market have risen by 25% to 15 baht per kilogramme, up from 12 baht per kg at the beginning of this year, driven by high import demand, particularly from Iraq.
The rise in domestic rice prices has outpaced that of export prices, as free-on-board prices of white rice have increased by 15% from US$400 per tonne in the same period to $460 per tonne.
More expensive Thai rice may prompt…
