有關泰國米在香港銷售的事情請看看駐港商務領事的這篇文章
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THE ROYAL THAI GOVERNMENT CALLED FOR INTERNAL MEETING TO DISCUSS SITUATION ON SENSITIVE COMMODITIES and RICE UNDER IMPACT OF COVID-19
As the outbreak of COVID-19 escalates around the world, the Ministry of Commerce of the Royal Thai Government had called for an internal meeting to discuss supply situation and marketing plan for sensitive commodities under impact of COVID-19, such as processed food, rice, swine & poultry, fruits, tapioca, alcohol gel, masks and logistic services, etc.
Meanwhile, as rice is the daily essential to not only local but international consumers, Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) together with both government (Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Agriculture) and private sectors such as Rice Mill Association and Thai Farmers Association had carried out a meeting with intention to sustain a stable market and marketing plan.
Many countries are heavily dependent on importation as the local production capacity is declining. In order to fulfill local demand, some countries are trying to persuade trading partners with high domestic productivity such as Thailand, Vietnam and India to sign an agreement for not to impose ban on rice exports during the pandemic of the virus COVID-19.
After the meeting, Mr. Charoen Laothamata (President of TREA) and Mr. Chookiat Ophaswongse (Honorary President of TREA) announced there is enough rice in stock for locals of over 4 million tons paddy rice available that can sustain for at least 7-8 months local consumption.
The 1st crop Thailand started to harvest approximate only at 20% from the total of 5 million tons of paddy rice, with another 3 million tons paddy rice starting to harvest in August, which will be harvest as the 2nd crop. As of Jan-Feb of 2020, the Kingdom had exported only 900,000 tons of rice when compare with previous year more than a million tons due to world economic decline.
TREA revealed that Thai rice had exported increasingly to Hong Kong and Singapore. Yet, that amount of export is still a small figure and does not affect domestic rice consumption. The association needs to wait and see the production in the 2020/2021 season next year affected by the drought problem each year. The expected harvest volume should not be too much lower in compare to this year. The average is 17 to 18.5 million tons of rice annually in result partly from reduced rice planting areas in line with government’s policies.
Mr. Charoen also agreed that the price of rice in this period may increase slightly between 10-20 baht. It is not because of people stockpiling but it is in result from the small amount of rice production this year. Due to the low production rate, rice mills buy rice from farmers at a higher price. Previously, white rice was purchased at 6,500-7,000 baht per ton while now it had been increased to 8,000-9,000 baht per ton.
During the interview with Mr. Charoen by Thai media last week, he pointed that there is nothing to worry about under current situation and there is a lot of rice stock available while there would be another 18.5 million metric tons milled rice which is in harvest process. “Though we are making a little bit lower in compare to last year (20 million metric tons milled rice) due to the drought problem, there is certainly no shortage on supply as Thailand averagely exports 750,000 metric tons of rice along with 800,000-850,000 metric tons for domestic consumption and another 200,000 metric tons will be used in the industrial sector per month” said by Mr. Charoen.
TREA once again stressed that there is no shortage of supply on Thai Rice and urged the government to facilitate the logistic systems for rice distribution. At the same time, the association shall monitor closely on the situation to ensure stable supply.
For Hong Kong market, as the outbreak of COVID-19 continues around the globe, panic buying once again hit Hong Kong market over the past weekend. Representatives from rice segment in Hong Kong had stepped up to clarify that supply is definitely stable in Hong Kong, trying to convince local not to stock up rice at home and stressed that it is only the matter of refilling at local retail spots. In fact, the supply is more than enough in the city.
Ref:
https://www.komchadluek.net/news/scoop/425049…
