Rice sits in a silo. Mr Chookiat says he is optimistic Thailand can achieve its rice export target of 7 million tonnes this year.
The outlook for Thailand's rice exports in the second half of the year remains uncertain as climate conditions and geopolitical conflicts could significantly influence trade volume, says a member of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) projects Thailand will export 7 million tonnes of rice this year.
Thailand shipped roughly 2.2 million tonnes of rice in the first four months, according to the association.
Indian white rice 5% is currently priced at US$340 per tonne, while Thai white rice 5% is at $420 per tonne, according to the group.
Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the wide price gap between Indian and Thai rice has enabled Indian exporters to capture a larger share of the African market, presenting a challenge for Thai rice exports.
