USEFUL ARTICLES

Thai Rice and Cassava Exports Surge in Q1 Amid Rising Global Demand

May, 17 2023

Ronrong Phulphat, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, revealed that Thailand’s rice and cassava exports experienced continuous growth in the first quarter of 2023.

Rice exports reached 2.06 million tons, an increase of 18.48% or 321,625 tons compared to the same period in 2022. The export value rose by 29.26% to 38.066 billion baht, an increase of 8.616 billion baht. The major export markets for Thai rice included Iraq (16.38% of total rice exports), followed by Indonesia (13.08%), the United States (8.62%), South Africa (8.24%), and Senegal (5.86%).

The surge in rice exports was driven by continued demand from Asian and African countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Iraq, South Africa, and Senegal, which sought to ensure food security. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives projected an increase in Thai rice production due to sufficient water supply in 2023. Off-season rice production was expected to peak between March and April 2023, keeping Thai rice prices competitive, despite being around $60 per ton higher than Vietnamese white rice.

Cassava Product Exports

Thailand exported 3.29 million tons of cassava products in Q1 2023, an increase of 7.17% or 220,000 tons compared to the same period in 2022. The export value reached 39.982 billion baht, a 4.81% increase, or 1.834 billion baht.

The top three cassava product exports were:

1. Cassava Chips and Pellets – 1.74 million tons (53.06% of total cassava exports), primarily shipped to China (98.64%), the Netherlands (0.86%), Macau (0.36%), and Japan (0.08%).
2. Tapioca Starch – 1.44 million tons (43.82% of total cassava exports), with key markets being China (47.20%), Japan (11.28%), Indonesia (8.06%), Malaysia (4.81%), the United States (4.18%), and South Korea (3.38%).
3. Cassava Pulp (Sago) – 102,648 tons (3.12% of total cassava exports), mainly exported to South Korea (36.43%), China (21.39%), New Zealand (18.32%), and Bangladesh (2.47%).

Cross-Border Trade Promotion Initiatives

To boost cross-border trade, the Department of Foreign Trade, in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders, has planned three major border trade expos:

1. Cambodia Border Trade Expo – Sa Kaeo Province, June 2023
2. Laos Border Trade Expo – Nong Khai Province, July 2023
3. Thailand-Malaysia Border Trade Expo – Narathiwat Province, August 2023

These events will feature product exhibitions and sales from regional and central businesses, including OTOP and SME products, consumer goods, franchises, and goods from neighboring countries. Additionally, workshops and seminars will educate businesses on trade processes, foreign trade potential, regulations, benefits, rules of origin certification, trade measures, and business matching opportunities with partners from neighboring countries.