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Introduction
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- Rice farming is ingrained
into the Thai society and economy.
- For over a century, rice
has been the largest source of foreign exchange for the
country, which in 1960 accounted for 80% of the country's
total export.
- Rice is the staple food of
the country.
- In the 1997/98 season, rice
was grown on 10.14 million ha. (64, million rais) of land,
average yield was 2.17 tons/ha (381 kg/rai). Total
production was 23.58 million tons, with a farm value of Bt
164 billion.
- Recent production history:
- 1996/97
20.7 million tons
- 1997/98
23.5 million tons
- 1998/99
22.8 million tons
- 1999/2000
23.3 million tons (USDA est.)
- In 1998, rice exports
amounted to Bt 87 billion.
- Rice in Thailand is
classified by season into two types - major and second
rice.
- Major rice –
(1998) 57 million Rai, 18.8 million ton
- Second -
(1998) 7.2 million ton, 4.8 million ton
- Crops are usually high
quality, with top grade 100% white non-glutinous rice
accounting for more than one third of the export volume.
- Low-grade rice is under
competition from low cost producers in the region.
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Production areas
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- The northeast is the major
producing area for major rice.
- The central plain is the
main area for second rice cultivation. The
percentage share of its total planted area and production
is about 70%. It is expected that this area will
decrease due to water shortages.
- Main provinces
- Second rice (>200,000ton):
Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Chai
Nat, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri Chachoengsao
- Major Rice
(>400,000 ton): Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani,
Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Buri
Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan,
Phetchabun, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Chiang
Rai, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri.
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Domestic demand
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- Domestic rice consumption
(direct, seed and other products) is about 60-70% of the
total production. Recent figures are:
- 1995/96
8.4 million tons
- 1996/97
8.6 million tons
- 1997/98
9.0 million tons
- 1998/99
9.1 million tons
- 1999/2000
9.2 million tons
- Direct consumption includes
simple processing of traditional products.
- Rice consumption per capita
is decreasing in line with changing consumer preferences
and economic status.
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International trade
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- Thailand commands a major
portion of the international rice trade accounting for 27%
of the world share.
- The total exports of rice
in 1998 accounted for Bt 87 billion equivalent to 6.4
million tons.
- In 1999, Thailand remained
the top rice exporter with a record value of 6.658 million
tons, worth Bt72 billion.
- The stronger baht resulted
in a decline in value compared to 6.4 million tons with a
value of Bt 87 billion of the previous year (a rise of 5
percent in volume, but a 16-percent plunge in baht terms).
- This year is predicted to
be difficult. The world supply of rice is increasing
(396 million tons). Vietnam is becoming a major
competitor, together with Pakistan and China
- A 30-percent import tax
imposed by Indonesia, the major importing country,
implemented January 1 2000, will pose a challenge for
Thailand.
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