China, Africa deals put rice exports on track

Chinese traders confirmed deals to purchase a total of 275,000 tonnes of rice from Thai exporters during a business trip led by Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet last week. The orders are for 223,000 tonnes of Hom Mali rice and 52,000 tonnes of various grades of white rice.

China is a key export market for Thai rice, purchasing 600,000 to 700,000 tonnes each year, according to Mr Krirk-krai. The sale would help assure that Thailand's rice exports meet the target for the year of 8.5 million tonnes, he added.

Mr Krirk-krai also suggested Chinese consumers acquire only genuine Hom Mali fragrant rice certified by the Thai Foreign Trade Department with a trademark and the 885 barcode.

Earlier, a delegation led by Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda concluded deals to sell 900,000 tonnes of rice worth US$300 million to African countries.

Senegal has agreed to buy 400,000 tonnes of Hom Mali rice and Hom Mali broken rice from a Thai company for delivery this year, while Ghana will buy 500,000 tonnes of parboiled and Hom Mali rice.

The mission also explored the market for Thai products such as auto parts, plastic pellets, construction materials and consumer products in African countries.

Bangkok Post
Tuesday April 03, 2007