Thailand’s rice prices have hit a two-year high following anticipation of lower supply due to increasing drought conditions that have plagued Thailand this year. Honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Chookiat Ophaswongse, stated, “Prices for all types of rice have risen.”
Prices have risen significantly even from last month’s prices, according to the association. Glutinous rice is up to US$900 a ton, up from US$867 last month. White rice prices have risen to US$424 a ton, up from US$397 in April.
Hom Mali rice prices have remained stable over the last month, at US$795 a ton. The free-on-board export price of Hom Mali rice and higher demand for the rice from China caused Thai farmers to shift much of their production to the staple. Demand for Hom Mali rose in Indonesia and Malaysia, too. The surge in demand for Hom Mali has caused domestic production for glutinous rice to drop.
Rice demand rises before the Ramadan holiday on June 6. The Islamic holiday lasts until July 5.
Lower global supply and drought are the main drivers behind rice’s growing prices, according to Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Commerce permanent secretary. The secretary expects the drought to be particularly hard on rice farmers in Vietnam and India, two major rice producers.
The lower supply level of rice has helped Thailand’s rice auctions be a success. The latest rice auction drew in a record number of…