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Jun 10, 2010
Drought may hit rice price
Output could drop to less than half of earlier forecast
Thailand produces about 20 million tonnes of rice annually in two to four crop cycles, exporting about nine million tonnes and consuming the same amount. -- PHOTO: AP
BANGKOK - THE world's largest rice exporter, Thailand, is facing major losses to its next crop of rice and a water crisis because of the worst drought in nearly two decades.
Mr Chanchai Rakthananon, president of the Thai Rice Mills Association, said rice output for the next crop cycle which ends in August could fall to as little as two million tonnes from a previously forecast five million tonnes.
'It didn't rain when it needed to rain,' said Mr Angsumal Sunalai, director-general of the Thai Meteorological Department.
Mr Chalit Damroengsak, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, said there would normally be three to four monsoon storms a year during the annual rainy season, 'but farmers will be lucky if there is one this year'.
Thailand produces about 20 million tonnes of rice annually in two to four crop cycles, exporting about nine million tonnes and consuming the same amount.
The government keeps a rice reserve of about 10 per cent of output, mostly as a way of stabilising prices, so the drought will not cause food shortages. -- AP
Jun 10, 2010
Drought may hit rice price
Output could drop to less than half of earlier forecast
Thailand produces about 20 million tonnes of rice annually in two to four crop cycles, exporting about nine million tonnes and consuming the same amount. -- PHOTO: AP
BANGKOK - THE world's largest rice exporter, Thailand, is facing major losses to its next crop of rice and a water crisis because of the worst drought in nearly two decades.
Mr Chanchai Rakthananon, president of the Thai Rice Mills Association, said rice output for the next crop cycle which ends in August could fall to as little as two million tonnes from a previously forecast five million tonnes.
'It didn't rain when it needed to rain,' said Mr Angsumal Sunalai, director-general of the Thai Meteorological Department.
Mr Chalit Damroengsak, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, said there would normally be three to four monsoon storms a year during the annual rainy season, 'but farmers will be lucky if there is one this year'.
Thailand produces about 20 million tonnes of rice annually in two to four crop cycles, exporting about nine million tonnes and consuming the same amount.
The government keeps a rice reserve of about 10 per cent of output, mostly as a way of stabilising prices, so the drought will not cause food shortages. -- AP
