Thailand retains position as world's top rice exporter in 2010

Jan 7, 2011, 8:35 GMT

Bangkok - Thailand exported an estimated 9.03 million tons of rice in 2010, retaining its decades-old position as the world's top exporter of the grain, industry sources said Friday.

Thailand's rice exports last year increased 5 per cent in volume and earned the kingdom an estimated 5.3 billion dollars, said Pissanu Saengyu, spokesman for the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

Vietnam, Thailand's closest rival in the international rice trade, exported an estimated 6.9 million tons last year.

Thailand has been the world's leading rice exporter since 1962 when Myanmar adopted a socialist system and lost its former primacy in the trade.

Thailand's rice exports hit their peak in 2008 when it shipped 10 million tons, compared with 8.6 million in 2009.

In 2010, the country's largest export market was Africa, led by Nigeria, Ivory Coast and South Africa.

'In Asia, we continued to lose some market share to Vietnam last year because our prices are higher,' Pissanu said. Thailand has set an export target of 9.5 million tons in 2011 with projected earnings of 5.3 billion to 5.6 billion dollars, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said Friday.

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