Thailand: Parboiled Rice Exports Surge

Demand for Thailand's parboiled rice has gone higher in the recent weeks after India decided to ban rice exports in order to focus on its domestic market.

Thailand is the main rival of India in the parboiled rice market and when New Delhi suspended shipments, buyers shifted to importing from Thai traders. Normally, India ships 300,000 MT of parboiled rice per year, and Thailand around 1.8 million MT, mostly to Africa.

The demand is likely to continue next year as Indian farmers have opted to grow wheat, which offers more export income for the farmers which would consequently boost Thai parboiled rice exports.