Thailand Rice Exports Update For Six Months

Thailand's rice exports from Jan. 1 to June 7 rose by 9.2% on
year to 3.45 million tons, the Commerce Ministry's Department of Foreign Trade
said. Rice exports for June 1-7 totaled 144,380 tons, also up 9.2% on year.
 
  The Department of Foreign Trade didn't provide a reason for the increase in
rice exports.
 
  Meanwhile, global rice production in 2007-2008 is projected up marginally at
421 million tons, on a milled basis. Larger crops are forecast for Pakistan,
China, Bangladesh and Thailand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said earlier
in the week.
 
  Global consumption continues to outpace production and is expected to grow
5.5 million tons to 424 million.
 
  Consequently, ending stocks are expected to continue their downward
trajectory, dropping almost 4 million tons to 72 million.