Natural disasters and droughts in major rice exporting countries would boost demand for Thai rice, said Apiradi Tantraporn, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department.

It is expected that rice exports next year would total over 8 million MT, valued at more than US$2.5 billion. She said despite heavy floods in Thailand, the country's rice export would be unaffected.

Southern African countries would emerge as a new market. The department will send a trade delegation to promote Thai rice and other agricultural produce.