The new Chinese rice deal to purchase a total of 275,000 MT of rice from Thai exporters is expected to boost Thailand's rice exports and help meeting the target for the year of 8.5 million MT. Earlier, Thai delegation led by Deputy Commerce Minister concluded deals to sell 900,000 MT of rice worth US$300 million to African countries.

Senegal has agreed to buy 400,000 MT of Hom Mali rice and Hom Mali broken rice from a Thai company for delivery this year, while Ghana will buy 500,000 MT of parboiled and Hom Mali rice. The harvest of Thailand's second crop is advancing with supplies increasing over the past several weeks.