According to a latest estimate by the Rice Exporters Association of Thailand, the country's rice exports are likely to go down slightly to an estimated figure of around 8.7 million MT, down from an unexpectedly high 9.4 million MT in 2007 because of supply constraints.

The Thai government had forecast exports of 8.5 million MT in 2007, up from 7.5 million MT in 2006, but actual exports went much higher as Thailand filled a gap left by other major exporting countries.

According to the exporter's data, Thailand produces around 29 million MT of paddy annually, equivalent to 18 million MT of milled rice, of which around 11 million tonnes is for domestic consumption.