According to the latest figures released by Thailand's Commerce Ministry's Department of Foreign Trade, Thailand's rice exports from Jan. 1- Feb 19 rose to 1.63 million MT from 1 million MT in the same period last year largely due to the ongoing strong foreign demand.

The following table shows Thailand's rice exports Jan. 1-Feb. 19 compared with a year earlier. Figures are in MT.
 
 
 
                               2008                    2007
                     Jan 1-Feb 19   Feb 1-19    Jan 1-Feb 19   Feb 1-19
Private Exporters    1,574,493      602,993     1,004,975      383,568
Government              58,400       17,427      -             -
Total                1,632,893      620,420     1,004,975      383,568

Thailand is the world's largest rice exporter.