The Nation:Rice exports' value to r

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Rice exports' value to reachBt100 billion

posted at 17:35 hrs (Bangkok time) 

BANGKOK, Feb 17 -- The Thai Rice Exporters Association expects the value of rice exports to
reach Bt100 billion this year if the baht remains close to Bt45 to the dollar. 

The prediction came after rice exports during December and January sky-rocketed in value by 124
per cent, to Bt19.24 billion, and in volume by 66 per cent, to 1.43 million tonnes, compared to the
same period last year. 

Vorapong Pichpongsa, president of the association, attributed the sharp rise to the depreciation of
the baht and the drought connected with the El Nino effect. 

The US Agriculture Department reported that the world's trade of rice will rise to 21.7 million
tonnes, up by 16 per cent or three million tonnes, from last year. Demand for rice imports to make
up for local shortages has increased in Indonesia, the Philippines and Bangladesh due to the effects
of El Nino in those countries.