Thai rice exports hit target for last year

THAILAND exported 11.13 million tonnes of rice worth 180.41 billion baht ($5.63 billion) last year, but exports will drop this year, according to the Foreign Trade Department. Director-general Adul Chotinisakorn said on Tuesday that last year’s rice exports met the target and helped raise local paddy prices and farm incomes. The department will try to increase the export value and encourage farmers to grow quality rice and highdemand rice. The global economic slowdown could affect purchasing power and rice from other countries was cheaper than Thai rice, Mr

Adul said.