Nonthaburi, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade reveals Thai rice export figures during the first 5 months of 2024, both volume and income increased. Representing a volume of more than 4.6 million tons, confident that the entire year will exceed 7.5 million tons, indicating the response to Thai rice, THAIFEX - ANUGA ASIA 2024 has an immediate purchase amount of more than 150 million baht and it is expected that within 1 year it will buy an additional approximately 500 million baht, plus New grain markets include Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Palestine. Mr. Ronarong Poolpipat, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, said that in the first 5 months of 2024 (Jan.-May), Thailand exported approximately 4.60 million tons of rice, an increase of 32.18 percent from the same period last year. It has a value of approximately 106,283 million baht (approximately 2,957 million US dollars), an increase of 64.59 percent from the same period last year as a result of rice importing coun tries still having a need to import rice to increase domestic rice stocks. and from fluctuating weather conditions which may affect the amount of rice production. Many countries are concerned that there will not be enough rice to meet domestic consumption demand and have imported more rice. In addition, India still has measures to control rice exports. There is also support from the weakening of the baht in the range of 36 - 37 baht per US dollar. This keeps the price of Thai rice at a competitive level. Important importers of Thai rice include Indonesia, Iraq, the United States, the Philippines, and South Africa. Therefore, it is expected that in 2024 rice exports will be able to exceed the set target of 7.5 million tons, and the department will closely monitor world rice trade, especially rice export control measures after the Indian election, in order to assess the situation. and discuss with the Thai Rice Exporters Association to further adjust rice export targets. In this regard, the exhibition of Thai rice products by the Department of Foreign Trade Ministry of Commerce At the food exhibition THAIFEX - ANUGA ASIA 2024 between 28 May - 1 June 2024, the department brought good quality rice traders from various provinces that are important rice cultivation areas in Thailand. Participate in exhibiting and selling products in the department booth. that this year has received attention from buyers Importers are heavily from countries such as China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh, France, Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Including new markets such as Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Palestine, it also receives orders from hotel and restaurant operators in Thailand. Immediately received orders at the event valued at more than 150 million baht, an increase of 56.25 percent from the previous year. It is expected that orders will be placed within one year worth approximately 500 million baht, an increase of 66.67 percent from the previous year. Received and expanded marketing channel s for small entrepreneurs according to the policy of Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce. In addition, the Thai rice cooking demonstration activity in the Department booth under the concept "Taste the Authentic Thai Cuisine with Premium Thai Rice" received better response than expected. There were more than 74,000 visitors both at the event and through online channels. Organizing activities to promote Thai rice at the THAIFEX food exhibition will not only help increase Thai rice trade opportunities, but also It is also to build confidence and show Thailand's potential. As a producer and exporter of quality rice in the world. Source: Thai News Agency