Nonthaburi, The Department of Foreign Trade summarizes Thai rice export figures for 2023 with a volume of 8.76 million tons, higher than expected and growing in both volume and value. Ready to estimate that in 2024, rice exports will likely be at least 7.5 million tons, subject to a reduction in world rice production due to the El Niño impact problem. But I am confident that Thai rice is still in demand around the world. Prepare a plan to promote the Thai rice market abroad, both main and new markets. Mr. Ronarong Poolpipat, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade Revealing the summary of exports in 2023, exporting 8.76 million tons of rice, exceeding the set target of 8 million tons, valued at 178,136 million baht (approximately 5,144 million US dollars). The export volume and value increased by 13.62 percent from the previous year. and 28.43 percent respectively. The Department of Foreign Trade together with the Thai Rice Exporters Association jointly forecast that Thai rice exports in 2024 wi ll amount to 7.5 million tons. Factors affecting the forecast include Thai rice production that is expected to decrease by 5.87 percent from last year, which is affected by the El Niño phenomenon. and exports that may face competition and many challenges. The factor is the world rice production which tends to increase more than last year. causing the world's rice supply to increase Rice imports from trading partners tend to decrease. This is partly due to the decline in the popularity of rice consumption, such as China, Japan, and Malaysia, causing price competition to become more intense. Meanwhile, Thailand has relatively high production costs, causing the price of Thai rice to be higher than producing and exporting countries such as China, Vietnam, and India. In addition, there are signs that Indonesia may buy less rice than last year because of overstocked rice. from 2023, as China produces more rice and begins to transform from being a rice importer to producing rice that is sufficient for the populati on's consumption and may be exported in the future. In addition, India may announce the lifting of the suspension. Export of white rice This will allow the Indian private sector to return to free rice exports as usual. All of these factors pose challenges to Thai rice exports. In addition, there are guidelines for dealing with the challenge of selling rice to trading partners in the issue that the price of Thai rice is higher than the price of rice from other exporting countries due to high production costs. Therefore, it is very important that Thailand hasten to increase the competitiveness of Thai rice in the world market by developing rice varieties that have a high yield per rai that should not be less than the rice yield per rai of other exporting countries. which currently has a higher yield per rai than all of Thailand Moreover, rice varieties must have resistance to disease and insects in order to reduce the cost of fertilizer and insect control. If Thailand does not focus on development and improvem ent in this matter, it will ultimately be at a disadvantage in competing in the rice trade in the world market. However, the Department of Foreign Trade is ready to continue working closely with relevant government and private agencies, including the Thai Rice Exporters Association. To promote and drive the export of Thai rice. The main activities that will be held this year include organizing the international rice conference 'Thailand Rice Convention (TRC) 2024' in May 2024, which is a large conference where experts in the world rice trade meet to exchange information on the world rice market situation. and negotiate business with each other There will also be a TRC traveling event to provide information on rice demand trends in the world market to rice farmers. To encourage farmers to produce rice that meets market demand even more. In addition, the Department plans to travel to strengthen relations and expand the rice market with South Africa, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. wh ich is the most important rice market in Thailand, including government-to-state (G to G) rice trading negotiations with the Indonesian and Chinese governments. Including other countries that wish to purchase rice in the G to G format, as well as participating in important trade fairs and organizing the Thai Rice Roadshow to promote Thai rice in the Chinese market. As for rice export license data from the Department of Foreign Trade, it was found that from January 1 - 30, 2024, there was a quantity of 1,122,358 tons, an increase of 43.96 percent when compared to the same period last year when the amount of rice export permission applications was 779,654. Source: Thai News Agency