Singapore, May 6 - Thailand's rice exports in 2008 may exceed 10 million metric tons as global demand for rice remains high, Prasert Gosalvitra, head of the rice department at the agriculture ministry said Tuesday.
Prasert told Dow Jones Newswires that rice exports may hover in the 10 million-11 million-ton range, up from 9.5 million tons in 2007.
However, the government isn't too excited about this expected rise in exports as it feels rice exports of around 9 million tons this year would keep domestic rice prices in check. But since the government hasn't made any move to control rice exports, nor has it indicated it will initiate any controls in the future, exports are likely to be determined by supply and demand.
Prasert added that Nigeria, Indonesia and Iraq may seek Thai rice in the next few months, which will keep demand firm.