Thailand's rice exports have seen a substantial uptick, with approximately 3.06 million metric tons exported from January 1 to April 24, marking a notable increase of 23.4% compared to the same period last year. According to the commerce ministry's announcement on Thursday, Indonesia emerged as the largest buyer during this period.
The value of rice exports surged by approximately 54% compared to the previous year, highlighting the robust demand for Thai rice in the global market.
Among the noteworthy buyers, Indonesia secured the top spot by purchasing 680,099 metric tons, followed by Iraq with 353,100 metric tons and South Africa with 216,050 tons.
The ministry expressed optimism regarding Thailand's rice exports, stating that if Thai rice maintains its competitiveness and continues to be in demand, the total exports for the year could surpass the targeted 7.5 million metric tons.
It's important to note that Thailand holds the position of the world's second-largest rice exporter, trailing behind India.
Additionally, Thailand's economy demonstrated modest growth in February, buoyed by an expansion in the service sector and an increase in tourist arrivals, as reported by the Bank of Thailand (BOT) on Friday.
In February, Thailand recorded a current account surplus of $2 billion, rebounding from a deficit of $0.2 billion in the previous month, according to BOT data.
Tourism also played a significant role in the country's economic landscape, with 8.73 million foreign tourist arrivals recorded up to March 24, marking a substantial 44% year-on-year increase. Notably, visitors from China accounted for a significant portion, reaching 1.63 million, as per tourism ministry data.
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