Thai, Vietnam rice price hike plan 'impossible', Thai export body says

A PACT between Thailand and Vietnam to raise rice prices would be “impossible”, a top Thai industry official said on Monday (May 30), in another sign of opposition to a government-proposed plan for a rice cartel amid a global food crisis.

Thailand’s government said on Friday it planned with Vietnam to create a pact between the world’s second- and third-largest rice exporters to boost their bargaining power and help mitigate rising production costs.

Vietnam has yet to confirm such a plan was being discussed.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of Thailand’s Rice Exporters Association, said his body had not been consulted, and the idea was poorly thought out.

“Thailand and Vietnam are not the largest exporters, combined it’s less than India and would have buyers turn to competitors,” Chookiat told Reuters, adding rice cannot be stored for long enough while awaiting a climb in price.

“Politicians don’t understand the rice market and did not discuss this with the association,” he said.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 8.30 am

Asean Business

Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.

Sign Up

His comments are similar to those of the head of Vietnam’s food association, who last week said raising prices at a time of global food uncertainty would be unreasonable.

The agriculture ministries of Thailand and Vietnam did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on Monday.

Cartel ‘unlikely’

Top rice exporter India accounts for about 40 per cent of global supply and its prices hit a 5-year low last week on a weaker Indian rupee and abundant supply among top exporting countries. Officials said last week India had no plans to limit exports.

India’s 5-per cent broken white rice is at least US$50 per tonne cheaper than that of Vietnam and US$100 cheaper than Thailand, dealers said on Monday. Vietnam has in recent years imported some Indian rice for use in beer and animal feed.

“Price mechanisms will not work without India’s participation. Indian rice is already far cheaper ... If others raise prices, then it is natural for buyers to shift towards India,” said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading house.

The dealer said Vietnam and Thailand had lost market share and would need to lower prices to regain it.

A rice trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said a cartel was unlikely with “too many different views on this issue” and because neither country was the top exporter.

“If India curbs exports, prices will rise without Thailand and Vietnam having to form a cartel,” the trader said.

Vietnam and Thailand account for roughly 10 per cent of global production of rough rice, and about 26 per cent of global exports, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

One of the biggest losers from a cartel would be the world’s second-biggest rice importer the Philippines, a big buyer of Thai and Vietnamese rice.

The Philippines’ record paddy output last year of 20 million tonnes is insufficient to feed its 110 million people.

Its agriculture department spokesperson Noel Reyes on Monday expressed confidence that technology can help production reach new highs and in “a more cost-effective manner” than Vietnam and Thailand. REUTERS