Bangkok (VNA) – The Agricultural Economics Office of theAgriculture and Cooperatives Ministry in Thai🌼land has forecasted a decline in rice production for thecountry’s 2023-24harvest season, primarily due to the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The rice output is expected to reduce by approximately 871,000 tonnes, a decrease of 3.27%, to 25.8million tonnes. Deputy Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Department,Tantita Bunyamaneekul, reported a reduction in the country’s rice cultivationarea for the 2023-24 crop year, which totalled 62.4 million rai (9.98 millionha). This is a reduction of 602,000 rai or 0.96% from the previous year. Thisdecrease in cultivation area is largely due to changes in weather conditions,which have resulted in delayed rainfall. According to the Thai Meteorological Department, rainfall for thiscrop year is expected to be lower than last year. Mid-June to mid-July witnessed a rainfalldeficit, causing water shortages in agriculture, particularly in non-irrigateddry areas. Consequently, some farmers have left their fields fallow, whileothers have only managed one rice crop. The lower rainfall has also negatively impactedthe yield per rai. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of disease and pestinfestation, contributing to thedecline in national riceproduction. Despite the decrease in production, rice priceshave seen a steady increase since the start of 2022 for Thai hom mali fragrantrice paddy, glutinous rice paddy, and 15% moisture content rice paddy. The first seven months of the year also saw anincrease in both the quantity and value of Thai rice exports in comparison tothe same period in 2022. Exports reached 2.54 million tonnes, a 30.2% increaseyear-on-year, with an export value of 40.8 billion THB, up 51.8%. Tantita has attributedthe rise in domestic rice prices to growing concerns about the El Niño weatherphenomenon and its potential negative impact on rice production. Moreover, thedecrease in rice production in China and export restrictions from India, theworld’s largest shipper, have created opportunities for Thailand to increaseits rice exports./.