Thailand corn, rice output forecast to rebound Thai corn, rice output forecast to rebound
Thailand’s rice and corn production is projected to rise in 2024-25 due to expanded acreage and improved yields. Rice output may reach 20 million tonnes, aided by strong water reserves, while exports could grow to 9.2 million tonnes. Corn production is set to increase by 2% to 5.4 million tonnes, driven by favorable weather and livestock sector recovery.
BANGKOK, THAILAND — Thailand’s rice and corn production in the 2024-25 marketing year is forecast to increase due to acreage expansion and average yield improvement, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture. The report noted that favorable water supplies in reservoirs in key irrigated production regions are aiding rice production, which is expected to reach 20 million tonnes, up 1.5% over the previous year. The FAS said water supplies in the northern and central regions of the country “held over 36% more water than the five-year average levels and 29% higher than 2024 levels.”
The FAS projects rice exports from Thailand, perennially the No. 2 exporter behind India, to reach 9.2 million tonnes, a 5% increase over 2023-24. Corn production is seen increasing by 2% in 2024-25 to 5.4 million tonnes. “Corn production experienced more favorable weather conditions and less damage from drought than in 2023-24,” the FAS said. Corn imports in the first five months of the current marketing year surged by 83% year on year and were 84% higher than the average import levels of the past five years due to higher demand, the FAS said. “The substantial increase was largely attributed to the recovery in the swine and poultry sectors,” the FAS said. “Swine production is expected to reach 80% of the capacity prior to the African swine fever outbreak in 2022.” The FAS noted that the majority of the corn imports were from neighboring countries such as Burma, Laos and Cambodia, which benefited from duty-free access with unlimited quotas between Feb. 1 and Aug. 31 under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement.
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Source : World Grain
