THAILAND (25 May)
Total paddy output in 2004 is at 23.9 million tonnes, the lowest record since 1998, reflecting the dry weather conditions at the critical stage of the main crops. Planting of the 2005 main season crops and harvesting of the second season paddy crop are underway. This year’s second season rice crop is likely to be down 17 percent from last year due to the continued dry weather conditions which limited crop cultivation in the north and northeast areas. However, the 2005 main season paddy production is expected to recover based on anticipated normal weather conditions. The 2005 maize crop, now being sown, is forecast at 4.18 million tonnes, close to last year’s production.
Thailand is expected still to be the world largest rice exporter in 2005, with a government-targeted export of some 8.5 million tonnes, some 1.5 million tonnes lower than the record 10 million tonnes in 2004. Thailand exported 1.91 million tonnes rice in the first quarter, down 7.8 percent from last year.