In mid-February, the Government of Thailand resumed the release of rice stocks, which were suspended in September last year in an effort to prevent price falls (FPMA Food Policies). A first auction of 2.87 million tonnes of rice suitable for consumption was held on February 16. The Government, however, is likely to agree to sell only 1.35 million tonnes out of the total volume offered, as bidding prices for some of the rice auctioned were deemed too low. An additional amount of 3.66 million tonnes for non-food and feed meal industries including the energy sector will be offered on March 23.