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UAE traders importing rice from Thailand

DUBAI - Traders in the United Arab Emirates are securing more rice supplies from Thailand, causing its rice exports to soar by 135 per cent.

Thai Consul-General Pasan Theparak told Khaleej Times that from January to April this year, UAE imports had reached $19.4 million or an increase of 135 per cent as compared to only $8.3 million during the corresponding period last year.

Earlier, Gulf food importers were quoted as saying that they would not wait for India to lift its export ban on rice, but would secure more rice supplies from Thailand.

In 2007, Thai rice exports in UAE stood at around 60,000 tonnes, generating over $40 million for the country.

Theparak said, "We could import more than what these UAE traders need, considering that Thailand has currently nine million tonnes of rice surplus, and all this surplus is intended to be exported to countries either through government-to-government agreement or through individual or group traders."

In May, UAE traders had predicted a continued shortfall in rice supplies at least until August when rice-consuming and producing countries would start replenishing their stocks.

As India's rice embargo continues, traders from UAE and the other Middle East countries have no choice but to turn to Thailand for more supplies to this region.