Thailand raises 2018 rice export forecast to 11mn T

BANGKOK: Thailand expects to export 11 million tonnes of rice worth $5.6 billion in 2018, higher than an initial forecast, the country's rice exporters association said on Wednesday.

Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, initially expected to export 9.5 million tonnes of rice this year.

The association cited growing demand from importing countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines, and a weaker baht making Thai rice more competitive, as factors for the expected higher export amount.

Thailand exported a record 11.63 million tonnes in 2017.