SA to import Thai rice stockpiles

A total of 760 000 tonnes of rice are set for export from Thailand to South Africa, Mozambique and Nigeria, reports Reuters news agency.

Chukiat Opaswong, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters that preliminary deals had been struck to get rid of the huge stockpiles of rice.
Thailand has about 14.5 million tonnes of rice in stockpiles built up under a rice subsidy scheme run by the previous government.

Most of the rice destined for Africa is parboiled and shipments will start in September, Chukiat said.