ชัยชนะแบบถล่มทลายของพรรคเพื่อไทย ที่จะนำไปสู่การจัดตั้งรัฐบาลชุดใหม่โดยมี น.ส.ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร ดำรงตำแหน่งนายกรัฐมนตรี กำลังถูกจับตามองอย่างใกล้ชิดถึงนโยบายการเกษตร โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่ง "ข้าว" ที่พรรคเพื่อไทยหาเสียงมาโดยตลอดว่า จะเปลี่ยนวิธีการอุดหนุนราคาข้าวจากการรับ "ประกัน" ถอยหลังกลับมาเป็นการรับ "จำนำ"
การเปลี่ยนแปลงนโยบายกลับไปกลับมาดังกล่าวส่งผลให้เกิดแรงกระเพื่อมต่อผู้คนในวงการค้าข้าว โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่ง กลุ่มโรงสีข้าว ในแง่ของการปรับตัวที่จะร่วมกับวิธีการใหม่ ๆ ในการรับจำนำ ท่ามกลางการวิพากษ์วิจารณ์กันว่า นโยบายรับจำนำข้าวของรัฐบาลกำลังเข้าทางโรงสีข้าว ที่เริ่มเก็บสต๊อกข้าวกันยกใหญ่ ในขณะที่อีกฝ่ายหนึ่งเห็นว่า ทั้งการรับจำนำและการประกันราคาข้าวล้วนมีข้อดีข้อเสีย ขึ้นอยู่กับ "ใคร" จะแปรเปลี่ยนนโยบายมาเป็นผลประโยชน์ของตนเองอย่างไร
นายชาญชัย รักษ์ธนานนท์ นายกสมาคมโรงสีข้าวไทย ให้สัมภาษณ์ "ประชาชาติธุรกิจ" ถึงนโยบายการรับจำนำข้าวของรัฐบาลชุดใหม่ว่า ไม่ว่ารัฐบาลจะใช้นโยบายอะไร "ข้าวเปลือก" ทุกเม็ดก็ยังคงผ่านมือโรงสีที่กระจายตัวอยู่ทั่วประเทศอยู่ดี ตอนนี้ทั้งชาวนา-ผู้ส่งออก-โบรกเกอร์ค้าข้าวต่างประเทศ ต่างรับรู้กันแล้วว่า ราคาข้าวขาวของประเทศไทยจะต้องไม่ต่ำกว่าตันละ 15,000 บาท ข้าวหอมมะลิตันละ 20,000 บาท ตามที่พรรคเพื่อไทยได้หาเสียงไว้ โดยราคาข้าวในระดับนี้จะมีผลในอีก 5 เดือนข้างหน้า ดังนั้นเมื่อชัยชนะในการเลือกตั้งเป็นของพรรคเพื่อไทย ราคาข้าวภายในประเทศจึงขยับขึ้นมาทันที
"ผมยอมรับว่า มีการไล่ซื้อข้าวภายในประเทศ ราคาขยับขึ้นไปเรื่อย ๆ จาก 9,000 บาท/ตัน เป็น 10,800 บาท/ตัน ในขณะนี้ และน่าจะไล่ราคาข้าวเปลือกเจ้าขึ้นไปถึง 12,000-13,000 บาท/ตัน ในอนาคตอันใกล้ ซึ่งใกล้เคียงกับราคารับจำนำที่รัฐบาลประกาศไว้ที่ 15,000 บาท ส่วนข้าวหอมมะลิใกล้เคียงกับ 20,000 บาท/ตัน คนซื้อมีทั้งกลุ่มพ่อค้านักเก็งกำไร ราคาส่งออกก็ขยับขึ้นจาก 450 เหรียญสหรัฐ/ตัน ไปเรื่อยจนถึง 700 เหรียญสหรัฐ/ตัน ตอนนี้ใคร ๆ ก็ไล่ซื้อข้าวเข้าเก็บกันไว้ทั้งสิ้น"
ส่วนนโยบายการประกันราคาข้าวของรัฐบาลอภิสิทธิ์นั้น นายชาญชัยกล่าวว่า นโยบายประกันรายได้โรงสีก็เชียร์ แต่วิธีการประกันราคามีข้อผิดพลาดคือ ต้องมีการกำหนดราคาขั้นต่ำ เหมือนเปิดร้านขายข้าวสารให้ลูกแล้วบอกว่า "ลูกขายเท่าไหร่ก็ได้ ที่เหลือเตี่ยจ่ายให้ อย่างนี้ก็เจ๊งหมด แต่เราต้องบอกลูกว่า ขายเท่าไหร่ก็ได้ แต่อย่าต่ำกว่าราคานี้นะ ไม่อย่างนั้นเจ๊ง ผมบอกรัฐบาลเดิมไปแล้ว ถ้าทำอย่างนั้นจะไม่ได้กลับมาเป็นรัฐบาลอีก ได้บอกผ่านท่านไตรรงค์ (นายไตรรงค์ สุวรรณคีรี รองนายกรัฐมนตรี) แต่ทุกคนกลับมองว่าโรงสีขุดบ่อล่อ ก็ไม่มีใครเชื่อว่าโครงการประกันรายได้ของรัฐบาลเสีย 2 ต่อเกือบ 200,000 ล้านบาท คือ รัฐบาลเสียเงินจ่ายชดเชยให้ชาวนา 100,000 ล้านบาท และอีกส่วนหนึ่งเสีย รายได้จากมูลค่าข้าวที่หายไปอีก 100,000 ล้านบาท"
นอกจากนี้ การประกันราคาข้าวที่ผ่านมายังเกิดข้อผิดพลาดในเรื่องของการควบคุมการขึ้นทะเบียนเกษตรกรอยู่ ๆ พื้นที่เพาะปลูกข้าวก็เพิ่มขึ้นมาอย่างพรวดพราด จาก 60 ล้านไร่ เป็น 70 ล้านไร่ ตัวเกษตรกรเพิ่มจาก 3.6 ล้านคน เป็น 3.7 ล้านคน ในประเด็นนี้ นายชาญชัยเห็นว่าตัวเลขที่ เพิ่มขึ้น หมายถึง ชาวนาได้รับเงินชดเชยจากการประกันราคามากขึ้น ทั้ง ๆ ที่ไม่มีผลผลิตข้าวจริง แต่ใครจะกล้าเข้าไปตรวจสอบ แต่ความจริงกลับไม่ได้เป็นเช่นนี้
"ทุกคนมองว่าชาวนาจะได้รับประโยชน์จากเงินชดเชยมีเงินเต็มกระเป๋า แต่เงินจำนวนนี้อยู่กับชาวนาได้ไม่นาน เพราะคนที่รับไปจริง ๆ คือ เจ้าของที่ดิน จากการปรับขึ้นราคาค่าเช่าที่จาก 500 บาท เป็น 1,500 บาท ชาวนาได้เงินมาก็จ่ายเป็นค่าที่ดิน ไม่จ่ายก็ไม่ได้ทำ ส่วนการจะเอาข้าวที่เกินจากการรับประกันรายได้ที่กำหนดไว้ 25 ตันต่อครัวเรือน นำไปขายในท้องตลาดก็ได้ราคาต่ำ ๆ รวมกันทั้งค่าชดเชยและค่าข้าวยังได้ไม่ถึง 10,000 บาท/ตัน แล้ว ผมถามว่า ชาวนาที่ไหนจะชอบนโยบายการประกันราคาข้าวของรัฐบาลอภิสิทธิ์ เพราะขายข้าวได้ไม่ถึง 10,000 บาท จึงเป็นคำตอบว่า ทำไมคราวนี้ชาวนาถึงเลือกพรรคเพื่อไทย เพราะเขาจะได้ราคาข้าวจากการจำนำถึง 15,000 บาทขึ้นไป"
แต่เมื่อนโยบายของรัฐบาลชุดใหม่เปลี่ยนเป็นการรับจำนำตามที่หาเสียงเอาไว้ โรงสีข้าวมีความเห็นอย่างไร
ในประเด็นนี้ นายชาญชัยเชื่อว่า การเปลี่ยนนโยบายกลับมาเป็นการรับจำนำไม่มีผลต่อตลาดข้าวมากนัก เพราะโรงสีรับได้ทั้งสองนโยบาย เนื่องจากโรงสีถือเป็นโรงงานแปรรูปข้าว รัฐบาลจะใช้การประกันราคาข้าว โรงสีก็อยู่ได้ รัฐบาลชุดใหม่เปลี่ยนมาเป็นการรับจำนำก็อยู่ได้อีก แต่ที่แน่ ๆ ก็คือ การประกันราคาข้าวที่ผ่านมาให้ประโยชน์กับผู้ส่งออกข้าวเพียงไม่กี่บริษัท ผู้ส่งออกส่วนใหญ่ซื้อข้าวรัฐบาลไม่ได้จึงเกิดความไม่เป็นธรรมขึ้น
ส่วนปัญหาของการรับจำนำนั้นไม่ได้เกิดจากตัวโครงการ เพราะการรับจำนำข้าวมี 3 ขั้นตอน ข้าวจากชาวนามาออกใบประทวนที่โรงสี ฝากเก็บข้าวเข้าคลัง และระบายข้าวออก ตรงไหนเป็นจุดอ่อนที่สุดก็แก้ตรงนั้น ที่ผ่านมามีกฎระเบียบแต่ไม่มีการบังคับใช้ การทุจริตในโครงการจึงเกิดขึ้น
แน่นอนว่าการรับจำนำข้าวต่อจากนี้ไป แม้รัฐบาลจะเลือกรับจำนำข้าวทุกเมล็ดก็สามารถทำได้ แต่ควรแบ่งข้าวออกเป็น 2 ส่วนคือ ส่วนแรก 30-50% ของปริมาณที่รับจำนำมาขายคืนให้กับโรงสีในราคาตลาด เพื่อให้ตลาดหมุนได้ ส่วนที่เหลือก็นำไปเก็บในคลังของรัฐบาล แต่ไม่ใช่เก็บลืม ต้องมีการสีแปรสภาพข้าวเพราะ 6-8 เดือนไม่แปร ข้าวก็เสื่อม กับส่วนที่ 2 รัฐบาลปรับวิธีการระบาย หนึ่งคือ อาศัยการขายแบบรัฐบาลต่อรัฐบาล (จีทูจี) หรือบาร์เตอร์เทรด นำไปแลกกับสินค้าจำเป็น เช่น ปุ๋ยข้าวตันละ 20,000 บาทเท่ากัน แหล่งผลิตปุ๋ยคือ แหล่งนำเข้าข้าวอย่างฟิลิปปินส์ หรือขายข้าว 1 ปีได้เงิน แสนกว่าล้าน ซื้อน้ำมันใช้ได้ 2 เดือน ทำไมไม่แลก แต่ที่ไม่ทำเพราะมีปัญหาเงินทอน
หากรัฐบาลเลือกแนวทางนี้โรงสีรับอาสาเป็นผู้ปรับปรุงคุณภาพข้าวส่งออกได้ และสอง การระบายผ่านตลาดสินค้าเกษตรล่วงหน้าแห่งประเทศไทย เดือนละ 200,000-300,000 ตัน ทุกเดือน ๆ ใครก็สามารถมาเทรด FOB ก็ทำได้
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Bangkok Post: Cambodia eyes Filipino market
Steve Finch
Bangkok Post
Published: 16/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
Break for byline/break for normal. Nascent rice exporting industry is eager to ship, offering to undercut competitors.
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has held high-level talks with the Philippines that could result in the country's fledgling rice-export industry competing with Thailand and Vietnam for contracts to supply the world's largest importer.
On the sidelines of the recent Asean Summit in Indonesia, Prime Minister Hun Sen offered to sell rice at lower prices than competitors in a meeting with Filipino President Benigno Aquino, according to a Cambodian government aide. The offer was made in return for investment in Cambodia's under-developed agricultural sector, said Srey Thamrong, an adviser to Hun Sen, who was present during the talks in Jakarta on May 7.
''They expressed their desire to import rice,'' he said, adding that President Aquino told Hun Sen he would appoint a team of government officials to negotiate the arrangement.
The meeting followed a fact-finding mission by the Philippines National Food Authority to Phnom Penh early last month as part of the Aquino government's plans to diversify and reduce spending on rice imports that hit 2.25 million tonnes last year, the highest in the world.
''We are studying the possibility of Cambodia as an alternate source [of imports],'' NFA chief of staff Gilbert Lauengco told the Phnom Penh Post in April. Shipments would start ''at the very latest next year'', he added, although the exact amount and price the Philippines would pay Cambodia is yet to be agreed.
NFA Administrator Angelito Banayo told the Philippines' annual Rice Congress earlier this year the country paid an average US$630 per tonne for rice imports in 2010, or $1.42 billion overall, which represented more than 44% of the Philippines $3.47 billion trade deficit for the year.
This figure is set to fall dramatically in 2011 amid rising rice stocks and improved domestic production in the Philippines, according to government projections, providing tropical storms do not damage crops as has happened in the past in the typhoon-prone country. A Department of Agriculture report showed Philippines rice stocks reached a record 3.08 million tonnes by April 1, up 8% on the same period last year, while rice production climbed an annualised 16% in the first quarter to just over 4 million tonnes.
In response, the NFA has announced plans to slash rice imports to just 860,000 tonnes this year after the new Aquino government accused its predecessors of over stockpiling rice, a move likely to further diminish opportunities for the country's two main suppliers Vietnam and Thailand as Manila also looks to add Cambodia as a lower-cost alternative.
Reports in the Philippines said the government has agreed to purchase 200,000 tonnes from Vietnam this year as part of a rice-supply deal with Hanoi, while Thailand is set to be the main supplier of the country's reduced-tariffs programme with an agreement to ship 98,000 tonnes.
In recent years Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, has struggled to compete with Vietnam to supply the grain to the Philippines after shipments of 500,000 tonnes in 2008 dwindled to 80,000 tonnes in 2009 before climbing again to more than 200,000 tonnes last year. In the past Thailand has said it hopes to ship half a million tonnes of rice per year to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is also set to lose out if the Philippines imports rice from Cambodia, say analysts. The Thai Rice Exporters Association estimates Cambodia supplies up to 1.5 million tonnes of paddy to Vietnam every year, which is then processed and shipped on as official export produce to markets including the Philippines. But during the talks in Jakarta, Mr Aquino reportedly told Hun Sen that Manila was ready to ''remove the middleman'' _ Vietnam _ resulting in lower import prices for the Philippines should Cambodia become equipped to process and ship the necessary quantities of rice, which is not yet the case.
''Cambodia's rice exports are mainly to Thailand and Vietnam at the moment and that is Cambodia's best option while the necessary downstream structures and logistics are not yet in place,'' said Korbsook Iamsuri, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.
It remains unclear whether the Philippines will meet Hun Sen's request for the necessary investment in Cambodia's underdeveloped agricultural industry, subject to a formal agreement.
Although Cambodia is currently the world's seventh-largest exporter, it still has a long way to go before it can turn a paddy surplus estimated at just under 4 million tonnes this year into processed rice of a quality ready for shipment given inadequate infrastructure, high electricity prices and a lack of financing options in the industry.
''Hence Cambodian rice is not yet a threat to [the] export markets of both Thailand and Vietnam,'' said Ms Korbsook
Bangkok Post
Published: 16/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
Break for byline/break for normal. Nascent rice exporting industry is eager to ship, offering to undercut competitors.
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has held high-level talks with the Philippines that could result in the country's fledgling rice-export industry competing with Thailand and Vietnam for contracts to supply the world's largest importer.
On the sidelines of the recent Asean Summit in Indonesia, Prime Minister Hun Sen offered to sell rice at lower prices than competitors in a meeting with Filipino President Benigno Aquino, according to a Cambodian government aide. The offer was made in return for investment in Cambodia's under-developed agricultural sector, said Srey Thamrong, an adviser to Hun Sen, who was present during the talks in Jakarta on May 7.
''They expressed their desire to import rice,'' he said, adding that President Aquino told Hun Sen he would appoint a team of government officials to negotiate the arrangement.
The meeting followed a fact-finding mission by the Philippines National Food Authority to Phnom Penh early last month as part of the Aquino government's plans to diversify and reduce spending on rice imports that hit 2.25 million tonnes last year, the highest in the world.
''We are studying the possibility of Cambodia as an alternate source [of imports],'' NFA chief of staff Gilbert Lauengco told the Phnom Penh Post in April. Shipments would start ''at the very latest next year'', he added, although the exact amount and price the Philippines would pay Cambodia is yet to be agreed.
NFA Administrator Angelito Banayo told the Philippines' annual Rice Congress earlier this year the country paid an average US$630 per tonne for rice imports in 2010, or $1.42 billion overall, which represented more than 44% of the Philippines $3.47 billion trade deficit for the year.
This figure is set to fall dramatically in 2011 amid rising rice stocks and improved domestic production in the Philippines, according to government projections, providing tropical storms do not damage crops as has happened in the past in the typhoon-prone country. A Department of Agriculture report showed Philippines rice stocks reached a record 3.08 million tonnes by April 1, up 8% on the same period last year, while rice production climbed an annualised 16% in the first quarter to just over 4 million tonnes.
In response, the NFA has announced plans to slash rice imports to just 860,000 tonnes this year after the new Aquino government accused its predecessors of over stockpiling rice, a move likely to further diminish opportunities for the country's two main suppliers Vietnam and Thailand as Manila also looks to add Cambodia as a lower-cost alternative.
Reports in the Philippines said the government has agreed to purchase 200,000 tonnes from Vietnam this year as part of a rice-supply deal with Hanoi, while Thailand is set to be the main supplier of the country's reduced-tariffs programme with an agreement to ship 98,000 tonnes.
In recent years Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, has struggled to compete with Vietnam to supply the grain to the Philippines after shipments of 500,000 tonnes in 2008 dwindled to 80,000 tonnes in 2009 before climbing again to more than 200,000 tonnes last year. In the past Thailand has said it hopes to ship half a million tonnes of rice per year to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is also set to lose out if the Philippines imports rice from Cambodia, say analysts. The Thai Rice Exporters Association estimates Cambodia supplies up to 1.5 million tonnes of paddy to Vietnam every year, which is then processed and shipped on as official export produce to markets including the Philippines. But during the talks in Jakarta, Mr Aquino reportedly told Hun Sen that Manila was ready to ''remove the middleman'' _ Vietnam _ resulting in lower import prices for the Philippines should Cambodia become equipped to process and ship the necessary quantities of rice, which is not yet the case.
''Cambodia's rice exports are mainly to Thailand and Vietnam at the moment and that is Cambodia's best option while the necessary downstream structures and logistics are not yet in place,'' said Korbsook Iamsuri, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.
It remains unclear whether the Philippines will meet Hun Sen's request for the necessary investment in Cambodia's underdeveloped agricultural industry, subject to a formal agreement.
Although Cambodia is currently the world's seventh-largest exporter, it still has a long way to go before it can turn a paddy surplus estimated at just under 4 million tonnes this year into processed rice of a quality ready for shipment given inadequate infrastructure, high electricity prices and a lack of financing options in the industry.
''Hence Cambodian rice is not yet a threat to [the] export markets of both Thailand and Vietnam,'' said Ms Korbsook
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Special Report: Thai Rice Exports Part 1&2
Part 1
Santibhap Ussavasodhi
National News Bureau of Thailand
25 April 2011
Rice is one of the major export goods of Thailand. However, concerns over Thai rice exports have been ignited upon the upcoming formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 as Thailand might lose rice market, at least in the ASEAN region to its fellow ASEAN friend, Vietnam.
Center for International Trade Studies (CITS) Director Dr Aat Pisanwanich from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce reported the studies on impacts of the AEC formation to the Thai rice market. He elaborated that Vietnam, which is the major rival of Thailand in rice exports, has the chance to take Thailand’s place as top rice exporter to the ASEAN markets if export tariff is cut to 0% in the AEC formation in 2015. He also pointed out that Thailand will be at risk of losing market shares, notably in the Philippines and Malaysia, which are important export targets of Thailand.
Dr Aat indicated that Vietnam will be able to dominate the rice market in ASEAN since qualities of Thai and Vietnamese rice are not much different while Vietnamese rice is cheaper than Thai rice by about 125 US dollars per ton. Taking into account the Vietnamese dong devaluation, he said Vietnamese rice becomes even cheaper than Thai rice. Thailand hence might also lose market shares in Africa in the future.
The director suggested that Thailand should publicize and promote Thai rice, especially premium grades, in upper markets by focusing higher quality of Thai rice among consumers. He also advised that Thailand should set up a panel to study pros and cons of Thai rice upon the AEC formation within three years from now in order to maintain its market share in the global market in general.
In preparation for the AEC, the public sector should urgently educate Thai farmers about the AEC via regional networks, universities and farmer communities since production efficiency should be improved and farmers should have more time to adjust to market demands. Whether Thailand will continue to maintain its grip in the global rice business under the coming integration of ASEAN markets, find out in the second part of this special report to follow, for other problems associated with Thai rice exports and the AEC.
Part 2
Sarun Saelee
National News Bureau of Thailand
25 April 2011
The planned formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 has sparked growing concern among local traders that Thai rice exports will lose market shares to Vietnam. The private sector is, therefore, proposing solutions such as importing rice from neighbors similarly to what Vietnam is doing.
Thai Rice Exports Association Honorary President Chukiat Opaswong admitted that at present Vietnam has been exporting larger quantities of rice and is trying to turn itself into the rice-trading hub of Indo-China and ASEAN region after 2015 when the AEC is established. He pointed out that Vietnam could export more rice as it has been importing rice from neighbours, notably Cambodia which is selling rice surplus from domestic consumption; thereby, Vietnam can keep rice prices cheaper than Thai rice thanks to the larger quantities.
Mr Chukiat suggested that Thailand should adapt itself by using credibility in rice exports and importing more rice to make the country the regional and global hub for rice trade; however, he noted that free trade zoning should be set up to prevent negative impacts on local farmers and mixture of foreign and Thai rice. He cautioned that Thailand might lose the status of being the champion of global rice traders upon failure to take any appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce clarified that Thailand is actually importing rice from neighboring countries under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA); however, only imports of broken milled rice are allowed for industrial production such as noodles and flour, not for direct consumption due to fear for crop mixing problem. In addition, the imports can be approved only at six border checkpoints with adequate inspection to prevent low quality rice and genetically modified rice from mixing with premium rice in Thailand.
Instead of worrying about losing market shares to Vietnam, the Minister suggested that related sides should have paid greater attention to the real objective of the AEC which is to enhance economic cooperation. Hence, it will indeed be better if Thailand and Vietnam cooperate and use the AEC for mutual benefits and turning ASEAN as a whole to be the global hub for rice trade.
Santibhap Ussavasodhi
National News Bureau of Thailand
25 April 2011
Rice is one of the major export goods of Thailand. However, concerns over Thai rice exports have been ignited upon the upcoming formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 as Thailand might lose rice market, at least in the ASEAN region to its fellow ASEAN friend, Vietnam.
Center for International Trade Studies (CITS) Director Dr Aat Pisanwanich from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce reported the studies on impacts of the AEC formation to the Thai rice market. He elaborated that Vietnam, which is the major rival of Thailand in rice exports, has the chance to take Thailand’s place as top rice exporter to the ASEAN markets if export tariff is cut to 0% in the AEC formation in 2015. He also pointed out that Thailand will be at risk of losing market shares, notably in the Philippines and Malaysia, which are important export targets of Thailand.
Dr Aat indicated that Vietnam will be able to dominate the rice market in ASEAN since qualities of Thai and Vietnamese rice are not much different while Vietnamese rice is cheaper than Thai rice by about 125 US dollars per ton. Taking into account the Vietnamese dong devaluation, he said Vietnamese rice becomes even cheaper than Thai rice. Thailand hence might also lose market shares in Africa in the future.
The director suggested that Thailand should publicize and promote Thai rice, especially premium grades, in upper markets by focusing higher quality of Thai rice among consumers. He also advised that Thailand should set up a panel to study pros and cons of Thai rice upon the AEC formation within three years from now in order to maintain its market share in the global market in general.
In preparation for the AEC, the public sector should urgently educate Thai farmers about the AEC via regional networks, universities and farmer communities since production efficiency should be improved and farmers should have more time to adjust to market demands. Whether Thailand will continue to maintain its grip in the global rice business under the coming integration of ASEAN markets, find out in the second part of this special report to follow, for other problems associated with Thai rice exports and the AEC.
Part 2
Sarun Saelee
National News Bureau of Thailand
25 April 2011
The planned formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 has sparked growing concern among local traders that Thai rice exports will lose market shares to Vietnam. The private sector is, therefore, proposing solutions such as importing rice from neighbors similarly to what Vietnam is doing.
Thai Rice Exports Association Honorary President Chukiat Opaswong admitted that at present Vietnam has been exporting larger quantities of rice and is trying to turn itself into the rice-trading hub of Indo-China and ASEAN region after 2015 when the AEC is established. He pointed out that Vietnam could export more rice as it has been importing rice from neighbours, notably Cambodia which is selling rice surplus from domestic consumption; thereby, Vietnam can keep rice prices cheaper than Thai rice thanks to the larger quantities.
Mr Chukiat suggested that Thailand should adapt itself by using credibility in rice exports and importing more rice to make the country the regional and global hub for rice trade; however, he noted that free trade zoning should be set up to prevent negative impacts on local farmers and mixture of foreign and Thai rice. He cautioned that Thailand might lose the status of being the champion of global rice traders upon failure to take any appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce clarified that Thailand is actually importing rice from neighboring countries under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA); however, only imports of broken milled rice are allowed for industrial production such as noodles and flour, not for direct consumption due to fear for crop mixing problem. In addition, the imports can be approved only at six border checkpoints with adequate inspection to prevent low quality rice and genetically modified rice from mixing with premium rice in Thailand.
Instead of worrying about losing market shares to Vietnam, the Minister suggested that related sides should have paid greater attention to the real objective of the AEC which is to enhance economic cooperation. Hence, it will indeed be better if Thailand and Vietnam cooperate and use the AEC for mutual benefits and turning ASEAN as a whole to be the global hub for rice trade.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
VOA: Rising Food Prices Pinch the Poor, a Boon to Farmers
By Chun Sakada
VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Friday, 22 April 2011
Rising prices for food and other necessities have cut into the daily lives of many poor Cambodians, even though some farmers say there are benefitting. Prices for beef, pork, fish and vegetables have continued to climb, pinching budgets of many who have seen little adjustment to their earnings.
Peter Brimble, a senior economist for the Asian Development Bank in Cambodia, said that rising food prices are a threat to Cambodia’s goals for poverty reduction, with the poorest spending large percentages of their incomes on food.
However, he said, Cambodia remains a net food exporter, especially with rice, making it somewhat less vulnerable.
Still, a spike in prices has been felt by Cambodians of many walks of life.
Khan Touch, a 36-year-old garment factory worker, told VOA Khmer this week she earns about $90 a month, with overtime, but bills for rent, $35, and utilities, $15, leave little left for food.
“Before, if I had 5,000 riel [$1.25], I could buy enough food for one meal,” she said. “Now if I have 5,000 riel, I can’t.”
Primary school teacher Ma Lay, 48, said her monthly salary of $70 does little in the face of rising prices.
“I can’t buy quality rice to eat,” she said. A third of a kilogram of fish now costs what half a kilogram costs not long ago, she said. Pork prices have doubled.
“My salary has not increased,” she said. “But rising food prices continue.”
Along with food prices, fuel prices are a growing concern for tuk-tuk driver Ha Sa An, 36. Over the past six months, he said, his daily take home has dropped from $7.50 to $2.50.
“The government should think of this problem,” he said.
Minister of Economy Keat Chhon said recently that food prices have become a general concern worldwide. But the rising prices of rice, soybeans and other agricultural goods have been a boon to farmers, he said.
He said the high value of the Cambodian riel has offered a buffer for state and private workers in preventing even high costs.
Var Khan, a 62-year-old cassava farmer in Banteay Meanchey province, said the price of his produce has gone from $0.06 per kilogram to $0.10 per kilogram in the last five months.
“I can earn nearly $3,000 on one hectare of cassava plantation,” he said. “I am very happy for the high price of cassava.”
Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association, said high prices for cassava, corn, soybeans and rice have all helped farmers, even if it hurts consumers.
Farmers that can earn more from their goods are able to save money, expand their production and look for more markets, either locally or for export, he said.
Related News
- Growing Economy at a ‘Crossroads’: ADB / Chun Sakada / VOA Khmer / Apr 6, 2011
- Cambodia Struggling With Paddy Rice Flight / Pich Samnang / VOA Khmer / Jan 31, 2011
- Ministers Approve Regulation for Contract Farming / Chun Sakada / VOA Khmer / Feb 14, 2011
- Rice Experts See Better Prospects in New Seeds / Pich Samnang / VOA Khmer / Feb 27, 2011
VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
Friday, 22 April 2011
Rising prices for food and other necessities have cut into the daily lives of many poor Cambodians, even though some farmers say there are benefitting. Prices for beef, pork, fish and vegetables have continued to climb, pinching budgets of many who have seen little adjustment to their earnings.Peter Brimble, a senior economist for the Asian Development Bank in Cambodia, said that rising food prices are a threat to Cambodia’s goals for poverty reduction, with the poorest spending large percentages of their incomes on food.
However, he said, Cambodia remains a net food exporter, especially with rice, making it somewhat less vulnerable.
Still, a spike in prices has been felt by Cambodians of many walks of life.
Khan Touch, a 36-year-old garment factory worker, told VOA Khmer this week she earns about $90 a month, with overtime, but bills for rent, $35, and utilities, $15, leave little left for food.
“Before, if I had 5,000 riel [$1.25], I could buy enough food for one meal,” she said. “Now if I have 5,000 riel, I can’t.”
Primary school teacher Ma Lay, 48, said her monthly salary of $70 does little in the face of rising prices.
“I can’t buy quality rice to eat,” she said. A third of a kilogram of fish now costs what half a kilogram costs not long ago, she said. Pork prices have doubled.
“My salary has not increased,” she said. “But rising food prices continue.”
Along with food prices, fuel prices are a growing concern for tuk-tuk driver Ha Sa An, 36. Over the past six months, he said, his daily take home has dropped from $7.50 to $2.50.
“The government should think of this problem,” he said.
Minister of Economy Keat Chhon said recently that food prices have become a general concern worldwide. But the rising prices of rice, soybeans and other agricultural goods have been a boon to farmers, he said.
He said the high value of the Cambodian riel has offered a buffer for state and private workers in preventing even high costs.
Var Khan, a 62-year-old cassava farmer in Banteay Meanchey province, said the price of his produce has gone from $0.06 per kilogram to $0.10 per kilogram in the last five months.
“I can earn nearly $3,000 on one hectare of cassava plantation,” he said. “I am very happy for the high price of cassava.”
Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association, said high prices for cassava, corn, soybeans and rice have all helped farmers, even if it hurts consumers.
Farmers that can earn more from their goods are able to save money, expand their production and look for more markets, either locally or for export, he said.
Related News
- Growing Economy at a ‘Crossroads’: ADB / Chun Sakada / VOA Khmer / Apr 6, 2011
- Cambodia Struggling With Paddy Rice Flight / Pich Samnang / VOA Khmer / Jan 31, 2011
- Ministers Approve Regulation for Contract Farming / Chun Sakada / VOA Khmer / Feb 14, 2011
- Rice Experts See Better Prospects in New Seeds / Pich Samnang / VOA Khmer / Feb 27, 2011
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