Indian rice export ban fuels price fearsMr Chookiat said as a result of India's rice ban, Thai rice exports are expected to be significantly impacted. Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the ban is likely to prompt Thai rice mills and rice exporters to delay rice purchase orders in order to evaluate the impact, as India is the world's biggest rice exporter. "Thai rice traders are closely monitoring the situation, as initially we expected that the Indian government might adopt alternative measures instead of an export ban. However, it is believed that during this short-term period, both Thai rice exporters and the domestic rice market may have to carefully quote the rice prices, according to Mr Chookiat. "At present, the cultivation of Thai rice itself is facing problems of drought in several areas, which raises concerns that the quantity of Thai rice this year might decrease.
