China to help control Thai rice standards

BANGKOK, 31 August 2009 (NNT) – Chinese authorities are preparing to help Thailand control the standards of Thai rice sold in China in order to target more Chinese consumers, according to the Department of Trade Negotiation (DTN).

DTN Director-General Chutima Bunyapraphasara stated that she had travelled to China to confer with three related units in the country supervising rice issues, including importing goods inspection, packaging and quality control, and trademark registration. She said the three units promised to control Thai rice quality and violations against Thai rice brands.

Ms Chutima reported that at present there were 20-30 brands of rice sold in Chinese supermarkets, especially in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai. While Chinese rice was sold at 3-8 yuan a kilogram, Thai rice packed from Thailand was sold at 13-18 yuan a kilogram.

The Director-General stated that Chinese people perceived Thai rice to be of good quality, and sweet scented, but they could neither indicate the good quality nor differentiate it. The DTN would increase the publicity of Thai rice via different forms of media including television and local newspapers.