THAILAND (5 February)
The main agricultural operations currently ongoing, include planting of second season rice for harvest from May/June. The main rice crop planted in June/July 2003, which accounts for over 80 percent of total production, was harvested from October/November 2003. The 2003 paddy rice production is estimated to increase to a record level of 26.8 million tonnes, as a result of favourable weather.
Thailand is the world’s top rice exporter with an anticipated 8 million tonnes of exports in 2003/04.
Harvesting of coarse grains, mainly maize, is also complete. The 2003 output is estimated at 4.5 million tonnes, almost all used to meet domestic food needs. The demand is weak due to the outbreak of the avian influenza virus which has killed five people in Thailand and about 26 million chickens have been destroyed so far. The country has the fourth-largest chicken industry in the world, with annual exports worth US$1.5 billion. About 81 000 families, employed on 30 000 poultry farms and in related operations, rely on the poultry industry for their living.