Thai rice faces tough times amid levies

Thailand needs to further develop high-quality rice varieties and boost production to meet the market demand and maintain the kingdom's competitiveness in the global rice trade amid emerging challenges partly due to steep US trade tariffs, experts say.

"Thai jasmine rice has a high quality and reputation in the international market, which will not be shaken by the US tariff hike," said Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, or TREA. "However, the added tariff may lead to a surge in rice prices and make Thai rice prices less competitive."

Thailand is among the Southeast Asian countries hit by the US tariff measures. It faces a 36 percent tariff on goods unless negotiations are successful before the moratorium on the tariffs ends in July.