The price of rice, a staple food for many in South East Asia, is at its highest point in 7 years as the outbreak of the coronavirus is increasing the demand for food.
According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, the price of Thai white rice (5 per cent) has increased from US$491 per ton on March 11 to $579 on April 8.
The price of Thai jasmine rice has also increased from US$693 per ton to $820 per ton during the same period of time.
It is the highest price point since 2013.
Other rice exporters, including India (largest producer) and Vietnam (third largest), are also being affected by the outbreak leading to less global supply and higher demands.
The lockdown down in India has disrupted its ability to export rice while Vietnam has also banned the export of rice to make sure that their is adequate local supply.
Thailand has also been affected by the coronavirus with exports and the agricultural sector affected by a nationwide lockdown and the movement of migrant workers.
An ongoing drought, the worst seen in decades, is also contributing to the decline of agriculture output. Exports of agricultural and agro-industrial products declined by 3 per cent to $3.07 billion in February.
