Besides record online sale of Thai durians ordered by Chinese consumers on Alibaba’s online super market at Tmall.com last week, Thai Hom Mali fragrant rice is also enjoying brisk online sale order from China.
Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat, director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said on Thursday (April 26) that the amount of Hom Mali rice ordered through Thai Rice Flagship Store on Tmall.com website has now jumped from 5 million tonnes to 6.5 million tonnes and it is still rising.
She suggested any Thai rice exporters who want to sell their rice online to Chinese consumers to register as a juristic person and become a member of Thaitrade.com, which will create confidence among Chinese buyers.
Since the first big lot order of 80,000 durians last Thursday (April 19), the total online purchasing order has risen to 130,000 durians or 350 tonnes worth about 70 million baht. All the durians will be shipped to the buyers in China within May 7.
However, Mr Chukiat Opaswong, honorary president of Thai Rice Exporters Association, cautioned that online sale of Thai rice through Tmall.com might not receive overwhelming response from Chinese consumers as did durian.
He pointed out that commercial online sale of rice in big amount would not be easy because of several import restrictions imposed by the Chinese government such as quota limit and health restriction and certificate of quality standard from the General Administration of Quality Supervision,Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).
And, so far, only 48 Thai rice exporters have obtained the AQSIQ certificate.
He disclosed that 2.8 million tonnes of rice were exported during the first quarter of the year and, for the whole year, about ten million tonnes of rice are expected to be exported making Thailand the second largest rice exporter after India with 13 million tonnes.
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