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BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's rice association says the country has regained its spot as the world's top rice exporter by volume, after sliding behind India and Vietnam last year due to a failed subsidy and stockpiling policy.
The news website of the state-owned Mass Communications Organization of Thailand said Thailand exported 3.93 million tons of rice from January to May 20. It cited Thai Rice Exporters Association president Charoen Laothamatas.
The report said India exported 3.74 million tons in the same period and Vietnam exported 2.4 million tons.
The former government, ousted by a coup last month, implemented a program to buy rice from farmers at above market prices.
As the top rice exporter, Thailand hoped to control the market and push prices up. But India and Vietnam increased exports.
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