She declined to give the average price for 2008.

Thailand sold the 100 percent, Grade-B rice, a benchmark, at a record $1,038 a ton in May, as the biggest producers, including Vietnam and India, curbed shipments to bolster domestic supply.

Exports this year may be between 8.5 million and 9 million tons, compared with 10 million in 2008, Apiradi said, repeating an earlier forecast.

Shipments this month may be less than 600,000 tons, compared with 1.04 million tons exported in February last year, Thai Rice Exporters Association President Chookiat Ophaswongse said February 13.

Source: Bloomberg