Thailand may reclaim its status as top rice exporter of the world due to weak monsoon rains affected paddy crop in India.

With poor rains cutting Indian supply, Thai rice exports could hit 10 million tons this year, near a record 10.6 million tons sold in 2011, said Duangporn Rodphaya, director general of Thai commerce ministry department offoreign TRADE.

India toppled Thailand 2 years ago to become the world top rice exporter as the intervention scheme priced Thai rice out of the export MARKET and as Govt. lifted a 4 year ban on non-basmati rice sales in 2011 to trim stocks.

Indian Rice output could be hit this year as rains, crucial for the summer-sown rice crop, were 40% below average in the 1st 6 weeks of the June-September monsoon season.