Malaysia May Ban Shoppers From Thailand, Singapore From Taking Rice Home With Them

[hatrack]

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreigners may be banned from taking rice out of the country. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the Government was mulling the idea as a move to end fears of a food shortage in the country due to the current global food crisis.

The ban is aimed at preventing those from neighbouring countries especially Singapore and Thailand, who come into Malaysia to shop for cheaper essential goods.

“We have to take steps to make sure it (rice) doesn’t go through our borders because the price difference is quite great between Malaysia and in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

“Some varieties of Thai rice cost twice as much as Malaysian rice in the retail market in Thailand, depending on the quality,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

EDIT

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/6/parliament/21158138&sec=parliament

[grantcart]

1. Thai rice is a much higher grade than Malaysian rice and few Thais would want to eat it

Even in Malaysia rice is sold as a percentage of Thai rice. 100% highest greade 75% and 50% so on. Unlikely many Thais would want to buy it at the consumer level although rice traders might want to buy it to mix it in with Thai rice.

Thai rice is fluffier and has a better flavor and smell. Malaysian rice is smaller and harder.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Hold it, I was told here that this was a fake crisis

:sarcasm:

By the way, keep your eyes on wheat.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Then, of course, there is also the absolute devastation of the rice crop

in neighboring Myanmar.

It's going to be a tough season. Fortunately they get, what, 3 plantings/yr?