Africa might ditch Asian rice if prices increase

"Some Asian governments are considering raising rice prices, mainly in support of their farmers. In Thailand for instance, 80 percent of the population works in agriculture and they therefore form the bulk of the government's voters," says Mozambican-born Miguel Lima, a trading director working for SeaRice Limited. This Swiss company specialises in exporting rice. Lima has been working in the African rice business for the past 25 years.

Earlier this year, the main farmers' association of Thailand -- after China the world's biggest rice producer and exporter -- asked the government to intervene to increase the price of this crop. The motivation behind the association's request was the drop in the price of rice over the past few months. Reasons for this include that foreign buyers postpone purchases in expectation of further price cuts.