Bangkok, Feb. 28 -- Thailand's rice exports are projected to decline by 33% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, according to the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

During January-February, the country exported a total of 1.1 million tonnes of rice, down 32% annually, with white rice exports facing the steepest decline.

President of the association Charoen Laothammatas predicted that the figure will reach 7.5 million tonnes this year, a 24.2% drop from last year's 9.94 million tonmes.

Two key factors behind the decline are India's resumption of white rice exports after a two-year suspension and a global rice production hike of 10 million tonnes. Charoen noted that the strengthening of the Thai baht poses another challenge.

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