Thailand on track to achieve rice export target by 2025

Thailand's rice exports are on track to reach its target of 7.5 million tonnes this year, although the value is expected to fall 40% from last year, the Thai Rice Exporters Association said.

Farmers harvest rice in a field in Roi Et province, Thailand. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Thailand exported more than 5.9 million tons of rice in the first nine months of this year, based on export licensing data, said Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the association. To meet the annual export target, average monthly rice exports need to reach more than 500,000 tons in the fourth quarter of 2025. If Thailand exports 600,000 tons per month during that period, total exports could reach 8 million tons.

However, Mr Chookiat said the global rice market this year is much weaker than last year, with increased competition amid abundant supply and falling demand.

Major rice importers in the region such as Indonesia and the Philippines have suspended imports due to sufficient domestic supply and stable demand in the domestic rice market. Mr. Chookiat said the Philippines plans to import 300,000 tons of rice in January 2026, then suspend imports for three months from February to April 2026.

These factors have contributed to the decline in rice prices in the global market. Thai 5% broken white rice is priced at $340 per ton, while Myanmar rice is $310, Pakistan rice is $330, India rice is around $350 and Vietnam rice is $360 per ton.

Thailand is expected to be the world’s third-largest rice exporter this year, behind India (which is expected to export 22-23 million tonnes) and Vietnam (about 8.5 million tonnes), Mr Chookiat said. He also predicted Thai rice prices would stabilize at around $340 a tonne this year, down from an average of $500 a tonne in 2024.

According to Mr. Chookiat, Thai exports of fragrant Hom Mali and parboiled rice continue to perform well this year. Demand for Thai Hom Mali rice in the US market is particularly strong, as buyers rush to stock up due to concerns about the potential impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The US imports about 830,000 tons of rice from Thailand annually, including 650,000 tons of Hom Mali rice.

In 2024, Thailand exported 9.95 million tonnes of rice, up 13% year-on-year, generating 226 billion baht (about 6.43 billion USD), up 27%.

The honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association said that 2026 does not seem to have any positive factors for the Thai rice market, as favorable rainfall conditions in major producing countries such as Thailand, Myanmar and even Cambodia have brought abundant water supplies.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thi-truong-tien-te/thai-lan-tren-da-dat-muc-tieu-xuat-khau-gao-nam-2025-20251014160242459.htm