The Thai rice export sector is expected to face a challenging year ahead as production and export figures show signs of slowdown for the 2025/26 season. According to Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Thailand’s in-season rice production is projected to reach 24 million tonnes, while rice exports from Thailand as of October 27, 2025, stood at 6.4 million tonnes, marking a 22% year-on-year decline.
Charoen highlighted that Thai white rice exports dropped sharply by 43% to 2.9 million tonnes, driven by multiple factors including India’s export resumption, increased global rice supply, and import suspensions by major buyers such as Indonesia and the Philippines. However, Thai Hom Mali rice remained a bright spot, with shipments exceeding 1.49 million tonnes, an 11% increase compared to the previous year.
Optimistic Target for Thai Rice Export for 2026
Despite these mixed results, the rice exporters from Thailand are maintaining a cautiously optimistic target for 2026. The Thai Rice Exporters Association aims for 7.5 million tonnes of exports, comprising: 3.5 million tonnes of white rice, 1.7 million tonnes of Hom Mali rice, 1.4 million tonnes of parboiled rice, 600,000 tonnes of Thai fragrant rice, 300,000 tonnes of sticky rice. In this context, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association warned that several challenges continue to weigh on the Thai rice exports sector, including the urgent need to develop new rice varieties that align with evolving global preferences.
100 billion THB Allocated for Price Subsidies
While the Thai government allocates over 100 billion THB, The Thai Baht (around USD 3 billion) annually in price subsidies, industry leaders argue that these funds should be strategically redirected toward improving rice production infrastructure. Investments in irrigation systems, sustainable rice farming practices, and modern marketing strategies could help the Thailand rice export industry regain competitiveness amid changing global trade dynamics.
As the Thai rice export market navigates these challenges, diversification, innovation, and sustainability will be crucial for Thailand to maintain its status as one of the world’s leading rice exporters in the years to come.
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