Bangkok: Rice exports in the first half of 2026 plummeted by 18.81% to 3.28 million tons. Thai rice exports in the first half of 2026 plummeted by 18.81% due to pressure from oversupply of global rice and tensions in the Middle East. The Department of International Trade is accelerating efforts to explore new markets to push for a total annual rice export target of 7 million tons.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of International Trade, revealed that Thai rice exports during the first six months of 2026 (January - June) totaled 3.28 million tons, a decrease of 18.81%, valued at over US$1,911 million, or approximately 60,387 million baht, a decrease of 20.51% compared to the same period last year. The main factors contributing to this decline are the high global rice supply, leading to intense price competition, and the conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted exports to key markets such as Iraq since March.
However, there are positive signs of recovery from the El Ni±o phenomenon, which has led many countries to increase rice imports to ensure food security. Thailand has been able to expand exports to compensate for this shortage in Asian markets such as Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as African countries including South Africa, Congo, and Mozambique.
Moving forward, the Department of International Trade will accelerate efforts to promote markets and continuously boost Thai rice exports in various regions to reduce reliance on any single market and stimulate orders to absorb Thai rice production. This will be driven through both government and private sector mechanisms. The Department will expedite negotiations to promote government-to-government (G to G) rice trade with COFCO of the Chinese government and is scheduled to lead a delegation of government and private sector representatives to meet with key rice importers such as the Philippines and Malaysia from August 2-6 to build confidence and boost Thai rice exports, aiming to achieve the target of 7 million tons.