News Capsule: Thailand’s rice exports are projected to decline by over 10% in 2026.
30-Dec-2025 11:09 AM
News Capsule: Thailand’s rice exports are projected to decline by over 10% in 2026.
★ Thailand’s rice exports are expected to fall to around 7 million tonnes in 2026, down from about 8 million tonnes in 2025. The key reason is the strengthening of the Thai baht, which is weakening Thailand’s competitiveness against Indian rice.
★ According to the Ministry of Commerce, the Thai currency is 10–20% stronger than those of competing countries. However, a deal to supply 500,000 tonnes of rice to China is expected to continue. In addition, Thailand has agreed to supply up to 100,000 tonnes of rice to Singapore over the next five years.
★ Thailand is also seeking to expand exports of white and parboiled rice to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern and African countries. At the same time, it is exploring new markets for premium rice varieties in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
★ In 2025, rice exports are estimated at 7.88–8 million tonnes, exceeding the official target but remaining well below the nearly 10 million tonnes exported in 2024.