Thailand Plans Measures to Boost Rice Exports Amid Declining Shipments

Key summary

The Commerce Ministry outlined plans on October 20, 2026, to strengthen rice exports following a 19.26% year-on-year drop in shipments during January–September 2026. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, permanent secretary for commerce, discussed the 2026 outlook with Chookiat Ophaswongse of the Thai Rice Exporters Association. While export earnings fell 16.84% to US$2.962 billion, the average price for Thai 5% broken white rice rose to US$482 per tonne in September 2026. Increased purchases from the Philippines and Malaysia are offsetting weaker sales to Iraq due to regional tensions. The Department of Foreign Trade plans visits to Philippine agencies, meetings with importers in Japan and South Africa in early 2027, and an international rice conference. Thailand may retain a 2027 export target of 7 million tonnes pending reassessments of El Niño risks and the Middle East conflict by the end of 2026. The ministry also addressed port labor shortages and emphasized production improvements to maintain competitiveness.