Thai rice exports to ASEAN increased by 109% in the first nine months of this year

Arada, director of the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, said on the 4th that in the first nine months of 2026, Thailand exported approximately 1.25 million tons of rice to the ASEAN market, a year-on-year increase of 109%. The ASEAN market accounted for 25.2% of Thailand's total rice exports, up from 9.7% in the same period last year, making it an important market for Thailand's rice exports.

Arada said that the Philippines and Malaysia are the main growth markets, and the two countries’ combined imports of Thai rice have increased by more than 750,000 tons. Among them, Thailand's exports to the Philippines increased by 263% year-on-year, and exports to Malaysia increased by 155%. Malaysia's import volume reached the highest level in 20 years.

Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce shows that in the first nine months of this year, Thailand’s rice exports totaled 4.99 million tons and the export value was approximately US$2.962 billion, down 19.26% and 16.84% respectively year-on-year. The growth of the ASEAN market has compensated to a certain extent for the impact of declining Thai exports to markets such as Iraq. In order to consolidate the regional market, Thailand is coordinating with the Philippines to seek to extend the export license period for more than 36,000 tons of Thai rice.

In addition, the trade cooperation memorandum signed between Thailand and Singapore involves up to 100,000 tons of rice within five years, and both parties are promoting specific procurement arrangements.

Arada said geopolitical conflicts, the appreciation of the baht, price competition in the international market, and rising production and transportation costs due to climate change have all put pressure on Thai rice exports. Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce will continue to strengthen cooperation with trading partners, maintain existing markets, and promote the ASEAN market to continue to play a supporting role in the last quarter of this year.