Thai Rice Exports Drop 18.81% in H1 2026

Thansettakij•Economy•8d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Foreign Trade reports a decline in rice exports for the first half of 2026 while pelletized cassava exports show significant growth.

•Thai rice exports from January to June 2026 totaled approximately 3.28 million tons, a decrease of 18.81%.
•The Department of Foreign Trade aims for a total annual rice export goal of 7 million tons.
•Pelletized cassava exports grew by over 30% during the first half of 2026.
•Rice exports to Iraq were disrupted starting in March 2026 due to conflict in the Middle East.

Overview

•Thai rice exports for the first six months of 2026 were approximately 3.28 million tons valued at over 1,911 million dollars, down 18.81% in volume and 20.51% in value.
•The decline in rice exports resulted from high global rice supply leading to price competition and conflict in the Middle East affecting exports to Iraq.
•Arada Fuangthong, Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade, is leading a delegation to meet rice importers in Philippines and Malaysia from August 2 to 6, 2026.
•The Department of Foreign Trade will expedite Government-to-Government (G to G) rice trade negotiations with COFCO of the Chinese government.
•Pelletized cassava exports grew by more than 30%, with a volume of 0.18 million tons valued at 1,250.76 million baht.
•The Department of Foreign Trade discussed expanding cassava starch import quotas under the JTEPA framework with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
•Thai exporters maintain a competitive advantage in the US market as raw and organic cassava starch retain 0% tax exemption under Section 301.

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Key Entities

Organization

Department of Foreign Trade(กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ)

The agency responsible for assessing rice and cassava export statistics and promoting new trade markets.

COFCOℹ️

An entity of the Chinese government involved in G to G rice trade negotiations with Thailand.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)(กระทรวงเกษตร ป่าไม้ และประมงแห่งญี่ปุ่น)

The Japanese agency discussing the expansion of cassava starch import quotas.

ZENNOH(สมาคมสหกรณ์การเกษตรแห่งชาติญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️

The Japanese national agricultural cooperative association involved in pelletized cassava orders.

Person

Arada Fuangthong(อารดา เฟื่องทอง)

Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade.

Supajee Suthamphan(ศุภจี สุธรรมพันธุ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce.

Place

Iraq(อิรัก)ℹ️

An important rice market where Thai exports were disrupted starting in March 2026.

Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️

An Asian market where Thai rice imports increased and a target for an August 2026 visit.

Philippines(ฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️

An Asian market where Thai rice imports increased and a target for an August 2026 visit.

South Africa(แอฟริกาใต้)ℹ️

An African market that increased imports of Thai rice compared to the previous year.

Democratic Republic of the Congo(สาธารณรัฐประชาธิปไตยคองโก)ℹ️

An African market that increased imports of Thai rice compared to the previous year.

Mozambique(โมซัมบิก)ℹ️

An African market that increased imports of Thai rice compared to the previous year.

Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️

A target market for cassava starch and pelletized cassava exports.

China(จีน)ℹ️

A market where Thailand is opening new trade opportunities, specifically in Chongqing.

Chongqing(นครฉงชิ่ง)ℹ️

A city in China where new market business matching activities occurred.

United States(สหรัฐฯ)ℹ️

A market where Thai raw and organic cassava starch receive tax exemptions.

Policy

JTEPAℹ️

The cooperation framework under which cassava starch import quotas are being expanded.

Law

Section 301(มาตรา 301)ℹ️

The legal provision under which US imports of Thai cassava starch are exempt from taxes at 0%.