Thai rice exports to ASEAN more than double in Jan.-Sept.

BANGKOK, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thai rice exports to ASEAN countries rose 109 percent in the first nine months of 2026, the government said on Monday.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana said that the Ministry of Commerce is expanding export opportunities, promoting value-added agricultural products, and strengthening oversight of purchasing practices.

Citing data from the Department of Foreign Trade, Lalida said that Thailand exported about 1.25 million metric tons of rice to ASEAN countries from January to September 2026, a year-on-year rise of 109 percent, with the Philippines and Malaysia as key growth markets.

The ministry has also pursued trade negotiations and requested an extension of the Philippine import permit for over 36,000 tons of Thai rice affected by shipping delays, she said.

On the domestic front, the spokesperson said the cabinet approved in principle two rice support schemes on Oct. 20, targeting 4.5 million tons of paddy rice. These include a three-million-ton loan program to delay rice sales and a 1.5-million-ton program supporting rice collection and value addition by farmers' institutions. These figures represent program targets, not completed purchases, she added.

The spokesperson said that farmers' actual earnings depend on production costs, crop quality, yields, and market access, noting that authorities will continue to coordinate export promotion, domestic market development, and fair purchasing practices.