The Commerce Ministry is working with Thai rice exporters to push 2026 exports to 7 million tonnes, with Africa, Latin America and Asia seen as key growth markets.
The Commerce Ministry is working closely with Thai rice exporters to drive rice exports towards the 2026 target of 7 million tonnes, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said.
Suphajee said she had held talks with the Thai Rice Exporters Association to monitor the rice trade and market situation, as well as discuss ways to push Thai rice exports.
She said exports remain a key mechanism for generating purchase orders to absorb rice output and support income for Thai farmers.
Although the global rice market faces challenges this year from intense competition and global uncertainty, Thai rice continues to be recognised for its quality, production standards and reliable delivery, she said.
Suphajee said she had instructed the Department of Foreign Trade and the Department of International Trade Promotion to coordinate with commercial attaches worldwide to promote Thai rice in high-potential markets.
The ministry will also work proactively with the private sector to expand trade opportunities in major global markets.
The Commerce Ministry is focusing on expanding Thai rice exports to Africa and Latin America, where import demand is expected to continue rising.
Thailand will seek to make better use of existing free trade agreements with trading partners such as Peru and Chile to strengthen the competitiveness of Thai rice in these regions.
Suphajee said talks would soon be held with a Peruvian minister to improve practical use of the FTA, following earlier discussions with ambassadors and charges d’affaires from Latin American countries on joint efforts to promote Thai rice exports.
She added that relevant agencies had been instructed to move forward on long-term measures to strengthen the competitiveness of Thai rice.
These include developing rice varieties that meet global market demand, expanding into new markets and managing risks from El Niño, which could affect rice production in the future.
The ministry will also coordinate with relevant agencies to improve support measures for farmers and strengthen the country’s rice-production security.
Despite the Middle East conflict causing Thai rice exports to Iraq, a key market in the region, to slow since March, rising regional tensions and the risk of drought linked to El Niño have prompted several countries to accelerate rice imports to support food security.
As a result, Thailand has still been able to expand exports to other markets, particularly in Asia and Africa.
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