According to statistics from the Thai Rice Exporters Association, in the first half of 2025, India maintained its position as the world’s top rice exporter, with 11.68 million tons of rice exported, a 36.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
In contrast, Thailand exported 3.73 million tons, a 27.3% decrease from the previous year. The value of Thailand’s rice exports reached approximately THB 75.57 billion (USD 2.34 billion), a significant 36.4% drop compared to the same period last year.
This decline has resulted in Thailand losing its rank as the second-largest rice exporter globally.
Commenting on this downturn, Mr. Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, attributed it to the dual pressures of high production costs and increased operating expenses faced by the Thai rice industry.
“Our traditional markets are shifting towards more flexible and competitive suppliers like Vietnam and Pakistan. The strong Thai baht has also negatively impacted our competitiveness,” Mr. Charoen analyzed.
Thai PBS reports that rice prices are expected to continue falling due to increasing supply from rice-producing countries and decreasing demand, forcing Thai exporters to cut prices to stay competitive.
Meanwhile, the Thai Rice Exporters Association forecasts that Thailand will export more than 600,000 tons of rice in July 2025. This increase in export volume is due to higher orders from countries like Iraq, China, Japan, and several African nations, attracted by the reduced prices.
While Thailand’s market share in rice exports declined in the first half of 2025, Vietnam emerged as a notable bright spot. In the same period, Vietnam exported 4.72 million tons, a 3.6% increase year-on-year, surpassing Thailand to claim the second spot in the rankings.
According to customs data, rice exports brought in USD 2.44 billion in the first six months. The average export price during this period stood at USD 517 per ton.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment revealed that rice exports for July 2025 are estimated at 750,000 tons, equivalent to USD 366.1 million. Cumulatively, from January to July 2025, Vietnam exported approximately 5.5 million tons of rice, earning USD 2.81 billion. The average export price for the first seven months was around USD 514 per ton.
The Philippines remained Vietnam’s largest rice importer, accounting for 42.6% of the total export value. Ivory Coast and Ghana were the next biggest markets, with respective market shares of 10.7% and 10.5%. Among the top 15 export markets, Bangladesh witnessed the most significant increase in export value, surging by 188.2 times.
Vietnamese rice is favored by many countries due to its diverse range of products, from common white rice to fragrant ST rice and organic and Japonica rice for premium markets such as South Korea and Japan. Additionally, Vietnam’s competitive advantage in terms of variety and pricing has contributed to its growing popularity in the global rice market.
Vietnam aims to export 7.5 million tons of rice in 2025. However, given the current growth trajectory, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts that Vietnam’s rice exports could reach 7.9 million tons this year, surpassing Thailand by approximately 1 million tons.
Rice plays a crucial role in sustaining human life. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nearly half of the world’s population relies on rice as their primary source of nutrition, providing them with the basic energy needed for survival.
Approximately 500 million tons of rice are produced annually, and in many countries, it serves as the main source of calories.
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