Thailand: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in Thailand

The Thai paddy rice market declined to $X in 2021, falling by -12.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Paddy Rice Production in Thailand

In value terms, paddy rice production contracted rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +71.7% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 55%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

The average yield of paddy rice in Thailand amounted to X tons per ha in 2021, remaining constant against the year before. In general, the yield, however, recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average paddy rice yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of paddy rice production in Thailand dropped slightly to X ha, waning by -2.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a mild curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 10%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to paddy rice production reached the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports from Thailand

For the ninth year in a row, Thailand recorded decline in shipments abroad of paddy rice, which decreased by -90.5% to X kg in 2021. In general, exports faced a significant decline. The smallest decline of -8.6% was in 2015. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paddy rice exports reduced dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a dramatic decline. The smallest decline of -6.8% was in 2014. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Yemen (X kg) was the main destination for paddy rice exports from Thailand, with a 93% share of total exports. Moreover, paddy rice exports to Yemen exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Libya (X kg), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Benin (X kg), with a 1.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Yemen totaled -71.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Libya (-82.5% per year) and Benin (-75.7% per year).

In value terms, Yemen ($X) remains the key foreign market for paddy rice exports from Thailand, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Libya ($X), with a 4.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Sudan, with a 2.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Yemen amounted to -69.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Libya (-79.3% per year) and Sudan (-71.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average paddy rice export price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 31% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 46%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Sudan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Yemen ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Benin (+25.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paddy Rice Imports

Imports into Thailand

In 2020, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of paddy rice, when their volume decreased by -99.8% to X kg. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a sharp contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2020, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paddy rice imports reduced remarkably to $X in 2020. Overall, imports showed a precipitous slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 18%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2020, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2020, the Philippines (X kg) was the main supplier of paddy rice to Thailand, with a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, paddy rice imports from the Philippines exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X kg), tenfold.

From 2012 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Philippines stood at +25.2%.

In value terms, the Philippines ($X) constituted the largest supplier of paddy rice to Thailand, comprising 95% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 5.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Philippines totaled +18.9%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the average paddy rice import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 390% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw significant growth. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Philippines ($X per ton), while the price for China totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+14.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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