The Ministry of Commerce is advancing negotiations to sell an additional 60,000 tons of rice under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement to China, aiming to absorb the new main rice crop soon entering the market. Officials are confident this will help elevate paddy rice prices and push this year’s export volume beyond the 7 million ton target.
Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, disclosed details about negotiations with COFCO Corporation, China’s rice importing agency, under a government-to-government (G2G) contract for 500,000 tons. She said progress is ongoing, noting that after delivering 40,000 tons from the remaining 280,000 tons under the previous contract to COFCO in March 2026 and receiving payment, COFCO expressed intent to purchase an additional 60,000 tons. The department has offered competitive pricing for COFCO’s consideration and is pushing negotiations with the Chinese government at all levels to reach a price agreement swiftly.
“Accelerating rice sales negotiations with the Chinese government at this time is crucial as China demands rice for the new production season while Thailand’s main rice harvest will gradually enter the market by year-end. Successfully agreeing on price and delivering 60,000 tons will provide a market to absorb surplus domestic rice supply, raise paddy prices for farmers, and drive Thai rice exports in the year-end period to meet the 7 million ton target,” she said.
On 5 Aug 2026, the Cabinet approved increasing the rice trade quota with China by 220,000 tons beyond the original 1 million ton contract, although China has gradually purchased and only 280,000 tons remain to be delivered. The Department of Foreign Trade will expedite contract amendments to complete within this year to accommodate the increased purchase volume and continue negotiations to ensure China imports the full 500,000 tons of Thai rice as targeted.