Thailand's rice exports this year may fall short of 7 — million — ton target, association says

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (Reuters) — Thailand's rice exports this year may fall short of its 7-million-ton target due to price competition, particularly from India and Pakistan, the Thai Rice Exporters Association said on Wednesday, as demand from major buyers becomes weaker. Thailand exported 5.2 million metric tons of rice from January to September this year, Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told Reuters "Our target is 7 million tons. From now until the final three months of the year, we need to export 600,000 tons (per month), which is very challenging," he said Thailand has been the world's second-largest exporter of rice in recent years, but shipments fell behind those of Vietnam in the first half of 2026 The country exported 8.3 million tons of rice in 2025, down 16.5% from a year earlier Thai rice prices have risen further above those of competitors, including the Thai 5% broken white rice variety that has climbed to $470 per ton, he said By comparison, some varieties of Vietnamese rice are priced at $420 per ton, while Pakistani rice is at $390 per ton and Indian rice at $380 per ton, Chookiat said The Philippines has suspended the iss