Brown rice market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for brown rice in Thailand fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, from a low of 213 thousand tons in 2020 to a high of 348 thousand tons in 2019. This variability was driven by changes in domestic production and export levels, with the sharp rise in 2019 largely due to a major drop in exports that made more rice available domestically.

Government policy consistently supported production through farmer credit measures and debt resolution. The subsequent adoption of Smart Farming and agricultural technology from 2021 helped improve efficiency, contributing to a production rebound that year. This technological push, along with the development of new rice varieties, strengthened the domestic supply base.

External shocks periodically affected output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted traditional distribution and marketing, coinciding with a market contraction. In 2022, the El Niño weather phenomenon directly reduced harvests, lowering the market volume. Concurrently, the expansion of modern retail and online sales channels reshaped consumer access throughout the period.

Production brown rice in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Thailand was one of the world's top producers of brown rice from 2017 to 2020, ranking 7th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Thailand's brown rice production declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 361.5 K t of brown rice, which was 6.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.9%, with an average annual decrease of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After increasing for two years, Thailand's brown rice production value dropped. In 2020, the output was valued at 257.2 M $ US, down 17.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 311.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports brown rice from Thailand

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Thailand exported 148.4 K t of brown rice in 2020, a sharp increase of 304.7% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 36.7 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 157.4 K t. Between these two years, exports fluctuated by 4.3 times, with the largest decline of 76.7% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Belgium were the largest buyers of brown rice from Thailand, accounting for 19.1%, 18.3%, and 12.6% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 49.9% of total exports, indicating a diversified market structure.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Thailand in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, Thailand's brown rice exports were valued at 105.6 M $ US, up 256.1% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 29.7 M $ US, with the largest decline of 69.9% that year. Between 2019 and 2020, export values varied by 3.6 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Thailand in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand's brown rice exports in value terms were spread across multiple markets. The United States, United Kingdom, and South Korea were the top destinations, with shares of 17.0%, 12.8%, and 11.1%, respectively, but together they accounted for only 41.0% of total export value, reflecting a broad distribution.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Thailand in value, 2017-2020

Imports brown rice to Thailand

Imports in kind, K t

The market trend was unstable throughout this timeframe. In 2020, Thailand imported 0.1 K t of brown rice, a dramatic increase of 2,769.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 0.0 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 0.4 K t. Between 2018 and 2019, imports varied by 139 times, with the largest decline of 99.3% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Thailand in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India was the primary source for Thailand's brown rice imports in kind, representing 2.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Thailand in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2020, Thailand imported 0.7 M $ US worth of brown rice, a massive increase of 24,186.2% over the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US, with the largest decline of 98.9% that year. Between 2019 and 2020, import values varied by 243 times.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Thailand in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the key partner for Thailand's brown rice imports in value terms, accounting for 1.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Thailand in value, 2017-2020