Bangkok: China has expressed interest in purchasing an additional 60,000 tons of Thai rice, following the delivery of 40,000 tons and receipt of payment. The Department of International Trade is expediting price negotiations and amending the contract to increase the purchase volume by an additional 220,000 tons, on top of the existing contracted amount of 280,000 tons, to accommodate a total purchase of 500,000 tons.

According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of International Trade, stated that negotiations for the rice trade with China's COFCO Corporation under a government-to-government (G to G) agreement are progressing. This follows the Department of International Trade's delivery of 40,000 tons of rice from the original contract's outstanding delivery volume to COFCO in March, and the receipt of full payment.

Recently, COFCO expressed its intention to purchase an additional 60,000 tons of rice. The Department of International Trade therefore offered a competitive selling price and is currently accelerating negotiations with the Chinese side to ensure both parties can agree on a price and proceed with the purchase as soon as possible.

Ms. Arada stated that negotiations at this stage are crucial because China has a demand for new crop rice, while Thailand's main rice harvest will gradually enter the market towards the end of the year. The Department of International Trade estimates that if a price agreement and delivery of 60,000 tons of rice can be reached, it will help increase the market for the produce, support rice prices for farmers, and boost Thai rice exports towards the end of the year.

Regarding rice trade with the Chinese government, the Cabinet, on August 5, 2026, approved increasing the trade volume by 220,000 tons, on top of the existing contract delivery volume of 280,000 tons, to accommodate a total trade volume of 500,000 tons. The Department of International Trade will expedite the contract amendment process to be completed within this year and proceed with negotiations to have the Chinese government import Thai rice in this quantity as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Commerce has set a target for Thai rice exports in 2026 at 7 million tons.