The first batch of 100,000 tons has already reached an agreement, with the target to complete the delivery before the end of December this year, allowing Chinese consumers to purchase Thai rice before the New Year and the Spring Festival.
The subsequent parts will continue to negotiate in detail on rice varieties, prices, and delivery times, while the remaining 400,000 tons are expected to complete pricing and delivery arrangements within 2026.
Thailand is accelerating the negotiation pace, aiming to ensure implementation within the 4-month working window set by the Anutin government, to avoid political scheduling affecting export progress.
A source from the Thai Ministry of Commerce revealed that the first batch of 100,000 tons is of a moderate size, which is conducive to immediately starting shipments.
However, the price and transportation arrangements still need to be coordinated with the Thai Rice Exporters Association, especially since there are many holidays at the end of this year, increasing shipping demand and making schedules tight.
Exporters also need to secure time for rice processing and distribution preparation; if the export volume is too large in a short period, there may be issues with fulfilling the contract, leading to default risks and losses.
The source indicated that a meeting with the Thai Rice Exporters Association will be held early next week. It is worth noting that since the announcement of the 500,000-ton export to China, rice prices have risen, with the export price of 5% broken white rice increasing by about $10 per ton in just two days, currently exceeding $330 per ton.
Communication with exporters shows that the rice export situation is expected to continue to improve, with the export volume potentially exceeding 7.5 to 8 million tons in 2026.