Thailand awaits COFCO decision on 60,000-tonne rice deal
Thailand has submitted terms and a price for 60,000 tonnes of 5% broken white rice to COFCO as it seeks to expand government-to-government sales.
Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade is accelerating negotiations for a government-to-government rice sale to China, with details and a proposed price for 60,000 tonnes of 5% broken white rice submitted to Chinese state-owned enterprise COFCO for consideration.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the department, said officials would follow up on the proposal this week and expected a decision soon. Should China confirm the purchase, Thailand would immediately begin the necessary procedures for delivery.
“The negotiations come at an important time because China is seeking to purchase rice from the new crop, while Thailand’s main-crop rice will gradually enter the market towards the end of the year,” Arada said.
Completing the 60,000-tonne sale would provide an additional market for Thai rice, help absorb surplus domestic supply and support paddy prices for farmers, she added.
The transaction could also provide further momentum for Thai rice exports during the final months of the year and help the country achieve its annual export target of seven million tonnes.
Cabinet approves additional 220,000 tonnes
Arada said the Cabinet had approved an increase of 220,000 tonnes in the volume of rice to be traded with the Chinese government on August 5, 2026.
The Department of Foreign Trade will seek to complete the necessary amendments to the existing contract by the end of this year to accommodate the additional volume.
It will also continue negotiations aimed at ensuring that the Chinese government imports the full targeted amount of 500,000 tonnes of Thai rice as soon as possible.
