The Department of Foreign Trade revealed that Malaysia ranked Thailand as its top rice import source in the first half of the year, with 327,995 tonnes, or 46 percent of total rice imports. This year's volume is expected to surpass 700,000 tonnes, the highest in more than 20 years. Mrs. Arada Fuangtong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, said Padiberas Nasional Berhad, or BERNAS, the sole rice importer of Malaysia, indicated that in the first half of 2026, Thailand returned to the top spot as Malaysia's leading rice import source, with 327,995 tonnes out of total rice imports of 710,656 tonnes, or about 46 percent. Vietnam followed with 232,416 tonnes, India with 62,115 tonnes, and Cambodia with 57,602 tonnes. Thailand's rice volume in just the first six months of this year exceeded the amount Malaysia imported from Thailand for all of 2025, which stood at 264,605 tonnes, reflecting a remarkable return to growth for Thai rice in the Malaysian market. Most of the rice Malaysia imports from Thailand is white rice, because consumers in Peninsular Malaysia prefer rice with a relatively firm texture that expands well when cooked, a key characteristic of Thai white rice. BERNAS wants Thailand to maintain quality in line with market demand and praised Thai rice exporters for delivering goods according to contract. BERNAS's rice procurement decisions do not consider price alone, but also place importance on quality, consistency, and on-time delivery, which are key strengths of Thai exporters. Meanwhile, Thai jasmine rice and Thai fragrant rice continue to be recognized for quality and have opportunities to expand in the quality-conscious consumer segment, despite facing price competition from fragrant rice of rival countries. Based on Malaysian market demand trends, the Department of Foreign Trade expects that in 2026 Thailand will export more than 700,000 tonnes of rice to Malaysia, the highest level in more than 20 years, and will continue to work with the private sector to maintain quality standards and steadily expand the Thai rice market.
Thailand's rice exports to Malaysia expected to surpass 700,000 tonnes, boosting demand for rough rice futures.
BERNAS, sole importer, increased imports from Thailand, highlighting quality and delivery strengths.
