Baghdad: The Thai Department of Foreign Trade announced that Iraq imported 95,000 tons of Thai rice during the first 11 months of 2025, making it the top export market.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Director-General of the Thai Department of Foreign Trade, Arada Phuangthong, stated in a press release: “Thailand’s rice exports in 2025 are expected to range between 7.8 and 8 million tons, exceeding the previous target, driven by increased demand in the last months of the year, along with abundant production during the main harvest season.”

Phuangthong noted that “the global rice market continues to face oversupply pressures, particularly with India releasing large quantities of its stockpiles, which has contributed to impacting global prices.”

She indicated that “Thailand’s rice exports during the period from January to November 2025 reached 7.29 million tons, marking a 21% year-on-year decrease, while the value of exports declined by 30% to reach $4.162 billion.”

She added, “Iraq was the top export market, importing 95,000 tons, followed by South Africa with 82,000 tons, then the United States with 73,000 tons, China with 60,000 tons, and Senegal with 29,000 tons.”