Thai corn, rice output forecast to rebound this year

In Missouri, World Grain reported that Thailand’s rice and corn production in the 2024-25 marketing year is forecast to increase due to acreage expansion and average yield improvement, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture. 

The report noted that favorable water supplies in reservoirs in key irrigated production regions are aiding rice production, which is expected to reach 20 million tons, up 1.5% over the previous year. The FAS said water supplies in the northern and central regions of the country “held over 36% more water than the five-year average levels and 29% higher than 2024 levels.”

Corn production is seen increasing by 2% in 2024-25 to 5.4 million tons, according to the report. “Corn production experienced more favorable weather conditions and less damage from drought than in 2023-24,” the FAS said.

Corn imports in the first five months of the current marketing year surged by 83% year on year and were 84% higher than the average import levels of the past five years due to higher demand, the FAS said.

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