This landmark partnership seeks to transition Mozambique from a major importer of Asian rice to a self-sufficient producer and regional exporter.

MOZAMBIQUE – Mozambique’s private sector is pursuing technical cooperation with Thailand to modernize its rice industry, aiming to slash reliance on heavy imports and position the country as a regional supplier of the staple crop.

The push gained momentum following a March 6 meeting in Maputo between the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) and a Thai business delegation, where stakeholders discussed technology transfer, cultivation techniques, processing, and export logistics.

Currently producing under 260,000 tonnes of rice annually, far short of domestic needs, the southern African nation imported an average of 534,000 tonnes of milled rice yearly from 2020-2024, with Thailand as a key supplier alongside India and Vietnam.

CTA Vice-President Amâncio Gume highlighted Thailand’s prowess as the world’s second-largest rice exporter, averaging 8.8 million tonnes annually, and urged applying its value-chain expertise locally to boost productivity and tap markets in southern Africa and Europe.

Thai delegate Phong Mekthipphachai pledged support through knowledge sharing, field workshops, climate adaptation, and efficient land use, noting Mozambique’s vast arable potential amid rising global import costs from energy and logistics hikes.

Building on prior ties, Thailand’s embassy has trained Mozambican technicians and plans to deploy an agricultural specialist to establish a model rice field in Chokwé district, Gaza province, within two months.

The partnership aligns with Mozambique’s food sovereignty drive, targeting investments in irrigation, mechanization, and processing to reduce import dependence and foster self-sufficiency.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data underscores Thailand’s global leadership as the sixth-largest producer, behind China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam, making it an ideal mentor for Mozambique’s nascent sector, which is plagued by low yields and infrastructure gaps.

Networking sessions post-meeting focused on joint ventures, with optimism that Thai models could enable local processing and regional exports, transforming the industry amid climate uncertainties.

While concrete projects are pending, the collaboration signals a strategic pivot toward sustainable growth in a critical pillar of food security.

The CTA said follow‑up steps will include targeted pilot projects, feasibility studies and private‑sector memoranda of understanding to define investment roles and timelines; stakeholders expect concrete project proposals to emerge in the coming months if initial technical talks progress.

Published Date: March 11, 2026