By Megha Bajaj

Top rice news today outlines South Korea’s International tender from Vietnam, a sharp rise in wholesale rice prices in the Philippines and Thai rice exports recovery as the super El Niño drives global stockpiling

South Korea Buys 10,000 Tons of Rice from Vietnam in International Tender

According to sources, following an April 2026 international tender, Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp, a state-owned company in South Korea, has purchased 10,000 tons of rice from Vietnam. Notably, the rice deal aims to secure milled, non-glutinous rice supplies as an integral part of broader efforts to manage national rice stocks. It also includes shipments scheduled between June and August 2026. Vietnam is a key supplier in this rice procurement deal, alongside ongoing purchases from the US. Nearly 10,000 metric tons of milled rice were purchased from Vietnam. Moreover, long grain rice was purchased, with 5,000 tonnes brought at an estimated $407.20 ton and 5,000 at a price of $409.00 per ton. The shipment is scheduled for June 1, 2015, to August 15, 2015. Interestingly, these tenders form a part of South Korea’s ongoing strategy to import rice to meet demand and manage food security by using state-backed tenders.

Philippines Witness Sharp Rise in Wholesale Rice Prices in April

According to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the wholesale price of rice increased sharply year on year in April. Adding that, the national average wholesale price of well-milled rice increased 21.2% to P52.05 per kilo. The average price of well-milled rice increased to 2.9% on a monthly basis. Significantly, the biggest increase in well-milled rice wholesale prices was logged in Soccsksargen, where it rose 42.2% year on year to P52.91 per kilo. Moreover, Wholesale prices of well-milled rice in the National Capital Region surged to 18.6% from a year earlier to P56.67 per kilo. At the same time, the national average wholesale prices of Yellow corn grains in April increased 13.7 % year on year to P23.95 per kilo. The corresponding price for white corn grains surged 86.6% to P35.14 per kilo. Premium and special rice also posted wholesale price increases, with their national averages rising 20.5% and 14.6%, respectively.

Thailand Expects Rice Exports Recovery as Super El Niño Drives Global Stockpiling

Thailand’s rice export sector is about to face a strong recovery in the second half of 2026 after a slow beginning of the year. Exporters are becoming more hopeful as global demand for rice increases. Because of crop disruptions relating to the El Niño weather pattern. This climatic event is expected to affect rainfall distribution and agricultural output in several key producing regions, prompting many importing countries to boost their food security measures in advance.

As a result, several major rice-importing nations, particularly the Philippines and Malaysia, have begun increasing their rice stockpiles. These countries are actively boosting imports to ensure stable domestic supplies and avoid any future shortages that could arise from unpredictable weather conditions or supply chain disruptions. This approach is creating a favourable demand environment for Thai rice in the global market. Thailand is one of the world’s leading rice exporters. The country is benefiting from this shift in global buying behaviour. Although export performance remained subdued in the early part of 2026, rising international demand is now expected to support both export volumes and domestic rice prices in the upcoming months. The increased purchasing activity from major Asian buyers is also helping to stabilise Thailand’s agricultural export outlook.

Published Date: May 12, 2026