Thailand cancels plans to import 600 thsd tons of corn as domestic supply improves

Thailand has cancelled plans to import at least 600 thsd tons of feed corn under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). The state-run Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) called off the purchases on August 27, just three days after the plans were initially announced.

The decision followed an improvement in domestic corn supplies as conditions normalized in key producing regions previously affected by flooding. The authorities expect the cancellation of additional imports to help support domestic prices and farmers’ incomes.

At the same time, Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade asked importers to postpone corn shipments under the country’s 572.4 thsd ton WTO tariff-rate quota. Under the new recommendations, only around 120 thsd tons are expected to arrive in December 2026, while most of the remaining volume will be imported next year.

Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce previously estimated the country’s annual corn demand at around 9 mln tons, while domestic production stands at about 5 mln tons. This means that local output covers slightly more than half of the country’s requirements.

Thailand traditionally covers the roughly 4 mln ton shortfall through corn imports and the use of alternative feed ingredients. The latest decision does not mean a complete halt to imports, but it could temporarily reduce Thailand’s demand on the global market and shift part of its purchases into 2027.

Tags: corn, Thailand, imports