If you’re looking for a Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers can rely on, 2026 has probably made the search harder than usual. Shipping into the Gulf has been badly disrupted, freight and insurance costs are up, and some regular trade has stopped for months. We’re DThai Company Limited in Bangkok. We sell Thai jasmine, white, parboiled and glutinous rice, plus basmati, to importers and wholesalers across the Middle East. This guide covers what sells in the region, the specs we load to, how we’re routing shipments right now, and what to check before you sign.
Table of Contents
Why the Middle East Buys Thai Rice
The Middle East grows very little rice, which is why so many importers look for a Thai rice supplier Middle East markets already know. Almost everything on the table is imported, and Thai rice has been part of that mix for decades.
Thai rice does well in the region for a few reasons:
- Jasmine rice has a loyal following, especially with families who eat rice every day and want a soft, fragrant grain.
- Thai white rice is well milled, clean and consistent, which suits wholesalers and food service.
- Thai parboiled rice holds its shape in long-cooked dishes.
- Steady supply. Thailand doesn’t have a recent history of rice export bans, which matters for importers who have to keep shelves full.
Iraq has historically been one of Thailand’s biggest rice customers anywhere, buying something like 900,000 to a million tons a year. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Yemen, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan and others buy Thai rice too. A good Thai rice supplier Middle East importers trust has to understand each of these markets, because they don’t all want the same thing.
What’s Happening With Shipping in 2026
We’d rather be honest about this than pretend it isn’t happening.
For much of 2026, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted by conflict in the region. Thai rice exports to Iraq stopped for months in the first half of the year, and that drop alone pushed Thailand’s total rice exports well down on 2025. In August, Iran and Oman agreed a temporary corridor through the strait, but passage has stayed high-risk, and incidents were still being reported in October.
What this means for you as a buyer:
- Ports inside the Gulf, such as Umm Qasr, Kuwait, Dammam, Bahrain, Doha, Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi, face delays, higher freight, war-risk insurance and, at times, no direct service at all.
- Ports outside the strait, such as Jeddah and King Abdullah Port on the Red Sea, Aqaba in Jordan, Salalah, Sohar and Duqm in Oman, and Fujairah and Khor Fakkan on the UAE’s east coast, have been the main alternatives, with cargo moving on by road.
- Freight and insurance are higher than normal, and sailings change at short notice.
As a Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers work with, our job is to check what’s actually possible on the day before we quote. We confirm the route, transit time and any war-risk surcharges with the shipping line, and we tell you plainly if a direct service isn’t available. We won’t sell you a CIF price into a port we can’t reach.
What Sells Where
Each market has its own tastes, and a Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers trust should know them. Here’s what we usually see.
| Market | Popular Thai rice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq | Thai white rice, jasmine | Historically a very large buyer, much of it through state tenders |
| Saudi Arabia | Jasmine, parboiled, white | Basmati dominates, but Thai rice has a solid share |
| UAE | Jasmine, white, glutinous | Big re-export hub and very mixed population |
| Yemen | White, parboiled | Price-sensitive market |
| Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain | Jasmine, white | Smaller volumes, quality-focused |
| Oman | Jasmine, white, parboiled | Ports outside Hormuz have helped in 2026 |
| Jordan | Jasmine, white | Imports through Aqaba |
A Thai rice supplier Middle East wholesalers come back to should be able to tell you which grade fits your customers, not just push whatever’s in the warehouse.
Iraq: A Special Case
Iraq deserves its own section, because for years it was the single biggest buyer of Thai rice in the region. Much of that volume moved through state purchasing, with large tenders for white rice.
In 2026 that trade stalled. With Umm Qasr inside the Gulf and shipping through Hormuz disrupted, Thai rice exports to Iraq stopped for months. Some private importers have kept supply moving through other routes, including overland from ports outside the strait, but it’s slower and more expensive.
If you import into Iraq, talk to us about routing before you talk about price. As a Thai rice supplier Middle East importers in Iraq can work with, we’ll tell you what’s realistic on the day, not what used to be normal.
The UAE as a Re-Export Hub
The UAE has long been a trading hub for the whole region. Rice landed there is often repacked and sent on to neighboring countries, East Africa and Central Asia.
In 2026, the UAE’s east coast ports at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan have become more important, because they sit outside the Strait of Hormuz. Some importers now land rice there and truck it to warehouses in Dubai and beyond.
If you’re a re-exporter, tell us where the rice is ultimately going. Label and document requirements may follow the final market, not the UAE, and a Thai rice supplier Middle East re-exporters can rely on will plan for that from the start.
Food Service, Hotels and Catering
The Middle East has a large food service market: hotels, restaurants, airline catering, hospitals, labor camps and schools. These buyers care about:
- Consistency. The same rice every delivery, so recipes and cooking times don’t change.
- Yield. How much cooked rice they get from each kilo.
- Big bags. 25kg and 50kg bags for kitchens.
- Reliable supply. Running out isn’t an option for a hotel kitchen.
Thai white rice and parboiled rice suit many of these kitchens well. Jasmine is popular in Asian restaurants and hotels. If you supply food service, a monthly contract with a Thai rice supplier Middle East kitchens can depend on is usually safer than buying spot cargoes, especially in a year like this one.
Our Thai Rice Specifications
These are the limits we load to as a Thai rice supplier Middle East importers buy from. Your contract sets the exact figures for each order.
| Product | Broken | Moisture | Key specs | Packing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Hom Mali jasmine | 100% Grade B or 5% max | 14% max | New crop, purity per TAS 4000 | 5kg, 10kg, 25kg, 50kg bags |
| Thai fragrant rice | 5% max | 14% max | Aromatic, lower price than Hom Mali | 5kg to 50kg bags |
| Thai white rice | 5%, 10%, 15% or 25% | 14% max | Well milled, double polished | 25kg and 50kg PP bags |
| Thai parboiled rice | 5% max | 14% max | Sortexed, golden color | 25kg and 50kg bags |
| Glutinous rice | 10% max | 14% max | Genuine Thai sticky rice | 25kg bags |
| Basmati rice | As agreed | 13% max | Aged, extra-long grain | 5kg to 40kg bags |
A 20ft container takes about 25 tons. You can see the products on our jasmine rice, Thai white rice, parboiled rice, glutinous rice and basmati rice pages.
Jasmine Rice for the Middle East
Thai Hom Mali is the grade most buyers ask for first when they contact a Thai rice supplier Middle East markets know well. Families like its soft texture and aroma, and it sells at a good margin.
The problem is that “jasmine” on a bag doesn’t guarantee genuine Hom Mali. Blending with cheaper rice is a known issue in the trade. When you buy from a Thai rice supplier Middle East markets haven’t dealt with before, ask for a purity figure against the Thai standard. Our guides on genuine Hom Mali rice and TAS 4000 Hom Mali rice explain what to look for.
New crop jasmine is harvested in Thailand around November and December. It’s softer and more fragrant than old crop, and many Gulf buyers time orders to get it. See our guide on the Thai jasmine rice new crop season.
Basmati or Thai Rice?
Basmati is huge in the Gulf, especially in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, where dishes like kabsa and biryani call for long, separate grains. Most of it comes from India and Pakistan.
Thai rice doesn’t replace basmati. It sits alongside it. Families often keep basmati for festive dishes and Thai jasmine or white rice for everyday meals. If you want to understand where Thai and Indian rice each fit, read our comparison of Thai rice vs Indian rice. We also supply basmati, so you can buy both from one Thai rice supplier Middle East importers can deal with directly.
Halal Certification
Any Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers work with should be able to supply a halal certificate. Rice itself is halal, but many importers and retailers still want a halal certificate for customs or their own customers. We supply halal certificates on request, and they match the batch and the label. Our guide on choosing a halal certified rice supplier covers what to ask for and how to check the certificate.
Labels, Packing and Standards
The Gulf states share a lot of their food standards through the GCC Standardization Organization. Labeling rules in the region usually include:
- Arabic text on the label, often alongside English
- Product name and grade
- Net weight
- Country of origin
- Production and expiry dates in an accepted format
- Importer or distributor details
- Halal mark where required
Check your own country’s rules with your clearing agent before we print bags. A Thai rice supplier Middle East importers trust will ask you for this before printing anything. A bag that customs rejects can hold a container at the port for weeks.
For packing, Gulf retail buyers like 5kg and 10kg bags, often in printed woven or laminated bags with a handle. Wholesale and food service buyers take 25kg and 50kg PP bags. We do private label too. See our guides on rice packaging for export and working with a private label rice supplier.
Planning Around Ramadan
Rice demand across the Middle East peaks before and during Ramadan. In 2027 Ramadan falls around February to March, so importers usually need stock landed well before then.
With longer and less predictable transit times in 2026, we suggest planning even further ahead than usual. Book volumes early, build in extra time for rerouting, and don’t leave your Ramadan order to the last month. A good Thai rice supplier Middle East wholesalers rely on will tell you honestly when a shipment date is too tight.
Prices
Rice prices move every week, so no honest Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers talk to will print a fixed number. As a guide, in August 2026 Thai 5% white rice was trading around $440 to $450 per ton FOB, and Thai Hom Mali was around $1,200 to $1,250. Freight and war-risk insurance into the Gulf have been well above normal in 2026, so the landed price matters more than ever.
We quote CFR or CIF to the port that makes sense for you, with any surcharges shown. If you want to understand how rice quotes are built, read our guide on wholesale rice pricing. For jasmine specifically, see our guide on the jasmine rice price per ton.
Documents for Middle East Imports
Paperwork is part of the job for any Thai rice supplier Middle East importers use. Every shipment comes with the standard set, plus anything your country needs:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Fumigation certificate
- Quality and weight certificate from an inspection company
- Halal certificate on request
- Insurance certificate on CIF terms
Some countries want documents legalized by their embassy or a chamber of commerce. Tell us early and we’ll arrange it. Our guide to bulk rice import documentation covers each paper in detail.
Inspection
As a Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers can check, we welcome independent inspection at loading on every order. SGS and other well-known surveyors can sample, test, weigh and watch the containers being sealed. Our guide to pre-shipment inspection for rice explains the process.
With longer voyages and more transshipment in 2026, inspection matters even more. It’s the proof of what was loaded, before anything that happens on the way.
Payment
A safe first deal matters with any Thai rice supplier Middle East importers haven’t used before. For a first order, most Middle Eastern buyers pay by letter of credit at sight through a regional bank. It protects both sides. Our guide on the letter of credit for rice import explains each step. Regular buyers can move to other terms over time, or set up a supply contract for steady monthly volumes.
Storing Rice in a Hot Climate
Summer temperatures across much of the region regularly go above 40°C. That’s hard on rice. Heat and humidity speed up insect activity and can make rice go stale.
A few habits keep your stock in good shape:
- Store bags on pallets, off the floor and away from walls.
- Keep warehouses shaded and ventilated, and air-conditioned for jasmine if you can.
- Use the oldest stock first.
- Check for insects regularly through the summer.
- Don’t hold jasmine too long. Its aroma fades with time and heat.
We load rice at 14% moisture or less and fumigate before shipping, which gives it the best start. After that, storage is in your hands. Any Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers use should give you the same moisture and fumigation details on every certificate.
Why Work With a Thai Exporter Directly
Many Middle Eastern importers buy Thai rice through traders in Dubai or Singapore. That works, but every middleman adds a margin and a step between you and the mill.
Buying from a Thai rice supplier Middle East importers can contact directly in Bangkok gives you a few advantages. You get lab results for the actual lot. You can send your own inspector to the warehouse. You deal with the people loading the containers, so problems get fixed faster. And when routes change, as they have this year, you hear about it straight away instead of second-hand.
How Ordering Works With Us
Here’s how it works when you choose us as the Thai rice supplier Middle East importers order from:
- You send an inquiry with grade, packing, volume, port and preferred Incoterm.
- We check routing with shipping lines for your port and tell you the realistic options.
- We send a quote with the price, any surcharges, the shipment period and validity.
- We send samples with lab results for the lot on offer.
- We agree a contract covering grade, specs, packing, labels, inspection, documents and payment.
- You open payment, usually a letter of credit at sight for a first order.
- We pack, inspect, fumigate and load, with your surveyor present if you like.
- We send documents and keep you updated on the vessel until it arrives.
No hidden fees, no strange procedures and no promises about routes we can’t deliver.
How to Choose a Thai Rice Supplier Middle East Buyers Can Trust
Check these points with any supplier before you commit:
- Real samples with lab results for the lot on offer.
- Honest routing. In 2026, a supplier who quotes CIF into a Gulf port without mentioning disruption isn’t being straight with you.
- Purity for jasmine. Ask for a Hom Mali purity figure, not just the word “jasmine.”
- Label support for Arabic text and your country’s rules.
- Halal certificate that matches the batch.
- Independent inspection at loading.
- Company checks. Registration, address, phone, and a bank account in the company’s own name.
A Thai rice supplier Middle East importers can rely on will pass all seven without fuss.
Mistakes We See Buyers Make
These are the problems we see most often. Avoid them and working with any Thai rice supplier Middle East importers choose gets much easier.
- Booking too late for Ramadan. In a disrupted year, late orders arrive after the peak.
- Ignoring war-risk surcharges. A CIF price that doesn’t mention them may not be the final price.
- Buying “jasmine” without a purity figure. Blended rice is common.
- Printing bags before checking label rules. Customs rejections are expensive.
- Relying on one origin. Having both Thai and another origin protects you when one market tightens.
Other Products We Supply
Many Middle Eastern buyers also import sugar and cooking oil, and buying them from the same Thai rice supplier Middle East importers already use keeps things simple. We supply ICUMSA 45 sugar and refined sunflower oil in bottles and bulk. Our guide on sunflower oil 5 liter wholesale covers the bottled oil that sells well in the Gulf. Buying several products from one Thai supplier saves paperwork and, where it makes sense, freight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still ship Thai rice to the Gulf in 2026?
Yes. We’re still shipping as a Thai rice supplier Middle East buyers rely on, but routes have been disrupted for much of the year. We check the route with the shipping line before quoting and use ports outside the Strait of Hormuz where that’s the better option.
Which Thai rice sells best in the Middle East?
Jasmine (Hom Mali) and Thai white rice sell best overall, with parboiled popular in some markets. It depends on your country and customers.
Do you supply basmati too?
Yes. You can order basmati and Thai rice together on the same contract.
Can you print Arabic labels?
Yes. We print private label bags with Arabic and English text.
Is your rice halal certified?
We supply a halal certificate on request, matched to the batch.
What’s the minimum order?
One 20ft container, about 25 tons.
How long does shipping take?
Normally a few weeks, but 2026 routing in the Gulf has added time. We give you a realistic estimate when we quote.
If you’re looking for a Thai rice supplier Middle East importers can plan around, even in a difficult year, contact us with your grade, packing, volume and port. We’ll come back with a quote, the route we’d use and the lab results for the lot. You can also browse our full rice for sale range.