Browse Data and Analysis

The Caribbean Basin region continues to experience growth, driven primarily by the steady rise in tourism, which in turn impacts consumer demand.

With a gross domestic product of $548.6 billion and projected growth of 3.7 percent in 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks as the second-largest economy in the Arab world, with substantial consumer spending driven by high per capita income.

Thai rice exports declined amid rising global supply and lower imports by major buyers. While fragrant rice prices saw a slight rise, prices for most other grades fell.

Thailand offers strong potential for U.S. agricultural exports, which reached $1.4 billion in 2024. The United States ranked as Thailand’s 9th largest supplier of consumer-oriented products, with $429 million in exports.

The UAE's food processing sector is thriving, driven by robust economic growth and domestic consumption. The more than 570 predominantly small and medium-sized food and beverage processors cater primarily to local demand, while also aiming to meet regional and global needs.

Thai rice export prices are trending up, with the premium grades, such as Hom Mali rice, showing the most significant increase.

Thailand’s Department of Fisheries (DOF) has established procedures to certify aquatic animals developed through genome editing technology for domestic research and development, production, and/or distribution.

Thai export rice prices experienced downward pressure and then slightly recovered after Songkran holidays, reflecting tariff changes and adjustments in the global rice market.

Continuing economic growth; increasing tourism; a healthy hotel, restaurant, and institutional sector; and a growing population will lead the UAE’s wheat and rice consumption to grow in the 2025-2026 marketing year (MY).

MY 2025/26 sugar production is expected to further increase 2 percent from MY 2024/25. MY 2024/25 sugar demand by industrial uses is likely to decline significantly due to the Chinese ban on Thai sugar syrup exports.

FAS Bangkok forecasts stability, with modest growth expected in rice and corn production, supported by favorable weather and strong domestic demand.

MY 2025/26 soybean crushing demand to grow at a slower pace of two percent due to slow economic recovery with uncertainties from the U.S. reciprocal tariff measures.