10 Countries That Export the Most Rice in the World

2. Thailand: $5.4 billion

Thailand’s economy is export-oriented, where traditional farmers are happy to produce crops for international sale at higher prices. Most Thai rice ends up in neighboring countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar, and with 9 million metric tons last year, Thailand is narrowing the gap with rice behemoth India. India stays far ahead in dollars because it exports higher-priced varieties than Thailand, which produces Jasmine, Red Cargo, Brown and White rice. But rice is nevertheless an economic lifeline for Thailand, making up about half of its GDP.