Ask five Bangkok exporters for the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price on the same morning and you’ll get five numbers. Sometimes they’re $10 apart. Sometimes $60. Most buyers assume someone is lying. Usually nobody is. They’re quoting slightly different rice, in different bags, for different shipment months, with different payment terms. The trick is knowing what sits behind the number.
We’re De Thai Products 1989 Company Limited, a rice miller and exporter in Thailand, and white rice 5% broken is one of our main export grades. We sell it FOB Thai port, CFR or CIF, in bulk and retail bags, to buyers all over the world. This page explains how the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price is built, where it has been moving, the full spec we sell, and how to compare offers without getting caught out.
Table of Contents
What “FOB” Means for Thai Rice
FOB stands for Free On Board. When we quote a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price, it covers the rice, the bags, inland trucking, export clearance and loading onto the vessel at the Thai port, usually Bangkok or Laem Chabang. Once the rice is on board, freight, insurance and everything after that are the buyer’s cost and risk.
FOB is the price the whole trade talks in. Market reports, government tenders and most broker messages use it, because it strips out freight, which changes with every route. The ICC Incoterms rules define FOB properly, and we’d suggest everyone in your team reads them once.
If you’d rather we arrange the ship, we can quote CFR (rice plus freight) or CIF (rice, freight and insurance) to your port. Our page on FOB vs CIF rice price walks through the difference with examples.
The Product: Thai White Rice 5% Broken
Before talking price, here’s what you’re actually buying. This is the spec behind every Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price we quote.
| Item | Our standard |
|---|---|
| Product | Thai long grain white rice, 5% broken |
| Origin | Thailand |
| Crop | Current season, stated on the offer |
| Broken grains | 5% maximum |
| Moisture | 14% maximum |
| Purity | 95% minimum |
| Foreign matter | 0.1% maximum |
| Damaged grains | 1% maximum |
| Discolored grains | 1% maximum |
| Chalky grains | 2% maximum |
| Color | Natural white, well milled and polished |
| Packing | 5kg, 10kg, 25kg, 50kg, jumbo bags |
You can see the product page for white rice 5% broken and the full line-by-line explanation on our Thai white rice 5% broken specification page. If “5% broken” itself is new to you, read what does 5% broken rice mean.
Where the Thai White Rice 5% Broken FOB Price Has Been in 2026
Rice is a moving market, so we won’t print a fixed number and pretend it holds for a season. What we can do is describe the range.
So far in 2026, the export benchmark for Thai 5% white has swung a long way. Early in the year, with a big crop and slow buying, it sat in the high $300s per metric ton. Through the spring it climbed as buyers came back and costs for fuel, fertiliser and packing rose. By mid-year it had moved into the high $400s, with some weeks near $490. Since then it has eased and firmed in turns as the new crop came closer.
So when you ask us for a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price today, expect a number somewhere in that general band, with the exact figure depending on the factors below. We’ll always give you a dated offer, because last week’s price is history.
What Moves the Thai White Rice 5% Broken FOB Price
Here are the things that push the number up or down. Knowing them helps you time your buying.
The Thai crop
Thailand has a main crop harvested late in the year and a second crop earlier in the year. When fresh paddy floods into the mills, prices often soften. When stocks are thin before harvest, they firm. Our Thai rice harvest season page explains the calendar.
Competing origins
India, Vietnam and Pakistan all sell white rice. When India prices low, Thai white rice has to follow or lose buyers. When Vietnam is tight, Thai rice gains.
The baht
Mills buy paddy in Thai baht and sell rice in US dollars. A stronger baht pushes the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price up. A weaker baht lets it fall.
Big buyers
Purchases by large importing countries and government tenders can move the whole market in a week. When a big tender lands, offers jump.
Costs at the mill
Fuel, electricity, bags and labor all feed into the price. In 2026, higher packing and transport costs have been part of why offers stayed firm.
Your spec and packing
Tighter specs, sortexed rice, printed bags, vacuum packs and small retail sizes all cost more than plain 50kg bags. That’s often the hidden reason two quotes differ.
Example: From FOB Price to Container Cost
Let’s take a simple example. Say the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price on your offer is $470 per metric ton in plain 50kg PP bags.
| Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Tons per 20ft container | 25 |
| FOB price per ton | $470 |
| Rice cost per container FOB | $11,750 |
| Five containers | $58,750 |
On top of that you add freight, insurance, your import duty, port and clearance, and inland transport. That gives your landed cost. We can quote CFR or CIF if you want freight included. Our page on Thai white rice 5% broken price per ton has more worked examples.
How Packing Changes the Price
Same rice, different bag, different Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price. Roughly, from cheapest to dearest:
- Jumbo bags for repackers
- 50kg PP woven bags, plain
- 25kg PP bags, plain or printed
- Printed laminated bags in 25kg or 10kg
- 5kg retail bags with print
- Vacuum packs and small cartons
When you compare a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price from two sellers, check they’re quoting the same bag. A printed 25kg laminated bag can easily add a noticeable amount per ton over a plain 50kg sack. For 50kg detail, see white rice 5% broken 50kg bag supplier, and for 25kg see long grain white rice 25kg bag wholesale.
Sortexed vs Non-Sortexed
Color sorting removes yellow, black-tipped and chalky grains with optical machines. It makes the rice look cleaner and more even. It also costs more.
Most of our 5% broken is sorted to some degree. If you want fully sortexed rice for a premium shelf, we’ll quote that separately. Read what is sortexed rice and see our Thai white rice 100% sortexed product.
How 5% Compares With Other Thai White Grades
The Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price sits near the top of the white rice range, because it has the most whole grains. Here’s the rough order from top to bottom:
| Grade | Where it sits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| White rice 100% sortexed | Highest | Premium retail |
| White rice 5% broken | High | Retail, restaurants, quality-focused importers |
| White rice 10% broken | Slightly lower | Wholesale, value retail |
| White rice 25% broken | Lower | Price-driven markets, catering |
| White rice 100% broken | Lowest | Food processing, brewing, feed blends |
The gap between 5% and 25% is often modest, which is why many buyers go for 5% when shoppers can see the grain. If budget is tight, 10% or 25% might be the smarter choice.
Who Buys Thai White Rice 5% Broken From Us
We ship this grade worldwide, and every one of these buyers asks us for a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price before anything else. Typical buyers include:
- Importers and wholesalers in the Middle East, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
- Distributors in Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines
- Importers in Africa and the Indian Ocean
- Buyers in the Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand
- Supermarket chains and private label brands
- Government and food aid tender buyers
If your market has its own page, you may find it useful: white rice wholesale Iraq, Thai white rice importers Malaysia, white rice supplier Saudi Arabia and rice supplier for government tenders.
Containers and Minimum Order
Our minimum for a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price offer is one 20ft container, about 25 tons in 50kg bags. For bigger buyers we ship hundreds of tons a month, and for tenders we can arrange break bulk on request.
| Pack | Approx. per 20ft container |
|---|---|
| 50kg or 25kg bags | about 25 tons |
| 5kg or 10kg in bales | about 22 to 24 tons |
| Jumbo bags | about 24 to 25 tons |
More on how many tons of rice fit in a 20ft container and our minimum order page.
Quality Checks Behind Our Price
A Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price means nothing if the rice doesn’t meet the spec. Before loading, we check:
- Moisture on every lot
- Broken by sieve and weight
- Chalky, damaged and discolored grains by sample count
- Foreign matter
- Bag weights on the line
- Fumigation before loading
Independent inspection is welcome. Many buyers appoint SGS or a similar firm to sample at loading. See our quality control and rice standard pages.
Documents That Come With Every Shipment
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Fumigation certificate
- Certificate of quality and weight
- Halal and health certificates on request
See rice export documents for what each one does, and how to import rice from Thailand if you’re new.
7 Proven Tips for Getting a Fair Thai White Rice 5% Broken FOB Price
1. Ask for a dated offer
A price without a date and validity isn’t really a price.
2. Compare like with like
Same spec, same bag, same shipment month, same payment terms.
3. Watch the crop calendar
Buying just as new paddy reaches the mills can save money.
4. Lock part of your volume
If you need rice for months, fix part of the order now and buy the rest later. It spreads the risk.
5. Don’t chase the lowest number blindly
A cheap quote with old crop rice, thin bags and a vague spec costs more in claims.
6. Use inspection on the first order
It protects your money and sets a clear standard.
7. Build a steady relationship
Regular buyers get first call on good lots and more patience when the market jumps.
Freight: The Other Half of the Bill
FOB leaves freight to you, so it’s worth understanding it. Sea freight from Thailand depends on the route, the shipping line, the season and fuel costs. Short routes into Asia can cost a small share of the rice value. Long routes to Africa, Europe or the Americas can add much more, and in busy periods they jump fast.
If you have a good forwarder with strong rates, buying at the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price and booking your own ship often saves money. If you don’t, CFR from us can be simpler and sometimes cheaper, because we ship regularly and get steady rates. We’re happy to quote both so you can choose.
Tender and Government Pricing
Government tenders and food aid programs usually ask for a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price, or CIF to a named port, on a strict spec with set packing and marking. They often need bid bonds, performance bonds and very clear documents.
We take part in these when the terms work. If you’re a tender buyer or an agent bidding for one, send us the tender text early. We’ll check the spec, packing and timing, then give you a firm price you can bid with. See rice supplier for food aid programs for more.
Bulk Buyers vs Retail Buyers
A bulk importer moving thousands of tons cares about every dollar of the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price, and usually takes plain 50kg bags or jumbo bags. They may sort or repack locally.
A retail brand cares more about the bag, the print and how the grain looks through the window. For them, the rice price is only part of the cost. Bags, sorting and cartons add to it, and the final shelf price matters more than a few dollars a ton at the port.
Tell us which one you are. We’ll build the offer around what actually matters to you instead of sending the same quote to everyone.
Why We Quote the Way We Do
Every Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price we send has the same lines: product, crop, full spec, bag, port, price per metric ton, validity, shipment month and payment terms. We do it this way because it saves arguments later. When the rice lands and you check it against the contract, there should be no surprises. That’s been our approach for years, and it’s why most of our white rice buyers come back.
Mistakes Buyers Make With FOB Pricing
The most common mistake is comparing a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price from one seller with a CFR price from another and thinking the FOB seller is cheaper. Another is forgetting that freight can move as much as rice. A third is ignoring payment terms. A seller who wants full payment in advance can afford to quote lower than one shipping against a letter of credit.
Last, some buyers assume every “5% broken” is the same. It isn’t. Chalky grains, color and crop year make a big difference in the pot and on the shelf.
Reading Market Reports
Market reports on Thai rice are useful, but they’re a guide, not an offer. A reported benchmark usually reflects plain bulk rice traded in large lots. Your own Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price can sit above or below it depending on volume, packing and terms.
For the global picture, the FAO rice market page is worth following, and the Thai Rice Exporters Association publishes Thai export prices and volumes. We also write about the bigger trends on our Thailand rice exports 2026 page.
A Short Buyer Story
An importer in the Gulf came to us with three offers for white rice 5% broken, all different. The lowest looked like a bargain. When we asked for the full sheets, the cheapest was old crop, in thin 50kg bags, with no limit on chalky grains, and full payment upfront.
We quoted our current crop, chalky 2% max, strong PP bags, against a letter of credit. Our number was higher by a few dollars a ton. He bought one container to test. His customers liked it, the bags arrived whole, and there were no claims. He’s ordered regularly since. The point isn’t that we were cheapest. It’s that our Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price was for the rice he actually needed.
Timing Your Purchase
If you can be flexible, timing helps your Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price. Prices often ease when harvests arrive and buyers are quiet, and firm when big tenders are out or stocks run short. Watch the news, but also talk to your supplier. We’ll tell you honestly if we think waiting a few weeks might help, even if it means a later order for us.
Payment Terms and the Price
Terms change the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price. With a deposit and balance against copy documents, we can usually sharpen the number. With a letter of credit at sight from a strong bank, we’re also comfortable. Longer credit terms cost more, because someone has to finance the rice. We’ll show you the difference clearly.
Jasmine and Other Grades in the Same Container
Many buyers who ask for a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price also take fragrant rice. If that’s you, see our pages on Thai jasmine rice FOB price and the jasmine rice 5kg bag supplier service. Regional buyers may also like jasmine rice supplier Dubai, jasmine rice importers UK and jasmine rice suppliers Europe. For parboiled, see Thai parboiled rice exporter.
One more thing worth saying. A Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price is only as good as the contract behind it. Read the spec lines, the bag, the shipment window and the payment terms before you compare. When those line up, comparing a Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price from us against anyone else's becomes simple, and the cheapest real Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price is easy to spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price today?
It changes weekly. Send us your volume, packing and port and we’ll send a dated offer the same day where we can.
Is FOB cheaper than CIF?
The FOB number is lower because it leaves out freight and insurance. Your total cost depends on the freight you can get yourself.
Which Thai ports do you load from?
Mainly Bangkok and Laem Chabang.
What is your minimum order?
One 20ft container, about 25 tons in 50kg bags.
Can you pack under my brand?
Yes. Printed 5kg to 50kg bags are available.
Do you send samples?
Yes, with the spec sheet. See our FAQ page for more.
Get a Dated Offer From Our Mill
Send us the quantity, bag type, any special spec lines and your destination port. We’ll send a dated Thai white rice 5% broken FOB price, with CFR or CIF options if you want them, plus samples.
De Thai Products 1989 Company Limited. Email info@dethairice.com, WhatsApp +66 81 034 6390, or use our contact page. Read more about us or browse all our products.
