Reference Date: 26-February-2026

Paddy production forecast slightly below average in 2025

Harvesting of the mostly rainfed 2025 main wet season paddy crops, accounting for about 90 percent of the annual output, finalized last December and production is estimated at slightly below the five-year average. Localized crop losses occurred in some northern provinces of the country due to below-average precipitation amounts between May and June 2025 that disrupted planting operations and reduced sowings. Heavy rains brought by several tropical depressions and cyclones in July and August triggered floods and landslides, causing localized crop losses, particularly in Sayaboury, Laung Prabang, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang and Vientiane provinces. In key producing central and southern provinces, the 2025 paddy production is estimated at above the five-year average, reflecting an expansion in sowings, supported by high domestic prices at planting time and generally favourable weather conditions during the cropping season, which boosted yields. The 2025 mostly irrigated secondary dry season paddy crops, accounting for about 10 percent of the annual output, are currently at early vegetative stage of development. Growing conditions are generally favourable in southern and central areas, where the bulk of the dry season paddy crops are cultivated, supported by adequate availability of irrigation water. Overall, aggregate paddy production in 2025 is forecast at about 3.6 million tonnes, slightly below the average level.

Harvesting of the 2025 main wet season maize crops finalized last November and production is estimated below the average, reflecting reduced sowings and yields following unfavourable weather conditions during the cropping season in the main producing northern areas. In addition, some farmers decided to shift land away from maize to more remunerative crops, such as coffee, bananas and vegetables. Planting operations of the 2025 secondary dry season maize crops started in early February and are progressing at a slow pace, due to reduced soil moisture levels following below-average precipitation amounts in January 2026 in northern parts of the country.

Maize exports in 2025/26 marketing year forecast well below average

In the 2025/26 marketing year (September/August), exports of maize, the country’s main exported cereal, are forecast at 120 000 tonnes, well below the average, reflecting the low output obtained in 2024 and expectations of a reduced harvest in 2025.

Domestic prices of rice at high levels in December 2025

Domestic prices of rice, the country’s main staple food, remained generally stable between October 2024 and December 2025, but at high levels following the sharp increases that occurred in 2023 and 2024. The high prices reflect the elevated costs of production and transport as well as generally tight market availability, amid strong domestic demand and persistently low output over three consecutive years from 2023 and 2025.

Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

This brief was prepared using the following data/tools:
FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance Sheet (CCBS) https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/ .

FAO/GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Tool https://fpma.fao.org/ .

FAO/GIEWS Earth Observation for Crop Monitoring https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/ .

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) https://www.ipcinfo.org/ .