Reference Date: 24-September-2025

Production of 2025 main wet season paddy forecast slightly above average

Harvesting of the (mostly) rainfed 2025 main wet season paddy crops, which accounts for about 90 percent of the annual output, began in September in upland areas and it is expected to start in mid-October in the lowlands. In the key paddy producing central and southern provinces, the 2025 main paddy crop production is forecast above the five-year average, reflecting an expansion in plantings, supported by high domestic prices at planting time and generally favourable weather conditions that boosted yields. By contrast, in the northern provinces, which account for about 20 percent of annual output, the season has been less favourable. Between May and June 2025, low precipitation amounts hindered planting operations and multiple replanting of crops were required in many areas. Several tropical depressions and cyclones in July and August brought heavy rains that triggered floods and landslides, causing severe localized crop losses, particularly in Sayaboury, Laung Prabang, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang and Vientiane provinces. The (mostly) irrigated 2025 secondary dry season paddy crops will be planted from December onwards.

Harvesting of the 2025 main wet season maize crops is expected to start in early October and production is forecast at a below-average level. The low output reflects below-average plantings and yields due to soil moisture deficits in the main maize producing northern areas. In addition, some farmers opted to plant more remunerative crops, such as coffee, bananas and vegetables. The 2025 secondary dry season maize crops will be planted early next year.

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 expectations of a reduced harvest in 2025 and the low output obtained in 2024.

Domestic prices of rice at high levels in June 2025

Domestic prices of rice, the country’s main staple food, remained generally stable between October 2024 and June 2025, but at very high levels following the sharp increases that occurred in 2023 and 2024. The high prices reflect high costs of production and transport as well as generally tight market availability, amid strong domestic demand and stagnant output in 2023 and 2024. As of June 2025, prices of rice were between 3 and 8 percent above the already elevated levels of the previous year.

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/ .