ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve
ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve
The ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) is a regional cooperation established under the APTERR Agreement signed by the Ministers of the Agriculture and Forestry of the ASEAN Plus Three at the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Minister on Agriculture and Forestry Plus Three (AMAF+3) on 7 October 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The APTERR was officially established itself as a permanent mechanism and also marked the official launch of the APTERR Secretariat office in Bangkok in 2013.
We are keen to strengthen food security, poverty alleviation, and malnourishment eradication among its members without distorting normal trade, while the common goal of the APTERR Parties is the assurance of food security in the ASEAN+3 region.
275 MT
360 MT
Total :635 MT
300 MT
302 MT
1,000 MT
Total :1,602 MT
375 MT
2,000 MT
Total :2,375 MT
400 MT
Total :400 MT
Natural Disasters
WEEKLY UPDATE ON NATURAL DISASTERS
IN ASEAN PLUS THREE
No. 490 
21 - 27 October 2026
Flooding disrupted transport in Kandal Province, Cambodia. Rising floodwaters in Cambodia’s Kandal Province submerged main roads, caused concerns about the safety of road and bridge infrastructure. Local authorities assessed flooding in Chhvang and Chrey Loas communes, urging residents to remain vigilant, exercise caution when navigating flooded areas, and closely supervise young children to prevent drowning as water levels rose significantly. Furthermore, the Kandal Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport issued an urgent notice temporarily banning heavy vehicles from using provincial roads, effective on 22 October 2026.
Source: Khmer Times. (2026, October 23). Kandal Governor inspects floodwaters in Ponhea Leu district as heavy vehicle restrictions take effect.
Prolonged drought and Cyclone 98B’s heavy rain warning hit Indonesia. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported a prolonged drought in Central Java and Yogyakarta, which endured 131 days without rain due to El Nino. Meteorological agencies monitored and evaluated updated weather data while preparing mitigation measures, as El Nino was expected to delay the rainy season into early 2027. Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Formation 98B was forecast to bring heavy rainfall to Aceh and North Sumatra starting 26 October 2026. The BNPB advised residents to remain vigilant against potential flooding, flash floods, and landslides.
Source: ANTARA News. (2026, October 23). Indonesia prepares for drought as El Nino delays rainy season. Kompas.com. (2026, October 26). Tropical Cyclone Formation 98B, BNPB Urges Vigilance Against Heavy Rain in Aceh and North Sumatra.
Heavy rain triggered flash floods, submerging homes in Penang, Malaysia. Continuous overnight rain resulted in flash floods, fallen trees, and landslides across several areas in Penang, Malaysia on 25 October 2026. The flash floods inundated dozens of homes, causing traffic disruptions and property damage due to fallen trees. Meanwhile, a minor landslide was reported after rainwater washed sand and debris from a hillside onto the roadway. In response, the Penang Fire and Rescue Department dispatched personnel to the affected areas and monitored the situation until conditions were under control and floodwater receded before concluding operations.
Source: Malay Mail. (2026, October 25). Overnight downpour floods Penang neighborhoods, leaving dozens of homes underwater. The Star. (2026, October 25). Overnight downpour causes flash floods, fallen trees and minor landslide in Penang.
Flooding hit Phuket, while the death toll across Thailand rose to 83. As of 26 October 2026, heavy rainfall caused flash floods, inundating several areas of Phuket Province, Thailand. Some areas were hit by mudslides, affecting about 100 households with no casualties reported. Local authorities advised residents to avoid remaining flooded areas and cleared debris to prevent mud from obstructing waterways. Furthermore, flooding persisted in parts of Bangkok and 17 other provinces despite declining water levels, bringing the country’s death toll to 83, with over 1.02 million people still affected. The department said that it had paid out a total of 8.95 billion THB (around 264,483,777 USD) to assist flood-affected families.
*1 USD = 33.84 THB
Source: Bangkok Post. (2026, October 25). Flooding persists in Bangkok, 17 provinces, toll at 83. ABC News. (2026, October 26). Flash floods inundate several areas of Thailand’s Phuket Island after heavy rain.
Floods caused chaos in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. A tide peaking at 1.75 m flooded many streets in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, on the evening of 27 October 2026, stalling vehicles and creating prolonged traffic congestion during rush hour. Floodwater spilled into roadside shops and eateries on Bui Van Ba Street, forcing residents to place barriers across their doors to keep the water out. Authorities prepared personnel, vehicles, and equipment to address vulnerable infrastructure and efficiently operate discharge gates, tidal control sluices, and pumping stations. The Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center forecast that late-October tides would peak between 26 and 28 October, exceeding Alert Level 3.
Source: SGGP English Edition. (2026, October 27). Ho Chi Minh City faces tidal flooding in late October. VnExpress International. (2026, October 27). Ho Chi Minh City commuters wade through floodwater as tide exceeds highest alert level.
A series of hazards wreaked havoc in P.R. China. As of 22 October 2026, P.R. China activated a Level IV emergency response for flood and typhoon control in three provincial-level regions, namely Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Fujian, as Super Typhoon Champi approached the East China Sea. Meanwhile, on the same day, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Xizang Autonomous Region, leaving 16 people dead and 76 injured, with at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsed. The quake affected 13,673 people across two townships, prompting the relocation of 12,489 residents. Authorities activated an emergency response mechanism and deployed rescuers to treat the injured, erect tents, and relocate locals. Seismological agencies recorded 949 aftershocks, including seven with magnitudes between 4.3 and 5.2.
Source: Global Times. (2026, October 22). China activates Level IV emergency response for flood and typhoon control in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Fujian as Champi approaches. The Guardian. (2026, October 23). Magnitude-7 earthquake hits Tibet, killing at least 16 and destroying hundreds of homes. Global Times. (2026, October 25). Rescue efforts race against time after magnitude-7.0 earthquake in Xizang earthquake; over 12,000 residents relocated.
Heavy rains triggered river overflow and storm warning across Japan. Overnight rainfall from a rapidly developing low-pressure system accompanied by a weather front caused the Koyoshi River to overflow in Akita Prefecture, Japan, on 21 October 2026. Some roads in the city were inundated, with no reports of injuries or damage. The country’s weather agency issued its highest-level warning and urged residents to take safety measures before downgrading the flood warning to an advisory the following day. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Champi weakened into a low-pressure system over waters west of Kyushu, bringing heavy rains to northern Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Izu Islands. Weather officials warned residents in affected areas to remain on high alert for landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and swollen rivers.
Source: Xinhua. (2026, October 21). Highest-level flood warning issued for river in Japan’s Akita after record rain. Kyodo News. (2026, October 22). River in northeastern Japan overflows, emergency warning issued. NHK World Japan. (2026, October 25). Champi bringing heavy rain to western Japan.
Rice Situation
WEEKLY UPDATE ON RICE SITUATIONS
IN ASEAN PLUS THREE
No. 490 
21 - 27 October 2026
Sabah Allocates 32.5 Million MYR to Boost Rice Production. Sabah has allocated 32.5 million MYR (7.95 million USD) to strengthen its rice sector, including 15 million MYR (3.71 million USD) for agricultural machinery and 17.5 million MYR (4.28 million USD) to develop idle land for rice cultivation through 2030. According to the state agriculture minister, the initiatives would improve mechanisation, increase productivity, and enhance food security, with potential development sites including Kota Belud and Kota Marudu.
*1 USD = 4.09 MYR
Source: Daily Express Malaysia. (2026, October 27). Sabah allocates RM32.5 million to boost rice cultivation.
Thailand Promotes Premium Artisanal Rice to Boost Farmer Incomes. Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has launched the “Khaopraneat” (Artisanal Rice) campaign, aiming to transform Thai rice from a low-margin commodity into a premium artisanal product. The initiative mobilises 466 producer groups to promote premium Thai rice and boost farmer incomes through product varieties, regional characteristics and improved marketing. The campaign introduces Rice Taste Profile and Rice Flavour Wheel tools to help buyers assess rice varieties by aroma, flavour and texture, providing standardized metrics akin to specialty coffee or fine wine grading while connecting producers with high-value domestic and international markets. In Nakhon Sawan, the approach has helped raise farmgate prices for Hom Baiteoy rice from 35 THB (1.04 USD) per kilogram to 60 – 80 THB (1.78 – 2.37 USD), more than doubling returns for farmers. In addition, the initiative comes as Thai rice exports fell 19.26 percent to 4.99 million MT in January–September 2026, while export revenue declined 16.84 percent to 2.96 billion USD, amid high production costs and fierce competition from regional exporters.
*1 USD = 33.77 THB
Source: Nation Thailand. (2026, October 24). Thailand Launches ‘Artisanal Rice’ Campaign to Shift Rice Trade from Volume to Value.
Viet Nam to Promote Low-Emission Rice at APEC 2027. Viet Nam will use its APEC 2027 host year to promote regional cooperation on sustainable rice production, innovation and food security, highlighting its domestic flagship scheme to develop 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta by 2030. On the sidelines of the first APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1), Viet Nam plans to hold a policy dialogue on rice-sector innovation and a workshop on public-private partnerships (PPP) for regenerative agriculture, encouraging economies to share practical experience in green farming. Moreover, Viet Nam will promote digital technologies, climate-resilient production, and value-chain linkages to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency, and raise farmers’ incomes while strengthening the competitiveness of agricultural products.
Source: VietnamPlus. (2026, October 27). Vietnam eyes APEC 2027 to push green farming, food security agenda.
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