Myanmar’s Pawsan rice has won the World Best Rice Award 2026 at the International World Rice Conference 2026 held in Manila, the Philippines, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).

The International Commodity Institute, a US-based organization, and The Rice Trader organized an international rice exhibition and quality competition at the conference in Manila, where Myanmar’s Pawsan rice received the World Best Rice Award. Myanmar’s Pawsan rice previously won the same award at the International Rice Conference, Exhibition and Competition held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2011, marking its second win.

A total of 55 delegates, including a government-private sector export promotion delegation from the Ministry of Commerce and the Myanmar Rice Federation, as well as rice-exporting companies, attended the International Rice Conference and its associated discussions and exhibitions in Manila from October 7 to 10, 2026.

MRF Chairman U Ye Min Aung participated in a discussion under the theme “Myanmar Rice Outlook 2026,” and a Myanmar rice exhibition booth was also set up at the event. During the visit, discussions were held on increasing rice exports to the Philippines, Malaysia and African countries. Participating companies also negotiated opportunities to conclude sales contracts. The Myanmar Rice Federation stated that, in line with the guidance of the State, it is making efforts through the private sector to achieve and exceed the target of exporting three million tonnes of high-quality Myanmar agricultural rice in the 2026–2027 fiscal year.