MUMBAI, DHAKA, BANGKOK, HANOI AND BENGALURU: Rice export prices in Vietnam and Thailand climbed to their highest levels in nearly two years this week on concerns over supply disruptions and strong demand, while Indian prices eased as new-season arrivals improved supply.
Vietnam’s 5percent broken rice was offered at USD480 to USD490 per metric ton, up from USD470 to USD480 a week ago and the highest level since December 2024.
Traders said the Philippines has resumed rice purchases from Vietnam, giving a boost to prices. “However, the Philippines is only buying 25percent and 100percent broken rice,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said, adding that most of the 5percent broken rice is now going to Africa. Vietnam’s rice exports in October rose 37.2 percent from a year earlier to 475,000 tons, raising total shipments in the January to October period to 6.83 million tons, according to government statistics.
Thailand’s 5percent broken rice rose to USD490 to USD495 per ton, marking its highest level since January 2025 and up from USD480 quoted last week, due to foreign demand and a decline in supply in some areas. “There was demand coming from the Philippines with buyers purchasing from many exporters,” a trader said. On supply, some rice growing areas faced flooding which led to a drop in production, the trader said.
Concerns over El Nino and the limited availability of the next crop until next year continued to support prices, another trader said. Meanwhile, India’s 5percent broken parboiled variety was quoted at USD382 to USD386 per ton this week, reaching the lowest level since October 8 and down from last week’s USD387 to USD392.
Indian 5percent broken white rice was priced at USD389 to USD393 per ton. New-season paddy arrivals have started to pick up in northern states, helping meet strong export demand from West African countries, said a Kolkata-based exporter.
In Bangladesh, rice prices remained elevated despite adequate market supply, with traders attributing the high prices to rising production and transportation costs following increases in fuel prices.
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