Indian Rice Export Prices Climb to Near One-Year High on Tight Supply
Indian rice export prices hit a near one-year high this week, driven by tight supplies and steady African demand. Vietnam and Thai prices also rose.
Indian rice export prices have climbed to their highest level in nearly a year, supported by tight domestic supplies, concerns about the upcoming harvest, and steady demand from African buyers.
The 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $362–$368 per metric ton this week, up from $358–$364 last week. The 5% broken white rice variety was priced between $359 and $364 per ton.
A New Delhi-based trader with a global trade house said demand from African countries such as Benin remains stable, providing support to prices.
India's overall rice exports rose 5% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. This growth was driven by higher shipments of non-basmati rice, which offset a decline in basmati exports following the disruption of trade with key Gulf markets due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
In Vietnam, the 5% broken rice variety was offered at $435–$455 per ton on Thursday, up from $430–$450 a week ago. A trader in Ho Chi Minh City noted that heatwaves in several parts of the world have intensified concerns about El Niño's potential negative impact on global food supplies, including rice.
Traders have expressed support for a proposal by the Vietnam Food Association to impose floor prices on fragrant rice exports and domestic fresh paddy to protect producers and exporters, though the timeline for implementation remains unclear.
Bangladesh has approved the import of 100,000 metric tons of parboiled rice from Vietnam under a government-to-government arrangement. The rice will be procured from the Vietnam Southern Food Corporation at $416 per ton, as the country seeks to ease high domestic rice prices.
Thailand's 5% broken rice was quoted at $450–$455 per ton, up from $435–$455 last week. A Bangkok-based trader said there is demand for Thai rice from Malaysia and the Philippines, which have stepped up imports due to the El Niño situation.
Supply in Thailand is declining slightly, with a potential drop of 1.5 million tons of paddy rice this year. The country is expected to export 7 million tons of rice in 2026.