Supply concerns push Thai rice prices to 4-month peak

Thailand’s rice prices climbed to a multi-month high this week on supply concerns over flooding in the south, while both Indian and Vietnamese rates slipped to near one-month lows.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice was quoted at US$375 per metric tonne, up from $370 last week, a Bangkok-based trader said, citing flooding. Prices were at their highest since July 24. “(The) price increase applies only to Thai rice in the South, because of flooding,” the trader said.

Demand is very quiet, and on the supply side, some farmers have stopped planting because returns were low, the trader added.

India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted this week at $347 to $354 per tonne, down from $348 to $356 last week to a nearly one-month low. The 5% broken white variety was priced at $340 to $345 per tonne.

Demand for Indian rice saw a modest improvement this week as lower prices followed the rupee’s slide to a record low.

The rupee’s decline is helping exporters lower prices and become more competitive in attracting demand, said B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters’ Association.

The currency fell to a record low against the dollar on Thursday, boosting exporters’ returns from overseas sales.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $365 to $370 per metric tonne on Thursday, up from $359 to $363 a week ago, according to traders, marking its highest level since early November.

“We are hearing the Philippines will resume rice imports from January,” a Ho Chi Minh City trader said. “We are told the Philippines will import 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes in the month.”

The Vietnam Food Association’s chairman said rice exports are expected to fall 11.5% this year to around 8 million tonnes, due to sharply lower shipments to the Philippines.

Vietnam’s rice exports to the Philippines dropped 18.5% in the first 10 months to 2.96 million tonnes, customs data showed.

Meanwhile, domestic rice prices in Bangladesh remain high despite strong stocks and good harvests, with fine rice at 80 to 85 taka per kilogramme. The country imported 1.437 million tonnes in 2024 to 2025 and another 500,000 tonnes between July and November, but prices have yet to ease.

Tags: Thailand, flooding, broken rice, prices, rice, Vietnam, India