Reuters

BENGALURU, MUMBAI, HANOI AND BANGKOK: Indian rice export prices were steady this week, as ample supplies offset a modest improvement in demand, while rates in Vietnam edged higher as supplies tighten post Spring-Winter harvest season. India’s 5percent broken parboiled variety was quoted this week at USD344-USD350 per ton, unchanged from the last week.

Indian 5percent broken white rice was priced at USD338 to USD344 per ton. “Demand is slowly improving, but many buyers are still waiting for freight rates to decline,” said a New-Delhi based trader.

Vietnam’s 5percent broken rice was offered at USD377-USD380 per metric ton on Thursday, compared with last week’s USD375-USD380, according to one trader. While another trader quoted the price as high as USD440 per ton.

“The Winter–Spring harvest is coming to an end, so supplies are tightening. Prices may continue to rise in the coming sessions,” said one of the traders based in the Mekong Delta.

For the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s total rice shipments fell 1.2percent from a year earlier to 2.3 million tons, a Customs Department report said. The trader added that “market activity has picked up in recent weeks, with buyers stockpiling amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and expectations of reduced output from Bangladesh and Thailand.”

Thailand’s 5percent broken rice was quoted at USD410-USD415 per tonne, down from USD410-USD440 last week. The Thailand market reopened Thursday after a three-day public holiday and remains quiet, a Bangkok-based trader said, adding that it was difficult to give a firm quote as some rice mills have still not reopened and market activity remains subdued.

Prices are expected to remain firm due to dry weather, which has reduced output, as well as higher freight and fertilizer costs, another trader in Bangkok said.

Meanwhile in Bangladesh, domestic rice prices remained stubbornly high, hitting consumers hard. Moreover, the country is experiencing a fuel crunch as a result of the Iran war, leaving tens of thousands of farmers struggling to secure diesel for irrigation at a critical stage of the paddy season.

Published Date: April 19, 2026