By: Jordeene B. Lagare – Reporter / @jordeenelagare

MANILA, Philippines — The benchmark for global rice prices went up by almost 10 percent in September, mostly driven by higher prices of Indica rice variety, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The FAO All Rice Price Index (Farpi) reached an average of 110.5 points in September, a 9.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This is the highest average on record since January this year.

Monthly, the global rice price index was 1.4 percent higher.

Cause of hike

The Farpi mainly attributed the increment to Indica prices, which averaged 115 points, also its highest on record for 2026. It climbed 11.9 percent from a year ago and 2.6 percent above their August levels.


“This increase marked the sixth consecutive monthly rise of Indica quotations, and it positioned them at a 20-month high,” the FAO said. “Prices in all the other market segments were down by 0.5 to 2 percent in September.”

“Falls were largely the result of weak demand, although in the Japonica market, new crop arrivals and onsetting harvests also contributed,” it added.

The index noted that Indica rice’s export quotations increased across much of Asia last month, except in Myanmar and Vietnam, which decreased amid poor buying interest.

Market uncertainties

The FAO cited market uncertainties following news reports that the Philippines had suspended the issuance of import clearances for shipments from Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam until mid-November.

Outside the archipelago, in India, robust sales to African markets continued to bolster prices, with strong local demand for brokens also underpinning quotations of lower quality supplies.

Likewise, rice prices pushed upward in Pakistan despite fresh demand remaining limited, as harvesting delays heightened seasonal tightness.

Thailand’s price quotations closed above August levels due to previously sealed deals and weather concerns on production.


“However, much of the increase mirrored firmness toward the earlier part of the month, with Thai prices easing thereafter amid a dearth of fresh orders and a depreciation of the baht,” the FAO said.

FAO’s global rice price index, released monthly, is based on 21 rice export quotations across four grain varieties: indica, aromatic, japonica and glutinous.

Published Date: October 5, 2026