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What’s going on here?

Indian rice prices are sliding as a weaker rupee nudges exporters to trim rates, shaking up trade dynamics across Asia and beyond.

What does this mean?

India, the world’s top rice exporter, lowered prices for its 5% broken parboiled and white rice to $367-$371 and $361-$366 per tonne, shaving off several dollars from last week. This drop came as the rupee softened, making Indian exports more appealing on the global stage. Steady demand from Africa is propping up sales, and India’s hefty government buying—set at 46.45 million metric tons this season—means supply isn’t letting up. Over in Vietnam, prices remain at an eight-month high of $455-$460 per tonne, but trade has slowed as recent sowing means supplies are tight. Thailand’s price is steady at $355 per tonne, but buyers are holding out for better deals. Meanwhile, Bangladesh could import up to 1.2 million tonnes of rice for 2025-26, after local prices surged 12% year-on-year in July. Indonesia’s output is projected to climb more than 12% this year, adding another piece to the regional supply puzzle.

Why should I care?

For markets: A shifting playing field across Asia.

Cheaper Indian exports are putting pressure on Vietnam and Thailand, with global buyers weighing their options as shifting supply and demand make for a cautious market. A bumper harvest in Indonesia and Bangladesh’s bigger import plans are adding new variables, making price trends and trading volumes increasingly hard to call in the coming months.

The bigger picture: Local moves create global waves.

Currency shifts, government stockpiling, and weather-driven harvests aren’t just shaping Asia’s rice market—they’re influencing food prices for millions worldwide. With countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia tweaking their strategies, every decision by major producers like India and Vietnam echoes through supermarket shelves globally.

Published Date: September 4, 2025