Indian rice export prices near 10-month high amid El Nino fears and rising domestic paddy costs

​Indian rice export prices held near a 10-month high this week, underpinned by rising domestic paddy prices and concerns El Nino could tighten supply, while Thai prices hit a one-month peak.

India's 5% broken parboiled variety ‌was quoted at $358 ⁠to $364 per ⁠metric ton, unchanged from last week, while 5% broken white rice was priced at $357 to $363 per ton.

"Supply ​concerns caused by El Nino are supporting prices. Buyers are continuing to purchase despite the rise ​in prices," said a New Delhi-based dealer with a global trade house. Indian rice exports rose 5% in the first half of 2026, as higher shipments of non-basmati rice offset ​a drop in basmati exports after the Iran war disrupted ⁠trade with ‌Gulf markets.


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Thai 5% broken rice was quoted at $455 to $460 per ​ton, from $450 ​last week, a Bangkok-based trader said.

"There are regular customers in ⁠the Asian region like Singapore and Malaysia buying only as much ​as necessary. As for Indonesia, their production is sufficient," the trader ​said.

"On the supply side, output is gradually coming in from the central provinces. The outlook is that by the end of this year, rice exports will definitely decline," the trader added.

Vietnam's 5% broken rice was offered at $430 to $450 per ton on Thursday, unchanged from a week ago, with a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City ‌saying trading activity was quiet due to weak demand. Vietnam's Food Association said this week it was seeking to impose floor prices for rice exports and domestic fresh paddy to protect producers and ⁠exporters from price manipulation.

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The association said it wanted to set a floor export price of $500 per ton, free on board, for fragrant rice and a 7,000-dong floor price for ​domestic unhusked fresh paddy.

Rice prices in Bangladesh remained elevated after two rounds of flooding damaged rice crops and disrupted production.

Agriculture officials said the government is developing new climate-resilient rice varieties to help farmers cope with the growing challenges of climate change.