WORLD MARKETS AND TRADE:

COMMENTARY AND CURRENT DATA

International: Asian prices are still showing a wide divergence between suppliers. Export prices in Thailand remain high partly due to the strengthening of the baht; 100B is currently quoted at $321 per ton, FOB, up $1 from last month (See PDF version for chart).

With uncertainty surrounding the political situation, the Government is expected to raise the price for the new crops’ intervention program, starting in November 2006.

Viet 5% is currently quoted at $261 per ton, FOB, up $2 from last month. Prices remain strong due to large outstanding contracts and news of renewed buying interest from Indonesia. Indian prices are down; 5% is currently quoted at $250 per ton, FOB.

Domestic: U.S. #2/4 long grain milled rice is quoted at $390 per ton, FOB. The spread between comparable qualities of Thai and U.S. rice is $69 per ton compared to $7 per ton this time last year. Prices for U.S. remain unchanged from last month with #1/4 medium grain milled rice from California are currently quoted at $475 per ton, FOB.

• India is up 300,000 to 4.3 million tons due to a large stock position.

• United States is down 300,000 tons to 3 million due to lower forecasted production.

• Haiti is up 50,000 to 400,000 tons based on a strong export pace.

Return to Table of Contents

Last modified: Monday, August 14, 2006