Asia rice: Vietnam prices hit over 2-month low on weak demand; Indian rates hold steady

ton, unchanged from the last week. Indian 5% broken white rice was priced at $350 to $360 per ton this week. The paddy crop is ready for harvest, but heavy rainfall is damaging the fields and is likely to negatively impact yields, said a Kolkata-based trader. Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $415-$430 per ton on Thursday, down from $420-$435 a week ago, hitting its lowest since August 21, according to the Vietnam Food Association. “Demand remains weak while the quality of the freshly harvested paddy is not great,” a trader based in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang said. Vietnam’s trade ministry said on Thursday a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Singapore to facilitate rice exports, on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea. Thailand’s 5% broken rice was quoted at $340 per tonnes, up slightly from $337 last week, snapping a six-week losing streak and rebounding from an 18-year low. A Bangkok-based rice trader said the demand for Thai rice ...