Asian rice prices rise across the board

Farmers plant rice in a field in Nagaon, Assam state (India). (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

Vietnam's rice export prices rose this week as domestic supplies fell sharply, while Indian rates also edged up thanks to a stronger rupee and improved market demand.

Data from the Vietnam Food Association showed that Vietnam's 5% broken rice was offered at $399 a tonne on August 21, up from $395 a tonne a week earlier.

“Prices are rising as domestic supplies are running out,” said a trader in Ho Chi Minh City.

Traders added that Vietnam's efforts to boost production of fragrant and high-quality rice in recent years have helped offset the impact of the Philippines' planned rice import ban, which mainly prefers regular white rice.

India's 5% broken parboiled rice was quoted at $371-$376 a tonne, up from last week's $369-$374, while 5% broken white rice was offered at $363-$369 a tonne this week.

Thailand's 5% broken rice edged up to $365-$370 a tonne from last week's $355-$360, but ample global supplies remained pressure on prices, traders said.

Indonesia has reported a bumper harvest and will cut imports, while India has also said it will release stocks, a trader in Bangkok said.

Thailand's cabinet has approved a 106 billion baht ($3.26 billion) support package, including direct payments and loan guarantees, to support rice farmers and stabilize prices, an official said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s rice imports rose to a seven-year high of 1.44 million tonnes in the fiscal year ending June 2025 as floods reduced domestic production. This was the highest import volume since the 2017-18 fiscal year, when Bangladesh imported 3.16 million tonnes.

US agricultural prices

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (USA), corn and soybean spot prices in the last session of the week on August 22 were generally flat or slightly down. Futures prices increased moderately, while buyers waited for more abundant supplies as the harvest season approaches.

At the close of trading, corn for December 2025 delivery fell 0.25 cents to $4.115 a bushel. Meanwhile, soybeans for November 2025 delivery rose 2.5 cents to $10.585 a bushel (1 bushel of soybeans = 27.2 kg; 1 bushel of corn = 25.4 kg).

US farmers will harvest record corn yields in 2025 after a favorable summer weather season across much of the Midwest, according to consulting firm Pro Farmer.

Farmers harvest soybeans at a farm in Scribber, Nebraska (USA). (Photo: AFP/VNA)

However, actual production may be lower than the US government ’s rather optimistic forecast, as some areas have been affected by disease and heat waves that have reduced productivity. Soybean production is also expected to be high.

World coffee prices

World coffee prices on August 22 continued to increase strongly, marking a three-week increase, with Robusta coffee prices reaching a three-month peak and Arabica coffee prices reaching a three-and-a-half month high.

The market was supported by low inventories on the floor and concerns that recent cold weather could reduce next year's crop in Brazil.

At the end of the trading session on August 22, on the London Stock Exchange, the price of Robusta coffee for September 2025 delivery increased by 2.27% (108 USD/ton) compared to the previous trading session, to 4,758 USD/ton. The price of coffee for November 2025 delivery increased by 2.88% (130 USD/ton), reaching 4,650 USD/ton.

On the New York Stock Exchange (USA), the price of Arabica coffee for September 2025 delivery increased by 4.1% to 390.65 US cents/pound. The price of Arabica coffee for December 2025 delivery increased by 3.64% to 378.3 US cents/pound.

Commerzbank said the recent sharp rise was due to a reduction in inventories on the exchange, after the US imposed a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil and the possibility of frost damage in a Brazilian coffee growing region.

In the US, associations and lobbying groups are still pushing an agenda to reduce or eliminate coffee import tariffs, but this may take time.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/gia-gao-chau-a-dong-loat-tang-5056942.html