WORLD MARKETS AND TRADE:
COMMENTARY AND CURRENT DATA
RICE:
WORLD MARKETS AND TRADE
MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS:
China a Net Importer in 2004: Despite expected production gains due to
government incentive programs and the continued release of rice stocks, China
continues to import from Thailand and Vietnam. Meanwhile, exports remain small,
with only 75,000 tons shipped in the last six months. China seems intent to tend
to its domestic needs rather than supply the international market.
PRICES:
International: Asian prices have surged over the last month. Thai 100B
is currently quoted at $257 per ton, FOB, $14 above last month. Prices are being
supported by the domestic intervention program, which began on November 1. Viet
5% prices have also gained $13, with quotes currently at $231 per ton, FOB.
Meanwhile, Indian 5% is up $5 to $247 per ton, FOB. (See PDF
version for chart)
Domestic: U.S. #2/4 long grain milled rice is currently quoted at $335
per ton, FOB, down $5 from last month. Thus, the spread between U.S. and Thai
prices has shrunk to $78 per ton. Prices for U.S. #1/4 medium grain milled rice
from California are quoted at $325 per ton, FOB.
TRADE CHANGES IN 2005
Selected Exporters
- China is cut 200,000 tons to 800,000 as exports are unlikely to
expand year to year given supply constraints.
- Thailand is dropped 500,000 tons to 8.25 million due to anticipated
tighter exportable supplies, based on 2004 expected record exports.
Selected Importers
- Bangladesh down 50,000 tons to 550,000 as a result of sufficient
domestic supplies.
- Chile is reduced 50,000 tons to 100,000 as import demand is
expected to fall to more traditional levels.
- Indonesia is slashed 500,000 tons to 1.0 million as record
production in 2003/2004 and stable prices are anticipated to curb import
demand.
TRADE CHANGES IN 2004
Selected Exporters
- Argentina is down 50,000 tons to 250,000 due to a lackluster pace.
- China is dropped 200,000 to 800,000 as exports have been reduced to
a trickle over the last 6 months.
- Thailand is boosted 550,000 tons to 9.8 million based on an
exceptional pace to date.
- United States is cut 300,000 tons to 3.0 million due to a slow pace
to traditional milled markets.
- Vietnam is raised 150,000 tons to 4.0 million due to increased
exports to China, Malaysia, and Africa.
Selected Importers
- Bangladesh is down 50,000 tons to 550,000 as increased production
has offset demand.
- Chile is cut 50,000 tons to 100,000 due to a slow pace to date.
- China is up 100,000 tons to 1.1 million as border shipments
continue from Vietnam and Thailand.
- Haiti is dropped 50,000 tons to 250,000 as a result of fewer
imports from the United States coupled with sporadic problems unloading
ships.
- Malaysia is raised 25,000 tons to a record 725,000 based on a
strong pace of imports from Thailand and Vietnam.
- Mexico is reduced 25,000 tons to 525,000 due to
slower-than-expected shipments from the United States.
- Saudi Arabia is up 50,000 tons to a record 1.35 million on strong
imports from India.
- South Africa is boosted 50,000 tons to 800,000 based on increased
imports from Thailand.
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Last modified: Thursday, November 13, 2003
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