Rice Futures at Near 4-Month Highs

2026-01-27 15:24 By Luisa Carvalho 1 min. read

Rice futures traded around $11 per hundredweight, the highest level since early October, amid signs of higher demand from African countries.

A mid-January report from the Observatory of International Rice Statistics (OSIRIS) noted that strong demand in sub-Saharan Africa continues to support high import levels amid persistent structural challenges in local production.

Rice imports into Sub-Saharan Africa were estimated at 22.3 million tonnes in 2025, a 13.7% increase year-on-year from 19.6 million tonnes in 2024.

Still, global prices are expected to remain under pressure this year, as major producers, including India, Thailand and Vietnam hold surplus stocks.

According to the USDA, ample supply is expected in 2025/26, with global milled rice shipments projected at 62.8 million tons, up 5.2% from last season, and world production at 541.16 million tons.



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