Rice (Long Grain)

Long grain rice is a staple food for billions, characterized by grains three to five times longer than wide. Thailand's Hom Mali, Vietnamese 5% broken, and US long grain are major export grades. Rice is one of the most trade-restricted commodities, with export bans common during supply shocks.

5% Broken10% Broken15% Broken25% BrokenFOBCIFCFR
Quick Facts

Rice (Long Grain) at a Glance

Common Origins
ThailandVietnamIndiaPakistanUnited States
Common Destinations
PhilippinesWest AfricaSaudi ArabiaMalaysiaIraq
Grades & Specifications
5% Broken10% Broken15% Broken25% Broken
INCOTERMS
FOBCIFCFR
Unit of Measure
Metric Tons
Price Drivers

What Moves Rice (Long Grain) Pricing

Long-grain rice trades against Thailand 5% broken (the historic global benchmark), Vietnam 5%, India 5%, and Pakistan 5% FOB benchmarks. Indian export policy is the dominant supply-side variable — non-basmati export bans (2022-2024) reshaped global pricing dramatically. African and Middle East importers are price-sensitive switch buyers between origins. Asian monsoon strength affects all Asian origins.

Contract Structure

How Rice (Long Grain) Cargoes Are Priced and Settled

Cargoes 5,000-25,000 tonnes typical. Pricing is FOB origin against published benchmarks. Letter of credit standard. Quality specs cover broken percentage (5%, 15%, 25%, 100%), moisture, and chalky/yellow grains. Container shipments common for smaller buyers — 25 MT per container.

Quality & Disputes

Rice (Long Grain) Specifications and Dispute Practice

Disputes turn on broken percentage (the headline grade), moisture above 14%, and yellow-grain percentage. Pakistani rice often has lower head-rice yield than Indian or Thai equivalents. Tropical origin rice can develop weevil infestation in transit, triggering fumigation requirements at discharge.

Trade Flows

Where Rice (Long Grain) Comes From and Where It Goes

Top exporters: India (Basmati and non-Basmati combined typically 18-22 Mt/year), Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, US, Cambodia, Myanmar. Top importers: Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, EU, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Bangladesh. African import demand has grown structurally as domestic production lags population growth.

More in Agriculture

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Wheat (Feed)

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Corn/Maize

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Soybeans

Soybeans are the world's most important oilseed, crushed to produce soybean meal (animal feed) and soybean oil (cooking, biodiesel). Brazil has overtaken the US as the largest exporter. GMO vs. non-GMO origin commands significant price differentials in European and Asian markets.

Soybean Meal

Soybean meal is the dominant protein source in global animal feed formulations, containing 44-48% crude protein. It is produced as a co-product of soybean crushing alongside soybean oil. Argentina is the world's largest exporter, benefiting from its differential export tax structure.

Soybean Oil

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