MANILA (Dow Jones)--Asian physical rice export prices were offered unchanged Friday amid thin trade as tight supply in Thailand and Vietnam supported prices at high levels, exporters said. Better weather conditions have prompted exporters to hasten loading of their rice for shipment abroad, they said. Local supply in Thailand has been on the lower side in recent weeks as unfavorable weather conditions hindered proper drying of paddy, a second exporter said. Exporters added that a stronger...

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is developing a comprehensive database of the physical and chemical properties of rice that is highly sought-after by the rice processing industry, said Terry Siebenmorgen, university professor of food science. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is developing a comprehensive database of the physical and chemical properties of rice that is highly sought-after by the rice processing industry, said Terry Siebenmorgen,...

An official from the Ministry of Trade has urged rice exporters not to sign any more contracts this year to ship rice abroad. In delta areas in the north, many farmers have given up rice growing altogether in favour of more consistently lucrative crops. Current contracts for delivery of rice in the second half of the year would maintain this pace, so the goal of rice growers was to assure stable production and delivery on existing contracts, not to further increase export volumes. The...

Exports of engineering goods showed an increase of 6.7 per cent whereas petroleum products along with products like carpets, rugs, mats, sports goods, leather products, and surgical equipment, chemical and pharmaceutical products registered a negative growth. Pakistans major exports, which include cotton, leather, rice, synthetic textiles and sports goods, registered a growth of 3.4 per cent but the unit value of its exports declined, as it was deprived of $563 million in export proceeds....

This, coupled with consecutive years of disappointment for rice and sugarcane yields, and farm fuel costs that doubled in the past year-and-a-half have pushed many out of agriculture, Cormier said. Crawfish farmers were affected as well, because the mudbugs feed on leftover rice, among other things. Many head into this summer hoping for rain, because it could be the difference financially between a profitable yield or not farming again. Banks seem more hesitant too because of poor yields...