Myanmar 5% white rice price hits near 2-year high on tight supply

Myanmar's 5% white rice price rose to its highest level in nearly two years on Aug. 14, driven by tight supply toward the end of the season and steady demand from the Philippines, data from Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, showed.

Platts assessed Myanmar 5% broken white rice at $505/metric ton FOB FCL on Aug. 14, up $10/mt week over week and the highest level since Sept. 27, 2024, when the variety was assessed at $510/mt FOB FCL.

This makes Myanmar rice the most expensive among varieties from major Asian origins, with Myanmar 5% WR at a premium of $65/mt to Thailand 5% WR, $70/mt to Vietnam 5% WR, $108/mt to Pakistan 5% WR and $143/mt to India 5% WR, Platts data showed.

The widening premium of Myanmar rice over competing Asian origins could weigh on Myanmar's competitiveness as buyers seek lower-priced supply, three market participants said over Aug. 14-17.

Limited supply supports prices

The rally was underpinned by dwindling availability of long-grain white rice, with market participants saying that many sellers were holding back as supply from the current harvest season winds down.

"Supply is really very low at the moment. Only the traders and big exporters who have stocks left can offer," a Yangon-based exporter said.

With domestic prices rising, some exporters said narrowing margins had left little incentive to sell at current levels.

"The local market cost is already so high that there is limited profit left for exporters at these price levels," a second Yangon-based exporter said, adding that exporters were cautious before committing at current price levels.

Philippine demand holds

Demand from the Philippines, a key buyer of Myanmar rice in recent months, has persisted even as prices climbed, with bids for 5% white rice still seen in the market. Myanmar exported 126,416 mt of rice to the Philippines in July, or 74.3% of its total rice exports, according to the latest Myanmar Rice Federation data.

"The Philippines is steadily moving away from relying only on Vietnam and spreading its sourcing across other origins. Shipments from Myanmar to the Philippines have increased this year, which shows buyers are gradually accepting Myanmar rice," a Yangon-based trader said.

However, market participants said the Philippines is not issuing new sanitary and phytosanitary licenses, with exporters in Myanmar only able to contract against previously issued permits, keeping permit-holding buyers active.

Market participants said the near-term direction of prices will largely depend on the pace of the monsoon harvest from mid-September, as well as how demand evolves.

Myanmar's rice exports for marketing year 2026-27 (January-December) are projected to be 8.7% lower year over year at 2.1 million mt, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture.