
Global Rice Benchmark Hits Two-Year High as El Niño Threatens Asian Output
Thai 5% broken white rice hit $499 per tonne on November 4, 2026, reaching its highest level since December 2024 amid El Niño-induced drought in South and Southeast Asia. With USDA and FAO forecasting the first global production contraction in over a decade, Chicago rough rice futures have surged by more than 80% in 2026, and retail prices in the Philippines have jumped 21% year-on-year.
















