China: Rice Prices Likely To Remain High

China's state-owned National Grain & Oil Trade Center has predicted that Chinese rice prices are likley to remain high during the rest of
2007 season due to inflation expectations and higher production costs.

Total output of the country's mid- and late rice in 16 major producing regions is expected to reach 147.25 million MT this year, up 1.9 million MT on year.

China's consumer price index rose 6.2% in September from a year earlier, less than the 6.5% gain in August, the fastest pace in more than 10 years.
 
The price of average quality rice is now CNY1,600-CNY1,800 PMT.