In order to cash in on the existing short supplies and high demand for rice, Brazil is likely to ship nearly two times as much rice to world markets this year than it did in 2007.

Brazil exported 480,000 MT of rise in 2007, and is expected to export 600,000 MT at the minimum to as much as 1 million MT before the year is over.

Although Brazil is a major agricultural producer and exporter, it is not known as a rice exporter. Most of the rice produced in Brazil is consumed locally. Rice is a staple food item in Brazil, as it is in many countries around the world.