Vietnam say business slow due to holidays; thin supply propels rates in India parboiled rice to fresh record high

HANOI/CHENNAI (Reuters): Prices of parboiled rice exported from top hub India extended their rally this week, rising for a fourth consecutive week to a record high as supplies remained limited. Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at a record US$542-$550 per ton this week, up from last week’s US$537-$546. “The milling of new season’s paddy is going on, but supplies are limited due to government purchases, which are keeping local prices firm,” said a Kolkata-based exporter. Pakistan’s rice exports are likely to jump to a record high in the year ending June as rival India’s decision to curb shipments forces buyers to turn to Islamabad, which is selling the grain at nearly 16-year high prices. Thailand’s 5%…