US rough rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed mixed on Wednesday in consolidation trade. March rice closed up 2-1/2 cents per cwt at $12.01 per cwt. Volume was estimated at 449 futures and 35 options. Traders said the rice market appeared poised to stay around the current $12.00 per cwt level.
Active options trade around $12. Benchmark Thai rice price rises 1.7 percent to $590 per tonne - exporters. Asian rise prices firm on demand, intervention. Indonesia may export 100,000 tonnes of premium rice. Egypt extends ban on rice exports beyond April. Big global stocks still weigh on prices.