US rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed firm on Tuesday. CBOT September ended up 1 cent per cwt at $13.29-1/2. November closed up 1-1/2 cent at $13.55-1/2. Volume was light, estimated at 612 futures, down significantly from the 6,715 futures that traded on Monday when spread trade was active.
Unmilled rice output in the Philippines, world's largest rice importer, forecast to rise 4 percent to 17.45 million tonnes in 2009-government. USDA reported after the close that the US rice harvest was 8 percent complete, versus typical pace of 10 percent.