US rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade declined on Friday as a firmer dollar pressured grains and most other commodities, traders said. Dollar rose broadly on US manufacturing and consumer price data, while Greece debt woes hurt euro. CBOT March rice fell 6 cents to close at $13.97-1/2 per hundredweight; back months down 4 to 12 cents.
CBOT estimated volume Friday at 692 rice futures and 35 options. Japan buys 58,000 tonnes of rice via regular tender. Manila to allow private firms to import 163,000 tonnes rice. No deliveries against the expired January contract.