Rice export prices in India rose as demand picked up, while rates for the Thai variety eased amid prospects of a healthy harvest, even as top exporters looked to clinch a possible deal with the Philippines. Rates for India’s 5 percent broken parboiled rice rose from the 4-1/2 month lows hit last week, gaining $3 to $412-$416 a ton, as demand improved from African buyers. Indian rice is currently very competitive compared with supplies from Thailand and Vietnam. India’s exports jumped by 18 percent from a year ago to a record 12.7 million tons in the 2017/18 financial year to March 31, lifted by demand for non-basmati rice from Bangladesh, Benin and Sri Lanka.