One exporter said some buyers could be waiting for fresh supplies to hit the Thai export market before making new deals, adding that current prices are at lofty levels.

  "Exporters aren't offering any discount because they will have to reduce prices when the new crop comes in although any price reduction will be limited," the exporter said.

  The exporter said the absence of Vietnam and India from the rice export trade gives buyers little choice but to secure Thai supplies.

  A second exporter said Indonesia's announcement to cut imports this year will have little impact on Thai prices.

  Outstanding contracts involving huge quantities, not to mention a strong Thai baht, will prevent export prices from falling sharply, the second exporter said.

  Indonesia's Bulog decided not to go ahead with its plan to import the remaining 106,000 metric tons of the planned 1.5 million tons of rice imports for this year, Bisnis Indonesia reported.

  The state-owned food logistics company has enough domestic rice stocks for this year, Mustafa Abubakar, its president director, was quoted as saying.

  Bulog also dropped its plan to import an additional 400,000-500,000 tons of rice on top of the planned 1.5 million tons, he said.

  Thai 100% grade B was offered steady Friday at $343-$350/ton, FOB Bangkok, and 5% broken was offered at $335-$342/ton, while parboiled 100% sortexed was offered at $358-$365/ton.

  In Vietnam, indicative prices were unchanged Friday despite the absence of fresh demand, as a government ban on new export contracts remains in place.

  One exporter said farmers will start harvesting a major crop by next month. Until then, exportable supply will remain tight as some suppliers continue to gather supply for shipment abroad.

  Indicative price for Vietnam's 5% broken was unchanged Friday at $320-$325/ton, FOB Ho Chi Minh City, while that of 5% broken was at $300/ton, FOB.