BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Asian physical rice export prices were steady Friday at high levels amid strong demand from overseas buyers for Thai rice and an ongoing rice export ban in Vietnam, said exporters.  

In Thailand, prices were supported by local exporters fulfilling contracts for parboiled grades to Nigeria, South Africa and some Middle Eastern countries, said exporters. "I think prices will remain at these high levels at least until the new crop comes into the market by the end of this month," said an official at a Thai rice exporting firm. "We're already committed with orders up until January." 

Several buyers have failed to secure the quantities they need from Vietnam and India, prompting them to turn to Thai rice, said exporters.

  Thai 100% grade B was offered steady Friday at $350/ton, FOB Bangkok, while 5% broken was offered at $342-$346/ton and parboiled 100% sortexed was offered at $355-$360/ton.

  In Vietnam, prices were steady as the government is still implementing a ban on new export deals, said exporters.

  "For reasons concerning the country's food security, we're still not allowed to sign new export contracts, though global demand remains high," said one exporter.

  The indicative price for Vietnam's 5% broken was unchanged at $320-$325/ton, FOB Ho Chi Minh City, and 25% broken was at $300/ton.

  Meanwhile, India is considering raising the market intervention price of rice to INR10,050/ton to bring it in line with that for wheat, a senior government official said Friday.

  At present, the intervention price of common grade rice is INR6,950/ton, while that of higher grades is INR7,250/ton.

  According to government estimates, India's federal government has so far purchased 7.24 million tons of rice from farmers, down 5.85% on year.

  Indonesia expects its 2007 rice production to rise 4.76% on year to 57.05 million tons due to improved yields and an increase in harvested areas, the Central Statistics Agency said Thursday.

  The forecast is higher than its previous forecast in July of 55.13 million tons.