Vietnam has signed contracts to export 4.5 million tonnes of rice for 2007 and so far shipped 3.7 million tonnes, said an official from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) on September 29.

According to VFA President Truong Thanh Phong, the prices of Vietnam’s exported rice have drew level with those of Thailand.

Mr Phong also said the world demand for rice this year surged due to the poor wheat harvest.

In addition, Indonesia this year began importing 1.3 million tonnes of rice while India cut down on its rice export.