WASHINGTON, Jan 14: Vietnamese exporters halted trade in a popular grade of rice on Wednesday after traders said the Philippines had agreed to buy 1 million tons of the grain from Vietnam, although Manila remained tight-lipped about the deal.

The Philippines is the biggest rice buyer on international markets and imports about 10 per cent of its annual needs.

The following are world’s top 10 rice importers and exporters in 2008, according to US Department of Agriculture data.

Country Thousand metric tons

IMPORTS

1. Philippines 2,500

2. Bangladesh 1,600

3. Nigeria 1,600

4. EU-27 1,450

5. Iran 1,100

6. Saudi Arabia 1,015

7. Ivory Coast 980

8. Iraq 975

9. Malaysia 880

10. South Africa 850

Total world: 29,228

EXPORTS

1. Thailand 10,000

2. Vietnam 4,650

3. United States 3,500

4. Pakistan 3,000

5. India 2,950

6. China 1,000

7. Uruguay 775

8. Cambodia 500

9. Brazil 500

10. Argentina 450

Total world: 29,228

The numbers may not match those reported by national government agencies.—Reuters