Rice prices in Vietnam and Thailand have risen by nearly 20% since India banned the export of non-basmati white rice last month.

The ban on the export of some varieties by the top rice supplier India and the threat of dry weather to Thailand's production caused rice prices in Asia to soar to their highest levels in nearly 15 years.

According to industry officials, demand for palm oil has been growing as its price advantage over soy oil and sunflower oil has increased.