ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Pakistani rice prices edged higher during the past week on depleting stocks and dealers said on Monday prices would rise further in coming weeks after rain damaged the crop in southern Sindh province.

Agriculture officials here said recent rains and flooding had damaged at least 15 to 20pc of Irri varieties in Sindh. “Tight supplies have halted exports and the market is very quiet,” said Haji Majeed, an exporter.

“We were waiting for the new arrivals, but reports of crop damage in Sindh had left little chance of timely arrivals of new supplies.”—Reuters