After a continuous firmness since January, the price of glutinous rice kept rising, with the approaching of Dragon Boat Festival and the great increase of market demand.

　　The planting area of glutinous paddy was small in Lianyungang of Jiangsu province last year, resulting in the high price. At present, in the region, the average ex-warehouse price of grade 1 long-head hybrid glutinous paddy was 1670-1680RMB per ton, up 30-40RMB per ton from 1640-1660RMB per ton in early April; the average ex-warehouse price of grade 2 long-head hybrid glutinous paddy was 1570-1580RMB per ton, up 20-30RMB per ton from 1550-1560RMB per ton in early April. The price of round-head glutinous paddy was higher; the average ex-warehouse price of grade 1 round-head glutinous paddy was 2100-2120RMB per ton, up 50-60RMB per ton from 2050-2060RMB per ton in early April; the average ex-warehouse price of grade 2 round-head glutinous paddy was 1980-1990RMB per ton, up 30-40RMB per ton from 1950-1960RMB per on in early April.

　　At present, in the region, the ex-warehouse price of standard 1 long-head glutinous rice was 2220-2230RMB per ton, up 30-50RMB per ton from 2170-2200RMB per ton in early April; the retail price was 1.19-1.21RMB per 500 grams, up 0.02-0.04RMB per 500 grams. The ex-warehouse price of standard 2 long-head glutinous rice was 2140-2160RMB per ton, up 10-30RMB per ton from 2130-2150RMB per ton in early April; the retail market price was 1.10-1.12RMB per 500 grams, up 0.02-0.03RMB per 500 grams. The price of round-head glutinous rice was higher, due to high glutinous degree, good sense of taste and welcomed by the market; at present, in the region, the ex-warehouse price of standard 1 round-head glutinous rice was 2580-2600RMB per ton, up 40-60RMB per ton from 2500-2520RMB per ton in early April; the retail market price was 1.30-1.31RMB per 500 grams, up 0.02-0.03RMB per 500 grams from 1.27-1.28RMB per 500 grams in early April. The average ex-warehouse price of standard 2 round-head glutinous rice was 2440-2460RMB per ton, up 20-40RMB per ton from 2400-2420RMB per ton in early April; the retail price was 1.23-1.24RMB per 500 grams, up 0.02-0.03RMB per 500 grams from 1.21-1.22RMB per 500 grams in early April.

　　Related people analyzed that the reason why the market demand for glutinous rice was strong and the price was firm wasn’t blind consumption caused by the influence of “SARS”, but the result of insufficient market supply and increasing demand. With the approaching of Dragon Boat Festival and the stronger demand for glutinous rice, the price will not decline before southern new glutinous paddy enters into market.