Prices of rice in key wholesale markets are on the rise due to recent import demand from Iran and Saudi Arabia. We have got export orders for around 10,000 tn of white sella basmati rice, following which prices have increased by nearly 500 rupees in last four to five days. The rise in prices is also because of concern of crop damage in Bihar due to recent floods. Incessant rains and devastating floods earlier this week may have completely damaged at least 7% of the area under paddy in Bihar.