Rice futures in Chicago soared for a fourth day, reaching a record as Turkey and the Philippines seek to buy the grain amid dwindling global supplies. Wheat, corn and soybeans gained.

Rice doubled in the past year after countries including Vietnam, China, Egypt and India curbed exports to meet domestic demand. The Philippines received offers for 325,750 metric tons in a tender today, less than its 500,000 tons target. The country, which plans another tender in May, may raise the amount sought next month by 100,000 tons to 600,000 tons.

``Some importers, especially in Southeast Asia, are feeling pinched as supplies are very tight,'' Shuji Sugata, research manager at Mitsubishi Corp. Futures & Securities Ltd. in Tokyo, said by phone today. ``Anything related to buying tenders can easily lift the rice price as the market is very thin.''

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Rough rice for May delivery rose as much as 57 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $23.12 per 100 pounds in after-hours electronic trading on the Chicago Board of Trade and stood at $22.985 at 4:47 p.m. Singapore time. Rice for July delivery was up 1.9 percent at $23.30 after touching $23.435.

Turkey will abolish import duties on rice to counter speculation that has pushed prices up in recent weeks, Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker said today. Turkey's State Grain Board has permission from the government to import as much as 180,000 tons of rice.

The Philippines is intensifying efforts to crack down on rice hoarding. The government is targeting ``unscrupulous traders together with their accomplices in the bureaucracy,'' President Gloria Arroyo said April 15.

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