UPDATE 1-India seen keeping rice curbs despite exports move

(Adds trade comments)

NEW DELHI, Nov 19 (Reuters) - India is likely to maintain a ban on non-basmati rice exports despite allowing two firms to ship 25,000 tonnes, a trade official said on Wednesday.

The trade ministry has allowed two export-oriented firms to export 12,500 tonnes each of non-basmati rice at a base price of $1,000 per tonne, a statement posted on an official website (www.dgft.delhi.nic) late on Tuesday said.

India banned exports of non-basmati rice in April and slapped an export tax of 8,000 rupees ($161) per tonne on aromatic basmati to ensure sufficient domestic supplies.

"I think the two companies which have been allowed to export will find it very difficult to sell at $1,000 as prices are almost half of that," said Vijay Setia, president of the All India Rice Exporters' Association.

"Nothing much should be viewed in it as the permission has been given to only two of the export-oriented units."

Benchmark prices in Thailand on Wednesday rose for the first time since August on the back of government purchases there.

The median price for 100 percent B grade white rice RI-THWHB-P1 rose to $580 per tonne, from last week's $530. Prices are still well below April's record of $1,080 per tonne.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar early this month said the government would maintain the ban on exports of non-basmati rice, he would consider traders' demand of abolishing the export tax. ($1=49.8 rupees) (Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj, Editing by Mark Williams)