Friday, December 19, 2014

19th December (Friday),2014 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Oryza Global Weather Outlook

Dec 18, 2014
In India, scattered rains are expected  in southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala through Friday . Weather is expected to remain dry across the rest of India.
Weather is likely to remain dry in Bangladesh, Pakistan, China and Thailand during the next three days.
Scattered rain showers are expected across the majority of Indonesia on Thursday and Friday. Last week rain showers in Java continued to boost moisture supplies for main-season rice there.
Light rain is expected across Vietnam on Thursday and Friday.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap – Steady Market as Holiday Mode Sets In

Dec 18, 2014
U.S. cash prices held steady today as holiday mode begins to set in and market participants get ready for some much needed time off. Analysts contend that farmers who needed to sell before the end of the year have already done so and those that still have rice left to sell are going to continue to hold out until prices improve or until they absolutely need to sell.

In the meantime, the USDA reported that cumulative net export sales for the week ending on December 11th, totaled 78,000 tons, which was 10% lower than last week and 7% lower than the prior 4-week average. Increases reported for the following destinations including: 24,000 tons to Japan, 13,300 tons to Mexico, 9,500 tons to Haiti, 9,500 tons to Panama, and 4,500 tons to Canada.
U.S. rice exporters shipped 39,500 tons, which was 64% lower than last week and 50% lower than the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations included: 16,700 tons to Mexico, 12,000 tons to  Japan, 3,100 tons to Canada, 2,100 tons to Honduras, and 1,700 tons to Saudi Arabia.

Relaxed Financing Norms May Boost U.S. Rice Exports to Cuba

Dec 18, 2014

The U.S' latest stance to relax restrictions on food items from the 50-year embargo with Cuba is likely to increase U.S. exports of agricultural products, including rice, with the Caribbean nation, according to local sources.
Description: Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/141218ricebag.jpg?itok=MAEs70x3Cuba imported about 30% of its annual rice import needs from the U.S. between 2001, when USA Rice showcased the U.S. rice at the Cuba International Trade Fair, and 2004. However, U.S. rice exports to Cuba started declining till 2008 and have stopped since then due to certain financing and banking restrictions imposed by the U.S. government with Cuba.The U.S. has eased the existing financing and banking restrictions allowing for the revival of rice trade with the Caribbean nation.The U.S. government earlier required Cuban importers to pay "cash in advance" through a third party before the product was shipped. Also the U.S. and Cuban banks were not authorized to have direct relationships and the U.S. exporters were not allowed to open bank accounts in Cuba. Due to these restrictions, export deals were time taking, difficult as well as costly.The revised policy is expected to ease these hurdles and allow for smoother transactions between the two countries. As per the revised norms, Cuban importers can make payment while goods are in transit and the U.S. firms will be allowed to open corresponding accounts at Cuban financial institutions and banks to facilitate processing of authorized transactions, sources at the White House were quoted as saying.
It seems to be a good news to rice exporters as Cuba is one of the U.S' closest export destinations with less than a day's travel from the Port of New Orleans in Louisiana state. Local sources say rice farmers in the U.S. rice producing states of Arkansas and Louisiana would benefit from the revised policy.
Cuba imports about 50% of its annual rice consumption needs. USDA estimates Cuba to produce around 440,000 tons of milled rice and import around 450,000 tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (July - June) to meet a consumption demand of around 890,000 tons. Cuba currently imports rice from Brazil, India and Thailand.

Thailand, Pakistan Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged

Dec 18, 2014
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for Hommali rice  by about $10  per ton  to around $890 - $900 per ton today. Pakistan rice sellers lowered their quotes for parboiled rice by about $15 per ton to around $395 - $405 per ton. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is quoted at around $405 - $415 per ton, about $20 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $385 - $395 per ton. India 5% rice is quoted at around $385 - $395 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice quoted at around $370 - $380 per ton.
25% Broken Rice 
Thailand 25% rice was last quoted at around $350 - $360 per ton, on par with Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton. India 25% rice is quoted at around $350 - $360, about $20 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice quoted at around $330 - $340 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is quoted at around $405 - $415 per ton. India parboiled rice is quoted at around $375 - $385 per ton, about $20 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice quoted at around $395 - $405 per ton, down about $15 per ton from yesterday.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is quoted at around $330 - $340 per ton, on par with Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $330 - $340 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $300 - $310 per ton, on par with Pakistan broken sortexed rice quoted at around $300 - $310 per ton.

Pakistan FY 2014-15 Paddy Rice Production Estimated at 8.437 Million Tons; Down 19% from Last Year

Dec 18, 2014

Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/141218paddy.jpg?itok=HwUkIt57In the November Crop Monitoring System Bulletin, the National Space Agency of Pakistan (SUPARCO) and UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO have estimated Pakistan FY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production to decline about 19% to around 8.437 million tons (around 5.65 million tons, basis milled) from around 10.04 million tons (around 6.72 million tons, basis milled) produced last year.The decline is attributed to floods that hit the Punjab state in the month of August having damaged around 116,700 hectares of paddy fields. Over 217,000 tons of paddy is said to be lost in the Punjab state. The government of Punjab has announced a compensation of Rs.16 billion (around $159 million) to the flood-affected communities.
According to the report, harvesting of the FY 2014-15 kharif rice crop (May - December) started at the end of October across the country and coarse rice harvesting has been completed in all provinces. Harvesting in basmati growing areas of North Eastern Punjab was at its peak at the end of November. SUPARCO is estimating FY 2014-15 paddy rice acreage at around 3.29 million hectares and yield at around 2.568 tons per hectare.
According to SUPARCO, November remained the most driest month of the year due to transition time from summer to winter season. The amount of cumulative rainfall was much below normal in most parts of the country.
Paddy prices of both non-basmati and basmati dropped in November due to the ongoing harvests. Prices of basmati dropped from Rs.4,500 - 4,800 per 40 kilograms (around $1,121 - $1,196 per ton) in the beginning of November to around Rs.3,000 - Rs.3,200 per 40 kilograms (around $747 - $797 per ton) by the end of the month. Prices of non-basmati prices declined from Rs.900 - Rs.1,000 per 40 kilograms (around $224 - $249 per ton) to around during the month Rs.200 - Rs.250 per 40 kilograms (around $48 - $62 per ton)
USDA estimates Pakistan's MY 2014-15 (November - October) milled rice production to decline about 3% to around 6.5 million tons (around 9.75 million tons, basis paddy) from around 6.7 million tons (around 10.05 million tons, basis paddy) in MY 2013-14.  

China Imports 2 Million Tons of Rice in First Ten Months of 2014, Up 7% from Last Year

Dec 18, 2014

China has imported around 2.014 million tons of rice in the first ten months of 2014 (January - October), up about 7% from around 1.874 million tons imported during the same period last year, according to data from China Customs General Administration.In October 2014, China imported around 180,000 tons of rice, unchanged from around 180,000 tons imported in September 2014, and up about 26% from around 143,120 tons imported in October 2013.China has exported around 345,369 tons of rice in January - November 2014, down about 24% from around 455,970 tons exported during the same period last year, according to data from the China Customs General Administration.
In November 2014, China exported around 108,815 tons of rice, up about 89% from around 57,472 tons exported in October 2014 and over twice from around 50,700 tons exported in November 2013.
China imported about 2.267 million tons of rice and exported about 478,400 tons of rice and in 2013.
Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/141218chinaexportimport.jpg?itok=U4bwj5tGUSDA estimates China to produce around 144.5 million tons of rice, import around 4 million tons and export around 400,000 tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (July - June).

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Lifeless as Market Drifts Sideways

Dec 18, 2014
Chicago rough rice futures for Jan delivery settled 0.5 cents per cwt (about $0.11 per ton) lower at $12.110 per cwt (about $267 per ton). Rough rice futures settled little changed today. The market found little in the way of price direction despite a decent export sales report and support from the other grains. Prices appear to be settling into a sideways trading range and will likely continue to drift along through the remainder of the holiday season. The other grains continued higher today; Soybeans closed about 0.8% higher at $10.3500 per bushel; wheat finished about 1% higher at $6.5525 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.7% higher at $4.1100 per bushel.
U.S. stocks surged on Thursday, extending Wall Street's best day of the year, after the Federal Reserve said it would be patient in increasing interest rates. Thursday data had jobless claims falling by 6,000 to 289,000 last week, the lowest since early November. And, the Conference Board's index of leading indicators advanced in November for a third consecutive month, signaling the U.S. economy is picking up steam heading into the New Year. At or near session highs, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was lately up 303.64 points, or 1.8%, at 17,657.51. The S&P 500 advanced 35.57 points, or 1.8%, to 2,048.46, with technology leading gains and all 10 of its major sectors rising. The Nasdaq added 87.21 points, or 1.9%, to 4,730.52. Gold is trading about 0.1% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 2.8% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.2% higher at about  1:00pm Chicago time.
Wednesday, there were 2,442 contracts traded, down from 2,514 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Wednesday decreased by 310 contracts to 10,040.

Oryza Overnight Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Trade Lower as Market Appears Unimpressed by Latest Export Sales Report

Dec 18, 2014
Chicago rough rice futures for Jan delivery were trading 7 cents per cwt (about $2 per ton) lower at $12.045 per cwt (about $266 per ton) during early floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen trading higher: soybeans are currently seen 0.5% higher, wheat is listed about 1.8% higher and corn is currently noted about 0.4% higher.
U.S. stocks surged on Thursday, extending Wall Street's best day of the year, after the Federal Reserve said it would be patient in increasing interest rates and as crude furthered its rise. Thursday data had jobless claims falling by 6,000 to 289,000 last week, the lowest since early November. After a 267-point jump, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was lately up 253.60 points, or 1.5%, at 17,610.47. The S&P 500 advanced 30.26 points, or 1.5%, to 2,043.15, with energy leading gains that included all 10 of its major sectors. The Nasdaq added 69.45 points, or 1.5%, to 4,713.87. U.S. stocks surged on Wednesday, with the Dow marking its best session of the year, as investors celebrated a rally in the energy sector and the Federal Reserve's pledge to be patient in raising interest rates. Gold is currently trading about 0.9% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 0.5% higher,  and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.2% higher at 8:40am Chicago time.

Thailand to Reclaim World's Top Rice Exporter Position in 2014

Dec 18, 2014
In its latest Quarterly Rice Market Monitor report, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has forecasted Thailand to reclaim the world's top rice exporter status in 2014. Thailand, which once enjoyed the top rice exporter status lost its position to India and Vietnam due to the rice paddy pledging scheme, which was introduced by the previous government.
Policy changes regarding the suspension of rice paddy pledging scheme, inspection of rice stocks and sales of about 17 million tons of rice stocks have helped the South East Asian nation to regain its lost competitiveness in the global market.
According to the FAO, Thai rice exports to West and Southern African countries and Far Eastern nations have increased significantly. The FAO is estimating Thailand's rice exports to increase about 53% y/y to around 10.2 million tons in 2014. The UN agency noted that Thai exports will further increase to 11 million tons in 2015 despite a likely dent in local production due to water shortages. 
The FAO is forecasting India's rice exports to decline about 5% y/y to around 10 million tons in 2014 and further decline about 18% y/y to around 8.2 million tons in 2015. It is estimating rice exports of Pakistan, Brazil, Guyana, Paraguay and Uruguay to increase substantially in 2014. But, it is forecasting exports of Vietnam, Cambodia and the U.S. to decline during the year.
The UN agency estimates 2014 global rice trade at around 40.5 million tons, up about 0.6% from around 40.2 million tons in 2013.

Witnesses in Thailand Rice Pledging Case Need Protection from Parallel Lawsuits

Dec 18, 2014

Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has urged the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to protect witnesses, including NACC officials involved in dealing with the rice pledging case, from facing counterclaims or parallel law suits as that would deter them from testifying accurately, according to local sources.
Description: Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/141218thairicestocks.jpg?itok=PrMz6qLXSpeaking at joint meeting between the NACC and OAG on Tuesday, the NACC Secretary General sought OAG help in speeding up probes related to the rice pledging scheme rather than wait for complete reports from the NACC. He added that it would reduce time lags in prosecution procedures.The NACC Secretary General made these comments in the light of the OAG seeking more evidence from the NACC to conclude the prosecution of the former Prime Minister (PM) Yingluck Shinawatra in the controversial rice pledging scheme. The Attorney General sought more evidences relating to government-to-government (G2G) transactions with China.
In September this year, the OAG refused the NACC recommendation to indict the former Prime Minister in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions seeking more evidences substantiating charges against her. It also proposed that a panel comprising members from the OAG and the NACC would work jointly to gather more evidences before deciding on the indictment of the ex-PM. The former Prime Minister is facing charges of ignoring warnings against misdealing in the controversial rice pledging scheme, which brought losses of about 500 billion baht (around $15.6 billion) to the exchequer.The NACC Secretary General said the Commission was ready to address the opening of the ex-PM's case before the National Legislative Assembly on January 9, 2015.
Global Rice Quotes
December 19th, 2014

Long grain white rice - high quality

Thailand 100% B grade          415-425           ↓
Vietnam 5% broken    385-395           ↔
India 5% broken         385-395           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken    370-380           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken             460-470           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           510-520           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    595-605           ↔
Argentina 5% broken 595-605           ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality

Thailand 25% broken NQ      ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 350-360           ↔
Pakistan 25% broken 330-340           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken           435-445           ↔
India 25% broken       350-360           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         495-505           ↔

Long grain parboiled rice

Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            400-410           ↓
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    395-405           ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd         375-385           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       580-590           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken    570-580           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken            NQ      ↔

Long grain fragrant rice

Thailand Hommali 92%          890-900           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         515-525           ↔
India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails             820-830           ↔

Brokens

Thailand A1 Super      330-340           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken            330-340           ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd    300-310           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super   385-395           ↔
India 100% broken stxd         300-310           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔
U.S. pet food 390-400           ↔
Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Indian Basmati Rice Farmers Hit Hard by Volatile Global Politics

Dec 18, 2014
An unexpected and unprecedented decision by Iran to ban rice imports temporarily has hurt Indian exporters very badly. Iran's basmati rice exports from India have been increasing significantly for the last few years. In 2013-14, Iran's basmati rice imports from India accounted for about 1.45 million tons or about 85% of its total rice imports of around 1.7 million tons.In a way, it could be conceded that Iran's ban pertains majorly to India. Iran seemed to reduce rice imports from India in a phased manner since February this year.
In February, the Middle East nation revised the acceptable level of arsenic in Indian basmati rice from around 150 parts per billion (ppb) to around 120 ppb. Later in September, Iran increased import duty on basmati rice from 22% to 45%. It imposed ban in November citing excess stocks as reason.However, analysts say some politically motivated decisions are playing a major role in Iran's stance. It is understood that Iran's officials have been trying to arrange a meeting between the Iranian President and the Indian Prime Minister for the last few months, but Indian authorities failed to arrange for meeting twice saying schedule of Indian Prime Minister was not permitting to do so. However, India's External Affairs Minister had reportedly met the Iranian Prime Minister last month in Tajikistan.
Iran is an important market for India and constitutes about 35% of India's basmati rice exports. Efforts by Indian exporters to resume basmati rice imports by are reportedly unheard by the Iranian authorities.Indian basmati rice farmers who are totally unaware of such diplomatic reasons are worst sufferers. They increased total basmati rice acreage in the 2014 kharif rice season (June - December) about 40% to around 3.5 million hectares from around 2.5 million hectares last year. According to data from the Indian Agriculture Ministry, basmati rice output this year is expected to reach around 8.5 million tons, up about 40% from around 6.25 million tons produced last year.

Farmers are getting very low prices due to declining export demand. According to local sources, Pusa 1509 is fetching around Rs.2,300-2,700 per quintal (around $376 - $441 per ton) and Pusa 1121 is fetching around Rs.3,000 per quintal (around $490 per ton). Farmers are getting prices as low as Rs.1,500 - 2,000 per quintal (around $245 - $327 per ton) for other varieties of basmati.


Basmati rice exporters are also urging the Indian government to help them absorb the losses occurring due to fall in basmati rice prices as well as exports by way of restoration of the Rupee Export Credit Interest Subvention Scheme that was discontinued after March 31 2014. Under an interest subvention scheme, the government offers loans to exporters at 7% per annum and offers an interest subsidy of about 2% to exporters who make prompt repayment. They are also demanding the government to enhance the interest subsidy under the scheme from the existing 2% to around 5%.

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