Tuesday, December 09, 2014

9th December (Tuesday),2014 Daily Exclusive Oryza E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

China Plans to Import More Rice in 2014 at Prevailing Low Prices

Dec 08, 2014

The Chinese government is planning to advantage of the prevailing lower global rice prices by importing more rice at the current lower prices, according to a post on the government website. Extra imports would help in boosting local rice stocks and supplies thereby ensuring food security in the country, according to National Agricultural Officers. The spokesman and Chief Economist at the Ministry of Agriculture also attributed the likely increase in imports to the declining global rice prices. However, he noted that the government would not solely depend on imports to increase rice stocks in the country. He added that imports would complement local rice production.
According to data from China's Customs and General Administration, China imported around 1.65 million tons of rice in the first eight months of 2014, up about 4% from around 1.586 million tons imported during the same period last year. China imported around 72.49 million tons of grains, including rice, in the first ten months of 2014, up about 19% from around 60.92 million tons imported last year. Rice imports constitute around 2.2% of the total grain imports by China.
Global rice export prices in major rice exporting countries such as Thailand, India, and Vietnam have been declining for the last couple of months due to stiff competition and increased supplies from ongoing harvests.According to data from the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), In November 2014, average export prices of Thai 100% broken prices declined about 2.3% m/m to around $427 per ton; Thai 5% broken prices declined about 2.3% m/m to around $418 per ton; Thai parboiled rice prices declined about 2.3% m/m to around $420 per ton; Thai 25% broken prices declined about 2.2% m/m to around $400 per ton and Thai fragrant prices declined about 9% m/m to around $1,062 per ton. Thai A1 Super declined about 2% m/m to around $338 per ton.
Export prices in Vietnam and India declined about 6% m/m and 2.4% m/m to around $379 per ton and $362 per ton respectively.USDA estimates China to import around 3.9 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (July - June), unchanged from last year.    

Oryza November 2014 Rice Market Review

Dec 08, 2014

The Oryza White Rice Index (WRI), a weighted average of global white rice export quotes, ended the month of November at about $437 per ton, down about $19 per ton from a month ago and down about $23 per ton from a year ago.In November, rice prices continued to decline in most Asian origins, with particularly strong declines witnessed in Vietnam, generally reflecting a slowdown in demand and the arrival of newly harvested crops on the market. In the Americas, prices followed mixed trends across origins and market segments.
The International Grains Council (IGC) expects that global rice production will reach at about 475 million tons in 2014-15, down about 1 million tons from last year. Global carryover stocks are expected to reach at about 102 million tons in 2014-15, down about 6 million tons from a year ago. Global rice trade is expected to reach at about 41 million tons in 2014 -15 up about 1 million tons from last year, the IGC said. The IGC also added that Thailand is anticipated to reclaim its position as the world’s largest supplier.
Thailand
Thailand 5% broken rice ended the month of November at about $410 per ton, down about 2% from a month ago and up about 4% from year ago.
The losses from the Thai rice pledging scheme have reached about 518 billion baht (about $15.8 billion), according to the Thai Finance Ministry. Separately, the Rice Policy and Management Committee is considering a new on-farm pledging program for 2014-15 paddy main crop fragrant and glutinous rice in efforts to limit downward pressure on prices during harvest, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)s.
The Thai Commerce Ministry plans to strike a new G2G contract with China to export about 2 million tons of rice next year, according to local sources. Separately, Thailand hopes to revive exports in Hong Kong by working with Thai exporters and Hong Kong importers and possibly certifying Hom Mali rice, after losing a significant share of jasmine rice exports to Hong Kong during the last three years. Hong Kong is one of main destinations for Thai fragrant rice (Hom Mali rice), but Thailand's share in Hong Kong's rice market had declined to about 46% in 2013 from about 90% in 2008.
In the first nine months of 2014, Thailand rice exports increased about 15% from last year in terms of tonnage, but declined in value.  During January-September, Thailand exported about 7.6 million tons of rice.
The President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) noted that paddy prices for 2014-15 crop are almost 50% lower than the prices offered by the previous government under the controversial rice pledging scheme. He urged the government to intervene and push up paddy prices. He noted that the government could encourage top rice exporters to buy at least 100,000 tons of rice from the current crop and expand their stocks.  Meanwhile, The Thai government has decided to increase lending budget of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to about 34.8 billion baht (about $1.06 billion) from the earlier 17.3 billion baht (about $527 million) as part of measures to control price falls in the current harvest season, according to Bloomberg.
Thailand's Rice Department has been awarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for developing two rice varieties - Gor Kor 6 and Gor Kor 15 - using nuclear energy, according to local sources.
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts Thailand’s 2014 rice exports will reach about 9.6 million tons, up about 45% from last year’s levels.
Meanwhile, the Thai Finance Ministry plans to issue long-term bonds with three to ten years term to maturity in efforts to cover losses of about 682 billion baht (about $21 billion) from the rice pledging programs. Separately, the Thai government has issued bonds worth 50 billion baht (about $1.5 billion) to financial institutions to help it pay back debts associated with the rice pledging schemes introduced by various governments, according to local sources.
India
India 5% broken rice ended the month of November at about $395 per ton, down about 5% from a month and a year ago.
India has exported about 3.16 million tons rice in the first four months of FY 2014-15 (April - March), down about 10% from about 3.53 million tons exported during same time last year.
Meanwhile, the Food Corporation of India has procured about 9.2 million tons of rice as of November 10 in KMS 2014-15 (Oct -Sep). Meanwhile, the Indian government is targeting to procure about 30.05 million tons of rice during KMS 2014-15. Last year, the India government procured about 31.86 million tons of rice against the targeted 34.29 million tons due to sluggish arrivals from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, where paddy production was badly affected by cyclones and excess rainfall.
Separately, the U.S. and India have reached an agreement on India's rising food subsidies and this development would allow India to support an important World Trade Organization agreement aimed at trade facilitation, according to some sources.
Change in climatic conditions associated with uncertain and erratic rainfall, delayed monsoons, agricultural droughts, excess rainfall and other extreme weather events such as floods in crop growing seasons are likely to lower India’s rice production by about 6% over the next six years, or by 2020, according to local sources.
India’s rice stocks in the central pool as of November 1, 2014 stood at about 18.24 million tons (including a milled equivalent of about 6.65 million tons of paddy), down about 21% from last year. 
Vietnam
Vietnam 5% broken rice ended the month of November at about $390 per ton down about 10% from a month ago and down about 8% from a year ago.
The Vietnam Food Association has lowered the minimum export price (MEP) of 25% broken rice to about $380 per ton, down about 7% from about $410 per ton due to declining demand, according to Reuters. The new floor rate is applicable from November 25, 2014. The VFA officials told local sources that the exporters are free to fix export prices for other grades of rice.
Vietnam exported about 5.549 million tons of rice in January 1 - November 20, 2014, down about 10% from about 6.17 million tons of rice exported during January - November, 2013, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association. Average rice export price so far in this year stands at about $436 per ton (FOB), up about $5 per ton from same time last year.
The USDA has estimated Vietnam's MY 2013-14 (January 2014 - December 2014) rice exports at about 6.5 million tons, down about 3% from about 6.7 million tons exported in MY 2012-13 due to expected strong competition from Thailand, India, Pakistan and emerging exporters such as Cambodia and Myanmar. It estimates Vietnam's MY 2014-15 rice exports to increase to 6.7 million tons and Vietnam MY 2013-14 paddy rice production at about 45.058 million tons (about 28.16 million tons, basis milled), up about 2% from about 44.059 million tons (about 27.537 million tons, basis milled) produced in MY 2012-13. USDA estimates Vietnam MY 2014-15 paddy rice production to increase to about 45.19 million tons (about 28.24 million tons, basis milled) due to expected higher yields from spring and autumn crops.
Meanwhile, some experts said Vietnam rice sector lacks enough infrastructural support for research and development in post-harvest technologies and more investment in such research areas can increase the value of Vietnamese rice in the international arena.
Separately, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will sign a new contract with the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to work towards redefining and reforming the existing rice strategy for the country, according to a news release on the IRRI website.
Pakistan
Pakistan 5% broken rice ended the month of November at about $385 per ton, down about 4% from a month ago and up about 1% from a year ago.
Pakistan exported about 289,884 tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in October 2014, up about 31% from about 221,715 tons exported in September 2014, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).  In terms of value, Pakistan's rice export earnings increased to about $154.7 million in October 2014, up about 16% from about $132.9 million earned in September 2014. The National Space Agency of Pakistan has estimated Pakistan’s milled rice production to decline about 19% to about 5.65 million tons (about 8.437 million tons, basis paddy) in FY 2014-15 (July - June) from about 6.98 million tons produced last year as the floods in the month of August has damaged about 116,700 hectares of paddy fields and over 217,000 tons of paddy rice.
Separately, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan's Cabinet approved a subsidy package of about Rs.10 billion (about $98.3 million) to small scale rice farmers with about 10 hectares of rice land, according to local sources. The ECC decided that basmati rice farmers will be given a subsidy of about Rs.5, 000 per acre (about $123 per hectare). The Committee also approved to extend power subsidy to rice farmers, under which they can avail electricity at a special rate of Rs.10.35 (about $0.1) per unit until June 30, 2015.
Pakistan rice exporters are also seeking to increase rice export quota to China to about 750,000 tons annually from the current 500,000 tons, according to local sources.
Cambodia
Cambodia 5% broken rice ended the month of November at about $470 per ton, down about 2% from a month ago and unchanged from a year ago.
Cambodia exported about 304,788 tons of rice in the first ten months of 2014, up about 3% from about 295,154 tons exported during the same period in 2013, according to data from the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice export Formality (SOWS-REF). Cambodia exported 379,856 tons of rice in 2013. Separately fragrant rice from Cambodia and Thailand has received the 'Best Rice' award for 2014 at the 6th World Rice Conference, according to local sources. Cambodia’s fragrant rice has received the award for the third consecutive year.
The Cambodian government has recognized the need to explore new export markets for its rice in order to achieve its export target of one million tons by next year, according to local sources.
Brazil
Brazil 5% broken rice ended the month of November at about $550 per ton, unchanged from a month ago and down about 20% from a year ago.
Brazil’s National Grains Supply Company (Conab) has forecasted the country's 2014-15 paddy rice production at about 12.51 million tons, up about 3% from about 12.162 million tons in 2013-14. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates Brazil MY 2014-15 (April – March) paddy rice production at about 12.28 million tons (about 8.35 million tons, basis milled), slightly up from about 12.2 million tons (about 8.3 million tons, basis milled) in MY 2013-14. Separately, Brazil has exported about 985,907 tons of rice in January - October 2014 according to data released by the Rice Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IRGA).
The FAO has estimated Brazil's 2014 paddy rice production at about 12.16 million tons (about 8.3 million tons, basis milled), up about 3% from about 11.82 million tons (about 8 million tons, basis milled) produced in 2013 despite unfavorable weather conditions (during cropping season) negatively impacting yields in some rice-growing parts of the country.
Argentina
Five percent broken rice from Uruguay and Argentina ended the month of November at about $600 per ton, unchanged from a month ago and down about 5% from a year ago.
The USDA estimates Argentina to export about 600,000 tons of milled rice in 2014, up about 12.5% from about 533,000 tons exported in 2013 and on par with official USDA estimates. It forecasts Argentine exports to decline to about 580,000 tons in 2015 due to slight decline in production in 2014. Meanwhile, the USDA has forecasted Argentina's MY 2013-14 (April 2014 - March 2015) paddy rice production at about 1.462 million tons (about 950,000 tons, basis milled), down about 6% from about 1.56 million tons (about 1.014 million tons, basis milled) in MY 2012-13 due to a slight decline in planting area. It further estimates Argentine paddy production to increase to about 1.5 million tons (about 975,000 tons, basis milled) in MY 2014-15.
Separately, Argentina has exported about 431,897 tons of rice in the first eight months of (January – August) 2014, up about 16% from about 370,831 tons exported during the same period in 2013, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina.  
U.S.
U.S.4% broken rice ended the month of November at about $545 per ton, unchanged from a month ago, down about 8% from a year ago. CBOT rough rice future ended the month of November at about $12.415 per cwt (about $274 per ton), up about 3% from a month ago and down about 22% from a year ago.
The USDA has forecasted the 2014-15 U.S. all rice production at about 10.03 million tons, up about 16.5% from an estimated 8.61 million tons in 2013-14, and slightly up from its last month's forecasts of about 10.01 million tons due to an expected increase in the average all rice yield in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas. According to the agency the U.S. all rice supply in 2014-15 is forecast to increase about 10% y/y to about 12.42 million tons, while U.S. all rice total use (including exports and domestic & residual use) is forecast to increase about 8% y/y to 10.57 million tons. The USDA estimates U.S. all rice exports to increase about 9% to about 4.63 million tons in 2014-15. U.S. all rice ending stocks during the year are estimated to increase 25% y/y to about 1.86 million tons.
The USDA estimates the 2014-15 all rice average farm price to decline to about $313.05-$335.10 per ton due to decline in the average farm prices of long grain rice to about $268.96-$291.00 per ton. Average farm prices of combined medium- and short- grain rice at about $418.87-$440.92 per ton.
Africa
The FAO has forecasted Madagascar's MY 2014-15 (April - March) at about 250,000 tons, down about 55% from an estimated 540,000 tons in MY 2013-14. The government imported substantially high amount of rice in 2013-14 due to significant fall in production in 2013.It forecasts Madagascar 2014 rice production at about 4 million tons, up about 10% from about 3.6 million tons produced last year due to well distributed rains in the 2013-14 cropping season.
The FAO has forecasted Mali 2014 paddy rice production at about 2.3 million tons (about 1.55 million tons, basis milled), up about 4% from about 2.2 million tons in 2013 due to adequate rains and favorable weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the FAO has forecasted Zambia 2014 paddy rice production at about 49,000 tons (about 32,830 tons, basis milled), up about 9% from about 45,000 tons (about 30,150 tons, basis milled) in 2013 due to adequate rains and government support through the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP).
The FAO has estimated Mozambique's 2014 paddy rice production at about 343,000 tons (about 223,000 tons, basis milled), down about 2% from about 351,000 tons (about 228,000 tons, basis milled) produced in 2013 due to rainfall deficits in some rice-growing parts of the country. Mozambique is a net importer of rice and imports about 70% of its annual consumption needs.
Separately, rice traders in Gambia are opposing the President's decision to end rice imports from January 2016 and are urging the government to review the decision, according to local sources. Though most of them agreed that importing huge quantities of rice was not in the interest of the economy, they said banning imports without ensuring self-sufficiency rice would also be counterproductive for the country. However, the President has been reiterating that the government would end rice imports from the stipulated date. Earlier this month, he told local sources that the government is hopeful of achieving the task under the "Vision 2016 Rice Self-Sufficiency" agenda. However, critics say the deadline is unrealistic as the country needs to increase its rice production by fivefold or more to reach the self-sufficiency target.
China
China and Myanmar are on the verge of striking a new agreement under which China will primarily import about 1 million tons of rice from Myanmar next year at about $400 per ton as well as legalize rice imports through northern borders of Myanmar, which are currently considered illegal, according to local sources. Meanwhile, the Chinese customs authority has threatened to seize rice imports through Myanmar's Muse border, according to the local sources. They are going to seize any import that does not have proofs of rice being imported under official quota or that doesn't have an import permit, said the General Secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF). In August this year, China had officially banned rice imports through Myanmar's northern borders as the Chinese authorities have been treating these cross border imports as illegal as there is no formal rice export agreement between China and Myanmar.
Leaders of South Korea and China concluded the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after nearly two-and- half years at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Beijing in November, according to local sources. However, both the sides have excluded rice from the FTA citing it as an important agricultural product, which needs protection. Separately, China also signed a FTA with Australia, which also excludes agricultural products such as rice, sugar, wheat and cotton. They are likely to be considered during a review in three years, said local source.
Myanmar
Myanmar government is planning to buy surplus rice stocks of about 3 million bushels (about 61,200 tons) through the Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation (Mapco) from farmers (of particularly Ayeyarwady region) to prevent price falls, according to local sources. Meanwhile, rice prices in Myanmar have increased by about 40% between 2009-2013 leading to food insecurity in the country as well as export un-competitiveness, according to the recent World Bank report titled "Rice Price Volatility and Poverty Reduction.” This enormous increase in rice prices has impacted rice farmers' incomes and most of them are close to poverty income levels. Separately, the Myanmar government has decided to provide $500 loan to each rice farmer for helping them sustain crops in 2015, according to local sources.
Myanmar is planning to set up National Standardization Council to comply with the Standardization Law passed this summer with a goal to standardize several products, including rice, production technologies and services. A draft framework of the council is waiting for approval at the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Philippines
The Philippines is expected to continue to import huge quantities of rice in 2015 also as paddy rice output in the first quarter of the year is estimated to decline due to a possible contraction in acreage, according to Reuters. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), paddy rice output in the first quarter of 2105 is forecasted at about 4.28 million tons, down about 0.6% from about 4.31 million tons recorded last year. Meanwhile, total paddy rice production in 2014 is expected at about 18.88 million tons, up about 2.4% from about last year's 18.44 million tons, but is lower by about 1% from the government's target of about 19.07 million tons.
The annual per capita consumption of rice in the Philippines has declined to about 116.5 kilograms in 2013, down about 3% from about 120 kilograms in 2006, according to the Food Consumption and Nutrition report released by the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA). Meanwhile, rice production index, which measures the capacity of the Philippine agriculture sector to produce food in proportion with the population growth, recorded an increase of about 7.5 percentage points in 2013 compared to that in 2006, according to the report.
The USDA estimates Philippines MY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production at about 19.365 million tons (about 12.2 million tons, basis milled), up about 3% from an estimated 18.822 million tons (about 11.8 million tons, basis milled) in the previous year. It estimates Philippines 2014-15 milled rice imports at about 1.6 million tons, up about 10% from last year.
Total rice stocks in the Philippines as of October 1, 2014 reached about 1.81 million tons, up about 21% from about 1.49 million tons recorded in September 2014, and up about 2% from about 1.77 million tons recorded during the same period last year, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS)
The Philippines is likely to import rice from Bangladesh, which has just begun exporting rice after ensuring that the country has reached self-sufficiency in rice production, according to local sources. The Philippines is also planning to initially import about 600,000 tons of rice to replenish stocks and ensure adequate supply during the lean months (June - August) of 2015, according to local sources.
Europe
The European Union (EU) has imported about 45,438 tons of rice, including milled and semi-milled, from the Asian Everything But Arms (EBA) countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar, up about 7% from about 42,465 tons imported during the same period last year, according to data from the Ente Nazionale Risi, the National Agency for Rice. Separately, the newly elected Chairman of Copa-Cogeca (The united voice of farmers and their co-operatives in the European Union Rice Working Party) has stressed that the European Union (EU) rice sector is facing threats from increasing rice imports from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) such as Cambodia and Myanmar under the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement, according to a press release posted on its website.
Other Markets
Taiwan has removed the longstanding eight-year ban on U.S. long grain rice imports and has scheduled tender for importing about 3,000 tons of U.S. long grain brown rice for December 10, 2014, according to the USDA. Taiwan imposed ban on U.S. long grain rice imports in summer 2006 and has not heeded to requests by the U.S. several times. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) scheduled two tenders of 1,500 tons each on December 10. According to the USDA, this is the first time Taiwan has issued tender for U.S. long grain after it opened its rice market in January 2002.
The FAO has forecasted Sri Lanka's 2014 rice imports to increase about nine-fold to about 200,000 tons from about 22,900 tons in 2013 as the country's paddy rice production is expected to be much lower than expected due to prolonged dry weather conditions. Meanwhile, The FAO has forecasted Sri Lanka's total paddy production to decline to about 3.6 million tons in 2014 (about 2.4 million tons, basis milled), down about 22% from about 4.6 million tons (about 3.1 million tons, basis milled) produced in 2013.
Indonesia is targeting self-sufficiency in rice production and end rice imports within the next two years, according to local sources. Meanwhile, Indonesian government is planning to introduce an agricultural stimulus package to boost rice production in the country, according to local sources. The government is targeting an increase of about 4% in the paddy rice production in 2015 to about 73.4 million tons (about 48.44 million tons, basis milled) from an estimated 70.61 million tons (about 46.65 million tons, basis milled) in 2014, according to local sources. Separately, the country's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) estimates 2014 paddy rice production at about 70.61 million tons, down about 0.94% from an estimated 71.28 million tons in the previous year. Indonesia's state-owned logistics agency Bulog is targeting to procure about 3.2 million tons of rice from local farmers in 2015, similar to this year's target, to maintain its stockpiles, according to local sources. Rice procurement has been slow this year, according to the Bulog President. Bulog procured about 2.4 million tons of rice from local farmers so far this year against the targeted 3.2 million tons due to an expected decline in production.
The FAO has estimated 2014 Egypt paddy rice production at about 6 million tons (about 4.14 million tons, basis milled), down about 1.6% from about 6.1 million tons (about 4.2 million tons, basis milled) last year. It estimates the total cereal harvest, including rice, to slightly increase to about 21.62 million tons from about 21.42 million tons last year. Last month, the government had approved plans to allow rice exports in MY 2014-15 with certain conditions.
Australia's paddy rice production in MY 2014-15 (April 2014 - March 2015) is estimated to increase to about 894,000 tons, up about 7% from an estimated 833,000 tons in MY 2013-14, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). The USDA estimates Australian paddy rice production to decline to about 700,000 tons (about 504,000 tons of rice, basis milled) in MY 2014-15 (April - March), down about 15% from an estimated 833,000 tons of paddy rice (about 600,000 tons of rice, basis milled) produced last year.
The Iraq government has decided to buy rice from local farmers at above-market prices during the 2014-15 seasons to encourage farmers, according to Bloomberg. An email statement from the Cabinet has been quoted as saying that the government will procure Jasmine rice at about 700,000 dinars (about $601.89) per ton and Anber variety at about 900,000 dinars about $773.87) per ton.
The Bangladesh government is targeting to produce about 18.9 million tons of milled rice from 2014-15 Boro crop (January - May), under the fixed Boro Cultivation program, according to official sources. Separately, Bangladesh produced about 34.449 million tons of rice, basis milled, in FY 2013-14 (July - June), up about 2.7% from about 33.833 million tons produced in FY 2012-13, according to DAE data.
Bangladesh rice farmers are abandoning high-yielding hybrid rice varieties and are adopting old traditional rice varieties, which are more resilient to climate changes such as floods and drought, according to Reuters. According to the Director General of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), nearly 20% of rice fields in the southern part of the country are replaced with indigenous rice varieties that can withstand drought, flooding and other stresses. Bangladesh has signed a government-to-government (G2G) deal with Sri Lanka to export 50,000 tons of rice at $450 per ton (CIF basis) for delivery by January 31, 2015, according to some sources.
South Korea's 2014 rice production reached about 4.24 million tons, slightly up from about 4.23 million tons in 2013 despite reduced rice acreage according to the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Recently, the South Korean government announced its decision to open its rice import market from January 1, 2015. It has also indicated that it would impose tariffs of about 513% on rice imports once liberalized.
Research and Scientific Development:
The Philippine Rice Research Institute is promoting an internet-based new software called 'Rice Crop Manager (RCM)' to aid rice farmers in rain fed and lowland rice areas.
Dr EA Siddiq, Senior Scientist, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, talks about what Andhra Pradesh and its twin state Telangana in south India are doing to retain their titles – of being the rice bowls of India.
Ranjitha Gurram, Research Associate (Plant Protection) at Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, India, lists out the most notorious rice pests and solutions to tackle them effectively.
Mr.Daniel Ocampo, Ecological Agriculture Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia says his organization supports varied food items that can be sourced from ecological nature to address the problem of Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD).
India has developed three new rice varieties - CR -204, CR -205 and CR -306 - which can withstand extreme weather conditions of Odisha and yet provide higher yields.
November Tenders:
The State Trading Corporation of India issued a tender to buy about 20,000 tons of rice.
Iraq issued two different tenders to buy about minimum 30,000 tons of rice.
Iraq bought about 15,000 tons rice in a tender.



Global Rice Quotes
December 8th, 2014
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade          415-425           ↓
Vietnam 5% broken    385-395           ↔
India 5% broken         395-405           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken    380-390           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken             460-470           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           540-550           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    595-605           ↔
Argentina 5% broken 595-605           ↔

Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken NQ      ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 355-365           ↑
Pakistan 25% broken 340-350           ↑
Cambodia 25% broken           NQ      ↔
India 25% broken       355-365           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         515-525           ↔

Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            400-410           ↓
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    420-430           ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd         380-390           ↔
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%          915-925           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         525-535           ↔
India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔
Cambodia Phka Malis             825-835           ↔

Brokens
Thailand A1 Super      330-340           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken            325-335           ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd    300-310           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super   NQ      ↔
India 100% Broken stxd         300-310           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔
U.S. pet food 445-455           ↔
Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔










All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com




Vietnam Exports 599,948 Tons of Rice in October 2014; Slightly Down m/m and Up 16% y/y

Dec 08, 2014
Vietnam has exported around 599,948 tons of rice in October 2014, slightly down from around 604,583 tons exported in September 2014, and up about 15% from around 517,263 tons exported in October 2013, according to USDA. While share of Vietnam's rice exports to Asia increased during the month, its share of exports to Africa, Europe, Americas and Australia declined.Asia accounted for around 497,721 tons (about 83% of total rice exports by Vietnam in October 2014), up about 27% from around 391,077 tons exported in September 2014, and up about 56% from around 319,910 tons exported in October 2013.
Vietnam exported around 54,985 tons of rice to Africa (about 9% of total rice exports by Vietnam in October 2014), down about 38% from around 88,987 tons exported in September 2014, and down about 66% from around 159,823 tons exported in October 2013.Vietnam exported around 31,669 tons of rice to American destinations (about 5% of total rice exports by Vietnam in October 2014), down about 60% from around 79,075 tons exported in September 2014, and nearly three times higher than 10,955 tons exported in October 2013.
Vietnam's exports to Australia (about 1% of total rice exports by Vietnam in October 2014) declined about 64% to around 8,688 tons from around 24,230 tons exported in September 2014 and increased about 22 times from around 403 tons exported in October 2013.Vietnam's exports to Europe and CIS countries (about 1% of total rice exports by Vietnam in October 2014) accounted for around 6,885 tons, down about 68% from around 21,214 tons exported in September 2014 and down about 74% from around 26,172 tons exported in October 2013.
In terms of grade, 25% broken rice exports accounted for around 131,902 tons (or, about 22% of total exports in October 2014); 15% broken rice exports accounted for around 116,066 tons (or, about 19% of total exports in October 2014); 5% broken rice exports accounted for around 112,180 tons (or, about 19% of total October exports); glutinous rice exports accounted for around 114,557 tons (or, about 19% of total October exports); Jasmine rice exports accounted for around 74,471 tons (or, about 12% of total October exports); and 10%, 100% and other varieties accounted for around 50,772 tons (or, about 8% of total exports in October 2014).

Thailand NACC Plans to Conclude Probe into Alleged G2G Rice Deal This Month

Dec 08, 2014

Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is planning present the results of its investigation into the alleged government-to-government (G2G) deal between the previous government and the Chinese government in the NACC general meeting scheduled this month, and conclude the case, according to local sources. The NACC Chairman told local sources that the investigation committee has completed all the formalities relating to gathering adequate evidences and questioning of witnesses, including the former Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and his then-deputy Phum Sarapol. He noted that the agency hopes to conclude the probe this month and decide whether the accused Ministers are to be convicted or not.
The NACC accused that the former Ministers allegedly struck a G2G deal with the Chinese government to sell rice pledged under the rice pledging scheme.The former Prime Minister (PM) is also facing charges of ignoring warnings against misdealing in the controversial rice pledging scheme, which brought losses of over 500 billion baht (around $15.6 billion) to the exchequer.

Philippines Plans to Import 600,000 Tons of Rice to Cover Damages from Typhoon Hagupit

Dec 07, 2014

The National Food Authority (NFA) of the Philippines is planning to import another 600,000 tons of rice this year, to cover damages caused by Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby), according to Reuters.Initial rice crop losses from the Typhoon are estimated at around 20,000 tons, worth around P312.87 million (around $7 milion). The imports are to maintain buffer stocks after the NFA was forced to release stocks on an emergency basis to boost stocks in areas expected to be hit by the Typhoon. The agency is likely to release more stocks in the coming week, according to local sources.
With this, the Philippines 2014 rice imports will be at around 2.4 million tons. The NFA imported around 1.8 million tons of rice (including 1.5 million tons of this year's imports and 300,000 tons of last year's residual imports) so far this year to replenish rice stocks and control price hikes. The NFA is still authorized to import another 500,000 tons of rice this year, if need arises.
The NFA Administrator was quoted as saying that the NFA is seeking to increase volume of imports under the standing order by another 100,000 tons and the recommendation will be discussed at the NFA Council shortly.However, he noted that it was too early to release a timetable for the new imports. He also denied to confirm whether the imports would be through government-to-government contracts or through open tenders.
Last week, the NFA Council and the Agriculture Secretary were reportedly planning to recommend to the President the need to import around 600,000 tons of rice to replenish stocks and ensure adequate supply during the lean months (June - August) of 2015 after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) lowered forecasts for paddy rice in the first quarter of 2105 by about 0.6% q/q to around 4.28 million tons. According to local sources, NFA was planning to issue tenders for the 2015 rice imports in December 2014 or January 2015.Analysts are expecting that impending huge demand from the Philippines may exert downward pressure on global rice prices. Rice export prices in Asia have already gone down significantly in the past two months due to increasing supplies from harvest season.
USDA estimates Philippines MY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production at around 19.365 million tons (around 12.2 million tons, basis milled), up about 3% from an estimated 18.822 million tons (around 11.8 million tons, basis milled) in the previous year. It estimates Philippines 2014-15 milled rice imports at around 1.6 million tons, up about 10% from last year's 1.45 million tons.

Vietnam Exports 5.84 Million Tons Rice in First Eleven Months of 2014

Dec 08, 2014
Vietnam exported around 5.843 million tons of rice in first eleven months (January -  November) of 2014, down about 5% from around 6.17 million tons of rice exported during the same time last year, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). Average rice export price so far in this year stands at about $439 per ton (FOB), up about 2% per ton from same time last year.
In November 2014, Vietnam exported around 484,513 tons of rice, up about 18% from around 410,423 tons rice exported in November 2013, and down about 15% from around 570,769 tons rice exported in October 2014. Average export price in November stands at around $465 per ton, up about 5% from a year ago, and down about 1% per ton from a month ago.

Thailand Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes Today; Pakistan, Vietnam Rice Sellers Increase Some of Their Quotes

Dec 08, 2014
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for 5% broken rice and parboiled rice by about $5 per ton each to around $400 - $410 per ton each today. Vietnam rice sellers increased their quotes for 25% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $355 - $365 per ton. Pakistan rice sellers increased their quotes for 25% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $340 - $350 per ton. India rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is quoted at around $400 - $410 per ton, down about $5 per ton from Thursday and about $15 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $385 - $395 per ton. India 5% rice is quoted at around $395 - $405 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice quoted at around $380 - $390 per ton.
25% Broken Rice  
Thailand 25% rice was last quoted at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $5 per ton discount to Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $355 - $365 per ton, up about $5 per ton from Friday. India 25% rice is quoted at around $355 - $365, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice quoted at around $340 - $350 per ton, up about $5 per ton from Friday.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is quoted at around $400 - $410 per ton, down about $5 per ton from Thursday. India parboiled rice is quoted at around $380 - $390 per ton, about $40 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice quoted at around $420 - $430 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is quoted at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $5 per ton premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $325 - $335 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.

Thailand Devises Strategy to Accelerate Stockpiled Rice Sales; Plans to Auction 400,000 Tons of Rice This Month

Dec 08, 2014

The Thailand government is planning to speed up the stockpiled rice sales process, according to local sources. The Commerce Ministry has reportedly submitted a rice sales framework for 2015 to the National Rice Policy and Management Committee (NRPMC). It is keen on selling the entire stock of rice as early as possible as well as increasing the efficiency of rice management. Under the proposed framework, the Ministry is planning to set up a pricing system based on the quality of the rice in warehouses. Currently, there are 17 million tons of rice government warehouses and of them around 14 million are sub-standard, around 700,000 tons are rotten,  and around 200,000 tons are missing, according to the Ministry sources. Around 2 million tons, or 10% of rice stocks is of standard quality, according to the latest audit carried out by the military government. 
The Ministry is planning to work with rice mill operators, exporters and farmers to discuss suitable rice prices. Ministry sources told local media that it would on a priority basis classify the rice in warehouses based on the type and quality. They noted that rice in various warehouses is mixed up without proper classification. Proper classification would simply the sales process, said the Deputy Commerce Minister.
The government is keen on selling as much rice as possible through the government-to-government (G2G) deals, she added. The government already has received buying interests from Hong Kong and Iraq, and negotiations are underway to increase sales to African and Middle East nations.The Commerce Ministry is planning to sell around 400,000 tons of rice through auctions before the end of this month, according to the Commerce Minister. Date of auction will be decided on December 11, according to Reuters. The Minsitry also seeks to deliver around 900,000 to 1 million tons of rice by year-end under already signed G2G contracts.
The Ministry sold around  350,000 tons of rice in the first three auctions (after resuming sales in August this year) raising around 3.48 billion baht ($105.2 million).  The military government halted sales of rice stocks to carry out an nationwide inspection of rice stocks in July this year.Thailand exported around 8.77 million tons of rice in January - October 2014, up about 62% from around 5.41 million tons exported during the same period last year. The government hopes to export over 11 million tons of rice in 2014.

News are shared with due permission of ORYZA News


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