11thMarch (Wednesday),2015 Daily Global Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

World Rice Production 2014/2015

March 2015

This month the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that the World Rice Production 2014/2015 will be 474.86 million metric tons, around 0.3 million tons more than the previous month's projection.

Rice Production last year (*) was 477.08 million tons. This year's 474.86 estimated million tons could represent a decrease of 2.22 million tons or a 0.47% in rice production around the globe.

Rice Production by Country

(Values in Metric Tons)

China: 144,500,000

India: 102,500,000

Others: 38,918,000

Indonesia: 36,500,000

Bangladesh: 34,600,000

Vietnam: 28,250,000

Thailand: 19,150,000

Philippines: 12,200,000

Burma: 12,150,000

Brazil: 8,300,000

Japan: 7,679,000

United States: 7,068,000

Pakistan: 6,500,000

Cambodia: 4,700,000

Egypt: 4,500,000

Korea, South: 4,241,000

Nepal: 3,100,000

Next Update will be April 09, 2015

https://www.worldriceproduction.com/?Referer=Newsletter

Rice farmers hurt by high imports, unrest

Submitted by jakir1912 on Wed, 11/03/2015 - 1:14pm

Soaring rice imports and ongoing political unrest have dampened paddy market sentiments, with many farmers having to sell off their stock at lower prices.Prices of paddy -- mainly medium and coarse grains -- have fallen by Tk 70-Tk 80 a maund (40kg) in more than two months, since the harvest of aman paddy in December, farmers and millers said.Traders are unenthusiastic about buying paddy due to shutdowns and slow demand at mills.Paddy of the coarse quality sold at Tk 700 a maund at the same time last year and they made some profit,one farmer said. However, he was unable to make a profit this year as he had to pay more for pesticides and labour wages.

Farmers grew aman paddy on 54 lakh hectares last season and harvested a good crop, according to agricultural extension workers, growers and millers.A rice miller said prices of medium and coarse grains were higher during the aman harvest. But prices fell gradually since the end of December, by up to Tk 100 a maund."The main reason behind the fall is a rise in imports, particularly from India. The ongoing blockade has also affected the market."Rice imports hit a four-year high as traders find foreign produce, mainly from India, cheaper.Private traders imported 8.75 lakh tonnes of rice between July 1 last year and March 4 this year, the highest since fiscal 2010-11.

The government did not import any rice during the period, according to food ministry data. Majumder said prices of coarse paddy, such as guti swarna, have now dropped to Tk 600-Tk 650 a maund from more than Tk 700 after the aman harvest in December.Rice millers are already stuck with unsold stocks of locally grown coarse and medium rice because of higher demand for imported rice.Farmers said to have big stock of medium and coarse paddy this year. But they are unable to sell as prices do not support. Only price of scented rice has seen upward slope.Nirod Boron Saha, president of an association of rice and paddy wholesalers at Naogaon, said paddy prices fell by Tk 70-Tk 80 a maund since the end of aman harvest.

Bangladesh produced 3.44 crore tonnes of rice in fiscal 2013-14, up from 3.38 crore tonnes a year ago, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.Production was higher than the domestic food grain requirement of nearly three crore tonnes, according to an estimate by Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies. The government also claims that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in rice production.

Source: Daily Star/http://news.priyo.com/2015/03/11/rice-farmers-hurt-high-imports-unrest-128015.html

Familiar brands at work in Ukraine

Ukrainian farmers are increasingly choosing Western and even Canadian-built machinery

Not many people would expect it, but rice is grown in Ukraine. And to harvest it, many farmers are buying combines built by Western equipment brands. Photo: Igor Pavlyuk

Ukraine is potentially one of the largest markets for high-quality agricultural machinery. It’s a huge country, at least by European standards, with varied soil and climatic conditions. And the equipment Ukrainian farmers often opt for includes brands familiar to Canadians, such as Versatile, Bourgault, Kello-Bilt, Schulte and Massey Ferguson.

Two months ago I was on a business trip in the southern part of Ukraine — very close to occupied Crimea — and took these photos. Ukraine is one of the few countries in the region where it is possible to grow an exotic crop such as rice. To grow it, this field is a depression in the ground of three hectares (about 7.4 acres). In the spring water is poured in from an irrigation canal, and in the fall it’s drained.

Canadian-built equipment brands are also becoming increasingly common in Ukraine.
photo: Igor Pavlyuk

It is very difficult to find a combine able harvest rice in wet soil. After testing a few models, these Ukrainian rice farmers chose a Massey Ferguson 7347 S on tracks. Interestingly, rice can be harvested even in cold weather, so the 7347 S has to work in conditions ranging from high humidity and heat to freezing temperatures.Along with combines, Massey Ferguson tractors are also becoming more popular in Ukraine. Equally popular are Kello-Bilt disc harrows, which are used by farmers who often have to develop soil that has sat idle for several years

http://www.grainews.ca/2015/03/10/familiar-brands-at-work-in-ukraine/

 

Women's unheralded role in rice farming

 

A WOMAN farmer harvests the native rice variety “kintoman” in the rice terraces of Maligcong in Bontoc town, Mountain Province. EV ESPIRITU

As a babysitter in Hong Kong, Margarita Allado was earning P9,000 monthly for two years. In 1992, she decided to come home in Ilocos Norte province to help her husband tend their 1.5-hectare rice farm in the village of Pias Norte in Currimao town.She did not regret her decision. The success of the farming venture gave her time to raise their children well and provide for their education.“There’s personal gratification, such as providing food for your family and selling the harvest, in helping your husband tend the farm. You feed your family and you earn by helping others put something in their stomach,” Allado said in a Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) documentation of women involved in farming.Allado, who is chair of the barangay council of Pias Norte, is among the many women involved in rice farming in the country. Others tend their own farms or support their husbands in farm work.

Male domain

Women’s roles in rice farming have not been talked about since the work has always been considered a male domain.PhilRice, through its Rice Science  Museum in the  Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija province, has given women the recognition they  deserve by featuring them in a section of an exhibit, called “Bountiful Harvest,” which opened recently.The exhibit is mounted with assistance from the PhilRice Foundation Inc.Diadem Gonzales-Esmero, the museum curator, said women’s roles in agriculture had not often been recognized based on findings of several surveys.

“Through this exhibit, we hope the public will appreciate more this unheralded women’s role [in rice farming],” she said.Ten panels, quoting statistics based on a survey conducted by the Philippine Center for Rural Development Studies (Centro Saka Inc.), showcased in pictures the participation of women in different aspects of rice production.“In planting, women outnumber the men, and months after, they lend helping hands in harvesting and drying the produce, logging 2.33 more days in harvesting and 2.75 more days in drying rice than the period men spend for them,” one panel caption read.

On top of keeping the home and ensuring that family members are nourished and children properly reared, women spend as long as 11 hours a day during planting and harvesting seasons, another panel said.“The woman … does not count the hours or the wages of her work on the farm. But on top of them, whether life’s a breeze or a storm, the apt rearing of her children and keeping the home are her top priorities. Off farm, she prepares the tools for farm labor, does gardening, food foraging, wood gathering and raises poultry or livestock and even endures ‘paglalabada’ (laundry work) for additional income,” it said.The wife leads in securing capital for farm operation, but the husband has the bigger decision in spending it.

“The husband depends on the wife on her sound decision on household matters, medication in times of illness, what food to prepare, appliances to buy, where to get money in times of emergencies and even on whom to vote during elections,”another panel said.Other sections in the museum display tools and other implements used in rice farming, which were lent by the agricultural museum of Central Luzon State University, and the technology used in achieving bountiful harvests.“Our exhibit is meant to spread the history, culture, arts and sciences behind the Filipino staple,” Esmero said.

Ifugao rice culture

The Rice Science Museum first showcased rice science with the Ifugao rice culture as centerpiece when it opened in September.Baguio City-based artist Roger Vibal, who was assisted by PhilRice in-house artist Carlito Vibal, helped Esmero in planning and setting up the exhibits.Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano, who was guest during the inauguration, said the project had put in right perspective the important roles of the rice sector in the economy and society.“[We hope] that this museum can address the concerns in rice production and the industry without much of the sentimentality. Instead, [we focus on] realities and challenges faced by the sector, rice farmers and consumers and their place in society, culture and our common future,” Serrano said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/678070/womens-unheralded-role-in-rice-farming#ixzz3U7hcxuAy 

Half rice law crafted

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

RICE is a primary food source and the rice-based systems are essential for food security, poverty alleviation, and improved livelihoods.The theme for the International Year of Rice says, "Rice is life".These are among the reasons why the city of Baguio, specifically Vice Mayor Edison Bilog, crafted an ordinance that seeks to support such campaign.An ordinance called "Half Rice Ordinance of the City of Baguio" has been crafted in conformity to Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2015-06, which mandates the documentation of ordinances of local government units in support of the National Year of Rice and the "Be Riceponsible" Campaign.

Presidential Proclamation No. 494, declares National Year of Rice in 2013 and onwards.In the explanatory note of the proposed ordinance, it says "[t]here is a need to [support] this campaign because the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI – DOST) data shows that each Filipino wastes an average of 3.29 kilograms of rice annually."The ordinance states it is a declared policy of the City Government of Baguio's to support the "Be Riceponsible" campaign of the Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Department of Agriculture in order to achieve rice sufficiency.

Further, all establishments in the city offering food to the public, including food chains, are required to include brown rice or one-half cup serving of rice in their menu with its corresponding one-half price as an option for the public customers.Those who violate the ordinance shall face fines from P1,000 to up to P5,000 and possible cancellation of their business permit.The ordinance is at its first reading at the Baguio City Council and will undergo a series of public consultations. (Pryce Quintos)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2015/03/10/half-rice-law-crafted-396786

Favourite dishes of celebrated Pakistani and foreign leaders

 Sabir Shah
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 
From Print Edition

LAHORE: Pakistan’s incumbent Premier Nawaz Sharif and country’s former president Asif Ali Zardari have not only displayed a great appetite for delicious cuisines, but the duo has also earned a well-deserved reputation for throwing sumptuous parties — showing the world a good number of times in recent times how “food diplomacy” can even unite the worst political foes of yesteryear on the same table. 

Like Nawaz and Zardari, many renowned Pakistani and world leaders have also had fabulous food tastes.While it is not uncommon abroad for food journalists and biographers to scrutinize the eating habits of their leaders, not much has been written in Pakistan in this context.A research conducted by the Jang Group and Geo Television Network reveals that the former Indian Premier Indira Gandhi did not seem to have been hugely interested in food, though she had always showed great interest in the dishes of regions where she was campaigning. However, her personal staff knew she was fond of small sandwiches of smoked salmon.

She did not like chicken at all.(Reference: The November 3, 2009 edition of the “Economic Times”)According to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s only daughter Dina Jinnah, her father mostly liked to have curry and rice served on his dining table. He always had two cooks, an Indian and an Irish.He always smoked his favorite “Craven A” cigarettes, one of the finest and the most expensive brand at the time. Another account says he preferred dry continental type food with bread. He would also have a piece of naa’n at lunch.Allama Muhammad Iqbal was fond of rice pulao, mash-ki-daal seasoned with ghee and bitter gourd (Karela) stuffed with minced meat.

Former Pakistani premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s all-time favourite food was qeema, daal, pickle and chatni.His daughter and late Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto, according to the December 29, 2007 edition of “The Guardian,” liked eating an English chocolate brand “Bendicks Bittermints.” She also relished the delights of peppermint ice cream and apple cider during her stay in England.The first-ever US President George Washington is often associated with cherries. According to his biographers, he simply loved cherries, besides being very fond of a wide variety of fruits, nuts and fish.

Interestingly, at the first-ever American State Dinner of May 29, 1789, General George Washington had feted his country’s vice-president, the governor of New York, the ministers of France and Spain, the secretary of the United States for Foreign Affairs and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States with just a boiled leg of mutton, as it was his custom to eat only one dish.After the dessert, a single glass of wine was offered to each of the guests. When the president rose, the guests followed.

(Reference: William Baker’s 1898 book “Washington After the Revolution”)

Sitting American President Barack Obama loves eating nuts, seeds and raisins, besides having a strong appetite for “Fran’s Chocolates,” an artisan chocolate brand from Seattle. While he prefers Fran’s Smoked Sea Salt Caramel in Milk Chocolate ($24 for a 16-piece box); his wife Michelle prefers dark chocolate.

(Reference: Sean Seedlock, the Fran’s marketing chief and USA Today’s November 6, 2008 edition)

In drinks, Obama is a fan of the organic Black Forest Berry Honest Tea.

(Reference: Seth Goldman, CEO of Honest Tea)

Former US President Ronald Reagan loved jelly beans and his predecessor, Jimmy Carter, munched peanuts.George W. Bush is a pretzel lover. A pretzel is a type of baked bread product made from dough most commonly shaped into a knot.Former British premier Winston Churchill loved Continental tastes when it came to drinking.

Churchill’s favorite brandy was “Hine,” his preferred Champagne “Pol Roger,” and his top Scotch was “Johnnie Walker Red Label.” He would drink champagne at all meals, and buckets of soda in between.During Queen Victoria’s rule, as her biographers have mentioned, multicourse French menus used to be served, although she herself was a frugal eater and showed little interest in food.At least five different courses were served for her royal breakfast. Bacon and eggs, chickens, chops, cutlets, sausages and steaks etc were just some of the dishes on offer on the British monarch’s table.

However, Victoria would only eat one egg, served in a gold egg cup with a gold spoon.One particular course she insisted should be made available for lunch was a dish of curry and rice, served with considerable ceremony by two Indian servants.The royal supper was undoubtedly the most elaborate meal of the day. It was customary to serve both thick and clear soups, as well as fish either plainly cooked or prepared according to elaborate recipes requiring complicated sauces and flamboyant dressing.Mahatama Gandhi was the simplest of all.

In his book “Key to health,” Gandhi had written: “Now let us consider how often and how much should one eat. Food should be taken as a matter of duty-even as a medicine-to sustain the body, never for the satisfaction of the palate. Thus, pleasurable feeling comes from satisfaction of real hunger.”Former US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s favourite dish was scrambled eggs, cooked by his wife. At Sunday night suppers, besides at breakfast, scrambled eggs were the main White House dish.

(Reference: The January 15, 1939 edition of the New York Times)

Another former US President Harry Truman was not a picky eater, but he preferred traditional farm style food like roast and fried chicken. When pushed to comment on his food preferences, he had once stated: “Never notice what’s put before me. Learned in the army to eat what could be obtained and like it. In my outfit when a man kicked about the food, he was given a chance to improve it.

That soon cured the kickers and they took what was put before them and liked it.”Dwight D. Eisenhower, another celebrated American President, was an accomplished cook who enjoyed preparing food for family and guests.President Eisenhower was fond of apple pie, rice pudding cooked the British way and a pitcher of heavy cream passed with dessert.French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte loved eating alone. He liked eggs fried in butter, potatoes, beans and lentils. He was fond of soup too. He never drank alcohol, but ended every meal with a cup of coffee.

(Reference: Christian Guy’s 1962 book “An Illustrated History of French Cuisine from Charlemagne to Charles de Gaulle.” This book was translated by Elisabeth Abbott in English)

US President James Monroe, like his former teacher and mentor President Thomas Jefferson, was fond of Continental cuisines, but he was equally fond of fried chicken with rice.President John Quincy Adams, with all his exposure to diverse European cuisines, showed little interest in food.President Andrew Jackson liked hot water corn cakes served with caramelized onions, roasted lamb chops with rosemary, cheese and grapes.President James Polk had a great liking for Tomato Omelette.

(Reference: “The Presidents’ Cookbook” by authors Poppy Cannon and Patricia Brooks)

Research reveals that Mongolian rulers of the Yuan Dynasty were especially fond of mutton, and 80 per cent of the dishes in their palace were made of mutton.Similarly, the Qing Dynasty rulers ate pork and their cooking methods included stewing, roasting and boiling of meat.

(Reference: Chinese government’s official guide to the city of Beijing)

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-306147-Favourite-dishes-of-celebrated-Pakistani-and-foreign-leaders

Basmati rice exports to Iran likely to resume soon

in Freight News 12/03/2015

After several rounds of discussions, Iran is likely to start issuing permits to Indian exporters, paving the way for basmati exports.“India may resume exports of basmati rice exports to Iran early next year,” said Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).Basmati rice exports from India in 2013-14 are likely to decline 10 per cent due to Iran’s temporary stoppage of fresh order issuances. The country has not issued any fresh import permits after October 2014. However, execution of existing and past orders has continued.

“India does not face any ban in terms of basmati rice exports to Iran. Only thing is Iran has not issued import permits, which it does to any country before bringing consignments into its territory, since October due to oversupply. During past years, Iran had imported large quantity of basmati rice from India,” said A K Gupta, Director, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).Once, import permit is issued, India would commence exports of basmati rice to Iran, said Gupta.India’s overall basmati rice exports declined by over six per cent at 2.57 million tonne during April and December 2014 as compared to 2.74 million tonnes reported in the corresponding period last year.

In value terms, overall basmati rice exports declined by 2.64 per cent to $3373.23 million in the first nine months of the current financial year as compared to $3465 million in the same period last year. But average per tonne realisation increased to Rs 80,000 this year as compared to Rs 75,000 during the previous year.While country-wise bifurcation is not available, experts believe, exports to Iran has declined by 15-20 per cent this year.Iran is the largest basmati rice importer, accounting for around 60-65 per cent of total premium rice exports from India. India exported 1.44 million tonne of basmati rice worth $1,834 million to Iran in 2013-14. During 2012-13, however, basmati rice shipments to Iran totaled 1.08 million tonnes worth $1187 million.

Basmati was India’s second largest export commodity after buffalo meat.A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated Iran’s rice output in 2014 at all time record of three million tonnes as compared to 2.9 million tonne and 2.8 million in the two subsequent previous years. Total cereal output in Iran, however, is estimated to decline by 4.4 per cent to 20.4 million tonne in 2014 as compared to 21.4 million tonnes and 21.3 million tonnes in 2013 and 2012, respectively.Apart from basmati, India exports non-basmati rice and other cereals to Iran to the tune of around $150 million annually.
Source: Business Standard

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/basmati-rice-exports-to-iran-likely-to-resume-soon/

PH scientists, farmers chide Canada-based group over alleged refusal to debate on GMO rice safety

By: InterAksyon.com
March 11, 2015 6:20 PM

InterAksyon file photoInterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino farmers and scientists based in Laguna province criticized a Canada-based lobby group over its alleged refusal to engage in a public debate on the safety of genetically engineered rice.

“The rabid Golden Rice lobby group, Allow Golden Rice Now! has left the Philippines with their tails behind their legs, and cowed by the intense resistance showed by the farmers opposing the unsafe and unwanted Golden Rice,” said Masipag, a nework of farmers’ groups, scientist and non-government organizations in the Philippines.

Masipag said the lobby group from Canada had toured the Philippines from March 3 to 10 to campaign “for the adoption of the genetically modified ‘Golden Rice’.”The visit was part of the group’s Asia campaign tour. They will also travel to Bangladesh and India to promote Golden Rice. Headed by Patrick Moore, the group “peddled the genetically modified rice while demonizing the farmers and other sectors who had expressed their opposition to the Golden Rice,” according to Masipag.“It appears (that) Patrick Moore and his cohorts chose not to face the farmers in a debate because they know that they will be exposed as frauds and agents of disinformation,” said Dr. Chito Medina, Masipag national coordinator.

“Instead they sneak around the country spewing misleading claims on the technology, and even on organizations that are critical to Golden Rice,” added Medina.According to Masipag, Golden Rice “has been modified to express beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A…which is being developed by the International Rice Research Institute” to supposedly address Vitamin A Deficiency in developing countries such as the Philippines.”But Filipino farmers allied with Masipag insisted that there were enough Vitamin A-rich foods in nature and in cultivated farms “making Golden Rice unnecessary and unwanted.”“We cultivate a number of vegetables and fruits that are safe sources not only of Vitamin A, but also other nutrients that our body needs to be healthy,” said Lolit Saberola, a farmer from Tayabas, Quezon. “As a mother, I would not want to expose my children and grandchildren to Golden Rice.

”More than 70 farmers from the provinces of Quezon, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan trooped to the Department of Agriculture last March 6 to urge the agency to stop the commercialization of  Golden Rice in the country.Masipag farmers, along with the Resist Agrochemical TNCs alliance displayed vegetables such as malunggay (moringga), sweet potato, water cabbage, lettuce, yellow potatoes as examples of local and natural foods that are rich in important nutrients. The group likewise called for a genuine agrarian reform, as most Filipino farmers do not even have their own land to till, as well as access to other basic agricultural services.

“The sneaky ways of Allow Golden Rice Now shows that their lobbying is based (neither) on principles nor science, but are underhanded and deceiving,” said Medina.“They would be better off to go back home and understand first the core issue of hunger and poverty in the developing countries rather than pontificate on technologies that are not appropriate, unnecessary and unwanted," he added.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/106728/ph-scientists-farmers-chide-canada-based-group-over-alleged-refusal-to-debate-on-gmo-rice-safety

Understanding plants' immune systems could lead to better tomatoes, roses, rice

posted by news on march 11, 2015 - 8:00pm

Spring is just around the corner and for millions of Americans, that means planting a garden with plenty of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes. However, some of the plants will be infected by bacteria, leading to stunted growth and less nutritional value. Now, a University of Missouri research team has uncovered new regulations of defense pathways for plants. This discovery could lead to helping those home-grown tomatoes fight off certain bacteria better and has implications for pear trees, roses, soybeans and rice."Each year, millions of dollars are lost from damage to crops and ornamental plants caused by pathogens, which include a bacteria known as Pseudomonas Syringae," said Antje Heese, assistant professor of biochemistry at MU.

 "This bacteria directly affects tomatoes and causes speck disease that permanently damages the fruit and leaves. In our study, we used Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant that has the same immune response as tomatoes but grows at a faster rate, to study the immune responses of plants."Previously, researchers thought that a plant defended itself against bacteria by activating a specific, several-step process. However, Heese's team found that if the plant is exposed to bacteria, it actually activates its immune system using three separate mechanisms.Heese and her research team, including MU graduate student John M. Smith, confirmed that each mechanism responding to the infection is doing so independently of the other two mechanisms, and that each of these mechanisms must have the right amount of specific proteins, called immune receptors, in the right place to respond appropriately.

Having the right combination provides the plant with an effective and efficient immune response. This discovery could allow future scientists to create new strategies to help plants fight disease and lead to better crops."Like any living organism, plants have limited resources and they have to use those resources effectively," Heese said. "If the plant makes too much of the proteins responsible for these mechanisms, they will suffer in other areas, such as creating quality fruit. This same discovery can be applied to many crops, including rice and soybeans, and ornamental plants, including roses, pear and apple trees.

The information discovered in this study gives scientists something new to study in plants, with the eventual goal of better crops and ornamental plants."The study, "Loss of Arabidopsis thaliana Dynamin-Related Protein 2B Reveals Separation of Innate Immune Signaling Pathways," was published PLOS Pathogens. Sebastian Bednarek, professor of biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and MU assistant professors Abe Koo and Peter Cornish contributed to this research. The study was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (No. 1147032 and No. 0446157) and the University of Missouri.

http://www.sciencecodex.com/understanding_plants_immune_systems_could_lead_to_better_tomatoes_roses_rice-152698

Basmati rice exports to Iran likely to resume soon

in Freight News 12/03/2015

After several rounds of discussions, Iran is likely to start issuing permits to Indian exporters, paving the way for basmati exports.“India may resume exports of basmati rice exports to Iran early next year,” said Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).Basmati rice exports from India in 2013-14 are likely to decline 10 per cent due to Iran’s temporary stoppage of fresh order issuances. The country has not issued any fresh import permits after October 2014. However, execution of existing and past orders has continued.“India does not face any ban in terms of basmati rice exports to Iran.

 Only thing is Iran has not issued import permits, which it does to any country before bringing consignments into its territory, since October due to oversupply. During past years, Iran had imported large quantity of basmati rice from India,” said A K Gupta, Director, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).Once, import permit is issued, India would commence exports of basmati rice to Iran, said Gupta.India’s overall basmati rice exports declined by over six per cent at 2.57 million tonne during April and December 2014 as compared to 2.74 million tonnes reported in the corresponding period last year.In value terms, overall basmati rice exports declined by 2.64 per cent to $3373.23 million in the first nine months of the current financial year as compared to $3465 million in the same period last year.

 But average per tonne realisation increased to Rs 80,000 this year as compared to Rs 75,000 during the previous year.While country-wise bifurcation is not available, experts believe, exports to Iran has declined by 15-20 per cent this year.Iran is the largest basmati rice importer, accounting for around 60-65 per cent of total premium rice exports from India. India exported 1.44 million tonne of basmati rice worth $1,834 million to Iran in 2013-14. During 2012-13, however, basmati rice shipments to Iran totaled 1.08 million tonnes worth $1187 million.Basmati was India’s second largest export commodity after buffalo meat.

A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated Iran’s rice output in 2014 at all time record of three million tonnes as compared to 2.9 million tonne and 2.8 million in the two subsequent previous years. Total cereal output in Iran, however, is estimated to decline by 4.4 per cent to 20.4 million tonne in 2014 as compared to 21.4 million tonnes and 21.3 million tonnes in 2013 and 2012, respectively.Apart from basmati, India exports non-basmati rice and other cereals to Iran to the tune of around $150 million annually.
Source: Business Standard

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/basmati-rice-exports-to-iran-likely-to-resume-soon/

California Agricultural Leadership Group Visits USA Rice

From left:  Sarah Moran,

Rick Rhody, Betsy Ward, and

Jeff Milinovich with California Central Packing Company

ARLINGTON, VA -- Class 45 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program visited USA Rice Federation headquarters today to learn about the work of the national rice organization.  The 17-month program provides advanced leadership development for emerging agricultural leaders and exposes participants to a wide array of ag business and technical interests.  The current class members represent a broad spectrum of California crops and agribusiness, and include Rick Rhody with The Sun Valley Rice Company, and rice grower Correen Davis from Gorrill Ranch in Durham, CA.

 

 The program includes an international session, so much of today's meeting with USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward, COO Bob Cummings, and International Promotion Director Sarah Moran focused on trade issues facing the rice industry and U.S. ag interests in general. "The group was very engaged and asked excellent questions," said Ward.  "As with our industry's Rice Leadership Program, the investment in California's future ag leaders will pay enormous dividends going forward and we were happy to share our knowledge and experience with the group."

 Contact:  Trish Alderson (703) 236-1472

 

Japan Announces 14th Ordinary Import Tender in FY 2014

Announcement:          10 March 2015 Tender:                        13 March 2015 Offer details:               64,368 mt Country Specified or Global Non-glutinous milled rice (medium grain) Non-glutinous milled rice (long grain) TOTAL U.S.A. 13,000 13,000 Thailand 27,368 27,368 Global Tender 24,000 24,000 13,000 51,368 64,368 Shipping period:          (U.S.A.) from 20 September 2015 to 20 October 2015                                     (Thailand) from 10 July 2015 to 20 August 2015                                                       from 20 July 2015 to 31 August 2015                                                       from 10 August 2015 to 20 September 2015

CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices 

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan-gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop, which became effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET).  Prices are unchanged from the previous announcement. World Price MLG/LDP Rate Milled Value ($/cwt) Rough ($/cwt) Rough ($/cwt) Long-Grain 15.48 10.03 0.00 Medium-/Short-Grain 15.10 10.17 0.00 Brokens   9.34  ---- ---- This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates: U.S. Milling Yields Whole/Broken (lbs/cwt) Loan Rate ($/cwt) Long-Grain 57.21/12.55 6.64 Medium-/Short-Grain 61.89/8.83 6.51 The next program announcement is scheduled for March 18.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   

CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for March 11 Month Price Net Change March 2015 $10.505 + $0.215 May 2015 $10.735 + $0.215 July 2015 $10.985 + $0.210 September 2015 $11.105 + $0.195 November 2015 $11.290 + $0.220 January 2016 $11.420 + $0.210 March 2016 $11.420 + $0.210

Californian water crisis set to maintain global rice prices

ABC Rural 

By Laurissa Smith

Updated Tue at 7:28pm

PHOTO: Sacramento Valley farmers reduced acres planted to rice last year because of a severe water shortage (California Rice Commission)

MAP: Jerilderie 2716

Rice harvest in southern New South Wales starts this month, but all eyes appear to be on Australia's competition overseas.

Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.   00:00           00:00        

AUDIO: SunRice CEO Rob Gordon speaks about global rice markets (ABC Rural)

California is heading into its fourth year of drought, which is expected to hurt its rice production again this year.The US state is Australia's main competitor in medium-grain rice markets.In 2014, farmers in the Sacramento Valley harvested 53,000 hectares of rice, a 23 per cent decline on the previous season.Rob Gordon, CEO of Australian rice processor SunRice, said reservoirs in some of California's key rice growing areas were extremely low."Rainfall has been lower than average," he said.

"As a consequence, the dams that were lower and coming into the wet season have not filled up and are about half to three quarters of their average."Importantly, the Californians rely on snowpack, as it melts and comes down into their reservoirs. That's running at around 24 per cent of their average."People that are looking to buy water for the use in the city are starting to make very attractive pricing decisions on purchasing water."In reality, it means that to grow a rice crop you have to have a very high price to make sense of that, versus selling your water for town use."So what did this mean for global rice prices in 2015 ?

Mr Gordon was still optimistic returns would remain firm for local growers."Prices this year we think have been strong," he said."We anticipate there are some factors that could weigh against it and some that will weigh for it."There's some way to go before we can put an absolute number on it."We're just striking budgets, as we speak."

Rice, rubber deals with China expected to be inked in May

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION March 12, 2015 1:00 am

THAILAND and China are expected to sign a contract in May for China to purchase 2 million tonnes of Thai rice and 200,000 tonnes of rubber, following further discussions between the countries.After a meeting between Thai Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya and Wang Xiaotao, vice minister of China's National Development and Reform Commission, in Bangkok yesterday on agricultural trading cooperation, Thailand is confident that China will soon ink the rice-purchase agreement, along with an agreement regarding the construction of dual-track railways in the Kingdom.

The next meeting between the countries' officials is set for May 6 in Beijing, when a purchasing contract could be signed for rice and rubber. Thailand and China inked a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of 2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes of rubber, as well as dual-track railways, last December.Under the planned deal, China will purchase 2 million tonnes of rice over two years, 2015 and 2016.China will purchase 1 million tonnes of 5-per-cent rice from the new harvest season, and the same amount from previously harvested rice. For the trading of rubber, Thailand's Rubber Estate Organisation and China's Sino-ken agency will discuss an agreement for China to purchase 200,000 tonnes at a friendship price, said Chatchai.

During the Chinese delegation's current mission to Thailand, talks will be held today about a dual-track railway construction contract.Chatchai added that the government would also encourage the Chinese authorities to continue importing rice from Thailand under a previous MoU concerning the purchase of 1 million tonnes of produce.So far, China has imported 300,000 tonnes under the deal.Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry and the Finance Ministry will set up a working committee to follow up a case for the government in seeking compensation for individuals and companies in connection with four illegal government-to-government rice contracts, said the commerce minister.He added that his ministry would today also make a final decision on whether to discharge two government officials found to have been involved in the illegal contracts. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Rice-rubber-deals-with-China-expected-to-be-inked--30255822.html

VIETNAM PRESS-Rice output to dip to 11.86 mln T - Hanoi Moi

 

By REUTERS

PUBLISHED: 02:09 GMT, 11 March 2015 | UPDATED: 02:09 GMT, 11 March 2015

The winter-spring rice crop, Vietnam's largest, is expected to provide 11.86 million tonnes of paddy in the southern region, down 0.6 percent from a year earlier, due mainly to a drop in the planting area, according to an agriculture ministry report, the Hanoi Moi (New Hanoi) newspaper reported.Vietnam is the world's third-largest rice exporter after Thailand and India.

----

NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouch for its accuracy. (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom; Editing by Prateek Chatterjee)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-2989087/VIETNAM-PRESS-Rice-output-dip-11-86-mln-T--Hanoi-Moi.html#ixzz3UD5fjXZD 

India's food exports dip, wheat hit hardest

Neha Madaan, TNN | Mar 11, 2015, 04.46AM IST

India’s food export volumes have shrunk in the current fiscal with other countries eating into its business share by offering lower prices for their agricultural and food products.PUNE: India's food export volumes have shrunk in the current fiscal with other countries eating into its business share by offering lower prices for their agricultural and food products. European Union's ban on Indian mangoes, though lifted now, and other agri produce also contributed to the slide.
A recent report of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority ( APEDA) has showed that exports of some major commodities in agricultural and food products from India dipped in 2014-15 as compared to last year.

The highest drop in export volumes has been recorded for wheat (36%), pulses (37%) and fruits and seeds (33%) in the April to December period last year as compared to the same period in 2013. Exports of fresh vegetables fell by 3%, fruits by 7% and basmati rice by 6%, the report stated.Officials in the agricultural and processed food authority said that the demand for Indian produce came down this year in particular, because other exporting countries were selling their produce at a much lower price than India.Apart from basmati rice and wheat, other cereals registered an export drop of about 10%. Exports of non-basmati rice from India, however, increased by 12% last year in the April-December period as compared to the same period in 2013.

A senior official from the agricultural and processed food authority said that general demand for Indian produce has come down internationally due to competition from other countries. "Devalued currency in Russia, Latin America, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) among others had these countries exporting the same produce at a lower price than India," the official said.Other factors too led to the drop. For instance, India's rice is exported to Iran, but this time Iran had old stock and better domestic production of rice, which led to a dip in rice exports from India to the country.

India's fruits and vegetables are exported to all the major countries, mainly to the Middle East, Far East and SAARC countries.Officials in the state agriculture department, however, said that the dip in exports was also due to a ban by EU on mangoes, eggplant, the taro plant, bitter gourd and snake gourd and on chillies by UAE in 2014."Also, this year, India did not have a good supply season. Every item is exported in a particular supply period. If before India's supply season, other supplying countries are able to sell their produce in a big way and at lower prices, then the importing countries do not exhibit much demand for Indian produce at competitive prices. At this juncture, selling the produce in the local or domestic market is more viable for the exporters," the official added.

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Indias-food-exports-dip-wheat-hit-hardest/articleshow/46523309.cms

Rice market hinges on China

By Su Phyo Win   |   Wednesday, 11 March 2015

International rice prices have declined steadily in the past six months, driven lower partly by a flood of Thai rice following last year’s coup.Local exporters say they initially weathered the competition well, given strong and expanding demand from China.U Lu Maw Myint Maung, one of the country’s top rice exporters and joint secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation, said world prices for local rice had been about US$360 a tonne, though this dropped to $300 once the Thai floodgates open.“But Myanmar has a strong market with a good price in China. Yunnan province is far closer to Muse, and that route saved market prices from dropping too much,” he said.

The Ministry of Commerce had targeted exports of 2 million tonnes for this fiscal year, though exports have reached about 1.5 million tonnes, with less than a month left in the fiscal year. About 1 million tonnes were exported to China.The Bangkok Post reported last week that Thailand has held five auctions since last May that have sold over 1 million tonnes of stored rice, with more auctions planned.The previous Thai administration had stockpiled rice in a failed attempt to corner the world market, though this policy was reversed following the 2014 military coup.The road to China has not been without trouble, however.Starting last September, Chinese authorities began a clampdown on the trade. While it is technically illegal from Beijing’s point of view, its officials at the Muse crossing often turned a blind eye to imports.

Myanmar and Chinese officials have now been discussing legalising the trade. As part of the deal, the Myanmar Rice Federation chose nine companies qualified to begin legal trade by sea to China’s eastern seaboard.The selection of the nine companies prompted criticism, as rice traders took to social media to vent their frustration at begin left out.U Lu Maw Myint Maung said the plan had always been to register 10 companies at a time, until the more-than-100-member companies of the Myanmar Rice Federation are registered for the China trade.

Following the initial outcry, a second round of licensing was organised after the first round, but no companies submitted bids – while over 100 had submitted bids the first time around.U Law Myint Maung said that companies may be satisfied with the usual way of conducting experts overland in Muse, which has so far taken place unlicensed.“Some companies are not too interested in normal [official] exports so that may be the reason why no companies applied the second time,” he said.He added that rice traders, SMEs and the Myanmar Rice Federation are now attempting to tackle the disputes to developing the China trade.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/13461-rice-market-hinges-on-china.html

 

 

Rice farmers hurt by high imports, unrest

Sohel Parvez

An increase in imports from India as well as the low demand from millers due to the ongoing blockade is forcing rice farmers to sell the crop at lower prices than last year. Photo: Star/File

Soaring rice imports and ongoing political unrest have dampened paddy market sentiments, with many farmers having to sell off their stock at lower prices.Prices of paddy -- mainly medium and coarse grains -- have fallen by Tk 70-Tk 80 a maund (40kg) in more than two months, since the harvest of aman paddy in December, farmers and millers said."Paddy prices usually go up at this time.

But the market is behaving just the opposite this year," Hafizur Rahman Dilu, a farmer from the southwest district of Bagerhat, told The Daily Star by phone.With hopes of getting better prices, the 35-year-old farmer did not sell his coarse paddy despite getting an offer of Tk 670 a maund from a trader last month.However, prices plummeted and Dilu had to sell his stock of 150 maunds of paddy at Tk 630 a maund last week."Traders are unenthusiastic about buying paddy due to shutdowns and slow demand at mills."Paddy of the same quality sold at Tk 700 a maund at the same time last year and they made some profit, he said. However, he was unable to make a profit this year as he had to pay more for pesticides and labour wages.

"All my handwork went in vain," Dilu said.Farmers grew aman paddy on 54 lakh hectares last season and harvested a good crop, according to agricultural extension workers, growers and millers.Chitta Majumder, a rice miller, said prices of medium and coarse grains were higher during the aman harvest. But prices fell gradually since the end of December, by up to Tk 100 a maund, he said."The main reason behind the fall is a rise in imports, particularly from India. The ongoing blockade has also affected the market."Rice imports hit a four-year high as traders find foreign produce, mainly from India, cheaper.Private traders imported 8.75 lakh tonnes of rice between July 1 last year and March 4 this year, the highest since fiscal 2010-11.

The government did not import any rice during the period, according to food ministry data. Majumder said prices of coarse paddy, such as guti swarna, have now dropped to Tk 600-Tk 650 a maund from more than Tk 700 after the aman harvest in December."The demand for local coarse and medium rice dropped due to imports. So, no rice mill is willing to purchase coarse paddy amid worries of stockpiles for low demand," said Majumder, also a rice importer.Rice millers are already stuck with unsold stocks of locally grown coarse and medium rice because of higher demand for imported rice, he said.

"If the situation continues, rice and paddy prices will decline further after the start of the boro paddy harvest," Majumder said. Farmers will begin harvesting boro, the main crop, by the end of next month."Farmers still have a huge stock of coarse paddy," said ASM Sishnabi Mandal, a grower from Dinajpur. Only the price of scented rice has gone up, he added.Nirod Boron Saha, president of an association of rice and paddy wholesalers at Naogaon, said paddy prices fell by Tk 70-Tk 80 a maund since the end of aman harvest.

"The sluggish demand for locally grown coarse and medium rice means that a huge amount of paddy and rice will remain unsold with big farmers, stockists and millers."Saha said increasing imports might push prices of rice and paddy further down and affect farmers."It will be tough for farmers to recover their investment. The recent paddy harvests were good and the government should discourage imports for the sake of the farmers."Bangladesh produced 3.44 crore tonnes of rice in fiscal 2013-14, up from 3.38 crore tonnes a year ago, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

Production was higher than the domestic food grain requirement of nearly three crore tonnes, according to an estimate by Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.The government also claims that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in rice production.Saha said any supply in excess of demand puts downward pressures on prices. "We are seeing this effect.”

http://www.thedailystar.net/business/rice-farmers-hurt-high-imports-unrest-70833

 

Nigeria: Olam Unveils Locally Produced Rice in Nigeria

Tagged:AgribusinessFood and AgricultureBusinessCommoditiesNigeriaWest Africa

By Femi Adekoya

TO bridge the demand-supply gap in the rice industry, Olam Nigeria Limited has unveiled its locally produced rice to the Nigerian market.Speaking at the official launch of the 50kg bags of rice in Lagos, recently, Olam's Business Head for Rice, Anil Nair explained that the launch was designed to meet growing local demands for the commodity as well as reduce its importation.He explained that the launch of the commodity in Lagos was strategic since the state holds the largest market of consumers of rice.

He said, "There are lots of paddy been produced and Lagos being the biggest market in the country is having local rice coming to it. It is a sign of good things to come and we hope that two years from now, we will be able to bridge the gap. We have a milling capacity of about 800,000 tonnes in the country and we hope to help this country eliminate import completely."Although, moving the commodity through the road network has been a major challenge affecting the cost of production but we believe overtime, we will overcome this challenge. It is just a matter of time for all these to be put in place.

 The transformation agenda of the federal government is commendable, there are many people working with agenda and others too will come in the nearest future".On the perception that imported brands of rice are of higher quality than locally produced ones, Nair explained that the issue is just a mindset issue, adding that, "it is a practice of milling. If you have state-of-the-art machineries, you can eliminate stones and dust completely. The Nigerian rice is more nutritious than the rice from anywhere else.

 The quality of the soil and fertilizers are very good and perfect. The company has been into backward integration of rice since 2004."The initial challenge we had in our facility in Benue State was having paddy of good quality and varieties but this in the last four years has reduced. We also have thousands of outgrowers working with us and we also buy paddy from the market."The challenges are being eliminated slowly. Smuggling is also one of the biggest concerns that we have because if you go round the Nigerian market, you will see a lot of smuggled rice in the market. I believe farmers and manufacturers are finding it difficult to compete with imported rice".

It could be recalled that Olam had raised its stake on investment in rice cultivation to close the gap in rice importation and increase the nation's chances in rice self sufficiency with the inauguration of its state-of-the-art rice mill at its large-scale pioneering rice farm in Nigeria's Nasarawa State last year.The integrated rice milling facility is expected to provide 36, 000 metric tonnes (MT) of milled rice yearly to the domestic market, contributing to the Federal Government's goal to improve rice self-sufficiency.National President, Rice Traders Association of Nigeria, Mrs Olufunmilayo Akinsanya said: "We are very happy to see that this type of high quality rice can be grown here in Nigeria.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201503111284.html

India to start exporting basmati rice to Iran: KRBL

 India may soon start exporting basmati rice into Iran as the country, which had stopped the same last year due to oversupply, is set to restart imports into the country, according to media reports. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Anil Mittal, CMD of KRBL, discussed the development.

India to start exporting basmati rice to Iran: KRBL India may soon start exporting basmati rice into Iran as the country, which had stopped the same last year due to oversupply, is set to restart imports into the country, according to media reports. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Anil Mittal, CMD of KRBL, discussed the development. Midcap Radar 01:30 pm India may soon start exporting basmati rice into Iran as the country, which had stopped the same last year due to oversupply, is set to restart imports into the country, according to media reports.

 India exported basmati rice of 2.57 million tonne between April and December last year, down 6 percent year-on-year. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Anil Mittal, CMD of KRBL  , discussed the development. KRBL stock price On March 12, 2015, at 15:19 hrs KRBL was quoting at Rs 144.45, up Rs 1.25, or 0.87 percent. The 52-week high of the share was Rs 146.00 and the 52-week low was Rs 44.80. The company's trailing 12-month (TTM) EPS was at Rs 12.89 per share as per the quarter ended December 2014. The stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was 11.21. The latest book value of the company is Rs 43.33 per share. At current value, the price-to-book value of the company is 3.33

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http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/india-to-start-exporting-basmati-rice-to-iran-krbl_1326133.html

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11th March (Wednesday),2015 Daily Global Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine