EC to Implement New Regulation for Limiting Inorganic Arsenic in Rice from
January 1, 2016
Oct 19, 2015
The European
Commission (EC) will implement the new regulation for limiting inorganic arsenic
in rice and other food stuffs according to local sources.The EC reportedly made
a new recommendation to modify the laws of a regulation issued by the Official
Journal of European Union (EU) on June 26, 2015. According to the regulation
(2015/1006), the EU set new permissible limits for inorganic arsenic in rice.
It allowed up to 0.20 micrograms per kilogram of non-parboiled rice (polished
or white rice), up to 0.25 micrograms per kilogram of parboiled and husked
rice, up to 0.30 micrograms per kilogram of rice waffles, wafers, crackers and
cakes, and 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of rice for baby food.
However, in a new
regulation (2015/1381) issued on August 10, 2015, the EC extended the previous
regulation to other food items as well. Since arsenic occurs naturally in the
environment and is present in soil and ground water, it is absorbed by all
plants and animals, says the EC. The long-term association with the element are
likely to cause skin lesions, cancer, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiovascular
diseases, abnormal glucose metabolism, and diabetes, it says.Therefore, the EC
sought a scientific opinion on the risks to human health related to the
presence of arsenic in foodstuffs (incl. drinking water) from the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA). Since the Authority requested for a more detailed
specification of data about arsenic in the EU states, the EC instructed all the
states to monitor the presence of arsenic in food in the years 2016, 2017 and
2018.
Food stuffs including
cereal grains, cereal based products (including bran and germ), fruit and
vegetable juices, drinking water (including bottled water), coffee, dry tea
leaves, beer, fish and sea food, vegetables, algae products (including hijiki),
milk, dairy products, food intended for infants and young children, food for
special medical purposes and food supplements will be monitored for the
presence of arsenic.
Venezuela May Import Rice from Suriname at Relatively Low Prices
Oct 19, 2015
Venezuela is
reportedly planning to import rice from Suriname, a move that is likely to
completely end the oil-for-rice deal with Guyana according to local sources.
The Suriname President
is understood to have requested the Venezuelan leader, who visited Suriname
last week, to buy their surplus rice. The Venezuelan leader also reportedly
agreed to the proposal. “We have decided to deepen trade relations and will
intensify the implementation of the rice agreement,” told the Venezuelan leader
to reporters.The foreign ministers have an explicit mandate to deepen trade
relations and to ensure the import of rice from Suriname,” added the Suriname
President.Suriname reportedly wants Venezuela to import rice under a rice for
oil deal like the one it struck with Guyana, which is likely to expire this
November. Moreover, it is also understood that Venezuela will be getting rice
at a relatively cheaper price that it used to get from Guyana. Local sources
report that Suriname is agreeing to supplying rice at nearly half the price of
Guyana's.
Meanwhile Guyana is
also exploring new markets for its rice as the PetroCaribe deal with Venezuela
is on the verge of closure and Venezuela has not shown any interest so far in
renewing the deal. It is also reportedly struck new contracts with Trinidad and
Tobago for importing oil.On the other hand, Venezuela's food shortages have
intensified as the government is not ready to renew the PetroCaribe deal with
Guyana. Venezuelans are reportedly buying most of their food stuffs in the
black market.
Both Venezuela and
Guyana have been facing border issues, which have reportedly affected the
rice-for-oil deal as well. They are understood have approached the UN to
resolve the border issues.
Thailand, India, Vietnam Rice Sellers Alter Some of Their Quotes Today; Other
Asian Quotes Remain Unchanged
Oct 19, 2015
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for 100% B, 5% broken
rice varieties by about $5 per ton each to around $365 - $375 per ton and $355
- $365 per ton respectively. They also lowered their quotes for and glutinous
rice variety by about $15 per ton to around $660 - $670 per ton. Vietnam
rice sellers increased their quotes for 5%, 15%, 25% and jasmine rice
varieties by about $10 per ton each to around $365 - $375 per ton, $355 - $365
per ton and $475 - $485 per ton respectively. They increased their quotes for
glutinous rice variety by about $5 per ton to around $470 - $480 per ton. India
rice sellers increased their quotes for 25% broken rice and parboiled rice
varieties by about $5 per ton each to around $330 - $340 per ton and $340 -
$350 per ton respectively.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is
indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton about $10 per ton discount on Vietnam
5% rice shown at around $365 - $375 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at
around $350 - $360 per ton, about $45 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown
at around $305 - $315 per ton.
25% Broken
Rice
Thailand 25% rice is
indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about 15% discount on Vietnam 25% rice
shown at around $345- $355 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330
- $340 per ton, about $50 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around
$280 - $290 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled
rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated
at around $340 - $350 per ton, about $65 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled
rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken
Rice
Thailand broken rice,
A1 Super is indicated at around $305 - $315 per ton, at par with Vietnam 100%
broken rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is
shown at around $290 - $300 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan
broken sortexed rice shown at around $275 - $285 per ton.
Philippines to Decide on Additional One Million Tons of Rice Imports by End
of October, Says NFA Administrator
Oct 19, 2015
The
government of Philippines will decide on importing additional one million tons
of rice in the first quarter of 2016 by the end of October 2015, Bloomberg
quoted the National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator as saying.The NFA
official told reporters that the NFA Council will meet end-October to discuss
rice import plan. He noted that the NFA may purchase rice through
government-to-government (G2G) transaction or through private sector.The
Philippines has already secured 500,000 tons of rice imports for delivery in
the first quarter of 2016.The government is expecting this year's paddy output
to decline by about 25% due to the El Nino induced drought conditions. The
effects of the El Nino are expected to last till the middle of 2016. Government
officials are considering the phenomenon to be as intense as that in 1997-98,
when the farm output fell by 23% and prices increased significantly.
It has approved
for importing about 1.8 million tons rice for delivery this year. As on October
13, about 937,000 tons of rice have been received and about 600,000 tons were
purchased by the private traders under the WTO rules.
Global
Rice Quotes
October 19th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 365-375
↓
Vietnam 5% broken 365-375
↑
India 5% broken 350-360
↔
Pakistan 5% broken 305-315
↔
Myanmar 5% broken 415-425
↔
Cambodia 5% broken 415-425
↔
U.S. 4% broken 490-510
↔
Uruguay 5% broken 535-545
↔
Argentina 5% broken 530-540
↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 330-340
↔
Vietnam 25% broken 345-355
↑
Pakistan 25% broken 280-290
↔
Cambodia 25% broken 400-410
↔
India 25% broken 330-340
↑
U.S. 15% broken 500-510
↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 365-375 ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd 405-415 ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 340-350 ↑
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 590-610
↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 545-555
↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ
↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 820-830
↔
Vietnam Jasmine 475-485
↑
India basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 830-840
↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 305-315
↔
Vietnam 100% broken 305-315
↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 275-285
↔
Cambodia A1 Super 355-365
↔
India 100% broken stxd 290-300
↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ
↔
U.S. pet food 330-340
↔
Brazil half grain NQ ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
Indian Researchers to Support Government to Promote Use of Black Rice
Oct 19, 2015
Researchers from the
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) will help the government in
promoting the use of black rice, which is considered to be highly nutritious,
according to local sources.Black rice is mostly grown in India's North-Eastern
states and is famous for its pleasant nutty flavour. Black rice has a good
demand in the U.S., Australia and European nations. Already one of the black
rice varieties called 'chakhao', grown in Manipur has good reputation in China.The
IARI scientists will reportedly suggest an action plan to the government on how
to promote black rice and other rice varieties. They noted that the plan would
earn foreign exchange as well as improve the condition of farmers in the
north-east states.
The Head of the IARI's
genetics division noted that that it is important to promote the unique variety
like black rice in the larger interest of farmers in different regions.
"Black rice has medicinal value. Being rich in disease-fighting
antioxidants, it is anti-cancerous as well,: he said.
Indonesian Trade Minister Reiterates About Possible Rice Imports
Oct 19, 2015
The
Indonesian government is carrying on discussions with the governments of
Thailand and Vietnam over possible rice imports amid concerns of lower
production due to extending drought conditions, according to Reuters.The Trade
Minister today told the House of Representatives today the government has
decided to import rice this year to ensure adequate stocks and curb any price
hikes. He assured that the government's rice import plan would not affect
farmers' incomes as the stocks won't be released into the market.The government
is keen on achieving self-sufficiency in rice production this year and avoiding
imports. Even last month, the Agriculture Minister noted that the drought
conditions are unlikely to impact rice production. However, the decision to
import rice has been taken after the Bulog stocks fell to around 1.7 million
tons.
Last
week, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs told reporters that the
decision would be taken after looking at the harvests, which will continue till
the end of October 2015. He also noted that the decision would be taken after
looking at the harvests, which will continue till the end of October 2015.
Indonesian
rice production is likely to be impacted by a drought-inducing El Nino
phenomenon, which is expected to be stronger than that than that experienced in
the 1997-1998 period.
Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Begin Week with Slight
Gain as Market Attempts to Hold Ground Following Last Weeks Decline
Oct 19, 2015
Chicago
rough rice futures for Nov delivery are currently noted 4 cents per cwt (about
$1 per ton) higher at $12.150 per cwt (about $268 per ton) during early floor
trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen trading mixed in early action;
soybeans are currently seen trading about 0.1% higher, wheat is listed about
0.1% lower and corn is currently noted 0.3% lower.U.S. stocks traded mostly
lower Monday, as investors prepare for a deluge of earnings while digesting
Chinese economic data. U.S. equities opened lower, with all major indexes
falling about 0.3%.Over a fifth of S&P 500 companies are scheduled release
quarterly results this week. Overnight, China reported a third-quarter gross
domestic growth figure of 6.9%, slightly above the expected 6.8%, but also its
lowest in six years.
China also reported industrial production rose
5%, below the expected 6% increase. China's growth data took its toll on the
commodities space, which saw U.S. crude futures fall more than 2% in morning
trading, while Brent futures dropped about 2.5%. The energy sector in the
S&P fell more than 1%.In Europe, the pan-European Stoxx index traded about
0.1% higher, while the German DAX rose more than 0.5%.The Dow Jones industrial
average traded down 56 points, or 0.33% at 17,159. The S&P 500 traded down
6 points, or 0.31% at 2,026, with energy leading all sectors lower. The Nasdaq
fell 10 points lower, or 0.22%, at 4,875. Gold is currently trading about 0.7%
lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2% lower, and the U.S. dollar is
currently trading about 0.4% higher at 9:30am Chicago time.
Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Go Nowhere as Falling
Grain Prices Keep a Lid on Buying Interest
Oct 19, 2015
Chicago rough rice
futures for Nov delivery settled 0.5 cents per cwt (about $0.11 per ton) lower
at $12.105 per cwt (about $267 per ton). The other grains finished lower today;
Soybeans closed about 0.8% lower at $8.9100 per bushel; wheat finished about
1.3% lower at $4.8575 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 1% lower at $3.7300
per bushel.U.S. stocks traded in a narrow range Monday, as investors prepare
for a deluge of earnings while digesting Chinese economic data. Over a fifth of
S&P 500 companies are scheduled release quarterly results this week.
Overnight, China reported a third-quarter gross domestic growth figure of 6.9%,
slightly above the expected 6.8%, but also its lowest in six years. China also
reported industrial production rose 5%, below the expected 6% increase. China's
growth data took its toll on the commodities space, which saw U.S. crude
futures fall about 2.5%, while Brent futures dropped about 3%. The energy
sector in the S&P fell more than 1.5%.Investors also looked at housing data
for more clues about the strength of the U.S. economy, with the latest NAHB/Wells
Fargo Housing Market index reading coming in at its highest in a decade.
European stocks closed
mixed as the pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.3%, while London's FTSE 100 fell
0.4%. The German DAX closed over 0.6% higher. Asian equities ended mixed overnight,
with the Shanghai Composite falling 0.11%, while the Hang Seng closed narrowly
higher. The Dow Jones industrial average traded down 32 points, or 0.19% at
17,184. The S&P 500 traded down 5 points, or 0.29%, at 2,027, with energy
leading eight sectors lower and consumer discretionary leading advancers. The
Nasdaq dipped 1 point, or 0.03% at 4,885. Gold is trading about 0.9% lower,
crude oil is seen trading about 2.3% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading
about 0.4% higher about 1:00pm Chicago time.Friday, there were 1,113
contracts traded, down from 2,122 contracts traded on Thursday. Open interest –
the number of contracts outstanding – on Friday increased by 183 contracts to
12,987.
Cambodia Secures 100,000 Ton Rice Export Deal with China
Oct 19, 2015
Cambodia
has reportedly signed a contract with China to export about 100,000 tons of
rice from early 2016, according to Khmer Times.The Vice-President of the
Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) told local sources that they will export high
quality white rice to China under the agreement. He noted that the
government is keen on doubling rice exports to China next year. He noted that
Cambodian rice is priced higher than other Asian rice due to which it is losing
competitiveness in the global market. “The federation is creating a working
team to pinpoint problems and find solutions to make our rice more
competitive,” he was quoted.The Deputy General of the General Department of
Agriculture hailed the deal. Exporters have also expressed satisfaction over
the deal saying it would increase competitiveness of the Cambodian rice. They
told local sources that.
"The
scale of the deal will have a positive impact throughout the entire value chain
and occurs at a time when competition is rising in the EU’s market," said
one of the leading exporters. He added that "the deal demonstrates a
long-term commitment from China to support Cambodia." However, he
cautioned that the deal may lead to a shortage of high-quality white rice in
the country. He therefore advised customs officials to monitor the flow of
white rice across the borders.Cambodia reportedly exported nearly 100,000 tons
of rice to China in the first nine months of this year. The South-East Asian
nation has exported around 369,105 tons of milled rice in the first nine months
of 2015, up about 37% from around 269,370 tons exported during the same period
last year, according to the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export
Formality.
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