Genome Editing is a Promising New Frontier for Rice Disease Resistance
May 07, 2015
Genome editing may allow scientists to improve rice crops, according to an article on phys.org. Principal investigator Cornell University researcher Adam Bogdanove and Jan Leach, professor of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management at Colorado State University are exploring the ability for disease resistance and tolerance to acidic soils to be edited out of rice genomes. Professor Leach says that 15% of rice paddy yield is lost to disease.
"We have the ability to open the genome like a book, go to a certain chapter and a specific word [ referring to a DNA sequence] and change the word or correct its spelling," phys.org quotes Bogdanove.The quick results of genome editing are contrasted with the slow process of rice plant breeding. Genome editing is also not the same as genetic engineering, which is less precise; Bogdanove compares genetic engineering to “inserting a particular sentence somewhere at random into the book,” quotes phys.org.The project’s public website can be found at RiceDiversity.org.
Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Continue to Chart Historic Low Prices as Technical Bearishness is Compounded by Falling Grain Prices
May 07, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery settled 10 cents per cwt (about $2 per ton) lower at $9.695 per cwt (about $214 per ton). The outlook for Rough rice futures remains bleak as prices continue to make double digit moves lower and continues to see aggressive selling in afternoon trading. Technical weakness was compounded by market wide bearishness. The other grains turned negative today, pressured by a steep decline in crude prices as well as strength in the US dollar; Soybeans closed about 0.8% lower at $9.7500 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.4% lower at $4.7275 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 2.4% lower at $3.5775 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded higher on Thursday as investors awaited Friday's jobs report and yields eased slightly from recent highs. Thursday's gains marked a rebound from the last two days' selloffs. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended May 2, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the prior week were unrevised at 262,000, which was the lowest reading since April 2000. To be sure, Wednesday's ADP report showed the U.S. private sector added 169,000 jobs, the fewest since January 2014. The report is not necessarily correlated with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' data due Friday. Investors also kept on eye on crude, which eased off its highs for 2015 but remained about half the peak levels of last summer.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 113 points, or 0.63%, at 17,956. The S&P 500 traded up 12 points, or 0.55%, at 2,092, with information technology leading nine sectors higher energy the only decliner. The Nasdaq traded up 35 points, or 0.72%, at 4,955. Gold is trading about 0.7% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 3.2% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.7% higher at about 1:00pm Chicago time.Wednesday, there were 1,022 contracts traded, up from 853 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Wednesday increased by 14 contracts to 10,841.
France Hungry for Authentic North American Wild Rice
May 07, 2015
Wild rice is North America’s only native grain. In fact, the grain is not technically rice but an annual water grass seed, zizania. In the U.S., wild rice is both hand harvested and cultivated.Harvesting wild rice for thousands of years, the Ojibwe Native Americans call wild rice ‘manomin,’ or good berry; it grows in rivers and lakes and is harvested by canoe and flail sticks.Since the 1950s’s wild rice has been cultivated and the U.S. state of Minnesota is the world’s largest producer of cultivated wild rice, with an annual output of 5-10 million pounds. Wild rice is also grown in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and Canada.
Wild rice and other Native American goods are growing in popularity in France. However, a Native American News and Arts site, thecirclenews.org, reports that products being marketed as Native American in France are sometimes fakes, including black Indonesian rice being marketed as North American wild rice. Efforts are underway to properly market wild rice in France, but have been dampened by the tribal electoral cycle, according to the site.
Global Rice Quotes
May 8th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 380-390 ↔
Vietnam 5% broken 350-360 ↔
India 5% broken 370-380 ↔
Pakistan 5% broken 375-385 ↔
Myanmar 5% broken 415-425 ↔
Cambodia 5% broken 430-440 ↔
U.S. 4% broken 480-490 ↔
Uruguay 5% broken 565-575 ↔
Argentina 5% broken 555-565 ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 350-360 ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 330-340 ↔
Pakistan 25% broken 330-340 ↔
Cambodia 25% broken 410-420 ↔
India 25% broken 345-355 ↔
U.S. 15% broken 470-480 ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 375-385 ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd 390-400 ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 360-370 ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 555-565 ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 570-580 ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 875-885 ↓
Vietnam Jasmine 480-490 ↔
India basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 815-825 ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 315-325 ↔
Vietnam 100% broken 310-320 ↑
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 285-295 ↔
Cambodia A1 Super 350-360 ↔
India 100% broken stxd 270-280 ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ ↔
U.S. pet food 370-380 ↔
Brazil half grain NQ ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
Following Main Crop Harvest, Indonesia Will Review Rice Imports in June or July
May 07, 2015
Indonesia has rice stockpiles for six to seven months but may consider rice imports, depending domestic production, Bloomberg quotes the coordinating minister for economic affairs as saying. Indonesia’s main rice crop is harvested March through June and a decision regarding rice imports is expected to be determined by June or July.
Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Continue Lower Overnight on Lack of Technical and Fundamental Support
May 07, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery are currently seen paused 4.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per ton) lower at $9.750 per cwt (about $215 per ton) ahead of floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen trading lower: soybeans are currently seen about 0.2% lower, wheat is listed about 0.2% lower and corn is currently noted 1.6% lower.U.S. stock index futures indicated a lower open on Thursday coming off lows as investors eyed U.S. data and higher bond yields. The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose marginally last week, staying near a 15-year low in a sign that the labor market continues to strengthen despite moderate economic growth. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended May 2, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Claims for the prior week were unrevised at 262,000, which was the lowest reading since April 2000. Earlier, equity futures pointed to a sharply lower open, with Dow futures dropping 100 points. European equities tumbled in morning trade, as government bond yields continued to spike. The yield on 10-year German Bunds soared 20 basis points to trade close to 0.8%, and is on track for its biggest weekly jump in over a decade, according to Reuters. It most recently traded around 0.66%.In other European news, Greece's economic nightmare continues, after European lenders dashed any hopes of an aid-for-reform deal next Monday when the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers meets. Gold is currently trading about 0.7% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 0.9% lower, and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.5% higher at 8:30am Chicago time.
FAO Projects Second Year of Declining World Rice Stocks-to-Use Ratio
May 07, 2015
In its May 7 2015 World Food Situation report, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) is projecting that in 2015/16 higher rice utilization will surpass higher production and lead to lower ending stocks and a lower stocks-to-use ratio worldwide, especially in rice exporting nations.
Oryza Global Weather Outlook
May 07, 2015
Rain is expected across Central and Eastern South China, the Southern Yangtze Valley, and the Northern North China Plain this week.
Rain is expected across Bangladesh this week.
Rain showers are expected across Southern and Eastern India this week.
Rain is expected in some parts of Northern and Central Pakistan this week.
In Indonesia, rain is expected across Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Kalimantan, southern East Malaysia, and Sulawesi this week, which will slow rice harvesting there.
Rain showers are expected in Eastern Thailand this week.
Rain is expected across Vietnam this week, which will favour main season rice as planting there.
In the Philippines, rain is expected across Central and North-eastern Luzon this week. Typhoon 'Noul' may bring some heavy rains and high winds in Northern Luzon.
Rain is expected across Central and Northern portions of the Center-South Brazil and North-western portions of the Northeast Brazil this week.
A few light showers are expected across Northern Argentina this week.
Rain is expected across the U.S. this week.
Oryza April 2015 Rice Market Review
May 07, 2015
The Oryza White Rice Index (WRI), a weighted average of global white rice export quotes, ended the month of April at $408 per ton, down $5 per ton from a month ago and down $42 per ton from a year ago.According to FAO, global rice production expected to reach at about 500 million tons in 2015/16, up about 1.2% from last year, mainly on expectations of a recovery in India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Global rice trade also expected to reach at about 42 million tons in 2015/16, up about 2% from last year due to larger import expectations from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria.
Global rice ending stock is expected to decline about 8% to about 168 million tons in 2015/16.As of April, global rice crop conditions are mixed. In India rice crop conditions is favorable for second rice crop. In China, conditions are also favorable. Meanwhile, in Thailand conditions are poor for the dry season rice. Harvest has begun and production is expected to be significantly less than last year, mainly due to insufficient water for cultivation that resulted in reduced planted area and poor yield as well as due to pest damage and cold weather. In Vietnam, overall conditions are favorable. In the U.S., planting is underway and conditions are favorable. In Indonesia, conditions for the wet season rice remain good due to favorable sunlight and sufficient water availability.
In Brazil, harvest is almost complete. Even though planted area was reduced, production is expected to be similar to last year owing to increased yields. In the Philippines, harvest has concluded this month for the dry season rice and conditions are slightly poor due to intense heat and insufficient water. In Argentina, harvest is almost complete and conditions are favorable.In Asia, white rice and parboiled rice prices were mostly down slightly in April. Aside from sales through diplomatic channels, buying interest from key importers in Asia and Africa remained thin, while the Thai government’s suspension of state auctions of stockpiled rice added to uncertainty. In the U.S. and Brazil rice prices remain stable, while offers in South America eased fractionally on prospects for comfortable supplies and fx movements.
Thailand
Thailand 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $385 per ton, down about 1% per ton from a month ago, and up about 3% per ton from a year ago.
The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) has estimated Thailand's rice exports to decline about 22-27% to about 8-8.5 million tons due to falling global rice export prices and stiff competition with Vietnam, India and Pakistan. Separately, according to the Thai Commerce Minister, Thailand is targeting to export about 10 million tons of rice in 2015. In the beginning of the year, Thailand hoped to export 11 million tons of rice this year after exporting a record 10.97 million tons in 2014. However, due to stiff competition with Vietnam, India and Pakistan as well as falling prices and demand, Thailand has been experiencing a decline in exports in the last couple of months.
Thailand's Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has estimated the country's paddy rice output for 2014-15 at about 32.6 million tons (about 21.5 million tons, basis milled), down about 11% from about 36.77 million tons (about 24.2 million tons, basis milled) last year, according to a notice on its website. The Thai government had discouraged rice farmers from planting for off-season crop due to drought and water shortages in reservoirs. The government is also planning to reduce acreage by about 4.44 million hectares (or about 39% of the total rice area of about 11.34 million hectares) under an agricultural zoning system to grow other cash crops, such as sugarcane, in 3-4 years.
The Thai cabinet has approved a 460 million baht (about $14 million) rice protection program for the 2015 production season, according to local sources. The Finance Minister told local sources that the Ministry is expecting about 1.5 million rice farmers to participate in the program compared to about 800,000 farmers last year. He also noted that the Ministry is planning to issue 10 and 20 year bond notes worth 300 billion baht (about $9.2 billion) and the funds received from the bond issuance would be used to repay the debt obligations of the rice pledging scheme and other government programs.
A panel of Thailand's Supreme Court Judges has decided to accept the case filed by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) against the former Commerce Minister and 20 other individuals for their alleged corruption in government-to-government (G2G) rice deals with two Chinese companies, according to local sources. The hearing in the impeachment case against the former Commerce Minister, former Deputy Commerce Minister and former Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade also began in late April, for their alleged corruption in government-to-government (G2G) rice deals with two Chinese companies.
Vietnam
Vietnam 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $360 per ton, down about 3% per ton from a month ago and down about 8% per ton from a year ago.
Vietnam exported about 1.217 million tons of rice in January 1 - April 23, 2015, down about 31% from about 1.76 million tons of rice exported in first four months of 2014, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). Meanwhile, the FAO has forecasted Vietnam's 2015 rice exports to remain at last year's below-average level of 6.5 million tons. Separately, Vietnam rice exporters have expressed concern that Vietnam rice exports have slowed down despite low prices due to a stiff competition with Thailand, India and Pakistan, report local sources.
The VFA has cut the minimum export price of the lower quality 25% broken rice exports to about $340 per ton, down about 3% from about $350 per ton due to subdued demand for Vietnamese rice, according to Reuters. The new floor price is effective from April 30, 2015.
Vietnam enterprises have bought about 99.4% or about 994,294 tons of targeted one-million tons of winter-spring rice under the government-approved stock piling plan from March 1 - April 13, 2015.
The FAO forecasts Vietnam's 2015 total paddy production at a record 44.8 million tons (about 28.9 million tons, basis milled), slightly down from last year's 44.99 million tons (about 29 million tons, basis milled).
India
India 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $370 per ton, down about 3% per ton from a month ago and down about 12% per ton from a year ago.
India average whole sale rice prices stand at Rs. 2,760 per ton (about $436 per ton) in April 2015, up slightly from Rs. 2,752 per ton (about $445 per ton) in March 2015, and down about 8% from Rs. 3,016 per ton (about $498 per ton) in April of last year.
India exported about 11.65 million tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in the FY 2014-15 (April - March), up about 8% from about 10.78 million tons exported during the same period in FY 2013-14, according to the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA). Meanwhile, the FAO has forecasted India's 2015 rice exports to decline about 18% to about 9.3 million tons from about 10.9 million tons exported in 2014 due to an estimated lower harvest in 2014.
The FAO estimates India's total paddy rice production for 2015 at about 158.2 million tons (about 106 million tons, basis milled), up about 2% from last year's output of about 154.6 million tons (about 103.6 million tons, basis milled). The government of India, in its second advance estimates for major crops, has estimated India's rice production, basis milled, from rabi crop at about 15.02 million tons and about 88.02 million tons from kharif crop, according to a statement from the Agriculture Ministry. It estimates total rice production for 2014-15 marketing year (October 2014 - September 2015) at about 103.04 million tons, down about 3% from an estimated 106.65 million tons in 2013-14.
Separately, The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), the body that advises the government on the pricing policy for major farm products, has advised the government of India to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for common grade paddy by about 3.6% or about Rs.50 per quintal (about $8 per ton) for the 2015-16 (July - June) crop season, according to local sources. Currently, the MSP for paddy is Rs.1,360 per quintal (about $218 per ton) for common grade paddy and Rs. 1,400 per quintal (about $224 per ton) for Grade-A paddy.
The government of India's decision to end the levy rice procurement system from the 2015-16 kharif marketing season (October - September) is likely to negatively impact rice farmers and consumers significantly, experts have warned. However, experts say with the absence of levy rice procurement system, farmers have to depend on government agencies and traders and millers to sell their paddy.
Planting for India 2014-15 rabi (secondary) rice crop (November - May) stands at about 4.066 million hectares as of May 1, 2015; down about 9% from about 4.485 million hectares planted during the same period last year, according to preliminary data released by the Indian Agriculture Ministry.
India’s rice stocks in the central pool as of April 1, 2015 stood at about 23.62 million tons (including a milled equivalent of about 10.04 million tons of paddy), down about 22% from about 30.25 million tons recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Pakistan
Pakistan 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $380 per ton, up about 7% per ton from a month ago and down about 10% per ton from a year ago.
The USDA has estimated Pakistan MY 2014-15 (November - October) rice exports at about 3.7 million tons, up about 16% from an estimated 3.2 million tons in MY 2013-14 and down about 5% from about USDA official estimates. Separately, Pakistan exported about 472,357 tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in March 2015, up about 33% from about 355,747 tons exported in February 2015, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Pakistan rice millers are also urged the government to announce new rice export policy to help them avoid huge losses due to low rice prices, according to local sources.
The National Space Agency of Pakistan (SUPARCO) has estimated Pakistan FY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production to decline about 19% to about 8.437 million tons (about 5.65 million tons, basis milled) from about 10.04 million tons (about 6.72 million tons, basis milled) produced last year. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates Pakistan's MY 2014-15 milled rice production at about 6.9 million tons, up about 3% from an estimated 6.7 million tons in MY 2013-14 due to an increase in acreage. Separately, Pakistan's Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) has fixed rice production target of 7 million tons basis milled, (about 10.35 million tons, basis paddy) for current year, from an area of about 2.8 million hectares.
South & Central America
Brazil 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $550 per ton, unchanged from a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.
The Brazil paddy rice index maintained by CEPEA ended the month of April at about 35.66 real per 50 kilograms (about $238.3 per ton), down about 0.6% from about 35.87 real per 50 kilograms (about $224 per ton) recorded on March 31, 2015.
Brazil’s National Grains Supply Company (Conab) has forecasted the country's 2014-15 paddy rice production at about 12.397 million tons (about 8.43 million tons, basis milled), up about 2% from about 12.121 million tons (about 8.24 million tons, basis milled) in 2013-14, and up 2% from its March forecast of about 12.151 million tons. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates MY 2014-15 milled rice production at about 8.3 million tons, unchanged from last year; and unchanged from USDA's official estimates. Brazil has exported about 262,471 tons of rice in the first three months of 2015, according to data released by the Rice Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IRGA). The USDA estimates Brazil's MY 2014-15 (April 2015 - March 2016) rice exports at about one million tons, up about 10% from about 900,000 tons in MY 2013-14 and up 10% from USDA's official estimates of about 900,000 tons. The U.S. agency estimates MY 2014-15 Brazil rice imports at about 700,000 tons, unchanged from MY 2013-14 and unchanged from USDA's official estimates of about 700,000 tons.
Brazil rice stocks declined to about 134,255 tons in March 2015, slightly down from about 135,717 tons in February 2015 and down about 76% from about 558,690 tons in March 2014, according to the Conab.
Five percent broken rice from Uruguay and Argentina ended the month of April at about $565 per ton, down about 2% per ton from a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.
Argentina has exported about 12,762 tons of rice in January 2015, down about 75% from about 50,783 tons exported during the same period in 2014, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. Month-on-month, Argentina's rice exports increased about 9% from about 11,700 tons exported in December 2014.
The USDA forecast Dominican Republic's paddy rice production to decline about 2% to about 776,000 tons (about 520,000 tons, basis milled) in MY 2015-16 (January - December 2015) from about 793,000 tons (about 531,000 tons, basis milled) in the previous year due to a slight decline in paddy rice acreage. The agency estimates the country's milled rice consumption to slightly decline to about 533,000 tons in MY 2015-16 from about 538,000 tons in the previous year due to relatively higher prices.
The USDA estimates Venezuela rice imports in MY 2015-16 (April - March) at about 500,000 tons, unchanged from MY 2014-15. The Post reports that due to Venezuelan price controls and exchange rate disparities, unofficial cross border trade with Colombia has been increasing. According to the Post, Venezuela exported about 200,000 tons of rice to Colombia in MY 2013 unofficially. The Post also expects Venezuela's rice imports from the U.S. to decline due to new and renewed agreements with Guyana and Suriname. The agency estimates Venezuela rice consumption to increase to about 690,000 tons in MY 2015-16, slightly up from about 685,000 tons in MY 2014-15.
The FAO estimates Ecuador 2015 paddy rice production to about 1.23 million tons (about 774,900 tons, basis milled), up about 1.17 million tons (about 737,100 tons, basis milled) from last year due to an expected increase in plantings.
U.S.
U.S. 4% broken rice ended the month of April at about $485 per ton, unchanged from a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.
The USDA has forecasted U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice exports to increase to about 4.76 million tons, up about 12% from about 4.24 million tons last year and slightly up from its last month's forecasts of 4.72 million tons due to an increase in U.S. long grain exports to the Western Hemisphere. The agency has forecasted U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice imports to increase to about 1.07 million tons, up about 3% from about 1.04 million tons last year and up 3% from its last month's forecasts of 1.04 million tons due to an increase in imports from Thailand. The USDA increased its estimates for U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice ending stocks by about 3% to about 1.92 million tons from its last month's estimates of about 1.86 million tons. It estimates U.S. all rice ending stocks to increase about 29% y/y in MY 2014-15.
Separately, Rice farmers in U.S. state of California are again facing water shortages that producers say will reduce production in 2015, after a reduction in production in 2014. California produces about 80% of the nation's medium grain rice.
Africa
Madagascar has imported about 200,000 tons of rice in the first three months of 2015 to compensate for a likely loss of expected output from cyclones that hit the major rice producing regions of the country since January this year, according to local sources. Meanwhile, the country's Agriculture Minister told local sources that a series of cyclones, including tropical storm Chedza, Cyclone Fundi and Cyclone Haliba, from the beginning of this year have damages about 20,000 hectares of rice area in the country and the output is likely to decline by about 15-20% compared to last year.
Farmers in Tanzania's Mbeya Irrigation Zone have achieved two times higher yields with the Systematic Rice Intensification (SRI) farming technique, according to local sources. Farmers in the two irrigation schemes - Mbuyuni Kimani and Magozi - of the Mbeya Irrigation Zone who were trained in the technique told local sources that the SRI method is useful in doubling their yields, saving water and is also economically viable. The Secretary of the Mbuyuni Kimani irrigation scheme noted that the method was introduced in about 2,000 hectares and about 3,020 small farmers are being benefited.
An Italian rice cooperative project "Support project to National Program for Investment in Agriculture" along with three other cooperatives trained by the Italian National Research Center (CNR) and a group of Italian farmers have taken up a project to help and support the Senegalese farmers to boost rice production, according to local sources. The project, which is funded by the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as the Senegalese Institute of Research in Agriculture, and Regional Director of Rural Development of Sedhiou, aims at training Senegalese farmers about good farming practices and local seeding rules. It also aims at developing about 4,000 hectares of rural land to improve rice production about the Casamance river.
Mauritania has achieved 86% self-sufficiency in rice production in 2014, according to Bloomberg. The North-West African nation was only 35% self-sufficient in rice production in 2009. The government has achieved an increase in rice production through a consistent increase in rice area since 2009. It increased paddy rice area to about 51,000 hectares from about 18,000 hectares in 2009, according to the Agriculture Minister. Mauritania produced about 202,000 tons of rice in 2013-14.
China
The FAO has forecasted China's 2015 rice imports at about 2.7 million tons, similar to last year's above-average level. The agency estimates China’s 2014 paddy rice production at about 207 million tons (about 145 million tons, basis milled), slightly up from about 206.4 million tons last year (about 144.4 million tons, basis milled). The increase is attributed to a slight increase in area planted, prompted by higher minimum purchase/support prices (MSP) and other government support measures, including direct payments to farmers and subsidies for seed and machinery as well as other agricultural inputs.
Meanwhile, the government of China is planning to enhance assessment of hybrid rice varieties going further after farmers in Anhui Province suffered huge losses with "Liangyou 0293" variety, which proved to be not resistant to a serious fungal disease rice blast, according to local media.
Philippines
The Philippines first quarter paddy rice output is likely to be below the government forecast of about 4.59 million tons due to unfavorable weather conditions, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). The BAS estimates the country's Q1 paddy output at about 4.47 million tons. It attributes the decline to a reduction in paddy rice acreage and a drop in yield due to occurrence of typhoons, intense heat, and insufficient water supply, incidence of pests and diseases and strong winds.
The Philippines procurement agency is exploring ways to import rice from different countries such as Pakistan, Myanmar, and India in order to diversify rice import origins, dominated by Vietnam and Thailand. The nation is one of the biggest importers of rice in the world. Last year the Philippines imported about 1.2 million tons of rice and it is estimated to import about 1.6 million tons this year, according to USDA data.
Total rice stocks in the Philippines as of March 1, 2015 reached about 2.27 million tons, down about 3.4% from about 2.35 million tons recorded in February 2015, and up about 27.5% from about 1.78 million tons recorded during the same period last year. The BAS says that the Philippines' rice stocks as of March 1, 2015 are enough to last for 67 days (household stocks are enough for 29 days, commercial warehouses stocks are enough for 22days and stocks with NFA are enough for 16 days).
Other Markets
Italy's Ministry of Health has allowed the temporary use of three kinds of herbicides to control weeds in rice fields during the crop year 2014-15 (September - August), according to local sources. However, the use of these herbicides is not allowed in protected areas such as SIC (Relevant Community Locations), and ZPS (Specially Protected Zones) as they are home to live colonies of herons and other rare animals.
Myanmar has exported about 1.7 million tons of rice in the fiscal year 2014-15 (April - March), up about 40% from about 1.2 million tons exported in 2013-14, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce. In terms of value, Myanmar earned about $645 million from 2014-15 rice exports, according to the Joint Secretary of the Myanmar Rice Association. China accounted for more than 1.1 million tons exports from Myanmar and most of the exports were through northern borders. Myanmar exported rice to about 64 countries in ASEAN, Europe and Africa. The government is keen on increasing rice exports to about 3 million tons over the next few years and has prioritized rice exports in its National Export Strategy.
The government of Indonesia is planning to assign a state subsidiary company to buy low quality rice from farmers at a commercial price in order to stabilize prices. Meanwhile, Indonesia's State-owned Enterprises Minister criticized the state logistics agency Bulog for its inefficiency in procuring rice from the ongoing harvest, according to local sources. The Minister urged the agency to visit all the rice producing regions and monitor the condition of paddy harvests in those regions and support farmers. Separately, the government of Indonesia should garner adequate land for rice cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, a former Bulog official said. The government is aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production over the next few years and end rice imports. It is keen on increasing 2015 paddy rice production by about 4% 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.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) estimates output from the 2014-15 Aman crop at about 14 million tons, up about 1.3% from about 13 million tons last year. It estimates output from the Aus crop at about 2.328 million tons, up about 1% from about 2.3 million tons last year. The government is estimating the output from the 2014-15 ongoing Boro crop (January - May) at about 19 million tons. Boro rice crop has been planted in about 4.822 million hectares this year, according to the data from the Field Service Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Separately, the government of Bangladesh has decided to provide financial incentives of about Tk 30.21 crore (about $3.9 million) to about 210,000 rice farmers in 48 districts to help them increase the output from the ongoing Aus cropping season (February - August), according to local sources.
South Korea's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has clearly put forth the government's stance to exclude rice from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, according to local sources. He told local sources that the government has decided on excluding rice from the TPP's list of tariff concessions. Meanwhile, researchers at the Korea Rural Economic Institute has predicted that South Korea's rice production is likely to reduce by about a one million tons or about 24% by 2050 due to the effects of global warming, according to local sources. Separately, The government of South Korea has decided to provide the increased direct subsidies to rice farmers from this year instead of its initial plan of providing them from 2017, according to local sources.
The USDA estimates Australia to export about 350,000 tons of rice in 2015-16 (March 2015 - February 2016), down about 18% from an estimated 426,000 tons exported in 2014 due to an expected increase in production. Australia 2015-16 rice imports are estimated at about 150,000 tons, unchanged from last year. The agency has estimated Australia MY 2015-16 paddy rice production at about 764,000 tons (about 550,000, basis milled), up about 13% from an estimated 676,000 tons (about 487,000 tons, basis milled) in MY 2014-15 due to an expected increase in yields. Meanwhile, Australian rice growers are confident that the country's paddy rice output would reach 700,000 tons (about 504,000 tons, basis milled) in 2015 due to favorable weather conditions, according to local sources.
The USDA has estimated Turkey's rice imports at about 300,000 tons in MY 2014-15 (September - August), down about 12% from an estimated 341,000 tons imported in the previous year. According to data from the Turkish Grain Board (TMO), Turkey imported about 196,687 tons of rice between September 2014 and January 2015, with Russia being the top exporter with about 87,854 tons so far. The agency estimates Turkey's milled rice production to decline about 8% to about 460,000 tons in MY 2014-15 due to a slight reduction in planting area.
The FAO estimates Timor-Leste 2014-15 rice imports to increase significantly as the country's 2014 rice imports have almost doubled to about 130,000 tons due to reduced output in 2013 and strong domestic demand. The FAO estimates Timor-Leste's 2015 paddy production at about 94,000 tons, up about 6% from an estimated 89,000 tons in 2014 assuming normal weather forecast.
Research and Scientific Development:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is planning to develop two nutrient-rich rice varieties - zinc-rich varieties and protein-rich varieties, according to local sources.
http://oryza.com/22346/india-plans-develop-nutrition-rich-rice-varieties
Azolla, a freshwater floating fern, that carries a nitrogen-fixing cynobacterium (BGA) Anabeana Azollae, can be used in rice fields to increase the release of nitrogen into the soil more effectively and thereby increase rice production by over 50%.
http://oryza.com/22374/azolla-%E2%80%98green%E2%80%99-nitrogen-can-enhance-rice-output
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has launched the Agricultural Stress Index System (ASIS), which can be used to detect droughts much earlier and assess their impact on the crop productivity.
http://oryza.com/22512/fao-launches-agricultural-stress-index-system-detect-droughts-ahead-and-lessen-impact-crops
Silicon, the second most abundant element on the earth's crust after oxygen, can play an important role in enhances the quality of rice production, say researchers.
http://oryza.com/22511/silicon-enhances-quality-rice-production-say-researchers
A recent report by the Italy-based Joint Research Center of the European Commission has identified Precision Agriculture as a potential means to increase rice production in the EU member states while reducing the environmental ill effects associated with various rice production systems. The report recommends that PA can be integrated into the EU Common Agriculture Policy 2014-2020 to achieve the desired results.
http://oryza.com/22304/precision-agriculture-models-can-supplement-eu-cap-boost-rice-yields-while-conserving-natural
April Tenders:
South Korea's state run Agro Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation issued a tender to buy about 87,000 tons of non-glutinous rice of U.S. origin in tenders for delivery between August 15, 2015 and September 30, 2015. The agency bought about 72,000 tons of non-glutinous brown rice of the U.S. and Chinese origins. Thereafter it bought about 15,000 tons of non-glutinous brown rice of the U.S. and Australian origins.
http://oryza.com/22327/south-korea-seeks-buy-87000-tons-non-glutinous-brown-rice-tenders
http://oryza.com/22443/south-korea-buys-72000-tons-non-glutinous-rice-us-and-china-tender
http://oryza.com/22517/south-korea-buys-15000-tons-non-glutinous-rice-us-and-australia-tender
Iraq issued a tender to buy about 30,000 tons of rice.
http://oryza.com/22372/iraq-seeks-purchase-30000-tons-rice-international-tenders
Syria issued a tender to buy about 6,360 tons of rice.
http://oryza.com/22401/syria-tenders-buy-6360-tons-white-rice
http://oryza.com/22464/syria-advances-tender-date-buy-6360-tons-rice
The government of Panama is planning to hold a tender for buying about 214,000 CWT (about 9,706 tons) of rice for delivery between April 24 - June 30, 2015, according to Prensa.com.
http://oryza.com/22409/panama-tender-buying-9706-tons-rice
Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Hold as Sellers Remain Uninterested in Marketing and Finish Planting
May 07, 2015
The U.S. cash market remained unchanged today as farmers remain busy planting before much needed rain passes through the Mid-South, bringing plantings to a standstill.Analysts contend that many sellers will continue to wait out this price slump as long as they can with many crossing their fingers that new demand will show up at lower prices; however, buyers remain hand-to-mouth and see little reason to change their strategy as farmers plant as much as they can before the next storm despite burdensome stocks.In the meantime, the USDA reported that cumulative net export sales for the week ending on April 30 totaled 62,500 tons, which was 45% lower than last week and 9% lower than the prior 4-week average.
Increases were reported for the following destinations: 20,000 tons to South Korea, 17,000 tons to Mexico, 16,000 tons to Honduras including 8,500 tons switched from unknown destinations, 15,400 tons to Colombia, and 12,500 tons to Libya while decreases of 28,500 tons and 6,000 tons were reported for Turkey and unknown destinations, respectively.U.S. rice exporters shipped 78,700 tons, which was 36% higher than last week and 13% higher than the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations included 19,600 tons to Mexico, 15,500 tons to Colombia, 12,300 tons to Honduras, 12,200 tons Japan, and 7,100 tons to Haiti.
Thailand Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today
May 07, 2015
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for 5% broken rice by about a $5 per ton to about $370 - $380 per ton today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton, down about a $5 per ton from yesterday and about a $20 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton.
India 5% rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton, about a $5 per ton discount to Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $375 - $385 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is shown at around $350 - $360 per ton, about a $20 per ton premium on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $330- $340 per ton.
India 25% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355, about a $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $330 - $340 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $375 - $385 per ton.
India parboiled rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about a $30 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice shown at around $390 - $400 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is indicated at around $315 - $325 per ton, about a $5 per ton premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $270 - $280 per ton, about a $15 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton.
May 07, 2015
Genome editing may allow scientists to improve rice crops, according to an article on phys.org. Principal investigator Cornell University researcher Adam Bogdanove and Jan Leach, professor of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management at Colorado State University are exploring the ability for disease resistance and tolerance to acidic soils to be edited out of rice genomes. Professor Leach says that 15% of rice paddy yield is lost to disease.
"We have the ability to open the genome like a book, go to a certain chapter and a specific word [ referring to a DNA sequence] and change the word or correct its spelling," phys.org quotes Bogdanove.The quick results of genome editing are contrasted with the slow process of rice plant breeding. Genome editing is also not the same as genetic engineering, which is less precise; Bogdanove compares genetic engineering to “inserting a particular sentence somewhere at random into the book,” quotes phys.org.The project’s public website can be found at RiceDiversity.org.
Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Continue to Chart Historic Low Prices as Technical Bearishness is Compounded by Falling Grain Prices
May 07, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery settled 10 cents per cwt (about $2 per ton) lower at $9.695 per cwt (about $214 per ton). The outlook for Rough rice futures remains bleak as prices continue to make double digit moves lower and continues to see aggressive selling in afternoon trading. Technical weakness was compounded by market wide bearishness. The other grains turned negative today, pressured by a steep decline in crude prices as well as strength in the US dollar; Soybeans closed about 0.8% lower at $9.7500 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.4% lower at $4.7275 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 2.4% lower at $3.5775 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded higher on Thursday as investors awaited Friday's jobs report and yields eased slightly from recent highs. Thursday's gains marked a rebound from the last two days' selloffs. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended May 2, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the prior week were unrevised at 262,000, which was the lowest reading since April 2000. To be sure, Wednesday's ADP report showed the U.S. private sector added 169,000 jobs, the fewest since January 2014. The report is not necessarily correlated with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' data due Friday. Investors also kept on eye on crude, which eased off its highs for 2015 but remained about half the peak levels of last summer.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 113 points, or 0.63%, at 17,956. The S&P 500 traded up 12 points, or 0.55%, at 2,092, with information technology leading nine sectors higher energy the only decliner. The Nasdaq traded up 35 points, or 0.72%, at 4,955. Gold is trading about 0.7% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 3.2% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.7% higher at about 1:00pm Chicago time.Wednesday, there were 1,022 contracts traded, up from 853 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Wednesday increased by 14 contracts to 10,841.
France Hungry for Authentic North American Wild Rice
May 07, 2015
Wild rice is North America’s only native grain. In fact, the grain is not technically rice but an annual water grass seed, zizania. In the U.S., wild rice is both hand harvested and cultivated.Harvesting wild rice for thousands of years, the Ojibwe Native Americans call wild rice ‘manomin,’ or good berry; it grows in rivers and lakes and is harvested by canoe and flail sticks.Since the 1950s’s wild rice has been cultivated and the U.S. state of Minnesota is the world’s largest producer of cultivated wild rice, with an annual output of 5-10 million pounds. Wild rice is also grown in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and Canada.
Wild rice and other Native American goods are growing in popularity in France. However, a Native American News and Arts site, thecirclenews.org, reports that products being marketed as Native American in France are sometimes fakes, including black Indonesian rice being marketed as North American wild rice. Efforts are underway to properly market wild rice in France, but have been dampened by the tribal electoral cycle, according to the site.
Global Rice Quotes
May 8th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 380-390 ↔
Vietnam 5% broken 350-360 ↔
India 5% broken 370-380 ↔
Pakistan 5% broken 375-385 ↔
Myanmar 5% broken 415-425 ↔
Cambodia 5% broken 430-440 ↔
U.S. 4% broken 480-490 ↔
Uruguay 5% broken 565-575 ↔
Argentina 5% broken 555-565 ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 350-360 ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 330-340 ↔
Pakistan 25% broken 330-340 ↔
Cambodia 25% broken 410-420 ↔
India 25% broken 345-355 ↔
U.S. 15% broken 470-480 ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 375-385 ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd 390-400 ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 360-370 ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 555-565 ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 570-580 ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 875-885 ↓
Vietnam Jasmine 480-490 ↔
India basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 815-825 ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 315-325 ↔
Vietnam 100% broken 310-320 ↑
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 285-295 ↔
Cambodia A1 Super 350-360 ↔
India 100% broken stxd 270-280 ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ ↔
U.S. pet food 370-380 ↔
Brazil half grain NQ ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
Following Main Crop Harvest, Indonesia Will Review Rice Imports in June or July
May 07, 2015
Indonesia has rice stockpiles for six to seven months but may consider rice imports, depending domestic production, Bloomberg quotes the coordinating minister for economic affairs as saying. Indonesia’s main rice crop is harvested March through June and a decision regarding rice imports is expected to be determined by June or July.
Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Continue Lower Overnight on Lack of Technical and Fundamental Support
May 07, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery are currently seen paused 4.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per ton) lower at $9.750 per cwt (about $215 per ton) ahead of floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen trading lower: soybeans are currently seen about 0.2% lower, wheat is listed about 0.2% lower and corn is currently noted 1.6% lower.U.S. stock index futures indicated a lower open on Thursday coming off lows as investors eyed U.S. data and higher bond yields. The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose marginally last week, staying near a 15-year low in a sign that the labor market continues to strengthen despite moderate economic growth. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000 for the week ended May 2, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Claims for the prior week were unrevised at 262,000, which was the lowest reading since April 2000. Earlier, equity futures pointed to a sharply lower open, with Dow futures dropping 100 points. European equities tumbled in morning trade, as government bond yields continued to spike. The yield on 10-year German Bunds soared 20 basis points to trade close to 0.8%, and is on track for its biggest weekly jump in over a decade, according to Reuters. It most recently traded around 0.66%.In other European news, Greece's economic nightmare continues, after European lenders dashed any hopes of an aid-for-reform deal next Monday when the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers meets. Gold is currently trading about 0.7% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 0.9% lower, and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.5% higher at 8:30am Chicago time.
FAO Projects Second Year of Declining World Rice Stocks-to-Use Ratio
May 07, 2015
In its May 7 2015 World Food Situation report, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) is projecting that in 2015/16 higher rice utilization will surpass higher production and lead to lower ending stocks and a lower stocks-to-use ratio worldwide, especially in rice exporting nations.
Oryza Global Weather Outlook
May 07, 2015
Rain is expected across Central and Eastern South China, the Southern Yangtze Valley, and the Northern North China Plain this week.
Rain is expected across Bangladesh this week.
Rain showers are expected across Southern and Eastern India this week.
Rain is expected in some parts of Northern and Central Pakistan this week.
In Indonesia, rain is expected across Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Kalimantan, southern East Malaysia, and Sulawesi this week, which will slow rice harvesting there.
Rain showers are expected in Eastern Thailand this week.
Rain is expected across Vietnam this week, which will favour main season rice as planting there.
In the Philippines, rain is expected across Central and North-eastern Luzon this week. Typhoon 'Noul' may bring some heavy rains and high winds in Northern Luzon.
Rain is expected across Central and Northern portions of the Center-South Brazil and North-western portions of the Northeast Brazil this week.
A few light showers are expected across Northern Argentina this week.
Rain is expected across the U.S. this week.
Oryza April 2015 Rice Market Review
May 07, 2015
The Oryza White Rice Index (WRI), a weighted average of global white rice export quotes, ended the month of April at $408 per ton, down $5 per ton from a month ago and down $42 per ton from a year ago.According to FAO, global rice production expected to reach at about 500 million tons in 2015/16, up about 1.2% from last year, mainly on expectations of a recovery in India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Global rice trade also expected to reach at about 42 million tons in 2015/16, up about 2% from last year due to larger import expectations from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria.
Global rice ending stock is expected to decline about 8% to about 168 million tons in 2015/16.As of April, global rice crop conditions are mixed. In India rice crop conditions is favorable for second rice crop. In China, conditions are also favorable. Meanwhile, in Thailand conditions are poor for the dry season rice. Harvest has begun and production is expected to be significantly less than last year, mainly due to insufficient water for cultivation that resulted in reduced planted area and poor yield as well as due to pest damage and cold weather. In Vietnam, overall conditions are favorable. In the U.S., planting is underway and conditions are favorable. In Indonesia, conditions for the wet season rice remain good due to favorable sunlight and sufficient water availability.
In Brazil, harvest is almost complete. Even though planted area was reduced, production is expected to be similar to last year owing to increased yields. In the Philippines, harvest has concluded this month for the dry season rice and conditions are slightly poor due to intense heat and insufficient water. In Argentina, harvest is almost complete and conditions are favorable.In Asia, white rice and parboiled rice prices were mostly down slightly in April. Aside from sales through diplomatic channels, buying interest from key importers in Asia and Africa remained thin, while the Thai government’s suspension of state auctions of stockpiled rice added to uncertainty. In the U.S. and Brazil rice prices remain stable, while offers in South America eased fractionally on prospects for comfortable supplies and fx movements.
Thailand
Thailand 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $385 per ton, down about 1% per ton from a month ago, and up about 3% per ton from a year ago.
The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) has estimated Thailand's rice exports to decline about 22-27% to about 8-8.5 million tons due to falling global rice export prices and stiff competition with Vietnam, India and Pakistan. Separately, according to the Thai Commerce Minister, Thailand is targeting to export about 10 million tons of rice in 2015. In the beginning of the year, Thailand hoped to export 11 million tons of rice this year after exporting a record 10.97 million tons in 2014. However, due to stiff competition with Vietnam, India and Pakistan as well as falling prices and demand, Thailand has been experiencing a decline in exports in the last couple of months.
Thailand's Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has estimated the country's paddy rice output for 2014-15 at about 32.6 million tons (about 21.5 million tons, basis milled), down about 11% from about 36.77 million tons (about 24.2 million tons, basis milled) last year, according to a notice on its website. The Thai government had discouraged rice farmers from planting for off-season crop due to drought and water shortages in reservoirs. The government is also planning to reduce acreage by about 4.44 million hectares (or about 39% of the total rice area of about 11.34 million hectares) under an agricultural zoning system to grow other cash crops, such as sugarcane, in 3-4 years.
The Thai cabinet has approved a 460 million baht (about $14 million) rice protection program for the 2015 production season, according to local sources. The Finance Minister told local sources that the Ministry is expecting about 1.5 million rice farmers to participate in the program compared to about 800,000 farmers last year. He also noted that the Ministry is planning to issue 10 and 20 year bond notes worth 300 billion baht (about $9.2 billion) and the funds received from the bond issuance would be used to repay the debt obligations of the rice pledging scheme and other government programs.
A panel of Thailand's Supreme Court Judges has decided to accept the case filed by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) against the former Commerce Minister and 20 other individuals for their alleged corruption in government-to-government (G2G) rice deals with two Chinese companies, according to local sources. The hearing in the impeachment case against the former Commerce Minister, former Deputy Commerce Minister and former Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade also began in late April, for their alleged corruption in government-to-government (G2G) rice deals with two Chinese companies.
Vietnam
Vietnam 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $360 per ton, down about 3% per ton from a month ago and down about 8% per ton from a year ago.
Vietnam exported about 1.217 million tons of rice in January 1 - April 23, 2015, down about 31% from about 1.76 million tons of rice exported in first four months of 2014, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). Meanwhile, the FAO has forecasted Vietnam's 2015 rice exports to remain at last year's below-average level of 6.5 million tons. Separately, Vietnam rice exporters have expressed concern that Vietnam rice exports have slowed down despite low prices due to a stiff competition with Thailand, India and Pakistan, report local sources.
The VFA has cut the minimum export price of the lower quality 25% broken rice exports to about $340 per ton, down about 3% from about $350 per ton due to subdued demand for Vietnamese rice, according to Reuters. The new floor price is effective from April 30, 2015.
Vietnam enterprises have bought about 99.4% or about 994,294 tons of targeted one-million tons of winter-spring rice under the government-approved stock piling plan from March 1 - April 13, 2015.
The FAO forecasts Vietnam's 2015 total paddy production at a record 44.8 million tons (about 28.9 million tons, basis milled), slightly down from last year's 44.99 million tons (about 29 million tons, basis milled).
India
India 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $370 per ton, down about 3% per ton from a month ago and down about 12% per ton from a year ago.
India average whole sale rice prices stand at Rs. 2,760 per ton (about $436 per ton) in April 2015, up slightly from Rs. 2,752 per ton (about $445 per ton) in March 2015, and down about 8% from Rs. 3,016 per ton (about $498 per ton) in April of last year.
India exported about 11.65 million tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in the FY 2014-15 (April - March), up about 8% from about 10.78 million tons exported during the same period in FY 2013-14, according to the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA). Meanwhile, the FAO has forecasted India's 2015 rice exports to decline about 18% to about 9.3 million tons from about 10.9 million tons exported in 2014 due to an estimated lower harvest in 2014.
The FAO estimates India's total paddy rice production for 2015 at about 158.2 million tons (about 106 million tons, basis milled), up about 2% from last year's output of about 154.6 million tons (about 103.6 million tons, basis milled). The government of India, in its second advance estimates for major crops, has estimated India's rice production, basis milled, from rabi crop at about 15.02 million tons and about 88.02 million tons from kharif crop, according to a statement from the Agriculture Ministry. It estimates total rice production for 2014-15 marketing year (October 2014 - September 2015) at about 103.04 million tons, down about 3% from an estimated 106.65 million tons in 2013-14.
Separately, The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), the body that advises the government on the pricing policy for major farm products, has advised the government of India to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for common grade paddy by about 3.6% or about Rs.50 per quintal (about $8 per ton) for the 2015-16 (July - June) crop season, according to local sources. Currently, the MSP for paddy is Rs.1,360 per quintal (about $218 per ton) for common grade paddy and Rs. 1,400 per quintal (about $224 per ton) for Grade-A paddy.
The government of India's decision to end the levy rice procurement system from the 2015-16 kharif marketing season (October - September) is likely to negatively impact rice farmers and consumers significantly, experts have warned. However, experts say with the absence of levy rice procurement system, farmers have to depend on government agencies and traders and millers to sell their paddy.
Planting for India 2014-15 rabi (secondary) rice crop (November - May) stands at about 4.066 million hectares as of May 1, 2015; down about 9% from about 4.485 million hectares planted during the same period last year, according to preliminary data released by the Indian Agriculture Ministry.
India’s rice stocks in the central pool as of April 1, 2015 stood at about 23.62 million tons (including a milled equivalent of about 10.04 million tons of paddy), down about 22% from about 30.25 million tons recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Pakistan
Pakistan 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $380 per ton, up about 7% per ton from a month ago and down about 10% per ton from a year ago.
The USDA has estimated Pakistan MY 2014-15 (November - October) rice exports at about 3.7 million tons, up about 16% from an estimated 3.2 million tons in MY 2013-14 and down about 5% from about USDA official estimates. Separately, Pakistan exported about 472,357 tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in March 2015, up about 33% from about 355,747 tons exported in February 2015, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Pakistan rice millers are also urged the government to announce new rice export policy to help them avoid huge losses due to low rice prices, according to local sources.
The National Space Agency of Pakistan (SUPARCO) has estimated Pakistan FY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production to decline about 19% to about 8.437 million tons (about 5.65 million tons, basis milled) from about 10.04 million tons (about 6.72 million tons, basis milled) produced last year. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates Pakistan's MY 2014-15 milled rice production at about 6.9 million tons, up about 3% from an estimated 6.7 million tons in MY 2013-14 due to an increase in acreage. Separately, Pakistan's Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) has fixed rice production target of 7 million tons basis milled, (about 10.35 million tons, basis paddy) for current year, from an area of about 2.8 million hectares.
South & Central America
Brazil 5% broken rice ended the month of April at about $550 per ton, unchanged from a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.
The Brazil paddy rice index maintained by CEPEA ended the month of April at about 35.66 real per 50 kilograms (about $238.3 per ton), down about 0.6% from about 35.87 real per 50 kilograms (about $224 per ton) recorded on March 31, 2015.
Brazil’s National Grains Supply Company (Conab) has forecasted the country's 2014-15 paddy rice production at about 12.397 million tons (about 8.43 million tons, basis milled), up about 2% from about 12.121 million tons (about 8.24 million tons, basis milled) in 2013-14, and up 2% from its March forecast of about 12.151 million tons. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates MY 2014-15 milled rice production at about 8.3 million tons, unchanged from last year; and unchanged from USDA's official estimates. Brazil has exported about 262,471 tons of rice in the first three months of 2015, according to data released by the Rice Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IRGA). The USDA estimates Brazil's MY 2014-15 (April 2015 - March 2016) rice exports at about one million tons, up about 10% from about 900,000 tons in MY 2013-14 and up 10% from USDA's official estimates of about 900,000 tons. The U.S. agency estimates MY 2014-15 Brazil rice imports at about 700,000 tons, unchanged from MY 2013-14 and unchanged from USDA's official estimates of about 700,000 tons.
Brazil rice stocks declined to about 134,255 tons in March 2015, slightly down from about 135,717 tons in February 2015 and down about 76% from about 558,690 tons in March 2014, according to the Conab.
Five percent broken rice from Uruguay and Argentina ended the month of April at about $565 per ton, down about 2% per ton from a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.
Argentina has exported about 12,762 tons of rice in January 2015, down about 75% from about 50,783 tons exported during the same period in 2014, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. Month-on-month, Argentina's rice exports increased about 9% from about 11,700 tons exported in December 2014.
The USDA forecast Dominican Republic's paddy rice production to decline about 2% to about 776,000 tons (about 520,000 tons, basis milled) in MY 2015-16 (January - December 2015) from about 793,000 tons (about 531,000 tons, basis milled) in the previous year due to a slight decline in paddy rice acreage. The agency estimates the country's milled rice consumption to slightly decline to about 533,000 tons in MY 2015-16 from about 538,000 tons in the previous year due to relatively higher prices.
The USDA estimates Venezuela rice imports in MY 2015-16 (April - March) at about 500,000 tons, unchanged from MY 2014-15. The Post reports that due to Venezuelan price controls and exchange rate disparities, unofficial cross border trade with Colombia has been increasing. According to the Post, Venezuela exported about 200,000 tons of rice to Colombia in MY 2013 unofficially. The Post also expects Venezuela's rice imports from the U.S. to decline due to new and renewed agreements with Guyana and Suriname. The agency estimates Venezuela rice consumption to increase to about 690,000 tons in MY 2015-16, slightly up from about 685,000 tons in MY 2014-15.
The FAO estimates Ecuador 2015 paddy rice production to about 1.23 million tons (about 774,900 tons, basis milled), up about 1.17 million tons (about 737,100 tons, basis milled) from last year due to an expected increase in plantings.
U.S.
U.S. 4% broken rice ended the month of April at about $485 per ton, unchanged from a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.
The USDA has forecasted U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice exports to increase to about 4.76 million tons, up about 12% from about 4.24 million tons last year and slightly up from its last month's forecasts of 4.72 million tons due to an increase in U.S. long grain exports to the Western Hemisphere. The agency has forecasted U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice imports to increase to about 1.07 million tons, up about 3% from about 1.04 million tons last year and up 3% from its last month's forecasts of 1.04 million tons due to an increase in imports from Thailand. The USDA increased its estimates for U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice ending stocks by about 3% to about 1.92 million tons from its last month's estimates of about 1.86 million tons. It estimates U.S. all rice ending stocks to increase about 29% y/y in MY 2014-15.
Separately, Rice farmers in U.S. state of California are again facing water shortages that producers say will reduce production in 2015, after a reduction in production in 2014. California produces about 80% of the nation's medium grain rice.
Africa
Madagascar has imported about 200,000 tons of rice in the first three months of 2015 to compensate for a likely loss of expected output from cyclones that hit the major rice producing regions of the country since January this year, according to local sources. Meanwhile, the country's Agriculture Minister told local sources that a series of cyclones, including tropical storm Chedza, Cyclone Fundi and Cyclone Haliba, from the beginning of this year have damages about 20,000 hectares of rice area in the country and the output is likely to decline by about 15-20% compared to last year.
Farmers in Tanzania's Mbeya Irrigation Zone have achieved two times higher yields with the Systematic Rice Intensification (SRI) farming technique, according to local sources. Farmers in the two irrigation schemes - Mbuyuni Kimani and Magozi - of the Mbeya Irrigation Zone who were trained in the technique told local sources that the SRI method is useful in doubling their yields, saving water and is also economically viable. The Secretary of the Mbuyuni Kimani irrigation scheme noted that the method was introduced in about 2,000 hectares and about 3,020 small farmers are being benefited.
An Italian rice cooperative project "Support project to National Program for Investment in Agriculture" along with three other cooperatives trained by the Italian National Research Center (CNR) and a group of Italian farmers have taken up a project to help and support the Senegalese farmers to boost rice production, according to local sources. The project, which is funded by the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as the Senegalese Institute of Research in Agriculture, and Regional Director of Rural Development of Sedhiou, aims at training Senegalese farmers about good farming practices and local seeding rules. It also aims at developing about 4,000 hectares of rural land to improve rice production about the Casamance river.
Mauritania has achieved 86% self-sufficiency in rice production in 2014, according to Bloomberg. The North-West African nation was only 35% self-sufficient in rice production in 2009. The government has achieved an increase in rice production through a consistent increase in rice area since 2009. It increased paddy rice area to about 51,000 hectares from about 18,000 hectares in 2009, according to the Agriculture Minister. Mauritania produced about 202,000 tons of rice in 2013-14.
China
The FAO has forecasted China's 2015 rice imports at about 2.7 million tons, similar to last year's above-average level. The agency estimates China’s 2014 paddy rice production at about 207 million tons (about 145 million tons, basis milled), slightly up from about 206.4 million tons last year (about 144.4 million tons, basis milled). The increase is attributed to a slight increase in area planted, prompted by higher minimum purchase/support prices (MSP) and other government support measures, including direct payments to farmers and subsidies for seed and machinery as well as other agricultural inputs.
Meanwhile, the government of China is planning to enhance assessment of hybrid rice varieties going further after farmers in Anhui Province suffered huge losses with "Liangyou 0293" variety, which proved to be not resistant to a serious fungal disease rice blast, according to local media.
Philippines
The Philippines first quarter paddy rice output is likely to be below the government forecast of about 4.59 million tons due to unfavorable weather conditions, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). The BAS estimates the country's Q1 paddy output at about 4.47 million tons. It attributes the decline to a reduction in paddy rice acreage and a drop in yield due to occurrence of typhoons, intense heat, and insufficient water supply, incidence of pests and diseases and strong winds.
The Philippines procurement agency is exploring ways to import rice from different countries such as Pakistan, Myanmar, and India in order to diversify rice import origins, dominated by Vietnam and Thailand. The nation is one of the biggest importers of rice in the world. Last year the Philippines imported about 1.2 million tons of rice and it is estimated to import about 1.6 million tons this year, according to USDA data.
Total rice stocks in the Philippines as of March 1, 2015 reached about 2.27 million tons, down about 3.4% from about 2.35 million tons recorded in February 2015, and up about 27.5% from about 1.78 million tons recorded during the same period last year. The BAS says that the Philippines' rice stocks as of March 1, 2015 are enough to last for 67 days (household stocks are enough for 29 days, commercial warehouses stocks are enough for 22days and stocks with NFA are enough for 16 days).
Other Markets
Italy's Ministry of Health has allowed the temporary use of three kinds of herbicides to control weeds in rice fields during the crop year 2014-15 (September - August), according to local sources. However, the use of these herbicides is not allowed in protected areas such as SIC (Relevant Community Locations), and ZPS (Specially Protected Zones) as they are home to live colonies of herons and other rare animals.
Myanmar has exported about 1.7 million tons of rice in the fiscal year 2014-15 (April - March), up about 40% from about 1.2 million tons exported in 2013-14, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce. In terms of value, Myanmar earned about $645 million from 2014-15 rice exports, according to the Joint Secretary of the Myanmar Rice Association. China accounted for more than 1.1 million tons exports from Myanmar and most of the exports were through northern borders. Myanmar exported rice to about 64 countries in ASEAN, Europe and Africa. The government is keen on increasing rice exports to about 3 million tons over the next few years and has prioritized rice exports in its National Export Strategy.
The government of Indonesia is planning to assign a state subsidiary company to buy low quality rice from farmers at a commercial price in order to stabilize prices. Meanwhile, Indonesia's State-owned Enterprises Minister criticized the state logistics agency Bulog for its inefficiency in procuring rice from the ongoing harvest, according to local sources. The Minister urged the agency to visit all the rice producing regions and monitor the condition of paddy harvests in those regions and support farmers. Separately, the government of Indonesia should garner adequate land for rice cultivation to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, a former Bulog official said. The government is aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production over the next few years and end rice imports. It is keen on increasing 2015 paddy rice production by about 4% 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.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) estimates output from the 2014-15 Aman crop at about 14 million tons, up about 1.3% from about 13 million tons last year. It estimates output from the Aus crop at about 2.328 million tons, up about 1% from about 2.3 million tons last year. The government is estimating the output from the 2014-15 ongoing Boro crop (January - May) at about 19 million tons. Boro rice crop has been planted in about 4.822 million hectares this year, according to the data from the Field Service Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Separately, the government of Bangladesh has decided to provide financial incentives of about Tk 30.21 crore (about $3.9 million) to about 210,000 rice farmers in 48 districts to help them increase the output from the ongoing Aus cropping season (February - August), according to local sources.
South Korea's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has clearly put forth the government's stance to exclude rice from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, according to local sources. He told local sources that the government has decided on excluding rice from the TPP's list of tariff concessions. Meanwhile, researchers at the Korea Rural Economic Institute has predicted that South Korea's rice production is likely to reduce by about a one million tons or about 24% by 2050 due to the effects of global warming, according to local sources. Separately, The government of South Korea has decided to provide the increased direct subsidies to rice farmers from this year instead of its initial plan of providing them from 2017, according to local sources.
The USDA estimates Australia to export about 350,000 tons of rice in 2015-16 (March 2015 - February 2016), down about 18% from an estimated 426,000 tons exported in 2014 due to an expected increase in production. Australia 2015-16 rice imports are estimated at about 150,000 tons, unchanged from last year. The agency has estimated Australia MY 2015-16 paddy rice production at about 764,000 tons (about 550,000, basis milled), up about 13% from an estimated 676,000 tons (about 487,000 tons, basis milled) in MY 2014-15 due to an expected increase in yields. Meanwhile, Australian rice growers are confident that the country's paddy rice output would reach 700,000 tons (about 504,000 tons, basis milled) in 2015 due to favorable weather conditions, according to local sources.
The USDA has estimated Turkey's rice imports at about 300,000 tons in MY 2014-15 (September - August), down about 12% from an estimated 341,000 tons imported in the previous year. According to data from the Turkish Grain Board (TMO), Turkey imported about 196,687 tons of rice between September 2014 and January 2015, with Russia being the top exporter with about 87,854 tons so far. The agency estimates Turkey's milled rice production to decline about 8% to about 460,000 tons in MY 2014-15 due to a slight reduction in planting area.
The FAO estimates Timor-Leste 2014-15 rice imports to increase significantly as the country's 2014 rice imports have almost doubled to about 130,000 tons due to reduced output in 2013 and strong domestic demand. The FAO estimates Timor-Leste's 2015 paddy production at about 94,000 tons, up about 6% from an estimated 89,000 tons in 2014 assuming normal weather forecast.
Research and Scientific Development:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is planning to develop two nutrient-rich rice varieties - zinc-rich varieties and protein-rich varieties, according to local sources.
http://oryza.com/22346/india-plans-develop-nutrition-rich-rice-varieties
Azolla, a freshwater floating fern, that carries a nitrogen-fixing cynobacterium (BGA) Anabeana Azollae, can be used in rice fields to increase the release of nitrogen into the soil more effectively and thereby increase rice production by over 50%.
http://oryza.com/22374/azolla-%E2%80%98green%E2%80%99-nitrogen-can-enhance-rice-output
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has launched the Agricultural Stress Index System (ASIS), which can be used to detect droughts much earlier and assess their impact on the crop productivity.
http://oryza.com/22512/fao-launches-agricultural-stress-index-system-detect-droughts-ahead-and-lessen-impact-crops
Silicon, the second most abundant element on the earth's crust after oxygen, can play an important role in enhances the quality of rice production, say researchers.
http://oryza.com/22511/silicon-enhances-quality-rice-production-say-researchers
A recent report by the Italy-based Joint Research Center of the European Commission has identified Precision Agriculture as a potential means to increase rice production in the EU member states while reducing the environmental ill effects associated with various rice production systems. The report recommends that PA can be integrated into the EU Common Agriculture Policy 2014-2020 to achieve the desired results.
http://oryza.com/22304/precision-agriculture-models-can-supplement-eu-cap-boost-rice-yields-while-conserving-natural
April Tenders:
South Korea's state run Agro Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation issued a tender to buy about 87,000 tons of non-glutinous rice of U.S. origin in tenders for delivery between August 15, 2015 and September 30, 2015. The agency bought about 72,000 tons of non-glutinous brown rice of the U.S. and Chinese origins. Thereafter it bought about 15,000 tons of non-glutinous brown rice of the U.S. and Australian origins.
http://oryza.com/22327/south-korea-seeks-buy-87000-tons-non-glutinous-brown-rice-tenders
http://oryza.com/22443/south-korea-buys-72000-tons-non-glutinous-rice-us-and-china-tender
http://oryza.com/22517/south-korea-buys-15000-tons-non-glutinous-rice-us-and-australia-tender
Iraq issued a tender to buy about 30,000 tons of rice.
http://oryza.com/22372/iraq-seeks-purchase-30000-tons-rice-international-tenders
Syria issued a tender to buy about 6,360 tons of rice.
http://oryza.com/22401/syria-tenders-buy-6360-tons-white-rice
http://oryza.com/22464/syria-advances-tender-date-buy-6360-tons-rice
The government of Panama is planning to hold a tender for buying about 214,000 CWT (about 9,706 tons) of rice for delivery between April 24 - June 30, 2015, according to Prensa.com.
http://oryza.com/22409/panama-tender-buying-9706-tons-rice
Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Hold as Sellers Remain Uninterested in Marketing and Finish Planting
May 07, 2015
The U.S. cash market remained unchanged today as farmers remain busy planting before much needed rain passes through the Mid-South, bringing plantings to a standstill.Analysts contend that many sellers will continue to wait out this price slump as long as they can with many crossing their fingers that new demand will show up at lower prices; however, buyers remain hand-to-mouth and see little reason to change their strategy as farmers plant as much as they can before the next storm despite burdensome stocks.In the meantime, the USDA reported that cumulative net export sales for the week ending on April 30 totaled 62,500 tons, which was 45% lower than last week and 9% lower than the prior 4-week average.
Increases were reported for the following destinations: 20,000 tons to South Korea, 17,000 tons to Mexico, 16,000 tons to Honduras including 8,500 tons switched from unknown destinations, 15,400 tons to Colombia, and 12,500 tons to Libya while decreases of 28,500 tons and 6,000 tons were reported for Turkey and unknown destinations, respectively.U.S. rice exporters shipped 78,700 tons, which was 36% higher than last week and 13% higher than the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations included 19,600 tons to Mexico, 15,500 tons to Colombia, 12,300 tons to Honduras, 12,200 tons Japan, and 7,100 tons to Haiti.
Thailand Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today
May 07, 2015
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for 5% broken rice by about a $5 per ton to about $370 - $380 per ton today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton, down about a $5 per ton from yesterday and about a $20 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton.
India 5% rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton, about a $5 per ton discount to Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $375 - $385 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is shown at around $350 - $360 per ton, about a $20 per ton premium on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $330- $340 per ton.
India 25% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355, about a $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $330 - $340 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $375 - $385 per ton.
India parboiled rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about a $30 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice shown at around $390 - $400 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is indicated at around $315 - $325 per ton, about a $5 per ton premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $270 - $280 per ton, about a $15 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton.
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