Farmers up in arms over plans to
import rice to South Korean tables
Posted on : May.13,2015 17:55 KSTModified on : May.13,2015
17:55 KST
|
A farmer cries as he touches burning rice, during a protest
gathering held by members of the Korea Peasants League and various civic
groups, calling on the South Korean government to withdraw its plan to open
the domestic rice market, and condemning plans for a free trade agreement
with China, at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, Nov. 20, 2014. (by Kim
Tae-hyeong, staff photographer)
|
Farmers are protesting South Korean government plans to import
table rice as duties disappear this year with a new tarification framework.The
Korean Peasants’ League (KPL) and National Rice Producers’ Association held a
press conference on May 12 in front of the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade
Corporation (aT) in Bitgaram Innovation City in Naju, South Jeolla Province, to
demand a halt on imports of table rice.“If table rice that costs just half the
price of domestic product takes over at the food service places that are our
major consumers, market prices will fall and farmers will have fewer sales
opportunities,” they warned.“That is why farmers have been strenuously
demanding that table rice imports not be allowed [unlike rice for processing],
and it’s also why the government removed table rice import duty provisions from
the concession schedule last year,” they added.“The National Assembly also
urged a removal of table rice import budget items and a halt to imports when it
passed the budget last November.”The farmers went on to say a halt to table
rice imports would not violate World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations
because the rice tarification process has already begun.“We also have to ask if
the government is in its right mind when it insists on importing table rice
even when we have so much of it after the bumper crop last year,” they
added.The farmers’ take on Seoul’s decision to go ahead with the measures in
spite of the WTO regulations and current rice supply conditions is that it is
motivated by concerns about Washington’s reaction ahead of WTO rice
negotiations and South Korea’s possible membership in the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP).“They bowed to the anticipated US pressure out of fears of
retaliation,” said KPL policy committee chairman Park Hyeong-dae.“They should
try to minimize the market effects by halting the table rice imports and do
100% of their imports for processing rice, which they can provide as aid to
Nepal or North Korea or use for animal feed,” Park advised.KPL chairman Kim
Yeong-ho, 59, from Yesan in South Chungcheong Province, launched a ten-day
sit-in demonstration in front of the aT headquarters the same day to demand a
halt to the table rice imports. The KFL also plans to stage a nationwide farmers’
rally at the same location on May 21, the date when bidding takes place.On May
8, the South Korean government announced plans to import 10,000 tons of table
rice through aT. The corporation held a bidding briefing for importers on May
12. Successful bidders are scheduled to import their allotted quantities by
October.The government previously postponed rice tarification between 2005 and
2014, opting instead to import 409,000 tons of rice each year through minimum
market access (MMA). 70%, or 280,000 tons, consisted of processing rice, while
the remaining 30% (130,000 tons) was table rice.The majority of table rice
imports come from the US, amounting to 50,000 tons per year. Costing half the
price of domestic product with a tariff of only around 5%, the table rice found
wide distribution in the market as an inexpensive option. Critics have blamed
it for a long-term slump in rice prices and havoc in the market due to illicit
blending with other rice.
By Ahn Gwan-ok, Gwangju correspondent
Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_business/691028.html
India to seek Chinese market access for non-basmati rice
AMITI SEN
VISHWANATH KULKARNI
NEW
DELHI/BENGALURU, MAY 13:
India is hopeful
that China will provide market access to its non-basmati rice – blocked till
now as quality norms have not been defined between the two countries – during
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit later this week.“The solution to the
problem is simple. We have suggested to China that the protocol that exists for
exporting basmati rice should be adopted for exporting non-basmati rice as
well,” a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine.China, which began importing rice four
years ago and annually imports about 5 million tonnes, has not granted access
to Indian non-basmati rice. The absence of defined phyto-sanitary norms between
the two countries is cited by the China as the main reason for not importing
from India.China, however, has been sourcing its rice from countries such as
Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. In fact, the steady increase in its purchases
from these countries has kept the Vietnamese prices firm.“We see a potential to
export up to onr million tonnes of non-basmati rice to China, provided they
grant us market access,” said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director, Pattabhi Agro
Foods Pvt Ltd, the country’s largest non-basmati rice exporter.Rao, who
represents the Agri Exporters Association, said India can offer better quality,
price and a wider variety to China.The Commerce Ministry has already sent the
documentation for establishing the quality protocol by the AQSIQ – the Chinese
quality management institute that gives approvals for a variety of imports – to
Beijing.“The AQSIQ required certain documents to extend the protocol existing
for basmati rice to non-basmati, and we have already sent them,” the official
said.When the Prime Minister visits Beijing on May 14, India is hopeful that
the required quality protocol would be implemented.Though China has opened up
its market for Indian basmati in 2012, hardly any direct shipments have taken
place, industry sources said. China is still in the process of registering the
Indian mills, although some basmati rice shipments are being exported indirectly
through Hong Kong.
(This article was published on May 13, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/india-to-seek-chinese-market-access-for-nonbasmati-rice/article7202154.ece
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May
14
Nagpur, May 14 Gram and tuar prices showed weak
tendency in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on
poor demand from local millers amid good supply
from producing belts. Easy condition on NCDEX in
gram and release of stock from stockists also
pushed down prices, according to sources.
* * * *
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram
varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.
TUAR
* Tuar
gavarani recovered marginally in open market on good seasonal demand from local
traders amid tight supply from millers.
* Moong
varieties moved down in open market in absence of buyers amid profit-taking
selling by stockists at higher level.
* Wheat
mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid
weak
supply from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana.
* In Akola,
Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 10,000-10,500, Udid at 9,100-9,600,
Udid
Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,300, Moong - 9,100-9,400, Moong Mogar
(clean) 10,900-11,300, Gram - 4,300-4,600, Gram Super best bold -
6,200-6,400
for
100 kg.
* Other
varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market
in
poor trading activity, according to sources.
Nagpur
foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS Available
prices Previous close
Gram
Auction
3,500-4,425 3,500-4,510
Gram
Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar
Auction 5,500-7,080 5,500-7,170
Moong
Auction n.a. 6,000-6,300
Udid
Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a. 2,600-2,800
Gram
Super Best Bold
6,500-6,700 6,500-6,700
Gram
Super Best n.a.
Gram
Medium Best 6,300-6,400 6,300-6,400
Gram
Dal Medium n.a. n.a.
Gram
Mill Quality 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700
Desi
gram Raw 4,650-4,750 4,650-4,750
Gram
Filter new 6,100-6,200 6,100-6,200
Gram
Kabuli 5,000-6,800 5,000-6,800
Gram
Pink 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500
Tuar
Fataka Best 10,500-10,800 10,500-10,800
Tuar
Fataka Medium
10,000-10,300 10,000-10,300
Tuar
Dal Best Phod 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,800
Tuar
Dal Medium phod
9,000-9,400 9,000-9,400
Tuar
Gavarani New 7,700-7,800 7,650-7,750
Tuar
Karnataka 7,900-8,000 7,900-8,000
Tuar
Black 10,700-11,000 10,700-11,000
Masoor dal best
7,400-7,600 7,400-7,600
Masoor dal medium
6,900-7,300 6,900-7,300
Masoor
n.a. n.a.
Moong
Mogar bold
11,000-11,400 11,000-11,500
Moong
Mogar Medium best
10,200-10,500 10,200-10,600
Moong
dal Chilka 9,200-9,700 9,200-9,800
Moong
Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong
Chamki best 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,900
Udid
Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG)
11,200-11,600 11,200-11,600
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 9,900-10,600 9,900-10,600
Udid
Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
8,500-8,900 8,500-8,900
Batri
dal (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,600 4,400-4,600
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
3,200-3,350 3,200-3,350
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
3,200-3,450 3,200-3,450
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
2,450-2,625 2,450-2,625
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)
3,700-4,800 3,600-4,800
Wheat
308 (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,800 1,500-1,800
Wheat
Mill quality(100 INR/KG)
1,950-2,050 1,900-2,000
Wheat
Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,500-1,700 1,500-1,700
Wheat
Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)
2,250-2,550 2,250-2,550
Wheat
Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,350 2,100-2,350
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)
n.a. n.a.
MP
Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)
3,200-3,750 3,200-3,750
MP
Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)
2,700-3,000 2,700-3,000
Wheat
147 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500
Wheat
Best (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,200
Rice
BPT New(100 INR/KG)
2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800
Rice
BPT (100 INR/KG)
3,000-3,300 3,000-3,300
Rice
Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,600-1,800 1,600-1,800
Rice
Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,400 2,100-2,400
Rice
Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700
Rice
HMT new(100 INR/KG)
3,300-3,700 3,300-3,700
Rice
HMT (100 INR/KG)
4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400
Rice
HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG)
4,200-4,500 4,200-4,500
Rice
HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG)
4,600-5,200
4,600-5,200
Rice
Basmati best (100 INR/KG)
8,000-10,000 8,000-10,000
Rice
Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)
6,000-7,500 6,000-7,500
Rice
Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200
Rice
Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,600-6,000 5,600-6,000
Jowar
Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Jowar
CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,450 2,300-2,450
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 42.1 degree Celsius (107.8 degree
Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
25.3 degree Celsius (77.5 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or
thunder-showers likely towards evening or night. Maximum
and minimum temperature would be around and 40
and 24 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from
plant delivery prices, but
included in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/05/14/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0Y54XT20150514
PSA: Local rice stock improved last
month
2:35 AM | Thursday, May 14th, 2015
The national reserve is good for 75 days of consumption, up from 67 days a
month before.However, data from the PSA showed that the National Food
Authority’s inventory fell after climbing continually in the previous months,
settling at 490,000 tons from 550,000 tons.In April, the NFA’s reserve was 93
percent imported—down from the 96 percent reported in March as the agency
renewed its procurement of locally grown palay amid falling prices.As of April
1, the NFA’s stock was good for 14 days’ consumption, lower than the minimum
mandated volume of 15 days’ worth of supply.Supplies stored in commercial
warehouses rose by 60,000 tons to 800,000 tons, equivalent to 24 days of
nationwide consumption. Also, household stocks surged by 290,000 tons to reach
1.26 million tons, enough to last for 37 days
PH may again import rice to boost stocks
May 13, 2015 9:41 pm
by
JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ
With the
El Niño phenomenon expected to continue until the latter half of the year, the
country may again have to import rice to replenish before the start of the lean
season in June.In its latest inventory report, the Philippine Statistics
Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said the country’s rice stocks can
last for two and a half months.As of April 1, the total rice stock inventory in
the entire country was pegged at 2.54 million metric tons, up by 16.5 percent
from 2.18 million MT from last year and 12.2 percent higher than last month’s
inventory of 2.27 million metric tons“The total rice inventory for this month
would be sufficient for 75 days. Stocks in the households would be adequate for
37 days. Those in commercial warehouses would be enough for 24 days, and in NFA
depositories for 14 days,” PSA-BAS said. It added that around 49.4 percent of
this month’s total rice stock was with households, 31.5 percent in commercial
warehouses and 19.1 percent in NFA depositories.The National Food Authority
(NFA) is required by law to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any given
time, and 30-day buffer stock during lean months (June to August).With
inventory at government depositories falling below the minimum requirement
ahead of the lean season, the state-run grains agency may have to look at
buying cheaper imported rice before June.“Importation would be the best option
for the NFA to meets its mandated stocks during lean months,” a source at the
agency said.But Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Modernization
(PAFSAM) Secretary Francis Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the NFA
Council, said the inter-agency body has yet to decide on the rice importation
plan.“No decision to import has been made. Let’s just wait for the official
statement,” Pangilinan said in a text message.In February this year, Manila imported
500,000 MT of rice through a government-to-government deal with Thailand and
Vietnam. The NFA also allowed the entry of about 163,000 MT of rice under the
minimum access volume commitment under the World Trade Organization.In 2014,
the Philippines imported over 1.7 million MT, the biggest under the Aquino
administration.Meanwhile, the source said the NFA may not be able to procure
locally grown palay because of the drought.NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay
earlier said they hope to procure 3,796,900 bags or 189,845 MT of palay this
year to beef up its stocks for the lean months
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-may-again-import-rice-to-boost-stocks/183268/
India to seek Chinese market access for non-basmati rice
AMITI SEN
VISHWANATH KULKARNI
NEW
DELHI/BENGALURU, MAY 13:
India is hopeful that China will provide market access to its
non-basmati rice – blocked till now as quality norms have not been defined
between the two countries – during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit later
this week.“The solution to the problem is simple. We have suggested to China
that the protocol that exists for exporting basmati rice should be adopted for
exporting non-basmati rice as well,” a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine.
China, which began importing rice four years ago and annually imports about 5
million tonnes, has not granted access to Indian non-basmati rice. The absence
of defined phyto-sanitary norms between the two countries is cited by the China
as the main reason for not importing from India.China, however, has been
sourcing its rice from countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. In
fact, the steady increase in its purchases from these countries has kept the
Vietnamese prices firm.“We see a potential to export up to onr million tonnes
of non-basmati rice to China, provided they grant us market access,” said BV
Krishna Rao, Managing Director, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, the country’s
largest non-basmati rice exporter.Rao, who represents the Agri Exporters Association,
said India can offer better quality, price and a wider variety to China.The
Commerce Ministry has already sent the documentation for establishing the
quality protocol by the AQSIQ – the Chinese quality management institute that
gives approvals for a variety of imports – to Beijing.“The AQSIQ required
certain documents to extend the protocol existing for basmati rice to
non-basmati, and we have already sent them,” the official said.When the Prime
Minister visits Beijing on May 14, India is hopeful that the required quality
protocol would be implemented.Though China has opened up its market for Indian
basmati in 2012, hardly any direct shipments have taken place, industry sources
said. China is still in the process of registering the Indian mills, although
some basmati rice shipments are being exported indirectly through Hong Kong.
(This article was
published on May 13, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/india-to-seek-chinese-market-access-for-nonbasmati-rice/article7202154.ece
Meet the Mekong Delta Rice Farmers Who Are on
the Frontline of Sea Level Rise
·
·
·
May 13, 2015 | 8:45
am
When Hai Thach weighed his rice harvest last week
it was half as much as it should have been. But it was still better than 2013,
the year he lost everything.For Thach and millions of other poor farmers in
Vietnam's Mekong Delta, earning an income off the land is getting harder.
Prolonged dry seasons and sea-level rise, brought about by climate
change, is pushing saltwater from the South China Sea deeper inland,
compromising farmers' irrigation channels."The water is salty every
year," Thach, 64, told VICE News, "but it's been worse in the last
three years. I'm scared because I cannot live without rice."Pointing next
door to an empty rice field that is now caked earth with a thin white layer of
salt on top, Thach said his neighbors quit farming last year. "They're
trying to sell their land and open a business in the city," Thach told
VICE News. "They are wealthier than me. That's not something I can afford
to do."More than 17 million people live within the Mekong Delta. Farmers
and fishermen have been intensively working the tributaries and fertile fields
for only about 150 years. Agricultural success there has made Vietnam the
world's third largest rice exporter. But a changing climate now threatens food
security and livelihoods.
Hai Thach, 64, stands over his
empty rice field. He lost half of his rice crop this season to saline
intrusion.
Hai Thach's neighbor
walks across an abandoned rice field.
Vietnam is one of the countries most
vulnerable to rising seas. And its low-lying Mekong Delta is expected to be hit
hardest. The region is, on average, just over a meter above sea
level.According to Andrew Wyatt of the International Union for the Conservation
of Nature, a worst-case scenario would be something on the order of one meter
of sea level rise by 2100. That could leave 40 percent of the delta flooded,
potentially leading to a mass internal migration of almost 10 million people
and devastating economic losses estimated at $17 billion. That's in an area
that produced almost half of Vietnam's 45 million tons of rice in 2014. In a
country of 90 million, that would be a major blow to national income
and food security."Saline intrusion has always been a natural,
seasonal process," Wyatt told VICE News. "But with sea level
rise projections, saltwater will go further inland. Much of what the local
communities are reporting is in line with our climate
projections."Saltwater intrusion comes during the Mekong Delta's dry season,
which usually lasts from November to April. Lack of rainwater allows saltwater
to flow farther upstream into the Mekong River's tributaries, the main
irrigation source. In the past, Farmers adapted to this cycle by
planting a single rice crop during the wet season. Following war with the
United States in the 1970s, farmers started a second crop, and then a third in
an attempt to increase meager incomes. That's becoming increasingly difficult
now that the dry is lasting longer.And this past season was extraordinary. The
dry season came a month early and precipitation has yet to
return despite the onset of delta's wet season."There's usually
enough freshwater to use, but the rainy season has come late," Thach said.
"The rain has not diluted the salty water enough to grow rice."
Salt water intrusion in Bac Lieu
Province has turned this rice crop yellow.
Ngo Van Dong's family have been rice
farmers for generations. He recently converted his family's rice fields to
shrimp ponds.
Saline intrusion has reached up to 35 miles inland
this year, according to Vietnam's Southern Hydrometeorology Station. In Bac
Lieu Province, a coastal floodplain one hundred miles southwest of Ho Chi
Minh City, salinity is twice the level it was last year.
That's not so much a problem anymore for Bac Lieu, as most of the rice fields
have been converted to shrimp ponds. Rather than struggling to find more
freshwater for a third crop, many farmers took advantage of increased
salinization and switched to intensive shrimp cultivation, which thrives in
brackish water."Ten years ago this area was all rice fields," Ngo Van
Dong, 56, told VICE News. "We can make more money this way." Ngo
cleared five acres of rice fields to make seven shrimp ponds. "I'm trying
to buy more land to expand, but no one is selling."Bac Lieu has prospered
from shrimp farming, but for aquaculturists along the coastline this livelihood
is much more precarious. Do Thi Dieu started shrimp farming 15 years ago. She
says the water in her shrimp ponds is becoming too salty. "Before, even in
the dry season, there was some rain, but now there is none. It's lasting longer
than it used to," Dieu said. "In the dry season, the salt content is
sometimes too high for shrimp to develop well."
Shrimp cultivation is
expensive and is usually only an option for wealthier farmers who can
afford the high cost of dredging land and buying equipment. Shrimp farming
also comes with its share of ecological problems. The land closer to the sea in
Bac Lieu used to be mangrove forests, but it was cleared to make way for
the shrimp farms.
Do Thi Dieu, 35, worries climate change
will force her to abandon shrimp farming.
"Vietnam had about 60 percent mangrove forest
loss during the last 70 years," said Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the
Research Institute for Climate Change. "Vietnam's mangrove forest areas
have fell from 408,500 hectares in 1943 to 189,200 hectares in 2000, and just
168,688 hectares in 2013."Mangroves are important habitats for a vast
array of plant and animal species. They also absorb carbon dioxide,
helping to regulate the amount of the greenhouse gas in the
atmosphere. And they provide crucial barriers against coastal
erosion, storm surges, and sea level rise."Mangrove forests are
buffer belts that reduce the magnitude of sea tides to the delta
floodplains." Tuan said. "Thick mangrove forests can also effectively
reduce sea winds that push saltwater inland."In efforts to keep the sea
back, the Vietnamese government has continued to construct coastal infrastructure,
but it needs to reinforce and expand the existing 5,000 miles of dikes and
canals, according to the United Nations. They've also attempted to
reforest large areas of mangroves, but the results have
been mixed.Vietnam is going to need all the coastal protection it can get.
The country experiences six to eight typhoons annually, and they could become
more extreme as the impacts of climate change intensify over the coming
decades.In 2012, floods swept away all the shrimp in Do Thi Dieu's ponds.
"In the last three years the water levels have risen and it's breaking our
dykes and flooding our houses and shrimp ponds," Dieu told VICE News.
"If
climate change is to affect us, we will leave."
Photos
by Mark Scialla
TOPICS: tipping point , environment, asia & pacific, vietnam, climate change, global warming, sea level rise, rice, agriculture, shrimp, mangroves, mekong river, mekong delta
https://news.vice.com/article/meet-the-mekong-delta-rice-farmers-who-are-on-the-frontline-of-sea-level-rise
Thai rice
exports may drop this year
Michael Mackey
13 May 2015
A Thai worker loads a rice sack for export in Bangkok. Photo: PA
Thai rice exporters are signalling that
exports of their produce will fall, triggering changes in demand in where it is
shipped to."Since Thai rice prices are still higher than our competitors
[Vietnam and India] the demand from both Asia and Africa is moving to the
countries where rice is cheaper," Sermsak Kuonsongtum, vice-president of
the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told IHS Maritime. "This makes our
estimated export figure go down to 8.0-8.5 million tonnes."Last year,
Thailand exported about 11 million tonnes of rice, making it the world's
biggest rice exporter.A big factor for the projected decline is the increasing
cost of Thai rice due to the strong baht."The key factor to driving the
export volume is the price, as history has proved that the difference of the
prices influence buyers more than the difference in the quality," Sermsak
said.India looks set to rival Thailand this year. Thailand exported 2.6 million
tonnes of rice during the first four months of the year, only fractionally
ahead of India's export of 2.5 million tonnes.Some countries managed to sell
their rice up to USD40/tonne cheaper than Thailand's. India, in particular, is
helped by its government schemes to boost rice exports and its rice costs about
USD360/tonne.
Thai rice costs USD385/tonne while
Vietnamese rice costs USD355-360/tonne.
Foodgrain production likely to fall by over 5%
OUR BUREAU
Bad monsoon, unseasonal rain drag output to four-year low
of 251.12 million tonnes
NEW
DELHI, MAY 13:
The country’s foodgrain production in
the current season ending June is likely to decline by 5.4 per cent from a
record output of 265.04 million tonnes (mt) the year before.
Weather
vagaries
According to the third advance estimate released by the Agriculture Ministry
here on Wednesday, total foodgrain output will be 13.92 mt lower at 251.12 mt
for this season, the lowest since 244.49 million tonnes produced in
2010-11.Rice output is estimated at 102.54 mt, down from 106.65 mt last season,
while that of wheat, the main Rabi crop, which was damaged across swathes of
northern, central and western India due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms
between end-February and early-April, has been pegged at 90.78 mt from 95.85 mt
last season, the lowest in the last three years.Total production of coarse
cereals is expected to decline by 2.87 mt to 40.42 mt, while the estimate for
key pulses stands at 17.38 mt – down from 19.25 mt.“It may be noted that
production of Kharif crops during 2014-15 suffered due to bad monsoon.
Unseasonal rains/hailstorm during February-March 2015 had significant impact on
production of rabi crops. As a result of setback in Kharif as well as Rabi
seasons, the production of most of the crops in the country has declined this
season,” said an official release.Production of oilseeds is also likely to be
lower by 5.37 mt – from 32.75 mt to 27.38 mt, while cotton output will also
likely decline marginally to 35.32 million bales (of 170 kg each) but will be
“higher by 2.85 million bales than the average production of last 5 years.”Only
sugarcane production is likely to rise by 4.42 mt to 356.56 mt from 352.14 mt,
which could further depress prices of sugar in the domestic market with a fifth
consecutive season of surplus production already in the offing.
Contongency plans
According to the Met Department, this year could witness another below normal
monsoon due to the El Nino weather effect even if the rain is likely to arrive
on time and hit the Kerala coast by June 1.
Minister of State for Agriculture
Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said on Wednesday that the Centre is ready with
contingency plans for 580 districts in case of acute weather disturbances.
(This article was published on May 13, 2015)
Government to continue arranging
rice trade talks with foreign nations
Wednesday, 13 May
2015
By NNT
BANGKOK, 11 May 2015 - Government Spokesperson
Yongyuth Mayalarp has affirmed that Thai rice is still competitive in the world
market despite the rising price while saying the government will seek more
chances to forge rice trade agreements with foreign partners.In response to the
private sector’s concerns over the rising price of Thai rice, Mr Yongyuth
insisted that the Prime Minister is not being complacent and has instructed the
Ministry of Commerce to look into the issue. He said it has been reported by
the Foreign Trade Department that the increasing output from major competitors
like Vietnam and India has caused their prices to be lower than that of Thai
grains. Moreover, Thailand’s shortfall in production due to drought and the
baht appreciation have also driven the price up.Mr Yongyuth noted, nonetheless,
that high-quality rice is still in high demand and Thai farmers should use this
opportunity to upgrade their production and grain quality in order to fetch
higher prices.The spokesman also said the premier has persuaded foreign leaders
to purchase Thai rice on many occasions and will continue to do so while
Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya has been leading rice exporters on
overseas trips to organize marketing campaigns and sales activities.As the
Thailand Rice Convention 2015 is scheduled to take place from May 19 to 21, Mr
Yongyuth expects the event to serve as another important stage for
entrepreneurs to showcase Thai rice and its high quality to participating
traders from around the world.
http://www.pattayamail.com/news/government-to-continue-arranging-rice-trade-talks-with-foreign-nations-47068#sthash.1EoX41ix.dpuf
Thai govt to consider release of more stockpiled rice
A Thai farmer works
on her rice field in Nakhonsawan province
As rice farmers enter the
end of the second-crop harvest, the government will soon consider reopening
bidding for rice from its stockpiles - before the year's main harvest season
begins in late August.The plan to release more rice from the stockpiles is part
of the government's goal to shift a total of 10 million tonnes from its
warehouses over the course of this year.The warehouses currently hold about 16
million tonnes.Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade
Department, said yesterday that after suspending the release of rice for the
past few months, it was now time to reconsider further sales due to lower
supply in the market."The Rice Policy Management Committee will next
Monday consider whether to open the third round of rice bidding for this year.
The government will carefully consider the impact on rice prices in the market,
and will also consider other factors such as demand, and rice supplies by other
countries," she explained.Duangporn added that despite slowly releasing
rice from the stockpiles, the government was maintaining its target for releasing
10 million tonnes of the crop this year.The department is also sticking to its
forecast of pushing exports to 10 million tonnes this year, although exporters
foresee lower shipments of between 8 million and 8.5 million tonnes.In the
first four months of the year, Thailand exported about 3.3 million tonnes of
rice, against 3.8 million tonnes in the same period last year. The department
chief said that despite lower export volume so far this year, the emphasis was
on shipping high-quality rice, including parboiled rice and jasmine rice,
overseas sales of which had risen 6 per cent year on year in the period.To
promote Thailand as supplier of the world's best-quality rice to the world
market, the Commerce Ministry has organised the "Thailand Rice Convention
2015" next week under the theme "Think rice think Thailand…serving
the best quality rice to the world".Duangporn said the government would
focus on increasing the value of Thai rice, which would enable the world market
to recognise the Kingdom as not only a major supplier, but also as a supplier
of good-quality rice.Thailand's efforts will also help increase food security in
the world market, as it offers a full variety of rice grains to consumers
anytime, anywhere and in any amount, she added.The convention, which takes
place from May 19-21 at Impact Muang Thong Thani's Hall 4, will be chaired by
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, while many experts in the rice
industry will participate in the seminar.The convention is expected to attract
more than 500 participants from 40 countries for an exchange of knowledge and
views on rice and rice trading.
International rice traders, millers and
farmers will be among those attending.
http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/thai-govt-consider-release-more-stockpiled-rice#sthash.KWUkhZOM.dpuf
Published: May 13, 2015
The price
of Pakistani rice is higher than the paddy produced by India and other regional
countries. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD: Alongside wheat, potato and cotton, the
high production cost of rice is hampering its sales in the international
market, despite the presence of hefty stocks in the country.
At present, exporters and growers have five million tons
of basmati rice and a similar quantity of Irri-6 rice, but they are finding it
difficult to sell the commodity in the global market because of sluggish demand
and comparatively higher price for Pakistani rice.The price of Pakistani rice
is higher than the paddy produced by India and other regional countries.The
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) held a meeting with officials of
the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in Islamabad and demanded
steps for reducing the cost of production or introduction of high-quality seeds
to increase the productivity.A senior official in the ministry told The Express Tribune that after the meeting the ministry wrote to
provinces asking them to take appropriate measures. It also told chief
secretaries of the provinces to facilitate the growers in bringing the cost
down in the larger interest of farmers, consumers and exporters.“The price of
Pakistani basmati is higher by at least $100 to $150 compared to Indian
basmati, and that is a big hurdle in the way of exports,” said REAP member
Malik Jahangir, who also attended the meeting.“Since 1997, no new basmati seed
has come to the market and that’s the reason for the low yield per acre, which
has pushed rice prices higher,” he said.India, on the contrary, has introduced
five new seed varieties in the last 10 years and that has helped a lot in
increasing the yield.“Another step the government could take is to subsidise
rice exports so that the stock could be disposed of,” Jahangir suggested.“If we
fail to export the existing stock, then next year the farmers will not grow the
grain, which might spark a crisis,” he warned, saying they had also written to
the Rice Research Centre, Kala Shah Kaku Lahore, but no appropriate response had
been received so far.He pointed out that after the devolution of agriculture
ministry to the provinces, confusion emerged about the policy issues. Provinces
were not taking responsibility of resolving the issues being faced by the
growers and traders despite taking assets and resources of the devolved
ministry, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/885369/demand-low-for-pakistani-rice-in-global-market/
Punjab govt warns strict action for
burning paddy straw
Niti PTI BotStates
AUTHOR: NITI PTI BOT - MAY 13, 2015
Chandigarh, May 13 (PTI) Punjab government
today issued strict warnings to the peasants burning paddy straw despite a
complete ban on the practise. The government also warned of strict action under
the provisions of Air Pollution Control Act. Punjab’s
Agriculture Minister Tota Singh said that it was a matter of great concern that
despite educative campaign launched by the department regarding ill effects of
straw burning on the air and health of soil, many farmers of the state were
carrying on with the illegal
practise. “Nobody
will be allowed to pollute the air by burning the straw.The district
administration has been directed to book the erring farmers under the relevant
provisions of the Act,” he said here.Notably, a number of farmers in Punjab and
Haryana have been carrying on with the bi-annual exercise of burning crop
residue, which many environmentalists have cited in the past as one of the
causes of dust haze and air pollution in Delhi and northern India. We have always advised farmers to creatively
use the paddy straw to improve the productivity of soil, Singh said.The
department has been continuously telling the farmers to use spreader to help
distribute straw in field which could be used as fertilizers that would enhance
the yield of crops, he added.
http://www.niticentral.com/2015/05/13/punjab-govt-warns-strict-action-for-burning-paddy-straw-313184.html
Iran may
resume rice imports this year: Govt
New Delhi: Iran, which has suspended rice imports,
may resume the inbound shipments of the commodity this year, Parliament was
informed today.Resumption of imports would help India to export basmati rice to
Iran, which is a major destination for India for the aromatic rice.“Due to
excess rice stocks available in Iran, Iranian authorities temporarily suspended
further imports of rice from rest of the world from October 2014.“This ban is
not country specific. Iran may resume imports of rice this year depending upon
domestic production and demand,” Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.In 2013-14, India exported
basmati rice worth USD 1.83 billion to Iran. It stood at USD 1 billion during
April-February 2015.Iran mainly imports from Pakistan, Portugal, China, UAE,
Latin America, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Oman and India.In a separate
reply, the Minister said that government has provided Rs 1,625 crore in the
Budget for 2015-16 under foreign trade and export promotion.“The guidelines of
interest subvention scheme are yet to be approved by the competent authority,”
she said.Under the scheme, government provides loans to exporters at subsidised
rates.
http://eprahaar.in/iran-may-resume-rice-imports-this-year-govt/
Can science solve poverty?
May 13, 2015 9:25 pm
WE continue to rave
about the country’s stable economic growth and rise in ranking by various
ratings agencies but we also continue to hear how this growth has failed to
trickle down to the masses. After five years under the Aquino administration,
inclusive growth remains exclusive to those who already have the most in life.
A survey among the populace reveals a rise in self-rated poverty or the number
of those who believe they are poor. In
this column, we give way below (after the asterisk) to an analysis which appears
in scidev.net provided by Dr. Crispin Maslog, my former professor in grad
school at the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, a former
journalist, and an environmental activist with stints at the Press Foundation
of Asia and the International Rice Research Institute.
* * *
Science
may never completely solve the problem of poverty, but it will not be because
it did not try. After scientists have landed man on the moon and put a lander
on an asteroid, there is no reason, why it should not set its goal higher.There
have been attempts to alleviate poverty in recent history like the Green
Revolution that staved off famine in the 1960s and raised the income of poor
farmers in Asia. Bruce Tolentino, deputy director-general of the International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI), says: “One must look at the economic
development histories of countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and
especially Vietnam, India, China, and more recently, Cambodia. Their relative
success in reducing poverty is base on improvements in agricultural technology
that were brought about by the Green Revolution.”“There is plenty of
peer-reviewed, empirical evidence that conclusively indicate the benefits of
the Green Revolution, and which laid the basis for inclusive economic development
of those countries that embraced it,” Tolentino tells SciDev.Net.Other
initiatives, while far-reaching have not been completely successful, such as
global vaccination programs and attempts to control malaria by eradicating
mosquitoes. They were among the biggest global public investments ever made.But
hope still lingers among the funders of science that the battle against poverty
can be won with the help of scientists. In April 2014, the US and UK
governments announced new funding towards this end.
The US
Agency for International Development (USAID) announced last April 3 its Global
Development Lab in partnership with 31 universities, corporations and
foundations, whose ambitious goal is to stamp out extreme poverty by 2030
through technology-based solutions. USAID has pledged US$1 billion per year to
support the project, which aims to develop in five years technology solutions
to poverty in the areas of water, health, food security and nutrition, energy,
education and climate change.A few days later, the UK government launched the
Newton Fund with funding of £375 million, which aims to strengthen research
capabilities of emerging economies including countries in South-East Asia.
Gordian
knot of poverty
I commend these new and ambitious attempts to tackle the problem of poverty
through the use of science but warn that the problem is like the proverbial
Gordian Knot (a metaphor referring to the legendary King Gordius and which
means an intricate or complicated problem).We remember the early days of
development aid from the West to the developing countries of Asia in the 1950s.
The World Bank and USAID employed this formula: Capital + Technology =
Development. They poured money and technological expertise into Asia. But after
five decades, the poor became poorer and more numerous and the rich became
richer.The relationship between science, technology, innovation and society is
complicated. I agree with scientists who say that new knowledge on its own
cannot solve society’s problems. Technologies do not always reach the people
who need them. And if they reach the intended people, the recipients do not
know how to use them.There is no one scientific solution to all the problems of
the poor. Some science will solve some problems of some of the poor. Some
science and technology will be appropriate for poor farmers, for example.
Others will answer the problems of informal settlers in the slums.However, once
science and technology are developed, they must be accessible to the poor who
will use them. This is the problem of technology transfer from the public and
private research institutions to the end users. And just as important, the end
users must know how to use the technology.An example of effective technology transfer
is the Farmers Scientists Technology Program (FSTP) in the Philippines managed
by University of the Philippines entomologist, Romulo Davide. Under this
government-funded scheme, Davide pairs a farmer with a scientist who works with
him on the farm. FSTP has hundreds of cases of farmers who have become rich
through the program.However, hundreds of successes are too few when there are
tens of millions of farmers and billions of poor people. To further involve
more poor people, we need to promote reading and science literacy among the
poor. Countries cannot aspire to develop without a scientifically literate
population.A final note: The poor must be convinced that the technology they
adopt is what they need. A major cause of the failure of the World Bank aid
program in Asia in the 1950s is that the people were not consulted about the
development projects the bank funded.
Need
for social participation
In South-East Asia, there is a strong movement towards social participation.
For instance, the Universities and Councils Network on Innovation for Inclusive
Development in Southeast Asia or UNIID-SEA promotes innovation for inclusive
development.It defines “innovation for inclusive development as that which aims
to reduce poverty and enables as many groups of people, especially the poor and
marginalized, to participate in decision making, create and actualize
opportunities, and share the benefits of development”.This time around the poor
must have a say in what problems they have that science and technology can
solve for development to be inclusive.Having said that, does the shared service
facility (SSF) program of the Trade Department of which millions have been
allocated helping solve poverty or are they going to the wrong recipients?
* * *
God is Great!
thelmadm@yahoo.com
http://www.manilatimes.net/can-science-solve-poverty/183327/
Olam Raises Investment
on Rice Backward Integration
14 May 2015
By Crusoe Osagie

Olam Nigeria Limited has unveiled plans
to increase its stake in the rice industry as part efforts to aid the
realisation of the self-sufficiency target and job creation efforts of
government.The General Manager of the firm, Reji George, disclosed yesterday
that his company had concluded plans to kick-start milling of 200,000
metric tonnes of paddy rice in Doma Council, Nassarawa, by June
1,2015. According to the firm, its backward integration plan
in the sector is expected to aid local rice production and job creation.The
firm had earlier this year unveiled its locally produced rice to the Nigerian
market. Olam’s Business Head for Rice, Anil Nair, had explained that the
launch was designed to meet growing local demands for the commodity as well as
reduce its importation. He explained that the launch of the commodity in
Lagos was strategic, since the state holds the largest market of consumers of
rice.He said: “There are lots of paddy been produced and Lagos being the
biggest market in the country is having local rice coming to it. It is a sign
of good things to come and we hope that two years from now, we will be
able to bridge the gap. We have a milling capacity of about 800,000 tonnes in
the country and we hope to help this country eliminate import completely.”On
placing a total ban on the commodity, George said: “I believe it should be a
gradual process. Before you ban rice or any agricultural commodity you must
have to develop the local strength of rice production. If you plan the ban of
importation of rice, companies like Olam are into commercial production of rice
with 6,000 hectares in two cities, making it 12,000 hectares that would
definitely help bridge the demand and supply gap, and with support from other
companies, in addition to the role government is playing.“In few years time, we
would be able to bridge the demand and supply gap and we would be able to be
self-sufficient in rice production.”The community leader of a settlement
in the Doma area, Kushunta Adi, said, “Before the coming of Olam to our
community, most people in this area were idle, which is not good, but today, the
story is different. In fact, at that initial time, most of the excavators on
the project were foreigners, but today, the company has employed many of our
youths and this is helping many families here”.“In fact, what they have done
here is enormous. I believe if the Federal Government can copy them, the
country would be better. If we have one or two other companies like this in
Nigeria, it will be difficult for us as a country to import rice,” he added .A
former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Secretary of the Rice
Farmers’ Association, Mr. Michael K. Aondoakaa, in his position, urged the
government to urgently protect the local rice industry from being thrown out of
the agriculture sector.Aondoakaa, at the House of Representatives hearing, stated
that corrupt actions by some rice importers could destroy government’s
policy and truncate the local rice sub-sector.He disclosed that a
certain company behaves like another government and has resorted to
dubious activities in apparent bid to frustrate the local rice manufacturers.He
called on all and sundry to stop this untoward activities in the best interest
of Nigeria, especially local farmers and others.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/olam-raises-investment-on-rice-backward-integration/209279/
Grand Prairie students visit Dale
Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart
On
Monday, May 4, the students gave presentations to scientists and students at
the DBNRRC, then had a question and answer period with scientists from DBNRRC
and the Harry K. Dupree Aquaculture Research Center. Students also toured both
facilities.
Photo
by Dawn Teer/Stuttgart Daily LeaderHildana
Tibebu holds a snake as Dylan Duncan looks on during the Future Scientist
program at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center.
By Dawn Teer
dteer@stuttgartdailyleader.com
Posted May 13, 2015 at 3:21 PM
STUTTGART —
Students
from Park Avenue Elementary, Stuttgart High School, Monticello and Hot Springs
gave presentations on the corn earworm at the Dale Bumpers National Rice
Research Center (DBNRRC) last week. Also in attendance were students from Holy
Rosary Catholic school and Hamburg.This was the fruition of a program that
began last summer with a two-day program for area teachers to help promote
science in school. This is the second year for the Future Scientists program at
DBNRRC.When the teachers attended the program last summer, Dr. Craig Wilson
showed them how to teach children about the corn earworm, which is a pest that
can cause millions of dollars in damage to crops. In the classroom, students
grew corn earworm from pupae and did experiments to learn more about how the
corn earworm causes damage to corn crops.On Monday, May 4, the students gave
presentations to scientists and students at the DBNRRC, then had a question and
answer period with scientists from DBNRRC and the Harry K. Dupree Aquaculture
Research Center. Students also toured both facilities.The students in
attendance from Park Avenue Elementary were Paige Dean, Hildana Tibebu, Dylan
Duncan, Evan Watson and Lebrayden Hall. PAE teachers were Kelly Clawitter and
Shawna Wilson. Students from Holy Rosary were Mary Grace Straus, Cole Mock,
Julia Ryan, Jordan Griffith, Morgan Bock and Evie Jackson and teacher Sarah
Richards. SHS students were Zach Mock, Brannon Herring, Kylie Griffin, Robbie
Harwell, and Reema Bhakla and Coach Andrew Schroeder. Hamburg students
were Evan Ferguson, Lacee Jacobs andLarry Carher and teacher Don Wallace.
Hot Springs Intermediate school students were Eureka Smith, Emily Clutter,
Logan Comstock, Marly Archie, Megan Harbut, Anna Fletcher, Riley Matthews,
Moriah Thacker and Eli Evans and teacher Lynn Strong. Monticello Elementary
School sent the most students and they were kindergarten and first
graders. Susan Starks’ students were Xander Lane, Cade Newton, Gavin
Howard, Sophie Barrilleaun, Soelee Thornhill, and Madyson James. Janet
Lane’s students were Luke Hairston, Jackson Hines, Annsley Oltmann, Maura
McMickle, Timothy Forrest and Javian Adams. Paula Lane’s students were
Taylor Collins, Skyler Hill, Jayden Rhodes, Landon Reid, Daniel Pace and Logan
McAlpine.Wilson welcomed the students starting things off with a bang. Wilson
went on to show a video and then brought out a garter snake and let the
students meet it up close. Anna McClung, director of the DBNRRC, then
spoke to the students about the program and how she became a scientist.The
students gave presentations on what they learned from the corn earworm.
Look online at stuttgartdailyleader.com for videos from the
presentations.Following the presentations and a short break, they had a
question and answer panel with scientists Dr. Shannon Pinson, research
geneticist; Dr. Angela Baldo, computational biologist; Dr. Jeremy Edwards,
plant molecular geneticist; Dr. Bart Green, research fishery biologist; Dr.
Miles Lange, research biologist; Dr. Steven Rawles, research physiologist; and
Dr. Dave Straus, aquatic toxicologist.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20150513/NEWS/150519855
APEDA India News
International Benchmark Price
|
Price on: 11-05-2015
|
Product
|
Benchmark Indicators
Name
|
Price
|
Garlic
|
1
|
Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW
Europe (USD/t)
|
2100
|
2
|
Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes,
CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
|
2000
|
3
|
Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe
(USD/t)
|
1800
|
Ginger
|
1
|
Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe
(USD/t)
|
4600
|
2
|
Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
|
5100
|
3
|
Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
|
3000
|
Guar Gum Powder
|
1
|
Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla
(USD/t)
|
4880
|
2
|
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB
Kandla (USD/t)
|
2300
|
3
|
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla
(USD/t)
|
3400
|
Source:agra-net
|
For more info
|
|
Market Watch
|
Commodity-wise,
Market-wise Daily Price on 11-05-2015
|
Domestic Prices
|
Unit Price : Rs
per Qty
|
Product
|
Market Center
|
Variety
|
Min Price
|
Max Price
|
Rice
|
1
|
Cachar (Assam)
|
Other
|
2000
|
2500
|
2
|
Saharsa (Bihar)
|
Other
|
2000
|
3200
|
3
|
Bargarh (Orissa)
|
Other
|
2100
|
2300
|
Wheat
|
1
|
Bonai (Orissa)
|
Other
|
1450
|
1600
|
2
|
Amirgadh (Gujarat )
|
Other
|
1210
|
1750
|
3
|
Saharsa(Bihar)
|
Other
|
1450
|
3200
|
Mousambi
|
1
|
Sirhind (Punjab)
|
Other
|
3000
|
4000
|
2
|
Mechua(West Bengal)
|
Other
|
2600
|
3100
|
3
|
Haldwani(Uttrakhand)
|
Other
|
1600
|
3500
|
Carrot
|
1
|
Aroor (Kerala)
|
Other
|
3000
|
2800
|
2
|
Bonai (Orissa)
|
Other
|
1000
|
2000
|
3
|
Kharupetia(Assam)
|
Other
|
1200
|
1500
|
Source:agra-net
|
For more info
|
|
Egg
|
Rs per 100 No
|
Price on 11-05-2015
|
Product
|
Market Center
|
Price
|
1
|
Pune
|
312
|
2
|
Ahmedabad
|
300
|
3
|
Hyderabad
|
272
|
|
|
|
Other International Prices
|
Unit Price : US$ per
package
|
Price on 11-05-2015
|
Product
|
Market Center
|
Origin
|
Variety
|
Low
|
High
|
Mangoes
|
Package: flats 1 layer
|
1
|
Chicago
|
Mexico
|
Ataulfo
|
10
|
11
|
2
|
Detroit
|
Mexico
|
Ataulfo
|
7
|
7.50
|
3
|
New
York
|
Mexico
|
Ataulfo
|
9
|
9
|
Cucumbers
|
Package: cartons film
wrapped
|
1
|
Atlanta
|
Canada
|
Long Seedless
|
9
|
11.50
|
2
|
Dallas
|
California
|
Long Seedless
|
12.50
|
13
|
3
|
Miami
|
Mexico
|
Long Seedless
|
9.50
|
10
|
Grapes
|
Package: 18 lb
containers bagged
|
1
|
Atlanta
|
Chile
|
Red Globe
|
24.50
|
24.50
|
2
|
Chicago
|
Chile
|
Red Globe
|
18.50
|
20
|
3
|
Miami
|
Peru
|
Red Globe
|
21
|
23
|
Source:USDA
|
|
IJMA wants jute policy
to revive demand
With the mandatory requirement for
packaging of sugar in jute bags falling to 20% from 100%, half the jute mills
have been facing demand crisis for past two-and-a-half years
May
13, 2
015 Last Updated at 19:58 IST
Reeling under a crisis triggered by the
shutdown of jute mills, the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) has urged West
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to announce a jute policy early to help
revive demand for jute bags.In the past two months, 15 jute mills have faced
temporary closure amid tepid demand. With the mandatory requirement for
packaging of sugar in jute bags falling to 20 per cent since 2013-14, as
opposed to 100 per cent stipulated originally in the Jute Packaging Materials
Act (JPMA) of 1987, half the jute mills have been facing demand crisis for the
past two-and-a-half years."The indents by the various state government
agencies for this year's rabi crop virtually came down to a trickle in April 2015
and there is little likelihood of further indents of jute bags for food grains
packing for the months of May and June. Had West Bengal announced the state
policy under which packaging of potatoes and rice could have been included, all
jute mills in the state would probably have continued production well beyond
April 2015," said IJMA chairman Raghavendra Gupta in a letter to
Banerjee.Gupta said a quick announcement of the jute policy would not only
revive the sector, but also improve sentiments among jute growers, workers and
jute mill owners.At present, there are four million jute growers and about
300,000 workmen engaged in the jute sector. If their families are factored in,
approximately one-third of the West Bengal's total population of about 90
million are directly or indirectly linked to jute.Pointing out to the overt
flouting of JPMA provisions by rice millers, Gupta said very few millers are
utilising new jute bags for packaging of rice. According to him, mandating
packaging of potatoes grown in West Bengal in jute bags would create a demand
of 50,000 tonnes annually for jute bags, he felt.Over the past two years,
around 25 per cent of the jute mills have been shut, rendering nearly 100,000
workmen jobless. The precarious situation has arisen due to continuous dilution
of JPMA, attempts to violate the Act by sugar sector and different procurement
agencies, and erosion of non-government market due to heavy imports from
Bangladesh. Surge in imports from Bangladesh have been aided by zero duty on
imports and 10 per cent export subsidy provided by the Bangladesh
government.Procurement of jute bags has fallen from an average of 2.68 million
bales in 2012-13 to 2.03 million bales in 2013-14, dropping further to 1.99
million bales in 2014-15 (one bale is 180 kg).The jute sector is passing
through a phase of stagnation as investments in modernisation and product
diversification have almost stopped since 2012-13.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ijma-wants-jute-policy-to-revive-demand-115051301092_1.html
World Market Price Subcommittee
Talks Acreage, Iraq, and Cuba
USA
Rice's Betsy Ward (l.) and Sarah Moran literally talk Turkey with The Rice
Trading Company CEO Jay Kapila. WASHINGTON, DC -- The World Market Price
Subcommittee met here this morning with representatives from the National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Economic Research Service (ERS),
and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
Members noted that rice acres in California may be below those indicated
in the NASS Prospective Plantings report issued this spring. Members also
reviewed NASS rice price reporting questionnaires. NASS reiterated that it is
looking only for reported transactions of rough rice at the point of first
sale, excluding transportation and other charges from farmers' bins to the
point of sale. However, NASS does not adjust data received on rough rice
purchases. Subcommittee members agreed that this explanation provided more
clarity about the reporting of rough rice transactions at the first point of
sale.
Discussions
with representatives of FAS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
focused on trade with Cuba and Turkey, and the U.S. rice industry's ongoing
difficulty with the lack of transparency and predictability in Iraq's rice
tender process. "We've started the process of looking for an Iraqi
contractor to assist our efforts on the ground in Baghdad," said USA Rice
COO Bob Cummings. "This is a
recommendation that we received during our meeting last week in Washington with
the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones, and we believe it has merit and
worth pursuing. We need to look at all
options that can help us return Iraq as a steady customer for U.S.
rice."Chairman Keith Glover said, "This was a very positive meeting,
with a lot of productive conversation. And, as always, we appreciate USDA's
participation."The next World Market Price Subcommittee meeting will be in
October.
Contact: Kristen Dayton (703) 236-1464
CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices
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WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of
Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough
rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting
marketing loan-gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable
to the 2014 crop, which became effective today at 7:00 a.m.,
Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices decreased $0.12 per cwt for both
long grain and medium/short grain.
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World Price
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MLG/LDP Rate
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Milled Value ($/cwt)
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Rough ($/cwt)
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Rough ($/cwt)
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Long-Grain
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15.25
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9.88
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0.00
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Medium-/Short-Grain
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14.86
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10.01
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0.00
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Brokens
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9.20
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This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the
following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates:
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U.S. Milling Yields
Whole/Broken
(lbs/cwt)
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Loan Rate
($/cwt)
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Long-Grain
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57.21/12.55
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6.64
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Medium-/Short-Grain
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61.89/8.83
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6.51
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The next program announcement is scheduled for May 20, 2015.
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CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
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CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May
13
May 2015
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$9.220
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UNCH
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July 2015
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$9.445
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UNCH
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September 2015
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$9.715
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- $0.005
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November 2015
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$9.965
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UNCH
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January 2016
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$10.210
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UNCH
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March 2016
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$10.275
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UNCH
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May 2016
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$10.275
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UNCH
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Rare rice and art honored as
national treasures
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MANILA, Philippines - In a special gathering tonight at the National Museum of
the Philippines, two large paintings by National Artist Vicente
Manansala will be elevated from Important Cultural Properties of the
Philippines to National Cultural Treasures—the first Manansalas to
gain such status. Since 1962 and until recently, these paintings that
had been on the walls of the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna will be unveiled at the
museum’s new IRRI hall.
In this evening’s event, Treasures in Art and Rice, the IRRI
Manansalas and several types of heirloom rice from the mountainous
Cordilleras of northern Philippines will be featured alongside each
other—the paintings’ unveiling at the museum and heirloom rice as
tasty dishes whipped up by five world-class chefs.
Philippine heirloom rice varieties are being studied and promoted
through the Heirloom Rice Project, a joint initiative of the
Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and IRRI.
As traditional varieties handed down through generations of a clan or
village, these unique crops have high nutritional properties, are in
limited supply due to longer growing periods, and are more expensive
than more widely cultivated rice, especially in specialty niche
markets in the Philippines and abroad.
Under the project, heirloom rice varieties are characterized,
classified, and studied for their properties and genealogy.
Cultivation practices for each variety are also being documented,
which allows scientists to work with farmers to optimize these
practices for desired yield and grain quality.
Because of its special eating qualities and novelty, heirloom rice is
seeing increasing demand in the global market. The project team is
thus also working with entrepreneurs to find demand matches for
heirloom varieties that particular regions, villages, or farming
households produce.
The paintings, by National Artist Vicente S. Manansala, were
commissioned by IRRI soon after its founding in 1960.
Philippine heirloom rice varieties were featured at the Madrid Fusión
Manila in April.
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IRRI NEWS
Treasures in Art and Rice: The IRRI Manansala
Murals and Philippine Heirloom Rice
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Together with the Philippine Department of
Agriculture, the National Museum and Friends of Manansala, IRRI will
feature the formal recognition of the two Manansala paintings as
"National Cultural Treasures." A special presentation of
the Philippine heirloom rice will be a highlight at the event to be
held at the National Museum (By invitation)
Download/View On-Line the above News in pdf format,just click the following link
13th May (Wednesday),2015 Daily GlobalRice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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