Saturday, July 04, 2015

3rd July (Friday), 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

S.Korea buys 15,000 T rice for Nov

Fri Jul 3, 2015 8:29am GMT
 SEOUL, July 3 (Reuters) - South Korea's state-run
Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp bought 15,000 tonnes of brown
short rice to be sourced from China for Nov. 30 arrival via a
tender closed on Friday, according to the agency's website. (www.at.or.kr)
    The agency bought the product from Daewoo International Corp
 at $893 per tonne, it said.
    The shipment will arrive at Masan.
 
 (Reporting By Brian Kim; Editing by Anupama Dwivedi)
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N0ZJ2TW20150703

Comments on other issues: Rice output soars, policy 
successful: BPS

| Readers Forum | Fri, July 03 2015, 6:12 AM
Description: Harvest time: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo rides on harvest equipment in a rice field in Merauke, West Papua, on May 10.(Rusman/Courtesy of the Presidential Office)
Harvest time: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo rides on harvest equipment in a rice field in Merauke, West Papua, on May 10.(Rusman/Courtesy of the Presidential Office)

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has said Indonesia will see a significant increase in rice production this year, giving a push to the “no imports” vision of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as his ambition to secure food sovereignty might materialize sooner than expected.

Your comments: 

The published figures are estimates only. If the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has the outright
 
confirmed statistics in a few months, please publish them ASAP. I will switch to eating local rice then.

Luwanto 

With this increase in rice output, does it translate to higher incomes for paddy farmers? I do hope so?

Jon Terry

Good news, but not good enough considering the government’s overall performance this past year.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/03/comments-other-issues-rice-output-soars-policy-successful-bps.html#sthash.yhYkj2hy.dpuf

Heavy rain in south China hurts rice and cotton crops

BEIJING
China's weather bureau said on Friday that heavy rain last month caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon damaged rice and cotton crops in major growing areas in the south and that conditions would continue poor this month.Rain had been more than 50 percent heavier than in normal years, flooding paddy fields and hurting early-season rice at a key growing stage. It had damaged the crop in provinces including Hunan and Jiangxi, the country's largest and second-largest rice area, the bureau said
"Some early-season rice was flowering when hit by heavy rains and the damage was very serious," said Zhang Zhuqiang, a director with the China Meteorological Administration, at a news conference.The bureau had earlier expected El Nino conditions this year to cause heavy rainfall in the south and create drought-like conditions in the north, but said that unlike in 1997-98, the intensity of the phenomenon would be moderate.
Rain would continue in most areas south of the Yangtze River this month, while lower-than-normal temperatures were forecast in northeastern corn and soy areas, which was not favourable for the crops, bureau officials told the news conference.China's harvest of early-season rice, which was 34 million tonnes in 2014, accounted for about 16 percent of the country's total rice output.China is the world's top rice consumer and producer.
(Reporting by Niu Shuping; Editing by Alan Raybould)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/07/03/uk-china-weather-idUKKCN0PD0SP20150703
PM upholds unchanged VAT for rice
HA NOI (VNS) — The Prime Minister has approved the Ministry of Finance's decision to not slash the value added tax (VAT) imposed on rice in the domestic market.Accordingly, the tax rate will be retained at the current level of 5 per cent.Previously, the Viet Nam Food Association had proposed that the VAT on rice consumed in the domestic market be cut to 0.5 per cent to develop a rice brand in the domestic market.However, in response to the proposal, the Ministry of Finance said that the existing Law on VAT did not have a 0.5 per cent tax rate. If this tax rate was added, it will not be in line with the VAT reform strategy for the 2011-20 period, aimed at narrowing down the number of subjects for VAT imposition.
Description: http://vietnamnews.vn/thumbnail/450/1-1.jpg?url=Storage/Images/2015/7/3/1-1.jpgThe Finance Ministry also said that the proposal was not in line with international practices, which allow zero tax rate only on export products.Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that domestic rice consumption, which was imposed with a 5 per cent VAT, accounted for less than 15 per cent of the country's total rice output.On average, during the 2010-15 period, Viet Nam produced about 22 million tonnes of rice, of which 18.5 million tonnes were not subjected to any tax as they were used for exports and self-consumption. Meanwhile, some 3.5 million tonnes of rice was taxed each year.Regarding animal feed and fertilisers, the Ministry of Finance has proposed to continue animal feed in the list of goods receiving VAT exemption, while the impact of VAT exemption on fertilisers should continue to be evaluated to raise proposals for amendments to law. — VNS
Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that domestic rice consumption, which was imposed with a 5 per cent VAT, accounted for less than 15 per cent of the country's total rice output. — VNA/VNS Photo Trong Dat
http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/272557/pm-upholds-unchanged-vat-for-rice.html

Cambodia's rice export up nearly 60 pct in 1st half of 2015

Friday, 03 July 2015; News by Xinhua
PHNOM PENH, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported 283,825 tons of milled rice in the first six months of 2015, a 59.5 percent increase from the 177,928 tons over the same period last year, according to an official report on Friday.Seventy-two companies have exported Cambodian rice to 51 countries and regions, said the report compiled by the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export.

Three top buyers are China, France and Poland. During the January-June period this year, Cambodia exported 72,086 tons of rice to China, up 9 times from only 7,731 tons over the same period last year, as the country sold 36,233 tons to France, up 8 percent and 32,268 tons to Poland, down 4 percent.The Southeast Asian country produced over 9 million tons of paddy rice a year. With this amount, it has more than 3 million tons of milled rice left over for annual exports.

In 2010, the country launched a rice promotion strategy, setting a goal of exporting one million tons of milled rice by the end of 2015; however, Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol said early this year that it was unlikely to achieve the self-imposed target due to a lack of milling capacity and funding

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/12861/cambodia-s-rice-export-up-nearly-60-pct-in-1st-half-of-2015/

More groundwater being supplied to rice fields


More groundwater being supplied to rice fields
BANGKOK, 3 July 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Groundwater Resources has revealed that over 50,000 cubic meters of groundwater is being pumped up each day and supplied to rice farmers for use on their plantations.

According to Director-General of the Department of Groundwater Resources Praneet Roibang, the department is constantly in search of additional groundwater sources for the country. Out of 500 artesian wells planned to be dug, 141 are now underway, accounting for about 28 percent. So far, the department has been able to pump up 57,156 cubic meters of water each day.At present, the acquired water is mainly distributed to drought-stricken areas along the Chao Phraya River in the Central Plains and the lower northern region. The assistance has so far reached 15 provinces, including Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has set up a working committee responsible for following up the development of groundwater sources for agricultural use and overseeing the assistance of drought-affected farmers.
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/more-groundwater-being-supplied-to-rice-fields/104833/

TDAP URGED TO CLOSE QRC TO SOAR RICE EXPORT


Friday, July 03, 2015 - Karachi—The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has invited the attention of the ministry of commerce to the difficulties being faced by the SME rice exporters due to the lingering in the implementation of already decided closure of the Quality Review Committee (QRC). President Unisame Zulfikar Thaver said it was finally decided by the Ministry to close the QRC as it was unanimously agreed that QRC has become futile and the committee as pointed out by all stakeholders is not serving any purpose. The buyers prefer to import rice in their own or selected brands of blended rice.He urged the federal commerce minister engineer Khurram Dastagir to direct the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to disband the futile committee and to close it immediately as every single day matters for closure of this troublesome body.
Many buyers demand blended rice of different varieties with basmati rice as basmati rice has aroma and when mixed with 1121 and 386 makes it aromatic.It is pertinent to note that 1121 is the most expensive rice. It is in great demand all over the Gulf and Middle East countries but is not classified as basmati rice. The demand for basmati rice is very little as compared to 1121 and 386. QRC is not required anymore and its presence as an inspection cell is more a hurdle than a monitor because it is issuing certificates for non-basmati rice as basmati rice under pressure to keep business going. The big rice exporters are obliged but the SMEs are facing difficulties.—Agencies

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=267513

Rice mills directed to submit details of available stock

July 03, 2015
RECORDER REPORT
The Punjab government has directed all the rice mills in the province to submit details of their available stocks in next five days to the government enabling it for chalking out a strategy to resolve the problems being faced by the growers at present or with regard to the coming crop. The millers will submit stock reports in next five days in the office of the Director General Agriculture (Extension). A form has been despatched through rice growers', traders and millers and market committees across the province. Millers can obtain their form from any of these bodies and then submit stock reports directly or through these bodies, sources in the provincial agriculture department said here on Thursday. 
The sources said that an important meeting to discuss the problems of the rice growers was held here the other day with Parliamentary Secretary Ch Asad Ullah Arain in the chair. The meeting was attended by the stakeholders of rice business including exporters, millers and growers' representatives. The meeting decided that correct information of rice stocks available from crop 2013-14 and 2014-15 should be collected to get a clear picture and then talk to departments concerned for solution of the problems faced by the rice growers and businessmen. 

http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/1203176/

APEDA News (India)

Price on: 02-07-2015
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Apricots
1
Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
5975
2
Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
5375
3
Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)
4375
Raisins
1
Californian Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)
2394
2
South African Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)
2266
Sultanas
1
Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t)
3004 
2
Iranian natural sultanas (Gouchan), CIF UK (USD/t)
1892
3
Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t)
2350
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 02-07-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Cachar (Assam)
Other
2000
2500
2
Bargarh (Orissa)
Other
2300
2500
3
Gumla (Jharkhand)
Other
2800
3100
Wheat
1
Dhing (Assam)
Other
1500
1700
2
Amirgadh (Gujarat)
Other
1300
1500
3
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1450
1600
Pine Apple
1
Harippad (Kerala)
Other
2500
3000
2
Sirhind (Punjab)
Other
1500
2500
3
Sohra (Meghalaya)
Other
2000
4000
Cabbage
1
Chala (Kerala)
Other
2800
2850
2
Bolangir (Orissa)
Other
2800
3000
3
Talalagir (Gujarat)
Other
1250
1260
Source:agra-net
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 02-07-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Ahmedabad
350
2
Nagapur
312
3
Namakkal
340
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 01-07-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado
Russet
23.50
23.50
2
Baltimore
Idaho
Russet
22
26
3
Detroit
Wisconsin
Russet
19
19.50
Cauliflower
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
California
White
22.50
23.50
2
Detroit
Michigan
White
13
15
3
Miami
Mexico
White
18
18
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Atlanta
Virginia
Red Delicious
19
19
2
Dallas
Washington 
Red Delicious
19
22
3
Detroit
Washington
Red Delicious
26
26.50
Source:USDA

Heavy rain in south China hurts rice and cotton crops

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's weather bureau said on Friday that heavy rain last month caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon damaged rice and cotton crops in major growing areas in the south and that conditions would continue poor this month.Rain had been more than 50 percent heavier than in normal years, flooding paddy fields and hurting early-season rice at a key growing stage. It had damaged the crop in provinces including Hunan and Jiangxi, the country's largest and second-largest rice area, the bureau said"Some early-season rice was flowering when hit by heavy rains and the damage was very serious," said Zhang Zhuqiang, a director with the China Meteorological Administration, at a news conference.

The bureau had earlier expected El Nino conditions this year to cause heavy rainfall in the south and create drought-like conditions in the north, but said that unlike in 1997-98, the intensity of the phenomenon would be moderate.Rain would continue in most areas south of the Yangtze River this month, while lower-than-normal temperatures were forecast in northeastern corn and soy areas, which was not favourable for the crops, bureau officials told the news conference.China's harvest of early-season rice, which was 34 million tonnes in 2014, accounted for about 16 percent of the country's total rice output.China is the world's top rice consumer and producer.
(Reporting by Niu Shuping; Editing by Alan Raybould)
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/heavy-rain-south-china-hurts-rice-cotton-crops-085723958.html#nkVyonU
Improving rice value chain will benefit Malawi smallholder farmers
Prof Kamchacha
July 3, 2015 Emmanuel Muwamba Business, Featured 2 comments
Rice is considered as one of the key strategic crops to be promoted in Malawi not only because it has the potential to be promoted primarily as an import substitute, but also secondarily as an export crop.
 Principal Secretary Chiunda appreciates rice packaging
 Principal Secretary Chiunda visits displays at the fair
As an export crop, rice has the potential to generate the much needed revenue in the country, explained Professor David Kamchacha, chairperson of the National Rice Development Platform(NRDP) at the National Rice Marketing Conference and Fair on Wednesday.
t if rice is to be exported, he added, it is imperative that the marketing systems in the rice value chain be improved and strengthened so as to benefit all the value chain players from the smallholder farmer to exporter.Kamchacha noted that marketing of rice in Malawi continues to be hampered by a number of factors chief of which is lack of a structured market system.He cited one common issue of minimal interface between the large scale buyers and the farmers.
Description: Description: Principal Secretary Chiunda visits displays at the fair“Majority of rice farmers do not have potential viable markets for their rice and rely on common seasonal vendors and traders. 95% of the smallholder rice producers sell their rice to local traders. As such, the farmers are limited in terms of the price gains due to their inability to benefit from higher prices offered by the large scale millers.He also disclosed that 74% of rice producers sell un-milled rice (paddy) while the remainder is milled by smallholder farmers themselves who sell it with a degree of value addition. In some cases, farmers sell rice to their association or cooperative which markets the rice for them. This helps farmers attain better prices.
Another issue facing rice marketing is the minimal storage capacity among the smallholders, hampering farmers from taking advantage of seasonal price hikes, said Kamchacha.“As a result, the rice farmers end up being the price-takers as they enter the market at the lowest point in the seasonal price. This situation of immediate post-harvest crop sales is also unhelpful for the processors as they have to find capital to purchase in bulk, within a short period of the season rather than make purchases at intervals throughout the season,” lamented Kamchacha.“There is also a challenge of limited information sharing between rice producers and traders as well as processors. Rice farmers at times produce without knowing the varieties and quantities demanded by traders and processors.
“The traders and processors are not forthcoming with the volumes and quantities demanded by the market. Hence, rice trading tends to be ad hoc and mainly on individual basis which compromises quality of rice as well as the bargaining power of rice producers for a better price,” he said.He however stated that the National Rice Marketing Conference and Fairorganised towards the goal of developing strong rice market through strengthened market linkages provided a platform for dialogue among the stakeholders on marketing issues and an opportunity for business to business meeting; and also provides a platform for introduction of warehouse receipt system in the rice value chain.Principal Secretary for Ministry of Industry and Trade, Cliff Chiunda applauded NRDP for organising the National Rice Marketing Conference and Fairobserving that the initiative complements government’s efforts in improving farmer’s access to markets and promoting investment in agricultural sector for increased agricultural exports. Chiunda implored sector players to join hands to implement strategic actions outlined in the rice development strategy for farmer to realise increased income and export earnings through sustainable rice production, marketing and utilization.The National Rice Marketing Conference and Fairwas organised by NRDP which is facilitated by AICC, CISANET and ICCO. Membership of the NRDP is open to the players in the Malawi’s rice value chain.
AgricultureCisanetCliff Chiunda


http://www.nyasatimes.com/2015/07/03/improving-rice-value-chain-will-benefit-malawi-smallholder-farmers-prof-kamchacha/

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