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Former Thai PM Yingluck Defends Herself in Open
Letter Posted on Facebook
Nov
11, 2015
In an open letter posted on Facebook, Former Thai Prime Minister
(PM) Yingluck Shinawatra defended herself to junta leader Prayath
Chan-ocha. Yingluck is potentially looking at serving 10 years in prison for
criminal charges related to her management of the rice scheme starting in 2011
which saw Thailand waste billions of dollars and amass tens of millions of tons
of rice.
In the letter, Yingluck says the losses of the rice scheme are
still yet unknown and the attorney general was “rushing the legal process,”
according to Reuters.
A trial date has not yet been set. The Thailand Supreme Court said
it will review evidence until November 2016. In September, Yingluck filed
criminal charges against the attorney general alleging the charges against her
were unfair. Later that month, the court dismissed her case saying it
found no evidence of mishandling by prosecutors.
Yingluck is likely to continue to fight charges against her, part
of a larger saga between the royalist Thai military establishment and the
Shinawatra family.
Asia Rice Export Quotes Remain Unchanged Today
Nov
11, 2015
Asian rice exporters have kept
their quotes unchanged from yesterday.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at
around $350 - $360 per ton about $20 per ton discount on Vietnam 5% rice shown
at around $370 - $380 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355
per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $320 -
$330 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at
around $345 - $355 per ton, about $10 per ton discount on Vietnam 25% rice
shown at around $355- $365 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $325
- $335 per ton, about $35 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around
$290 - $300 per ton.
Parboiled
Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is
indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at
around $340 - $350 per ton, about $65 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled
rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per
ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is
indicated at around $320 - $330 per ton, about $10 per ton discount to Vietnam
100% broken rice shown at around $330 - $340 per ton. India's 100% broken rice
is shown at around $285 - $295 per ton, about $5 per ton premium on Pakistan
broken sortexed rice shown at around $280 - $290 per ton.
Rice Traders Use UAE to Import Indian Basmati
Rice into Iran
Nov
11, 2015
In an effort to get around Iran’s
restrictive import permits on India’s basmati rice, Indian rice is first
being shipped to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and then on to Iran, according
to the Business Standard.
Iran imports about 100,000 tons of
basmati rice on average each month; in August-September 2015, Iran imported
about 81,000 tons from the UAE, up from 18,000 tons the same period a year
ago.
Iran stopped issuing import
licenses for Indian basmati rice in October 2014 but is soon expected to lift
restrictions as they are viewed as pointless since Iranian rice imports are
still finding a way to bring Indian rice into the country. However,
Iran’s restrictions have reduced India’s basmati rice exports from about 1.4
million tons in 2013-14 to 930,000 tons in 2014-15, according to India’s Agricultural
and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, and have also
severely weighed on domestic basmati prices.
Oryza
CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Go Nowhere as
Traders Continue to Weigh Impact of Yesterday's S&D Update; Grains Rebound
as Selloff May have been Overdone
Nov
12, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jan delivery settled unchanged at
$11.880 per cwt (about $262per ton). The other grains finished the day higher
as the market looks to reverse a portion of losses sustained as a result of
yesterday’s bearish S&D update; Soybeans closed about 0.6% higher at
$8.6075 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.8% higher at $4.9475 per bushel, and
corn finished the day about 0.9% higher at $3.6225 per bushel.U.S. stocks
traded in a range Wednesday, trying to hold mild opening gains while declines
in oil prices and disappointing Macy's earnings weighed. Energy fell more than
1.5% as the greatest decliner in the S&P 500, while consumer discretionary
was also among the laggards. The S&P held slightly higher in early
afternoon trade, with industrials leading advancers. Crude oil fell more than
2% in midday trade after the American Petroleum Institute showed a
greater-than-expected build in U.S. crude stocks. Brent traded about 2% lower.
The federal government's Energy Information Administration will release
official inventory data Thursday due to Wednesday's Veterans Day. Chinese data
out overnight showed firmness in the consumer, with retail sales up 11%
year-over-year in October, up slightly from 10.9% in September. Industrial
production edged lower in October and missed Reuters expectations. Investors
also awaited a slew of Federal Reserve speakers scheduled for Thursday, which
include Fed Chair Janet Yellen's opening remarks at the U.S. central bank's
conference. In early afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average gained
24 points, or 0.14%, to 17,782. The S&P 500 traded up 3 points, or 0.15%,
to 2,085, with industrials leading seven sectors higher and energy leading laggards.
The Nasdaq gained 20 points, or 0.4%, to 5,103. Gold is seen trading about 0.4%
lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2.8% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen
trading about 0.3% lower about 1:00pm Chicago time.
Tuesday, there were 2,671 contracts
traded, up from 960 contracts traded on Monday. Open interest – the number of
contracts outstanding – on Tuesday increased by 632 contracts to 12,523.
Former Thai PM Yingluck Defends Herself in Open
Letter Posted on Facebook
Nov
11, 2015
In an open letter posted on Facebook, Former Thai Prime Minister
(PM) Yingluck Shinawatra defended herself to junta leader Prayath
Chan-ocha. Yingluck is potentially looking at serving 10 years in prison for
criminal charges related to her management of the rice scheme starting in 2011
which saw Thailand waste billions of dollars and amass tens of millions of tons
of rice.
In the letter, Yingluck says the losses of the rice scheme are
still yet unknown and the attorney general was “rushing the legal process,”
according to Reuters.
A trial date has not yet been set. The Thailand Supreme Court said
it will review evidence until November 2016. In September, Yingluck filed
criminal charges against the attorney general alleging the charges against her
were unfair. Later that month, the court dismissed her case saying it
found no evidence of mishandling by prosecutors.
Yingluck is likely to continue to fight charges against her, part
of a larger saga between the royalist Thai military establishment and the
Shinawatra family.
Asia Rice Export Quotes Remain Unchanged Today
Nov
11, 2015
Asian rice exporters have kept
their quotes unchanged from yesterday.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at
around $350 - $360 per ton about $20 per ton discount on Vietnam 5% rice shown
at around $370 - $380 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355
per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $320 -
$330 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at
around $345 - $355 per ton, about $10 per ton discount on Vietnam 25% rice
shown at around $355- $365 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $325
- $335 per ton, about $35 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around
$290 - $300 per ton.
Parboiled
Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is
indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at
around $340 - $350 per ton, about $65 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled
rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per
ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is
indicated at around $320 - $330 per ton, about $10 per ton discount to Vietnam
100% broken rice shown at around $330 - $340 per ton. India's 100% broken rice
is shown at around $285 - $295 per ton, about $5 per ton premium on Pakistan
broken sortexed rice shown at around $280 - $290 per ton.
Rice Traders Use UAE to Import Indian Basmati
Rice into Iran
Nov
11, 2015
In an effort to get around Iran’s
restrictive import permits on India’s basmati rice, Indian rice is first
being shipped to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and then on to Iran, according
to the Business Standard.
Iran imports about 100,000 tons of
basmati rice on average each month; in August-September 2015, Iran imported
about 81,000 tons from the UAE, up from 18,000 tons the same period a year
ago.
Iran stopped issuing import
licenses for Indian basmati rice in October 2014 but is soon expected to lift
restrictions as they are viewed as pointless since Iranian rice imports are
still finding a way to bring Indian rice into the country. However,
Iran’s restrictions have reduced India’s basmati rice exports from about 1.4
million tons in 2013-14 to 930,000 tons in 2014-15, according to India’s Agricultural
and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, and have also
severely weighed on domestic basmati prices.
Oryza
CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Go Nowhere as
Traders Continue to Weigh Impact of Yesterday's S&D Update; Grains Rebound
as Selloff May have been Overdone
Nov
12, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jan delivery settled unchanged at
$11.880 per cwt (about $262per ton). The other grains finished the day higher
as the market looks to reverse a portion of losses sustained as a result of
yesterday’s bearish S&D update; Soybeans closed about 0.6% higher at
$8.6075 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.8% higher at $4.9475 per bushel, and
corn finished the day about 0.9% higher at $3.6225 per bushel.U.S. stocks
traded in a range Wednesday, trying to hold mild opening gains while declines
in oil prices and disappointing Macy's earnings weighed. Energy fell more than
1.5% as the greatest decliner in the S&P 500, while consumer discretionary
was also among the laggards. The S&P held slightly higher in early
afternoon trade, with industrials leading advancers. Crude oil fell more than
2% in midday trade after the American Petroleum Institute showed a
greater-than-expected build in U.S. crude stocks. Brent traded about 2% lower.
The federal government's Energy Information Administration will release
official inventory data Thursday due to Wednesday's Veterans Day. Chinese data
out overnight showed firmness in the consumer, with retail sales up 11%
year-over-year in October, up slightly from 10.9% in September. Industrial
production edged lower in October and missed Reuters expectations. Investors
also awaited a slew of Federal Reserve speakers scheduled for Thursday, which
include Fed Chair Janet Yellen's opening remarks at the U.S. central bank's
conference. In early afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average gained
24 points, or 0.14%, to 17,782. The S&P 500 traded up 3 points, or 0.15%,
to 2,085, with industrials leading seven sectors higher and energy leading laggards.
The Nasdaq gained 20 points, or 0.4%, to 5,103. Gold is seen trading about 0.4%
lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2.8% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen
trading about 0.3% lower about 1:00pm Chicago time.
Tuesday, there were 2,671 contracts
traded, up from 960 contracts traded on Monday. Open interest – the number of
contracts outstanding – on Tuesday increased by 632 contracts to 12,523.
Global Rice Quotes
November
11th, 2015
Long
grain white rice - high quality
Thailand
100% B grade 360-370 ↔
Vietnam
5% broken 370-380 ↔
India
5% broken 345-355 ↔
Pakistan
5% broken 320-330 ↔
Myanmar
5% broken 405-415 ↔
Cambodia
5% broken 415-425 ↔
U.S.
4% broken 490-510 ↔
Uruguay
5% broken 535-545 ↔
Argentina
5% broken 530-540 ↔
Long
grain white rice - low quality
Thailand
25% broken 345-355 ↔
Vietnam
25% broken 355-365 ↔
Pakistan
25% broken 290-300 ↔
Cambodia
25% broken 400-410 ↔
India
25% broken 325-335 ↔
U.S.
15% broken 500-510 ↔
Long
grain parboiled rice
Thailand
parboiled 100% stxd 350-360 ↔
Pakistan
parboiled 5% broken stxd 405-415 ↔
India
parboiled 5% broken stxd 340-350
↔
U.S.
parboiled 4% broken 590-610 ↔
Brazil
parboiled 5% broken 545-555 ↔
Uruguay
parboiled 5% broken NQ ↔
Long
grain fragrant rice
Thailand
Hommali 92% 785-795 ↔
Vietnam
Jasmine 470-480 ↔
India
basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Pakistan
basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Cambodia
Phka Mails 830-840 ↔
Brokens
Thailand
A1 Super 320-330 ↔
Vietnam
100% broken 330-340 ↔
Pakistan
100% broken stxd 280-290 ↔
Cambodia
A1 Super 355-365 ↔
India
100% broken stxd 285-295 ↔
Egypt
medium grain brokens NQ ↔
U.S.
pet food 330-340 ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
contents are published with permission of ORYZA.com with thanksBrazil
half grain NQ ↔
·Cross River,
Thai Firm to Build First Rice City in Africa
·SA considers
support for climate change resolution
·DA seeks P9/kg
rice production cost
·Easing trade
restrictions
·Hassad Food
aims to supply 15% of rice in local market
·Belarus values
Pakistan as reliable partner in Asia Economy
·10 Natural
Ways To Sweeten Any Food
·Rice price
drops in global markets
·Govt Begins
Rice Imports as Stockpiles Decline
·Rice investors
groan, as smuggled produce flood market
·Indonesia
imports rice as El Nino hits country
·Vietnam: Rice
exports for year remain lackluster
·Basmati rice
exports to Iran via Dubai soar
·11/11/2015
Farm Bureau Market Report
·Everything you
wanted to know about the benefits of rice
News Detail...
DA seeks
P9/kg rice production cost
November 11, 2015 3:15pm
Tags: riceproduction, philrice
The country must have a lower production cost of rice to be
competitive for the ASEAN market, the Department of Agriculture said on
Wednesday.Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told researchers, scientists,
and other personnel of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to
sustain their efforts to achieve a production cost of P9 per kilogram before
2017. At P9/kg, farmers are in the sweet spot to increase production and make
the sector competitive within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
region.
PhilRice is now running a “Palayabangan” project which to level
up rice production at 10 tons per hectare with an input cost of P5/kg of palay.“Kung
mapapanatili natin ang halaga ng produksyon ng palay sa P5 kada kilo, magiging
mas mababa pa ito sa production cost ng Vietnam na nasa P6.53 bawat kilo.
Naniniwala ako na kung mailalagay natin sa P9 kada kilo bago mag-2017 ay
magiging competitive tayo,” Alcala noted.PhilRice produced 70 rice varieties in
the last 30 years, and developed 24 rice machines and 23 patents in rice
research and distribution.– Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News
Cross
River, Thai Firm to Build First Rice City in Africa
10 Nov 2015
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade
The Cross River State Government and a Thai firm, Thai-Africa
Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development
of what would be the first Rice City in Africa, in the south-south state.The
agreement was signed at a ceremony in Bankok, the capital of Thailand.Cross
River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade signed on behalf of his state while
Ms. Pantipa Dhangom, the Executive Director of the Thai – Africa Corporation,
signed on behalf of the organisation.
Since assuming office, Ayade, had on assumption of office,
pledged to make Cross River State the number one rice producing state in the
country.According to the MoU, Thai-Africa, the core investor, will develop the
Rice City project in partnership with Cross River State Government.Details of
the project as highlighted in the MoU indicated that the Rice City will have a
solar mediated and automated rice seedling and nursery propagation centre, rice
plantation with irrigation infrastructure and mill including packaging and
distribution.
The centre will also have an Agriculture Training Centre, which
will oversee the development of various economic crop projects including but
not limited to oil palm, sugar cane, cassava, maize, soya beans and more.It
will also have a full mechanised site clearing, planting, weeding and
harvesting equipment.Thai-Africa Corporation is to facilitate international
funding for the execution of the various projects.The business relationship is
expected to attract multi-billion dollarsinvestment into Cross River State.
SA considers support for climate change resolution
Posted:Tuesday, November 10, 2015 9:41
pm
The Student Association will be
voting on whether to add its name to the Resolution on Climate Change, a
petition put forth by the Texas Drought Project. The SA’s endorsement would
make it one of 120 organizations and groups who have signed the resolution,
bringing the Texas Drought Project closer to its 250 signature goal.
According to the Texas Drought
Project’s website, the resolution calls for the U.S. government to take a
stance against the emission of greenhouse gases and in support of the movement
away from fossil fuels at the 2015 United Nations Climate Conference, to be
held this December in Paris. he conference aims to arrive at a universal
agreement on climate change, following a similar conference in Copenhagen in
2012 that postponed the signing of an agreement until this year, to go into
effect in 2020.The SA legislation would also call upon the Faculty Senate and the
Graduate Student Association to join the SA in their support of the resolution,
as well as for the university as a whole to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The resolution would be in line
with the 100-Year Sustainability Plan passed by the SA in its 2011-2012
session. According to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in
Higher Education, that plan led to a series of actions and resolutions aimed at
improving campus sustainability.
The country must have a lower production cost of rice to be
competitive for the ASEAN market, the Department of Agriculture said on
Wednesday.Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told researchers, scientists,
and other personnel of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to
sustain their efforts to achieve a production cost of P9 per kilogram before
2017. At P9/kg, farmers are in the sweet spot to increase production and make
the sector competitive within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
region.
PhilRice is now running a “Palayabangan” project which to level
up rice production at 10 tons per hectare with an input cost of P5/kg of palay.“Kung
mapapanatili natin ang halaga ng produksyon ng palay sa P5 kada kilo, magiging
mas mababa pa ito sa production cost ng Vietnam na nasa P6.53 bawat kilo.
Naniniwala ako na kung mailalagay natin sa P9 kada kilo bago mag-2017 ay
magiging competitive tayo,” Alcala noted.PhilRice produced 70 rice varieties in
the last 30 years, and developed 24 rice machines and 23 patents in rice
research and distribution.– Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News
Since December 2014, when the U.S. and Cuba announced the
intention to restore diplomatic ties for the first time in more than 50 years,
the U.S. has taken steps to ease restrictions on trade, remittances and travel
to Cuba. The actions have generated a wave of enthusiasm about the economic
opportunities that a more normal relationship between the two countries could
create.
A report released in June by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Economic Research Service (ERS) examines the potential impacts of more
commercial ties between the two countries on bilateral agricultural trade.The
report, titled “U.S.-Cuba Agricultural Trade: Past, Present and Possible
Future,” said a more normal trade relationship would lead to an increase in
U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba through several channels.
First, U.S. exporters would
be allowed to extend credit to their Cuban buyers, enhancing U.S.
competitiveness. Second, the U.S. would export a broader range of agricultural
products – products currently provided by other countries. Third, to the extent
that relaxation of economic restrictions on Cuba spurs economic growth there,
demand for U.S. agricultural products is likely to grow, including for
higher-value commodities like meat and dairy products, and for commodities
traded during the 2000s but not recently, such as wheat, rice and dried beans.
Trading history
Prior to the Cuban Revolution of 1959, bilateral agricultural
trade featured large volumes of sugar and smaller volumes of tobacco and
pineapple from Cuba, and rice, dried beans, wheat and wheat flour from the U.S.
But after the revolution, U.S.-Cuba relations quickly deteriorated when Cuba’s
new government took power. Cuba expropriated U.S. economic assets, including
farms and sugar mills, as part of its efforts to institute a socialist economic
system, and the U.S. imposed economic sanctions against Cuba and broke
diplomatic relations. That is essentially where things stood until October
2000, when the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TRSA), which
authorized certain sales of food, medicines and medical equipment to a number
of countries, including Cuba, was signed into law.
TRSA’s exemptions to the embargo quickly led to the
reestablishment of U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. However, TRSA does not
include a legal framework for the resumption of U.S. agricultural imports from
Cuba.The ERS report said U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba averaged $365
million per year from 2012-14. Exports are heavily concentrated in four basic
commodities, with chicken meat, corn, soybean meal and soybeans accounting for
84% of total exports during that period in terms of value. Corn, soybean meal
and soybeans are all feedstuffs used in livestock production in Cuba. In some
years during the TRSA period, U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba have included
substantial quantities of rice, wheat, pork, dried beans and soybean oil. But
U.S. restrictions on extending credit to Cuban buyers have made it harder for
U.S. agricultural exporters to sell a larger volume and broader variety of
commodities to Cuba, the report said.
From 2012-14, the U.S. was the second leading supplier of
agricultural imports to Cuba behind the European Union ($383 million), while
Brazil was third ($348 million). Those three trade partners supplied 61% of
Cuba’s agricultural imports during that three-year period, the report said.The
report noted that a major inhibitor of U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba is the
TRSA’s restrictions on the terms of payment and financing. TRSA specifies that
the only payment or financing terms that U.S. persons may provide for
agricultural exports to Cuba are payment of cash in advance or financing by
third-country financial institutions.
The U.S. prohibition on extending credit to Cuba’s agricultural
importers continues to hamper efforts to export agricultural products to Cuba,
it said. From 2005-07, the U.S. exported an average of 124,000 tonnes of rice,
275,000 tonnes of wheat, and 33,000 tonnes of soybean oil to Cuba. From
2012-14, however, it noted that the U.S. exported hardly any rice, wheat or
soybean oil, even though Cuba purchased many thousands of tonnes of these
products from Brazil and European countries.
Cuba’s rice situation
Cuba’s diversification away from U.S. rice imports represents a
loss of lucrative export opportunity for U.S. rice growers, since Cuba has the
highest per capita rice consumption of any country in the western hemisphere.
Annual capita rice supply (milled equivalent) is about 61 kilograms in Cuba,
compared with 7 kilograms in the U.S., according to the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations.Cuba imports about half of its annual rice
consumption, with rice imports averaging about 435,000 tonnes per year from
2010-14. Vietnam supplies 70% or more of Cuba’s rice imports, while Brazil
supplies most of the remainder, the report said.In 2013-14, Cuba produced
423,000 tonnes of rice (milled basis), nearly unchanged from the previous year
but up 18% from 2000-01.
Cuba plants two rice crops a year. The main crop is planted in
April-July and harvested August-December. The second crop is planted in
December-February and harvested in March-June.Since 2009-10, rice area has
averaged 203,000 hectares per year, up from an average of 144,000 hectares
during the previous five years. The ERS report said the Cuban government wants
to boost domestic rice production and reduce imports, especially after the
2007-08 price spike and export bans by some rice exporting countries, and has
received technical assistance dedicated to the rice sector from several rice
producing countries including Brazil, Japan and Vietnam.With establishment of a
more normal trading relationship, the U.S. rice industry might be able to
regain a large share of Cuba’s import market, but only if U.S. suppliers are
able to provide competitive terms of credit, the report said.
It said several factors favor U.S. rice suppliers in the Cuban
market. First, it is a consistent year-round supplier of high quality rice.
Second, the U.S. enjoys a distinct transportation advantage over Cuba’s current
rice suppliers, with export time being only two days compared to as many as 30
days from Asia. However, the report notes that this advantage is offset to a
degree by the higher price of U.S. rice. Third, the U.S. has the potential to
export rough rice to Cuba, which could be fully milled there. The fourth and
final factor is if Cuba opens up further as a tourist destination, demand for
high-quality rice would increase, supporting increased U.S. sales.
U.S.-Cuba possible future
The report said the executive actions announced in December 2014
by the U.S. were a small step toward establishing normal trade relations (NTR),
formerly referred to as most-favored-nation (MFN) status, between the two
countries. For agricultural trade, NTR includes the application of MFN tariffs
to any imports originating in the other country.While the executive actions
modify the payment and financial restrictions governing U.S. exports to Cuba
and provide for additional exemptions to the U.S. economic embargo, they
provide no opportunities for U.S. agricultural imports from Cuba, except for
the small purchases that licensed travelers to Cuba are allowed to bring home,
the report said.The ERS said the new U.S. approach to Cuba contains several key
elements that have the potential to affect U.S.-Cuba agricultural trade, albeit
in small ways. Several of these elements are intended to remove outright
obstacles in bilateral trade, others are designed to reduce transaction costs,
and still others aim at fostering greater growth in the Cuban economy.
The first element is the effort to reestablish diplomatic relations
with Cuba. In January 2015, a U.S. delegation met with Cuban officials to
discuss a wide range of issues and several subsequent rounds of meetings have
been held. While these efforts alone do not ensure increased agricultural trade
between the two countries, they portend a more favorable economic and policy
environment for bilateral agricultural trade over the medium and long term, the
report said.The second element is the relaxation of some U.S. restrictions on
traveling to Cuba. The loosening of travel restrictions could have a small,
positive impact on U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba by making it easier for
people pursuing authorized export transactions to travel there, the ERS noted.
Increased travel involving private foundations, research or educational
institutions, and the dissemination of information might not immediately result
in more U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba, but could strengthen Cuban ties with
the U.S. agribusiness and academic sectors, which could help the further
development of production agriculture in Cuba, the report said.The third
element consists of additional exemptions to the embargo on U.S. exports to
Cuba.
New items authorized for export include certain building materials
for private residential constructions, goods for use by entrepreneurs in the
Cuban private sector, and tools and equipment for private-sector agricultural
activity. The ERS said these new exemptions could also stimulate additional
agricultural trade between Cuba and the U.S. For instance, small-scale poultry
producers who import farm equipment may increase their feedstuff imports from
the U.S.The fourth element is the further relaxation of U.S. restrictions on
remittances to Cuba. Remittances are transfers of money sent by a migrant or
immigrant to people in his or her country of origin. Increased remittances to
Cuba could increase consumer budgets, thereby enabling additional foreign
agricultural sales to Cuba. Also, some remittances could be used to invest in
agricultural production or retail establishments, the ERS said.
The fifth element is a set of policy changes intended to
facilitate authorized transactions between the U.S. and Cuba. The regulatory
definition of the statutory term “cash in advance” was revised to specify that
it means “cash before transfer of title.” This regulatory change addresses the
concern that the revised definition of the term issued in February 2005
adversely affected U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. The U.S. Department of
Treasury’s interpretation in 2005 required that cash payments be made before
the goods left a U.S. port, whereas the revised interpretation more reflective
of normal cash-in-advance arrangements. In addition, U.S. institutions will now
be permitted to open correspondent accounts at Cuban financial institutions to
facilitate the processing of authorized transactions, and U.S. credit and debit
cards will be permitted for use by travelers to Cuba. These changes will lower
the transaction costs for U.S. exports by reducing the liquidity constraint of
the payment method and opening new avenues for cash flows, thereby increasing
the opportunities for trade, the ERS said.
The sixth element of concern is the intention of the U.S.
government to assist with providing Internet access to a greater share of the
Cuban population. The commercial export of certain consumer communications
devices, related software, applications, hardware, services and items for the
establishment and update of communications-related systems will be permitted.
These changes are intended to improve telecommunications between Cuba and the
rest of the world, which may also facilitate U.S.-Cuba trade, said the ERS. In
addition, wireless telecommunications in the developing world is key to helping
buyers and sellers of agricultural products find better prices.
The seventh element updates the application of U.S. sanctions on
Cuba in third countries. U.S.-owned entities in third countries will be
generally licensed to provide services to, and engage in, financial
transactions with Cuban individuals in third countries. In addition, general
licenses will unblock the accounts at U.S. banks of Cuban nationals who have
relocated outside of Cuba, permit U.S. persons to participate in third country
professional meetings and conferences related to Cuba, and allow foreign
vessels to enter the U.S. after engaging in certain humanitarian trade with
Cuba. The ERS said the end of these restrictions may have unknown but positive
implications for U.S.-Cuba agricultural trade.
Hassad Food aims to supply 15%
of rice in local market
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for
Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud visits Hassad Food’s
stand at the Qatar International
Agricultural Exhibition, accompanied by Nasser Mohamed al-Hajri, chairman and
managing director of Hassad Food.
By Joseph Varghese
Staff Reporter
Hassad Food will soon launch different varieties
of rice in
the local market from one of its subsidiaries, ‘Senwan Pakistan’, disclosed the chairman of the company.The company aims to
supply 15% of the total market demand for rice in the country.Speaking to Gulf
Times, Nasser Mohamed al-Hajri, chairman and managing director of Hassad
Food, noted that the company has a production unit in Lahore, Pakistan.He
explained, “Senwan Pakistan will present several of its rice brands in the
market soon. We are a miller.
We buy raw products from local companies and farmers
in Pakistan. We process the products into fine rice and sell it in the local
market in Qatar.”He continued “In the local market, the total demand for rice
comes to 110,000 tonnes per year. We will provide 15% of the total demand in
the coming years. The company has already made arrangements with Al Meera Group of hypermarkets and supermarkets to sell the
products.
”Al-Hajri said that the whole process is in the
beginning stage. “The production process has just started. It is already made
available but the formal launch will take place soon and the products will be
available through the Al Meera outlets,” he pointed out.The official also said
that the company will be supplying different varieties of rice. “At present, we
are planning to supply two varieties of rice. We will launch parboiled rice as
well as basmati rice.
We will also be supplying the long grain rice from
India. We will be supplying the 1121, the longest rice grain available in the
market from India,” he added.Hassad Food has a diverse set of high quality
products from several of its subsidiaries: Hassad Australia is chilled
carcasses, and live “Awassi” Syrian sheep, while Hassad Qatar is high quality
fodder products. Premium dates and olive oil are produced at Mahaseel, while
Roza Hassad is an subsidiary with a selection of finest flowers freshly
harvested from its greenhouses in Shahaniya.
Belarus values Pakistan as reliable partner in Asia
Economy
10.11.2015 | 17:47
fvkoktgm Andrei Kobyakov ISLAMABAD, 10 November
(BelTA) – Belarus values Pakistan as a reliable
partner in the Asian region. Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov made the
statement during the 3rd Belarusian-Pakistani business and investment forum on
10 November, BelTA has learned. Andrei Kobyakov noted that Belarus views
Pakistan as a reliable partner in the Asian region. The year 2015 was a real
breakthrough for expanding economic and political relations between the two countries.
“We have created a solid foundation for bringing the countries closer in
various spheres: economy, politics, science, education, and culture,” noted the
Prime Minister of Belarus. In his words, there are real prerequisites for
full-value and promising development of trade, economic, and investment
cooperation between the countries.
“We have
everything necessary to greatly increase the trade turnover and set up joint
ventures. In the medium term it is feasible to secure a trade turnover as large
as $1 billion,” the Belarusian head of government was convinced. Andrei
Kobyakov stated that the Belarusian side is ready to supply MTZ tractors,
Gomselmash harvesters, MAZ trucks, Amkodor road construction machines, Belshina
tires, and products made by the light industry concern Bellegprom. Andrei
Kobyakov noted: “We traditionally import textile products from Pakistan as well
as rice, vegetables, and fruits. We are ready to buy more of those as well as
raw materials and components for the light industry, primarily cotton yarn,
footwear top intermediates. Pakistan prides itself on growing excellent mango.
The demand for the fruit is strong on the Belarusian market.
” In his words, the Belarusian side is ready to
regularly work to bring closer the countries' stance on pricing for the sake of
increasing mutual trade in various commodities. Prime Minister of Belarus
Andrei Kobyakov is in Pakistan on an official visit on 9-11 November. The
Belarusian head of government is expected to meet with the Pakistan president today.
The opening of a Belarusian culture center in the National Library of Pakistan
is part of the visit's itinerary. After visiting Pakistan Prime Minister of
Belarus Andrei Kobyakov will go on a working visit to Turkey on 11-12 November.
Andrei Kobyakov is expected to meet with Turkey's leaders as well as top
managers of Turkish companies.
Read full text at:http://eng.belta.by/economics/view/belarus-values-pakistan-as-reliable-partner-in-asia-86897-2015/
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Sugar and sweetening products are always blamed for everything from
obesity to hypertension. Due to which, most of us are looking for
alternatives to traditional refined sugar. Hence, natural sweeteners are
gaining more and more popularity; the selection of sweeteners has multiplied
from powders, syrups, and liquids.
Here we give you 10 best natural sweeteners which are tastier,
healthier, and even environmentally-friendly.
Blackstrap molasses
Blackstap molasses is what you get after sugarcane has been boiled three times.
It has a strong flavor, and can be a good sweetener for oatmeal and cereals.
Brown rice syrup
It is made when cooked rice is refined with enzymes, which helps to break the
starch present in rice, which results in a thick syrup.It is not very sweet but
has a distinct (but mild) butterscotch flavor.
Fructose
This is made from fruit sugars, this is sweeter than refined sugar. Mostly
found in many food stores in granulated form, in case you don’t want to go the
extra mile and just use the fruit itself.
Coconut sugar
It is made from the juice of coconut flower buds. It is high in potassium,
magnesium, zinc and iron and due to lower-glycemic property it is a healthier
alternative.
Date sugar
It is a sweetener made of dried, crushed dates. It is rich in iron, potassium
and vitamins.
Fruit juice concentrates
Made from the juice of fruit. Available in many food stores, which is full of
flavors and nutritional value.
Fruit source
Made from a natural blend of grape and rice carbohydrates. It is a new natural
sweetening product.
Turbinado sugar
They are brown crystals, renowned as raw sugar, this is partly processed sugar
that contains some molasses.
Evaporated cane juice
It is a lighter-colored version of turbinado sugar. It contains some nutrients
and vitamin B12.
Xylitol
A natural sweetener that occurs in fruits and some vegetables. Xylitol is
stored in crystalline form in many food stores and is very beneficial for
diabetes patients.
TEHRAN,
Nov. 11 (MNA) – Reporting on the decline in rice prices in October, Secretary
of Iran’s Rice Association Jamil Alizadeh Shayegh said Iran had not experienced
any change in rice prices compared to the previous year.Jamil Alizadeh Shayegh said Indians
have raised price due to Iran's need to import rice.“According to the latest
figures released by FAO, the global prices of exported rice were experienced a
decline in October while the cause of rise in price of Indian rice remains a
question,” he added.Pointing to the higher price of Iranian, Korean and
Japanese rice compared to other types, Shayegh said, “even in Iran, the
price of rice has remained unchanged in comparison to the privious year.
"We must move in line with
the global marke," he underlined.Pointing to the controversies existing
among Rice Import Association, Ministry of Agriculture and the Rice
Association over rice import, the official underlined, “We have come to an
agreement with the Ministry over the issue and they have repeatedly announced
their disagreement with the import of rice to Iran.”Iran was one of the biggest
export markets for Indian basmati in the last two years, with close to 40
percent of exports, which totals around 2.2 million tons.
TEMPO.CO,Jakarta- The government has allowed
imported shipments of rice to be distributed across several regions in
Indonesia in order to ensure food security amidst the on-going El-Nino cycle
that has caused incidents of severe drought across several areas.
"Imported rice have begun to trickle in - not just in Jakarta, but also
across regional ports," said Vice President Jusuf Kalla at the Vice
President's Palace on Wednesday, November 11. According to Kalla, the decision
was made to ensure that Indonesia's rural periphery has enough rice to go by,
since the current drought has delayed the harvest season.
"It is the government's duty to ensure that Indonesia has
enough rice reserves through whatever means necessary - including through
imports," he said. Kalla went on to acknowledge that the drought between
August and November 2015 has negatively impacted Indonesia's rice stockpiles
for 2016. "We are doing this for the entire nation, so that rice prices
would remain stable," said Kalla. It is known that on Wednesday, November
4, 4,800 tons of rice imported from Vietnam arrived in Manado, North Sulawesi.
The Head of North Sulawesi Logistics Agency (BULOG), Sabaruddin Amrulla said
that the amount should be enough to keep rice shortages at bay. Meanwhile on
Sunday, November 8, Merauke's BULOG plans to import rice from Vietnam as well -
as the drought interferes with local farmer's ability to meet the area's
demand. "We plan to import some 3,000 tons of rice," said the Head of
Merauke's BULOG, Zulkarnaen Nurdin.
TheNational Rice Millers Association of Nigeria, NRMAN, has
expressed worry over smuggling of rice from across the Nigerian borders which
it said has reached prohibitive levels, with hundreds of trailers
plying back and forth from neighbouring countries carrying illegal
shipments of the staple food.NRMAN stated that the Nigerian Customs Service,
NCS, erred in its decision to lift the ban on importation of rice through the
land borders. Chairman of the association, Mohammed Abubakar, chided the NCS
for allegedly overreaching its statutory mandate as an enforcement agency in
taking such a policy decision.
Mr. Abubakar said if the customs
succeeded in its decision, it would destroy Nigeria’s rice value chain attained
by the previous administration.He attributed the problem of hamstringing rice
investors to the Central Bank of Nigeria ban of foreign exchange for rice
imports, among other products, which he noted is choking the importation supply
chain.The nation’s supply gap was estimated at around 3 million tonnes by
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and half that number by the FG
earlier this year.t will be recalled that in 2013, the Federal Government
increased the importation tariff to 110 per cent as against zero duty regime
administered in Benin and Cameroon.However, legal importers paying full tariff
of 70 per cent have not been able to compete with smugglers who enjoy a free
ride into the market, aided by negligible tariffs in neighbouring Cameroon and
Republic of Benin, taking advantage of porous borders.
JAKARTA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has shipped rice from
Vietnam to safeguard the country's rice reserves and stabilize rice price as El
Nino hits the country.President Director of the National Logistic Agency Djarot
Kusumayakti on Wednesday confirmed the importation of the staple food for most
of the country's populations.He said that the importation could dismiss concern
of lacking of rice supply and hike on price as drought in some areas in the
country may lead to rice production decline."Yes, it is true, (import has
been done). The most important thing is that the stockpile is sufficient.
Prices will not rise," Djarot said.
El Nino has struck Indonesia since August and may end in December
with the peak in September, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and
Geophysics Agency.Previously Indonesian Vice President Kalla has said the
country's rice outputs may not be sufficient for meeting the demand.The
prolonged dry season has caused over 200,000 hectares rice field across the
country lack of water and 30,000 hectares of which has failed in harvest,
according to the agriculture ministry.In 1998, El Nino hit Indonesia with
severe impact, pushing the government to import 5 million tons of food,
according to Kalla.
Vietnamexportersshipped 5 million metric tons of rice to foreign
markets grossing US$2.079 billion for the ten months leading up to November
2015, according to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).The VFA said the figures
dropped 300,000 metric tons in volume and US$300 million in value compared to
the corresponding period in 2014.In just the month of October, The VFA reported
overseas consignments jumped by roughly 100,000 metric tons to 687,663 metric
tons fetching total revenue of US$269.5 million.The price of 5% broken rice
hovered around VND8,000-8,100 per kg during the January-October period, 15%
broken rice ranged VND7,800-7,900 per kg and 25% broken rice varied
VND7,600-7,700 per kg. - VOV
Iran
had stopped issuing fresh licences for import of basmati rice since October
2014, citing reasons such as high pesticide content and self-sufficiency in
production
Indirect export of basmati rice from India to Iran, via the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), is helping India regain its basmati rice market. Four
months after world leaders agreed to lift sanctions on Iran, Dubai has emerged
the new stopover for India's basmati rice exports to Iran. There has been a
sudden spurt in India's basmati rice export to the UAE, from an average of
15,000 tonnes a month in 2014 to nearly 80,000 tonnes at present, according to
data from rice traders.
The UAE is Iran's biggest non-oil trading partner. When sanctions
on Iran were on, there had been a 30 per cent reduction in UAE's export to
Iran, according to a 2012 consultation paper of the International Monetary
Fund. Since the sanctions were lifted, the trade between two countries have
returned to normalcy, which has given Indian basmati rice exporters the
opportunity to use ports in Dubai to ship basmati rice to Iran. Direct exports
of basmati rice to Iran are subject to permits by Iran to India, which had
severely impacted Indian basmati rice exports. The rice exported to Iran via
the UAE does not require permit.
Iran had stopped issuing fresh licences for import of basmati rice
since October 2014, citing reasons such as high pesticide content and
self-sufficiency in production. Iran has, however, decided to open a direct
route to import basmati rice from India. Permits for Iranian importers are
expected to be issued over the next two months.Between August and September,
India exported 81,000 tonnes of basmati rice to the UAE, compared to 18,000
tonnes in the year-ago period. According to rice exporters, about 80 per cent
of the exports are shipped to Iran. Iran's annual demand for basmati rice is
close to 2.4 million tonnes (mt), and its own production is 1.4 mt. This means,
an annual import requirement of 1 mt. Thus, Iran needs to import about 100,000
mt of basmati rice every month to meet its demand.
"With a substantial amount of basmati rice export taking place
via Dubai, the system of permits for rice exports is gradually becoming
redundant. Moreover, the demand for basmati rice in Iran is gradually
increasing. Earlier, in the wake of sanctions, Iran had built a substantial
stock of rice. As the sanctions are set to be removed, Iran has now resumed
normal buying. The exports are almost same as that in the pre-permit regime if
taken both from the UAE route and India," said Vijay Sethia, former president
of All India Rice Exporters' Association.
Traditionally, basmati rice has been among India's top agri-export
commodity, and Iran the biggest buyer. Following Iran's reluctance to buy
basmati rice from India, exports have taken a major hit. In 2014-15, India
exported 0.93 mt of basmati rice to Iran compared with 1.4 mt in 2013-14,
according to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority. The realisation from basmati rice exports to Iran in 2014-15 was Rs
6,759 crore, against Rs 10,976 crore in 2013-14 - a fall of 60 per cent.
Rice futures were mostly untested
in today's trade. The USDA production report raised total US production by 3
million cwt to 190.8 million cwt due entirely to higher yields. Total long
grain production was projected at 132.4 million cwt, with medium and
short-grain production pegged at 58.4 million. Ending stocks are projected at 39.8
million cwt, which is unchanged from last month due to increased domestic use
and export projections. The average long-grain price is projected down $1.30
from last month to $11.50 to $12.50. Global ending stocks for 15/16 were raised
by 3 percent (2.7 million tons) due to an increase in beginning stocks and a
decrease in consumption.
Everything you wanted
to know about the benefits of rice
Mumbai
Mirror|Nov 11, 2015, 02.11PM IST
Twice as rice (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)
Regular rice is much maligned and is fast being dropped in
favour of its unpolished avatar. But are the charges valid?Sportsnutritionist Rujuta Diwekar separates the grain from the husk
The Chinese eat rice with every meal, breakfast included, and the average
Chinese on the street is thin, if not skinny. In our country, however, we are
getting skeptical about rice and yes, we are all getting fatter. We either give
up rice or replace it with wheat or 'brown' rice. What is wrong with this
approach?
Replacing rice with wheat is not a good idea since it means reducing your
intake of amino acids (protein's building blocks) and Vitamin B. As for brown
rice, it has the outer layer (husk and bran) intact thereby making it high in
fibre.
Now of course we want fibre but if your rice has more fibre than
you can digest, brown rice will only cause indigestion. On the other hand, rice
that emits blinding whiteness may not be the best source of nutrients either.Thus,
to get the best of both worlds, polish your rice to the extent that helps it
retain its nutrients (proteins, Vitamin B and fibre) and looks brownish or
reddish. Remove the outer bran but allow the rice grain to show off its
brown/red strains. Don't worry, this won't compromise the taste and yes, you
can eat basmati rice with the brown/red strains as well.The protein in this
rice (red-rice or hand-polished rice) is absorbed much better by your body than
in brown rice. It is also way easier to cook and digest as compared to brown
rice. It is easy to digest, easy to absorb, easy to assimilate proteins from
and easier on your excretory system too. This is exactly how the farming
community of India eats its rice.
In fact,Ayurvedauses
rice based diets in treating various imbalances in the body. Dal-chawal is a
nutritious meal, possessing the entire spectrum of amino acids, vitamins and
minerals. It also accelerates fat burning. In fact, the essential amino acid
methionine found pre-dominantly in rice helps mobilize fat from the liver. As
India is dominantly vegetarian, getting proteins from rice, especially the
essential amino acid methionine and the conditionally essential amino acid
(becomes essential under conditions ofstress) tyrosine is crucial for us. Diabetics
should also eat rice since they need these proteins.Know that rice is not a bad
thing.
The
bad thing is when we mindlessly decide if one thing is good for us and that if
we do it a lot, it becomes only better. We do that with rice so often now. A
humble dal-chawal meal is so satiating that it makes you eat slower and
improves your chances of eating the right amount (the cornerstones of fat loss
or accelerated metabolism, good digestion and health itself).Rice is auspicious
in both China and India: the dead are offered rice to wish them good health for
life outside their physical selves. It is sad then, that in India, even when we
are still in our bodies, we make fads out of rice.
