Rice News Headlines...
·
Climate change: States must focus on risk management in
agriculture
·
Better Rice initiative to help Mekong farmers
·
Buhari To Launch N20bn CBN Loan For Local Rice Farmers In
Nigeria
·
PhilRice should help build farmers’ climate resilience’
·
Wrap Up With Rice Student Competition Nourishes Minds
·
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
·
Rice prices may reach boiling point in coming months
·
Butte County rice farmers learn how it grows in Italy’s Po
Valley
·
Kangaroo rogan josh
·
Deficient rains may push up rice prices
·
Basmati rice and sugar stocks up on favourable fundamentals
·
Amira Nature Foods Ltd Announces New Distribution Win in Northeast
United States
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APEDA Rice Commodity News
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PH to miss 2015 rice output target, expects modest rise in Q1
2016
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Farmers troubled by good rice harvest
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El Niño, Lando to cut 2015 palay output by 3.54%
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Q3 PALAY OUTPUT CONTRACTS 16%
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Govt strengthens prevention of commodity price fixing
·
Thailand to start sale of 2 mln T of spoiled rice this month
·
Annual rice imports of 1.1m tons required in Iran: official
·
Second-crop farmers given govt warnings
News Detail...
Climate change:
States must focus on risk management in agriculture
Hindustan Times
|
Updated: Nov 16, 2015 22:55 IST
The farmers
not only need access to climate-resistant varieties across agrarian products,
but such interventions have to reach them before a natural disaster actually
strikes. (Representative Photo: Arun Mondhe/ HT)
This year is turning out to be a milestone year
for the world’s future: In September, 192 countries signed the Sustainable
Development Goals and on November 30, delegates from 195 countries will
converge in Paris for 12 days to hammer out a new global climate accord. There
are several cross-cutting issues between the two mega meets, climate change and
agriculture being the two big ones.
It is a no-brainer why the impact of climate
change on agriculture is significant: While all economic activities experience
hazards from nature, agriculture is one of the riskiest and climate change is
becoming a source of significant additional risks for agriculture and food
systems. In fact, in the last 40 years, the impact of climate change on
agriculture has been significant and going forward, it will increasingly become
tougher.
A World
Bank paper says
that each degree Celsius of global warming is projected to lead to an overall
yield loss of about 5%. As climate change progresses, it is increasingly likely
that current systems will no longer be viable in many locations. This is a
serious warning for the world, particularly India, since figures show that the
country will have 1.5 billion mouths to feed by 2030.
The World Bank paper rightly advises focusing
more on risk management in agriculture. There are already examples of such
work: The International Rice Research Institute in collaboration with advanced
US research labs, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, state
agricultural universities, and the ministry of science and technology’s
department of biotechnology have spearheaded plant breeding to develop strains
of rice that are resistant to effects of climate change, like flash flood,
stagnant flooding, salinity, and drought.Just think how much farmers in
Bundelkhand and Maharashtra today would have benefited if they had access to
drought-resistant crops. Investing in climate-resilient agriculture has several
downstream effects: It can stem migration, improve rural demand and ensure food
security. The farmers, however, not only need access to climate-resistant varieties
across agrarian products, but such interventions have to reach them before a
natural disaster actually strikes.
Better Rice
initiative to help Mekong farmers
November, 16 2015 09:32:00
Farmers take care of rice field in the Mekong Delta Kien Giang
Province. About 3,000 farmers from the region will benefit from a project
called Better Rice Initiative Asia that has been launched in Can Tho City. —
Photo VNA/VNS PhotoCAN THO (VNS) — About 3,000 farmers from three Mekong Delta
provinces will benefit from a project called Better Rice Initiative Asia that
has been launched in Can Tho City.Carried out as part of the Integrated Coastal
Management Programme, the project aims to promote private-public partnerships
along the rice value chain through adoption of a sustainable rice cultivation
model harnessing the latest technologies.
In
the first phase, it will be carried out in the provinces of Dong Thap, Hau
Giang, and Kien Giang. It will seek to improve farmers' knowledge of rice
cultivation and promote the adoption of modern technologies in an
environment-friendly and sustainable manner.Its focus is also to improve the
rice value chain as a whole, from input to output, to strengthen the connection
between rice production and market consumption to ensure rice quality and
market satisfaction, enabling farmers to increase their incomes.
The
project aims at increasing farmers' incomes by at least 30 per cent through
increasing yields and/or reducing input costs by adopting innovative rice
cultivation methods. Furthermore, it said, rice harvested from this project
would meet EU quality standards."The focus of the project is innovative
and synchronised technology solutions, including the use of good seeds,
integrated crop management, water and nutrient management, integrated pest
management … to utilize effectively rice input, increasing yields and quality,
reducing losses and costs, and at the same time increasing labour productivity
and farmers' incomes," Phan Huy Thong, Director of the Viet Nam National
Agricultural Extension Centre, said.
"The
project can contribute greatly to the adaptation and mitigation of climate
change for sustainable rice production in Viet Nam."The project supports
the stakeholders in the rice value chain in applying the large field model.
This is a key measure to restructure Viet Nam's agriculture by increasing added
value and farmers' incomes and boosting sustainable rice production."The
other key stakeholders involved in the project are the Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development, the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of
Dong Thap, Hau Giang and Kien Giang provinces, the International Rice Research
Institute, and the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute. — VNS
http://vietnamnews.vn/society/278571/better-rice-initiative-to-help-mekong-farmers.html
Buhari To Launch
N20bn CBN Loan For Local Rice Farmers In Nigeria
President
Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) will on Tuesday officially launch N20billion ‘Anchor
Borrowers’ Programme’ (ABP) which the Central Bank of Nigeria has set aside for
rice farmers across the country.The programme which is an initiative of the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at creating an Ecosystem to link
out-growers (Small Holder Farmers) to local processors will take place in Kebbi
State.Under the ABP, the CBN in a statement Saturday said it has set aside the
sum of N20 billion from the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Fund (MSMEDF) for farmers at a single-digit interest rate of 9.0
per cent to address the challenges of poor funding.
The
Governor of the CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele who met with rice producers and millers
recently, said that the developmental initiatives programme has been designed
to create economic linkages between farmers and processors to not only ensure
increased agricultural output of rice paddy, but also importantly close the gap
between production and consumption by ramping up utilisation capacity of
Nigeria’s integrated rice mills.Emefiele said if these noble objectives can be
achieved, it is not unlikely that the country will require even more integrated
milling capacity to meet the huge local production of rice paddy.
According
to him, “The essence of the meeting was not to apportion blames to any party on
the current prevailing situation but to identify ways for all stakeholders to
work together in a creative synergy to mop up any excess unsold paddy and going
forward key into the CBN’s ‘ABP.Emefiele who expressed optimism that the new
initiative would work, urged millers and investors in the rice value chain who
have been joined by representatives of the state governments of some key rice
producing states to collaborate with the CBN to ensure that in the next few
years Nigeria as a great country will no longer be one of the world’s highest
importer of rice but a net exporter of the commodity.
He,
however, said that the country can never fully attain its true potentials by
simply importing everything into the country, stressing that such trend has
resulted in the low operating capacities of the manufacturing industries and
cannot be allowed to continue.He explained that policy document of the
programme also indicated that the anchor borrowers’ programme will build
capacity of banks in agricultural lending to farmers and entrepreneurs in the
value chain, reduce commodity importation. It will also reduce the level of
poverty among small holder farmers and create jobs while assisting rural
small-holder farmers to grow from subsistence to commercial production levels.
He
identified lack of mechanisation, low quality inputs and poor funding as major
hindrances to rice production in Nigeria but stressed that the programme was
aimed at solving the problem of finance.On the conditions for accessing the
loan, the CBN boss said the farmers will be thoroughly trained on the global
best agronomical practices.“The farmers must be a member of a validated
cooperative before applying for the loan. We will find out how much it will
take to produce one hectare of rice to determine the amount that will be given
to each individual. The idea is to enhance efficient management of the
resources” he said.Speaking further, he said Nigeria is a major rice producer
with over 20 key rice producing states in the country with most cultivating
under two seasons: wet and dry seasons.
“Rice is
one crop in which the country has comparative advantage to easily become
self-sufficient given the huge potentials that exists. Today, rice is no longer
considered a luxury food to millions of Nigerians but has become a cereal that
constitutes a major source of calories for both the rural and urban populations
of the country.”“Indeed figures from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development indicate that in the period, 2012 to 2014 paddy rice
production in the country grew from 4.5 million metric tones in 2012, to 7.89
million metric tones in 2013, peaking at 10.7 million MT in 2014.
”The
Governor said that the capacity of the country to achieve even better production
figures cannot be overemphasized, considering that only about 40 per cent of
the available potential land area for rice production is currently being
cultivated.He stated that the production figures above show that in recent
history, the country had never witnessed such rapid growth of paddy rice
production.Meanwhile, some dynamic features of this new agricultural initiative
include the Identification and selection of Small Holder Farmers, grouping of
out-growers into viable cooperatives/clusters, registration of the
cooperatives, determination of the economics of selection and engagement of
banks/ insurance companies, capacity Building of out-growers, banks’ staff and
extension agents.Other salient features of the initiative also include opening
of bank accounts by cooperatives/farmers, loan application and disbursement,
commencement of agronomic practices and distribution of agro-inputs at
recommended periods.
PhilRice should help
build farmers’ climate resilience’
SCIENCE
CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija—A former director of the Philippine Rice Research
Institute said those in the agency must think out of the box as it pursues a
climate-resilient agriculture for Filipino farmers.Calixto Protacio, former
executive director, said this as the agency observed its 30th anniversary this weekend.The
anniversary is marked by 70 rice varieties bred, 24 rice machines developed, 23
patents applied for, and several other achievements in rice research and
development.
Protacio
led the two-day celebration at PhilRice’s central experiment station here along
with officials and various stakeholders, including farmers.“We are eager to do
more so our research outputs will reach more farmers, particularly the
resource-poor farmer,” Protacio said in his anniversary message.PhilRice, which
has been leading rice R & D efforts since its founding in 1985, has
provided cost-reducing and yield-enhancing technologies on rice.Muñoz Mayor
Nestor Alvarez said with PhilRice, Muñoz is now heralded as among the major
rice seeds hub in the country.“Muñoz is privileged to host PhilRice.
Along
the national highway, one cannot help but notice the proliferation of rice seed
centers, making the Science City a major rice seeds hub in the Philippines,” he
said.This certainly creates a domino effect in terms of livelihood creation
from people manning the rice fields, sales agents, to the many of input dealers
in the city.Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang, PhilRice deputy executive director for
development, noted that the institute has become visible through the Be
RICEponsible campaign, a nationwide initiative to convince local governments to
issue ordinances on half-cup serving of rice on major food establishments to
arrest the issue on rice wastage.Quilang said the campaign has yielded
encouraging results. “We are all united to help reduce rice wastage in the
Philippines,” he said.
Eden
Gagelonia of the PhilRice’s rice engineering and mechanization division said
the institute is also leading efforts to mechanize the rice industry. “A number
of machines has been developed to help reduce work load in farming and make
them useful even for women farmers.’’Meanwhile, former executive director
Leocadio S. Sebastian advised PhilRice to “properly position itself” amid
climate change and other threats to rice food production.“PhilRice should focus
its programs, harness its networks and partners, and think outside the box in
developing, together with our farmers and concerned stakeholders, options for a
competitive, sustainable, and climate-smart agriculture,” said Sebastian, who
headed PhilRice from 2000-2008.
Aside
from its central experiment station here, PhilRice also has branch stations in
Batac City, Ilocos Norte; San Mateo, Isabela; Los Baños, Laguna; Ligao City,
Albay; Murcia, Negros Occidental; Romualdez, Agusan del Norte; Central Mindanao
State University, Bukidon; and Midsayap, North Cotabato.In 2015, Philrice
received the Anak ni Juan Award from the Intellectual Property Office of the
Philippines (IPOPhl). It recognizes PhilRice as the agency with the most number
of patents applied.Jerry Serapion, Philrice intellectual property management
chief, said the award is a testament to the intensive knowledge production
going on in the institute.As a research institute, PhilRice is tasked to
advance the various frontiers of rice science. Protacio said that this year,
more than 25 scientific publications have been produced by the institute’s
researchers and scientists.
Some of
these were even published in some of the most reputable journals in the world
such as the Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment, International Journal
of Ecology and Conservation, Philippine Journal of Crop Science, and the
Philippine Agricultural Scientist.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-provinces/192011/-philrice-should-help-build-farmers-climate-resilience-.html
Wrap Up With Rice Student
Competition Nourishes Minds
TORONTO,
CANADA -- U.S. brown rice was on the minds and in the hands of Toronto high
school students during the 2015 Wrap Up With Rice culinary competition that
took place last month at the Loblaws® Cooking School at Maple Leaf Gardens. USA
Rice Director for International Promotion Sarah Moran said, "USA Rice
participates in this event as a means to put rice into the hands of culinary
educators to familiarize students with U.S.-grown rice, its health benefits,
and applicability as a versatile and affordable cooking ingredient. Inspiring the students and teachers to
participate in the competition was r-icing on the cake!
"Three
teams of four students each created a brown rice recipe in front of a
seven-member judging panel, including media influencers, two of Canada's top
chefs, and key members from both the Toronto District School Board and the
Breakfast for Learning charity.
Moran
said, "The students worked well under pressure even as judges and
television cameras invaded their work stations.
Selecting a winning team was tough with the first and second place
teams' only two points apart."The Grand Prize was awarded to the team from
Central Tech Institute for their Fiesta Tomato, Corn, and Rice Soup.
Second place was a Mexican
Chicken and Rice Fiesta recipe created by Thistletown Collegiate Institute, and
the team from Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute took third with their Cilantro
and Lime Brown Rice Steak Wrap.The Wrap Up With Rice event was part of feed
tomorrow, a week-long program dedicated to raising awareness and money to help
feed Toronto school children and nourish hungry minds.
First
place winners -- $600 buys a lot of rice
Contact: Deborah Willenborg
(703) 236-1444
CME Group/Closing
Rough Rice Futures
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CME Group
(Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for November 16
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Rice
prices may reach boiling point in coming months
As per the government estimates, kharif rice production is
estimated at 90.61 million tonnes in 2015-16 crop year.NEW DELHI: After pulses,
rice prices may also shoot up and reach a "boiling point" in the
coming months due to depletingstocks and likely fall in its kharif output, according to industry body
Assocham. The report, however, contradicts the current price trend in the
market, where wholesale prices of non-basmati prices are ruling down at Rs 25
per kg as against Rs 30 per kg last year. Similarly, wholesale rates of premium basmati rice have declined
sharply by about 30 per cent to Rs 44-45 per kg at present from Rs 62-65 per kg
last season, as per traders.
Whereas industry body Assocham in
its study said after pulses, onion and mustard oil, rice prices may trouble
consumers if timely adequate safeguards are not taken. "...prices of rice may shoot up and reach a boiling point in
the coming months as the stock of the key staple cereal is depleting fast owing
to deficient rains and fall in output," the study said. As per the government estimates, kharif rice production is
estimated at 90.61 million tonnes in 2015-16 crop year. "...this is unlikely to be achieved due to severe deficit
rains in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar,
Maharashtra and Karnataka and the best that could be achieved is 89 million
tonnes," it said adding that overall rice output may be around 103 million
tonnes during 2015-16. That
apart, the study said rice stocks have declined in last three years from 24.59
million tonnes in 2012 to 13.89 million tonnes (plus unlimited paddy 3.61
tonnes) in stocks at present. "Increasing
export outgo on account of PDS (Public Distribution System) and other welfare
schemes will continue to weigh on availability in the open market. Unless
government is able to handle the situation prudently, depleting stocks will
soon reflect on the open market prices", adds the study.
The times of India
Butte County rice
farmers learn how it grows in Italy’s Po Valley
By Mary
Wurlitzer, Special to the Enterprise-Record
POSTED: 11/13/15,
10:01 PM PST | UPDATED: 3 DAYS AGO
Left to right, Brad and Mary Wurlitzer tour the farm of Italian
rice grower Ambrogio Giovanni, during a recent visit to the Po Valley in
Northern Italy.My interest in rice lead me to the 2015 World Expo in Milan,
where the theme was “Feeding the Plant, Energy for Life.” Milan is in the Po
Valley which is the largest and most important economic region in Italy.
Countries who did not have their own pavilion formed clusters bringing specific
foods to the masses.Rice was the No. 1 cluster because it is the staple food
and source of energy for 3 billion people.After attending the Expo, I decide to
find Italian rice farmers to visit and learn how they grow their non-sticky
rice varieties such as Arborio, Carnaroli, Vialone Nano, which are the
historical varieties.
The
Vercelli area, west of Milan, is similar to the Sacramento valley in that it is
flat with an extensive irrigation system (some designed by Leonardo da Vinci)
obtaining water from the nearby mountains. It also has warm temperatures. The
first records of rice growing in the Po Valley are from 1427 which yielded
more than other grains could in the area. Two families were generous with
their time and gave us a thorough tour of their farms. Lunch was a major part
of this union, including various dishes of the rice they grew.One dish
consisted of a wild boar with rice and another lunch provided various risotto
rice dishes.
WHAT
WE LEARNED ...
The
Italians used to plant their rice one plant at a time by hand as late as the
1950s. Today Italians seed by machine with an adaptor that air drills the seed
into the ground. Long black hoses are attached to a machine and easily
positioned depending on where plants are desired. The plots are too small for
aerial application of seed, as is done in California. Other crops — such as
tomatoes, soybeans and corn — are rotated to help eliminate weeds in the rice
fields. Italians do not have army worms in their fields, which is the case
in California. Yet, they put up with nutria, which
is a large, dark-colored, semiaquatic rodent originally found in South America.
Burrowing is the most commonly reported damage
caused by nutria, which diverts water from the rice fields. However, they also
eat the part of the structural support of the plants.Water was an interesting
topic considering California’s current condition. We visited one rice field
south of Milan that had reconditioned water from Milan available any time. However,
to the west of Milan, the area of Vercelli, water was restricted. Rice growers
could only obtain water in their canals two days a week. The farmer had to
figure out how to make that last for the rest of the week, even during flooding
of the rice.
Old farm
brick structures are used for their equipment storage, drying facilities and
packaging distribution during the growing season. Most of these structures were
built at the turn of the 19th century and are very picturesque, surrounded by
rice and the other crops.Ambrogio Giovanni (www.risoandreone.it/en) showed us
his drying facility, which took up huge corner of one of his farm structures.
During harvest he would cut the rice after the dew lifted until 6 p.m. every
day. Each day’s harvest fits into the dryer for 24 hours.By the time there was
more rice to dry, the harvest from the day before would be processed and out of
the dryer. Drying and packaging his own rice allowed him to label and
distribute the rice to individual purchasers, farmers markets or restaurants in
the area, keeping his cost down and profit high.
Giovanni
also had the option to sell in quantity to wholesale companies to reach bigger
markets if he desired.Birds were plentiful in the rice fields with storks, a
black-faced ibis, great blue herons and white egrets. Our time in Italy was
highlighted in our encounters with our new friends, the Italian rice growers.
Hopefully, our new friends will one day take a tour of our rice fields in the
Sacramento Valley.Mary Wurlitzer farms rice with her husband Brad in the Chico
area. When traveling to various countries, the couple finds out if rice is
grown and if so, they make it a point to visit that area. This year it was
Italy in the Po Valley.
Image:Left to right, Brad and Mary Wurlitzer tour the farm of
Italian rice grower Ambrogio Giovanni, during a recent visit to the Po Valley
in northern Italy.
http://www.chicoer.com/general-news/20151113/butte-county-rice-farmers-learn-how-it-grows-in-italys-po-valley
Kangaroo
rogan josh
The
classic Indian curry, rogan josh, gets an Australian feel with the addition of
kangaroo. But don't think it's purely a meaty affair! Chickpeas, tomato and
spinach add a wholesome quality to the hearty dish. If you're running short on time, the rogan josh curry mix can be
substitued with a good-quality supermarket paste.
Instructions
Heat
vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add kangaroo in small batches and brown on
both sides, set aside for later.To make the curry paste, heat the vegetable oil
in a large sauté pan over a low heat. Add the onion, garlic and ginger, stirring
until well coated. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, until onion is very soft. Add
the remaining ingredients and cook for 5 minutes. Return browned kangaroo
to the pan and pour over 1 cup water. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to low,
cover and cook for 1½ hours. Add the yoghurt, stirring until well combined,
cook for a further 30 minutes.To finish, stir in chopped tomatoes, spinach,
chickpeas, lemon juice and coriander, stirring until heated through.Serve the
curry garnished with coriander leaves with basmati rice, papadums and naan
bread.
Note
• If
short on time, substitute the rogan josh curry mix with ¼ cup ready-made paste,
available from supermarkets.
Recipe
and photograhy from Gourmet Game.
Instructions
Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add
kangaroo in small batches and brown on both sides, set aside for later.To make
the curry paste, heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over a low heat.
Add the onion, garlic and ginger, stirring until well coated. Cover and cook
for 10 minutes, until onion is very soft. Add the remaining ingredients and
cook for 5 minutes. Return browned kangaroo to the pan and pour over 1 cup
water. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 1½ hours. Add
the yoghurt, stirring until well combined, cook for a further 30 minutes.To
finish, stir in chopped tomatoes, spinach, chickpeas, lemon juice and
coriander, stirring until heated through.Serve the curry garnished with
coriander leaves with basmati rice, papadums and naan bread.
Note
• If
short on time, substitute the rogan josh curry mix with ¼ cup ready-made paste,
available from supermarkets.
Recipe
and photograhy from Gourmet Game.
Deficient rains may push up rice prices: Assocham
Deccan Chronicle | November 16, 2015, 06.50 am IST
New
Delhi: After pulses, rice prices may also shoot up and reach a
“boiling point” in the coming months as stocks deplete due to deficient rains
and fall in output, said industry body Assocham on Sunday. After pulses, onion
and some edible oils like mustard oil, rice may cause pain if timely adequate
safeguards are not taken, said the industry chamber.“Though
the government estimates kharif rice production at 90.61 MMT, this is
unlikely to be achieved due to severe deficit rains in Punjab, Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka and the best that could be
achieved is 89 MMT,” it said. The study said that rice stocks have declined in
last three years from 24.59 million tonnes in 2012 to 13.89 million tonnes
(plus unlimited paddy 3.61 tonnes) in stocks at present.
“Increasing
export outgo on account of PDS (Public Distribution System) and other welfare
schemes will continue to weigh on availability in the open market.
Unless the government is able to handle the situation prudently, depleting
stocks will soon reflect on the open market prices,” said Assocham. It
said that given the huge domestic demand for rice, the government needs to
closely monitor both prices and stock situation. Already a section of
global exporting community is evaluating possibility of India entering
international market for import of these commodities from 2017, if urgent steps
are not taken to augment supplies, it said.“The consequences of deficient 2015
monsoon are likely to be far-reaching. Besides, slowing down the economy
considerably and accentuating inflationary pressure coupled with shortages of
essential food items across the country, it could also lead to dependence on
import of essential food items.
Already
India is heavily short on vegetable oils and pulses and a recurring monsoon
failure might push the country into a tight corner in respect of rice and sugar
among others,” said Assocham.However, the report contradicts the current price
trend in the market, where wholesale prices of non-basmati prices are ruling
down at Rs 25 per kg as against Rs 30 per kg last year.
Similarly, wholesale rates of premium basmati rice have declined sharply by
about 30 per cent to Rs 44-45 per kg at present
from Rs 62-65 per kg last season, as per traders.
Basmati
rice and sugar stocks up on favourable fundamentals
Price moves up in physical markets, Iran to issue rice import
licence; lower production estimates help sugar stocks
Dilip Kumar Jha | Mumbai November 16, 2015 Last Updated at
22:41 IST
Lifting of Iran sanctions boon for basmatiRice exporting companies
rally as Iran opens up market for IndiaExporters expect Iran to issue fresh
Basmati rice permits by DecBasmati rice exports to Iran via Dubai soar.Share
prices of companies engaged in sugar production and basmati rice export rose
sharply on Monday, on an increase in consumer demand.Basmati exporters are
hoping for better days ahead on expectations that Iran, this country's largest
importer, will soon start issuing licences in this regard. Sugar mills think
their realisation will go up on lower domestic production.Among basmati shares,
that of 'Dawat' brand producer LT Foods had the highest gain, of 14.7 per cent.
Kohinoor Foods and KRBL reported a 13.9 per cent and 7.2 per cent surge in
their shares, respectively.Shares of sugar mills rose up to 20 per cent, on
expectation of less production this year, after a deficient monsoon. Mills'
federation in Maharashtra, the country's largest producer, has forecast total
output in the state at 8.6 million tonnes this year as against 10.5 mt last year.“Iran,
which consumes over half of India’s annual basmati rice export, had halted
issuing new import licences, resulting in a sharp decline in our export last
year. It is expected that Iran would start issuing new licences in a week to 10
days,” said Satnam Arora, joint managing director of Kohinoor Foods.After a
record 1.44 mt in 2013-14, around 38 per cent of India’s overall shipment,
basmati export to Iran was 0.94 mt in 2014-15. Arora said basmati prices had
risen at least 20 per cent in the past week on festival demand in India and a
sharp jump abroad.As for sugar, rating agency ICRA has forecast a five per cent
decline in output to 26.8 mt this year versus 28.2 mt last year. Indian Sugar
Mills Association had lowered its forecast to 27 mt, due to the estimated fall
in Maharashtra.
If the four mt of export approved by the central government comes
through, the total closing stock is estimated at 7.6 mt in sugar year 2016
(ending September 2016), from nearly 10.1 mt in SY15. Prices have started
moving up gradually in home markets.The industry is awaiting finalisation of the export subsidy to
achieve the four mt target. Prices are falling in global markets and ICRA
expects the losses through export to be nullified when the domestic sugar
realisation rises an estimated three to five per cent during SY16, from the Rs
26,000 a tonne average for SY15.
Surplus
domestic production, coupled with limited export, resulted in a steep decline
in prices to a three-year low in July this year to Rs 23,000 a tonne, from Rs
29,000 a tonne in November 2014. With the government notifying export, domestic
prices picked up to Rs 25,500 a tonne in September and to Rs 27,500 a tonne
last month.
image:
http://pixel.adsafeprotected.com/rfw/st/43236/6327988/skeleton.gif
Press Release |
Amira
Nature Foods Ltd Announces New Distribution Win in Northeast United States
Amira
Nature Foods Ltd Announces New Distribution Win in Northeast United States
Amira
Branded Products Available in Price Chopper, Inc., a Leading Supermarket with
More Than 130 Locations
Amira Nature Foods Ltd (NYSE: ANFI), a leading
global provider of branded packaged Indian specialty rice, announced today that
its Amira branded products are available in Price Chopper stores.Headquartered
in Schenectady, New York, Price Chopper operates more than 130 stores in New
York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. The
Golub Corporation, parent company of Price Chopper, dates back to the 1900s and
is one of the largest privately held corporations in the United States that is
predominantly employee owned.
“We are
excited to expand our distribution in the United States with the addition of
Price Chopper supermarkets,” said Karan A Chanana, Chairman of Amira Nature
Foods Ltd. “We are working to expand the Amira brand across the country, and
the addition of Price Chopper with its focus on customer engagement, health and
wellness and environmental sustainability is a perfect fit for our Amira
branded 'better-for-you' rice products.”
About
Amira Nature Foods Ltd
Founded
in 1915, Amira has evolved into a leading global provider of branded packaged
Indian specialty rice and other products, with sales in over 60 countries
today. The Company primarily sells Basmati rice, which is a premium long-grain
rice grown only in certain regions of the Indian sub-continent, under its
flagship Amira brand as well as under other third party brands. Amira sells its
products through a broad distribution network in both the developed and
emerging markets. The Company’s global headquarters are in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, and it also has offices in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, the
United Kingdom, and the United States. Amira Nature Foods Ltd is listed on the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “ANFI.”
For more
information, please visit www.amira.net
Safe
Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements
are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking
statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “except,” “anticipate,”
“aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “future” or
other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements
largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and
financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of
operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to: our goals and strategies; our
expansion plans; and our future business development.
We would
like to caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements
and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors
disclosed in “Risk Factors” appearing in our Annual Report on Form 20-F as well
as our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those
risks are not exhaustive and reflect our expectations as of the date of this
press release.
We operate in a rapidly evolving environment.
New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for our
management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all
factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of
factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any
forward-looking statement. We do not undertake any obligation to update or
revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.
/www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/16/ny-amira-nature-foods-idUSnBw165838a+100+BSW20151116#WzJXOj44Oy8pTScR.99
APEDA Rice Commodity
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PH to miss 2015 rice
output target, expects modest rise in Q1 2016
Posted at 11/16/15 3:24
PM
MANILA -
The Philippines said it expects its unmilled rice output in the first quarter
of 2016 to grow a modest 0.31 percent from a year earlier to 4.38 million
tonnes, while anticipating this year's production to be below forecast due to
bad weather.Paddy harvest this year is forecast to reach 18.3 million tonnes,
3.54 percent lower versus last year's record high output and below a target of
20 million tonnes, hurt by the El Nino dry weather and a series of typhoons,
the Philippine Statistics Authority said in a report released on Monday.The
Southeast Asian nation, one of the world's biggest importers of the grain, is
looking to buy another 1.3 million tonnes of rice to boost buffer stock, on top
of the 500,000 tonnes already purchased and scheduled for delivery between
January and March.
https://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/11/16/15/ph-to-miss-2015-rice-output-target-expects-modest-rise-in-q1-2016
Farmers troubled by
good rice harvest
By Yoon Ja-young
A
good harvest is the dream of every farmer, but it doesn't seem to be working
out that way with farmers in Korea. Concern is increasing among farmers as rice
production hits a six-year high thanks to good weather.According to Statistics
Korea, rice production totaled 4.33 million tons this year, which is up 2
percent compared with last year and the biggest since 2009.However, farmers
aren't happy. Rice is currently trading at around 140,000 won per 80 kilograms
at paddies, dropping 10 percent down from the last year.The country's rice
paddies have been decreasing as more paddies are redeveloped for housing or
farmers switch to other crops.
The country's rice paddies totaled 799,000
hectares this year, down 2 percent from last year and dropping more than 10
percent compared with a decade ago.Rice consumption, however, contracted even
further. Koreans consumed on average 65.1 kilograms of rice last year, down
19.3 percent from 2005. More people are turning to other crops as well as
increasing bread, noodles and meat in their diet.As a result, the rick stock is
piling up, incurring huge costs. The country is expected to have 1.35 million
tons of rice in stock this year. According to the Korea Rural Economic
Institute (KREI), it costs 31.6 billion won a year to keep 100,000 tons of rice
in stock. This includes storage and financial costs as well as the fall in the
value of rice.
The government has been focusing on promoting rice consumption, developing diverse processed food products using rice.
The government has been focusing on promoting rice consumption, developing diverse processed food products using rice.
Some suggest giving rice to North Korea or other underdeveloped
countries as a solution.In 2003, for instance, Seoul sent 400,000 tons of rice
to North Korea. Rice stock fell from 1.45 million tons to 924,000 tons the
following year. The country could maintain the rice in stock at between 600,000
and 800,000 tons for the next few years by continuing the donation.Kim Tae-hun,
a KREI researcher, said the government could consider this as an option.
"The offering of rice to North Korea has been determined by the political
situation," he said. "As relations improve between the two countries,
there is the possibility that North Korea may demand support anytime when the
time is ripe."He said the government should set a fundamental solution to
deal with the rice surplus. "On the supply side, the government should
reconsider policies that trigger production of rice," he said. "The
policies to promote rice consumption, on the other hand, should continue from a
mid- to long-term perspective."
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2015/11/123_191052.html
El Niño,
Lando to cut 2015 palay output by 3.54%
November 16,
2015
Paddy-rice
output for 2015 could settle at 18.3 million metric tons (MMT), 3.54 percent
lower than the 18.97 MMT produced last year, according to the latest report
from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).The PSA attributed this to the
drought caused by El Niño and the damage caused by Typhoon Lando (international
code name Koppu) in top rice-producing provinces in the country.“Harvest area
may contract by 1.58 percent to 4.66 million hectares this year, from 4.74
million hectares last year. Yield per hectare may drop by 1.99 percent to 3.92
metric tons (MT) this year, from 4 MT,” the report read.
Aside
from El Niño, the PSA said the typhoons Egay (international code name Linfa)
and Ineng (international code name Goni) had also made it difficult for farmers
to increase palay output. The two typhoons hit the country in the third quarter
of the year.“Furthermore, the damages brought by Lando on standing palay and
corn crops may reduce the expected output for the fourth quarter,” the report
read.The PSA said palay production in the second half of the year could go down
by 5.81 percent to 9.97 MMT, from 10.59 MMT recorded last year. Harvest area
may contract to 2.6 million hectares from 2.64 million hectares, or by 1.51
percent, while yield per hectare may decline by 4.37 percent to 3.83 MT from
4.01 MT.“All other regions, aside from the Bicol region, reported reductions in
production and harvest area.
These
were attributed to unrealized plantings as a result of delayed release and
inadequate irrigation water, late occurrence of rains and some areas left
in-fallow,” the report read.In the fourth quarter alone, the PSA said palay
output could decline by 1.84 percent to 7.42 MMT, from 7.56 MMT last year. The
PSA attributed this to the prolonged dry spell and the damages caused by the
typhoons.In the first quarter of 2016, the PSA said output would recover based
on farmers’ planting intentions. Paddy-rice production is expected to go up by
0.31 percent to 4.38 MMT, from 4.37 MMT recorded in January to March 2015.Meanwhile,
the PSA said corn production for 2015 could go down by 2.8 percent to 7.55 MMT,
from 7.77 MMT last year. In the second half of the year alone, corn output is
projected to decline by 2.76 percent to 4.17 MMT, from 4.29 MMT recorded in
July to December 2014.Corn production in January to March 2016 is projected to
increase by 0.48 percent to 2.38 MMT, from 2.37 MMT posted in the first quarter
of this year.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/el-nino-lando-to-cut-2015-palay-output-by-3-54/
Q3
PALAY OUTPUT CONTRACTS 16%
November 16, 2015
Palay
production dropped 16 percent during the third quarter of the year, stalling
agriculture growth to minimal 0.04 percent. Agricultural production rose by
only 0.65 percent for the first nine months of the year.Lower output resulted
from the intense heat brought about by the El Nino weather phenomenon and the
damage wrought by two typhoons. Data released by the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) showed that country’s agriculture sector in the third
quarter only grossed P336 billion at current prices, 3.23 percent lower than
last year’s P347 billion.
The crops
subsector which contributed 44.54 percent to the total agricultural production
declined by 4.86 percent during the period mainly because of palay output at
2.6 million metric tons (MT) which is 15.71 percent lower and corn output at
2.4 million MT, a 1.70 percent drop in the third quarter. At current prices,
the subsector reached P172.4 billion decreasing by 8.09 percent from last
year’s record and a 1.69 percent drop for the first nine months of the
year. The livestock subsector which shared 18.45 percent in total
agricultural production meanwhile grew by 3.25 percent as all its
components posted increases with hog as the major contributor growing at 3.76
percent. Gross value of production amounted to P58.5 billion at current prices
or 0.74 percent higher from last year and a 3.92 percent growth in three
quarters of the year. Production in the poultry subsector also expanded by
8.76 percent which contributed 17.23 percent to the agricultural gross output.
Production of
chicken meat grew by 8.77 percent and chicken eggs by 9.91 percent. Gross value
amounted to P47.4 billion at current prices, up by 2.59 percent this year and a
6.32 percent increase for the first nine months of the year. Fisheries
also managed to grow by 1.80 percent in the third quarter as it contributed
19.78 percent to total agricultural production. Growth were recorded for
milkfish, tilapia, tiger prawn, skipjack, yellowfin tuna and seaweed which
propelled the subsector to gross P57.7 billion at current prices, a 4.18 percent
improvement from last year’s performance. Gross value of production of
fisheries for January to September 2015 however is still down by 0.36
percent. Average farmgate prices went down by 3.27 percent during the
third quarter and 4.27 percent lower for the first nine months. Prices were
lower for crops at 3.39 percent, livestock at 2.43 percent and poultry at 5.67
percent. Fisheries was the only subsector to realize an improvement in the
quarter as it went up by 2.33 percent.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/q3-palay-output-contracts-16
Govt strengthens prevention of commodity price fixing
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Business | Mon, November 16 2015, 5:31
PM
The government has reiterated its commitment to
increasing market monitoring to manage prices of staple commodities, including
beef and rice, by eradicating price-fixing practices.Business Competition
Supervisory Commission (KPPU) head Syarkawi Rauf said President Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo had asked the commission to focus on the monitoring of beef and rice.Syarkawi
said the commission had identified five to seven major players in national rice
production in 11 provinces, including Central Java and North Sumatra, as the
players could possibly dictate the price of rice in the market.“We will
continue to monitor them. If they do anything that indicates anti-competitive
practices, we will take necessary action,” Syarkawi told reporters late last
week.
He further explained that with the limited
number of players, it would be easy for price fixing to occur. He said the commission would impose sanctions
on unlawful players, if found guilty, ranging from administrative punishment to
recommending that their permits be revoked.The price and scarcity of rice as
Indonesia’s main staple food has been a major concern this year following
decreasing rice stocks owing to the prolonged season as a result of the El Niño
weather phenomenon.The government has been struggling to secure the country’s
stocks, which continue to run low, partially through imports, as Vice President
Jusuf Kalla confirmed that more than 1 million tons of rice from Thailand and
Vietnam had begun entering Indonesian ports.Kalla expressed concern for the
possibility of inflated prices with the late harvest, and that the country
needed to secure enough stocks to survive, with a vacuum to fill around 2.5
million tons.Rice prices rose by more than 30 percent in February this year.
The government attributed the abnormal price
movement partially to the “rice mafia”.The government has appointed independent
firm PT Sucofindo to audit at least 14,000 warehouses nationwide amid suspicion
of illegal stockpiling and reselling.Warehouse owners found guilty of illegal
stockpiling could face up to five years’ imprisonment and fines of Rp 50
billion (US$3.70 million).Jokowi previously insisted that stocks, though
running low, remained adequate, as he aimed for the country to be
self-sufficient in key commodities such as rice, corn, soybeans and sugar.Meanwhile,
Syarkawi also said that the commission had tried 32 feedlotters allegedly
involved in cartel-like practices last month that contributed to soaring beef
prices, which at one point rose to Rp 130,000 per kilogram from the usual Rp
90,000 after Idul Fitri.
He said
the feedlotters were found to have reduced the supply of cattle to be
slaughtered from 30 head of cattle daily to eight head of cattle, leading to
scarcity.“This is where KPPU steps in to investigate the cartel-like practice
on beef,” Syarkawi said.Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman signed a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) on Friday with the local governments of six provinces,
including Jakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, East Java and South Sulawesi, through
which the leaders agreed to cooperate in securing and monitoring the supply of
staple commodities, including rice, beef and corn.
In its first phase, the MoU will focus on
securing the supply of beef in Jakarta, which needed 60,000 head of cattle per
month, according to Amran, from the other five provinces. The ministry would
use the new livestock vessel recently officiated by the President to transport
as many as 500 head of cattle to Jakarta, said Amran. (fsu)
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/11/16/govt-strengthens-prevention-commodity-price-fixing.html#sthash.hqd0VOMU.dpuf
Thailand
to start sale of 2 mln T of spoiled rice this month
BANGKOK
Nov 16
Thailand's military government will begin auctioning 2 million tonnes of rotten
rice by the end of this month, looking to offload stockpiles of the staple
grain built up under a previous support scheme for farmers.Thailand, the
world's second biggest rice exporter after India, is holding about 13 million
tonnes of rice bought at higher-than-market prices to help farmers, a scheme
that cost the previous government billions of dollars.Some 2 million tonnes of
the stored rice that has been judged unfit for human or animal consumption is
to be auctioned away for such industrial uses as producing ethanol. 
"Within
this week the foreign trade department at the ministry will announce the terms
for selling the ruined rice," said Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the commerce
ministry's permanent secretary.It will be the first time rotten rice has been
sold from Thailand's stockpiles strictly for industrial uses.Of the 13 million
tonnes of rice Thailand still holds in its state warehouses, around half, or 6
million tonnes, is "below-standard or rotten", said a commerce
ministry statement.The commerce ministry plans to start this month's auction in
lots of between 1,000 and 6,000 tonnes, Chutima told reporters, with interested
buyers able to inspect the stocks and submit their bids by the end of the
month.
Analysts
have said the rotten rice would be sold for far less than edible stocks.Since
Thailand's military government took power in 2014, it has auctioned off 5
million tonnes of rice through several tenders, with sales worth about 5.2
billion baht ($145 million), the commerce ministry said.Thailand accounts for
about a quarter of the global rice trade and so far this year has exported around
8 million tonnes, earning the country around 127 billion baht ($3.5 billion).Thailand's
goal to export 10 million tonnes of rice this year to regain its crown as top
exporter will likely not be met, said the commerce ministry.India was the top
rice exporter in 2014, eclipsing Thailand after its multi-billion dollar
subsidy scheme led to a massive build-up of rice in storage.
($1 = 35.98 baht) (Reporting by Panarat
Thepgumpanat and Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre;
Editing by Tom Hogue)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/16/thailand-rice-idUKL3N13B2VJ20151116
Annual rice imports of 1.1m tons required in Iran: official
Sunday,
November 15, 2015
Tehran Times Economic Desk
TEHRAN-
Iran needs to imports 1.1 million tons of rice per annum, according to Iranian
Deputy Agriculture Minister for Planning and Economic Affairs Abdolmahdi
Bakhshandeh. Over three million tons of rice is consumed in Iran per year,
of which about two million tons is produced inside the country and the rest is
imported, the Mehr News Agency quoted Bakhshandeh as saying on Saturday. Also,
near 300,000 tons of rice is annually imported by Government Trading
Corporation of Iran (G.T.C) in order to maintain the country’s strategic
reserves of the product, the official added. Iran’s annual cereal
production is estimated to rise to 19.8 million tons in 2015 from 19.1 million
tons in 2014, according to a report released by Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in May.
The
report forecasts Iran’s annual wheat production will increase to 13.5 million
tons this year from 13 million tons the year before. On April
18, Bakhshandeh said Iran’s agricultural exports in the previous Iranian
calendar year (which ended on March 20) rose by 27 percent compared to its
preceding year. Meanwhile, agricultural imports amounted to
$12 billion, a 9 percent fall compared to its preceding
year. Iranian Agriculture Minister Mahmoud
Hojjati has said that by producing over 90 million tons of agricultural
products per year, Iran is among ten top countries in the world.
http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=250844
Second-crop farmers given govt warnings
Chularat
Saengpassa
The Nation
November 16, 2015 1:00 am
2'No dam water
for rice grown out of season'
THE Royal Irrigation Department has
issued written warnings to farmers who illegally pump water from public
waterways into their paddy fields - a move that reflects the severity of
imminent water shortage. "Their
action is against the law. They may face legal penalties. But for now, we have
decided to warn them first," the department's director-general Suthep
Noipairoj said a few days ago.He was referring to the 190,000 rai of paddy
fields now engaged in a second round of rice planting this year."We have
limited water supply," Suthep emphasised.
As
of November 1, four major dams for the Chao Phraya River basin had just 4.247
billion cubic metres of disposable water. The amount was far below the over 6
billion cubic metres at the start of the dry season last year. In Thailand, the
dry season officially runs from November 1 to April 30.The country usually
relies on rainfall during the wet season in storing water for use in the dry
months. However, water shortages have seriously affected the Chao Phraya River
basin during the rainy season this year.That is why authorities are now being
strict about water-allocation.Suthep said all sides must comply with the
water-allocation plan for the Chao Phraya River basin, otherwise the imminent
drought could pose a serious threat."All sectors must collaborate in
saving water in a serious manner," Suthep said.His department has been
closely monitoring the water situation. Inflows into the four major dams have
reached about 15.6 million cubic metres a day, while usage totals 15.55 million
cubic metres."When it comes to the agricultural sector, our focus is now
on irrigating water for the fields of rice farmers who are working on their
farmland for the first time this year," he said.
The Irrigation
Department head said there were now about 1.33 million rai of such paddy fields
in the Central region. These fields belong to farmers who agreed to the
government's plea to delay work on their fields. They are expected to collect
their harvest later this month.Suthep said the limited water supply meant his
department would not be able to ensure adequate water for paddy fields growing
rice outside the farming season.As soon as the department found that some rice
farmers in areas north of the Chao Phraya Dam had pumped water into
second-season paddy fields, it issued written warnings."Farmers should not
forget that we need to allocate water for consumption and ecological systems
too," Suthep explained.He complained that even though officials had warned
about the imminent water shortage for months, many farmers had begun work on
paddy fields outside the farming season."They in fact should be cautious
about water sources in their areas, and determine if there will be enough for
their paddy fields," he said.Suthep said very few farmers had opted for
alternative crops lately, despite recommendations from various bodies,
including the Agriculture Ministry that sent its officials to local fields.
www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Second-crop-farmers-given-govt-warnings-30272999.html
