REAP wins Iran rice export order but lack of banking channel still a hurdle
May 14,
2016
Salman Abduhu
LAHORE - Country’s rice exporters have booked
new orders to export around 30,000 tonnes of rice to Iran after a gap of more
than six years.This was disclosed by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan
Chairman Ch Shafique after a 22-member exporters’ delegation, headed by him,
returned to home after a week-long visit to Iran.
“We had very fruitful meetings with Iranian buyers and most of REAP members have booked their orders of rice export for May-June, 2016.
But there is still a problem of currency swap arrangements with Iranian banks,” he said.
Iran is one of the biggest importers of Basmati Rice, he informed.
“We had very fruitful meetings with Iranian buyers and most of REAP members have booked their orders of rice export for May-June, 2016.
But there is still a problem of currency swap arrangements with Iranian banks,” he said.
Iran is one of the biggest importers of Basmati Rice, he informed.
The delegation visited Tehran as well as the
city of Mashhad where they had meetings with Tehran Chamber of Commerce,
Industries and Mines and Mashhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.The
deliberations were aimed at increasing bilateral trade and investment between
the two friendly countries.He said the REAP discussed the issues related to the
resumption of rice exports, which nosedived after sanctions, from Pakistan,
implementation of currency swap agreement and the condition of good manufacturing
practices (GMP) certification with Iranian authorities.
These dialogues between the leading businessmen
and industrialists were meant to inspire the Iranian importers as well as
investors to explore the healthy business opportunities in Pakistan, and foster
new profitable ventures.
The REAP members also invited the Iranians to
visit Pakistan, where Association could arrange fruitful B2B meetings with
progressive business groups, to seek fresh collaborative ventures.
Pakistan exporters’ team also held meetings
with Government Trading Corporation (GTC) of Iran, besides meeting with Health
Ministry officials to raise the issue of GMP certification for Pakistani rice
exporters, which presently has become a major hurdle in the way of rice export
to Iran.
With a view to enhance liaison between the
businessmen of two countries, the REAP members’ group held B2B meetings with
Rice Importers Association of Iran.
The REAP chairman also called on the Pakistan commercial counsel in Mashhad.
The REAP chairman also called on the Pakistan commercial counsel in Mashhad.
“I hope that the country would regain its share
in the Iranian market, which can become the good destination for their basmati
exports.
”
”
Shafique Ch said that the restart of rice
export to Iran remained ineffective, as no appropriate currency transfer
arrangements have been made through State Bank of Pakistan so far.
“Although rice exporters have managed to book orders of around 30,000 tons rice export but we don’t seem to take advantage of this opportunity yet, because lack of proper banking channel still remains a major hurdle.
” Though our Gulf rice market has squeezed yet we can compensate this loss by diverting our supply to Iran, he claimed.“Keeping in view of the current situation we request the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and SBP to look into the matter and try to arrange currency channel for issuance of “E” Form from the commercial banks through Swift Bank in Euro or to open irrevocable letter of credit in favour of the exporters.
”
“Although rice exporters have managed to book orders of around 30,000 tons rice export but we don’t seem to take advantage of this opportunity yet, because lack of proper banking channel still remains a major hurdle.
” Though our Gulf rice market has squeezed yet we can compensate this loss by diverting our supply to Iran, he claimed.“Keeping in view of the current situation we request the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and SBP to look into the matter and try to arrange currency channel for issuance of “E” Form from the commercial banks through Swift Bank in Euro or to open irrevocable letter of credit in favour of the exporters.
”
The REAP chairman also requested the government
to approve new rice seed variety developed by the Kalashah Kaku Research
Institute and National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering to
enhance our yield.
http://nation.com.pk/business/14-May-2016/reap-wins-iran-rice-export-order-but-lack-of-banking-channel-still-a-hurdle
Pakistan again enters Iranian market after six years gap
May 13, 2016, 6:37 pm
:
Salman Abduhu
– Pakistan has reentered the Iranian market after a gap of more than six years, as the country’s rice exporters have booked new orders of around 30,000 tons of rice export during their visit to Tehran.This was stated by Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Chairman Ch Shafique while returning to home after a weeklong visit to Iran along with a 22-member delegation with a view to explore trade and investment opportunities and enhance rice export to Iran.
“We had very fruitful meetings with Iranian buyers and most of our members have booked their orders of export for May-June, 2016 but there is still a problem of Currency Swap arrangements with Iranian Banks. Iran is one of the biggest importer of Basmati Rice and our export share in Iranian market drastically down due to non-availability of Currency Channel.”
The delegation, led by REAP chairman Shafique Ch, visited Tehran as well as the city of Mashhad where they had meetings with Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines and Mashhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The deliberations were aimed at increasing bilateral trade and investment between the two friendly countries.
He said the REAP discussed the issues related to the resumption of rice exports, which nosedived after sanctions, from Pakistan, implementation of currency swap agreement and the condition of good manufacturing practices (GMP) certification with Iranian authorities.
These dialogues between the leading businessmen and industrialists were meant to inspire the Iranian importers as well as investors to explore the healthy business opportunities in Pakistan, and foster new profitable ventures.
The REAP members also invited the Iranians to visit Pakistan, where Association could arrange fruitful B2B meetings with progressive business groups, to seek fresh collaborative ventures.
The Pakistan exporters’ team also held meetings with Government Trading Corporation (GTC) of Iran, besides meeting with Health Ministry to raise the issue of GMP certification for Pakistani rice exporters, which presently has become a major hurdle in the way of rice export to Iran.
With a view to enhance liaison between the businessmen of two countries, the REAP members’ group held B2B meetings with Rice Importers Association of Iran. The REAP chairman also called on the Pakistan commercial counsel in Mashhad.
“I hope that the country would regain its share in the Iranian market, which can become the good destination for their basmati exports.”
Shafique Ch said that the restart of rice export to Iran remained ineffective, as no appropriate currency transfer arrangements have been made through State Bank of Pakistan so far. “Although rice exporters have managed to book orders of around 30,000 tons rice export but we don’t seem to take advantage of this opportunity yet, because lack of Pak-Iran proper banking channel and absence of research & development in the country, have become major hurdle.
He requested the government to approve new rice seed variety developed by the Kalashah Kaku Research Institute and National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering to enhance our yield. Though our Gulf rice market has squeezed yet we can compensate this loss by diverting our supply to Iran, he added.
“Keeping in view of the current situation we request the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and SBP to look into the matter and try to arrange Currency Channel for issuance of “E” Form from the Commercial Banks through Swift Bank in Euro or to open Irrevocable Letter of Credit in favour of the exporters.”
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3uON_4umdbUJ:nation.com.pk/business/13-May-2016/pakistan-again-enters-iranian-market-after-six-years-gap+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Project IPaD produces new breed of extension workers
Posted on May - 13 - 2016
Better extension service can be expected from 67 AgRiDOCs
(Agricultural Development Officers of the Community) who completed a 4-month
training at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), April 21.Titled Enabling the AgRiDOC: A New Breed of Agricultural Development and Extension Officers of the Community, the training prepared the AgRiDOCs to help raise the bar of extension services to develop sustainable, competitive, and resilient farming communities.
The AgRiDOC training is a major component of the project Improving Technology Promotion and Delivery through Capability Enhancement of Next-Gen Rice Extension Professionals and Other Intermediaries (IPaD).
Dr. Karen Eloisa T. Barroga, IPaD project lead, explained that AgRiDOCs have a broader and more active role in the development process, a renewed capacity and attitude in performing their usual roles, and a new set of knowledge and skills to deal with current and future challenges in agriculture.
“The training is unique from any other training I have attended,” said Nashjeehani G. Umbi, AgRiDOC graduate from Cotabato.
“It has renewed my passion for my work as extension worker. I now have a vision to transform the lives of the people in my community,” Umbi said.
Dr. Asterio P. Saliot, ATI director, graced the commencement ceremonies and led the confirmation of graduates. In his speech, he emphasized that AgRiDOCs should have the will, heart, and passion to overcome future challenges of extension work.
“You may not be able to see the fruits of your labor, but if you do something for our farmers as early as today, the future generations will surely reap something. What you have started now, if sustained, will replicate a thousand fold,” Saliot said.
The training roll-out jumpstarted in November 2015 to multiply the number of AgRiDOCs nationwide. With ATI leading the coordination, it was simultaneously conducted in four clusters – cluster 1 and 2 in Luzon, cluster 3 in Visayas, and cluster 4 in Mindanao. Since the conduct of two pilot-tests in 2014, 116 AgRiDOCs have already been produced from different provinces in the country.
Regular course offerings of the training curriculum are expected to begin in 2017.
Project IPaD is being implemented by DA-PhilRice, DA-ATI, and International Rice Research Institute with funding from the DA-National Rice Program through the Bureau of Agricultural Research
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/project-ipad-produces-new-breed-extension-workers/#sthash.2mXIIWOB.dpuf
Ag School Senior Named Presidential Scholar For Her Many Research Projects
By Howard
Ludwig | May 13, 2016 8:26am
Madeline Poole of Beverly is among the 160 nationwide
recipients of the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The senior at the Chicago
High School for Agricultural Sciences studied various types of seeds, including
rice, during her tenure at the Mount Greenwood school. Here she holds a
seedling pepper plant in the school's greenhouse. View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig
MOUNT GREENWOOD — Madeline Poole hopes to shake
the hand of Barack Obama or perhaps snap a
selfie with the 44th President of the United States this summer.Poole, 18, is one of just 160 students nationwide to be named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. The senior at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences will visit Washington, D.C. on an expense-paid trip from June 19-21.
The president typically greets the scholars, who receive a special medallion at the White House. These high school students have historically been recognized for outstanding achievement in academics, merit and the arts, said Poole, a Beverly resident.
This year, 20 more names were added to the list to honor students with exemplary effort in the field of career and technical education. Poole, a graduate of Sutherland Elementary School, is among the first to be honored in this new category.
Poole — who is also valedictorian of her graduating class — has been busy exploring the scientific aspects of agriculture throughout her tenure at the school at 3857 W. 111th St. in Mount Greenwood.
Madeline Poole is a senior at the Chicago High School for
Agricultural Sciences in Mount Greenwood. She plans to attend the University of
Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in the fall and study agriculture and biological
engineering. View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig
A visit to Jalna, India is among the
highlights of her high school research. There she studied rice seeds and
bacteria for Mahyco,
a hybrid seed company.Poole was among a team that sought to improve rice production in India by studying the natural bacteria that helps plants like weeds and native grasses thrive along the roadside. These plants grow without frequent watering or fertilizer.
Poole's team helped to isolate the bacteria that benefits such wild plants and then soaked rice seeds in it. The results were impressive and led to another finding about local rice production efforts.
"Basically, farmers are using way to much fertilizer in the soil," Poole said.
She added that unlike the natural bacteria, chemical fertilizers now used in India boost crop production only temporarily. The long-term affects include leaching the soil of important nutrients.
Two days after returning from India, Poole visited Japan as part of a cultural exchange program.
She's also studied biofuels while at the Ag School, comparing canola, corn and soybean oil for a science fair project that sought to determine which is the best energy source. Canola, a flowering plant commonly grown in Canada, came out on top, Poole said.
In summer 2015, Poole also spent seven weeks at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign studying hot water that goes down the drain when taking a shower.
Poole's group sought to develop a heat exchange system that would recapture some of that heat to warm up water for the next shower.
Besides research, Poole also rarely passes an opportunity to be involved in school programs, Ag School principal Bill Hook said.
She's president of the school's FFA or Future Farmers of America chapter, worked as part of team to bring a new community garden to Robert H. Metcalfe Community Academy in West Pullman last month and packed backpacks filled with needed supplies for homeless men and women in Chicago last year.
Poole plans to attend the U of I next year to further study agriculture and biological engineering. Unfortunately, her latest award doesn't provide any financial assistance, but her previous research projects should give her a leg up as she's already met many of her professors.
Hook is confident Poole will succeed both at the university and beyond.
"You could not ask for a more complete student," he said
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160513/mt-greenwood/ag-school-senior-named-presidential-scholar-for-her-many-research-projects
Robert Coats: Rice supply, demand: USDA estimates - May 2016
May 13, 2016 | Delta Farm Press
Coming into the year the Federal Reserve had signaled hawkish intentions of potential aggressive rate hikes this year into next year.
As this year got under way, market participants had real concern about building global weakness and potential fiscal and monetary policy intervention impacts.
First, market participants were increasingly concerned about the strengthening dollar’s potential negative impact on U.S. business and farm exports and their profitability.
Second, they were concerned about the potential continuation of falling equity and commodity prices due to dollar dominance.
Also, large chunks of global debt are financed with dollars by other countries. Thus a rising dollar would likely inject further weakness into global economies especially debt-ridden economies.
In January the U.S. Central Bank leadership addressed these concerns and signaled a more dovish position indicating concern that neither the U.S. economy or many global economies were strong enough for aggressive multiple Fed rate hikes over the next year.
This was followed by the Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank, to name a couple, increasingly embracing negative interest rates, which coupled with an increasingly dovish U.S. Central Bank started generating demand for U.S. and many global equities and attracting global monies into commodity markets in general — a good example being the soybean market.
The current global market dynamics have now been in place at varying levels since mid-February and the intervention fiscal and monetary policy activities have reflated the global economy and generated demand for many commodities.
These intervention activities are now in transition, which will likely lead to price uncertainty and even price weakness without some fundamental reason for rice, cotton, and grain prices to advance.
U.S. RICE
USDA’s May 10 release of its first 2016-17 world agricultural supply and demand estimates for U.S. long grain rice shows the following:2016-17 U.S. Long Grain Rice
• 2016 harvested area is up 32 percent from
last year at 2.4 million acres, the largest in six years. The previous 10-year
average was 2,120,300 acres and the five-year average was 1,904,800 acres.
• 2016-17 beginning stocks of 22.5 million
hundredweight are 4 million hundredweight below 2015-16 and the third lowest in
the current 7 marketing periods.
• Production of 181 million hundredweight is
the second largest on record following the 2010 record of 183.3 million
hundredweight. (2011, 116.4 million hundredweight; 2012, 144.3 million
hundredweight; 2013, 131.9 million hundredweight; 2014, 162.7 million
hundredweight; 2015, 133 million hundredweight)
• Total supply of 224 million hundredweight if
achieved will be a record (2010, 222 million hundredweight; 2011, 169 million
hundredweight; 2012, 187 million hundredweight; 2013, 173 million
hundredweight; 2014, 200 million hundredweight; 2015, 180 million
hundredweight)
• Domestic and residual use is projected to be
the second highest on record at 105 million hundredweight following 2010-11’s
108.6 million hundredweight. and 19-percent higher than 2015-16 marketing
period.
• Total exports are projected at 81 million
hundredweight the highest since 2005-06’s 92 million hundredweight.
• Total use is projected to be the second
highest on record at 186 million hundredweight, which is slightly above
2010-11’s 186.5 million hundredweight.
• Of major concern: 2016-17 end stocks are
presently projected to be the highest since 1985-86 or the third highest since
1982. Previous highs were 1984, 38 million hundredweight and 1985, 49 million
hundredweight. The previous 10-year ending stocks average was 23.8 million
hundredweight and the previous five-year average was 22.3 million
hundredweight.
• Long-grain rice 2016-17 average farm price is
estimated in a range of $9.50 to $10.50 per hundredweight, which compares to
2014-15’s $11.90 and 2015-16’s range of $10.80 to $11.20 per hundredweight.
2016-17
World Rice: Key Points
• World rice harvested acreage is up
1.8-percent at 160.6 million hectares or 397 million acres. The record world
rice acreage was 161.8 million hectares or 400 million acres.
• Rice production is estimated at a record
480.7 million tons. The previous 10 year average was 456 million tons and the
previous 5 year average was 474 million tons.
• World rice trade at 40.7 million tons
continues to decline from 2013-14’s 44.1 million tons; 2014-15, 42.8; and
2015-16, 41.4.
• Rice total use is forecast at a record 480.5
million tons slightly below production of 480.7 million tons.
• World rice ending stocks or slightly above
the previous year’s ending stocks of 106 4 million tons..
The
Foreign Agricultural Service/USDA, Office of Global Analysis in its May 2016
Grain: World Markets and Trade publication’s Rice:
World Markets and Trade Section made some key bullet points on global rice
importers and exporters.Global economic uncertainty has some importers focused on economic, food, energy, and homeland security. FAS on Selected Importers for 2017:
• Bangladesh is forecast up 150,000 tons to
500,000 from the prior year, as steady consumption and declining stocks
encourage additional imports.
• Brazil is forecast down 100,000 tons to
600,000 because of a larger crop and ample supplies for domestic consumption.
• China is stable at 5.0 million tons as
favorable prices in neighboring countries continue to encourage cross-border
trade.
• Cote d’Ivoire is projected down 100,000 tons
to 900,000 on prospects for a larger crop.
• EU is forecast to remain at 1.6 million tons
amid steady consumption.
• Indonesia is forecast to decline 750,000 tons
to 1.3 million as higher production prospects reduce the need for imports.
Consumption remains relatively flat, while stocks decline slightly.
• Iran is forecast to remain at 1.5 million
tons, limited by current financial challenges and despite a growing population.
• Iraq is expected to remain flat at 1.2
million tons supported by government distribution and private-sector purchases.
• Malaysia is forecast up 30,000 tons to 1.1
million.
• Nigeria is projected down 300,000 tons to 2.0
million on continued government policies to limit foreign exchange use for rice
purchases and to restrict transit via land borders.
• The Philippines is cut 300,000 tons to 1.5
million on adequate carry-in stocks and a projected recovery in production from
the 2015-16 crop, which suffered negative effects of El Niño.
• Saudi Arabia is expected up 50,000 tons to
1.5 million tons on continued demand for basmati rice.
• Senegal is projected flat at 990,000 tons on
steady demand for broken rice from India and Thailand.
• South Africa is forecast down 75,000 tons to
925,000 as an expected recovery in corn production reduces demand for rice.
• Turkey is projected up 75,000 tons to 275,000
as declining stocks necessitate imports to satisfy consumption.
• The United States is forecast up 25,000 tons
to 775,000 on higher demand for fragrant rice.
• Venezuela is forecast to remain at 400,000
tons as financial challenges constrain imports from regional suppliers.
Global
Export Market Showing Weakness: FAS on Selected Exporters for 2017:
• Argentina is forecast up 120,000 tons to
600,000 from the prior year due to a larger crop and the new administration’s
removal of export tariffs.
• Brazil is projected up 50,000 tons to 800,000
due to crop recovery and sufficient exportable supplies.
• Burma is forecast up 50,000 tons to 1.9 million
on higher demand from regional markets.
• Cambodia is projected up 150,000 tons to 1.1
million, on a larger crop and continued demand from neighboring countries and
the EU.
• India is forecast down 500,000 tons to 8.5
million, with smaller exportable supplies and strong domestic demand.
• Pakistan is projected down 150,000 tons to
4.3 million, as it faces lower carry-in stocks and continued competition with
India for basmati markets.
• Thailand is forecast down 800,000 tons to 9.0
million, as stocks continue to decline and exportable supplies are reduced.
• The United States is forecast up 275,000 tons
to 3.6 million on larger supplies and improved price competitiveness.
• Vietnam is unchanged at 7.0 million tons on
steady demand from China and Southeast Asia.
Robert
Coats is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and
Agribusiness, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System. E-mail: recoats@uark.edu.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/robert-coats-rice-supply-demand-usda-estimates-may-2016
California Rice Farmers Optimistic After Wet Winter, Spring
May 12, 2016 6:21 PM By Ron
Jones
SACRAMENTO
(CBS13) — A major money maker in California is making a comeback after recent
rains.When it comes to California rice, 97 percent of it is grown in the Sacramento region. But California’s drought left a lot of rice fields barren.
Now, Central Valley rice farmers are looking up as they reap the benefits of recent storms. Even though much of the state is still reeling from a historic drought, this year’s wet weather is making the rice harvest season more promising.
That wasn’t the case during the Fall of 2014 for second-generation rice farmer Mike Dewit who was forced to let 30 percent of his rice fields in the Yolo basin go to waste.
The California Rice Commission says almost a quarter of the state’s $5 billion crop was ruined.
“It is better,” said spokesman Jim Morris. “We’re thankful we had a wet fall and winter.”
With the recent rains comes a new sense of optimism.
“This is really good news for all of our region for the fact that we’re going to have more rice grown this year,” he said.
The rain-soaked fields could lead to more than just rice crops.
“We have about 2,000 family farmers in the state. And this field will be planted in the near future,” he said.
If the industry’s fall projections are correct, there should be a bountiful rice harvest. But it won’t know for sure until September’s harvest.
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2016/05/12/california-rice-farmers-optimistic-after-wet-winter-spring/
A crazy decision led Thailand to stockpile tons of rice, but everything could be about to change
Reuters/Athit PerawongmethaA migrant worker unloads sacks of rice from a barge to a cargo ship on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.In 2011, Thailand was the world's largest exporter of rice, accounting for about 30% of the global market.
But then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra introduced a controversial rice scheme where the government would pay farmers almost 50% more than market prices.
The idea was that since almost 40% of Thailand's labor force worked in agriculture, then it would make the average Thai wealthier while also creating a rice shortage by taking supply off of the market. In theory, the government would then be able to sell the rice at an even higher price.
But prices didn't rise as much as the Thai government was anticipating, and then competitors — India and Vietnam — began to flood the market and lower their prices. That left Thailand with a ballooning inventory of rice and warehouses filled to the brim.
Fast forward to 2016, and Shinawatra has been out of office for two years after being removed by a military coup. Thailand is now the No. 2 rice exporter in the world, trailing rival India, and its rice stockpile is still enormous.
But there might finally be some relief in sight. The El Niño of 2015-16 has caused drought conditions across much of China, India, and Southeast Asia. And while farmers in Thailand and elsewhere in the region are being devastated by the weather, the Thai government has an opportunity to unload a good portion of its stockpile.
Here's Deutsche Bank (emphasis added):
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Thailand's rice inventory is set to drop by almost 50% to 5.2mn MT in 2016 on the back of a projected decline in domestic output to a five-year low of 15.8mn MT.
And the good news doesn't stop there.
Deutsche Bank says (emphasis added):
It is highly plausible, in our view, that Thailand would take this El Niño episode as an opportunity to clear its huge stockpile and regain market share as shipments of rival exporters will likely be curbed by reduced domestic output.
http://www.businessinsider.com/good-news-thailand-rice-stockpile-2016-5
Thailand's plan to sell stockpiled rice sparks concerns
Biz Hub
Asia News Network May 13, 2016 12:11 pm
HA NOI - Thailand's plan to accelerate sales of
11.4 million tonnes of rice in stockpiles within two months sparked concerns
that it would hurt prices as well as Viet Nam's rice exports. However, some
people were optimistic that the impact would not be significant.
Thailand planned to sell the amount of rice in
a government stockpile in May and June to generate US$2.8 billion, at an
average price of US$245 per tonne, in what could be the biggest rice sale
clearance ever of the world’s second largest rice exporter after India.
According to Le Van Banh, director of the
Department of Agro-Fisheries Processing and Salt Production, the biggest
stockpiled rice sell-off from Thailand would certainly have an impact on the
global rice market following the law on supply and demand, as well as on Viet
Nam’s rice market.
However, the impact on Viet Nam’s rice exports
would not be significant, at least in the short term, Banh said.
Banh also said that Thailand’s plan to sell
11.4 million tonnes of rice within just two months was not feasible.
He said that Thailand exported on an average
400,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes of rice per month. "To sell 11.4 million
tonnes in just two months sounds unrealistic," Banh said as quoted by
vietnamplus.vn.
The Viet Nam Food Association said that the
impact on rice exports would not be huge in the second and third quarters as
most contracts had been signed in the last quarter of 2015, and there were
estimated to be 1.4 million tonnes of rice remaining to be shipped abroad
following existing signed contracts.
According to Banh, the stockpiled rice for this
clearance would mainly be "sub-standard" quality that the government
had purchased following the 2012-2013 rice mortgage programme and Thailand
would target the not too demanding markets such as in Africa.
Since May 2014, Thailand has auctioned off 5.05
million tonnes of rice worth $1.5 billion. The Thai government had previously
said it aimed to clear the stockpile by the end of 2017.
Meanwhile, major import markets of Vietnamese
rice were China, the Philippines and Indonesia which had standards for rice
quality and preferred newly-harvested Vietnamese rice, he said. "Rice
exports from Viet Nam would not be significantly affected by Thailand’s
sell-off in the coming months," he said.
According to Ma Quang Trung, director of the
plantation department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Viet Nam’s rice exports in the first four months of this year reached 2.06
million tonnes, worth $916 million, rising by 11.8 per cent in volume and 13.8
per cent in value over the same period last year. Average rice export price was
$438 per tonne, increasing by 0.32 per cent over the same period last year.
China was the largest importer of Vietnamese rice, accounting for more than 30
per cent of the Viet Nam’s total rice exports.
Last year, Viet Nam was the third largest rice
exporter in the world with an export volume of 6.4 million tonnes.
Close watch
According to Banh, the Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development has asked the Viet Nam Food Association, rice companies
and farmers to closely track movements in the global rice market, especially from
Thailand’s clearance sale, for timely measures.
Nguyen Van Don, director of food trading
company Viet Hung in southern Tien Giang Province, said the sale of Viet Nam’s
sub-standard rice would be affected the most by Thailand’s move, as Thailand
accelerated the stockpiled rice sale in the months coinciding with the rice
harvest crop of Viet Nam
The Ministry of Industry and Trade said at the
end of April, days after Thailand’s announcement, that the global rice market
was seeing unpredictable developments, which would influence Viet Nam’s rice
exports in 2016.
Besides export prices, which no longer was of
Vietnamese rice competitiveness, quality and brand were also matter of concerns
in exports.
The ministry said that it was important to
hasten the restructuring of the agricultural sector and rice production towards
building up a value chain, enhancing quality and developing a Vietnamese brand.
Quality would help Viet Nam to compete and
maintain markets amid the flurry of low-priced rice, an expert said.
The industry and trade ministry also said that
it would enhance trade promotion to take advantage of the new-generation free
trade agreements to expand rice export markets.
In addition, the ministry proposed to Prime
Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to provide preferential loans to rice traders for
investments in warehouses and for buying rice from farmers in an effort to
accelerate exports this year.
Building a national brand
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved the
agriculture ministry’s proposal of a Vietnamese rice brand development and
management master project from combining five separate projects.
These projects were previously raised in the
Prime Minister Decision 706/QD-TTg about developing rice brand issued in May
2015.
The master project aimed to enhance the
recognition of Vietnamese rice in the global market to boost competitiveness,
improved rice added value and expand markets.
The project would focus on developing a
national rice brand name, brands for major rice products of Cuu Long (Mekong)
Delta, the country’s biggest rice production area, rice brand protection, trade
promotion and expanding exports.
Viet Nam aimed to become the world’s leading
rice brand by quality and food safety by 2030, under the approved project. –
VNS
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thailands-plan-to-sell-stockpiled-rice-sparks-conc-30285866.html
Agriculture ministry to repair dams, bolster rice production
By Swan Ye Htut
| Friday, 13 May 2016
Improving
the efficiency of the country’s dams and canals could more than double the
supply of water to rice-growing areas and could boost rice exports, the deputy
agriculture minister says. Speaking to reporters, U Tun Win described the focus
of his department’s efforts over the next 100 days.The two-decades-long neglect of dams and canals had weakened the nation’s production, said the deputy minister. He said repair work would start with Thaphan Seik dam – one of the longest dams in Southeast Asia – in Sagaing Region.
“During the next 100 days, we will deepen dams that have silted up and repair leaks in canals,” he said, describing the task as “immense” because it covered the entire country. “We will do everything we can with the budget we have,” he said.
Thaphan Seik had been selected as the first as it delivered water to most areas in Sagaing, Myanmar’s second-biggest rice bowl.
“We will deepen the dam so it can store more water and repair cracks in the canals. One canal can deliver water to 500,000 acres, but because of cracks that capacity has fallen to about 200,000 acres. Our repairs will enable the dam and the canals to greatly increase the volume of water supplied to farmlands,” he said.
Many of the country’s 500 dams are not supplying sufficient water to farms and defective canals are losing water. The reduction of capacity in silted-up dams can led to flooding in the rainy season and premature drought in summer.
U Tun Win said the river water pumping plan developed by General Myint Aung in Ayeyarwady Region allowed the export of 1.5 million tonnes of rice after domestic consumption needs had been satisfied.
“But the amount of rice exported rice last year was 1.8 million tonnes. Despite building and developing 500 dams over the past 24 years, we have increased our rice export volume by only 0.3 million tonnes. This is just not good enough. We have to get to work on those dams,” he said.
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/20289-agriculture-ministry-to-repair-dams-bolster-rice-production.html
Climate pendulum is swinging rapidly from El Niño to La Niña
Sea surface temperature anomalies on May 12,
2016.
La Niña conditions are said to exist when a specific region of the tropical Pacific Ocean has a three-month average temperature departure from average of at least 0.5 degrees Celsius, or 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit, below average. In other words, a La Niña is characterized by cooler-than-average ocean temperatures, whereas El Niño events are characterized by unusually warm waters.
Sea surface temperature anomalies in tropical Pacific Ocean.
"It’s possible the transition from El Niño to La Niña will be quick, with forecasters slightly favoring La Niña developing this summer," wrote Emily Becker, a scientist at the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) in Maryland, in a blog post.
Like El Niño, La Niña can exert a significant influence on global weather patterns. If it kicks in early enough, it will likely allow for a more active hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean compared to last year. La Niña events tend to suppress hurricane activity in the eastern tropical Pacific.
The new climate outlook prepared by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center and Columbia University's International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), puts the odds of a La Niña conditions during the height of the hurricane season, from July through September, at 65 percent.
Upper ocean heat anomalies in tropical Pacific Ocean.
Image: Climate prediction center
La Niña events are also tied to more severe tornado seasons in the southern U.S. A moderate La Niña was present during the deadly 2011 tornado season, when tornadoes killed 553 people, mostly in the south central states.
Such events also tend to damper global average surface temperatures somewhat, and may put an end to the record-long string of warmest months on record. Through March, that stood at 11 months, based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
"Most computer models are predicting El Niño conditions will come to an end in the early summer, and that sea surface temperatures will continue to drop, potentially passing the La Niña threshold (0.5°C below average) sometime in the summer. Some areas of near- or below-average sea surface temperatures have already appeared in the eastern Pacific," Becker wrote.
In addition to computer models and trends in sea surface temperatures, another strong sign of an impending La Niña is the increasingly abundant supply of cooler-than-average waters under the surface of the Pacific.
"This large pool of cool water stretches across the entire Pacific, along the Equator, and extends down from just below the surface to around 500 feet," Becker wrote.
Not every El Niño event is followed by a swing to La Niña conditions. However, some strong El Niño's have been succeeded by major La Niña events, as occurred after the 1997-98 El Niño.
The 2015-16 El Niño was on par with, if not more intense than, the 1997-98 event, suggesting that the upcoming La Niña may be significant. However, the CPC states that "there is clear uncertainty over the timing and intensity of a potential La Niña."According to the CPC, there have been 14 La Niña events since 1950, while El Niño events have occurred 23 times during the same period.
http://mashable.com/2016/05/12/la-nina-watch-issued/#b62PdemHr5qU
Egypt to import 80,000 tonnes of rice ahead of Ramadan
CAIRO
Egypt's
government has directed state grains buyer GASC to import 80,000 tonnes of rice
"immediately" ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the
cabinet said in a statement on Friday. Egypt produced 3.75 million tonnes of
rice in the 2015 season and held over 700,000 tonnes from 2014. Annual rice
consumption is generally about 3.3 million tonnes.But the government's failure
to stock up earlier in the season has left it at the mercy of traders, some of
whom have been unwilling to sell to the state and are choosing to stockpile
instead.
The stockpiling has pushed up the price the government pays for rice by about 50 per cent in recent months.GASC has tried three times to hold rice import tenders, but has had to cancel each one either because of low responses or due to prices being deemed too high.The government has threatened to seek direct contracts to buy rice from abroad if prices offered by traders at its tenders are not reduced but traders say Egypt is insisting on unrealistic prices.Egypt banned rice exports on April 4 to preserve stocks for the local market and to combat the rising prices.
The government lifted a previous export ban on the crop in October due to an expected surplus and imposed an export tariff of 2,000 Egyptian pounds ($225.2) a tonne, but that decision expired on April 3.The government statement said Egypt had enough sugar stockpiled to last until the end of the year and enough vegetable oil for the next three months. More vegetable oil would be imported as needed, it said. - Reuters
The stockpiling has pushed up the price the government pays for rice by about 50 per cent in recent months.GASC has tried three times to hold rice import tenders, but has had to cancel each one either because of low responses or due to prices being deemed too high.The government has threatened to seek direct contracts to buy rice from abroad if prices offered by traders at its tenders are not reduced but traders say Egypt is insisting on unrealistic prices.Egypt banned rice exports on April 4 to preserve stocks for the local market and to combat the rising prices.
The government lifted a previous export ban on the crop in October due to an expected surplus and imposed an export tariff of 2,000 Egyptian pounds ($225.2) a tonne, but that decision expired on April 3.The government statement said Egypt had enough sugar stockpiled to last until the end of the year and enough vegetable oil for the next three months. More vegetable oil would be imported as needed, it said. - Reuters
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/IND_306813.html
Monsoon to hit Kerala between May 28 & 30: Skymet
New Delhi, May 13:
Monsoon will hit Kerala between May 28 and 30,
two three days before its normal onset date of June 1, private forecasting
agency Skymet said.However, it is expected to reach New Delhi on July 1 and
Jaisalmer by July 12.It is likely to reach Kolkata by June 10 and Mumbai by
June 12.The Southwest Monsoon will arrive over Andaman and Nicobar Islands
between May 18 and 20.“It is likely to reach Kerala between May 28 and May 30.
Thereafter, it will cover other parts of the
country. Present weather conditions are indicating a promising beginning of
monsoon 2016 which is likely to usher in with a bang,” Skymet said.The normal
monsoon onset date is June 1 when it reaches Kerala.Monsoon reaching a tad
early is expected to provide relief to many parts of country which are reeling
under severe heat wave and drought conditions.
The
India Meteorological Department, as well as Skymet, have made a forecast of
“above normal” monsoon this year.
(This article was published on May 13, 2016
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-to-hit-kerala-between-may-28-30-skymet/article8593965.ece
Agriculture ministry to repair dams, bolster rice production
Improving the efficiency of the country’s dams and canals could more than double the supply of water to rice-growing areas and could boost rice exports, the deputy agriculture minister says. Speaking to reporters, U Tun Win described the focus of his department’s efforts over the next 100 days.The two-decades-long neglect of dams and canals had weakened the nation’s production, said the deputy minister. He said repair work would start with Thaphan Seik dam – one of the longest dams in Southeast Asia – in Sagaing Region.“During the next 100 days, we will deepen dams that have silted up and repair leaks in canals,” he said, describing the task as “immense” because it covered the entire country. “We will do everything we can with the budget we have,” he said.
Thaphan Seik had been selected as the first as it delivered water to most areas in Sagaing, Myanmar’s second-biggest rice bowl.
“We will deepen the dam so it can store more water and repair cracks in the canals. One canal can deliver water to 500,000 acres, but because of cracks that capacity has fallen to about 200,000 acres. Our repairs will enable the dam and the canals to greatly increase the volume of water supplied to farmlands,” he said.
Many of the country’s 500 dams are not supplying sufficient water to farms and defective canals are losing water. The reduction of capacity in silted-up dams can led to flooding in the rainy season and premature drought in summer.
U Tun Win said the river water pumping plan developed by General Myint Aung in Ayeyarwady Region allowed the export of 1.5 million tonnes of rice after domestic consumption needs had been satisfied.
“But the amount of rice exported rice last year was 1.8 million tonnes. Despite building and developing 500 dams over the past 24 years, we have increased our rice export volume by only 0.3 million tonnes. This is just not good enough. We have to get to work on those dams,” he said.
05/13/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Soybeans
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash
Bids
|
1071
|
1004
|
New
Crop
|
1073
|
1031
|
Riceland Foods
Cash
Bids
|
Stuttgart: - - -
|
Pendleton: - - -
|
New
Crop
|
Stuttgart: - - -
|
Pendleton: - - -
|
Futures:
|
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Soybean Comment
The soybean market is trying to calm down after
a bullish report on Tuesday. On Thursday
and Friday the new crop soybean market lost 11.5-cents,
but still ended 32-cents higher on the week. The Tuesday
report shocked the market when the USDA forecast just 310 million bu carryover
for next year after forecasting record crush and exports next year. This combined
with reports this week that China again imported record soybeans in April have
trader optimistic about U.S. Soybean opportunities this fall. Soybeans continue
to hold gains above $10, but upside potential may be limited going forward as
this market is due a correction. Soybeans remain severely overbought but
maintain support at $10.46 and $10.38.
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash
Bids
|
478
|
428
|
New
Crop
|
478
|
453
|
Futures:
|
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Wheat Comment
Wheat prices also closed higher today as the
market confirms a bottom near contract lows of $4.53. While the fundamentals of
the wheat market remain bearish, the market has shown little desire to move
below recent lows. Despite a very bearish forecast on Thursday
the July wheat contract managed to end higher on the week up 5-cent from last
week.
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash
Bids
|
359
|
349
|
New
Crop
|
356
|
301
|
High
|
Low
|
|
Cash
Bids
|
403
|
375
|
New
Crop
|
400
|
383
|
Futures:
|
|
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Corn Comment
Corn prices closed mixed today, after nearby
contracts closed lower and new crop contracts continued gains. While this
week's USDA forecast was mostly neutral for corn, the new crop corn market
still managed to gain 14-cents this week as prices are now within a few cents
of $4. Strong soybean prices have helped fuel gains as the corn and soybean
prices ratio heavily favors soybeans at this time. This is causing some concern
that the later planted acres could move to soybeans. Regardless, the weather
conditions at this time look favorable for corn and the market is expecting a
record crop this fall; while demand is improving corn needs to see further
growth to meet the ambitious forecast from the USDA.
Futures:
|
|
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Cotton Comment
Cotton futures were lower across the board
again today. The monthly WASDE report showed the largest ending stocks in eight years for the 16-17 crop year. That is based upon the
March prospective plantings of 9.6 million acres and expectations for
relatively favorable growing conditions resulting in average yields of 807 lbs.
per acre for a total crop of 14.8 million bales. However, global stocks are
projected to decline 6.2% as China releases low-cost, low-quality cotton from
their stockpile. China plans to auction 2 million metric tons of cotton this
summer. December closed below trendline support today and could head back
toward support just above 59 cents.
High
|
Low
|
|
Long
Grain Cash Bids
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
Long
Grain New Crop
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
Futures:
|
|
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Rice Comment
Rice futures closed lower but trade was
confined within Thursday’s wide
range. The WASDE report showed global stocks declining from 114.38 million
metric tons to 106.43 million metric tons for the 15-16 marketing year, and
stocks holding steady at that level for 16-17. The market will be watching crop
progress closely. Currently, USDA says 82% of the crop is now in the ground and
67% is emerged. Arkansas farmers have 93% of the intended acres already
planted, with 82% emerged. This large crop could limit the upside potential of
the market, however, dry conditions in other rice growing regions of the world
could provide support. Today’s move put July in position to complete a 50%
retracement, which is at $11.94. A close above that level would open upside
potential to the 62% level of $12.46.
Futures:
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Live Cattle:
|
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Feeders:
|
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Arkansas Prices
Arkansas Weekly Livestock Summary
Cattle Comment
After sharp gains on Monday,
live cattle managed to hold onto gains and end 3.5 higher on the week, while
feeders fell sharply the remainder of the week closing down almost $1 and
closing the gap left on Monday. Cattle prices continue
to be supported by strengthening beef values, while improving grain prices are
adding downward pressure. Both markets continue to trade well above their April
lows and prices continue to try and trend higher heading into the summer
grilling season.
Futures:
|
|
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Hog Comment
Spring Whole
Grain is Packed Full and on the Way
ARLINGTON, VA -- The latest issue
of the Whole Grain, USA Rice's newspaper, is off the presses and on its
way to readers throughout the six rice producing states and Washington,
DC. The Spring edition is packed with great stories, including a profile
of Texas rice farmers Tim and Lindy Gertson, an update on conservation
programs, and a look at the important South Korean and Colombian markets.
Louisiana contributor A.J. Sabine
shares thoughts on the Rice Leadership Development program and his classes'
time in Washington during the USA Rice Government Affairs Conference; we visit
the set for the taping of the Sara Moulton TV show about rice and crawfish; and
had an exclusive sit down with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike
Conaway (R-TX) in which he talked about lessons learned in the 2014 Farm Bill
process that he is carrying forward into the next Farm Bill, the fight to make
production agriculture relevant to every American, and even the Presidential
race. (Click on the video below for a sneak peak.)
As USA Rice encourages the U.S.
government to file a trade case against competitor nations, Whole Grain
readers will get a look at what's involved in seeing one of those cases
through, and much more.
If you are not on the Whole Grain mailing list, or would
like to order additional copies, contact Deborah Willenborg. If you are interested in advertising with the paper that
goes out to 25,000 readers, contact Colleen Klemczewski.
One-on-one with House Ag Chairman
Mike Conaway |
USA Rice Daily
Arkansas NRCS Ups the EQIP Ante
HUMNOKE, AR -- This morning, farmers and conservation industry
representatives held a press conference here at Isbell Farms to announce the
immediate availability of $2.5 million in additional funding for the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Arkansas. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) delivered the positive news and will accept and manage the incoming EQIP
applications. NRCS said they will prioritize applications that address
three objectives: improved soil health, nitrogen stewardship, and
irrigation water management. Irrigation water management is particularly
important to rice farmers in improving energy efficiency, soil and water
quality, sustaining wildlife habitat, and addressing the growing issue of water
quantity. Earlier this year, the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice
Stewardship Partnership provided more than $2.2 million in EQIP funding through
their NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project, Sustaining
the Future of Rice with a complimentary focus on irrigation water
management practices. More than 330 EQIP applications were submitted by
rice farmers across the state through the USA Rice project showing a significant
demand for voluntary, incentive-based conservation financial assistance.
Mike Sullivan, the NRCS state
conservationist for Arkansas, kicked off the press conference and turned the
mic over to producers, Robby Bevis and Mark Isbell to discuss soil health and
irrigation water management work they're doing on their own operations.
USDA staff, Dr. Michele Reba and John Lee, representing the Agricultural
Research Service and NRCS in Arkansas, also provided commentary on greenhouse
gas production in rice fields and nitrogen stewardship, respectively.
Sullivan said, "With the extra funding Arkansas has been given for this EQIP, we are focusing on three areas, soil health, nutrient management, and specifically for rice producers, intermittent flooding, also known as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). We consider AWD a win-win situation - it reduces costs on the production side, uses less water, less energy, and also reduces methane emissions."
Of the work being done on his
operation, Isbell said, "U.S. rice production has been on the forefront of
private land conservation for decades. We believe that the Alternate
Wetting and Drying strategy will play a key role as that story continues to be
written."
Arkansas NRCS is urging farmers to
visit their local USDA NRCS field service center to submit EQIP applications no
later than June 10, 2016 to be considered for the
additional allocation. USA Rice is encouraging Arkansas rice farmers with
applications not funded through the RCPP EQIP sign-up to consider resubmitting
their request through this unique opportunity.
Upcoming Rice Field Days:
Mark Your Calendar and Plan to Attend the Event in Your Area
For a complete list of Rice Fields
Days through September, visit our website.
May 24 -- Vermilion Parish Field Day
May 24 -- Vermilion Parish Field Day
4:00 p.m. -- Lounsberry Farm, Hwy
14 East, Lake Arthur, LA
Contact: Andrew Granger, AGranger@agcenter.lsu.edu
May 25 - Southwest Louisiana Rice
Field Day
8:30 a.m. - Fenton Coop and Hoppe
Farms, Fenton, LA
Contact: Jimmy Meaux, jmeaux@agcenter.lsu.edu
June 9 - Evangeline Parish Rice
Field Tour
7:45 a.m. -- Joey Hebert Farm and
Bieber Farms
Contact: Keith Fontenot, kfontenot@agcenter.lsu.edu
Research updates at LSU AgCenter
|
Rice millers still reeling from loss of Venezuelan market– Millers and Exporters assoc.
Almost one year after rice millers and exporters were told by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to take back rice originally bound for Venezuela, rice millers are still reeling from the effects of that directive.Containers with rice shipments on the wharf
This is
according to Rajindra Persaud, President of the Guyana Rice Exporters and
Millers Association (GREMA). Persaud said, while that rice was indeed diverted
to other markets in the hemisphere, losses were incurred then and losses are
being incurred now.“Rice was diverted to other markets,” Persaud related in a
recent interview. “The rice was sold to Panama and Jamaica. (But) Venezuela was
buying about 200,000 tons (of paddy annually).
”“So we had to lower the prices to European
Union and Jamaica (market) to sell the excess rice. So much so that we were
selling below world market prices.”
He said that at present the price the millers are getting for white rice is between US$380 and US$400 per metric ton, while the price for paddy is approximately US$275 per metric ton.
Asked whether GREMA was considering any measures to recover whatever losses might have been incurred, Persaud replied in the negative. He did note, however, that all the rice that was ordered back has been cleared from the wharf, save rice which is currently at the centre of a court battle.
He said that at present the price the millers are getting for white rice is between US$380 and US$400 per metric ton, while the price for paddy is approximately US$275 per metric ton.
Asked whether GREMA was considering any measures to recover whatever losses might have been incurred, Persaud replied in the negative. He did note, however, that all the rice that was ordered back has been cleared from the wharf, save rice which is currently at the centre of a court battle.
Some 270 containers of rice had been left on the wharf back in July 2015, following the directive from Venezuelan officials. The official explanation had been that their Guyanese counterparts were exceeding the shipping schedules. The total cost was estimated at US$5M.
The rice involved in court proceedings was supplied by Ramnarace Ramlakhan, of Ramlakhan and Son Rice Mill. Ramlakhan is a miller from Exmouth, Essequibo, who took the rice board to court after GRDB asked him not to follow through on 1,753 metric tons of rice left for him to deliver.
According to the writs, filed on August 4 and August 5, 2015, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) was named as the defendant and it was alleged that the body had agreed to purchase 3000 metric tons of paddy at the cost of US$480 per ton and 1000 metric tons of white rice at US$760 per ton between April and June 2015.
The writ had gone on to relate that after Ramlakhan acquired the 3000 tons of paddy and he supplied more than 1,200 tons to GRDB in the months of April, May and June 2015, GRDB advised him not to deliver the remaining 1,753 metric tons until further notice.
Ramlakhan was reportedly informed by GRDB that it would not purchase the remaining balance and furthermore, that he should make efforts to sell it elsewhere.
The Miller then sold the outstanding balance of paddy to another buyer at a rate per ton of US$240. Considering that the original price offered by the GRDB was US$480 per ton, Ramlakhan was claiming damages amounting to $86.2M for the paddy.
Ramlakhan had stated in his writ that in June, via oral agreement, GRDB had agreed to purchase an additional 296 metric tons of long grain white rice at the same rate of US$760 per ton. He had stated that this was delivered in the same month, but on July 28, GRDB instructed him to take it back. Ramlakhan had refused, demanding payment instead.
http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2016/05/14/rice-millers-still-reeling-from-loss-of-venezuelan-market-millers-and-exporters-assoc/
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1472
International Benchmark Price
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NAC likely to finalise GDP figure on 16th
Pakistan’s GDP growth is estimated to hover
around 4.5 per cent for the current financial year which will be finally
decided in the meeting of National Accounts Committee (NAC) likely to meet on
May 16.An official source said the committee would face a tough time in working
out the GDP growth for the current financial year as the agriculture production
faced a setback while the Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM) remained closed throughout
the year.
The government had fixed a GDP growth target of
5.5 per cent for the current financial year. However, despite turn around in
law and order situation, improvement in energy supplies and lowering of
interest rates, it failed to revive economic activity. The donor agencies
estimates present a GDP growth rate in the range of 4 to 4.3 per cent during
the current financial year.The government had set a growth target of 3.9 per
cent for the agriculture sector during the current financial year. The water
and fertilizer availability improved during the year. However, the growth of
main agriculture crops is assessed below one per cent.
The rice and cotton crops failed to achieve the
production target. Rice growth declined due to the glut of rice stocks for the
last two years. The cotton production on the other hand declined below 10
million bales as compared to 14 million bales last year due to pink bollworm
disease. The loss of 4 million bales of cotton would vanish out close to 0.5
per cent GDP growth.
The sugarcane and wheat crops remained closed
to the production target. But the crash of the commodity prices did not produce
positive results for the growers. The government may get some positive
agriculture growth through the livestock sector that has nearly half the share
in the sector.
The government agencies both at the federal and
provincial level failed to take appropriate measures against the cotton disease
that estimated caused a loss of Rs 100 billion to growers. The government
failed to provide export avenues to sell off surplus quantity of rice, wheat,
sugarcane and vast number of other vegetables and fruits.
The source said the large-scale manufacturing
sector yielded some improvement due to the reduction in load shedding but the
domestic demand remained suppressed due to the overall economic order. The PSM
nearly remained closed throughout the year.
U of A Chancellor to visit Stuttgart
Steinmetz will be at the Riceland Foods Dinner from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 and he will be at the Dale Bumpers Rice Research Center and will tour the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18.
By Submitted for Stuttgart Daily Leader
Posted May. 13, 2016 at 12:44 PM
STUTTGART —
The University of
Arkansas-Fayetteville (U of A) Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz will visit Stuttgart
at part of his five-day bus tour of Arkansas. Steinmetz, his wife Sandy, and
several U of A administrators are visiting more than a dozen locations during
the tour. Their trip to Stuttgart will be primarily focused on agriculture.Steinmetz
will be at the Riceland Foods Dinner from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 and
he will be at the Dale Bumpers Rice Research Center and will tour the Arkansas
Agricultural Experiment Station from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18.
Steinmetz is traveling Arkansas
to get to know his new home state and the diverse needs and interests of
Arkansans. Steinmetz spent his first five months as chancellor meeting with all
75 academic departments and centers, hundreds of faculty, students and staff at
the U of A, and he continues to visit with state leaders and alumni to sharpen
his vision for the future of the state’s flagship institution.
“I want to learn more about the
people and the places that make Arkansas so unique,” Steinmetz said. “The best
way to do that is to visit them. I don’t expect to learn everything in five
days — we certainly won’t be seeing everything there is to see. But this marks
a beginning. I hope to make this a regular event.”
Steinmetz will also be visiting
Fort Smith, Hope and Texarkana on May 16; El Dorado on May 17; Helena-West
Helena and Newport on May 18; Searcy and Little Rock on May 19; and Little
Rock, Conway and Altus before returning to Fayetteville on May 20.
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