After failure of crops of cotton, maize and rice that affected the GDP
growth for the current financial year, Federal Minister for Finance Senator
Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review the provision of agriculture
credit, particularly by public sector banks to the farmers to increase
agriculture production. The secretary finance, deputy governor State Bank of
Pakistan, CEOs of National Bank of Pakistan and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
and senior officials of the ministry of finance attended the meeting.
In the meeting, issues pertaining to the agriculture sector, particularly
losses incurred by the agriculturists in respect of cotton and rice crops were
discussed. It was also pointed out that the mark-up rates charged on
agriculture credit by the banks need to be reviewed. In view thereof, the
finance minister urged upon the public sector financial institutions like NBP
and ZTBL to review the mark-up rates for agriculture credit, particularly in
view of the reduction in overall policy rate recently announced by the State
Bank of Pakistan.
The heads of the banks assured that they would immediately finalise specific
measures for increasing availability of agricultural credit and rationalise
mark-up rates which will enhance agricultural growth in the country
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/05/25/city/islamabad/dar-orders-availability-of-agricultural-credit-to-farmers/
The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) informed the Senate Committee on
Industries and Production that it has constituted as many as nine monitoring
teams besides designating 153 officials for effective monitoring of Ramzan
Package during the holy month of Ramazan.The Senate Committee, which met here
under chairmanship of Senator Hidayatullah, was attended by Senators Mrs
Khalida Parveen, Chaudhry Tanvir Khan, Mst Kalsoom Parveen, Mian Muhamamd Ateeq
Shaikh, Khanzada Khan and Mohsin Aziz.USC Managing Director Gulzar Hussain Shah
informed the committee that the ministry of industries and production would
also constitute monitoring teams of other departments under its control to
ensure the relief reaches to the deserving.
In addition, a separate operation room will be
set up at USC Head Office, Islamabad, to receive complaints related to pricing,
quality and non-availability of commodities at the outlets.
Hussain informed the committee that the USC would
provide subsidy on 22 items to facilitate people during the holy month.
Talking about the distribution system, he said
that the subsidised items would be available on 5,455 utility store outlets all
across the country. In addition, the items would also be made available at 300
Ramazan Bazaars established all across Punjab.
He informed the committee that utility ghee/oil
will be available from Rs 115-125 per kg compared to 125-175 per kg market prices,
dall channa would be available at Rs 120 per kg compared to 150-160 per kg in
the open market, dall moong (washed) at Rs 148 per kg compared to Rs170-180 per
kg while dall mash (washed) would be available at Rs273 per kg compared to
Rs280-290 per kg in the market.
Similarly, dall masoor would be sold at Rs115 per kg compared to Rs160-180
per kg in the market, white gram at Rs115 per kg compared to Rs160-180 per kg
in the market, Basen at Rs120 per kg against Rs155-160 per kg, black gram at
Rs110 per kg against Rs140-145 per kg, Sella broken at Rs40 per kg compared to
Rs55-60 per kg whereas mash shell per kg would be available at Rs258 compared
to Rs270-280 per kg.
Likewise, Masoor (whole) would be provided at Rs120 per kg against Rs145-155
per kg, dates at Rs160 per kg against 200-240 per kg, rice (super basmati) at
Rs 72 per kg against Rs 80 to 100 per kg, rice (super sella) at Rs72 per kg
against Rs80-100 per kg, broken rice would be available at Rs48 per kg against
Rs55-60 per kg, squashes and syrups (1500ml) at Rs265 against Rs295, squashes
and syrups (800ml) at Rs152 against Rs170, black tea at Rs603 per kg against
Rs690 per kg, milk (tetra pack) at Rs102 liter kg against 110 per liter while
all USC spices would be available on 10 per cent discount.
The MD USC said that as much as Rs1751.13 million subsidy would be provided
on these items compared to subsidy of Rs 1134.272 million in 2015, Rs 1316.144
in 2014 and Rs 1795.791 in 2013.
Kampala — Uganda spends about $105m (Shs367b) every
month in transport costs to import rice from Pakistan, yet this money could
improve the welfare of Ugandans, an outgoing minister has said.While signing
off a farming partnership between rice farmers in the country and Kingdom Rice,
a new rice milling factory on Tuesday in Namanve Industrial Park, outgoing
State minister for Investment Gabriel Ajedra said Uganda has no reason to continue
being ranked among poor countries of the world because the money Uganda loses
to purchase and transport food like rice that can be locally grown here,
explains the amount of money we waste as a country.
"Last week at the World
Economic Forum, it was noted that in 2020, there is going to be a global food
crisis and interestingly, Uganda was mentioned among the six countries in the
world which can avert it if only they fixed their agricultural systems,"
he said.
Explaining the Shs367b bill,
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner customs field services Stephen
Magera, who attended the meeting said every month, URA receives 300,000 metric
tonnes of rice imported from Pakistan and another 25,000 metric tonnes from
Tanzania yet the cost of transporting a metric tonne of rice together with
other logistical arrangement is $350 (Shs1.2m) without the actual cost of the
rice.
On the same day, Uganda
Development Bank and Kingdom Rice signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which
the bank is going to capitalise the rice company to help it raise rice
production in the country.
Wednesday, 25 May 2016 21:07
HANOI:
Thai rice prices held steady at a two-year high on limited supply as drought
cut output, while Vietnamese rice eased slightly on expectations of fresh
grain, traders said on Wednesday. Quotations for Thai 5-percent broken rice
stood at $418-$420 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, unchanged from last
week when the prices hit the highest since May 11, 2014. "Output is still
very low because of drought, and it is hard to find rice to buy," said
Kiattisak Kallayasirivat, a Bangkok-based director at Ascend Commodities-SA.
Limited
stock should continue to drive prices further, which could in turn prevent
fresh purchases, he said. Kiattisak has forecast prices to rise to $500 per
tonne over the next two months. "Now that prices are at a two-year high,
exporters are also holding on to their stocks," he said.
"They
see that prices are more likely to go up." Regional thin demand has also
affected Vietnam's rice exports, with the market near a standstill, even though
export prices have eased as the early harvest of the summer-autumn crop will
bring fresh grain soon, traders said.
A drop
in demand from the Philippines and China affected Vietnam's grain sales,
exporters said.
Vietnam,
the world's third largest rice exporter after India and Thailand, will ship an
estimated 2.35 million tonnes of the grain between January and May, down 2.1
percent from a year ago, the Agriculture Ministry said on Wednesday.
China,
which buys half of its annual rice imports from Vietnam, has been keeping its
borders shut to the Vietnamese grain since late March. The 5-percent broken
rice, using winter-spring grain, eased to $375-$380 a tonne, FOB Saigon Port,
from $380-$385 last Wednesday, and prices for the grade using summer-autumn
grain also eased to $365-$368 a tonne, from $370-$375 a week ago.
"The
next harvest has not started so supply is tight, but the prospect of fresh rice
coming soon has helped soften the prices," a trader in Ho Chi Minh City
said. Despite a slow export flow, Vietnam's rice shipment is expected to pick
up pace in the second half of 2016, mostly due to China's purchase, which is
often conducted late in the year, the Vietnam Food Association said. China's
rice imports in the October 2015/September 2016 crop year is forecast to jump
55 percent to 5.3 million tonnes, according to Shanghai JC Intelligence Co.
http://www.brecorder.com/markets/commodities/asia/298268-asia-rice-thai-prices-steady-on-limited-supply-vietnam-rates-ease.html
Local farmers take part in
rice farm research tour
Wednesday, May 25th 2016, 9:36 pm PKTThursday,
May 26th 2016, 4:17 am PKT
By Liz Koh, Reporter
Southwest Louisiana Rice Farm Research Tour
(Source: Liz Koh/KPLC)
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
(KPLC) -
According
to the LSU AgCenter, when it comes to rice production, Louisiana ranks third
nationwide."Our goal as researchers is to maintain and increase economic
viability of this rice industry as a whole," said Steve Linscombe,
director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.Linscombe and his team are
making their rounds in north and south Louisiana to relay their research
findings to rice farmers.
Southwest
Louisiana took part in a rice farm research tour Wednesday at
Jimmy Hoppe's Farm near Iowa.
"It's
a good opportunity for the producers of the parish to come out and see the
different varieties grown here in their parish, on their soils. It's a good
opportunity for the farmers to see what the LSU AgCenter is doing on a local
level," said Frances Guidry, LSU AgCenter's assistant county agent.
The scientists
discussed variety development updates, the control of weeds,
fertilization along with insects and diseases.
"One
of the main functions of the rice research station is to develop new varieties
for our rice producers here in Louisiana and it's a very time consuming large
project," said Linscombe. "On average a new variety takes about
seven years from the initial work we do is making a cross between two current
varieties and we have to go through at least about three or four generations of
segregation to get to the yielding stage. We want at least three years worth of
yield data before we'll make a decision on releasing a new variety."
Linscombe
described a new variety as a specific type of long or medium-grain of rice.
Even
though the process takes a while, researches hope the results will
continue to open more doors for economic opportunity in the area.
"It's
extremely important, not only for rice producers but for related industries,
for fertilizer salesmen, for the rice mills, for exporting facilities. A lot of
rice goes through the Port of Lake Charles so it's a huge economic impact
across the board for this region of the state," he said.
Paul
Johnson is a rice grower from Welsh. He has farms in Jeff Davis and Cameron
parishes.
"I
try to make every field day that I'm able to. Obviously this is a very busy
time of the year for us, but anytime I can come out here and learn something, I
take the opportunity to," said Johnson. "What really peaked my
interests was the talk about the Provisia
technology. With all of the problems we're having with weeding and outcross
rice, that's something to look forward to in the future."
For more
information about LSU AgCenter's research, click HERE .
http://www.kplctv.com/story/32062784/local-farmers-take-part-in-rice-farm-research-tour
Rice, rice paradise?
The increase in wealth in Asia has led to a
rise in the consumption of processed and refined food and has resulted in
diseases such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure becoming more
common.
The Straits Times
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
The New Paper
By Tracy Low
The
Health Promotion Board recently targeted white rice in its war against
diabetes. Here's a look at the nutritional value of five types of rice commonly
available in Singapore
What is
glycaemic index?
The
glycaemic index (GI) refers to the ranking of different types of carbohydrates
and how quickly they increase one's blood sugar.
On a scale of 0 to 100, the GI is split into three levels: low (0 to 55),
medium (56 to 69) and high (70 to 100).
Low GI
food raises blood glucose level more slowly than high GI food.
GLUTINOUS
RICE
Photo: RedMart
Also
known as sticky rice, this rice is used to make the Thai dessert mango sticky
rice and the Chinese dumpling (bak chang).
Glutinous
rice requires less water to grow and thus is primarily grown on lowlands and uplands.
Brands
available: SongHe, New Moon, Sun Eagle, Jeon Won, PaddyKing
Nutritional
information: Glutinous rice is gluten-free and has the highest GI level.
GI
level: 86
CALROSE
RICE
Photo: RedMart
Originating
from California, this medium grain rice can be used to make sushi. The
"Cal" in Calrose stands for California.
Agricultural
researchers developed the rice after World War II to meet particular conditions
for fertilising, pesticides, frugal use of water and mechanical harvesting.
Brands
available: Australian Kangaroo and PaddyKing
GI
level: 81
JASMINE
RICE
Photo: RedMart
Originating from South-east Asia, this long
grain rice is probably the most common type of white rice eaten in most
households.
It is
also known as khao hom mali (Thai for jasmine rice) and is imported mainly from
Thailand.
This
aromatic rice is commonly used in Asian cuisines.
Brands
available: Royal Umbrella, SongHe, Golden Peony, New Moon, Golden Phoenix,
Golden Eagle, Double F.K. AAA
Nutritional
information: High in starch content, raises blood sugar levels and insulin in
blood. People with diabetes should cut down their intake.
GI
level: 78
BROWN
RICE
Photo: RedMart
Cultivated
in various parts of South-east Asia, brown rice is an excellent source of fibre
as it still has its bran and germ.
It is
often used as a healthy substitute for white rice and can be eaten with a
variety of dishes.
Brands
available: Heavenly, Golden Peony, New Moon, SongHe, Golden Phoenix, Origins
Healthfood, Naturel, Diamond G
Nutritional
information: Good source of vitamins such as magnesium, vitamin B6 and
manganese, which contribute to maintaining healthy bone structure and
metabolism.
GI
level: 65
BASMATI
RICE
Photo: RedMart
Considered
as the "supergrain" of rice, basmati rice hails from the Himalayas in
northern India and Pakistan.
This
long grain rice is commonly used in Middle Eastern, Indian and Persian cuisines
such as nasi briyani.
Brands
available: Kohinoor and Tilda
Nutritional
information: High in carbohydrates and vitamins such as iron and B vitamins. It
is also free from gluten and cholesterol, and low in fat.
GI
level: 64
All
of the products mentioned are available online on RedMart.
The
glycaemic index levels are provided by the Temasek Polytechnic's Glycemic Index
Research Unit.
Good and bad foods for diabetics
Click on
thumbnail to view. Story continues after photos.
(Photos:
NST, ST, Reuters, Shutterstock.com)
Low GI
white bread to reduce diabetes risk
Biotechnology
company Holista Colltech has come up with a formula for low glycaemic index
(GI) white bread, where the low sugar and carbohydrate content is aimed at
reducing the risk of diabetes.
Holista
will partner Swiss speciality bakery ingredients supplier Veripan AG to
manufacture the new low GI bread, Panatura GI.
Holista
said that its scientifically-based study confirms that white bread mixed with
its proprietary GI lite formula and Veripan's natural sourdough, Panatura,
received a GI reading of 53, the lowest level achieved in clean-label white
bread.
Holista
chief executive Rajen Marnicka and Veripan chief executive officer Meiert
Grootes hope to make Singapore a launchpad in Asia for their low GI white
bread.
Mr
Grootes said that Singapore has the right infrastructure and a supportive
government to create the perfect environment for further research and
development.
The
partners are looking into producing other low GI food such as noodles and rice.
"A
bowl of rice is equivalent to 10 teaspoons of sugar," said Dr Rajen,
adding that "consumers are uneducated about the dangers of rice".
SWEET
"When
ordering lunch, people order tea that is less sweet, but add more rice to their
plate," said Dr Rajen.
"They
do not understand that essentially, rice is sugar."
The
increase in wealth in Asia has led to a rise in the consumption of processed
and refined food and has resulted in diseases such as diabetes, obesity and
high blood pressure becoming more common.
Dr Rajen
and Mr Grootes are focusing on the industrialisation of healthy carbohydrates
and maintaining price competitiveness of these foods.
"If
you provide good pricing, there is no need for so much education to make the jump,"
said Dr Rajen.
A
consumer is more likely to switch to healthier products if the price is
relatively lower.
- This
story first appeared in The Business Times on May 24. It has been edited for
length
http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/content/rice-rice-paradise#sthash.OSkvEmxz.dpuf
India’s Monsoon Seen Strongest in 22 Years as
La Nina Looms
May
24, 2016 — 4:45 PM PKT Updated on May
24, 2016 — 7:19 PM PKT
India is set for the highest monsoon
rainfall since 1994 as the odds of a La Nina increase, boosting planting of
rice, corn and oilseed crops.The precipitation during the four-month rainy
season starting in June is seen at 109 percent of the average of about 89
centimeters (35 inches), more than the 105 percent predicted in April, Skymet Weather Services Pvt. ,
a New Delhi-based private forecaster, said on its website on Tuesday. The
forecast has a margin of error of 4 percent. That’s more than the 106 percent
estimated by the state-run India Meteorological Department.
The prediction for above normal downpour for
the first time since 2013 is seen boosting prospects of agricultural production
and ease an acute drinking water shortage caused by back-to-back droughts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is counting on a normal monsoon to
sustain economic growth and contain food costs after the lowest rainfall since
2009 hurt rice, corn, sugar-cane and oilseed crops last year.
“The
El Nino is tapering off and it will collapse after the onset of monsoon,” Jatin
Singh, Skymet’s chief executive said in the statement. “There are more chances
of getting into La Nina in the later part of this year.”
La Nina
The
tropical Pacific Ocean is in a neutral state and outlooks suggest little chance
of indicators returning to El Nino levels, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology
said Tuesday. That means mid-May marks the end
of the event that reduced Indian rainfall, parched farmland in Asia and curbed
cocoa production in parts of Africa.
Weather
watchers are now waiting for La
Nina , a cooling of the tropical Pacific sometimes thought of as El
Nino’s opposite. La Nina typically brings more rain to parts of Asia, including
India. Based on the 26 El Nino events since 1900, about 50 percent have been
followed by a neutral year with 40 percent by La Nina, according to the
Australian bureau.
QuickTake
India's Monsoon
The
monsoon affects both summer and winter crop sowing in India, and waters more
than half of all farmland. Rainfall was 14
percent below a 50-year average in 2015, following a 12 percent
shortfall in 2014, data from the meteorological department show. Rains will
arrive in Kerala on June 7 compared with the normal onset date of June 1,
according to the weather office.
The area
under various monsoon-sown grain crops is set to increase by as much as 20
percent, boosting production to around 129 million tons to 130 million tons,
Skymet said. The country produced 124 million tons of food grain during the
rainy season in 2015, according to farm ministry data. Planting of soybeans,
peanuts, pulses may climb while the area under cotton will probably reduce
marginally, and the area under sugar cane may remain the same as previous year,
Skymet said
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-24/india-s-monsoon-rain-seen-strongest-in-22-years-as-la-nina-looms
Drought affected plantains and rice crops
Santo
Domingo.- International organization Oxfam, through its Dominican Republic
office, presented a report Wednesday on the effects of the drought on plantain
crops in the province of Bahoruco and rice in San Pedro de Macorís, during
2015.According to Oxfam’s Humanitarian Action Coordinator in the DR, Carlos
Arenas, the report “Up to Our Necks in Drought” shows how last year’s drought
had a considerable effect on the rice and plantain crops, leading to economic
losses for low-income farmers.
He also commented that while the country was
still suffering the effects of the drought just two months ago, it is now
experiencing flooding, which he described as "a demonstration of the
consequences of climate change."Arenas called on the authorities to work
to mitigate the effects of drought and to reduce the threat of climate change.
The report was presented during an event held at the Sheraton Hotel.
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2016/5/25/59410/Drought-affected-plantains-and-rice-crops
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers
Alliance Shares Consumer Research, a Good Road Map Forward
CHICAGO, IL -- USA Rice
participated in the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance's (USFRA) second
annual Research Workshop and first-ever Sustainability Summit here last week,
where exhaustive and interesting consumer research across the agriculture and
food chain was shared.
USFRA surveyed 1,000 millennials
(both parents and non-parents), general consumers, and a group of influential
consumers they term "Consumer Food Connectors," or CFCs. CFCs
are 21-65 years old, well-educated, interested in government policy and current
events, and engaged in advocacy activities related to food and the food
industry on a regular basis. As such, USFRA finds this subgroup, about 10
percent of the population, to be much more engaged and influential on key ag
and food issues.
"The CFCs are an important
audience for us all. They are more opinionated, and even though they
aren't always correct, they are a good indicator for us of where the general
public will be in the future," said Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president
of marketing, communications, and domestic promotion, who attended the
event. "The USFRA research shows 54 percent of consumers say they
care about sustainability, but 72 percent of CFCs do so I'd expect this issue
to continue to grow in importance and visibility."
Klein went on to say that the
challenge as demonstrated by the USFRA research, and USA Rice's own consumer
research, is that defining the concept of "sustainability" is no easy
task.
"The USFRA research showed
about half of consumers couldn't say what sustainability means to them - even
though they also say it's important," he said. "I'd say U.S.
rice farmers are pretty sustainable today - producing more rice on less land,
with less water and energy, all while providing critical wildlife
habitat. But the USFRA research, asking about all farming and ranching
(not singling out rice), shows only about half of consumers believe today's
practices are sustainable."
Klein says the agriculture industry
clearly has a long way to go but that the USFRA research is invaluable in
showing the path forward.
"One thing I found
particularly enlightening was the notion that consumers like looking forward,
but have a hard time looking back. When we say things like, 'we're
borrowing this land from future generations,' or that 'we intend to leave this
land better for our children than it was when we received it,' consumers
connect and like it. But when we say things like, 'this farm has been in
my family for four generations - how could it not be sustainable?' they don't
always get it."
USFRA researchers suggested this is
because few consumers are a part of a family business that old, but whatever
the reason, the research does help find the sweet spot of communicating
positive ag messages with consumers.
Klein concluded, "As USA Rice
works to broaden our understanding of consumer perceptions and what drives
consumer behavior, these findings coupled with our own, are quite useful."
USA Rice
Daily
Rice growers wrap up
near-normal planting season
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Capital
Press
Published
on May 24, 2016 4:25PM
Tim Hearden/Capital Press
A rice field near Williams, Calif., is prepared
for planting in late April. Spring rains have given most growers in the
Sacramento Valley the water they needed for a near-normal planting season.
WILLIAMS,
Calif. — Rice growers in Northern California are wrapping up what turned out to
be a near-normal planting season, as spring rains enabled them to boost
acreage.
After
the big storms in March, the state’s rice acreage will likely end up near
500,000, said Charley Mathews, a Marysville, Calif., grower and USA Rice
Federation executive committee member.
That’s
up significantly from the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s prediction
in early March that growers would seed rice on 427,000 acres, only 1 percent
above the acreage seeded last year.
“Everything
changed in about a two-week period,” Mathews said.
The
early estimate was based on a survey of growers done before the March rains
materialized, Mathews said. Though many Northern California growers are getting
their full allocations of surface water this year, reduced prices and lingering
uncertainty among water suppliers caused farmers to initially be conservative
in their planting plans.
Thanks
to improved rainfall and recovering reservoirs, farmers now say they’re back to
planting more of a normal crop this season, the California Farm Bureau
Federation reports.
The
plantings come even though a global surplus in rice is still weighing down
prices and California farmers are facing more competition from farmers in other
parts of the world growing medium-grain rice, the Farm Bureau notes.
Rice
averaged $376.05 per metric ton in April, up slightly from $370.48 in March but
down significantly from a peak of more than $600 per metric ton in 2011 and
2012, according to the IndexMundi online data portal.
The
near-normal plantings follow drought-diminished seasons in 2014 and 2015, when
growers in the Golden State planted 431,000 acres and about 370,000 acres,
respectively, according to NASS.
Growers
encountered occasional showers during this year’s planting, but they didn’t put
the season significantly behind schedule.
“Rain
during the springtime is spotty as some areas get more than others,” Mathews said.
“I think we’ll harvest on time. We’re a little later than last year
planting-wise, but depending on what the summer does I think we’ll be fine.”
http://www.capitalpress.com/California/20160524/rice-growers-wrap-up-near-normal-planting-season
AIREA All India Rice Exporters Association :
Yes, Rice Has Arsenic, but Here's Why You Don't Need to Panic
05/25/2016 | 04:06am EDT
The report late last
month that babies fed heavily on rice have higher concentrations of arsenic in
their bodies sent shivers through parents worldwide. It is true that rice
naturally contains high concentrations of arsenic relative to other grains, but
overall, rice is not the new cigarette and an easy cooking tip can minimize the
amount of arsenic in grains generally and rice in particular.
And one can feed the kids rice, as long as one feeds the kids other things too.
It is true that arsenic is not benign. A Dartmouth study earlier this year
found that eating even low levels of the mineral by overweight women can reduce
the birth weight and length of baby girls, though their baby boys may be longer.
Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that exposure to arsenic
during pregnancy and in infancy can impair a child's performance on certain
developmental tests.
The FDA doesn't suggest that people forgo rice,
but is belatedly proposing to cap the amount of inorganic arsenic that
rice-based baby food may contain. In contrast to organic arsenic (often found
in seafood, for instance), inorganic arsenic is not easily flushed from the
body.
The Israeli consumption directives are broken down by inorganic (the more
hazardous type) and organic. In Israel, the Health Ministry has published
detailed directives regarding maximal permissible amounts of most heavy metals
in different foods, including for babies and children. Their directives cover
inorganic arsenic in various categories of food and were most recently updated
this very month (the last update had been in 2009), the ministry told Haaretz.
Basically, the Israeli directives are the same as Europe's, it says. Arsenic,
arsenic everywhere Arsenic is a common mineral in the soil and water.
Some take up less, some take up more. Rice
takes up more, relative to, for instance, millet and quinoa. Consumer Reports
found measurable levels of arsenic in almost all the 60 rice types it checked,
noting that the mineral is also found in rice pasta, drinks and cereals. The
worst offender is brown rice, which has the highest values of 'good' minerals
of all the rices but also the highest concentration of inorganic arsenic.
(Organic rice is supposed to have lesser amounts of pesticides, not natural
toxins like arsenic, by the way.) Processed foods made from rice, including
baby food, also contain arsenic, which has long been associated with heightened
risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as heart disease and type 2
diabetes.
A rice vendor in Thailand, selling different
species of rice, each of which commands a different price. And each of which
would have a different endemic concentration of arsenic.Reuters But how serious
is the danger? Should we forgo our biriyani and rice cakes? Not so fast.
Cooking it away 'It's easy to deal with arsenic. It's soluble in water,' points
out Mariana Urbach, head dietitian at Clalit Health Services. Whatever rice
you're preparing, be it high-arsenic brown or low-arsenic basmati, to minimize
arsenic content, wash the rice first, Urbach says.
Cook six cups of water to one cup of rice, discard all the water during the
process and replace it with two cups of fresh water. Finish cooking. Rinse the
finished product in yet more water. Ta da. This cooking method will also
discard some nutrients, but you can't have it all. And if you can't be bothered
to monkey with your rice? Putting things into proportion, the FDA estimates
that exposure to arsenic in rice and rice products causes about four cases of
lung and bladder cancer over the lifetime for every 100,000 Americans. In other
words, the rice habit is responsible for a fraction of 1% of America's lung and
bladder cancer cases.
Meanwhile, in a draft guidance to baby cereal
manufacturers, the FDA recommends equating American restrictions on inorganic
arsenic to European levels: no more than 100 parts per billion. Should pregnant
women abstain from rice, especially brown rice, despite its nutritional kick?
'I think that rice can be part of a healthy diet,' Diane Gilbert-Diamond,
assistant professor of epidemiology at Dartmouth and lead author of 'Relation
Between in Utero Arsenic Exposure and Birth Outcomes in a Cohort of Mothers and
Their Newborns from New Hampshire', published in Environmental Health
Perspectives, told Haaretz. 'But I think it's important to eat a varied diet.
Rather than only eating rice as a grain, pregnant women should eat a variety of
grains and foods, which can help minimize their health risk. It's the best way
to get a combination of nutrients as well.' For baby: Once a day Harvesting
rice in Thailand: People love rice but rice loves arsenic.
It now turns out that even low amounts of
arsenic can affect birth weight.Bloomberg The FDA stresses that it isn't
suggesting people change their rice consumption habits. It is, the organization
says, just providing 'targeted information for pregnant women and infants to
help reduce exposure'. Note however, that feeding rice cereal to babies can be
proportionally different than feeding it to adults. Relative to body weight,
rice consumption for infants in a meal - mainly in rice porridges, drinks and
cereal - can be about three times greater than for adults, the FDA explains.
Consumer Reports for recommends that babies average no more than one serving of
rice porridge a day, and that parents be diligent about giving them variety in
their grains. Question of origin You might prefer to buy a type of rice with
lesser arsenic content. Good luck figuring out which it is. First of all, bags
of rice don't come with little DIY testing kits for toxins. Secondly, in
today's globalized world, we may not know where the bag came from.
Under Israeli law, a food importer must cite
the country of origin on labeling. But we still can't know in what part of that
country the rice was grown or where the irrigation water comes from. Is the
water laden with arsenic? Does the land have other toxins, like Chernobyl has
radioactive ions in the soil, as Urbach points out? 'The source of rice
imported to Israel is the same countries that export rice to all the world
markets,' the Health Ministry told Haaretz. 'Food products imported to Israel
are sampled and checked randomly for various contaminants, including heavy
metals, before their arrival in Israel.' So wash your rice first and cook it
with lots of water. And stay in proportion. Almonds are chock full of cyanide
but Israelis eat them by the ton and death by macaroon is not an issue
Rice sold on government
auctions cannot be delivered because of different qualities
Rice
sold on government auctions cannot be delivered because of different qualities
BANGKOK:
— Rice traders who have won the auctions for government rice are unable to take
delivery of the grains because they do not meet the specifications specified in
the the bidding terms of reference, said Mrs Duangporn Rodpayat,
director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, on Tuesday.
She
disclosed that the rice stored in some warehouses was different from type put
on auction. “For instance, we put on auction 5 percent rice but the buyers
found out that the rice in the warehouse was different. Or in the latest case,
we put on auction sticky rice. But the buyers found out they were rotten rice,”
she said. Asked how come? Mrs Duangporn blamed the
warehouse owners and the surveyors for not checking the rice bought by the
previous government that were kept in their warehouses whether they met with
the specifications or not.
Asked
why the discrepancy was not detected before the auctions were staged by the
government, she admitted that officials concerned only made random inspection
of the rice for auctions because they could not examine all the rice in the
warehouses.
However,
she said that the Public Warehouse Organistion and the Market Organisation for
Farmers, the two state-owned organizations, had been told by the Commerce
Ministry to address the problem for the successful rice bidders.
She
suggested that the warehouse owners and the surveyors would have to be held
accountable for the discrepancy on the qualities of the grains because the
successful bidders would have to export the rice to their customers within the
timeframe as agreed upon.
Source:
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/164651
Govt hopes over 270-mn tonne
foodgrains production in 2016-17
IFFCO slashes price of DAP
fertiliser by Rs 50 per bag to Rs 1,200 as a gift to farmers
India
hopes to produce a record over 270 million tonnes of foodgrains in 2016-17, almost
18 million tonnes more than the third advanced estimate of 2015-16 if monsoons
turn out as per expectation. According to agriculture minister Radha Mohan
Singh, rice production has been targeted at 108.50 million tonnes, while wheat
production has been targeted at 96.50 million tonnes. Wheat production in
2015-16 is expected to be over 94 million tonnes.Meanwhile, in a related
development, fertiliser major IFFCO today slashed the price
of DAP fertiliser by Rs 50 per bag to Rs 1,200 as a gift to the farmers as the
cooperative is entering its golden jubilee year. Di-ammonia phosphate (DAP) is
the most widely used fertiliser after urea.Iffco has five fertiliser plants in
the country and it has a combined capacity of 4.24 million tonnes of urea and
4.38 million tonnes of complex fertilisers.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-hopes-over-270-mn-tonne-foodgrains-production-in-2016-17-116052501609_1.html
IRRI warns of
another rice shortage
12:18 AM May
25th, 2016
The
combined stock of milled rice held by the world’s top five exporters has gone
down to the bare minimum and the monsoon season setting in could push the world
market toward another supply shortage like in 2007 and 2008.Samerandu Mohanty,
head of the International Rice Research Institute’s social science division,
Tuesday said the inventory of India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and United
States “can’t go down further.”Mohanty said the coming rainy season—and
especially the possible onset of La Niña—would test the mettle of these
exporters.
“Right
now, these countries were not restricting exports, they seemed to have learned
their lesson,” he said, referring to the cause of the shortage that caused a
price spike almost a decade ago.Mohanty recalled India and Vietnam restricting
exports back then as stocks declined. This caused prices to skyrocket as
importers like the Philippines scrambled to secure supplies.“While current
supplies were still enough, we could not afford any more crop losses after
losses due to El Niño,” he said. “The exporters could panic again, which would
bring us back to a shortage crisis.”
Citing data from the United States Department of Agriculture, Mohanty
said the top five exporters’ combined inventory peaked at about 41 million tons
in 2013.However, USDA data showed the stock might shrink this year by 40
percent to 19 million tons from 32 million tons in 2015. This would mean the
tightest supply situation since the crisis of 2007-2008.According to the IRRI,
addressing a repeat crisis required joint action among the different countries,
particularly the Asean+3 (the Philippines included) and India
http://business.inquirer.net/210544/irri-warns-of-another-rice-shortage#ixzz49kpzrL8W
Ministry Finishes Valuing
Rice Exporters
Khmer Times/Chea Vannak
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries has finished its evaluation of rice producers and processors that
have registered to export milled rice to China, checking to see if they comply
with the hygiene laws in China.Hean Vanhan, the director general of the
ministry’s Agriculture Department, said the ministry has sent a letter to
Chinese authorities reporting the results of the evaluation of rice producers,
millers and processors and the next step is for Chinese officers to come and audit
those companies.Six officials from China’s General Administration of Quality
Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) will spend 14 days carrying out
audits and evaluations of registered rice producing companies, rice processors
and warehouses, Mr. Vanhan said.
Last December, China asked Cambodia to evaluate
its rice exporters to determine whether they adhered to the hygiene laws in
China, because officials in the world’s second largest economy did not trust
all of the 71 rice exporters registered with the Ministry of Commerce.“During
the valuation period, we valued rice processors and warehouses, focusing on the
standards required under the hygiene laws in China,” Mr. Vanhan said.The
ministry’s letter mentioned 36 rice companies having complied with Chinese
standards. A total of 24 of them were rice millers, four were rice processors
and eight were rice traders, he said.
“Now we are preparing to receive the Chinese officials on their visit to
re-audit the more than 36 companies,” Mr. Vanhan said, adding that the visit
would be made in the country’s harvesting season, which runs from October to
November.Sok Puthyvuth, the President of the Cambodia Rice Federation, told
Khmer Times recently that the CRF has been working to solve issues to ensure
Cambodian rice adheres to standards. The federation has enlisted international
inspectors, the CRF’s representatives and people from the government
to make sure Cambodian rice complies with standards to meet the
purchasers’ demands, he said.
Mr. Puthyvuth said the audit will ensure
Cambodian rice follows standards and conditions set by China and will show
China that Cambodia has new processing and producing companies to build trust
with them when they buy rice.According to the CRF, China ordered about 100,000
tons of milled rice from Cambodia last year and another 100,000 tons this year,
and the experts expect that number to grow in the following years after the
audit and evaluation
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/25397/ministry-finishes-valuing-rice-exporters/
New Philippine president to
face early test over food security
Published: 08:01 GMT, 26 May 2016 | Updated: 08:01 GMT, 26 May 2016
By
Enrico Dela Cruz
MANILA,
May 26 (Reuters) - While Philippine elections this month were dominated by talk
about crushing crime, the next president faces another critical early test:
ensuring there is enough rice for the country's more than 100 million people.
The
Philippine crop is suffering mounting drought damage, just as the country's big
Asian rice suppliers also suffer from an El Nino weather pattern.
In a
country where rice accounts for about a quarter of the expenditure of the poor,
any supply disruptions are extremely sensitive. Big purchases by the world's
third-biggest importer can also send shockwaves through markets.
There
are now concerns that potentially vital imports may be delayed as the incoming
administration of Rodrigo Duterte, who campaigned on making food available and
affordable, looks to overhaul policies and review existing state purchase
plans.
"Now
is the right time to import as prices are starting to trend up," said
Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general for communication at the International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
In 2008,
lower Asian rice output also due to an El Nino prompted India to ban exports,
sparking panic measures in the Philippines - including ordering troops to
supervise subsidised rice sales and asking fast food chains to serve
half-portions.
Manila
also had to scramble to import more rice in 2014 after prices shot up due to
typhoon crop damage.
On May
13, Duterte's campaign spokesman Peter Lavina said an April plan to allow the
state buyer to import an additional 500,000 tonnes this year would be reviewed
and the administration would immediately talk to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia
on new deals.
Lavina
said the aim was to make the country self-sufficient in rice within one to two
years, but would still allow imports until this was achieved.
Duterte's
choice for agriculture minister, Emmanuel Pinol, has said the administration
will bar private traders from importing rice and put the task entirely in the
hands of the state grains agency, the National Food Authority (NFA), a move
that some traders say could stall imports.
"Many
traders were expecting the Philippines to make the large 500,000 tonnes
purchase shortly after approval was received, but no deals have happened, and
this is really adding some intrigue to the market," said James Fell, an
economist at the International Grains Council in London.
NFA
spokesman Angel Imperial said there was no urgent need to import given ample stocks.
April stocks can meet 99 days of consumption, up from March's 87 days, after
the delayed arrival of some rice imported last year.
Nonetheless,
there are concerns that time is running out for deals to safeguard stocks in
the lean harvest season beginning in July as the new government will not
officially take office until the end of June.
"It
will create supply problems if they don't buy until the end of June," said
a Singapore-based trader, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to
speak to media.
RICE
HARVEST SHRINKING
Local
rice prices have largely been stable in recent months, after authorities
aggressively boosted state reserves following price spikes in 2014.
But the
first-quarter rice harvest shrank nearly 10 percent from a year earlier to 3.9
million tonnes.
"Some
of the NFA's imported stocks are more than six months old so there's also a
need for them to immediately unload and then replenish," said Jaime
Magbanua, president of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines.
While an
El Nino is now weakening, farm officials have warned of more crop damage later
in the year when La Nina, the counterpart of El Nino, could develop and bring
intense rains.
"WATCHING
THE PHILIPPINES"
With no
import deals yet this year, the Philippines may need to boost 2016 imports to a
six-year high of 2 million tonnes, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) forecasts.
That is
as much as 300,000 tonnes higher than the NFA's initial 2016 import estimate.
It also comes as countries such as Indonesia and Iran are increasing purchases
and world rice production is forecast to decline for the first time since 2010.
Thai
rice prices hit a two-year high last week and have boosted prices
in Vietnam, the main supplier to the Philippines.
"Everybody
is watching the Philippines' moves in the open market, which could trigger
panic among buyers," IRRI's Tolentino said.
(Additional
reporting by Naveen Thukral in SINGAPORE; Editing by Ed Davies
Drought and government
inaction hit Cambodia’s rice industry hard
The effects of Cambodia’s
recent drought will serve to exacerbate existing structural weaknesses in the
rice sector, say experts
Squatting on a lawn chair in front of her shop
near Phnom Penh’s railway station, rice-vendor Ev does not seem too concerned
by the worst drought to hit Southeast Asia in more than 50 years. Poker-faced,
she brushes aside suggestions that the dry conditions could continue to put the
nation’s vulnerable
rice industry at risk – a crisis the Cambodian government has done
little to address.
Much to grain: rice vendor Ev sits in her shop
near Phnom Penh’s railway station. Photo: Paul Millar
“I never
think about government support,” she said. “The way I do my business only
depends on supply and demand.”For the Kingdom’s struggling rice-export
industry, though, the challenges of the future are harder to ignore.Despite a
rise in global rice prices of as much as 16%, Cambodia’s fragile rice sector is
in no position to take advantage of the high price its crop could command.
Despite
recent downfalls, the effects of the worst drought in half a century still
bite. There is simply not enough water for farmers to plant this year’s wet
season crop. This comes on the back of last year’s drought, when producers
reached just over half the government’s target of 1m tonnes.
For one
of the world’s top ten rice exporters – and a country where about half of the
population’s livelihoods are estimated to depend on the rice sector –
structural weaknesses continue to undermine what could be a flourishing
industry.
CEO of
Battambang Rice Investment Company Kann Kunthy says the global price rise is
far from ideal for farmers struggling to keep up with increased demand.
“It’s
not good because when you have drought, the yield is lower and the quality is
not good,” says Kann. “When you have a high price and the weather is good you
can store some … but if the weather is not good, you can get two tonnes at the
highest price but the quality itself does not justify the cost.”
Structural
inefficiencies and government negligence have exacerbated the drought’s
effects.
According
to the Asian Development Bank’s Chanthou Hem, Cambodia lacks the necessary
practical production systems, infrastructure and post-harvest mechanism. Added
to this has “a weak link between seed producers, paddy growers and processors
[millers] that will promote a secure and profitable system,” he told Southeast
Asia Globe in October.
High
transportation costs, often cited as a common roadblock to commerce in the
country, have made things worse. And in Cambodia, rice millers pay roughly
twice as much for electricity than in Vietnam and Thailand.
Kann
says that the government is not focused enough on the current rice predicament
– especially with the crucial commune and national elections coming up in 2017
and 2018 respectively. “You can see from the government level they are more
worried about the voting itself than the industry, at least for the short term
period,” he said.
Cambodia
also lacks the low-interest loans, government subsidies and bolstered
infrastructure of its neighbouring countries. “If you compare Cambodia to
Thailand and to Vietnam, their governments are proactive and they have a
surplus of financial support,” said Kann.
“Because
Cambodia is a less developed country, we don’t have a financial surplus to help
us,” Kann added. “And in order to make the Cambodian rice industry or the whole
[agricultural sector] competitive, they have to look at the energy costs,
transportation logistics and financial costs.”
Song
Saran, chairman of Amru Rice, the country’s biggest exporter, says that the
rice industry looks to the government to “reduce the cost of logistics and the
documentation and energy costs. So we hope the government will help support
us”.
While
rain showers are predicted for the next ten days, Cambodia’s Ministry of Water
Resources says that normal rain patterns will not return until July. Song
agreed. “Rain also may be delayed until July, so we’ll see this drought
continue,” said Song. “It’s still two months and too long [to wait] and the
farmers and the rice industry will suffer more.”
According
to Gianpetro Bordignon, the World Food Programme’s country director for
Cambodia, the level of rice exports in recent years has been lower then the
amount of marketable crop produced by farmers.
“There
is no reason why Cambodian rice should not be competitive to other purchases,”
he said. “It’s just an issue of other costs.”On the local level, this means that
rice vendors such as Ev and her customers are hit with high prices, roughly 10%
to 20% above the norm.But for Kann, the price of further inaction is one the
nation’s rice industry cannot afford to pay.“What is important is to save the
industry within a one- or two-year period,” he said. “Because we won’t have a
future if you cannot survive the next two years.”
http://sea-globe.com/cambodia-rice-industry/
Buying
house in capital region takes willingness to beat asking price
Real estate agent Mark Rice with the home he found for
clients on Livingstone Avenue North in Saanich. After a year of searching, Rice
says, "it was an emotional win for all of us." Photograph
By DARREN STONE, Times Colonist
Tearful Denise got in the first hug, followed by husband Chris
Elder. Both wrapped real estate agent Mark Rice in a tight embrace.
It was a big moment for the couple. After a year of viewing more than 100
houses, they finally found a home. They paid $750,000 for the three-bedroom
house with a yard in the Mount Douglas area — $75,000 over the asking price.
Denise is relieved their quest is over and that they will be able to return
to normal activities such as inviting friends over and talking about something
other than house-hunting. “We can start our lives again because you kind of put
it on hold.” The couple has been living in a one-bedroom basement suite with
their young son.
The Elders illustrate what buyers face in today’s competitive market, where
bidding wars are the new normal. Theirs was among six offers on the house.
Most open houses are busy events with steady streams of hopeful buyers. You
may well recognize those faces from previous open houses as inventory shrinks
and competition heats up.
It’s now common for selling prices to easily beat listed prices.
Chris Elder said house hunting was pretty much a non-stop endeavour
involving daily checks with their agent and frequent viewings. Last week alone,
Denise looked at eight houses. “It’s been what I do — I go to see houses.”
She was determined not to buy a house without doing due diligence first, but
said it takes fortitude to stick with that viewpoint. The couple has spent
about $3,000 on house inspections, checking out everything from the state of a
structure to its perimeter drains.
Their strategy paid off. The Elders take possession of their 1983-built home
on June 24. They are looking forward to living in the house with its sunny
yard.
“It was an emotional win for all of us,” said Rice of Re/Max Camosun. “We
worked very hard together for a long time.”
Rice also hosted an open house on a Fernwood rental property last weekend
and got 120 visitors. That home was listed for $699,000 and received six
offers. It was sold to one of those bidders for $775,000 with conditions, which
are due to come off on Friday.
Rice is seeing more rental properties come on the market because their
owners already have a place to live and are deciding to sell in the heated
market.
Sales numbers have been breaking records in the capital region, creating a sellers’
market.
One couple who walked into Rice’s open house Saturday asked about the
process of putting in an offer. Sellers frequently allow people to view homes
and then accept offers at a set date and time, rather than taking offers as
they come in.
“You list it, have an open house and sell it in a week [often well above
asking] ... that’s the market today,” said Rice.
A total of 1,286 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region in
April. That was a record number of sales for any month — and substantially more
than the 840 properties sold in the same month last year. The lack of inventory
is providing the fuel. There were 2,594 active listings for sale on the board’s
Multiple Listing Service at the end of April — 34 per cent fewer than the 3,945
active listings a year ago.
“As a consumer, it may pay to get creative, consider types of property and
locations you may have not originally identified,” board president Mike Nugent
said. “For example, condos and townhomes may be an alternative for first-time
buyers. Some locations in the Victoria area are under less pricing pressure.
Properties in the West Shore or Esquimalt are close to amenities, share the
same amazing weather as other nearby neighbourhoods.”
At an open house on Bank Street, Matt Eide of Newport Realty said
prospective buyers were given five days to view the property to “let everyone
get through” before offers were being considered. In the first hour of the open
house on Saturday, 25 people came through. However, “acceptable” offers didn’t
materialize.
It was a different story the weekend before, when Eide and Ole Schmidt of
Dutton’s Real Estate co-listed a 1960s home on Killarney Road in Cadboro Bay
for $699,000. It attracted 16 offers — nine without conditions. The modest
three-bedroom, two-bath home sold for $952,000 — an incredible $253,000 over
the asking price.
Eide said the property was purchased by a Vancouver buyer, but did not
provide further details.
“Six months ago, you would have got the asking price,” said Eide. “The market
has changed.”
Single-family houses with or without a suite in areas such as Fairfield, Oak
Bay, Saanich East and Gordon Head are among the most in demand, Eide said. With
the core heating up, demand has increased throughout the region. “Everywhere is
getting hot.”
Spillover from Vancouver, where the average house price is more than $1
million, and healthy economic indicators such as strong in-migration and a low
unemployment rate are all helping fuel the Greater Victoria housing market,
Eide said.
North Vancouver renters Grady and Julie Harris are relocating to Greater
Victoria to be closer to family. They have each lined up jobs here and are
seeking a house at a more affordable price than in the Lower Mainland.
Their search has seen them catch the ferry for seven weekends so far. Family
members here watch over their two young sons while they attend open houses.
Grady is a real estate agent with Sutton Group and has worked with two
buyers in Victoria who have found homes.
“We have lost out on six offers,” said a pragmatic Julie. “You just have to
trust that the right house is going to come up.”
Julie, a teacher, said it helps that she does not get emotionally attached
to a particular house they are considering.
Jill Stainforth of Victoria was at an open house in Victoria on Saturday on
behalf of younger family members who are trying to enter the market. But she
said they are finding it difficult to find something affordable and adequate.
In her case, she is listing a rental property for more than initially expected,
which makes her “ecstatic.”
The heat of the market has led some buyers to write offers without
conditions and without having a house checked by an inspector.
Building inspector Terry Chewka has been dropping by open houses to put the
word out about his new business. In some cases, buyers are so keen to purchase
a home that they forgo an inspection, he said.
In other cases, he’s called in after a sale to vet a house for insurance
purposes. In one instance, he was inspecting a house that was on the market
when another inspector came in to check it out for a different client.
cjwilson@timescolonist.com
http://www.timescolonist.com/business/buying-house-in-capital-region-takes-willingness-to-beat-asking-price-1.2262425#sthash.49aITHmV.dpuf
New Philippine president to face early test over food security
Published: 08:01 GMT, 26 May 2016 | Updated:
08:01 GMT, 26 May 2016
By Enrico Dela Cruz
MANILA, May 26 (Reuters) - While Philippine elections this month were
dominated by talk about crushing crime, the next president faces another
critical early test: ensuring there is enough rice for the country's more than
100 million people.
The Philippine crop is suffering mounting drought damage, just as the
country's big Asian rice suppliers also suffer from an El Nino weather pattern.
In a country where rice accounts for about a quarter of the expenditure of
the poor, any supply disruptions are extremely sensitive. Big purchases by the
world's third-biggest importer can also send shockwaves through markets.
There are now concerns that potentially vital imports may be delayed as the
incoming administration of Rodrigo Duterte, who campaigned on making food
available and affordable, looks to overhaul policies and review existing state
purchase plans.
"Now is the right time to import as prices are starting to trend
up," said Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general for communication at
the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
In 2008, lower Asian rice output also due to an El Nino prompted India to
ban exports, sparking panic measures in the Philippines - including ordering
troops to supervise subsidised rice sales and asking fast food chains to serve
half-portions.
Manila also had to scramble to import more rice in 2014 after prices shot up
due to typhoon crop damage.
On May 13, Duterte's campaign spokesman Peter Lavina said an April plan to
allow the state buyer to import an additional 500,000 tonnes this year would be
reviewed and the administration would immediately talk to Vietnam, Thailand and
Cambodia on new deals.
Lavina said the aim was to make the country self-sufficient in rice within
one to two years, but would still allow imports until this was achieved.
Duterte's choice for agriculture minister, Emmanuel Pinol, has said the
administration will bar private traders from importing rice and put the task
entirely in the hands of the state grains agency, the National Food Authority
(NFA), a move that some traders say could stall imports.
"Many traders were expecting the Philippines to make the large 500,000
tonnes purchase shortly after approval was received, but no deals have happened,
and this is really adding some intrigue to the market," said James Fell,
an economist at the International Grains Council in London.
NFA spokesman Angel Imperial said there was no urgent need to import given
ample stocks. April stocks can meet 99 days of consumption, up from March's 87
days, after the delayed arrival of some rice imported last year.
Nonetheless, there are concerns that time is running out for deals to
safeguard stocks in the lean harvest season beginning in July as the new
government will not officially take office until the end of June.
"It will create supply problems if they don't buy until the end of
June," said a Singapore-based trader, who declined to be named as he was
not authorised to speak to media.
RICE HARVEST SHRINKING
Local rice prices have largely been stable in recent months, after
authorities aggressively boosted state reserves following price spikes in 2014.
But the first-quarter rice harvest shrank nearly 10 percent from a year
earlier to 3.9 million tonnes.
"Some of the NFA's imported stocks are more than six months old so
there's also a need for them to immediately unload and then replenish,"
said Jaime Magbanua, president of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the
Philippines.
While an El Nino is now weakening, farm officials have warned of more crop
damage later in the year when La Nina, the counterpart of El Nino, could
develop and bring intense rains.
"WATCHING THE PHILIPPINES"
With no import deals yet this year, the Philippines may need to boost 2016 imports
to a six-year high of 2 million tonnes, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) forecasts.
That is as much as 300,000 tonnes higher than the NFA's initial 2016 import
estimate. It also comes as countries such as Indonesia and Iran are increasing
purchases and world rice production is forecast to decline for the first time
since 2010.
Thai rice prices hit a two-year high last week and have
boosted prices in Vietnam, the main supplier to the Philippines.
"Everybody is watching the Philippines' moves in the open market, which
could trigger panic among buyers," IRRI's Tolentino said.
(Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in SINGAPORE; Editing by Ed Davies
M.L. Panadda honors outstanding
agro-researchers
ไม่มีรายการวีดีโอ Date :
26 พฤษภาคม 2559
BANGKOK,
26 May 2016 (NNT) - Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office M.L.
Panadda Diskul has presided over a seminar on rice research in 2014 at Maruay
Garden Hotel, Bangkok. During the event, M.L. Panadda also presented
certificates of honor to outstanding agro-researchers whose works were deemed
helpful to the country’s development and are recognized at both national and
international levels.
The minister commented that the survival and
sustainability of the agricultural sector depends on research and new
technologies, as they enabled agriculturists to respond to market demand
efficiently. The event also featured an exhibition of selected papers for
academics, business operators, agriculturists and other interested parties, as
well as a forum for experts and those in the agricultural sector to exchange
ideas and share knowledge.
Information and Source
http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNSOC5905260010029#sthash.I4101uOe.dpuf
Quick vegetable pulao by
Indian cook Mallika Basu
Serve this pot of comfort goodness with a raita
and some pickle, says Mallika Basu
When
time is of the essence and a pot of comfort is badly needed, this delicately
fragrant vegetable pulao with hints of cinnamon and anise rises to the
occasion. I always have a sack of freshly frozen mixed vegetables at home, and
no matter what the sack comprises it packs one-pot-meal punch in this pulao,
especially when served with a raita and some pickle.
Pulao
originated in Persia, making its way to India via Muslim invaders who formed
the long lasting Mughal Empire, leaving a lasting and delectable impact on the
cuisine of India. Pulao is not to be confused with biryani, which is a far more
aromatic, lavish and painstaking preparation of layered meat and rice.
Ingredients (feeds 2)
•
1 cup raw Basmati rice
•
Half tbsp ghee
•
1 inch cinnamon
•
1 star anise
•
1 black cardamom
•
1 bay leaf
•
Half tsp whole cumin
•
1.5 cups mixed frozen vegetables
•
1 tsp salt
•
Hot water
•
1 tsp oil
•
5 raw cashewnuts
Method
Place
the rice in a sieve and wash it thoroughly until the water draining is clear
not cloudy. Now leave this to sit, while you heat a medium sized pan with the
ghee on high.
When the
oil is hot, drop the cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, bay leaf and cumin in. As
they sizzle up, mix in the rice sautéing the whole lot for a minute until the
rice turns opaque white.
Now, add
frozen vegetables, one and three quarter cups of hot water and stir through the
salt. Bring the whole lot back to boil. When it starts bubbling, lower the
flame to a high simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
In 10
minutes, take the pan off the heat and leave it to sit for another five to 10
minutes for all the moisture in the pan to dissipate and the rice to cool enough
to be handled without its long grains breaking. While it is sitting, warm the
oil on medium in a small egg pan and sauté the cashewnuts in it until golden.
To
serve, tip the pulao onto a platter and drop the cashewnuts on top. Enjoy hot,
although this Vegetable Pulao reheats well too.
Mallika Basu is a London-based food
writer, cookbook author and cookery personality; quickindiancooking.com .
APEDA
AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1480
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 23-05-2016
Product
Benchmark
Indicators Name
Price
Apricots
1
Turkish
No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
4625
2
Turkish
No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
4125
3
Turkish
size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)
3625
Garlic
1
Chinese
first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (UGX/t)
3500
2
Chinese
Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
4500
3
Chinese
powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
3000
Ginger
1
Chinese
sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2150
2
Chinese
whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2300
3
Indian
Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2850
Source: oryza, agra-net
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 21-05-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market
Center
Variety
Min
Price
Max
Price
Jowar(Sorghum)
1
Vankaner
(Gujarat)
Other
2055
2785
2
Vaduj
(Maharashtra)
Other
2200
2300
3
Theni
(Tamil Nadu)
Other
1440
1500
Maize
1
Haveri
(Karnataka)
Local
1400
1450
2
Deoli
(Rajasthan)
Other
1440
1691
3
Kasganj
(Uttar Pradesh)
Local
1600
1630
Mango
1
Pattambi
(Kerala)
Other
1500
2000
2
Dasuya
(Punjab)
Other
2500
3000
3
Kasinagar
(Orissa)
Other
2500
3000
Brinjal
1
Chala
(Kerala)
Other
2300
2358
2
Bargarh
(Orissa)
Other
1500
1600
3
Sainthia
(West Bengal)
Other
1430
1520
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 23-05-2016
Product
Market
Center
Price
1
Pune
425
2
Nagapur
370
3
Namakkal
410
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 20-05-2016
Product
Market
Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Onions Dry
Package: 40 lb cartons
1
Baltimore
Georgia
Yellow
20
23
2
Chicago
Nevada
Yellow
34.50
34.50
2
Detroit
Georgia
Yellow
16
16.50
Carrots
Package: 30 1-lb film bags
1
Baltimore
California
Baby
Peeled
24
25
2
Chicago
California
Baby
Peeled
22.50
23.50
3
Detroit
California
Baby
Peeled
17
17.50
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Baltimore
Washington
Red
Delicious
30
30
2
Chicago
Michigan
Red
Delicious
20
21
3
New
York
Washington
Red
Delicious
26
26
Source:USDA
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1481
International
Benchmark Price
Price
on: 25-05-2016
Product
Benchmark
Indicators Name
Price
Honey
1
Argentine 85mm,
CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2140
2
Argentine 50mm,
CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2160
3
Argentine 34mm,
CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2180
Guar Gum Powder
1
Indian 100 mesh
3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
3700
2
Indian 200 mesh
3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
1100
3
Indian 200 mesh
5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2220
White Sugar
1
CZCE White Sugar
Futures (USD/t)
825
2
Pakistani
refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)
582
3
Thai VHP, FOB
Thailand (USD/t)
505
Source: oryza, agra-net
Market Watch
Commodity-wise,
Market-wise Daily Price on 25-05-2016
Domestic
Prices
Unit
Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
2700
3700
2
Vadodara
(Gujarat)
Other
2800
3500
3
Samsi (West
Bengal)
Fine
2990
3020
Wheat
1
Haveri
(Karnataka)
Local
1600
1600
2
Alappuzha
(Kerala)
Other
1850
1975
3
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1525
1600
Mousambi
1
Bharuch
(Gujarat)
Other
2500
3000
2
Narnaul
(Haryana)
Other
2000
2500
3
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
4000
4200
Onion
1
Sirhind (Punjab)
Other
600
800
2
Angul (Orissa)
Other
1400
1600
3
Jalore
(Rajasthan)
Other
800
1000
Egg
Rs
per 100 No
Price
on 25-05-2016
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Ahmedabad
405
2
Hyderabad
400
3
Nagapur
370
Other International
Prices
Unit
Price : US$ per package
Price
on 25-05-2016
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Onions Dry
Package:
50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado
Russet
17
18.50
2
Chicago
California
Russet
39.50
39.50
2
Detroit
Idaho
Russet
16.50
17.50
Cucumbers
Package:
cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
13.50
15
2
Baltimore
Netherlands
Long Seedless
11.50
13
3
Detroit
Canada
Long Seedless
7
8.50
Grapes
Package:
8.2 kg containers bagged
1
Baltimore
Chile
Red Globe
33
33
2
Dallas
Chile
Red Globe
29.50
30
3
San Francisco
Chile
Red Globe
31
33
Source:USDA
05/25/2016
Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
High
Low
Long
Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long
Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -
Futures:
ROUGH
RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Jul
'16
1157.0
1122.0
1123.5
-33.5
Sep
'16
1171.5
1148.0
1148.0
-30.5
Nov
'16
1191.0
1170.0
1171.5
-27.5
Jan
'17
1197.0
1197.0
1191.0
-26.5
Mar
'17
1209.0
-24.5
May
'17
1226.0
-27.0
Jul
'17
1226.0
-27.0
Rice Comment
Selling accelerated today in the rice pit as
futures gapped lower. Arkansas farmers have now planted 98% of their intended
acres. The question remains, though, will they stop there? The five year
average for this date is 89%, so if conditions remain favorable, the crop might
get bigger, at least 1.6 million acres are likely. 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. July continues to trend
higher, but the chart has taken on a negative appearance. The market is now
testing trend line support near $11.20
05/24/2016
Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
High
Low
Long
Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long
Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -
Futures:
ROUGH
RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Jul
'16
1167.5
1156.5
1157.0
-4.5
Sep
'16
1194.5
1179.0
1178.5
-3.0
Nov
'16
1205.0
1200.0
1199.0
-2.0
Jan
'17
1217.5
-1.5
Mar
'17
1233.5
-3.0
May
'17
1253.0
-3.0
Jul
'17
1253.0
-3.0
Rice Comment
Rice futures were under pressure again today.
Arkansas farmers have now planted 98% of their intended acres. The question
remains, though, will they stop there? The five year average for this date is
89%, so if conditions remain favorable, the crop might get bigger, at least 1.6
million acres are likely. 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. July continues to trend higher, but Friday's gap lower gave
the charts a negative appearance. Trendline support is near $11.20
Prevailing World Prices and Loan Deficiency
Payment Rates for Rice
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2016-The Department of Agriculture's
Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world
market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and
location, and the resulting marketing loan gain (MLG) and loan deficiency
payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2015 crop, which will become effective
today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices are unchanged
from the previous announcement.
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/economic-and-policy-analysis/food-grains-analysis/rice-reports/2016/prmay042016
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