Today Rice News Headlines...
·
As Asia's rice crop shrivels, food security
fears resurface
·
SKUAST revives Mushkbudgi, Kamad rice varieties
·
Mekong Delta loses half of silt to upstream
dams: scientists
·
As Asia's rice crop shrivels, food security
fears resurface
·
Drought in world's top 3 rice producers may
boost prices for 50% of world's population
·
Food supply fears revived as Asia’s rice crop
shrivels
·
Farm Bureau Market Report
·
USA Rice
Makes Case at T-TIP Negotiations
·
H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station
·
Vietnam's Mekong Delta rice output drops
·
Rice Prices
·
Lack of certified seeds hampering rice
production – Director
·
Mekong Delta farmers switch to
drought-resistant crops
News Detail...
Trade policy
implementation poses daunting challenges
By Peer Muhammad
Published: May 2, 2016
ISLAMABAD: After spending one long year, the government
managed to frame the Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2015-18, but its
implementation poses significant challenges, particularly the achievement of
over-ambitious $35 billion export target by 2018.The policy framework,
announced on March 22 this year, had faced bureaucratic hurdles and lack of
political will that wasted precious time that should otherwise have been used
to focus efforts on propelling the country’s falling exportsPHOTO: REUTERS
.During the 2015-16 budget, the government
had allocated Rs6 billion for implementing the policy framework in the first
year, out of the total budget of Rs20 billion. However, it seems that the
amount will remain unutilised as only two months are left before the close of
current fiscal year.
This suggests that the government wasted an
entire year in preparing the policy document as its draft remained unattended
to at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat for six months. An official of the
Ministry of Commerce told The Express Tribune that it was meaningless to keep the policy
draft at the PM Secretariat for such a long time as nothing was changed and the
same document was returned.
Poor governance can also be gauged from the
fact that the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Law took a month to
issue import and export orders after the unveiling of trade policy and they
have not yet notified the subsidies.
The two shift the blame on each other as the
commerce ministry insists it had immediately sent draft notifications to the
law ministry for vetting, but the latter argues that the drafts were poorly
prepared and were full of mistakes that required time to rectify.
Whatever the reasons are, the ultimate loser
is the country as its exports are continuously falling.
Drawbacks
The policy itself has many loopholes and
shortcomings. Foremost among them is its apparent excessive focus on the
manufacturing industry, particularly on producers of fans, cutlery, sports
goods and leather.
This ignores the fact that a major chunk of
Pakistan’s exports comprises agro-products. Even a journalist pointed out at a
press conference held by the commerce minister that the entire policy looked to
be revolving around the Gujranwala division of Punjab.
Before the policy announcement, it was
expected that a comprehensive strategy would be adopted for high-value
agricultural products including perishable goods, which were more or less
ignored with no effective mechanism except for wheat, cotton, rice and sugar.
Horticulture has a significant export
potential, particularly off-season fruits and vegetables that have a high
demand in certain regional markets. There is a need to adopt latest technology
for enhancing exports of these high-value products.
Pakistan has certain geographical advantages
and it is considered a backyard farm of the Central Asian States and the Middle
East with remarkable potential for export of agriculture products.
Moreover, Pakistan’s organic and Halal food
could also make inroads into global markets, but here again no concrete
measures have been taken.
However, it is a positive sign that as a
short-term strategy the policy has identified certain goods including
horticulture products, meat and basmati rice, but these should meet international
packaging and safety standards.
The policy also does not address poor
coordination between government departments and between the centre and
provinces over certain policy issues pertaining to agriculture.
Funds are
delayed
Irrespective of what is missing in the
policy, historically the release of funds for implementation has always been a
challenge and it seems that this policy will be no different.
In addition to this, questions are being
raised about the institutional capacity to execute the policy as the Trade
Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) doesn’t have the capacity to promote
exports beyond traditional products.
An example of the lethargic approach is the
import of a vapour heat treatment plant worth over $2 million some three years ago,
but it has been lying at the Karachi Expo Centre since then.
Owing to lack of hygiene standards, Japan
has suspended import of vegetables and fruits from Pakistan, but no step has
been taken to utilise the plant nor is it being handed over to the private
sector.
The Pakistan Horticulture Development and
Export Company has also not been able to perform satisfactorily because of the
absence of its permanent head and scarcity of technical staff and financial
resources.
The targets set in the trade policy framework
could be achieved if the government takes prompt administrative and financial
measures in addition to adopting new technology for value addition to
traditional exports.
the writer is a staff correspondent
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd,
2016.
As Asia's rice
crop shrivels, food security fears resurface
Labourers transplant rice seedlings in a paddy field
in the Nile Delta town of Kafr Al-Sheikh, north of Cairo, Egypt, May 28, 2008.
REUTERS/NASSER NURI/FILE
PHOTO
Nearly a decade after a spike in
global food prices sent shockwaves around the world, Asia's top rice producers
are suffering from a blistering drought that threatens to cut output and boost
prices of a staple for half the world's population.World rice production is
expected to decline for the first time this year since 2010, as failing rains
linked to an El Nino weather pattern cut crop yields in Asia's rice bowl.
A heat wave is sweeping top rice
exporter India, while the No.2 supplier Thailand is facing a second year of
drought. Swathes of farmland in Vietnam, the third-biggest supplier, are also
parched as irrigation fed by the Mekong river runs dry.
The three account for more than
60 percent of the global rice trade of about 43 million tonnes.
"As of now we haven't seen a
large price reaction to hot and dry weather because we have had such
significant surplus stocks in India and Thailand. But that can't last
forever," said James Fell, an economist at the International Grains
Council (IGC).
Rice inventories in the three top
exporters are set to fall by about a third at the end of 2016 to 19 million
tonnes, the biggest year-on-year drop since 2003, according to Reuters
calculations based on U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
Any big supply disruption can be
extremely sensitive. In 2008, lower Asian rice output due to an El Nino
prompted India to ban exports, sending global prices sky-rocketing and causing
food riots in Haiti and panic measures in big importers such as the
Philippines.
Manila at the time scrambled to
crack down on hoarding, ordered troops to supervise subsidized rice sales and
asked fast food chains to serve half-portions, as well as urging Vietnam and
others to sell the country more rice.
The world has suffered a series
of food crises over the past decade involving a range of grains due to adverse
weather.
In the case of rice, benchmark
Thai prices hit a record around $1,000 a tonne in 2008. Price spikes like this
typically also boost demand for other grains such as wheat, widely used for
noodles in Asia, and soybeans and corn used for food or feed.
While currently far below 2008
highs, rice earlier this month hit $389.50, the strongest since July and up 13
percent from an eight-year low of $344 in September.
FIRST FALL IN WORLD CROP SEEN FOR
6 YEARS
Bruce Tolentino of the
Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute is concerned about
Asia's vulnerability.
"In general prices are still
stable right now. They're inching up though, and what will drive things over
the edge will be a major calamity in one of the major producing
countries."
Although India's rice output in
2015 was largely stable, extremely hot temperatures are threatening a second
crop in eastern regions.
Traders see further price gains
by June as India's next big crop is not due until September and Thailand's main
crop by year end.
The IGC sees a 2016 world harvest
of 473 million tonnes, down from 479 million tonnes in 2015 and the first
decline in six years.
MEKONG DELTA
Thailand's last main crop was
only about half of the peak production a few years ago and the USDA has
forecast output will drop by more than a fifth to 15.8 million tonnes this
year.
"The government has been
asking farmers not to plant rice as there is little water in the reservoirs
after two years of drought," said one Bangkok-based trader.
In Vietnam, output could fall 1.5
percent this year to 44.5 million tonnes, while exports would be 8.7 million
tonnes, steady on a previous projection, the government said.
As much as 240,000 hectares
(593,000 acres) of paddy have been destroyed by drought and salination in the
central area and southern Mekong Delta region, it said.
A Singapore-based trader said
that while the annual decline appeared modest Vietnam's latest harvest "is
5 to 6 percent lower than last year."
Thailand and Vietnam harvest
three crops a year.
IMPORTERS ALSO SUFFER
Some Asian countries are already
looking to raise imports.
Indonesia is expected to see 2016
purchases jump by more than 60 percent to two million tonnes from a few years
ago.
China, the world's top importer,
taking about 5 million tonnes annually, is expected to continue this buying
pace. IGC has forecast China's 2016 production will fall short of consumption
for a third consecutive year.
The Philippines had the lowest
stocks since October in March despite importing 750,000 tonnes and its
procurement agency has standby authority to ship an additional 500,000 tonnes.
"Although El Nino has
entered its weakening stage, the risk of higher food prices remains given the
onset of the summer season," said Philippine Economic Planning Secretary
Emmanuel Esguerra
(Additional reporting by Enrico
dela Cruz in MANILA, Fergus Jensen in JAKARTA, Ho Binh Minh in HANOI and Mayank
Bhardwaj in NEW DELHI; Editing by Ed Davies)
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-asia-rice-idUSKCN0XS1NG05/02/2016
SKUAST revives
Mushkbudgi, Kamad rice varieties
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar:
SK University of Science and Technology has revived Mushkbudgi and
Kamad scented heritage rice varieties which were almost at stage of extinction.
The varieties were multiplied in Sagam area of District Anantnag
which is ideal location for growing these varieties.
A proposal was sent to Plant Protection Varieties & Farmers’
Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) by this University for Plant Genome Savior Award
for the farming community who are preserving this crop from decades.
For verification of credentials, the Chairman PPV&FRA
constituted a committee headed by Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K
with other members viz. Dr. R.C Agrawal, Registrar General, PPV&FRA, Bihari
Lal Sharma, Executive Director, Youth for Sustainable Development, Shimla (HP)
and Dr. M.A. Zargar, Programme Coordinator KVK, Anantnag as facilitator for
onspot verification of these two varieties of rice for award under Plant Genome
Savior Community of the PPV&FRA, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare, GoI for further protection of these varieties.
On this occasion scientists-farmers’ interface was held wherein
large number of farmers growing Mushkibudji and Kamad varieties of rice
participated. Dr. R.C Agrawal, Registrar General, PPV&FRA and Bihari
Lal Sharma, Executive Director, Youth for Sustainable Development held
interactions with the farmers to ascertain its genuineness and held
question-answer session to assess the variety for the said Plant Genome Savior
Community Award.
Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor speaking on the occasion
advised for horizontal expansion of the area under these scented varieties and
assured all technical held and quality seed to the farmers.
For marketing of these varieties, he advised for forming
cooperatives to have their own brand name, storage, milling and processing
facilities. While assuring of all technical support and guidance in this endeavor,
Vice-Chancellor also requested State Government for appropriate support. Shri
Abdul Rahim Rather, MLA, Kokernag Chief Guest of the occasion appreciated the
efforts of the university scientists in revival of these prestigious rice
varieties and advised for guidance, technical, support from the University. He
assured of all support to the University in promoting these varieties at large
scale. Vice-Chancellor and Hon’ble MLA on the occasion distributed 1500 Kgs
pure seed of Mushkibudgi & Kamad to the farmers.
Earlier Dr. G.A.Parray, Associate Director Research, MFCRC,
Khudwani welcomed the guests and gave brief information about the varieties and
the initiatives taken by the University under revival programme of these two
indigenous prized scented rice varieties and its marketing by Sarveshwar Rice
Exporters, Jammu
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/skuast-revives-mushkbudgi-kamad-rice-varieties/
Mekong Delta loses half of
silt to upstream dams: scientists
Thanh Nien News
Monday, May 02, 2016 16:04
A sinking section along the Mekong River in Vietnam.
Photo credit: Huynh Xay/Dan Viet
Le Van Nam has difficulty sleeping at night thinking of the fall
in yields year after year on his rice field allegedly due to less silt being
washed down the Mekong River because of upstream dams.
“In the last winter-spring crop, my 5,000 square meters only
produced 3.5 tons of rice while it was four tons the previous year,” the farmer
from An Giang Province said.
According to the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development, floods in the 4,900-km river used to bring silt and fish.
However, declining flows in recent years have made the land less
fertile.
“Silt has significantly reduced in the past several years in An
Giang,” Lu Cam Khuong, deputy director of the provincial agricultural
department, said.
Most An Giang farmers said rice yields are falling, Dan Viet
newspaper reported.
Mainstream dams
According to the NGO International Rivers, China has built seven
hydropower dams on the upper Mekong River (known as the Lancang in China), and
plans to build 21 more.
Since mid-2006, the Governments of Cambodia, Laos and Thailand
have granted approval to many companies to study the feasibility of 11
mainstream hydropower dams.
In Laos construction of dams in Xayaburi and Don Sahong are
already under way.
By changing the river's hydrology, blocking fish migration and
affecting the river's ecology, the construction of dams on the Lower Mekong
mainstream would have repercussions throughout the entire basin, International
Rivers said in a statement.
Sinking delta
Scientists said the Mekong Delta is suffering from the cumulative
impacts of saltwater intrusion, erosion and declining groundwater levels as a
result of El Nino and the upstream dams.
Tran Cong Lap is among many farmers who are well aware of the
impacts.
“Saltwater has been intruding deeper inland. I have more than
5,000 square meters of land but lost 4,000 square meters to erosion,” he said.
Le Anh Tuan, deputy director of the Research Institute for Climate
Change, said he has not seen silt being washed down at a monitoring center in
An Giang.
“Lack of freshwater can be recovered by rainwater. But the lack of
silt is very dangerous because the Mekong Delta will sink without any chance of
recovery.”
According to scientists, the Mekong Delta was formed by silt over
the past 6,000 years which has also to a great extent kept seawater out.
Without sufficient silt, seawater will encroach deeper inland and
cause serious erosion.
Nguyen Huu Thien, an independent researcher on the Mekong Delta
ecosystem, said the delta’s coastline used to be protected by a “soft shield”
of silt that no longer exists.
Hydropower dams upstream release water after gathering up silt and
the Mekong Delta downstream would suffer the most, he said.
“China’s dams have reduced the volume of silt being washed down to
the delta to half of the previous 160 tons a year, causing erosion.
“After another 11 planned dams being built upstream, there will be
only a quarter of the amount. The formation of the delta will be disrupted and
it will gradually disappear.”
As Asia's rice crop
shrivels, food security fears resurface
Drougt in
world's top 3 rice producers may boost prices for 50% of world's population
Mon, 2 May 2016-09:05am , Singapore , Reuters
India's heat wave, drought for second year in Thailand and
parched lands in Vietnam may cut rice output, boost prices in the world; the
three countries account for nearly 60% of global rice trade.
World rice production is expected to decline
for the first time this year since 2010, as failing rains linked to an El Nino
weather pattern cut crop yields in Asia's rice bowl.
A heat wave is sweeping top rice exporter
India, while the No.2 supplier Thailand is facing a second year of drought.
Swathes of farmland in Vietnam, the third-biggest supplier, are also parched as
irrigation fed by the Mekong river runs dry.
The three account for more than 60% of the
global rice trade of about 43 million tonnes.
"As of now we haven't seen a large price
reaction to hot and dry weather because we have had such significant surplus
stocks in India and Thailand. But that can't last forever," said James
Fell, an economist at the International Grains Council (IGC).
Rice inventories in the three top exporters are
set to fall by about a third at the end of 2016 to 19 million tonnes, the
biggest year-on-year drop since 2003, according to Reuters calculations based
on U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
Any big supply disruption can be extremely
sensitive. In 2008, lower Asian rice output due to an El Nino prompted India to
ban exports, sending global prices sky-rocketing and causing food riots in Haiti
and panic measures in big importers such as the Philippines.
Manila at the time scrambled to crack down on
hoarding, ordered troops to supervise subsidised rice sales and asked fast food
chains to serve half-portions, as well as urging Vietnam and others to sell the
country more rice.
The world has suffered a series of food crises
over the past decade involving a range of grains due to adverse weather.
In the
case of rice, benchmark Thai prices hit a record around $1,000 a tonne in 2008.
Price spikes like this typically also boost demand for other grains such as
wheat, widely used for noodles in Asia, and soybeans and corn used for food or
feed.
While
currently far below 2008 highs, rice earlier this month hit $389.50, the
strongest since July and up 13% from an eight-year low of $344 in September.
FIRST FALL IN
WORLD CROP SEEN FOR 6 YEARS
Bruce Tolentino of the Philippines-based
International Rice Research Institute is concerned about Asia's vulnerability.
"In general, prices are still stable right
now. They're inching up though, and what will drive things over the edge will
be a major calamity in one of the major producing countries."
Although India's rice output in 2015 was
largely stable, extremely hot temperatures are threatening a second crop in
eastern regions.
Traders see further price gains by June as
India's next big crop is not due until September and Thailand's main crop by
year end.
The IGC sees a 2016 world harvest of 473
million tonnes, down from 479 million tonnes in 2015 and the first decline in
six years.
MEKONG DELTA
Thailand's last main crop was only about half
of the peak production a few years ago and the USDA has forecast output will
drop by more than a fifth to 15.8 million tonnes this year.
"The government has been asking farmers
not to plant rice as there is little water in the reservoirs after two years of
drought," said one Bangkok-based trader.
In Vietnam, output could fall 1.5% this year to
44.5 million tonnes, while exports would be 8.7 million tonnes, steady on a
previous projection, the government said.
As much as 240,000 hectares (593,000 acres) of
paddy have been destroyed by drought and salination in the central area and
southern Mekong Delta region, it said.
A Singapore-based trader said that while the
annual decline appeared modest Vietnam's latest harvest "is 5 to 6% lower
than last year."
Thailand and Vietnam harvest three crops a
year.
IMPORTERS ALSO SUFFER
Some Asian countries are already looking to
raise imports.
Indonesia is expected to see 2016 purchases
jump by more than 60% to two million tonnes from a few years ago.
China, the world's top importer, taking about 5
million tonnes annually, is expected to continue this buying pace. IGC has
forecast China's 2016 production will fall short of consumption for a third
consecutive year.
The Philippines had the lowest stocks since
October in March despite importing 750,000 tonnes and its procurement agency
has standby authority to ship an additional 500,000 tonnes.
"Although El Nino has entered its
weakening stage, the risk of higher food prices remains given the onset of the
summer season," said Philippine Economic Planning Secretary Emmanuel
Esguerra.
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-drought-in-world-s-top-3-rice-producers-may-boost-prices-for-50-of-world-s-population-2208184
Food supply fears revived as Asia’s
rice crop shrivels
SINGAPORE -- Nearly a decade
after a spike in global food prices sent shockwaves around the world, Asia’s
top rice producers are suffering from a blistering drought that threatens to
cut output and boost prices of a staple for half the world’s population.
Los Baños-based International Rice Research Institute
is at the forefront of research and development of varieties that can thrive in
adverse weather conditions. -- AFP
World rice production is expected to decline for the
first time this year since 2010, as failing rains linked to an El Niño weather
pattern cut crop yields in Asia’s rice bowl.
A heat wave is sweeping top rice exporter India, while the No.2 supplier Thailand is facing a second year of drought. Swathes of farmland in Vietnam, the third-biggest supplier, are also parched as irrigation fed by the Mekong river runs dry.
The three account for more than 60% of the global rice trade of about 43 million tons.
“As of now we haven’t seen a large price reaction to hot and dry weather because we have had such significant surplus stocks in India and Thailand. But that can’t last forever,” said James Fell, an economist at the International Grains Council (IGC).
Rice inventories in the three top exporters are set to fall by about a third at the end of 2016 to 19 million tons, the biggest year-on-year drop since 2003, according to Reuters calculations based on US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.
Any big supply disruption can be extremely sensitive. In 2008, lower Asian rice output due to an El Niño prompted India to ban exports, sending global prices sky-rocketing and causing food riots in Haiti and panic measures in big importers such as the Philippines.
Manila at the time scrambled to crack down on hoarding, ordered troops to supervise subsidized rice sales and asked fast food chains to serve half-portions, as well as urging Vietnam and others to sell the country more rice.
The world has suffered a series of food crises over the past decade involving a range of grains due to adverse weather.
In the case of rice, benchmark Thai prices hit a record around $1,000 a ton in 2008.
Price spikes like this typically also boost demand for other grains such as wheat, widely used for noodles in Asia, and soybeans and corn used for food or feed.
While currently far below 2008 highs, rice earlier this month hit $389.50, the strongest since July and up 13% from an eight-year low of $344 in September.
FIRST FALL IN SIX YEARS
V. Bruce J. Tolentino of the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute is concerned about Asia’s vulnerability.
“In general prices are still stable right now. They’re inching up though, and what will drive things over the edge will be a major calamity in one of the major producing countries,” Mr. Tolentino said.
Although India’s rice output in 2015 was largely stable, extremely hot temperatures are threatening a second crop in eastern regions.
Traders see further price gains by June as India’s next big crop is not due until September and Thailand’s main crop by year end.
The IGC sees a 2016 world harvest of 473 million tons, down from 479 million tons in 2015 and the first decline in six years.
Thailand’s last main crop was only about half of the peak production a few years ago and the USDA has forecast output will drop by more than a fifth to 15.8 million tons this year.
“The government has been asking farmers not to plant rice as there is little water in the reservoirs after two years of drought,” said one Bangkok-based trader.
In Vietnam, output could fall 1.5% this year to 44.5 million tons, while exports would be 8.7 million tons, steady on a previous projection, the government said.
As much as 240,000 hectares (593,000 acres) of paddy have been destroyed by drought and salination in the central area and southern Mekong Delta region, it said.
A Singapore-based trader said that while the annual decline appeared modest Vietnam’s latest harvest “is 5 to 6% lower than last year.”
Thailand and Vietnam harvest three crops a year.
IMPORTERS ALSO SUFFER
Some Asian countries are already looking to raise imports.
Indonesia is expected to see 2016 purchases jump by more than 60% to two million tons from a few years ago.
China, the world’s top importer, taking about 5 million tons annually, is expected to continue this buying pace. IGC has forecast China’s 2016 production will fall short of consumption for a third consecutive year.
The Philippines had the lowest stocks since October in March despite importing 750,000 tons and its procurement agency has standby authority to ship an additional 500,000 tons.
“Although El Niño has entered its weakening stage, the risk of higher food prices remains given the onset of the summer season,” said Philippine Economic Planning Secretary Emmanuel F. Esguerra. -- Reuters
A heat wave is sweeping top rice exporter India, while the No.2 supplier Thailand is facing a second year of drought. Swathes of farmland in Vietnam, the third-biggest supplier, are also parched as irrigation fed by the Mekong river runs dry.
The three account for more than 60% of the global rice trade of about 43 million tons.
“As of now we haven’t seen a large price reaction to hot and dry weather because we have had such significant surplus stocks in India and Thailand. But that can’t last forever,” said James Fell, an economist at the International Grains Council (IGC).
Rice inventories in the three top exporters are set to fall by about a third at the end of 2016 to 19 million tons, the biggest year-on-year drop since 2003, according to Reuters calculations based on US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.
Any big supply disruption can be extremely sensitive. In 2008, lower Asian rice output due to an El Niño prompted India to ban exports, sending global prices sky-rocketing and causing food riots in Haiti and panic measures in big importers such as the Philippines.
Manila at the time scrambled to crack down on hoarding, ordered troops to supervise subsidized rice sales and asked fast food chains to serve half-portions, as well as urging Vietnam and others to sell the country more rice.
The world has suffered a series of food crises over the past decade involving a range of grains due to adverse weather.
In the case of rice, benchmark Thai prices hit a record around $1,000 a ton in 2008.
Price spikes like this typically also boost demand for other grains such as wheat, widely used for noodles in Asia, and soybeans and corn used for food or feed.
While currently far below 2008 highs, rice earlier this month hit $389.50, the strongest since July and up 13% from an eight-year low of $344 in September.
FIRST FALL IN SIX YEARS
V. Bruce J. Tolentino of the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute is concerned about Asia’s vulnerability.
“In general prices are still stable right now. They’re inching up though, and what will drive things over the edge will be a major calamity in one of the major producing countries,” Mr. Tolentino said.
Although India’s rice output in 2015 was largely stable, extremely hot temperatures are threatening a second crop in eastern regions.
Traders see further price gains by June as India’s next big crop is not due until September and Thailand’s main crop by year end.
The IGC sees a 2016 world harvest of 473 million tons, down from 479 million tons in 2015 and the first decline in six years.
Thailand’s last main crop was only about half of the peak production a few years ago and the USDA has forecast output will drop by more than a fifth to 15.8 million tons this year.
“The government has been asking farmers not to plant rice as there is little water in the reservoirs after two years of drought,” said one Bangkok-based trader.
In Vietnam, output could fall 1.5% this year to 44.5 million tons, while exports would be 8.7 million tons, steady on a previous projection, the government said.
As much as 240,000 hectares (593,000 acres) of paddy have been destroyed by drought and salination in the central area and southern Mekong Delta region, it said.
A Singapore-based trader said that while the annual decline appeared modest Vietnam’s latest harvest “is 5 to 6% lower than last year.”
Thailand and Vietnam harvest three crops a year.
IMPORTERS ALSO SUFFER
Some Asian countries are already looking to raise imports.
Indonesia is expected to see 2016 purchases jump by more than 60% to two million tons from a few years ago.
China, the world’s top importer, taking about 5 million tons annually, is expected to continue this buying pace. IGC has forecast China’s 2016 production will fall short of consumption for a third consecutive year.
The Philippines had the lowest stocks since October in March despite importing 750,000 tons and its procurement agency has standby authority to ship an additional 500,000 tons.
“Although El Niño has entered its weakening stage, the risk of higher food prices remains given the onset of the summer season,” said Philippine Economic Planning Secretary Emmanuel F. Esguerra. -- Reuters
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=food-supply-fears-revived-as-asia&8217s-rice-crop-shrivels&id=126912
Farm Bureau Market Report
|
Soybeans
Riceland
Foods
Soybean Comment
Soybeans continue
their rally as prices remain at on of their highest levels in more than a
year. Soybeans continue to be supported by strong fund buying and improving
product demand. Unfortunately prices remain severely overbought and due a
correction. The market continues to offer producers the opportunity to sell
$10+ soybeans, but with fundamentals shaky at best prices could loose steam
in the coming days or weeks.
Wheat
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices closed
lower today as a failure of follow through in the corn market was bearish for
wheat despite higher soybean prices. The market is now just days away from
the next USDA report which could show stocks move close to or exceed 1
billion bu. This scenario would be bearish and likely push prices back near
contact lows.
Grain Sorghum
Corn
Corn Comment
Corn prices closed
slightly higher today as the market came under pressure from an improved
planting forecast for the coming week. This week's export inspection report
was less than the last few weeks and if Thursday's
export sales report weakens, then the market could get concerned about demand
once again. Today's prices show how volatile the markets are, while strong
soybean prices have supported corn in the past, today neutral to bearish
exports and better planting prospects led to minimal activity today.
Cotton
Cotton
Comment
Cotton futures
continued higher. Weekly exports were a disappointing 74,600 running bales,
down from 117,900 bales the previous week. This was due mainly to recent
price increases, but the decrease was greater than expected. Export bookings
are now down 23% from last year. The first level of resistance for May is the
recent high of 65.95 cents. The market could be forming a bull flag formation
on the chart, and a break out to the upside would signal further gains are
possible. July again has found resistance at the recent high of 64.75. The
crop is now 16% planted.
Rice
Rice Comment
Rice futures ended
higher again today. May failed at the 62% retracement objective of $11.16
last week, and that remains the next upside objective. Weekly exports were
only 31,700 metric tons this week, down from 121,300 metric tons last week.
The market will be watching crop progress closely. If farmers plant what they
reported to USDA in the survey, the large crop will limit the upside
potential. Currently, USDA says 72% of the crop in the ground and 55%
emerged. In Arkansas, the totals are 87% planted and 66% emerged, so Arkansas
farmers made lots of progress in a week’s time. However, world production is
in question as dry conditions persist in Asia due to El Nino, and that is
providing support for the time being.
Cattle
Arkansas Prices Ash Flat Livestock Auction Ola Livestock Auction Springdale Livestock Auction Oklahoma City Oklahoma City - Feeder Cattle Auction Weighted Average Report
Cattle
Comment
Cattle prices closed
higher as the market continues to try and consolidate near recent lows. The
market has seen a sharp sell off as of late as beef prices continue to
decline and higher feed prices are squeezing margins. The market continues to
look for bullish news to help support prices as the recent downturn has both
the feeder and live cattle markets oversold.
Hogs
Hog Comment
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USA Rice Makes Case at T-TIP Negotiations
By Deborah Willenborg
USA
Rice Chairman Dow Brantley and Dayton also met with U.S. negotiators to discuss
the state of talks between the two sides prior to the stakeholder
presentations.
At the same time U.S. and EU
negotiators were meeting in New York, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
(R-KY) and 25 other members of the Senate Agriculture and Finance committees
sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman calling for an end to
all agriculture tariffs, a rejection of GI restrictions, and support for
biotechnology products. The letter pointed out U.S. agricultural exports
face a $12 billion trade deficit with the EU.The
next round of T-TIP negotiations is tentatively scheduled for July at a
European location.
H. Rouse Caffey Rice
Research Station
8:00
a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Since 1908, the Rice Research
Station has been conducting research and developing new rice varieties that
benefit the rice industry in Louisiana and help put rice on the table for
families around the world. Rice farmers themselves help support the station’s
efforts through a check-off fee, which creates a fund distributed by the
Louisiana Rice Research Board. The station covers about 1,000 acres near
Crowley, La., and includes more than 30 acres devoted to research on crawfish.
Some rice varieties are developed for crawfish forage for those farmers who
double-crop
Vietnam's Mekong Delta rice output drops
Source: Xinhua 2016-05-02 11:40:38
HO CHI MINH CITY, May 2 (Xinhua) --
The total yield of winter-spring rice crop in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, which has
just ended, was 10.4 million tons, down 6.3 percent against the previous
winter-spring crop, due to the ongoing drought and saltwater intrusion, the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said Monday.
The severe drought and saltwater
encroachment have damaged over 200,000 hectares of winter-spring rice in the
delta. Therefore, the rice output in Kien Giang Province dropped by 312,000
tons, and that in Tra Vinh Province declined by 169,000 tons.
To cope with the severe drought and
saltwater encroachment, agriculture agencies have advised Mekong Delta
provinces to choose between only one, two or three key rice varieties to
cultivate and then harvest summer-autumn in September.
Due to the drought and food
scarcity, Vietnam's southeastern region and Central Highlands region have so
far this year faced difficulties in raising cattle. Meanwhile, cultivation of
maize, soya beans, and sweet potatoes nationwide have been sluggish
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/02/c_135328323.htm
Rice Prices
as on : 02-05-2016 08:10:27 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Mathabhanga(WB)
|
130.00
|
18.18
|
3900.00
|
1950
|
1950
|
-4.88
|
|
Bareilly(UP)
|
116.00
|
9.43
|
6930.60
|
2325
|
2260
|
13.41
|
|
Karimganj(ASM)
|
40.00
|
-33.33
|
1560.00
|
2250
|
2250
|
2.27
|
|
Jaunpur(UP)
|
35.00
|
-30
|
1255.00
|
1980
|
1985
|
NC
|
|
Lanka(ASM)
|
30.00
|
NC
|
2205.00
|
1750
|
1750
|
-1.41
|
|
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
|
25.00
|
13.64
|
741.50
|
1900
|
1900
|
-9.52
|
|
Lohardaga(Jha)
|
24.00
|
33.33
|
871.50
|
1670
|
1650
|
-12.11
|
|
Firozabad(UP)
|
12.00
|
-7.69
|
600.00
|
2120
|
2110
|
5.47
|
|
Bampada(Ori)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
180.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
NC
|
|
Barikpur(Ori)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
130.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
NC
|
|
Tanakpur(Utr)
|
10.00
|
-16.67
|
233.10
|
2000
|
1900
|
5.26
|
|
Deogarh(Ori)
|
9.00
|
-5.26
|
408.00
|
2500
|
2500
|
NC
|
|
Bolangir(Ori)
|
7.50
|
NC
|
230.20
|
2200
|
2200
|
-8.33
|
|
Tusura(Ori)
|
7.50
|
7.14
|
252.50
|
2200
|
2200
|
-8.33
|
|
Chengannur(Ker)
|
7.00
|
7.69
|
497.50
|
2400
|
2400
|
-4.00
|
|
Nilagiri(Ori)
|
7.00
|
-12.5
|
422.00
|
2400
|
2300
|
4.35
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
6.70
|
-42.24
|
1353.70
|
1900
|
1900
|
-
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
4.60
|
-8
|
1256.10
|
1965
|
1970
|
-0.76
|
|
Rahama(Ori)
|
3.80
|
28.81
|
38.51
|
2450
|
2450
|
22.5
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8546893.ece
Lack of certified seeds hampering
rice production – Director
He said when farmers grew uncertified varieties, the grains matured at different periods, would had different lengths, shapes and sizes; hence making their harvesting, processing and packaging by rice millers very cumbersome.
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) provided funding and technical support for the three-and-a- half- year G-CORP project.
The project, which was aimed at increasing the productivity and incomes of 4,000 smallholder farmers in the Volta Region, ended successfully with expected results.
The close-up workshop was attended by beneficiary farmer groups, aggregators, rice millers, and other stakeholders from the private and public sectors, as well as representatives from AGRA.
The close-out workshop reflected on the projects’ achievements, which includedbuilding the business and management capacity of 20 aggregators to extend improved services to over 4,700 smallholder farmers.
He said the country’s rice production generated a milling output of 204,030 tonnes (62 per cent), leaving a demand gap of 29,000 tonnes, which was being filled with imports, hence the need to intensify its production.
On the opportunity for rice production in the Volta Region, Torgbui Azadagli said that the Region could boast of over 20,000 hectares of available land for upland rice production and more than 40,000 ha (281 valleys) for low land rice production, which according to him, could all be harnessed for the nation’s socio-economic development.
He said the Region was blessed with abundant water resources favourable for rice production.
The Municipal Agriculture Director said poor and timely land preparation as a result of inadequate machinery and difficulty in weed control were also hampering rice production in the Region.
He said the Region had 43,396 rice farmers, stating that some of them used broadcasting methods in the propagation of rice; which often resulted in incorrect spacing and low plant population leading to low yield.
Torgbui Azadagli said some of the big commercial firms that were into rice production in the Region included Brazilian Agro, Wienco, Weta Irrigation and Aveyime Irrigation.
He said rice production in the Region had taken an increased dimension in relation to the shift in taste of the urban population and consumer habits.
He said some of the varieties of rice being grown in the Region were brown rice, Togo Marshal, Sikamo and CSIR AGRA.
He said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture provided regular extension services to all the farmers.
A lady rice farmer from Worawora and a beneficiary of the G-CORP, who spoke to the GNA on the condition of anonymity, lauded ASI for increasing their efficiency, productivity and revenues through the project.
She said as the G-CORP project was due for close-up, their major challenge was how to obtain certified seeds for cropping.
She, therefore, appealed to the Government to go to their aid with certified seeds.
Torgbui Azadagli III, Ho
Municipal Dir. of Agric.
Mekong Delta farmers switch
to drought-resistant crops
In Ca Mau Province, instead of three
rice crops, farmers grow two and one crop of green beans, which require less
water.In Khanh Binh Tay and Khanh Hung communes in Tran Van Thoi District,
farmers grew more than 1,100 hectares of green beans. Many of them planted the
beans in dry paddy fields, with productivity at 2.5 to three tonnes per
hectare. Traders buy green beans for price of VNĐ30,000 (US$1.3) per kg.Nguyen
Van Tranh, deputy director of Ca Mau Province’s Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development, said that farmers were warned of droughts early so they have
already shifted to green beans.Raising shrimps in paddy fields is another way
to use cultivation areas.According to Vo Thanh Ngoan, head of the Agriculture
and Rural Development Department of Thap Muoi District in Dong Thap Province,
more than 60 per cent of rice cultivation land is used for both rice planting
and shrimp raising.
Ho
Van Muoi, a farmer in the region, earned VNĐ60 million ($2,670) per year when
he applied the model on his six-hectares of rice land. Despite having less
water than previous years, shrimp can be fed with small fish and shrimp from
the up-stream river, so he does not have to buy food, he said.Pham Van Quynh,
director of Can Tho City’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department, said
that the Cửu Long Delta is a strategic area to provide domestically and export
farm produce, however, farmers’ incomes remain low.The application of shrimp
raising in paddy fields helps farmers to increase their incomes and deal with
climate change, rising sea water and saline intrusion in the region.
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