Tuesday, May 03, 2016

3rd may,2016 daily global regional local rice enewslette

Today Rice News Headlines...·         Trade policy implementation poses daunting challenges
·         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

SINGAPORE | BY NAVEEN THUKRAL
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

Published at 03/05/2016 00:40:19 0 Comment(s)
 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.
Declining flows down the Mekong River due to the building of dams upstream have been partly blamed – as have severe droughts -- for reduced yields and worsening erosion in the delta.
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.
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% 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
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
High
Low
Cash Bids
--
--
New Crop
1020
947


Riceland Foods


Cash Bids
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -
New Crop
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -


Futures:
SOYBEANS
High
Low
Last
Change
May '16
1036.25
1012.25
1035.50
+14.50
Jul '16
1045.00
1020.50
1043.75
+14.00
Aug '16
1045.25
1021.00
1044.00
+13.50
Sep '16
1030.25
1007.50
1029.00
+11.75
Nov '16
1018.75
997.75
1017.75
+10.00
Jan '17
1020.00
998.75
1019.25
+10.25
Mar '17
1011.50
991.75
1010.75
+9.25
May '17
1008.00
989.25
1007.75
+10.00
Jul '17
1010.00
993.75
1009.75
+10.50
   

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
High
Low
Cash Bids
--
--
New Crop
501
476


Futures:
WHEAT
High
Low
Last
Change
May '16
479.00
471.75
477.00
-1.00
Jul '16
490.00
481.25
487.75
-0.75
Sep '16
499.50
491.50
498.50
+0.25
Dec '16
517.00
509.50
516.75
+0.75
Mar '17
534.00
527.25
534.00
+1.00
May '17
544.25
537.00
544.00
+0.75
Jul '17
543.50
539.75
547.25
+1.00
Sep '17
555.00
+1.25
Dec '17
563.25
561.75
567.75
+2.00
   

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
High
Low
Cash Bids
--
--
New Crop
365
295



Corn
High
Low
Cash Bids
--
--
New Crop
400
383


Futures:
CORN
High
Low
Last
Change
May '16
391.00
383.50
390.25
0.00
Jul '16
392.25
385.25
391.75
0.00
Sep '16
392.75
384.75
392.25
+0.50
Dec '16
396.75
388.50
396.50
+1.25
Mar '17
404.50
396.25
404.50
+1.75
May '17
409.25
401.25
409.25
+1.75
Jul '17
415.00
406.00
413.50
+2.00
Sep '17
407.50
402.50
408.50
+1.50
Dec '17
410.00
403.00
409.75
+1.25
   

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
Futures:
COTTON
High
Low
Last
Change
Jul '16
64.50
63.36
64.37
+0.60
Oct '16
65.04
64.03
64.71
+1.25
Dec '16
63.56
62.3
63.42
+0.70

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
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
May '16
1093.0
1087.0
1106.0
+22.0
Jul '16
1136.5
1111.5
1133.5
+22.0
Sep '16
1144.5
1135.0
1147.0
+21.5
Nov '16
1156.0
1144.5
1155.0
+22.5
Jan '17
1167.5
+21.0
Mar '17
1184.5
+21.0
May '17
1203.5
+21.0
   

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
Futures:
Live Cattle:
LIVE CATTLE
High
Low
Last
Change
Jun '16
116.925
114.900
115.800
+0.875
Aug '16
114.500
112.500
113.725
+1.300
Oct '16
114.375
112.475
113.575
+1.250
Dec '16
114.575
112.625
113.700
+1.075
Feb '17
113.425
111.825
112.850
+1.025
Apr '17
113.050
111.625
112.450
+1.125
Jun '17
107.200
106.300
107.000
+1.350
Aug '17
105.625
105.000
105.000
+0.575
   
Feeders:
FEEDER CATTLE
High
Low
Last
Change
May '16
143.100
140.375
141.425
+1.000
Aug '16
143.550
140.200
141.500
+1.125
Sep '16
143.625
140.375
141.425
+0.925
Oct '16
143.125
139.500
140.925
+1.025
Nov '16
138.875
135.925
137.050
+1.400
Jan '17
134.775
132.200
133.425
+2.275
Mar '17
134.025
132.675
132.850
+2.550
Apr '17
131.975
+2.550
   

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
Futures:
LEAN HOGS
High
Low
Last
Change
May '16
78.525
77.575
78.425
+0.525
Jun '16
82.850
81.775
82.700
+1.000
Jul '16
83.150
81.800
83.125
+1.350
Aug '16
81.900
80.925
81.850
+0.975
Oct '16
70.450
69.800
70.375
+0.650
Dec '16
65.200
64.500
65.175
+0.725
Feb '17
67.800
67.400
67.800
+0.625
Apr '17
70.550
70.200
70.550
+0.475
May '17
74.800
74.800
74.800
-0.100
   

Hog Comment



USA Rice  Makes Case at T-TIP Negotiations

By Deborah Willenborg
 NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Last week, U.S. and E.U. negotiators met in New York City for the latest round of negotiations over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP). Stakeholders were invited to give presentations attended by negotiators on both sides, and USA Rice was there to make the case for eliminating tariffs on U.S. rice going into the EU. USA Rice International Policy Manager Kristen Dayton gave a presentation highlighting the U.S. rice industry's need for more access to EU markets.  "The EU imports many types of rice grown in the U.S., but employs a complex tariff regime that hurts our export interests," Dayton said.  "Tariff eliminations on all U.S. exports to the EU are a key objective for U.S. negotiators." The EU negotiators have other objectives, such as preserving geographical indicators (GIs) for their member states' agricultural products.  GIs restrict what names can be used to refer to goods based on where they are produced.
 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



The lack of certified seeds is hampering rice production in the country, Torgbui Azadagli III, the Ho Municipal Director of Agriculture, has said.He suggested that the Government and stakeholders such as the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research collaborated in addressing the issue of making certified rice seeds available to all rice farmers across the country.Torgbui Azadagli, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, in Ho on the sideline of the close-up workshop of the Agribusiness Systems International (ASI) Ghana Commercialisation of Rice Project (G-CORP), said the use of uncertified seeds also led to low crop yields.He explained that some farmers in the Volta Region who had access to certified rice seeds were recording very impressive yields; however, a majority who had no access to it had no option than to grow uncertified varieties of the crops.

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
Many farmers in the Mekong Delta provinces have switched from growing rice to drought-resistant crops to cope with the region’s worst drought in 100 years.Many farmers in the Mekong Delta provinces have switched from growing rice to drought-resistant crops to cope with the region’s worst drought in 100 years.— Photo dantocmiennui.vn
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.

No comments:

Post a Comment