Businessmen concerned over falling rice exports
August 16, 2016
ISLAMABAD - President Pakistan Businessmen and
Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) Mian Zahid Hussain on Monday expressed concern over
falling rice exports, terming it damaging for the economy.Rice exports have
witnessed a fall of 8.60 percent during financial year of 2016 by fetching 2.035
billion dollars which should be a matter of concern for the stakeholders, he
said.
Mian Zahid Hussain expressed worries over the
future of the country’s rice exports as some major markets have been lost while
some others are under threat.
Pakistan has missed annual rice export targets
for five years necessitating government intervention before it is too late as
3,861,406 metric tonnes of rice was exported in 2016 as compare to the
corresponding period in which 4,262,216 metric tonnes of rice was exported, he
said.
He noted that the highest shipments recorded
took place in 2009-10 when earnings from rice exports stood at $2.
2bn.
Since then, the exports have remained almost stagnant and now it is going down.
2bn.
Since then, the exports have remained almost stagnant and now it is going down.
Government must come forward to save the second
highest foreign exchange earning sector and provide incentives to growers many
of who are switching to other crops while enable exporters to regain their
competitiveness in the international market, he demanded.
He said that all the major stakeholders
including rice growers, traders, millers and exporters have suffered because of
the low demand of Pakistani rice in the international market therefore all
should be facilitated.
Rice farmers deserve all the facilities rival
nations are offering to their farmers including affordable seeds, pesticides,
electricity, water and dryers while they should be given direct subsidy as
indirect subsidies are less effective.
Our competitors were able to raise their
exports by benefitting from market-oriented or demand-driven research, said
Mian Zahid Hussain.
http://nation.com.pk/business/16-Aug-2016/businessmen-concerned-over-falling-rice-exports
China choice destination for Pak rice export’
in Lahore / on July
8, 2014 at 12:00 am /
LAHORE:
Considering the exportable surplus after catering for Pakistan’s domestic
consumption, which is around 2.5 million metric tonnes, Pakistan is ready to
export around 3.75 million tonnes rice every year to China.Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi stated this in a meeting with Mr. Alex Pan, Chairman Ruidalong Import and Export Company, along with his Marketing Manager Mr. Michael Wan here Monday.
Afridi said, China had emerged as one of the choice destinations for Pakistani rice exporters, as Pak rice export to China surges 244 percent during the last two years.
In Pakistan, he said, new hybrid rice varieties were being developed which would give maximum yield by utilizing minimum input costs during water scarcity, adding that Rice Research Institute had developed new techniques to cultivate rice through a broadcasting system instead of manual sapling plantation. Under the new technique, if farmers succeeded in planting 80,000 plants in a field, they would get 6 to 8 mounds more produce, besides saving input costs up to Rs 14,000 per acre. This technique was not only inexpensive but also helped save 30 to 35 percent irrigation water, he maintained.
The PCJCCI President said that he initiated an exclusive move to double the exports of rice to China within a year and hoped that dream of exporting around 10 million tonnes of Irri-6 rice to China would be transformed into reality in the near future, if sustained efforts to market Pakistani rice to China were pursued with vigour focusing the need of Chinese population.
He said the response by Chinese importers for Pakistani rice was overwhelming as compared to rice imported from Thailand and Vietnam, as the Pakistani quality had attracted attention of Chinese importers for the eminence and Aroma of Pakistani Rice.
He observed that Pakistan’s Rice Industry was not showing its full potential due to some internal barriers related to planning and strategic implementations. So viewing the current rice market scenario, rice exporters deserved the patronage of government at par with textile industry to develop the rice export as one of the major foreign-exchange- earning sector, he suggested.
Afridi said that PCJCCI was going to launch a concrete drive to market Pakistani rice in China by creating a personalized demand among Chinese people. The Chamber was exploring new techniques with China to improve the quality of rice, thus adding value to it, he said Chinese buyers prefer to buy the rice with good milling quality. Hence the PCJCCI would manage match-making of the Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs in this sector to have value addition in rice sector so as to increase the demand of Pakistani rice in China.
Meanwhile the REAP former Chairman Malik Muhammad Jahangir informed in a separate meeting with President PCJCCI that the overall volume of rice exports from Pakistan during the last year, showed very encouraging trend registering the total volume of Rice exports up to 159,000 metric tons till December 2013 that valued to $56 million in foreign exchange
http://dailybalochistantimes.com/%EF%BB%BFchina-choice-destination-for-pak-rice-export/
Govt should take steps to stop fall in rice exports
Monday, 15 August 2016 16:36
ISLAMABAD:
President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) Mian Zahid
Hussain Monday expressed concern over falling rice exports terming it damaging
for the economy.He said that government should take steps to stop the fall in
rice exports as soon as possible otherwise it would have bad impacts on the
economy of the state, said a press release here.Rice exports have witnessed a
fall of 8.60 percent during financial year of 2016 by fetching 2.035 billion
dollars which should be a matter of concern for the stakeholders, he added.
Mian
Zahid Hussain expressed worries over the future of the country's rice exports
as some major markets have been lost while some others are under threat.Pakistan has missed annual rice export targets for five years necessitating government intervention before it is too late as 3,861,406 metric tonnes of rice was exported in 2016 as compare to the corresponding period in which 4,262,216 metric tonnes of rice was exported, he said.
He noted that the highest shipments recorded took place in 2009-10 when earnings from rice exports stood at $2.2bn. Since then, the exports have remained almost stagnant and now it is going down.
Government must come forward to save the second highest foreign exchange earning sector and provide incentives to growers many of whom are switching to other crops while enabling exporters to regain their competitiveness in the international market, he demanded.
He said that all the major stakeholders including rice growers, traders, millers and exporters have suffered because of the low demand of Pakistani rice in the international market therefore all should be facilitated.
Rice farmers deserve all the facilities rival nations are offering to their farmers including affordable seeds, pesticides, electricity, water and dryers while they should be given direct subsidy as indirect subsidies are less effective.
Our competitors were able to raise their exports by benefitting from market-oriented or demand-driven research, said Mian Zahid Hussain
Rice export to China: 7 bidders submit offers
August
16, 2016
to
Trading Corporation of Pakistan's (TCP) rice procurement tender for China, some
7 bidders have submitted offers ranging from Rs 46,692 to Rs 56,950 per metric
ton. The TCP floated the second tender on August 12, 2015, for purchase of
10,000 tons of Long Grain White Rice (PK-386) in containerised bagged shipment
on Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) basis. The tender was issued under the Rule
42(c)(v) of the Public Procurement Rules 2004 with opening date of August 15,
2016, as the government has declared emergency for the instant procurement.
Accordingly, the tender was opened on Monday at TCP head office and as many as seven companies shown their interest to supply Long Grain White Rice (PK-386) to the government-owned grain trader for export to China as a gift. As per the tender terms & conditions, the bidders were required to quote bids for a minimum quantity of 2,000 metric tons and maximum quantity of 10,000 metric tons, however not a single bidder submitted bid for the entire quantity.
Accordingly, the tender was opened on Monday at TCP head office and as many as seven companies shown their interest to supply Long Grain White Rice (PK-386) to the government-owned grain trader for export to China as a gift. As per the tender terms & conditions, the bidders were required to quote bids for a minimum quantity of 2,000 metric tons and maximum quantity of 10,000 metric tons, however not a single bidder submitted bid for the entire quantity.
All suppliers have offered bids for different quantities and rates ranging from Rs 46,692 per metric ton to Rs 56,950 per metric ton. Lowest bid was received from M/s Chappal Trader, which agreed to supply 3,500 tons of Long Grain White Rice (PK-386) at Rs 46,692 per metric ton. However, the lowest bidder has not deposited one percent bid security along with the bid.
Second lowest bid was submitted by M/s Meskey & Femtee Trading for supply of 2,000 tons of rice (PK-386) at Rs 47,992 per metric ton. M/s KK Rice offered to supply 2,000 tons of rice at Rs 48,900 per metric tons and M/s Baba Enterprise Rs 49,390 per metric ton for 2,000 tons.M/s Garib Sons submitted three bids ranging from Rs 47,950 to Rs 49,950 per metric ton for cumulative supply of 6,000 tons of rice. M/s Meskey & Femtee Pvt Ltd's bid was Rs 49,590 per ton for 5,000 tons of rice and the highest bid was received from M/s Metco as it quoted Rs 56,950 per metric ton for supply of 2,000 tons of rice. As the bid evaluation was not completed on Monday, therefore, TCP has not taken any decision on the tender. The bid award committee is likely to finalise deal today (Tuesday) after the bid evaluation. The state-run grain trader scrapped first rice procurement tender for China as the successful bidder imposed some conditions for supply of rice (Irri-6).
TCP finalised first deal with M/s Chappal Traders for supply of 10,000 tons of Long Grain White Rice (Irri-6) for China on August 11 at Rs 41,392 per metric ton on CIF basis as its bid was responsive and competitive. However, after getting contract award letter, the lowest bidder imposed some conditions for supply of Irri-6 rice. Despite submitting the bid for supply of 10,000 tons of rice, M/s Chappal Traders refused to supply complete quantity and agreed only for supply of 5,000 tons of rice. Therefore, the TCP decided to scrap first rice tender for China and issued a fresh tender for procurement of rice on Friday. The TCP is also considering action against the first lowest bidder as it offered regrets after the issuance of the contract award letter
http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/75396/
Wheat imports to rise slightly
Star Business Report
Bangladesh's
wheat imports may rise about 1 percent year-on-year to 44 lakh tonnes this
fiscal year, thanks to strong domestic demand and lower international prices,
according to the US Department of Agriculture.However, rice imports may decline to 1.5 lakh tonnes, owing to an increase in import tariff on the staple, the agency said in its July issue of Grain and Feed Update on Bangladesh.
“The added 25 percent tariff on rice imports further affected import prospects,” said USDA.
Rice imports fell 83 percent to 2.57 lakh tonnes in fiscal 2015-16 after the government imposed a total of 20 percent duty last year to protect growers from losses, resulting from the falling prices of the staple, according to the food ministry.
The government raised import duty to 25 percent at the beginning of the new fiscal year from 20 percent previously. In addition, it imposed 15-percent value added tax, 5 percent advance income tax and an additional advance trade VAT of 4 percent.
“The tariff was raised and other taxes are added to stop cheaper Indian rice imports that generally constitute the largest share of the import market,” said USDA.
However, wheat imports may edge up from last year's imports, it added.
The private and public sectors imported 43.66 lakh tonnes in fiscal 2015-16, up 15 percent year-on-year, according to data from the food ministry.
Low international prices and increased demand from food manufacturers buoyed imports of the grain, said industry operators.
For the current fiscal year, the government plans to import 5 lakh tonnes of wheat, up from an actual import of 4.16 lakh tonnes last fiscal year, according to official data.
http://www.thedailystar.net/business/wheat-imports-rise-slightly-1270978
Rice cultivation in Southeast Asia: 5 years of lessons learned by LEGATO
Posted By News On August 15, 2016 - 10:44pm
Five
years of irrigated rice cultivation research reached its pinnacle at the Final
LEGATO Conference, which took place from 6 to 11 August 2016 in Banaue,
Philippines. LEGATO is a BMBF (German Federal Ministry of Education and
Research) funded project, coordinated by the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Germany.The international team of scientists presented results from dedicated studies covering a wide range of rice cultivation aspects in Southeast Asia, ranging from the influence of Silicon availability in soils on rice production and the contribution of pollinators and soil organisms to biodiversity and nutrient provisioning, towards discussing the importance of the socio-cultural context for sustainable development or ecotourism in the study regions.
Rice is an important crop and staple food in the Southeast Asian region; however, the growing pressures of our changing world pose difficulties on its production. LEGATO research focuses on providing guidelines for optimising rice ecosystem functions and services given the local socio-cultural conditions and their stabilisation under future global and particular land use change, which will particularly affect South and Southeast Asia.
A view of the Kinakin rice terraces, Luzon,
Philippines. Credit: Pavel Stoev
As an
important contribution to rice cultivation studies, research on the effects of
Silicon (Si) was able to highlight the benefits of this element for the health
of rice crops. Having tested the effects of Si fertilization on Si uptake and
growth of rice and on decomposability of the produced straw in Northern
Vietnam, LEGATO researchers demonstrated, that Si application to the soil
increased Si uptake by rice and has the potential to improve rice yields. Recommendations on the impacts of decomposition driven by invertebrates in tropical rice ecosystem as well as management strategies for farmers and practitioners were provided. The scientists also presented studies on the effects of regional environmental drivers and landscape complexity on species composition in rice-dominated agroecosystems.
Important part was also reserved for the socio-cultural aspects relevant for ecosystem services in LEGATO rice agroecosystems. Results have shown that achieving a shared understanding of the role of ES within the social-ecological context can already be beneficial for the decision-making process.
"LEGATO research has aimed to take into account a complexity of factors that might influence achieving sustainable rice production in the region, while at the same time taking into account protecting biodiversity and natural resources," explains LEGATO Co-ordinator Prof. Josef Settele, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ).
"Our researchers explored rice production in the region from a variety of angles, leading to recommendations for policy makers and practitioners alike, taking into consideration not only the ecological and economic aspects, but also the socio-cultural landscape in the region."
Rice & rights: Judgment day for MP and Punjab in tug-of war for basmati GI tag
The experts also expressed concerns that inclusion of MP will degrade the quality of Indian basmati, thus handing an advantage to Pakistan which then would claim to be the producer of “authentic aromatic basmati”.
Written by Milind Ghatwai
, Divya Goyal
| Bhopal/ludhiana | Updated: August 17, 2016 4:44 am
Excluded from GI area, MP appeals in Madras
High Court while Punjab wants it kept out. Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh
On
Tuesday, Madras High Court will hold its final hearing of a petition seeking
the geographical indication (GI) label for basmati grown in parts of Madhya
Pradesh. Stakeholders in states that already enjoy the GI tag for basmati in
their areas, notably Punjab, have been presenting a case why MP should be kept
out of the GI zone.The tag, granted by Chennai-based GI Registry, conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness attributable to the product’s origin in a geographical locality, region or country, and, therefore, commands a premium in the international market. The GI tag is used to identify various kinds of goods including Darjeeling tea, Kanchipuram silk saree and Kolhapuri chappal.
Among those opposing the GI label for MP are political leaders and agriculture scientists in Punjab, which dominates basmati production, as well as All India Rice Exporters Association. Punjab contributes half the 4 million tonnes basmati India exports, the major importers being Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“How can the Gangetic states be included in the GI area? The only rightful claimants are states which are part of erstwhile Greater Punjab, including Haryana, and a small part of Uttarakhand,” said Punjab Agriculture Minister Tota Singh. “We will approach the courts if we have to, in order to stall this.” He added Punjab has written to the Union government objecting to a move to grant the GI tag to MP.
Basmati experts of Punjab Agricultural University, meanwhile, have warned the government of possible international repercussions. “Basmati evolved from here centuries ago and if inferior rice grown in other areas is qualified as basmati, it will be a loss not only for Punjab but for India on the international stage. Other countries can claim the tag citing MP as a precedent, which would end India’s monopoly,” Dr G S Mangat, senior rice breeder from PAU.
The experts also expressed concerns that inclusion of MP will degrade the quality of Indian basmati, thus handing an advantage to Pakistan which then would claim to be the producer of “authentic aromatic basmati”.
In India, the basmati GI area covers Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, western UP and two districts of J&K. PAU experts say “Punjab is still the sole producer of the highest quality basmati and this aromatic rice variety originated from here centuries ago in undivided Punjab”.
“Basmati is a region-specific crop and it is because of a reason,” a basmati expert told The Indian Express. “Even when basmati is in the fields, it gives out a strong aroma in that area. This is because of specific climatic conditions in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Indo-Gangetic plains. Without these conditions the aroma will disappear.”
He expressed a fear of falling prices. With farmers’ prices already down from Rs 3,000-4,000 per quintal to Rs 2,300-2,400 this year, expansion of the GI area would be disastrous for them, he said.
The All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA), meanwhile, has written to the Prime Minister, commerce and agriculture ministers, and chief ministers of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, as also to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority (APEDA), saying efforts to expand the area under GI are without justifiable or valid reasons.
Incidentally, when the UPA was in power, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had accused APEDA, which had rejected MP’s case, of being on the same side as that of Pakistan.
The AIREA letter read, “Such a move [including MP] will open the advocacy for inclusion of MP, Rajasthan and even Bihar thereby diluting the GI philosophy and premium associated with a GI product. Also, it will be against the economic interests of areas that grow it traditionally and will deal a body blow to farmers from the recognised GI zone. This will weaken our credibility in the world and take away from previous victories against infringements on basmati.”
Former AIREA president Vijay Sethia said MP does not qualify for the GI zone because it has started growing it only recently and questioned the quality of its basmati.
A bureaucrat in MP told The Indian Express that Punjab and Haryana are worried about losing a major market share if MP is included in the GI zone. “In high end markets like the US, MP’s basmati will get premium because farmers don’t use chemical pesticides and the produce is treated as organic, unlike Punjab and Haryana that use chemicals.”
MP had challenged APEDA’s decision in the Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB). In February, IPAB included Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarkhand, Himachal and J&K in the GI zone but not MP. The state challenged IPAB’s order in court
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/rice-rights-judgment-day-for-mp-and-punjab-in-tug-of-war-for-basmati-gi-tag-2977757/
GI tag for basmati: HC pulls up MP govt for delay
The State said that GI Registry not considering its request, it is collecting additional evidence
T E Narasimhan & Gireesh Babu |
Chennai August 16, 2016 Last Updated at 22:33 IST
MP govt moves Madras HC against IPAB order on
Basmati GI tag GI tag for basmati to stabilise prices Land routes opened for
basmati exports to Bangladesh, Nepal Madhya Pradesh plans five water tourism
destinations in state
Madhya Pradesh government, which has been
pursuing a legal battle to include its 13 districts under the Geographical
Indication tag for basmati rice, faced ire of the division bench of the Madras
High Court on Tuesday.
The state blamed GI registry, alleging that the
latter did not take initiative to consider the state’s case even six months
after the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) had decided on the case.
Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB)
had issued an order in February, allowing registration of Geographical
Indication (GI) for basmati rice grown in various parts of seven states in the
north, in response to an application by the Agricultural and Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Madhya Pradesh’s 13 districts, where basmati
rice is grown, were not selected for GI tag. Hence, the state had challenged
that order. When the case came up for hearing in the Madras HC on Tuesday, it
questioned why the state had taken so long in collecting the evidence. The
state blamed GI registry for the delay, sighting that IPAB had asked the
registrar to reconsider the matter of inclusion of the 13 districts where one
million tonnes of basmati is grown by 80,000 farmers.
The court posted the matter for hearing in the
second week of NovemberBusiness standard
Sunitha lauds rice millers for free meals to pilgrims
By Our Bureau | THE HANS INDIA | Aug
16,2016 , 10:53 PM IST
Paritala Sunitha
Amaravati: Minister for Civil Supplies Paritala
Sunitha, Agriculture Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao and Minister for Women’s
Welfare Peethala Sujatha visited the Pushkarnagars in Amaravati on Tuesday and
appreciated the efforts of Rice Millers Association for offering free and
quality meals to the pilgrims.
Paritala Sunitha distributed food to the
pilgrims and said that the association is serving meals to nearly 12,000 to
15,000 piglrims daily at Guntur Pushkarnagar and appreciated them for coming
forward immediately when the government asked for it.
Zilla Parishad chairperson Janimun, MLC A S
Ramakrishna, MLAs Sridhar, Anjaneyulu, Collector Kantilal Dande and Rice
Millers Association representatives G Venkateswara Rao and Bhaskara Rao
participated in the programme.
http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-08-16/Sunitha-lauds-rice-millers-for-free-meals-to-pilgrims/248801
Emergency Meeting on Rice
Cambodia’s beleaguered rice sector convened an
emergency meeting yesterday to tackle falling rice exports and help rice
millers currently in financial doldrums due to severe shortage of funds to buy
harvested rice from farmers to be milled for export.
The Kingdom’s rice exports fell by 6.9 percent
from 312,317 tons in the first seven months last year, to 292,277 tons in the
same period this year, according to a report from the Secretariat of One Window
Service for Rice Export Formality.
In June, the government agreed to make out
loans of between $20 million and $30 million to help rice millers purchase rice
from farmers after the harvest this November to store in warehouses and process
them for export. But two months later, none of the loans have been made and
rice millers are becoming very anxious.
Hean Vanhan, deputy general director of the
department of agriculture, told Khmer Times yesterday that the top agenda in
the emergency meeting was the issue of falling rice exports.
While not going into details, Mr. Vanhan said,
rice production was down due to the drought earlier this year and this
contributed to the shortfall of paddy rice supply for millers to process for
export.
Mr. Vanhan also blamed the slowdown in
international markets and added: “The flow of cheaper priced rice imported from
Vietnam and Thailand made problems bigger.”
“The meeting focused on strengthening the CRF
[Cambodia Rice Federation] and drew up an action plan on how we can work
together to tackle this crisis,” he said.
Hun Lak, CRF’s vice-president, told Khmer Times
the current crisis in Cambodia’s rice sector was caused by domestic and
external market factors.
“We spent the whole morning talking about this
with the Ministry of Agriculture. The external factors are falling
international markets for rice and the flooding of cheaper priced rice from
neighboring countries. The domestic factors involve lowering rice production
costs, amidst lower supply of paddy rice for milling,” said Mr. Lak.
Mr. Lak pointed out that high electricity rates
were eating significantly into the production costs of rice millers.“We are
trying to find ways to lower the cost of electricity. We want the electricity rate
to be reduced to less than 400.60 riel (10 cents) per kilowatt hour for the
agricultural sector,” he said.Residents in rural areas pay higher electricity
rates than those living in town, who pay 20 cents per kilowatt hour. In
comparison, farmers in Vietnam pay about 10 cents per kilowatt hour.Mr. Lak
said Cambodia needed to learn from its neighbors on how to lower rice
production costs, despite falling exports.
“When we look at Vietnam and Thailand, we see
that they have lower production costs than us. They can lower the price of
their rice, when global prices are depressed, and still survive. We, however,
seem to have a problem with that,” he said.Mr. Lak said the meeting also wanted
to see better inter-ministerial cooperation to tackle the country’s rice sector
crisis.“We [CRF] want all the ministries from agriculture, mines and energy,
commerce, water resources and public works to be involved. Let’s all work
together,” he said.
In March, rice millers and exporters wrote to the government urging intervention to prevent Vietnamese companies from snapping up high-quality Cambodian rice and flooding the Cambodian market with low-grade grain.
How One Company Used an Enzyme to Turn Food
Waste Into a Superfood
By Andrea Hayley,
Epoch Times |
August
16, 2016 AT 2:30 PMLast Updated:
August 16, 2016 6:34 pm
Indian laborers plant rice paddy saplings at a
field in Vaiyavur village near Chennai on April 20, 2016. Waste from the
milling of white rice is the latest superfood to hit the U.S. market. (ARUN
SANKAR/AFP/Getty Images)
For nearly a century, bran as a food ingredient has been the sole purview of boring, high-fiber breakfast cereals like whole wheat bran flakes, all-bran, and oat bran. One company is challenging the food industry to rethink what bran can do for the human race.
If you haven’t heard of rice bran, this is
likely because only 1 percent of the available rice bran in the world is
currently utilized for the human food market.
RiceBran
Technologies is adding the option of rice bran to the bran family of
ingredients. Rice bran offers consumers an alternative that is
non-GMO, non-allergenic, and incredibly nutritive. These are attributes in
high demand by consumers today. It is also a by-product of milling brown rice
into white rice that had been going to waste. If you haven’t heard of rice bran, this is likely because only 1 percent of the available rice bran in the world is currently utilized for the human food market, while only 10 percent is used for animal food, according to Dr. Robert Smith, chief operating officer of RiceBran Technologies, a company that recovers rice bran and turns it into useful food ingredients. Smith was speaking in response to a question from Epoch Times on a company earnings call Aug. 11.
Food From Trash
The biggest reason rice bran has been wasted until now is that the lipase enzyme in rice bran causes the product to go rancid within 24 hours unless it is stabilized, and few companies have the technology to recover the highly nutritious ingredient, nor the tenacity to attempt to break open a new market for it. However, the world’s rice millers produce 60 million metric tonnes of rice bran yearly, according to RiceBran’s CEO and president, John Short.Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., RiceBran Technologies is a global leader in the manufacture of rice bran based on its proprietary bran stabilizing technology that uses enzymes to preserve the nutrition. Some of the other techniques used by competitors involve chemicals, microwave heating, and variations of the same. According to a RiceBran Technologies public filing, the other techniques don’t work as well to preserve the quality and flavor of the bran.
While wheat and oat bran cereals have been marketed mainly for their fiber, which is great for keeping digestion regular, RiceBran Technologies has attempted to leverage a variety of health claims and uses for the ingredient.
Seventy percent of the nutritive value of the rice is actually in the bran layer, which includes a small portion of germ. In addition to the fiber, rice bran has a balanced amino acid profile, and is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, and antioxidants, according to the USDA.
Rice bran is ‘a natural, non-GMO, superfood
source.’
Farmers collect and put dry paddy into bags for
sale in Vi Thuy, in the southern Mekong delta province of Hau Giang on March 2,
2016. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Michael
Goose, RiceBran Technologies new president of U.S. ingredient sales, speaking
on the earning call, referred to rice bran as nothing less than “a natural,
non-GMO, superfood source.”Rice bran can allow manufacturers to meet key nutritional goals with a single ingredient listing, said Goose.
The company’s most recent 10-K filing (an annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission summarizing a company’s financial performance) says their products can “demonstrate beneficial properties in areas of cardiovascular health, weight management, glucose balance, inflammatory response, and gastrointestinal health.”
Our Changing Diet
The food industry is steadily moving in the direction of formulating products that speak to their consumers’ health concerns, and companies like RiceBran Technologies are positioning to cash in on these trends. The growth in these categories of the food industry is significantly higher than the overall food industry growth trend of 3.9 percent calculated by Technomic.The U.S. market for natural, organic, and functional foods grew more than 10 percent and exceeded $110 billion in 2014, according to the 10-K. Looking ahead, market research firm MarketsandMarkets predicts the functional food ingredient market to grow by 6 percent annually until 2020. Organic and natural food is also expected to continue its growth trend.
Rice bran is probably the world’s most
squandered plant protein source.
Rice bran can be used in a large number of applications in the food industry, from functional beverages, to protein bars, to snacks, to grocery products like pasta and crackers. There is also a lot of potential for rice bran to be used as a filler in blended meat products, and in breading and batters.
The most popular rice bran derivative currently is rice bran oil, which is growing in popularity as an alternative to soy, canola, or palm oil for deep-frying and regular cooking. Chipotle Mexican Grill uses rice bran oil as part of its commitment to avoid food produced with genetically modified seed, and the oil is gaining market share in India and other Asian countries, where many see it as an alternative to olive oil.
An Indian farmer removes weeds in a rice paddy
field in Maduranthagam village near Chennai on February 29, 2016. (ARUN SANKAR
K/AFP/Getty Images)
A New Market
RiceBran Technologies was founded in 1998 as a publicly traded company under the name NutraCea. It became RiceBran Technologies in 2012. Despite making enormous strides forward, the company has yet to reach profitability.Short sees the greatest potential in rice bran for human food, where it generates the highest margins for the company. This is moving away from an earlier focus on the animal nutrition market.
Baruch Halpern, a board member for RiceBran Technologies, speaking in an interview, said theoretically the market for rice bran as a human food could be really big. “We have the market to ourselves right now,” he said.
“Rice bran is probably the world’s most squandered plant protein source,” wrote Henk Hoogenkamp, a protein expert and board member for RiceBran Technologies, in an email. “In a way it is a disgrace, and utilizing this source of plant protein can very much ease potential emerging food shortages as the world population keeps growing with about 80 million net-born people each year.”
Part of the challenge, according to Short and Halpern, is lining up the logistics to obtain a steady supply of rice bran that can be stabilized in time to preserve its nutrition. It requires either installing technology at the rice milling factory, or having a company facility nearby to handle the bran.
RiceBran Technologies currently sources from two rice millers in California, one in Louisiana, and from various millers in Brazil where the company owns a rice bran oil processing factory.
Revenues for RiceBran Technologies in the second quarter of this year were $10.5 million, with the company’s U.S. portion of business earnings reaching a record high of $8.8 million.
Losses for the same quarter were $8.1 million, which included a $3 million goodwill impairment on their struggling manufacturing facility in Brazil, as well as $1.1 million expense due to a recent proxy contest.
How To Use Rice Bran At Home
Rice bran is the highly nutritious, brown, outer layer of rice, and a byproduct of milling white rice.Prized for its fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, non-gluten, and GMO-free properties, the ingredient is gaining in popularity in food industry product formulations, but also as a natural supplement for an extra boost of nutrition at home.
Although its not widely available in stores, Bob’s Red Mill and NOW Foods sell rice bran on Amazon. Below are some popular home uses for rice bran.
Japanese Nukadoko (Fermented Rice Bran)
The Japanese have traditionally mixed rice bran with salt and water, and sometimes red chiles, garlic, ginger, or shiitake mushrooms to create a paste. Whole or cut vegetables are buried in the paste, where they ferment and form healthy probiotics. The paste is reused and “cared for” daily, similar to a sourdough starter.
Add it to your smoothie, yogurt, or morning oatmeal
A spoonful will add a sweet, nutty flavor, and lots of nutrition
Drink it straight up, stirred into water
The nutritional supplement reportedly doesn’t taste bad
Add it to baking
When making muffins, cakes, and breads, people are substituting rice bran for a portion of the flour.
Researchers aim to improve hybrid rice quality
Reporter: Wu Guoxiu 丨 CCTV.com08-16-2016 17:38 BJT
As the Olympic Games take place in Brazil, the agricultural world is holding its very own Olympics too. The Crop Science Congress is a meeting which takes place every four years in selected countries. Researchers however don't come to compete, but to check out information displays and to take part in discussions. At this year's event, which takes place in Beijing, many have called for an improvement in hybrid rice quality.
China's Honglian type hybrid rice has been introduced at the congress. It's one of two major hybrid rice types in the country. One of the researchers here says that the rice sells well in south eastern Asian countries and in parts of Africa.
"The Honglian Type hybrid rice has an outstanding sales performance in south east Asia. Its yield is 50 per cent more than local rice, and it is of very good quality as well. It also doesn't spoil in high temperatures," said Professor Li Shaoqing from Hl Hybrid Rice Research Group, Wuhan University.
China is a world leader in hybrid rice research and technology.
Since the 1970s, hybrid rice breeds have been exported to dozens of countries, including the US, Indonesia and Brazil.
But some think hybrid rice doesn't taste as good as organic rice.
Now researchers are focusing just as much on quality as they are on high yield and pest resistance.
"The main problem is that consumers across the world have very different expectations of quality. Some like firm rice, some like sticky rice. The breed should be able to solve that problem each time they are producing a new variety," said Matthew Morell, director general of International Rice Research Institute.
Agrictultural experts are already tackling world hunger and climate change - and now, new strains of high quality, environmentally-friendly rice. And it shouldn't be too long before these new technologies being developed make the move from the lab to the farm
http://english.cctv.com/2016/08/16/VIDElgDIFTOvRWyCjvAKHV0e160816.shtml
Daily Commodity Report
Published August 16, 2016
Today’s commodity report: National Weekly Rice
Summary, California Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report, Shell Eggs: Daily National
Egg Market and other commodity end of the day market numbers.
National Weekly Rice Summary
In
California, medium grain milled rice prices steady. Second head and Brewers
prices steady to weak. Rice by-products: Rice Bran and rice hulls steady.CME
Rough Rice settlements for Friday 12th, Sep 16 closed .34 higher at 9.655; Nov
16 closed .27 higher at 9.82; Jan 17 closed .275 higher at 10.055. US dollar
index on Friday settled at 95.68.
California F.O.B. Price for Extra Grade and Grade A Nonfat Dry Milk
|
Week Ending
|
Avg.
Price($/lb.)
|
Total Sales
(lb.)
|
|
August 12,
2016
|
$0.8525
|
6,993,875
|
|
August 5,
2016
|
$0.7995
|
5,768,245
|
Prices are weighted averages for Extra Grade
and Grade A Nonfat Dry Milk, f.o.b. California manufacturing plants. Prices for
both periods were influenced by effects of long-term contract sales. Compiled
by Dairy Marketing Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture.
California Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report
Prices are unchanged. Trade sentiment is sharply
higher. Offerings and supplies are mostly light. Retail demand is fairly good
to good with food service movement moderate to fairly good. Market activity is
active. Monday’s shell egg inventories declined 5.1% in the Southwest and 1.1%
in the Northwest.
Shell egg marketer’s benchmark price for
negotiated egg sales of USDA Grade AA and Grade AA in cartons, cents per dozen.
This price does not reflect discounts or other contract terms.
|
RANGE
|
|
|
JUMBO
|
156
|
|
EXTRA LARGE
|
133
|
|
LARGE
|
120
|
|
MEDIUM
|
77
|
Shell Eggs: Daily National Egg Market
New York egg prices are 4 cents higher on
larger sizes and Medium. Regional and California prices are steady. The
undertone is sharply higher in California, while steady to firm in the regions.
Offerings are light to moderate. Demand is moderate to fairly good, however
California retail demand is fairly good to good. Supplies are light in
California, mostly moderate elsewhere. When compared to the previous week, the
total shell egg inventory is down 1.1 percent. Market activity is moderate in
the regions, active in California. Breaking stock floor stocks are light to
moderate; breaking schedules are usually full-time. Light type hen supplies are
at least adequate for the light demand.
Today’s Commodity Market ending market numbers:
Corn
September Corn ended at $3.27 1/2 gaining 1 cent, December ended at $3.37 1/4 up 1/4 cent.
Soybeans
September Soybeans ended at 10.19 1/2 decreasing 4 1/4 cents, November ended at 10.07 1/4 losing 2 cents.
Wheat
September Wheat ended at $4.23 1/2 up 1 1/2 cent, December ended at $4.39 1/2, decreasing 1 1/4 cent.
Rough Rice
September Rough Rice ended at 10.435 gaining 0.19, November ended at 10.51 up 0.17.
Live Cattle
August Live Cattle ended at $115.50 down $0.425, October ended at $113.40 losing $0.575 and December ended at $114.25 decreasing $0.875.
Feeder Cattle
August Feeder Cattle ended at $147.00 losing $1.65 and September ended at $145.475 decreasing $1.60 and October ended at $142.55 down $1.325.
Lean Hogs
October Lean Hogs ended at $59.85 down $2.65, December ended at $55.45 losing $1.575.
Class III Milk
August Class III Milk ended at $16.99 losing $0.01, September ended at $17.39 up $0.17, October ended at $17.11 increasing $0.21.
#2 Cotton
December #2 Cotton ended at 68.60 down 0.26, March ending at 69.09 losing 0.32.
Sugar #11
October sugar #11 ended at 20.26 increasing $0.28, March ended at 20.74 up $0.29.
Orange Juice
September Orange Juice ending at 178.60 down $2.75, November ended at 179.55 dropping $3.00
September Corn ended at $3.27 1/2 gaining 1 cent, December ended at $3.37 1/4 up 1/4 cent.
Soybeans
September Soybeans ended at 10.19 1/2 decreasing 4 1/4 cents, November ended at 10.07 1/4 losing 2 cents.
Wheat
September Wheat ended at $4.23 1/2 up 1 1/2 cent, December ended at $4.39 1/2, decreasing 1 1/4 cent.
Rough Rice
September Rough Rice ended at 10.435 gaining 0.19, November ended at 10.51 up 0.17.
Live Cattle
August Live Cattle ended at $115.50 down $0.425, October ended at $113.40 losing $0.575 and December ended at $114.25 decreasing $0.875.
Feeder Cattle
August Feeder Cattle ended at $147.00 losing $1.65 and September ended at $145.475 decreasing $1.60 and October ended at $142.55 down $1.325.
Lean Hogs
October Lean Hogs ended at $59.85 down $2.65, December ended at $55.45 losing $1.575.
Class III Milk
August Class III Milk ended at $16.99 losing $0.01, September ended at $17.39 up $0.17, October ended at $17.11 increasing $0.21.
#2 Cotton
December #2 Cotton ended at 68.60 down 0.26, March ending at 69.09 losing 0.32.
Sugar #11
October sugar #11 ended at 20.26 increasing $0.28, March ended at 20.74 up $0.29.
Orange Juice
September Orange Juice ending at 178.60 down $2.75, November ended at 179.55 dropping $3.00
http://agnetwest.com/2016/08/16/commodity/
Madhya Pradesh may spoil India’s basmati GI party
By Madhvi Sally & Kirtika Suneja,
ET Bureau | Aug 16, 2016, 03.59 AM IST
The All
India Rice Exporters’ Association said it is grateful to the commerce ministry
and Apeda for spearheading and pursuing the GI for basmati.NEW DELHI: The basmati
industry is up in arms against the Madhya Pradesh government
which wants the registrar of geographical indications (GI) to include it as a certified
grown area. Experts say the move will impact India's position in the global trade and wash away all
victories against the worldwide infringements on basmati.
The next hearing is slated for August 16 at the Madras High Court where the Madhya Pradesh government has moved against the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) order that directed the registrar of geographical indications to issue a GI tag for basmati rice in India, excluding the areas of Madhya Pradesh.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has been working to get basmati GI certification for states in the Indo-Gangetic Plains in the Himalayan foothills, which include Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. "The complication in adding more areas to basmati GI is that internationally, we have been fighting our case saying that originally it was the Indo-Gangetic region where basmati was grown. So, adding another area defeats that purpose. It also makes our stand weak. Adding Madhya Pradesh will disturb the entire GI issue," said a government official, requesting anonymity.
"Extension of the geographic area of basmati cultivation beyond the Indo-Gangetic Plains will dilute Apeda's existing GI/Certification marks in countries like the UK and US. The common description of basmati defines it as rice grown in the foothills of Himalayas spanning India and Pakistan," said Krishna Sarma, managing partner at Corporate Law Group. But she added that at the same time, even at the cost of rendering basmati a generic rice, the legitimate rights of basmati growers and exporters of other Indian states cannot be ignored.
The next hearing is slated for August 16 at the Madras High Court where the Madhya Pradesh government has moved against the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) order that directed the registrar of geographical indications to issue a GI tag for basmati rice in India, excluding the areas of Madhya Pradesh.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has been working to get basmati GI certification for states in the Indo-Gangetic Plains in the Himalayan foothills, which include Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. "The complication in adding more areas to basmati GI is that internationally, we have been fighting our case saying that originally it was the Indo-Gangetic region where basmati was grown. So, adding another area defeats that purpose. It also makes our stand weak. Adding Madhya Pradesh will disturb the entire GI issue," said a government official, requesting anonymity.
"Extension of the geographic area of basmati cultivation beyond the Indo-Gangetic Plains will dilute Apeda's existing GI/Certification marks in countries like the UK and US. The common description of basmati defines it as rice grown in the foothills of Himalayas spanning India and Pakistan," said Krishna Sarma, managing partner at Corporate Law Group. But she added that at the same time, even at the cost of rendering basmati a generic rice, the legitimate rights of basmati growers and exporters of other Indian states cannot be ignored.
Saikrishna Rajagopal, who has earlier been the lawyer for Madhya Pradesh government, said the state believes that they have a say in agro climatic conditions suitable for basmati cultivation. "Farmers will be precluded from using the expression 'basmati', which they have grown, and getting remunerative returns," he said. The All India Rice Exporters' Association said it is grateful to the commerce ministry and Apeda for spearheading and pursuing the GI for basmati. However, the association's president MP Jindal said the move will open the advocacy for inclusion of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and then Bihar.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/madhya-pradesh-may-spoil-indias-basmati-gi-party/articleshow/53715635.cms
08/16/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Long
Grain Cash Bids
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
Long
Grain New Crop
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rice Comment
Rice futures were sharply higher but closed
near the middle of the day’s trading range. The market is reacting to heavy
rains in Louisiana and other areas of the Delta and the potential impact that
will have on the crop there. The condition report released Monday
showed 65% rated good to excellent. Louisiana farmers have harvested 55% of the
crop there. The weather will certainly delay harvest and could result in
disease pressure and quality issues as well, but the full impact can’t be known
until the flood waters recede. Last week’s production report showed a reduction
due to a decreased yield projection.
The average yield was decreased to 7,659 pounds
per acre, down from 7,680 pounds in the July report. A decrease in production,
beginning stocks and import projections resulted in a decrease in the ending stocks
estimate, which is now 54.7 million cwt. Exports and domestic use were
unchanged. Recent price losses resulted in the average farm price estimate down
80 cents on either end to $10.40-$11.40. November completed a 38% retracement
before retreating from the day’s high.
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1537
|
Market Watch
|
||||
|
Commodity-wise, Market-wise
Daily Price on 15-08-2016
|
||||
|
Domestic Prices
|
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
|
|||
|
Product
|
Market Center
|
Variety
|
Min Price
|
Max Price
|
|
Maize
|
||||
|
1
|
Ghanpur (Telangana)
|
Local
|
1325
|
1325
|
|
2
|
Martur (Andhra Pradesh)
|
Hybrid
|
1450
|
1500
|
|
3
|
Gorakhpur (Madhya Pradesh)
|
Local
|
1326
|
1326
|
|
Paddy(Dhan)
|
||||
|
1
|
Pulpally (Kerala)
|
Other
|
1500
|
1700
|
|
2
|
Sainthia (West Bengal)
|
Common
|
1400
|
1430
|
|
3
|
Jajpur (Orissa)
|
Other
|
1410
|
1500
|
|
Mousambi
|
||||
|
1
|
Jagraon (Punjab)
|
Other
|
2300
|
2700
|
|
2
|
Mechua (West Bengal)
|
Other
|
2900
|
3000
|
|
3
|
Sirsa (Haryana)
|
Other
|
2200
|
2500
|
|
Cabbage
|
||||
|
1
|
Mannar (Kerala)
|
Other
|
2500
|
2700
|
|
2
|
Sahaspur (Orissa)
|
Other
|
1100
|
1200
|
|
Jagraon (Punjab)
|
Other
|
900
|
1000
|
|
LA rice
farmer Kevin Berken pumps off flood waters at his farm in Lake Arthur.
Initial Reports on Impact of Flooding on Rice
Crop in Southwest Louisiana
By Deborah Willenborg
BATON ROUGE, LA -- More than 20 inches of rain
have fallen in southwest Louisiana since last week, and with more on the way,
the full scope of damage due to historic flooding in the area won't become
clear until the
water recedes.
"We're still in the stabilization and
rescue mode now," said Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike
Strain. "Once the water recedes
we'll begin doing analysis. The feds
will join us with teams on the ground doing assessments."
As of noon today, the following parishes are
included on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Louisiana disaster
declaration: Acadia, Ascension, East
Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St.
Helena, St. Landry, Tangipahoa, and Vermilion.
Twenty-nine parishes have requested disaster declarations.
"Estimating the value of damage to the
rice crop in southwest Louisiana will not be easy since, at this point,
everything seems to be constantly changing," said Dustin Harrell, Research
Agronomist & Extension Rice Specialist at Louisiana State University.
After talking with extension agents in every affected
parish, and using an average yield value of 7,100 lb/acre and an average rice
price of $11 per cwt, Harrell came up with what he called "a highly
speculative estimate" of approximately $14.3 million in losses for the
southwest Louisiana rice crop. This
estimate does not include potential ratoon rice losses.
Rice farmers throughout the affected areas
report varying degrees of damage. Kevin
Berken, from Lake Arthur, is pumping water off his rice and remains optimistic
that his crop will be saved, although he thinks his second crop is "toast
or teal [duck] food."
Fred Zaunbrecher estimated "between 18-20
inches of rain" has fallen at his farm in Duson. "My brother had to evacuate his home,
and my son and his buddies have been running rescue missions in south Lafayette
with their gator tail boat."
The view Saturday from atop Allen McClain's
grain bins south of Abbeville.Donald Berken, from Welsh, relayed a conversation
with Congressman Charles Boustany's staff who said the Army Corp of Engineers
responsible for lock operations had given assurances that all of the locks in
the area are under constant monitoring but cannot remain open continuously due
to tidal activity. Berken adds, "My
area went through a similar event in May of 1980. This appears to be as bad if not worse due to
more widespread rain."
"We were having average yield, some high
some low, with good quality," said Jackie Loewer, from Branch. "Now we will have less than average
yield because of down conditions and lower quality because of sprouted
rice."
It has been estimated that about 80 percent of
the southwest Louisiana crop had been harvested prior to the flooding, but that
of the 20 percent still in the field, 20 percent of that would likely be lost
due to the flooding.
None of the rice mills in the state have
reported flood-related disruption, although transportation for, and safety of,
employees is obviously a top concern according to Robert Trahan, CEO of Falcon
Rice Mill in Crowley, and chairman of the USA Rice Millers' Association.
USA Rice's Randy Jemison and Carrie Castille
were the only agriculture commodity representatives actively participating in a
FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) coordination call
today. They shared the initial impact of
the flooding on the rice industry and will remain in contact with that group.
USA Rice will continue to monitor this
situation and provide updates as they are reported.
Crop Progress: 2016 Crop 94
Percent Headed
WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-four percent of the nation's 2016 rice acreage is headed, according to yesterday's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report. Sixty-five percent of the 2016 crop is in good to excellent condition
|
Rice Harvested, Selected
States
|
||||
|
Week Ending
|
||||
|
State
|
August 14, 2015
|
August 7, 2016
|
August 14, 2016
|
2011-2015 average
|
|
Percent
|
||||
|
Arkansas
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
|
California
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Louisiana
|
56
|
39
|
55
|
41
|
|
Mississippi
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
3
|
|
Missouri
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Texas
|
31
|
43
|
67
|
38
|
|
Six States
|
12
|
9
|
13
|
9
|
U.S. rice futures surge most in 5 years on Louisiana flooding
Mon Aug 15, 2016 8:37pm GMT
Aug 15 (Reuters) - U.S. rough rice futures surged the most in five years on Monday as floodwaters submerged mature fields in the South and farmers and millers braced for crop losses, rice traders and specialists said on Monday.More than 2 feet (61 cm) of rain fell in three days in southern Louisiana, overwhelming rivers and forcing thousands to leave their homes, before the storms and flooding threat moved west to Texas.It will be days before the extent of the damage from the unprecedented flooding is known. At least seven people have been killed and U.S. President Barack Obama declared a disaster in Louisiana.
Rice fields that were ready to be harvested were saturated while winds also knocked down plants, likely causing "sprouting," when grain germinates in the field, according to Steve Linscombe, director of Louisiana State University's rice research center near Crowley, Louisiana.
"This is the highest I've ever seen the waters," Linscombe said, adding that he has worked in the rice industry for 30 years.
Louisiana is the No. 3 U.S. rice producing state, after Arkansas and California, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade surged 6 percent, or 59 cents, to $10.25 per cwt, a three-week high. The daily gains were the biggest since July of 2011, and the two-day rise of roughly 10 percent were the largest jump since 2003.
"All you have to do is look on TV. It's all the flooding that's doing a number on a lot of rice fields in southern Louisiana," Price Futures Group analyst Jack Scoville said.
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL1N1AW1F5
Rice exporters to visit Mozambique next month
12.08.2016
A trade delegation of rice export will visit
Mozambique next month to explore new export opportunities there and other
surrounding African countries. While chairing fifth meeting of Federation
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee on Rice Exports,
Rafique Suleman Chairman Committee said the delegation aimed at capturing not
only the market in Mozambique but the surrounding African countries as well
including Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Zambia and even South Africa.
The trade delegation would be comprised leading rice exporters to market the Pakistan Bastmati and Irri rice and expected to travel in the first week of September, he added. He requested FPCCI to support the delegation through Shaikh Khalid Tawab, Senior Vice President, FPCCI, who also holds the position of Honorary Consul General of Mozambique.Rafique assured that the delegation would go a long way in exploring new opportunities for rice exporters in Southeast African market. Furthermore, he suggested that there should be a trade delegation to Afghanistan to promote bilateral trade between the two countries.
He informed the meeting that quantity of total rice exports for last year had increased from previous year as during the last fiscal year Pakistan had exported some 4.2 million metric tons with major exports of non-basmati rice. "Slight decline in the export was due to tenders and auctions of the rice stock in Thailand as well as surplus of stock led to a reduction in prices of rice in Pakistan which eventually reduced the total value of export of rice as compare to last year," he added.
Chairman committee said that to promote Pakistani commodities, government should grant wheat and flour as gifts and donations to other countries along with rice as well since they were already in a surplus. He also emphasised on the need of a proper banking channel with Iran to increase bilateral trade between both the countries. He hoped that visit to Mozambique would create new export opportunities for Pakistani Rice traders, besides earning more foreign exchange for the country.
During the meeting Rafique appreciated efforts of Abdul Rahim Janoo, Chairman, FPCCI, Standing Committee on Fairs Exhibitions & Delegations on his commendable performance and extraordinary services to FPCCI as well as REAP. Javed Jillani, Senior Vice Chairman, FPCCI, Standing Committee on Rice Exports also appreciated the services of Janoo towards the promotion of rice exports and credited him as one of the most influential businessmen of Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Zulfiqar Ali Shaikh, Vice President, FPCCI; Javed Jillani, Senior Vice Chairman, FPCCI, Standing Committee on Rice Exports, Mumtaz Shaikh and Hamid Hussain Qureshi.
http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/rice-exporters-to-visit-mozambique-next-month
USDA adjusts forecasts based on record corn, soybean crops
Aug 15, 2016 | Delta
Farm Press
Fiscal
and monetary policy intervention to manage a slow growth global economy will
continue to influence market price action and as such will be monitored closely
by market participants. I expect that this is going to be an ongoing exercise
of risk-on and risk-off for the foreseeable future," says Bobby Coats,
professor of agricultural economics, University of Arkansas.- USDA’s current expectations are for record soybean and corn production, near-record, long-grain rice production, a larger wheat crop, and slightly larger cotton production.
- USDA’s first survey-based yield forecast has corn and soybeans at record levels of 175.1 bushels and 48.9 bushels per acre respectively, cotton at 800 pounds per acre, all rice at 7,659 pounds per acre or 170.2 bushels per acre, and winter wheat at 54.9 bushels per acre.
- By the close of market activity on Friday, Aug. 12, the markets seemed to feel comfortable with pricing activity preceding the release of the August USDA Supply and Demand Estimates report and made no significant price adjustments with corn and wheat slightly higher, soybeans slightly lower, rice prices up and cotton prices down.
- Presently, I do not see any real need for the price structure in these markets covered here to deviate significantly from pre-WASDE release. Simplistically, corn, soybeans, and rice are likely in a bottoming process. Wheat is likely finishing its corrective upside price activity before finishing its bottoming process, and cotton likely still needs to finish a near term topping process.
U.S. Production:
- Long-grain rice – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 133 and 183 million hundredweight respectively, 38 percent increase over 2015/16 and .2 percent previous month.
- Soybeans – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 3.92 and 4.06 billion bushels respectively, 3.3 percent increase over 2015/16 and 4.6 percent above previous month.
- Cotton – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 12.89 and 15.88 million bales respectively, 23.2 percent increase over 2015/16 and .5 percent above previous month.
- Corn – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 13.60 and 15.15 billion bushels respectively, 11.4 percent increase over 2015/16 and 4.2 percent above previous month.
- Wheat – production 2015/16 and 2016/17, 2.05 and 2.32 billion bushels respectively, 13.1 percent increase over 2015/16 and 2.6 percent above previous month.
U.S. Domestic Demand:
- Long-grain rice – domestic demand 2015/16 and 2016/17, 88 and 105 million hundredweight respectively, 19 percent increase over 2015/16 and no change from previous month.
- Soybeans – domestic demand 2015/16 and 2016/17, 2 and 2.06 billion bushels respectively, 2.8 percent increase over 2015/16 and .8 percent above previous month.
- Cotton – domestic demand 2015/16 and 2016/17, 3.50 and 3.60 million bales respectively, 2.9 percent increase over 2015/16 and no change from previous month.
- Corn – domestic demand 2015/16 and 2016/17, 11.76 and 12.32 billion bushels respectively, 4.7 percent increase over 2015/16 and 1.4 percent above previous month.
- Wheat – domestic demand 2015/16 and 2016/17, 1.16 and 1.36 billion bushels respectively, 17.8 percent increase over 2015/16 and 2.6 percent above previous month.
U.S Export Summary
- Long-grain rice – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 71 and 81 million hundredweight respectively, 11.4 percent increase over 2015/16 and no change from previous month.
- Soybeans – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 1.88 and 1.95 billion bushels respectively, 3.7 percent above over 2015/16 and 1.6 percent above previous month.
- Cotton – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 9.20 and 11.50 million bales respectively, 25 percent increase over 2015/16 and no change from previous month.
- Corn – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 1.93 and 2.18 billion bushels respectively, 13 percent increase over 2015/16 and 6.1 percent above previous month.
- Wheat – exports 2015/16 and 2016/17, 777 and 950 million bushels respectively, 22.6 percent increase over 2015/16 and 2.7 percent above previous month.
U.S. Rice:
- NASS currently estimates the average United States yield for all rice at 7,659 pounds or 170.2 bushels per acre, up 189 pounds from last year. If achieved, then U.S. all rice production will be a record high.
- NASS currently expects record high production in Arkansas and Louisiana.
- Long-grain production for 2016/17 was lowered .3 million hundredweight from 183 million hundredweight last month to 182.7 million hundredweight, which if achieved would be the second highest on record. The record production was 2010’s 183.3 million hundredweight.
- 2016/17 long grain beginning stocks were reduced 1.5 million hundredweight.
- 2016/17 long grain exports are projected 81 million hundredweight which if achieved would the highest since 2005.
- Ending stocks were reduced from 38.5 million hundredweight last month for long-grain to 36.7 million hundredweight this month. This remains very troublesome. Ending stocks have not been this large since 1985.
- For 2016/17 the U.S. long-grain price is lowered 50 cents on both the high and low ends of the range to $9.50 to $10.50 per hundredweight.
- The California 2016/17 medium- and short-grain price is lowered $1.00 on both ends to $14.50 to $15.50 per hundredweight.
- The other states medium- and short-grain 2016/17 price is lowered 50 cents on both ends to $10.00 to $11.00 per hundredweight.
- The 2016/17 global production forecast is lowered fractionally to 481.1 million tons (milled basis), still the highest on record.
- Global consumption for 2016/17 is lowered 1.8 million tons to 478.8 million, mostly due to a reduction for India.
- The 2016/17 global ending stocks forecast is increased 6.5 million tons to 113.8 million, 2 percent above the previous year’s revised estimate.
Soybeans:
Select USDA 2016/17 WASDE projections:
- USDA estimates 2016/17 U.S. oilseed production at 120.2 million tons, up 4.8 million from last month due to a higher soybean production forecast.
- Soybean harvested acreage is unchanged from the July estimate of 83 million acres.
- USDA’s first survey-based soybean yield forecast estimates the U.S. soybean yield at a record 48.9 bushels per acre which is slightly above last year’s then record of 48 bushels per acre.
- Soybean production for 2016/17 is now estimated at 4.06 billion bushels.
- Total soybean supplies for 2016/17 are projected at a record 4.35 billion bushels.
- The U.S. season-average soybean price for 2016/17 is forecast at $8.35 to $9.85 per bushels, down 40 cents on both ends of the range.
- Global oilseed production for 2016/17 is projected at 543.5 million tons, up 7.0 million from last month. Global soybean production is projected at a record 330.4 million tons, up 4.5 million.
Cotton:
Select USDA 2016/17 WASDE projections:
- The 2016/17 U.S. cotton supply and demand estimates include marginally higher production and ending stocks, with the farm price projected 7 percent above last month.
- Production is forecast at 15.9 million bales based on NASS’s first survey of the 2016 crop.
- Domestic mill use and exports are unchanged from last month, raising ending stocks to 4.7 million bales, equivalent to 31 percent of total use.
- The marketing year average price received by producers is projected to range from 57 to 69 cents per pound.
- The midpoint of 63 cents per pound is raised 4 cents from last month’s estimate based on recent price activity and tighter global cotton supplies.
- Projected world 2016/17 cotton ending stocks are down 2 percent this month, due to combination of lower beginning stocks and production.
- World ending stocks are lowered 1.7 million bales to 89.6 million.
- Stocks outside of the United States and China are projected at 36 percent of total use, similar to the estimated 2015/16 ratio.
Corn:
Select USDA 2016/17 WASDE projections:
- Corn production is forecast at a record 15.2 billion bushels, up 613 million from the July projection.
- The season’s first survey based corn yield forecast, at 175.1 bushels per acre, is up 7.1 bushels from last month’s trend based projection and above the record 171.0 bushels in 2014/15.
- U.S. corn supplies for 2016/17 are projected at a record 16.9 billion bushels, up 1.5 billion from last year.
- Total U.S. corn use for 2016/17 is projected 300 million bushels higher at a record 14.5 billion.
- Exports are projected 125 million bushels higher, reflecting the relative competitiveness of U.S. corn on the world market and large new-crop outstanding sales.
- Corn-ending stocks for 2016/17 are projected 328 million bushels higher at 2,409 million bushels and, if realized, would be the highest since 1987/88.
- The projected range for the season-average corn price received by producers is lowered 25 cents on both ends to $2.85 to $3.45 per bushels.
- Global 2016/17 coarse grain ending stocks are projected 13.4 million tons higher reflecting larger corn and barley stocks. Global corn stocks are projected 12.4 million tons higher with the United States accounting for two-thirds of the increase.
Near-term market impact:
Rice Price Projection
USDA’s 2015/16 August 2016 price estimate $11.00 ($/hundredweight)
$4.95 ($/bushels)
USDA’s 2016/17 August 2016 price estimate $10.00 ($/hundredweight)
$4.50 ($/bushels)
- Monthly change from July 12, 2016 - 4.8 percent
- Change from 2015/16 on July 12 - 4.6 percent
September 2016 current price $9.66 ($/hundredweight)
$4.35 ($/bushels)
Coats - Near Term Price Outlook –
- Potential price weakness into the $9.00 hundredweight or $4.05 bushels. area
- Rice needs a new demand source from current and/or new customers
USDA’s 2015/16 August 2016 price estimate $8.95 ($/bushels)
USDA’s 2016/17 August 2016 price estimate $9.10 ($/bushels)
$8.35/$9.85
- Change from July 12, 2016 - 4.2 percent
- Change from 2015/16 on July 12 + 1.7 percent
November 2016 current price $9.81 ($/bushels)
Coats - Near Term Price Outlook -
- Possible price weakness into the $9.00 area. Treat this market with a great deal of respect.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/usda-adjusts-forecasts-based-record-corn-soybean-crops
U.S. rice futures surge most in 5 years on Louisiana flooding
Mon Aug 15, 2016 8:37pm GMT
Aug 15 (Reuters) - U.S. rough rice futures surged the most in five years on Monday as floodwaters submerged mature fields in the South and farmers and millers braced for crop losses, rice traders and specialists said on Monday.
More than 2 feet (61 cm) of rain fell in three days in southern Louisiana, overwhelming rivers and forcing thousands to leave their homes, before the storms and flooding threat moved west to Texas.
It will be days before the extent of the damage from the unprecedented flooding is known. At least seven people have been killed and U.S. President Barack Obama declared a disaster in Louisiana.
Rice fields that were ready to be harvested were saturated while winds also knocked down plants, likely causing "sprouting," when grain germinates in the field, according to Steve Linscombe, director of Louisiana State University's rice research center near Crowley, Louisiana.
"This is the highest I've ever seen the waters," Linscombe said, adding that he has worked in the rice industry for 30 years.
Louisiana is the No. 3 U.S. rice producing state, after Arkansas and California, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade surged 6 percent, or 59 cents, to $10.25 per cwt, a three-week high. The daily gains were the biggest since July of 2011, and the two-day rise of roughly 10 percent were the largest jump since 2003.
"All you have to do is look on TV. It's all the flooding that's doing a number on a lot of rice fields in southern Louisiana," Price Futures Group analyst Jack Scoville said
El Niño pulls down H1 agri production
By: Jhesset O. Enano
12:06 AM August 16th, 2016
The prolonged dry spell due to the El Niño
weather phenomenon reduced the value of the country’s agricultural output in
the first half by 3.5 percent to P390.4 billion, with the decline from both the
crops and fisheries subsectors pulling down total production.This was a
reversal from the same period last year when output grew marginally by 0.89
percent, according to the latest report by the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA).
The PSA report also showed that the value of
agriculture production in the second quarter alone declined by 2.3 percent
year-on-year to P197.5 billion.Growth in the livestock and poultry production
failed to make up for the losses in crops and fisheries in the first semester.The
value of crop production slipped by 6.8 percent to P196 billion, while the
fisheries subsector recorded a 5.92-percent decline to P64.7 billion.Crop
output accounts for almost half of total production at 48 percent.Palay yielded
the biggest production value at P66.2 billion, trailed by corn output at P20.5
billion.
Palay harvests reached 7.65 million metric tons
from January to June 2016, declining from 8.32 MT in the same period last year.
Corn output likewise dropped to 2.83 MT from 3.38 MT in 2015, also due to the
dry spell.The report said the drought experienced in the Visayas, Caraga,
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Soccsksargen contributed to the
decrease in production.Coconut production also dropped by 6.24 percent, as the
sector has not yet fully recovered from the effects of Typhoon “Nona” that
struck Eastern Visayas late last year.
The fisheries subsector, which accounted for
18.31 percent of the country’s total output, reported lower production across
fish species for the second quarter.The value of milkfish production, which
accounts for about 3 percent of the subsector’s output, declined by 0.14
percent to P10.2 billion in the first half.Hot weather conditions, high water
temperatures and extreme low tides contributed to the decrease in the fish
production.
Both
livestock and poultry subsectors, on the other hand, recorded output growth at
5.6 percent to P68 billion and 1.12 percent to P61.7 billion, respectively.Farmgate
prices, meanwhile, rose by an average of 3.45 percent year-on-year, up from
last year’s decline by 4.11 percent
http://business.inquirer.net/213553/el-nino-pulls-h1-agri-production
Farm output declines in H1
(The Philippine Star) | Updated August 16, 2016 - 12:00am
googleplus
For the second quarter of the year alone,
agricultural output fell by 2.34 percent. This is the third consecutive quarter
that the agriculture sector registered negative growth, mainly due to El Nino. File
photo
MANILA,
Philippines - The prolonged dry spell brought about by the recently ended El
Nino episode caused the country’s agricultural production to decline by 3.48
percent in the first half of the year, the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA) reported yesterday.For the second quarter of the year alone, agricultural
output fell by 2.34 percent. This is the third consecutive quarter that the
agriculture sector registered negative growth, mainly due to El Nino.The latest report of the PSA said the gains in the livestock and poultry subsectors failed to offset the downturn in the production of the crops and fisheries sub-sectors during the six-month period.The crops subsector, which accounted for bulk of agricultural production, reported a 6.8 percent decrease in output.Palay production declined by 8.13 percent to 7.65 million metric tons (MMT), partly due to the decrement in harvest areas and average yield in areas severely affected by El Niño such as SOCCSKSARGEN, ARMM, Caraga and the Visayas regions.
Corn production slid by 16.35 percent to 2.83 MMT. “Reduction in area harvested and lower yields because of the dry spell in Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN and ARMM were the main reasons for the drop,” the PSA report read.
The fisheries subsector recorded a negative
growth of 5.92 percent. All fish species, except tiger prawns, showed lower
production during the period.The poultry and livestock subsectors, on the other
hand, continued to post positive growth
rising by 1.12 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively.Hog production, alone rose
by 6.45 percent to 1.08 MMT. Carabao,
cattle, goat and dairy output all increased by 2.06 percent, 0.85 percent, 0.27
percent and 2.33 percent, respectively.
The growth was mainly due to increase in demand
driven by election-related activities and Ramadan festivities.
The climb in dairy output was also attributed
to the intensified milk production program of the National Dairy Authority and
the Philippine Carabao Center.The country’s poultry subsector also grew by 1.12
percent on higher production of chicken and duck eggs.The incidence of
Newcastle disease which affected CAR, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley and Central
Luzon caused the drop in production, the PSA said.The Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported the end
of the El Niño episode, and the occurrence of El Niño Southern Oscillation
neutral conditions in the Pacific last month.Dr. Rolando Dy, executive director
of the University of Asia and the Pacific’s Center for Food and Agribusiness,
told The STAR the agriculture sector could recover in the second quarter of the
year in view of better rainfall levels.
“My estimate is flat (growth) for the whole
year. To achieve zero for full year, with the first half at negative 3.5
percent, second half growth must be near 2.5 percent to three percent. We may
record positive growth with better rainfall,” Dy said in a text message.However,
Dy said the critical water level in Magat Dam still poses a challenge for the
agriculture sector, particularly the rice farmers.National Irrigation
Administration (NIA) spokesperson Pilipina Bermudez said Magat Dam’s water
level has reached 159.11 meters as of Aug. 15, which is below the reservoir’s
critical level of 160 meters
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/08/16/1613766/farm-output-declines-h1
Rice output to go up by 6.73 percent in H2–PSA report
August 16, 2016
Palay production in the second half of the year
could recover and increase by 6.73 percent to 10.48 million metric tons (MMT),
from 9.82 MMT posted a year ago, according to the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA).In the latest “Rice and Corn Situation Outlook,” the PSA said
the onset of the rainy season and the use of high-yielding varieties will boost
unmilled rice production in the second semester of the year.“The July to
December 2016 probable palay production and harvest area may increase by 6.73
percent and 2.42 percent from their respective levels in 2015,” the PSA said.“Likewise,
yield may improve to 3.95 metric tons [MT] per hectare, from 3.79 MT, or by
4.21 percent,” it added.
Based on standing crop, the PSA said output in
the July-to-September period could go up by 16.17 percent to 2.96 MMT, from
2.55 MMT last year on the back of the expansion of harvest area and yield per
hectare.“Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Western Visayas,
Northern Mindanao and ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]
may post substantial increases in production and harvest area,” the report
read.
Based on
farmers’ planting intentions, output in the October-to-December period could
grow by 3.42 percent to 7.52 MMT, from 7.27 MMT recorded a year ago.While
harvest area may shrink by 1.84 percent, the PSA said yield per hectare may go
up to 3.95 MT, from 3.75 MT, a year ago.“Substantial increases in production are anticipated in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Bicol region. Western Visayas may contribute large decrement in harvest area due to late onset of rainfall that hindered plantings in nonirrigated areas,” the report read.Despite the projected increase, the PSA said total palay production for 2016 may settle at 18.14 MMT, or 0.08 percent lower than the 18.15 MMT recorded last year.
Palay output from January to June dropped by 8.13 percent to 7.65 MMT, from 8.32 MMT a year ago due to El Niño. Harvest area contracted as farmers were discouraged from planting rice.Corn output is also expected to expand in the second quarter of the year, according to the PSA. From July to December, production could grow by 8.98 percent to 4.51 MMT, from 4.14 MMT posted in the same period last year.Production in the July-to -September period could go up by 12 percent to 2.69 MMT, from the 2.4 MMT recorded last year. The PSA attributed this to the probable expansion in harvest area and the increase in yield.
“Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and ARMM may post substantial additions in production. This may be attributed to increments in harvest area due to sufficient rainfall and movement of planting from the previous quarter,” the report read.Based on farmers’ planting intention, corn output in the fourth quarter of the year could go up by 4.78 percent to 1.81 MMT, from 1.73 MMT recorded a year ago.“Increments in production are expected in most regions, except Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga and Negros Island region,” the report read.
“Probable increases in harvest areas and yields may be attributed to more plantings with anticipation of rainfall and availability of seeds,” it added.Despite the projected hike in corn output in the second half, the PSA said corn output for the whole of 2016 could settle at 7.33 MMT, 2.41 percent lower than the 7.51 MMT posted a year ago.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/2016/08/16/rice-output-to-go-up-by-6-73-percent-in-h2-psa-report/
DA sec says 6-month buffer stock of food needed for disaster preparedness
- August 16, 2016
- Roi Lomotan
The agricultural secretary also stressed that “Self-reliance and self-sufficiency are the battle cries of the day.”
To achieve this, the country must attain
food sufficiency in rice, corn, livestock and poultry and then maintain a
buffer stock of food.Piñol disclosed he told President Rodrigo Duterte on this
and he assured the latter that it will be his priority to make sure that there
is a full supply of food for six months to assure the people that there will be
enough food during disasters.
“Today, our rice buffer stock is only
good for three months. Our problem is, what will happen if an eight-month El
Niño would hit the country?,” Piñol said.To address this, the DA official
proposed a Rice Productivity Enhancement program, part of which is the review
of the country’s irrigation and water management policies. Piñol said he
aims to have irrigation systems that will not harm the mountains and would be
operational within six months to one year so that the target for food
production will be realized.
Another
measure is the conduct of nationwide soil analysis. “We would like to
guide the Filipino farmer by telling him what kind of soil he has in his
backyard so that he will be fully guided in planting what kind of crop,” he
stressed.Aside from this he also proposed that there should be effective soil
rehabilitation and fertilization program, extensive program to improve rice
farming technologies through sharing of farmers best practices. Piñol also shared the challenge of the Department of Agriculture under the current administration is more on food production particularly in the readiness and preparedness to face the unpredictability of climate.He noted that climate change and its negative effects El Niño and La Niña are real challenges and the country must adjust in order to survive.“There are fundamental policy changes which the DA will have to adopt. The DA is staking a proactive stance, unlike before, we no longer ignore the warnings,” he said.
“La Niña preparedness is a must, it’s no longer a choice,” Piñol pointed out. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2631470995650/da-sec-says-6-month-buffer-stock-of-food-needed-for-disaster-preparedness-#sthash.MuQBOcOn.dpuf
Bắc Sơn valley in ripe rice season
Update: August, 05/2016 - 11:03
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Majestic: In the valley, smoke from burning
straw flies slowly up to the sky.
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Hoà ng Linh
It was one of the hottest months of the year.
The heat and humidity made us easily frustrated and bad tempered. If you don’t
like the seaside because of hot beaches, consider coming to Bắc Sơn which will
offer you fresh and cool air and vast ripe rice fields.Bắc Sơn is a highland
district of Lạng Sơn province, 160km to the north of Hà Nội. From Hà Nội,
tourists can take an open bus along National Road No.3 to Thái Nguyên province,
then on National Road No.1B for about 80km before reaching Bắc Sơn.
Bắc Sơn is in the centre of limestone mountain,
with the majestic beauty of mountains, clouds, and endless green rice fields.Its
beauty has different shades of appearance in different times of the year. From
the end of July to mid-November, it is said to have the nicest weather.Vast
ripe rice fields in Bắc Sơn had a graceful nature. A golden colour is
everywhere while the clouds lazily flow over limestone mountain tops. The scene
was so picturesque that we couldn’t take our eyes off it.“I feel so
overwhelmed. I must take hundreds of photos of the land.” Nguyá»…n Thu HÃ , my
friend, said, jumping with excitement.
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Stunning: From NÃ Lay Mountain Top, the whole
valley seems divided into squares with different shades of gold colours. —
Photos news.zing.vn
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From NÃ Lay mountain top, we could see the
whole scenery of the area with its all peacefulness and charm. We saw tiny
roofs standing one by one. Roads, rivers and people became so little that they
looked to be moving in slow motion on a golden background. Smoke from burning
straw flew up to the sky, making the whole picture more distinguished.
Bắc Sơn has quite even terrain, good irrigation
works so that residents can have two crops a year. Rice crops there are not
planted at the same time so they are not harvested at the same time. Farmers in
Bắc Sơn often use harvesting machines to accelerate the process so it creates
different shades of colour in a single field.“Look! From above, that field
looks like a smiling face!” Hoà ng Thu Trang, a friend said.Rice fields in Bắc
SÆ¡n have been rated as “A rare green field of the planet” on the tourism website whenonearth.net for
its amazing and unique features.
Leaving the mountain top, we went down to be
immersed in the lives of locals. We felt the busy atmosphere of harvesting
days. Farmers were excited to cut crops, hopeful for a bumper season. In the middle
of the valley, the mountain ranges seemed more majestic.Living in the highland,
Bắc Sơn residents are mainly Tà y people who preserve traditional customs like
fork games such as stone throwing, swinging, etc. TÃ y people’s houses face the
Southeast, a tradition going back hundreds of years. Life here is peaceful with
rustic, calm people and beautiful nature.We left Bắc Sơn with a memory card
full of photos. We knew that we had gained a great asset that cannot be bought
at any price. — VNS
http://vietnamnews.vn/life-style/300590/bac-son-valley-in-ripe-rice-season.html#j0MwUQOo4T78gHQO.97
Rice output to go up by 6.73 percent in H2–PSA report
August 16, 2016
Palay production in the second half of the year
could recover and increase by 6.73 percent to 10.48 million metric tons (MMT),
from 9.82 MMT posted a year ago, according to the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA).In the latest “Rice and Corn Situation Outlook,” the PSA said
the onset of the rainy season and the use of high-yielding varieties will boost
unmilled rice production in the second semester of the year.“The July to
December 2016 probable palay production and harvest area may increase by 6.73
percent and 2.42 percent from their respective levels in 2015,” the PSA said.“Likewise,
yield may improve to 3.95 metric tons [MT] per hectare, from 3.79 MT, or by
4.21 percent,” it added.
Based on standing crop, the PSA said output in
the July-to-September period could go up by 16.17 percent to 2.96 MMT, from
2.55 MMT last year on the back of the expansion of harvest area and yield per
hectare.“Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Western Visayas,
Northern Mindanao and ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]
may post substantial increases in production and harvest area,” the report
read.
Based on
farmers’ planting intentions, output in the October-to-December period could
grow by 3.42 percent to 7.52 MMT, from 7.27 MMT recorded a year ago.While
harvest area may shrink by 1.84 percent, the PSA said yield per hectare may go
up to 3.95 MT, from 3.75 MT, a year ago.“Substantial increases in production
are anticipated in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Cagayan Valley, Central
Luzon and Bicol region. Western Visayas may contribute large decrement in harvest
area due to late onset of rainfall that hindered plantings in nonirrigated
areas,” the report read.Despite the projected increase, the PSA said total palay production for 2016 may settle at 18.14 MMT, or 0.08 percent lower than the 18.15 MMT recorded last year.Palay output from January to June dropped by 8.13 percent to 7.65 MMT, from 8.32 MMT a year ago due to El Niño. Harvest area contracted as farmers were discouraged from planting rice.Corn output is also expected to expand in the second quarter of the year, according to the PSA. From July to December, production could grow by 8.98 percent to 4.51 MMT, from 4.14 MMT posted in the same period last year.Production in the July-to -September period could go up by 12 percent to 2.69 MMT, from the 2.4 MMT recorded last year. The PSA attributed this to the probable expansion in harvest area and the increase in yield.
“Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and ARMM may post substantial additions in production. This may be attributed to increments in harvest area due to sufficient rainfall and movement of planting from the previous quarter,” the report read.Based on farmers’ planting intention, corn output in the fourth quarter of the year could go up by 4.78 percent to 1.81 MMT, from 1.73 MMT recorded a year ago.“Increments in production are expected in most regions, except Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga and Negros Island region,” the report read.
“Probable increases in harvest areas and yields may be attributed to more plantings with anticipation of rainfall and availability of seeds,” it added.Despite the projected hike in corn output in the second half, the PSA said corn output for the whole of 2016 could settle at 7.33 MMT, 2.41 percent lower than the 7.51 MMT posted a year ago
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/2016/08/16/rice-output-to-go-up-by-6-73-percent-in-h2-psa-report/
Rice Importers in PNG must invest in in Rice Production to Maintain Market Quota
Papua New Guinea Prime Minster, Peter O’Neill has warned rice importing companies that unless they invest in rice production in Papua New Guinea they will find their market access increasingly limited.PM O’Neill said becoming self-sufficient in rice production is a matter of high national importance.“We have a desire to grow more rice in our country and we need to work hard at this,” the Prime Minister said after the issue was raised in Parliament today.“As a country we rely too much on rice imports, from Australia and from Asia that is sold in Papua New Guinea.“We want to have a large scale and commercially viable rice production sector in our country that will meet the demands of our people.
“Maintaining food security is of great importance for all countries around the world and Papua New Guinea must not be dependent on rice imports.“We must overcome shortages and be self sufficient as is the situation in many Asian countries.”The Prime Minister said the key element in advancing rice production is for rice importers to invest in the local industry.“We have had enough experimenting, we want to grow rice in Papua New Guinea now, and we will create an environment were rice will be grown here,” the Prime Minister said.“We have a quota system in our country and this is being managed by the Department of Agriculture.“Cabinet has not made a firm decision on any revision to the quota system but it is clear what must be done.
“Rice companies must know that if they do not grow rice in our country you will not get quota.“If these companies do not invest in rice production they will not get a quota.“We are developing a fair and level playing field in which we can have a competitive rice production industry.”The Prime Minister further rejected claims by members of the Opposition that there would be a steep increase in the price of rice.“The price of rice is controlled and prices will not rise as high as the opposition claims,” PM O’Neill said.“Rice is a price controlled item and this is undertaken in a careful manner.
Rice imports into SA on the decrease
16 Aug
2016
As a net importer of rice, trends in the global
rice markets are crucial to South Africa. According to Wandile Sihlobo,
economist at Agbiz, the nation's rice imports have increased by 13% over the
past 15 years, from 544,351 tons in 2001 to 615,805 tons in 2015. In the first
quarter of 2016, however, rice imports reached 194,331 tons, which is 15% lower
than the corresponding period last year and the lowest quarterly import volume
since Q2, 2014.
In 2015, South Africa
predominantly imported rice from Thailand with an import share of 50%, India at
36%, followed by Vietnam at 8%, United States (US) at 2%, Brazil at 2% and
Pakistan with a share of 1%. Generally, local households prefer rice as a
substitute for maize meal, which explains the interchange in rice import
volumes and domestic white maize consumption.Between 2013 and 2015, South
Africa’s rice imports halved. This can be explained by a number of reasons,
which include the country’s re-exports to the region (Africa), as well as the
weaker rand against the US dollar which has made rice imports relatively more
expensive. Over the period observed, Thailand’s rice price decreased by 20%,
from an average US$489/t in 2013 to US$389/t in 2015. At the same time, the
rand depreciated by 25% against the dollar.
Meanwhile, global rice production has remained fairly stable, with production in the 2015/16 season negatively affected by unfavourable weather conditions in major producing regions. However, production is set to recover by 3% year-on-year in the 2016/17 season. Key global rice producers are India, Vietnam, Thailand, the US, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Moreover, 2016/17 global rice consumption is expected to increase by 1,2% from the previous season, to 489 million tons . In the same season, global ending stocks are expected to fall by 2% from the 2015/16 season, to 100 million tons. – Agbiz Research
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/641/149332.html
Sri Lanka allocates Rs 4 billion to purchase
Yala paddy harvest this year
Mon, Aug 15, 2016, 11:28 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka allocates Rs 4 billion to purchase Yala paddy harvest this year
Mon, Aug 15, 2016, 11:28 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka allocates Rs 4 billion to purchase Yala paddy harvest this year
Aug 15, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has
approved to allocate Rs. 4 billion for the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase
the 2016 Yala paddy harvest. Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board M.B.
Dissanayake says 120,000 metric tons of paddy harvest of the Yala season will
be purchased. The signing of agreements with banks in this regard is now being
taken place and the process of purchasing will commence next week. According to
the Paddy Marketing Board, the process will be carried out covering 19
districts. The government will buy a kilo of Keeri Samba at 50 rupees while a
kilo of Samba will be purchased at 41 rupees and a kilo of nadu at 38 rupees
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_16B/Aug15_1471283884CH.php
GCAP is supporting farmers to increase local production of rice
GCAP land
Six domestic anchor investors, who are also benefiting from the scheme would be working with the smallholder farmers by providing them with extension services, inputs and output markets.The Project Coordinator also noted that additional 2400 ha would be developed next year to make Ghana reduce the dependency on imported rice.Earlier, the project provided training in environmental and agronomic management of rice production to the beneficiary farmers. The Zonal Coordinator, Mr. BC Attipoe also noted that preparatory work on the rehabilitation and modernization of the Tono and Vea Irrigation Schemes is underway. The intervention will improve the operations of the 3500ha on the two schemes and provide direct jobs to about 4000 farmers and service providers.
GCAP is a World Bank/USAID funded project with the objective “to improve agricultural productivity of both smallholder and nucleus farms in selected project intervention areas through increased access to reliable water, land, finance, agricultural inputs, and-output markets”.In addition, GCAP in the last two years has supported 31 Nucleus Farmers and Aggregators in the Accra Plains and SADA Zone so that they in turn support their out-growers in a Nuclues-Outgrower arrangement. The interventions were used to remove binding constraints identified by the Nucleus Farmers so that they could channel their resources to improve their services to the out-growers
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/GCAP-is-supporting-farmers-to-increase-local-production-of-rice-462964
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