Thursday, January 25, 2018

Basmati Rice Analysis January ,2018 & Congratulations for REAP

Congrates to all Rice stackholders & spacialy current REAP leadership for achieving spectacular performance of exporting 1.9 million tons of rice with 29% more earning & 15% more in volume in first half of this financial year. 29% enhanced earning is due to 23% increase in Basmati export price in second quarter. For the benifits of all stackholders in Rice Supply chain , increase in volume is critical rather than earning due to liquidation of stocks. In spite of all the reasons to celeberate this phenomenal achievement on the back of Non Basmati export , due to unprecedentedly magnigicant efforts of South Zone REAP leadership ,Poor volume of Basmati export is a real matter of concern. In 6 months, we r unable to cross 200,000 tons of Basmati export. REAP north zone leadership will have to think out of box to push Basmati volumes rather than to cherish on higher prices. Ban on Indian Basmati export by EU & lifting of ban on Basmati import by Iran can b game changer.

By Chief Editor ,Hamlik,Rice Plus Magazine

Pakistan Non Basmati export in Decemder ,Rice Exporters fm South Zone created history by exporting 449,000 in a single month. The increase is inspite of a stiff & throat cut competetion fm India, Thailand & Veitnam & negligible import by China fm Pakistan. This is purily due to agile, spirited, infatigable & vigorous efforts by South Zone REAP leadership & rice exporters. An increase of 30% over last year same period(Dec 2016 by volume ). Non Basmati export DEC 2017, 449,539 tons DEC 2016, 344,749 tons, During last 6 months (July to DEC 2017) Total Non Basmati export stood at abt 1,670,000 tons.👏

[5:04 PM, 1/24/2018] Hamid Malik: Basmati export fm Pakistan got a big jolt in December 2017 by having a decrease of 32% in Dec 2017 as compared to Dec 2016. Total export of Basmati fm Pakistan in 6 months(july 17 to Dec 17) remains !72600 tons only as compared to over 200,000 tons. This is inspite of speculation & hipe created by vesred interest in the local market that brown fm India to EU is banned & volume will b shifted to Pakistan.
[5:06 PM, 1/24/2018] Hamid Malik: 172600 tons

25th January,2017 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine

Pakistan’s food exports increase 16.81%

By DND

January 25, 2018

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Food exports from the Country witnessed an impressive growth of 16.81 during the first half of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of last year.

The food exports rose to $1,932,269 million during July-December (2017-18) against the exports of $1,654,245 million during July-December (2016-17), according to latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The commodities that contributed in overall food trade from the Country included rice exports of which grew by 18.32 percent from $712,832 million last year to $843,388 million during the current year. Among rice commodities, the exports of basmati rice increased by 4.52 percent while that of other rice commodities increased by 22.88 percent.

The exports of fish and fish preparations from the Country also increased by 9.08 percent by growing from $183,446 million to $200,097 million while the exports of vegetables increased by 6.52 percent, from $58,871 million to $62,709 million.

During the period under review, the tobacco exports from the Country increased from $3,991 million to $20,625 million, showing growth of 416.79 percent while the wheat exports witnessed increase of 100 percent by going up from zero exports to $0.045 million.

Exports of oil, seeds, nuts and kernals increased by 10.35 percent from $20,243 million to $22,339 million while sugar exports also increased from zero exports last year to $181,209 million, showing 100 percent growth.

Meanwhile, the food products that witnessed negative growth in trade included fruits, exports of which declined from $198,143 million to $180,288 million, showing 9.01 decline while the exports of leguminous vegetable (pulses) decreased by 100 percent .

Exports of spics from the Country also decreased from $37,478 million to $36,421 million, showing decrease of 2.82 million while the exports of meat and meat preparations decreased by 6.21 percent, from $104,401 million to $97,915 million.

Other than these commodities, the exports of all other food products also witnessed decline of 14.08 percent by falling from $334,312 million last year to $287,233 million this year.

Meanwhile, on year-on-year basis, the food exports from the Country witnessed 31.18 percent growth during the month of December 2017 compared to the same month of last year.

The food exports during December 2017 were recorded at $439,285 million against the exports of $334,860 million last December, according to the PBS data.

On month-on-month basis, the food exports from the Country also witnessed increase of 4.92 percent in December 2017 when compared to the exports of $418,697 million in November 2017, the data revealed.

https://dnd.com.pk/pakistans-food-exports-increase-16-81/138407

This Pakistani restaurant is literally a hole in the wall — and it's awesome

By Tom Perkins

click to enlarge

Tom Perkins

Yep, literally a hole in the wall.

Karahi Korner

27616 Middlebelt Rd., Farmington Hills
248-535-9445
Hours vary (call ahead)
Around $10 per meal

Yes, Karahi Korner is a hole in the wall. Pretty much literally so. There's a hole in a wall in the back of a small, basic Indian and Pakistani grocery store at 12 Mile and Middlebelt. It's essentially a carryout window, so when it's time for fragrant Pakistani cuisine from Karahi Korner, you walk through the store, approach the window in the back wall, place your order, pay, take the food, then leave.

It's' semi-unconventional, but it doesn't matter because the food is awesome. Some of the best in metro Detroit. And it's one of your rare — if not only — chances to try this type of Pakistani cuisine in metro Detroit. These are intensely bright, aromatic-pumped South Asian dishes in which the Pakistani chefs orchestrate spices, heat, and acid in ways that you might have never encountered, and it's nearly intoxicating.

But there's more that you need to know before going. A taste of that harmony requires some work, and it might take two tries before you get what you came for. Because of that, you'll have to put a little faith in the chefs. It took me several phone calls over a three-week period and two trips from Hamtramck to Farmington Hills before figuring out exactly how Karahi Korner rolls.

That's partly because the guy who answered the phone didn't speak much English. That type of thing is generally a good sign if you're looking for authentic cuisine of a different country, but it presents a language barrier. Among those questions I couldn't initially figure out: Why are there 15 things on Karahi Korner's menu, but only a couple that are ever available at one time? When is the restaurant open? Why is there rarely any food during the lunch hour.

A cashier at the store finally explained what's up. The owners shop for their ingredients every morning, make enough food from scratch for the day, then start again the next morning. There's not much sitting around in the kitchen overnight. They arrive in the morning — on their schedule — and start cooking. What happens if you show up at noon? No biryani for you. What happens if you show up at 2 p.m.? It might be ready. But don't go too late, because the food is gone when it's gone. Timing is everything.

As for the menu, chef Ikhlaq Ahmed regularly prepares three items, including chicken biryani and chicken karahi, everyday. Usually there's beef or chicken kebabs, but only if Ahmed goes to the butcher that morning. On other days there's korma, tandori chicken, and a few other dishes. But the best bet is to call ahead, especially on weekends Karahi does huge catering gigs.

Tom Perkins

( Clockwise from top) Tandoori chicken, biryani, and chicken karahi.

In short, here's what you can generally count on: chicken karahi and biryani everyday, starting sometime between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., and kebabs after 4 p.m.

It's worth going for dinner and ordering all three for about $30. The dishes are unique, though all of Karahi's meat is slow-cooked and super tender, and many of the same spices and aromatics are in each.

In the chicken karahi, nubs of meat that falls from small bones arrives in a wet, deep rust-colored, oily mix of ginger, coriander, cumin seed, garlic, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and some variety of hot pepper. It's an incredibly rich and fragrant mix accented with the crunch of fresh ginger. Again, the balance and interplay of the aromatics, spices, and mellow heat is something for a southeast Michigan palate to behold.

The same principles apply in the kebabs, which are super flavorful sticks of ground meat that's slightly charred on its ends and speckled with bits of herbs, garlic, and onion. You'll find more coriander in the soft, moist sausage, along with the ever-present mellow heat from jalapeños. A hint of sweetness seamlessly plays into each bite, and the meat should be dipped in a yogurt raita sauce that holds mint, cilantro, and cumin seed. The wave of mellow cumin rolls through your mouth as more of a sensation than a flavor.

On another trip, I was lucky to come across the slightly charred and super moist tandoori chicken, which is flavored with garam masala, salt, garlic, and other spices.

Finally, there's there biryani, a basmati rice dish that comes stocked with nubby pieces of tender chicken. Again, you're going to find the cumin, coriander, hot peppers, garam masala, and aromatics at work, but there's also a heavy presence of perhaps cardamom, and lots of whole peppercorns. I found myself seriously mad that there wasn't another bite when I finished my plate.

A lot of restaurants in metro Detroit advertise as Indian and Pakistani, but Karahi is clearly something different. For one thing, India and Pakistan are huge places with localized cooking that differs depending on which corners of the countries you're in. (That's like moving to Karachi and opening an "American-Mexican" restaurant.) Ahmed is from Jhelum, Pakistan, and says the restaurant keeps the menu so short because it's important to make things fresh everyday. That's what he says distinguishes Karahi from other Pakistani restaurants that have 100 items on the menu.

And though you're likely only going to get to try three dishes at Karahi, and there might be a little more work involved, it's an intense experience that's worth the effort.

https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/this-pakistani-restaurant-is-literally-a-hole-in-the-wall-and-its-awesome/Content?oid=8784322

Genetic engineering, CRISPR and food: What the 'revolution' will bring in the near future

Steven Cerier | Genetic Literacy Project | January 24, 2018

Editor's note: This is the first in a four-part series examining genetic engineering's impact on our lives. The next installment will examine the role of gene editing in medicine; the third will look at regulatory obstacles blunting the potential of genetically engineered animals; and the final segment will look at synthetic biology and other novel applications.

Humankind is on the verge of a genetic revolution that holds great promise and potential. It will change the ways food is grown, medicine is produced, animals are altered and will give rise to new ways of producing plastics, biofuels and chemicals.

Many object to the genetic revolution, insisting we should not be ‘playing God’ by tinkering with the building blocks of life; we should leave the genie in the bottle. This is the view held by many opponents of GMO foods. But few transformative scientific advances are widely embraced at first. Once a discovery has been made and its impact widely felt it is impossible to stop despite the pleas of doubters and critics concerned about potential unintended consequences. Otherwise, science would not have experienced great leaps throughout history—and we would still be living a primitive existence.

Gene editing of humans and plants—a revolutionary technique developed just a few years ago that makes genetic tinkering dramatically easier, safer and less expensive—has begun to accelerate this revolution. University of California-Berkeley biochemist Jennifer Doudna, one of the co-inventors of the CRISPR technique::

Within the next few years, this new biotechnology will give us higher-yielding crops, healthier livestock, and more nutritious foods. Within a few decades, we might well have genetically engineered pigs that can serve as human organ donors…we are on the cusp of a new era in the history of life on earth—an age in which humans exercise an unprecedented level of control over the genetic composition of the species that co-inhabit our planet. It won’t be long before CRISPR allows us to bend nature to our will in the way that humans have dreamed of since prehistory.

The four articles in this series will examine the dramatic changes that gene editing and other forms of genetic engineering will usher in.

Great advances likely for GE foods

Despite the best efforts of opponents, GE crops have become so embedded and pervasive in the food systems—even in Europe which has bans in place on growing GMOs in most countries—that it is impossible to dislodge them without doing serious damage to the agricultural sector and boosting food costs for consumers.

Even countries which ban the growing of GMOs or who have such strict labeling laws that few foods with GE ingredients are sold in supermarkets are huge consumers of GE products.

Europe is one of the largest importers of GMO feed in the world. Most of the meat we consume from cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, pigs and fish farms are fed genetically modified corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

And the overwhelming majority of cheeses are made with an enzyme produced by GM microbes and some beers and wines are made with genetically engineered yeast.

North America, much of South America and Australia are major consumers of foods grown from GE seeds. Much of the corn oil, cotton seed oil, soybean oil and canola oil used for frying and cooking, and in salad dressings and mayonnaise is genetically modified. GM soybeans are used to make tofu, miso, soybean meal, soy ice cream, soy flour and soy milk. GM corn is processed into corn starch and corn syrup and is used to make whiskey. Much of our sugar is derived from GM sugar beets and GE sugarcane is on the horizon. Over 90 percent of the papaya grown in Hawaii has been genetically modified to make it resistant to the ringspot virus. Some of the squash eaten in the US is made from GM disease-resistant seeds and developing countries are field testing GM disease-resistant cassava.

Many critics of GE in agriculture focus on the fact that by volume most crops are used in commodity food manufacturing, specifically corn and soybeans. One reason for that is the high cost of getting new traits approved. Indeed, research continues on commodity crops, although many of the scientists work for academia and independent research institutes.

For example, in November 2016, researchers in the UK were granted the authority to begin trials of a genetically engineered wheat that has the potential to increase yields by 40 percent. The wheat, altered to produce a higher level of an enzyme critical for turning sunlight and carbon dioxide into plant fuel, was developed in part by Christine Raines, the Head of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Essex.

Genetic engineering and nutrition enhancement

A new generation of foods are now on the horizon, some as the result of new breeding techniques (NBTs), such as gene editing. Many of these foods will be nutritionally fortified, which will be critical to boosting the health of many of the poorest people in developing nations and increase yields.

Golden rice is a prime example of such a nutrition-enhanced crop. It is genetically engineered to have high levels of beta carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A. This is particularly important as many people in developing countries suffer from Vitamin A deficiency which leads to blindness and even death. Bangladesh is expected to begin cultivation of golden rice in 2018. The Philippines may also be close to growing it.

A strain of golden rice that includes not only high levels of beta carotene but also high levels of zinc and iron could be commercialized within 5 years. “Our results demonstrate that it is possible to combine several essential micronutrients – iron, zinc and beta carotene – in a single rice plant for healthy nutrition,” said Navreet Bhullar, senior scientist at ETH Zurich, which developed the rice.

The Science in the News group at Harvard University discussed some of the next generation foods.

Looking beyond Golden Rice, there are a large number of biofortified staple crops in development. Many of these crops are designed to supply other micronutrients, notably vitamin E in corn, canola and soybeans…Protein content is also a key focus; protein-energy malnutrition affects 25% of children because many staple crops have low levels of essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are building blocks of proteins and must be taken in through the diet or supplements. So far, corn, canola, and soybeans have been engineered to contain higher amounts of the essential amino acid lysine. Crops like corn, potatoes and sugar beets have also been modified to contain more dietary fiber, a component with multiple positive health benefits.

Other vitamin-enhanced crops have been developed though they have yet to be commercialized. Australian scientists created a GE Vitamin A enriched banana, scientists in Kenya developed GE Vitamin A enhanced sorghum and plant scientists in Switzerland developed a GE Vitamin B6 enhanced cassava plant. None is near approval, however.

Scientists genetically engineered canola, a type of rapeseed, to produce additional omega-3 fatty acids. Research is being conducted on developing GM gluten free wheat and vegetables with higher levels of Vitamin E to fight heart disease.

Other more consumer-focused genetically-engineered crops that do not use transgenics, and have sailed through the approval system include:

FDA has approved the commercialization of a GE non-browning apple—the Arctic Apple, developed by using a gene-silencing technique.
Simplot has developed GE potatoes created using gene-silencing techniques. They are less prone to bruising and blackening, in some cases are resistant to certain diseases and also contain less asparagine which reduces the potential for acrylamide that is created when frying, baking and roasting.

Fighting plant diseases

Other products are in development that fight viruses and disease. Scientists have used genetic engineering to develop disease-resistant rice. A new plum variety resists the plum pox virus. It has not yet been commercialized. GE solutions may be the only answer to save the orange industry from citrus greening, which is devastating orange groves in Florida. GE might be utilized to curb the damage caused by stem rust fungus in wheat and diseases effecting the coffee crop.

In Africa, GE solutions could be used to combat the ravages of banana wiltand cassava brown streak disease and diseases that impact cocoa trees and potatoes. A GE bean has been developed in Brazil that is resistant to the golden mosaic virus. Researchers at the University of Florida, the University of California-Berkeley and the 2Blades Foundation have developed a disease resistant GM tomato.

Scientists at the John Innes Center in the UK are attempting to create a strain of barley capable of making its own ammonium fertilizer from nitrogen in the soil. This would be particularly beneficial to farmers who grow crops in poor soil conditions or who lack the financial resources to buy artificial fertilizers.

Peggy Ozias-Akins, a horticulture expert at the University of Georgia has developed and tested genetically-engineered peanuts that do not produce two proteins linked to intense allergens.

New Breeding Techniques

New gene editing techniques (NBTs) such as CRISPR offer great potential and face lower approval hurdles, at least for now.

Scientists at Penn State have removed the gene that causes white button mushrooms to discolor, and the product was quickly approved.
In 2014, scientists in China produced bread wheat resistant to powdery mildew.
Calyxt, a biotechnology company, has developed a potato variety that prevents the accumulation of certain sugars, reducing the bitter taste associated with storage. The potato also has a lower amount of acrylamide.
DuPont has developed a gene-edited variety of corn, which can be used to thicken food products and make adhesives.

In June, the EPA approved a new first of its kind GE corn known as SmartStaxPro, in which the plant’s genes are tweaked without transgenics to produce a natural toxin designed to kill western corn rootworm larvae. It also produces a piece of RNA that shuts down a specific gene in the larvae, thereby killing them. The new GE corn is expected to be commercialized by the end of the decade.

What could slow—or even stop—this revolution? In an opinion piece for Nature Biology, Richard B. Flavell, a British molecular biologist and former director of the John Innes Center in the UK, which conducts research in plant science, genetics and microbiology, warned about the dangers of vilifying and hindering new GE technologies:

The consequences of simply sustaining the chaotic status quo—in which GMOs and other innovative plant products are summarily demonized by activists and the organic lobby—are frightening when one considers mounting challenges to food production, balanced nutrition and poverty alleviation across the world. Those who seek to fuel the GMO versus the non-GMO debate are perpetuating irresolvable difference of opinion. …Those who seek to perpetuate the GMO controversy and actively prevent use of new technology to crop breeding are not only on the wrong side of the debate, they are on the wrong side of the evidence. If they continue to uphold beliefs against evidence, they will find themselves on the wrong side of history.

Steven E. Cerier is a freelance international economist and a frequent contributor to the Genetic Literacy Project.

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/01/24/genetic-engineering-crispr-food-revolution-will-bring-near-future/

Head to the Rice Aisle at the 2018 North Louisiana Ag Expo

By Kane Webb

MONROE, LA -- This past weekend, the Louisiana Rice Council, along with USA Rice and the North East Louisiana Rice Growers Association (NELA) attended the 2018 North Louisiana Ag Expo here. Held each year at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center, this event welcomes several thousand visitors to experience all things agriculture, including the Ag Alley Mini Farm, educational seminars, a junior livestock show, and a trade show.

Louisiana Rice Council President Eric Unkel, along with growers Jimmy Hoppe, Charles Precht, and Kent Brown, greeted visitors over the two-day event with USA Rice staff lending a hand to keep up with the crowds.

The "rice aisle" is one of the more popular spots in the trade show as many folks start at the NELA Rice Growers booth where they are treated to a cup of red beans and rice, and then proceed to the Rice Council booth to meet the "Rice Men and Lady" that includes USA Rice's Mary Jemison.

Young and old alike spend a few minutes visiting, gathering the latest recipe brochures, registering for the hourly door prize drawing, and of course, getting a one-pound bag of Louisiana-grown rice after answering a quick trivia question about rice. That one, simple question makes a lasting impression as many repeat visitors can tell you the question they had the year before.

As they move on to the next booth, you hear the "thank you's," and "we'll see you next year," as they place the rice in their tote bags. And for the Rice Men and Lady, they know everyone walks away with THINK RICE on their mind!

USDA Releases Farm Bill & Legislative Principles

By Frank Leach

Secretary Perdue (center) visits the Brantley farm last Friday

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue unveiled the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill & Legislative Principles for Congress to consider as they craft the Farm Bill and other legislation impacting rural America. The principles cover a wide array of USDA's mission areas, including farm production and conservation, trade and foreign agricultural affairs, marketing and regulatory programs, food safety and inspection services, and rural development.

The common themes throughout USDA's principles document are supporting the U.S. agriculture sector, lessening the burden of regulations, and helping the American people. Through the principles, USDA offers counsel to Congress and supports legislation that provides a strong safety net for farmers to weather times of reduced prices, ensures that voluntary conservation programs balance farm productivity with conservation benefits, and helps open foreign markets for U.S. agriculture products.

"These USDA principles are complimentary to USA Rice priorities for the Farm Bill," said Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president of government affairs. "We're encouraged that Secretary Perdue has offered assistance in a way that provides Congress with the flexibility needed to put together legislation that works for all of the stakeholders, and we look forward to continuing the partnership we have with Congress and USDA to ensure that the final package works for rice farmers and agriculture as a whole."

Congress will have to pass a new Farm Bill or extend the current bill by September 30 when the current legislation expires.

Market Information

Daily Rough Rice Prices

(updated daily)

Indonesia can only import 346,000 tons of rice

23.01.2018

| UkrAgroConsult

Indonesia can only import 346,000 tons of rice A worker shoulders a sack of rice taken from a warehouse at the Cipinang wholesaler rice market in East Jakarta on Jan. 19. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)

State Logistics Agency (Bulog) procurement director Andrianto Wahyu Adi said on Monday the agency could only import 346,000 tons of rice or 69.2 percent of 500,000 tons planned import due to limited time."The shipment can only be implemented up to Feb. 28. So that amount is the best we can afford,” he added.The eight winning bidders are Vinafood I and II from Vietnam, Ponglarp, Capital Cereal, Asia Golden from Thailand, Amir Chand from India, Al Buhks and Sind Agro from Pakistan.

Andrianto said Vinafood II and other suppliers from Thailand have signed the contracts on and before Monday. "For the other suppliers, we will complete [the contracts] today."He could not stipulate when the imported rice would arrive, but added that each shipment would be 20,000 tons.
"We set the deadline for Feb. 28,” Andrianto said, adding that the ships from Thailand and Vietnam needed five days to arrive in Indonesia, while it would take between 14 and 16 days to arrive from Pakistan and India.

The price of rice in Jakarta was Rp 13,950 (US$1.05) per kilogram or 17.7 percent higher than the price in September, according to data from Bank Indonesia’s price tracking website, hargapangan.id.
Meanwhile, the price increased by 13.3 and 14.7 percent to Rp 11,900 per kg and Rp 11,700 per kg in West and East Java, respectively.

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/indonesia-can-only-import-346-000-tons-of-rice

Iranian delegation keen to promote agriculture trade with Pakistan

6:19 PM, January 23, 2018

Islamabad: A delegation of Iranian entrepreneurs of West Azerbaijan Province of Iran led by Behnam Tajodinni, Head of the AgricultureCommission of the Urmia Chamber of Commerce & Industry visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry and showed keen interest to develop strong trade relations with Pakistan in agriculture products.

Speaking at the occasion, Behnam Tajodinni said that West Azerbaijan was the third largest province of Iran with one of the highest producers of agricultural commodities.

He said the province was producing annually 6 million ton fruits & vegetables, 1.2-million-ton apple, 380,000-ton grapes and 280,000-ton apricots with 326 cold storage facilities with storage capacity of 1 million tons.

He said the province was also on top in producing honey and was a hub of import and export activities in Iran. He said the province has great potential to promote cooperation in the agriculture sector with Pakistan .

He stressed that the agriculture sector businessmen of both countries should develop close cooperation to promote bilateral trade of agro products between Iran and Pakistan .

Behnam Tajodinni said that about 32 Iranian trucks loaded with agricultureproducts were stuck up on Pakistani border in Baluchistan for the last 10 days and added that Pakistan has not informed them why the trucks were stopped.

He said such measures were discouraging efforts to improve bilateral tradebetween the two countries. He said both countries should revise high tariffs on agriculture products to facilitate the entrepreneurs in further improving bilateral trade . He also invited ICCI delegation to visit Urmia Chamber of Commerce & Industry and explore new avenues of mutual cooperation with Iranian counterparts.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed good relations, but given the size of the economies of both countries, their bilateral trade was far below the actual potential.

He stressed that both countries should encourage frequent exchange of trade delegations and focus on organizing single country exhibitions on a reciprocal basis to explore new areas of mutual collaboration.
He said despite signing a preferential trade agreement with Pakistan , Iran was maintaining high tariffs on many Pakistani products including textiles, clothing, leather goods, footwear, fruits & vegetables and rice which was a major hurdle in promoting trade with Iran.

He stressed that Urmia Chamber of Commerce & Industry should take up this issue with Iranian authorities to revise high tariffs.Muhammad Naveed, Senior Vice President ICCI said that Pakistan and Iran should establish border markets that would greatly help in improving bilateral trade and curb illegal trade as well.

https://nation.com.pk/23-Jan-2018/iranian-delegation-keen-to-promote-agriculture-trade-with-pakistan

GCC Basmati Rice Market: 2018: Growth, Demand and Forecast Research Report to 2023

IMARC GROUP

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The GCC basmati rice market has witnessed a healthy growth over the last few years. This can be accredited to the growing demand for better quality of rice, lack of domestic production, and the thriving expatriate population in the GCC countries.

According to IMARC Group’s latest report, titled “GCC Basmati Rice Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022”, the GCC basmati rice market reached a value of nearly US$ 4 Billion in 2016. ‘Basmati’, derived from the Hindi language, literally means fragrant. It is a variety of long, slender-grained aromatic rice and traditionally finds its roots from the Indian subcontinent. The distinctive fragrance and flavor of basmati rice can be accredited to the presence of a natural aromatic chemical compound. The presence of this compound is 12 times more in basmati rice as compared to the non-basmati rice varieties. Owing to this, basmati rice is considered as one of the best quality rice, and is extensively used in the Middle Eastern cuisines. It represents a major component of various lavish dishes, particularly in the GCC countries, which contain layers of rice, meat, sauces and dried fruits.

Request a Free Sample Copy of The Report: https://www.imarcgroup.com/request?type=report&[...]

Highlights of the GCC basmati rice market:

- Lack of domestic rice production in the GCC region remains the key growth inducing factor.

- Parboiled basmati rice represents the most popular product type.

- Within the region, Saudi Arabia is the leading market for basmati rice.

Due to unsuitable climatic conditions and a consequent lack of domestic rice production, the GCC countries are highly dependent on imports to meet their rice needs. Since rice forms an important part of the regular diet and numerous dishes in these countries, the growing demand for better quality basmati rice is influencing the market growth positively. Additionally, a thriving expatriate population and flourishing tourism sector in the GCC countries has fueled the consumption of basmati rice in the region. Some of the other factors contributing to the growing GCC basmati rice market include the presence of strong distribution channels in the region, rising urbanization rates, changes in demographics and inflating income levels. According to the report, the market is expected to reach a value of around US$ 6 Billion by 2022, growing a CAGR of 7.5% during 2017-2022.

On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into parboiled basmati rice and raw basmati rice. Currently, parboiled basmati rice is the most popular type, holding the majority of total sales. Based on the pack size, the market is categorized into institutional packaging and retail packaging. On a regional basis, Saudi Arabia represents the largest market, accounting for the majority of the total share. Other major regions include UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.

To View Report Summary And Table of Contact , Click on: https://www.imarcgroup.com/gcc-basmati-rice-mar[...]http://industrial.embedded-computing.com/news/gcc-demand-forecast-research-report-2023/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+industrial+%28Industrial+Embedded+Systems+News%29

Future Group's Kishore Biyani expects 33% growth in retail business in FY19

Expansion of the store network under various formats and product launches would fuel the growth from around Rs 300 billion in this financial year, said Biyani

B Dasarath Reddy | Hyderabad Last Updated at January 24, 2018 20:42 IST

Kishore Biyani. Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar

Kishore Biyani's Future Group is expecting Rs 400 billion revenue from its retail business in 2018-19.Expansion of the store network under various formats and product launches would fuel the growth from around Rs 300 billion in this financial year, said Biyani, group chief executive.
The group has four listed retail entities -- Future Retail, Future Lifestyle Fashion, Future Consumer and Future Enterprises. Their combined revenue was Rs 286 bn in 2016-17. Biyani expects the retail businesses to show 33 per cent growth in FY19, as compared to five per cent this financial year.
Adding South India's staple, rice, to its food product basket, Future Consumer launched Sona Masoori, a fine rice variety, under its Rs 120 billion Golden Harvest brand on Wednesday in Hyderabad, the biggest grossing city for the group across segments.
The company also introduced a subscription model, like door delivery of milk, for rice delivery.
"We have launched most of our retail formats and products from Hyderabad, known as the Punjab of South India in terms of consumption. This city is going to contribute 10 per cent of our retail revenue or Rs 40 bn during the next financial year," he said.
Biyani announced Sona Masoori would also be sold in North India by Future Consumer under brand name Shubra, positioning this product against Basmati rice. The group has invested close to Rs 800 million on a processing and packaging plant, using Swiss technology. The rice is being procured from Telangana, Andhra and Karnataka, the three states where this variety is grown.

Pakistan’s agriculture productivity among the lowest in the world

By Usman Hanif

Published: January 24, 2018

According to the report, low productivity acts as a barrier to Pakistan becoming a major player in the world’s processed food industry. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Pakistan’s low crop yield per hectare has not gotten any better for a long time and now it has sunk to one of the lowest levels in the world, according to a report released recently by the Pakistan Business Council – a business policy advocacy group.

A major part of Pakistan’s economy relies on the agriculture sector, which had a 19.5% share in the gross domestic product – the total size of the economy – in 2016.

Pakistan’s agricultural productivity ranges between 29% and 52%, far lower than the world’s best averages for major commodities, the report says.

Pakistan produces 3.1 tons of wheat from one hectare, which is just 38% of the 8.1 tons produced in France – the world’s best productivity.

Similarly, Pakistan produces 2.5 tons of cotton per hectare, which is 52% of the 4.8 tons produced in China.

Sugarcane yield stands at 63.4 tons per hectare in Pakistan, which is 51% of the 125.1 tons Egypt produces from every hectare while maize productivity is estimated at 4.6 tons per hectare, 41% of the 11.1 tons that France is producing. In the case of rice crop, Pakistan produces 2.7 tons from every hectare, which is merely 29% of the 9.2 tons per hectare in the US.

“Low crop yields hamper Pakistan’s ability to realise its full potential; Pakistan is not an agriculture country any more,” comments Gada Hussain, founder of the Sindh Abadgar Board – a lobby group of farmers.

Agricultural commodities, particularly cotton, provide critical inputs for Pakistan’s major manufacturing industries. However, lower harvests translate into low industrial production and higher costs, says the report.

Pakistan exports a number of agricultural commodities and their value added products. Sugarcane is used to make sugar and confectionery items that are exported. Rice and maize are also exported.

According to the report, the low productivity acts as a major barrier to Pakistan becoming a major player in the world’s processed food industry.

The agriculture sector employs around 42% of the labour force. A thriving and more efficient agriculture sector will help lift living conditions of a large number of people and also improve competitiveness of the industry, the report says.

However, 50% of the agricultural products are wasted in Pakistan due to unavailability of sufficient cold chain, logistics and processing facilities.

“Absence of efficient, new seed varieties, intermittent water supply and unenthusiastic marketing are killing our agriculture,” says Hussain. Urbanisation is also gaining pace as a lack of basic facilities like safe drinking water, health care and children education is compelling farmers to move to cities.

After toiling for four to five months to grow a crop, a farmer earns less than Rs100 per day, which is far lower than the Rs600 to Rs800 he can earn in cities as a labourer, according to Hussain. “So, we are losing agriculture which is the main driving force behind the economy.”

Media reports suggest the Chinese government is looking for avenues to enter Pakistan’s agriculture sector. The Chinese state and banks are expected to provide capital and loans to the Chinese companies interested in setting up ventures in Pakistan.

China is going to set up a fertiliser plant that will produce 800,000 tons per year. It plans to establish meat processing plants in Sukkur with annual output of 200,000 tons and two milk processing plants to produce 200,000 tons a year.

Chinese will also invest in high-yield seeds and aim to build a nationwide logistics network, warehousing and distribution system from Gwadar to Islamabad.

China will also install vegetable processing plants with annual output of 20,000 tons along with fruit juice and jam production plants with a capacity of 10,000 tons.

“Though self-sufficiency is desirable, there are fears Chinese investors may dictate their terms due to their huge investments,” says Hussain.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2018.

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/1616347/2-pakistans-agriculture-productivity-among-lowest-world/

Amid weak prices of agri commodities, robust rice demand bucks the trend

The price of rice has been ruling high, mainly on robust exports, demand from mills, and the entry of traders who lost in other commodities like oilseeds and pulses

Sanjeeb Mukherjee & Rajesh Bhayani | New Delhi/Mumbai Last Updated at January 24, 2018 21:52 IST

Even as rural India reels from the impact of a sharp decline in the prices of several farm commodities, rice seems to have outperformed major agriculture goods, driven mainly by good export demand, a decline in kharif output and heightened stocking by traders and dealers. The price of common variety rice has risen by almost 14.5 per cent in the wholesale market over the past year, a phenomenon different from what has been seen in other agriculture commodities, reveal data sourced from various agencies. In the past five months alone, the price has risen by nine per cent. While export demand is likely to keep prices at an elevated level, higher procurement and stock position with state-run agencies – which is better than last year – could act as a cushion. “This season has been good for rice, as exports have improved for all varieties, including basmati. Exports to Bangladesh have triggered a higher demand,” said Devendra Vora of Friendship Traders, based in Mumbai’s APMC Vashi. According to Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (Apeda), exports to Bangladesh have seen a revival of sorts. Compared with 30,572 tonnes in April-November last year, they have crossed one million tonnes in the first 8 months of this financial year. The governments of Bangladesh and India had last year agreed on exports of parboiled rice to Bangladesh (on a government-to-government basis), as that country was facing a shortage of 1.5 million tonnes. After Bangladesh reduced its import duty to two per cent, private traders there also started importing rice from India. Both Basmati and non-basmati varieties have seen a sharp jump in overall exports, with Basmati (especially 1401 and 1121 varieties) witnessing a price realisation increase of 26.8 per cent in the export market. Looking at the opportunity, Indian farmers have this Rabi season so far sown rice on 633,000 hactares more area than last Rabi season. Rice sowing has reached 2.23 million hactares this season. In the global context, the prices of rice are rising in Thailand and Vietnam as well, on prospects of exports to Indonesia and Philippines, respectively. “This season, several traders from North India have shifted to buying rice, as they had been incurring losses in most other agricultural commodities like pulses and oilseeds,” Vora said, adding that rice mills and traders had also stored paddy at the start of the season when the prices were lower.
Paddy for long grain was quoting at Rs 2,100-2,200 per quintal at the beginning of the season which led to a milled basmati rice price of Rs 5,100-5,200. Common grade paddy was at Rs 1,400 per quintal. Experts attribute the price rise to higher demand, higher procurement and an estimated drop of 2 million tonnes in kharif rice production to 94.5 million tonnes. Private estimates show that the loss could be compensated by a higher-than-expected rabi rice production, estimated at 14.76 million tonnes, as against 13.76 million tonnes last year. Rice production in the kharif season, according to the first advanced estimates, is projected at 94.50 million tonnes, against 96.39 million tonnes during last kharif season, mainly due to a drought in some parts of the country. The stock position with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is also at a comfortable level. Latest data show that FCI has rice stocks of around 35.76 million tonnes in January (to date), which is 31.3 per cent more than in the same period last year. On top of that, procurement of ‘paddy in terms of rice’ has also been good this year. According to latest data from the department of food and consumer affairs, 27.43 million tonnes of ‘paddy in terms of rice’ had been collected by state agencies till January 21. This is 25.57 million tonnes more than last year. A big increase in rice procurement among non-traditional states has been in Uttar Pradesh, where procurement till January 21 has risen by 108 per cent to 2.43 million tonnes, and Odisha, where it has increased by 67 per cent to 1.52 million tonnes. In Punjab and Haryana, which are traditional big states in terms of rice procurement, purchases this year till January 22 have been 11.83 million tonnes, as against 11.04 million tonnes last year

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/amid-weak-prices-of-agri-commodities-robust-rice-demand-bucks-the-trend-118012400580_1.html

Gov’t shelves plan to import 250,000 metric tons of rice

January 24, 2018, 10:00 PM

By Madelaine B. Miraflor

It was just more than a week ago since the National Food Authority (NFA) announced that the country may import 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice this year. This plan is no longer pushing through as of today.

This, as interagency Food Security Committee (FSC) on Rice — chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority — has deferred the decision whether or not to allow NFA to import rice this year on the belief that the country’s rice supply remains stable.

NFA spokesperson Rebecca Olarte said yesterday that FSC has deferred the utilization of the 250,000 MT standby authority.

The decision came after FSC’s observation that as of now, local supply is enough to meet the daily requirement of the country and that any importation activity could disrupt the prices, according to Rocky Valdez, director of Grains Market and Operations Division of NFA.

“Our rice issuances and sales are calibrated. [There is] priority for relief operations and sales to LGUs [local government units] and other government agencies. [There is] minimal sales to accredited retailers,” Valdez said in a separate inquiry.

It was Olarte who said two weeks ago that there’s already a need for NFA to replenish its buffer stock, which declined significantly because of the typhoons that hit the country in the latter part of 2017.

This prompted the state-run grains agency to seek for the approval of NFA Council, which later on gave NFA the standby authority to import 250,000 MT of rice.

“The NFA Council gave us a standby authority to import 250,000 MT of rice, but this would still go through the Food Security Committee to specify the volume and the mode of procurement,” Olarte said in an earlier report.

Had FSC allowed NFA to push through with the importation, Olarte said rice shipments could already start arriving within the second quarter of the year.

It has already been reported before that the country’s dependence on rice imports may be reduced further this year.

To recall, the government was initially targeting to import 580,000 MT of rice this year until it was eventually reduced to 250,000 MT.

The NFA is required by law to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any given time and 30-day buffer stock during lean season, which usually starts in July until September.

In 2017, the country’s palay production reached 19.28 million MT, 9.36 percent above the 2016 output of 17.63 million MT.

Harvest area also expanded from 4.56 million hectares to 4.81 million hectares. Yield was up by 3.54 percent, from 3.87 MT per hectare in 2016 to 4.01 MT in 2017.

Right now, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is projecting palay output to increase by 5.65 percent to 4.67 million MT in the first three months of the year.

Probable increases in harvest area and yield are expected in all regions, except CAR, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

“Farmers’ are optimistic to have better yield resulting from sufficient water supply and good weather condition favorable to plant growth,” PSA said.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/01/24/govt-shelves-plan-to-import-250000-metric-tons-of-rice/

NFA urged to maintain 15-day rice buffer stock12

January 24, 2018, 5:38 PM

By Hannah Torregoza

To allay fears of a possible rice shortage and its consequent price increase, Senator Nancy Binay urged the National Food Authority (NFA) to come up with contingency measures to maintain the required buffer stocks of rice until April.

Senator Nancy Binay
(Senate of the Philippines official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)

Binay said it is necessary that the government’s rice stock always meets the 15-day stockpile requirement.

“Also, since the agency is expecting the rice imports to be delivered in April or May, it should make sure that we have ample supply of rice should the need arise earlier,” Binay said in a statement.

The NFA earlier admitted that its current rice stockpile level is only good for three days, which is below the required 15-day buffer stock equivalent to around 400,000 MT at any given time.

During the months when Philippine rice harvest declines and the country is frequented by storms, the NFA is required to have a 30-day buffer stock equivalent to 800,000 metric tons, according to Binay.

She also reminded the NFA to publicly disclose all suppliers given import permits under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme.

The NFA, she said, should also go after rice traders taking advantage of the ongoing speculations on the TRAIN law by unduly increasing prices.

“This is in the interest of transparency and to prevent issues like conflicts of interest and corruption,” she said.

Binay earlier filed a resolution urging the Senate to conduct an inquiry on the status of the country’s rice supply and to study new polices that will ensure a stable rice supply.

“We need to study how we can help the NFA expedite the process especially during times when we are struck with natural calamities and the harvest is low,” she said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/24/nfa-urged-to-maintain-15-day-rice-buffer-stock/