Seme Customs intercepts 7,524
bottled water smuggled by Chinese workers
Steve Agbota
The Seme border command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has
seized 7,524 bottles of water concealed in cartons packaged as human hair and
smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.
The
command also seized 13 bags of expired rice and 864 jerry cans of sulphuric
acid, which could have taken innocent Nigerians.
However,
the bottled water, which according to the command is prohibited from coming
into Nigeria was allegedly smuggled for Chinese workers in Nigeria. The
smugglers used human hair to cover the table water in order to deceive
intelligent Customs officers.
Speaking
to newsmen yesterday, the Controller of the Command, Compt. Mohammed Uba,
said the contrabands were intercepted at the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) joint border post.
He
further disclosed that aside the bottled waters, ginger drinks, 1708 bags of
rice and 864 jerry cans of sulphuric acid were also seized in the month under
review.
According
to him, the smuggled water has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.04million and was
imported from China through Benin Republic to Nigeria.
The
CAC stressed further, “The efforts of the enforcement unit of the Command with
regard to suppression of smuggling has been unprecedented with the arrest of
nine vehicles conveying 83 cartons of Amira/Makoko soap DPV N1.8million;
1,718x50bags of foreign parboiled rice; 26 bales of used clothes and 14 cartons
of Nitro feminine soap .
“Other
seized items include 13 bags of expired rice; eight sacks of used shoes; 65
pieces of textile; 11 cartons of insecticide; 864 jerry cans of sulphuric acid
and 2 sacks of rubber slippers.”
He explained further that one of
the vehicle used for conveying the contraband goods was a Toyota Hillux van
(masked in an official regalia), intercepted conveying 16 bags of rice at Gbaji
axis.
Sabah-Taganak
trading activities are not barter trade: CEO
Published
on: Wednesday, July 03, 2019
By:
Hayati Dzulkifli
KOTA
KINABALU: The
upcoming commercial trading activities between Sabah and Turtle Island
(Taganak) in Tawi-Tawi, Southern Philippines, involves export and import
activities and not barter trade.
Worldwide
Eco Group CEO Kenneth Kong said it exports local products to the Southern
Philippines via Taganak and supplies the island that is less than an hour by
boat from Sandakan with oil palm products, cement, cooking oil and
groceries.
“The
trading activities between Sabah and the Turtle Island in Tawi-Tawi involves
commercial trading and not barter.
“We
will supply various goods including basic necessities like cooking oil, instant
noodles, potatoes and groceries, among others, to the island based on how much
they need,” he said, after signing the MoU representing Turtle Island
municipality with its Mayor, Mohamad Faizal Salam Jamalul.
The aim of the MoU is to express willingness of both parties to promote Business Competitiveness of Turtle Island as the gateway into BARMM as well as develop and expand relationships with Philippines traders whom are also referred to as the micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs).
The aim of the MoU is to express willingness of both parties to promote Business Competitiveness of Turtle Island as the gateway into BARMM as well as develop and expand relationships with Philippines traders whom are also referred to as the micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs).
To
a question, Kenneth said the company does not supply subsidised items that are
in Malaysia as the MoU agreement will involve doing transhipment trading and
import export such as importing rice from Vietnam and sugar from Thailand.
On
whether rice transhipment from Vietnam would stop at Sabah ports, Mohamad
Faizal said the transhipment would not stop here or anywhere in Sabah but go
direct to Mindanao.
It
is believed that the rice transhipment did not stop at Sabah port here to avoid
losses and complications due to an alleged rice transhipment bungle involving
351 containers accounting for 9,000 metric tonnes of rice worth USD3 million
detained and seized by Malaysian Customs at Kota Kinabalu since last October
that was meant for Southern Philippines.
In
March this year, the paper reported that seven Vietnamese firms were shocked
with the unexpected seizure of the rice transhipment, the first time in 20
years that it happened. It had been doing rice trading with Sabah and Labuan
trading companies.
It
was also reported that a group of 10 consignees (end buyers) of the rice
involved in the seizure of 351 containers of rice by the Malaysian Customs, had
undertaken an alternative to divert all the businesses to Tarakan, Indonesia,
They do not need Sabah or Labuan anymore in such trading as the Philippine
President has approved their request to import rice directly from sourcing
countries like Vietnam, Thailand or Pakistan.
Following this, Sabah expects to lose future rice imports about RM2 billion a year not only from Vietnam but also from the BIMP-EAGA region, according to Sabah Cross Border Association Chairman Nordin Ening.
Following this, Sabah expects to lose future rice imports about RM2 billion a year not only from Vietnam but also from the BIMP-EAGA region, according to Sabah Cross Border Association Chairman Nordin Ening.
Kenneth
said the company, which has export permits, would be giving priority to export
cement from here that will be directly transport to the island in big vessels
apart from getting cement from Indonesia as its back-up when there is a huge
demand for cement.
On
selling cooking gas, the company’s Chief Operating Officer Johnny Kunan said it
is in the pipeline as there is necessary paperwork and to get approval before
it could export it to the Southern Philippines via the island.
The
imminent commercial trading between Sabah and Taganak is safeguarded from
cross-border crimes.
He
said he will ensure 24/7 surveillance on the waters especially the routes of
transporting the goods to the island, which is aimed to be the gateway
for cross-border trading between Sabah and into the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and nearby islands.
“I
have signed the MoU with Sabah-based company Worldwide Eco Group to commit a
higher business cooperation and pursue many significant business activities
such as promotion of new business opportunity, investment and bilateral trade
that will render win-win situation.
“We
are aware of the concerns on security aspect coming from these trading
activities like piracy and kidnapping that might happen to the vessels laden
with goods heading to the island and nearby areas.
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137293/sabah-taganak-trading-activities-are-not-barter-trade-ceo/
Addressing The Press Conference Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan Also
Lauded The Efforts Of Jahangir Khan Tareen In Agriculture
Addressing the press conference
Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan also lauded the efforts of Jahangir Khan Tareen in
agriculture development of the country
Islamabad,
(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 2nd Jul, 2019 ) :Addressing the press
conference Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan also lauded the efforts of Jahangir Khan
Tareen in agriculture development of the
country.
The
provincial agriculture ministers of Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were
also present on the occasion.
The
Minister said that Jahangir Khan Tareen had made lot of efforts to formulate agriculture emergency program
which was focused on increased productivity of major crops including wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane and oil seed.
He said
that Tareen had taken all the provinces on board and hold
several meetings with them and formed working groups in order to finalize the
program.
Meanwhile,
Tareen said that PC-1 of Agriculture Emergency Program
had been finalized and would be presented in the meeting of the Executive
Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval to launched.
He said
overall allocations for the agriculture sector had been
enhanced as the Federal government had increase it from Rs 1 billion in its Annual
Development Plan last year to Rs 12 billion and same was followed in Punjab and other provinces.
He said
that the spending would be taken up to record level of Rs 70 billion in next four years.
He said
that the program was a revolutionary step of the government and besides
promoting the agriculture sector it would
also benefit the local farmers as the special efforts would be made to enhance
the per acre yield of all major crops.
Special
measures would be introduced to enhance per acre yield of wheat from 35-40 maunds, rice by
10-20 maunds, sugarcane by 650-800 maunds, adding that incentives was announced
for the cultivation of oil seeds like canola and
sunflower, he added.
In order
to make the agriculture produces more
competitive, he said that special measures would be introduced for energy, water conservation and pest
management to reduce the cost of production.
He said
that Rs 220 billion would
be spent on the construction of small dams and water course development,
adding that 70,000 water courses would be
developed.
He said
that about 50% water courses would be
developed which would help to save about 9 million acre feet water annually and this
program would be completed with in next four years.
Biofuels can help reduce current account deficit
Published: July 1, 2019
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s
current account deficit has created many problems for the economy. Major
imports are of the oil sector. There is a misplaced notion that nothing can be
done for reducing these imports.
Biofuels
based on local agro-waste are a viable option and competitive route.
Bio-refining technology has come of age. Not only can biofuels replace imports
or make equivalent exports, these can also generate employment, increase farm
income and revitalise rural life.
Utilising
agro-waste would not compete with food supply – a risk that has often been put
forth. Also, electric vehicles can have a significant impact on the demand
side. A strong case has been made in the following to create a market share of
30% for bio-refining to make an impact of $4-5 billion on improving the trade
balance.
Pakistan has
a population of more than 200 million and has a large agricultural base. There
is a great demand for all sorts of energy including transport fuels. An
estimated $12-18 billion of oil imports are there. Furnace oil imports have
stopped but they have been replaced by LNG.
On the other
hand, there is a large variety of raw material, agro-waste and municipal solid
waste (MSW), which are available and can be commercially utilised to replace
these imports, at least partly.
Pakistan is
the 10th largest sugar producer and occasional exporter and importer. The sugar
industry produces many products, which can be converted into fuel and energy.
Already, ethanol is being produced, whose production can be increased by 50% by
entering into cellulosic processing, without any need for further land or
sugarcane.
In Pakistan,
agro-waste – wheat, maize, cotton, rice husk, straw and stalk – alone is to the
tune of 135 million tons per annum (MTPA). Assuming 50% collection and 20%
conversion efficiency, 13 MTPA of biofuels can be produced.
As against
this, the annual fuel demand for the transport sector is 13 MTPA as well. One
can consume it or export it and import the equal amount of transport fuel –
gasoline and diesel. MSW is an extra 48 MTPA, which can also generate an equal
amount of biofuel. Advanced 2G biofuels can be produced out of it.
Although
ethanol (anhydrous) is an energy product, it is not being used in the country,
but is exported. In about 40 or more countries, 5-10% ethanol is added to
gasoline to replace fossil content and also as oxygenate to enhance RON levels
(anti-knocking property enhancer) from RON 82-87 to RON 92-95.
These
products are called E5 and E10 as the numbers represent ethanol content. E5 is
almost a standard fuel in most developed and progressive developing countries.
2G
bio-ethanol
There are two
types of ethanol – one produced from sucrose obtained from sugar molasses and
maize starch and is called 1G bio-ethanol. There is 2G bio-ethanol as well,
which is produced from cellulosic material obtained from agro-waste and even
MSW.
There are
following advantages of 2G ethanol production in a sugar refinery – use of
sugarcane and its byproducts; use of raw material already present in the
production units offering a logistical advantage and cost savings; increase in
ethanol production by 50% without additional land requirement for sugarcane
cultivation; production of biofuel during off-season; and reduction in carbon
emissions.
In 2014,
Brazil’s major company Raizen – a joint venture of Shell Petroleum – installed
a 2G ethanol plant with capacity of 42 million litres per year and capital
expenditure of $62 million. Enzymes have been sourced from famous Danish
company Novozymes.
Raizen plans
to install seven more such plants by 2024, taking production to 1 billion
litres per year.
The
Competition Commission of Pakistan has recommended reduction in land
availability for sugarcane cultivation as it consumes much water that we don’t
have; there is competition for land for other more competitive and value-added
crops like cotton; powerful sugar plant owners do not pay right prices to
farmers and at the right time; agricultural productivity of land under
sugarcane crop is low and sucrose content is also low; land owners and sugar
plant owners are held responsible for not providing farmers services and
advice; and there is price collusion and hoarding.
However,
there is a positive side as well. There are foreign exchange savings to the
tune of $2.5 billion, which otherwise would have increased the country’s import
bill as is happening in the case of other food items such as cooking oil and
tea. The sugar industry can improve its image by investing in high technology
and efficiency, reducing cost of production and improving resource efficiency.
2G ethanol is one such route.
The requirement of capital expenditure, as per data provided
earlier, is not so high. There is already ethanol production of 600,000 metric
tonnes per annum out of 16 distilleries bringing in $400-500 million per annum.
It would be saving more foreign exchange, if it is utilised locally.
It could be increased by 50% without any increase in land
use. Increased energy availability in the off-season will be quite a welcome
addition.
There are other materials and wastes that are being
recycled into bio-ethanol. Agricultural waste and even MSW are being converted
into bio-ethanol.
In Edmonton Alberta, a MSW to bio-ethanol facility was
erected by Erkem in 2014. The facility processes 100,000 tons of MSW per year
into 38 million litres of bio-ethanol. It is a two-stage process – first stage
produces synthetic gas and in second stage synthetic gas is converted into
bio-ethanol.
Alternatively, one could truncate the process partly or
wholly and only produce synthetic gas, convert it into synthetic natural gas
(SNG) and pump it into the gas grid.
In 2013, Italy was producing 75 million litres annually
out of agro-waste. Similar plants of 60,000-70,000 tons are operating in Iowa,
Kansas, Brazil and Shandong (China).
In India, a pilot plant and later a larger demonstration
plant (capacity of 10 tonnes per day of raw material) has been built that
processes agricultural waste like rice or wheat straw, cotton stalk, bamboo and
wooden chips. There are plans to upgrade it to a commercial-scale facility. One
kg of agro-waste can produce one litre of bio-ethanol.
Promoting investments
Pakistan is among top 10 sugar-producing countries of the
world. There is a need for the sugar industry and the government to promote and
facilitate investments in these areas. The government should develop
cooperation with the Brazilian government so that private-sector cooperation is
facilitated.
Similarly, self-financing projects could be promoted to
process agro-waste and MSW, cleaning the urban and rural areas and producing
bio-ethanol or biogas. Pakistan has a large pool of scientists in the
bio-technology area and a number of research institutions, which can play a
major role in this respect. They should be encouraged, facilitated and tasked
to work in this area.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2003613/2-biofuels-can-help-reduce-current-account-deficit/
S. Korea, WFP In Discussion With U.S. On Sanctions Exemptions For
Rice Provision To N. Korea
South Korea is closely cooperating
with the World Food Programme (WFP) to discuss sanctions exemptions with the
United Sates over its plan to send rice aid to North Korea, a unification
ministry official said Tuesday
SEOUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 2nd Jul, 2019 ) :South Korea is closely
cooperating with the World Food Programme (WFP) to
discuss sanctions exemptions with the United Sates over its plan to send rice
aid to North Korea, a
unification ministry official said Tuesday.
Last month, the unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs
unveiled a plan to provide 50,000 tons of domestically harvested rice to North Korea through the WFP,
which will handle its delivery and distribution there.
Details on how and when the assistance will be delivered are under
discussion between South Korea and the WFP, and
securing sanctions exemptions necessary for possible use of ships and other
equipment to send rice to the North is one of key issues they should sort out.
"Rice itself is not subject to sanctions, but using ships to
transport it could have to do with sanctions," the official told reporters
on condition of anonymity. "The WFP is in consultation (with the U.S.),
and our government is
also cooperating in the process." Under U.S. sanctions on Pyongyang, vessels making a port
call to North Korea are
banned from entering
harbors in the U.S. for 180 days.
South Korea aims to send the food assistance
to the North before the lean season starts in September. The official said that Seoul aims to make the first
shipment to the North within this month.
The government recently completed
administrative procedures necessary to carry out the rice provision plan.
It will set aside around 127 billion won (US$109.3 million) to secure rice from the local market, along with some $12 million in additional funds to
help the WFP's delivery and distribution efforts.
The official said that the government will sign an
official contract with the WFP over its plan for rice provision to the North
either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
He also expressed confidence that rice distribution in the North
would be carried out in a transparent way, saying that the WFP is armed with
necessary know-how and personnel.
"The WFP plans to open more local offices (in the North) and
double the number of monitoring personnel (from the current 50)," he
said. "I think the WFP has a well-established monitoring plan and high
capacity on that matter." It marks the first time for South Korea to provide rice to North Korea since 2010, when
it sent 5,000 tons to support its efforts to recover from flood damage. It will also be
the first time Seoul has sent locally
harvested rice to the North through an international agency.
Earlier this month, Seoul donated $8 million to the WFP and the
U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) for their projects in North Korea to support the
nutrition of children and pregnant women and address their health
problems. The ministry is considering making an additional donation to such
global agencies.
Weekly Inflation Witnesses Nominal Increase Of 0.03
The weekly inflation for the week
ended on June 27, for the combined income group, witnessed nominal increase of
0.03 percent as compared to the previous week
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 2nd Jul, 2019
) :The weekly inflation for the week ended on June 27, for the combined
income group, witnessed nominal increase of 0.03 percent as compared to the
previous week.
The Sensitive price Indicator (SPI) for the
week under review in the combined group was recorded at 257.50 points against
257. 41 points registered in the previous week, according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau
of Statistics (PBS).
Meanwhile, the inflation for the lowest income group also
decreased from 236.68
points in last week to 236.95 points, showing growth of 0.11 percent.
As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for
the combined group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 11.83
percent, and for the lowest income group, it increased by 9.28 percent.
The weekly SPI has been computed with base 2007-08=100, covering
17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups and
combined.
Meanwhile, the SPI for the income groups from Rs 8001-12,000, Rs
12,001-18,000, 18,001-35,000 and above Rs 35000 per month increased by 0.06
percent, 0.
04 percent, 0.02 percent , and 0.02 percent respectively.
During the week under review, average prices of 7 items registered
decrease, while that of 19 items increased with the remaining 27 items' prices
unchanged.
The items which registered decrease in their prices during the
week under review included chicken farm, bananas, onions, tomatoes, LPGCylinder, sugar and gram pulse.
The items which recorded increase in their average prices included
cigarettes, potatoes, eggs, garlic, mash pulse, moong pulse, tea (prepared),
curd, wheat flour,
milk (fresh), rice (Irri-6), gur, vegetable ghee (loose), mutton, cooking oil t(tin), vegetable ghee
(tin), beef, red chilly and mustard oil.
Similarly the items which recorded no change in their prices
included wheat, rice
(basmati), bread, milk (powdered), masoor pulse, salt(powdered), tea (packet),
cooked beef, cooked daal,, long cloth, shirting, lawn (printed), georgette,
gents sandal, gents chappal, ladies sandal, electricity charges, kerosene oil, firewookd, electric bulb,
washing soap, match box, petrol, diesel,
telephone local call and bath soap.
Badin growers
advised to cultivate rice
Staff
Reporter
BADIN :
The district administration of Badin, SIDA and irrigation departments on Sunday
advised the growers of tail-ends to commence the rice cultivation with
initially seedling of paddy crops in the district.
Deputy
Commissioner Dr Hafeez Ahmed Siyal along with SIDA officials while holding an
important press conference advised the growers to start rice cultivation
instantly as within seven days water rotation would end in the district.
Dr Siyal
said that due to sincere efforts of Sindh govt the water shortage in the Kotri
Barrage was reduced to 23 percent which earlier was 50pc.
He said
that Phuleli Canal’s water flow was maintained at 12,000 cusec level recently
and none perennial canals including Mirwah and Manak canal maintained an
additional water flow which ultimately provided benefit to local growers.
He also
informed that water rotation in Golarchi taluka canals would be ending till end
of the upcoming week. Water rotation in the Akram Wah system would continue
till overall improvement of water system in the province, he added.
The
district administration would now control the water shortage after couple of
month’s uninterrupted efforts and warned that stern action would be taken
against those who theft the water of local growers.
On the
occasion, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur and others SIDA officials also addressed the
press conference and responded the queries of the journalists.
Market
Report: Jordan
By Sarah Moran
AMMAN, JORDAN -- Jordan is a relatively small
country where rice is a staple food, and though the country produces no rice,
and the average yearly consumption is estimated at 53 pounds per capita.
With a total population of 10.5 million, 70 percent is Jordanian, the rest
being refugees mostly from Syria, as well as foreign nationals from Palestine,
Egypt, and other countries.
The country currently is suffering from the adverse effects of the Syrian Civil War and the ongoing crisis in Iraq, and consequently trade with its traditionally two largest markets is a victim of conflict in these two countries.
"The high number of refugees puts pressure on the local economy, as well as on the food supply," said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, who visited with local traders here last week. "There is a general lack of liquidity in the market and coupled with rising fuel and electricity prices, Jordanian consumers are having to make increasingly difficult choices when it comes to food purchases."
Jordanian consumers have a preference for medium grain varieties due to its stickier consistency which is better suited to traditional local dishes like mansaf, lamb cooked with a yogurt sauce served over rice.
"They have a strong preference for U.S. origin rice, and it has been the market leader here for the past few years, appreciated for its high quality and cooking characteristics," said Somogyi. "However, high U.S. prices coupled with the local economic situation in the past year has resulted in increased imports from cheaper and geographically closer origins like Portugal and Italy, as well as some quantities from China."
There are no restrictions on rice trade, which is conducted through private companies, with total imports estimated at 190,000 MT for 2019. In 2017, U.S. rice sales totaled 141,000 MT, followed by a drop to 81,000 MT in 2018. Sales in Jan-April 2019 amounted to 38,000 MT, 5 percent higher than the same period in 2018.
"In this economic environment, it is important to continue to support local U.S. rice brands with promotional activities to maintain their presence on the market and ensure continued U.S. rice sales," said Somogyi. "During the trade visits last week, several promotion ideas were discussed including outdoor and online media advertising planned for this coming autumn when Jordanian families return from the summer break and the school year begins."
The country currently is suffering from the adverse effects of the Syrian Civil War and the ongoing crisis in Iraq, and consequently trade with its traditionally two largest markets is a victim of conflict in these two countries.
"The high number of refugees puts pressure on the local economy, as well as on the food supply," said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, who visited with local traders here last week. "There is a general lack of liquidity in the market and coupled with rising fuel and electricity prices, Jordanian consumers are having to make increasingly difficult choices when it comes to food purchases."
Jordanian consumers have a preference for medium grain varieties due to its stickier consistency which is better suited to traditional local dishes like mansaf, lamb cooked with a yogurt sauce served over rice.
"They have a strong preference for U.S. origin rice, and it has been the market leader here for the past few years, appreciated for its high quality and cooking characteristics," said Somogyi. "However, high U.S. prices coupled with the local economic situation in the past year has resulted in increased imports from cheaper and geographically closer origins like Portugal and Italy, as well as some quantities from China."
There are no restrictions on rice trade, which is conducted through private companies, with total imports estimated at 190,000 MT for 2019. In 2017, U.S. rice sales totaled 141,000 MT, followed by a drop to 81,000 MT in 2018. Sales in Jan-April 2019 amounted to 38,000 MT, 5 percent higher than the same period in 2018.
"In this economic environment, it is important to continue to support local U.S. rice brands with promotional activities to maintain their presence on the market and ensure continued U.S. rice sales," said Somogyi. "During the trade visits last week, several promotion ideas were discussed including outdoor and online media advertising planned for this coming autumn when Jordanian families return from the summer break and the school year begins."
Weekly SPI inflation increases 0.03pc
KARACHI: The Sensitive price
indicator (SPI) for the week ended June 27 increased 0.03 percent over the
previous week, and rose 11.83 percent as compared to weekly inflation in the
corresponding period last year, official data showed on Monday.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data showed that weekly
inflation for the combined income group recorded at 257.50 points up from
257.41 points last week. SPI for income group of up to Rs8,000 increased 0.11
percent during the week under review as compared to the preceding week, while
registering 9.28 percent increase compared to weekly inflation in the
corresponding period last year.
Weekly inflation for the group earning Rs8,001 to Rs12,000
increased slightly by 0.06 percent. The SPI for the people earning between
Rs12,001 and Rs18,000 increased 0.04; and for those making Rs18,001 and
Rs35,000 and above Rs35,000 it went up by 0.02 percent each.
However, weekly SPI increased a whopping 16.02 percent for the
Rs35,000 quintile, compared to the weekly inflation in the corresponding period
last year. PBS computes weekly price trend of 53 essential items from 17 urban
centres. Average prices of 19 goods increased during the week ended on June 27
over the previous week.
The items which recorded the highest increase in average prices
were cigarettes, potatoes, eggs, garlic, pulses mash and moong, prepared tea,
yogurt, wheat flour, milk, rice irri-6, gur, vegetable oil, mutton, beef, red
chilli powder, and mustard oil.
Only seven items registered decrease in prices. Those were
chicken, bananas, onions, tomatoes, 11kg LPG cylinder, sugar, and gram pulse.
Average prices of 27 items remained unchanged. Those items included wheat,
broken basmati rice, plain-medium bread, powdered milk, salt, tea, cooked beef
and lentils, electricity, gas, petrol, HSD, landline call, cloth, and soap.
An Indian Treat Is One of the Most Popular
4th of July Dishes in America
What do Americans want to eat on
the July 4th? You can probably guess most of the answers, but one will almost
certainly come as a surprise.
DoorDash,
the largest food delivery service in the country (and
second-largest in the world, after Uber Eats), analyzed food orders from across
the nation on the holiday itself last year to discern what the ten most popular
items were. Taking first place, not surprisingly, was the cheeseburger. In
fact, cheeseburgers and the number-three item, french fries, together accounted
for 58% of what we ordered. This isn’t surprising considering our immense annual hot dog and hamburger consumption
by state.
Between those two iconic foods was another one, a variation on the
first — the bacon cheeseburger. Numbers four through eight were, in descending
order, hot dogs, onion rings, boneless wings, soft drinks, and traditional
wings. Then, between the last of those and the number-ten favorite (tortilla
chips), came the big surprise:
The ninth most ordered food item from DoorDash on the Fourth of
July last year, and the third most ordered side dish, was…….garlic naan, the
garlicky Indian flatbread traditionally cooked in a tandoori oven but reproduceable at home with a
cast-iron skillet.
In addition to its nationwide ranking, the DoorDash study broke
out the most often ordered foods for the occasion in five major U.S. cities —
New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
In San Francisco, fries took first place. Number two, though, was
that garlic naan, and there were two other Indian dishes on that city’s top ten
— chicken tikka masala at number four and basmati rice at number ten. Another
Asian dish made the list, too — pad Thai at number nine.
Some other surprises: Mexican food was sparsely represented,
appearing only for San Francisco (super burrito, number three) and breakfast
burrito (Los Angeles, number ten).
Cosmopolitan New York City was unaccountably all-American, with
variations on burgers, hot dogs, and fries, plus two soda fountain drinks and
Shake Shack’s chicken sandwich filling the roster. Our nation’s capital, on the
other hand, included the only Persian offering on the list, joojeh (saffron chicken)
kabob, but ordered more “craft your own” pizza than anything else.
Chicago upheld its trencherman reputation: Number one on the list
wasn’t just french fries, it was LARGE french fries. Chicagoans were also
responsible for the only dessert favored by any of the five cities — chocolate
cake slice at number eight — and the only condiment, cheese sauce, at number
nine. It’s a special treat — and these are the most iconic frozen treats in
America.
MRF and COFCO to study rice types for
China export
YU WAI 02
JUL 2019
Myanmar
and China will cooperate in classifying rice types suitable for export to China
following an agreement that up to 100,000 tonnes of rice can be exported to the
country.
The
Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and the China National Cereals, Oils and
Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) will cooperate in classifying these rice types.
MRF
general secretary U Ye Min Aung said both sides will study what types of rice
grown in Myanmar can meet China’s market demand. “There is rice such as Tunpu,
Kayinma and Ngasein available in the local market that can be sold to China,”
he added.
Besides
providing information, MRF would also assist COFCO in purchasing the rice.
China, which imports commodities based on a quota system, had set an official
quota of 100,000 tonnes of rice from Myanmar in 2016, but traders have been
lobbying for the quota to be raised to 400,000 tonnes.
Under
the MRF-COFCO agreement, selected companies that have been inspected by a board
formed from officials from the Ministry of Commerce, MRF, experts from the
relevant fields as well as other government officials would be allowed to
export their rice to China.
According
to an earlier statement by the MRF, a report would be sent to China from the
Department of Agriculture after the inspection process has been completed. A
total of 103 rice mills owned by 42 companies that have applied for rice-export
permission to China has been inspected. – Translated
Dried unhulled, medium rice
prices climb in June: statistics bureau
1st July 2019
The Central Bureau of Statistics' Head Suharyanto. (ANTARA/Sella
Panduarsa Gareta/bp)
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Central Bureau of Statistics has reported
a hike in the prices of dried unhulled rice and medium-quality rice in the mill
in June 2019 as compared to those in the previous month.
"The price of dried unhulled rice at the farm level rose 4.50 percent, while the cost of medium rice in the mill rose 0.26 percent," the bureau's head Suharyanto informed the press here on Monday.
Suharyanto elaborated that in June 2019, the average price of unhulled rice during the harvest period at the farm level was recorded at Rp4,552.00 per kilogram (kg), up 4.50 percent, while at the grinding level, it reached Rp4,656 per kg, or increasing 4.72 percent, as compared to that of unhulled rice of the same quality in the previous month.
In the meantime, the average price of grinding unhulled rice at the farm level reached Rp5,246 per kg, a 1.43 percent increase, while at the milling level, the price was recorded at Rp5,361 per kg, or up 1.18 percent.
The price of low-quality, unhulled rice at the farm level is Rp4,888 per kg, or up 4.12 percent, while at the grinding level, the price was recorded at Rp4,288 per kg, or up 4.11 percent.
However, in comparison with June 2018, the average price of unhulled rice in June 2019 at the farm level for all types of unhulled rice at the harvest time, grinding unhulled rice, and low-quality unhulled rice decreased by 2.12 percent, 2.14 percent, and 2.18 percent respectively.
Similarly at the milling level, the average price in June 2019 as compared to that in June 2018 for unhulled rice during the harvest period, grinding unhulled rice, and low-quality unhulled rice also reduced by 1.75 percent, 1.96 percent, and 1.82 percent respectively.
In June 2019, the average price of premium-quality rice in the mill reached Rp9,516 per kg, rising by 0.56 percent than that in the previous month. The average price of medium-quality rice in the mill is Rp9,166 per kg, up by 0.26 percent, whereas the average price of low-quality rice in the mill was recorded at Rp9,012 per kg, up by 0.65 percent.
In comparison with June 2018, the average price of premium-, medium-, and low-quality rice in the mill in June 2019 increased by 0.40 percent, 0.34 percent, and 0.79 percent respectively.
"The price of dried unhulled rice at the farm level rose 4.50 percent, while the cost of medium rice in the mill rose 0.26 percent," the bureau's head Suharyanto informed the press here on Monday.
Suharyanto elaborated that in June 2019, the average price of unhulled rice during the harvest period at the farm level was recorded at Rp4,552.00 per kilogram (kg), up 4.50 percent, while at the grinding level, it reached Rp4,656 per kg, or increasing 4.72 percent, as compared to that of unhulled rice of the same quality in the previous month.
In the meantime, the average price of grinding unhulled rice at the farm level reached Rp5,246 per kg, a 1.43 percent increase, while at the milling level, the price was recorded at Rp5,361 per kg, or up 1.18 percent.
The price of low-quality, unhulled rice at the farm level is Rp4,888 per kg, or up 4.12 percent, while at the grinding level, the price was recorded at Rp4,288 per kg, or up 4.11 percent.
However, in comparison with June 2018, the average price of unhulled rice in June 2019 at the farm level for all types of unhulled rice at the harvest time, grinding unhulled rice, and low-quality unhulled rice decreased by 2.12 percent, 2.14 percent, and 2.18 percent respectively.
Similarly at the milling level, the average price in June 2019 as compared to that in June 2018 for unhulled rice during the harvest period, grinding unhulled rice, and low-quality unhulled rice also reduced by 1.75 percent, 1.96 percent, and 1.82 percent respectively.
In June 2019, the average price of premium-quality rice in the mill reached Rp9,516 per kg, rising by 0.56 percent than that in the previous month. The average price of medium-quality rice in the mill is Rp9,166 per kg, up by 0.26 percent, whereas the average price of low-quality rice in the mill was recorded at Rp9,012 per kg, up by 0.65 percent.
In comparison with June 2018, the average price of premium-, medium-, and low-quality rice in the mill in June 2019 increased by 0.40 percent, 0.34 percent, and 0.79 percent respectively.
Planned rice research center in
Poinsett County hires first director
by July
1, 2019 4:05 pm
The planned Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center has
hired Tim Burcham as its first director.Burcham was previously dean of the
Agriculture College at Arkansas State University and held a joint appointment
with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. ASU in
Jonesboro is one of the campuses that works with the Division of Agriculture to
provide publicly funded education, extension and research all across Arkansas.
The center, being created by the Division of Agriculture in
partnership with the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board, will be
built in Poinsett County — the heart of Arkansas’ northern rice-growing region.
Burcham’s appointment is effective Aug. 1.
“I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with a leadership role
in the establishment of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center
located near Jonesboro,” Burcham said. “The opportunity to establish a
world-class rice research facility that seeks to optimize rice production and
producer profitability utilizing the latest technological advances excites me
about the future of rice production in Arkansas.”
Burcham anticipates the combined research and outreach strengths
of the Division of Agriculture and ASU will provide a “multiplier effect with
the potential to improve every aspect of rice production in Arkansas.”
“Rice is such an important crop for farmers in northeast
Arkansas and it is a major economic driver for our region and the state,”
Burcham said. “I look forward to working with Division of Agriculture
leadership and members of the Arkansas Rice and Research Promotion Board to
shape the future of this new center; a future that will play a vital role in
the success of Arkansas rice producers, processors and consumers. It’s the
leadership opportunity of a lifetime.”
As the director, Burcham will develop a master plan for the
center, which will include research in the area’s unique soils, as well as a
general education component. Burcham will also oversee construction of the
facility. In addition to using Rice Promotion Board funds, Burcham also will
work on developing other funding sources to support a world-class agricultural
education center.
Over the past decade and a half, rice production in Arkansas has
spread from south to north. The Division of Agriculture has a Rice Research and
Extension Center at Stuttgart and also conducts rice research at its Northeast
Research and Extension Center at Keiser in Mississippi County. The Poinsett
County location will enable rice research in the area’s mixed soil types.
Burcham is a registered professional engineer in Arkansas and
Mississippi and has been involved in consulting activities associated with
irrigation design, livestock waste management, onsite wastewater remediation,
water quality, biofuels and computer software design. He is active in the
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and has held numerous
leadership positions including serving on the Board of Agricultural Assembly’s
Policy Board of Directors.
South Korea awaits US nod to ship
rice to the North
Since North Korea is under
sanctions, those mulling to help need to seek waiver
Riyaz ul Khaliq |02.07.2019
ANKARA
South Korea is awaiting the U.S. approval, to send 50,000 metric tons of rice to the drought-hit North Korea, to avoid sanctions.
South Korea is awaiting the U.S. approval, to send 50,000 metric tons of rice to the drought-hit North Korea, to avoid sanctions.
Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Tuesday that South Korean
officials are engaged in discussions with the World Food Program (WFP) to ship
rice to the North. South Korea had also promised to donate $12 million, to the
WFP to help address food shortage, leading to humanitarian crisis across its
borders.
The WFP is the food-assistance branch of the UN and the world's
largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food
security.
"Rice itself is not subject to sanctions. But using ships
to transport are subjected to sanctions. The WFP is in consultation [with the
U.S.] and our government is also cooperating in the process,” the officials
said.
After the U.S. nod, the UN body will subsequently deliver food
and ensure its distribution. The first shipment is expected to be sent later
this month.
North Korea is under sanctions since 2006 after it detonated a
nuclear device. Therefore, vessels are barred to enter into the U.S. harbors
for 180 days after they sail at the North Korean ports without prior approval.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry handling inter-Korean affairs
said it has completed administrative procedures necessary to carry out the rice
provision plan. It has set aside around 127 billion won ($109.3 million) to
secure rice from the local market, along with some $12 million as additional
funds to help the WFP's delivery and distribution efforts.
South Korea aims to send the food assistance to the North before
the lean season starts in September. The official said that Seoul aims to make
the first shipment to the North within this month.
The WFP is mulling to send its officers to North Korea, besides
opening more local offices in the impoverished country. The UN body has already
50 of its members posted in North Korea.
In past, South Korea had sent such aid in 2010, when it shipped
5,000 tons to help the North recover from flood damage.
S. Korea, WFP in discussion with US on sanctions
exemptions for rice provision to N. Korea
Published
: Jul 2, 2019 - 13:14
Updated
: Jul 2, 2019 - 13:14
South
Korea is in close cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) to discuss
sanctions exemptions with the United Sates over its plan to send rice aid to
North Korea, a unification ministry official said Tuesday.
Last month, the unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs unveiled a plan to provide 50,000 tons of domestically harvested rice to North Korea through the WFP, which will handle its delivery and distribution there.
Details on how and when the assistance will be delivered are under discussion between South Korea and the WFP, and securing sanctions exemptions necessary for possible use of ships and other equipment to send rice to the North is one of key issues they should sort out.
Last month, the unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs unveiled a plan to provide 50,000 tons of domestically harvested rice to North Korea through the WFP, which will handle its delivery and distribution there.
Details on how and when the assistance will be delivered are under discussion between South Korea and the WFP, and securing sanctions exemptions necessary for possible use of ships and other equipment to send rice to the North is one of key issues they should sort out.
 |
|
David
Beasley, chief of the World Food Programme (Yonhap)
|
"Rice itself is not subject to sanctions, but using ships to transport it could have to do with sanctions," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "
The WFP is in consultation (with the US), and our government is also cooperating in the process." Under multiple US sanctions on Pyongyang, vessels making a port call to North Korea face restrictions in entering harbors in the US and other countries.
South Korea aims to send the food assistance to the North before the lean season starts in September. The official said that Seoul aims to make the first shipment to the North within this month.
The government recently completed administrative procedures necessary to carry out the rice provision plan. It will set aside around 127 billion won ($109.3 million) to secure rice from the local market, along with some $12 million in additional funds to help the WFP's delivery and distribution efforts.
It marks the first time for South Korea to provide rice to North Korea since 2010, when it sent 5,000 tons to support its efforts to recover from flood damage. It will also be the first time Seoul has sent locally harvested rice to the North through an international agency.
Earlier this month, Seoul donated $8 million to the WFP and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for their projects in North Korea to support the nutrition of children and pregnant women and address their health problems. The ministry is considering making an additional donation to such global agencies. (Yonhap)
Nagpur
Foodgrain Prices Open- JULY 03, 2019
JULY 3, 2019 / 1:55 PM
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-July 3, 2018 Nagpur,
July 3 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices recovered in Nagpur Agriculture Produce
and Marketing Committee (APMC) on increased demand from local millers amid weak
supply from producing belts. Good rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and
reported demand from South-based millers also pushed up prices here. About 400
bags of gram and 250 bags of tuar reported for auction, according to sources.
GRAM
* Desi gram raw reported higher in open market on good seasonal
demand from local
traders.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand
from local
traders amid ample stock in ready position.
* Udid varieties reported down in open market on poor buying
support from
local traders amid increased arrival from producing belts.
* In Akola, Tuar New – 5,800-6,000, Tuar dal (clean) – 8,300-8,500,
Udid Mogar (clean)
– 7,000-7,700, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,300-8,300, Gram – 4,400-4,500,
Gram Super best
– 6,200-6,400 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a
narrow range in
scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading
activity.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100
kg
FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction 3,800-4,110 3,800-4,140
Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction 4,700-5,510 4,800-5,510
Moong Auction n.a. 3,950-4,200
Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction n.a. 2,200-2,500
Wheat Lokwan Auction 1,900-1,985 1,900-1,985
Wheat Sharbati Auction n.a. 2,900-3,000
Gram Super Best Bold 6,200-6,600 6,200-6,600
Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.
Gram Medium Best 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000
Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a
Gram Mill Quality 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300
Desi gram Raw 4,350-4,450 4,300-4,400
Gram Kabuli 8,300-10,000 8,300-10,000
Tuar Fataka Best-New 8,500-8,600 8,500-8,600
Tuar Fataka Medium-New 8,200-8,300 8,200-8,300
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 7,700-8,000 7,700-8,000
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500
Tuar Gavarani New 5,800-5,900 5,800-5,900
Tuar Karnataka 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300
Masoor dal best 5,400-5,500 5,400-5,500
Masoor dal medium 5,100-5,300 5,100-5,300
Masoor n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,500 7,700-8,800
Moong Mogar Medium 5,500-6,500 5,800-6,500
Moong dal Chilka New 6,400-7,400 6,900-7,800
Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best 8,100-9,000 8,100-9,000
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,200
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,700-6,500 5,700-6,500
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500 4,200-4,500
Mot (100 INR/KG) 5,100-6,500 5,100-6,500
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,600 5,500-5,600
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,600
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,400-2,600
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,300 2,200-2,300
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,000-3,600
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,900 2,700-2,900
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,100-3,600
Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,900 2,500-3,000
Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,200 2,800-3,200
Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000
Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700
Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400
Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400
Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,700 3,500-3,700
Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400
Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700
Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700
Rice Shriram New (100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,100 4,800-5,100
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,500-13,500 8,500-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,000 5,000-7,000
Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-7,200 6,500-7,200
Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400
Rice Chinnor New (100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,350-2,550 2,350-2,550
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,050-2,250 2,050-2,250 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum
temp. 29.6 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 22.9 degree Celsius Rainfall : 16.8 mm
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rains or
thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature likely to be around 32 degree
Celsius and 23 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.—not available (For oils,
transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market
prices)
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