Rice Shortage Looms Amid Temporary Ban On Imports
Patrick Planter
Dolsie Allen, CEO, Consumer Affairs Commission Jamaica,
addresses a press conference on plastic rice allegedly on the local market,
yesterday. Also in the picture is Albert Anderson, director at Jamaica Customs.There
are jitters in the marketplace that the country could be faced with a severe
shortage of rice for the Christmas season, with one major importer of the
product arguing that if the freeze imposed on the distribution of rice on the
wharves is not lifted within a day or two, many Jamaicans might be scrambling
to get the product for the holidays.Director in charge of the Contraband
Enforcement Team Albert Anderson, told journalists yesterday at a press
conference at the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) in Kingston that the agency and
other regulatory bodies have decided to detain all shipments of rice currently
at the port pending sampling and analysis, in the wake of reports of plastic
rice being distributed on the local market.
The Bureau of Standards Jamaica, and the Food Storage and
Prevention of Infestation Division in the agriculture ministry are carrying out
tests on samples of rice obtained from various distributors, supermarkets and
other locations, but the results of the tests will not be known until another
48 hours.Ian Kelly, a senior executive of Derrimon Trading Company Limited,
said if the decision by the JCA and other government agencies to halt the
distribution of rice on the ports is not reversed shortly, the country will
experience a shortage of rice for Christmas.
Guyana,
Suriname Shortage
He told The Gleaner that in the last few months, there has been a shortage of rice
out of Guyana and Suriname. Kelly noted that most of the rice from those two
countries is being purchased by Brazil, Haiti and countries out of Europe.
Kelly pointed out that his
company, which normally imports 120 containers of rice per month, has gone down
to about 70 containers of rice out of Guyana and Suriname because of the
shortage in terms of supply.He urged the various government agencies to resolve
the so-called fake rice issue speedily so that the market will not be severely
impacted.Commenting on his company's approach to accessing the grain, Kelly
emphasised, "We are about safety and we want to know that there is nothing
that is untoward that may harm our consumers, and it is important for our
Government to do what is to be done."
He said Derrimon Trading Company
Limited has been importing rice from Suriname and Guyana for the last 10 years
and has never had an issue with the quality of the product. "We don't take
chances when we buy," he added.Experts from the Ministry of Health
yesterday explained that if plastic rice has been unleashed on the market for
consumption, this would have some effect on the human system.
Commenting on possible sanctions
against importers of fake rice, the director in charge of the Contraband
Enforcement Team said: "The person would have made a false declaration to
Customs when it entered into the market, so what would happen is that they
would be fined under the Customs Act and the goods taken away."
Meanwhile, Dolsie Allen, chief
executive officer of the Consumer Affairs Commission, is urging consumers to be
extremely vigilant when they purchase rice noting that they should buy the item
from reputable organisations or establishments."As far as the Consumer
Affairs Commission is concerned, we continue to educate consumers to ensure
that you purchase items from areas that are reputable," she said.
Dr Osbil Watson, chief veterinary
officer in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, said
food fraud is an emerging problem in the global marketplace.
"A lot of countries across
the world now have to be moving towards ensuring that we do not only test in relation
to food safety but to be able to detect fraud as it relates to the
interventions by unscrupulous persons who will try benefit financially and
deceive the consumer," he said.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20161213/rice-shortage-looms-amid-temporary-ban-imports
On Tap for 2017 - Crop, Political, and Export
Outlook
By Kristen Dayton
Interview with Ambassador Jones
Interview with Ambassador Jones
MEMPHIS, TN -- Looking ahead to challenges in
2017 was the theme of the final day of the annual USA Rice Outlook Conference."The
U.S. rice industry has a dedicated and powerful ally in Ambassador Stuart
Jones," explained Betsy Ward, president and CEO of USA Rice in introducing
the former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq to the capacity crowd on Friday morning.
"The insights he gave us on Iraq and the entire Middle East, and the
direct advocating he did with the government of Iraq on our behalf are unique
in my experience. We were fortunate to have him in Baghdad and here with us
today."
Childs, Senior Economist at the Department of
Agriculture's Economic Research Service, gave an overview of global and
domestic trends in rice production and trade. His detailed statistics and
analysis are an invaluable resource to those involved in the rice industry, and
this year was no exception. While the outlook was not favorable for the top
five rice-exporting countries - including the U.S. - due to an abundant supply
overseas pushing competitors' prices even lower than our own, attendees left
the session well-informed about what lies ahead.
The anchor position was once again held by Jim
Wiesemeyer, Senior Vice President of Informa Economics IEG. During his talk,
Wiesemeyer dissected the results of the presidential election and forecasted
what he sees ahead for U.S. agriculture in a Trump administration, for instance
less regulation and probable SNAP reform. He opined that 2018 Farm Bill
negotiations would be pushed back to late 2017.
Attendees had many questions for Wiesemeyer
about President-elect Trump's policies and who he might appoint to cabinet
positions. Wiesemeyer cautioned speculation is rampant in Washington, but if we
continue to monitor Twitter, we'll know details soon enough.
Back in business
Japan Resumes SBS Tenders
By Kristen Dayton
ARLINGTON, VA -- Japan's Ministry of
Agriculture (MAFF) announced earlier this week that rice import tenders under
the Simultaneous-Buy-Sell system (SBS) will resume on December 13. SBS tenders were halted in October following
reports in the Japanese press of "adjustment money" being paid by
rice importers to wholesalers and distributors in Japan. Concern arose about the price impact and
legality of such payments. A MAFF
investigation found no negative impact, but changes were made to tendering
procedures and guidelines.
"Although a relatively small portion of
Japan's overall rice imports, SBS tenders are critical to the success of USA
Rice's promotion efforts in Japan," said USA Rice Vice President of
International Hugh Maginnis. Friday's
tender will be for 30,000 metric tons of rice from all origins, made up of
27,000 MT of whole kernel and 3,000 MT of milled rice. Rice imported under the SBS system is
destined for end users such as the foodservice sector, while imports through
the larger ordinary minimum access tenders end up in government stocks or
released for industrial and/or feed use.
Total imports under SBS are expected to be 100,000 MT in the current
Japan fiscal year (JFY, April 2016-March 2017).
Japan's total rice import commitment each JFY is 682,200 MT.
"We were very concerned when the SBS
tenders were suspended," said USA Rice COO Bob Cummings. "Consistent market access to Japan's
consumers is always a challenge, and U.S. exporters are anticipating better
success in SBS this year because of more competitive U.S. prices, so we are
pleased that the tenders will resume. We
will continue to monitor the pace and success of SBS tenders."
No fake rice so far, says Samuda
BY KIMONE FRANCIS Observer staff reporter
francisk@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Karl
Samuda (File photo)
FEARS that there could be a
shortage of rice in the country were yesterday quelled by Minister of Industry
and Commerce Karl Samuda who announced that imports from Guyana and Suriname
will be allowed into the market.
The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) on
Monday temporarily ceased the clearance of rice at all ports of entry, pending
test results after a news report suggested that plastic rice was being sold for
consumption in the country.
Samuda told journalists at a press
conference at his New Kingston office yesterday that the Bureau of Standards
Jamaica (BSJ) was provided with samples taken from across the island, including
Manchester where the threat originated, and that so far, he can assure
consumers that there is no evidence of any contamination of plastic within the
samples tested.“At the moment, there are shipments on the wharves awaiting
clearance and the decision has been taken that clearance would be made
immediately so that by this afternoon supplies will be reaching the shelves of
the supermarkets for all rice coming from Guyana and Suriname,” Samuda said.
He
explained that both countries are considered a part of “our” domestic market
and that there have never been incidents of any kind with contamination or
otherwise.“So there are no justifiable reasons for us to hold those shipments
of rice from the Jamaican people,” he said.Jamaica imports rice from Trinidad
and Tobago, Vietnam, India, United States, Guyana, Thailand, China, and
Suriname.The minister said in the interim, BSJ will continue testing samples to
ensure that consumers are protected. He added: “We will be vigilant in our spot
programmes which will have spot checks of all importations of rice.”
Tests are also to be conducted by
BSJ, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries and the Food
Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division.
At the same time, he said that
Government is considering steps to have all packages of rice labelled before
distribution for sale.“We have been advised that certain importers have been
importing rice from sections of the Far East and this has caused great concern
based on certain information reaching customs and our ministry that in three
instances, at least, we have been advised of fake labelling.
“We are in the process now of
confirming the allegation that these labels are fake labels, not genuine, and
any doubt at all that we are in, we cannot put our Jamaican people at risk. We
have to be very certain of the source of food that enters this country,” he
assured.
He said agencies have been
instructed to comb warehouses of supermarkets to identify the counterfeit
product and warned that he will be seeking legal advice as to actions that can
be taken, including closing establishments found with the products.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/No-fake-rice-so-far--says-Samuda_83561
Nepal on path to
record paddy harvest, says DoA
Sangam Prasain, Kathmandu
Dec 14, 2016- Timely and an above-average
monsoon have put Nepal on a path to a record paddy harvest that is expected to
boost the economy and farm incomes besides helping the country regain food
surplus status.
According
to the preliminary statistics of the Department of Agriculture (DoA), the
summer paddy output has been projected to jump 15.70 percent to 5.54 million
tonnes this year, the highest since 2011 when farmers grew 5.07 million tonnes
of the staple grain.The department’s figure is slightly higher than the
estimate of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO
in its assessment of Nepal’s agriculture sector had forecast that the 2016
summer paddy output would recover to 4.8 million tonnes, up 13 percent from the
2015 level. Nepal’s paddy output fell sharply by 10.22 percent to 4.29 million
tonnes last year.
The good
news comes after two back-to-back failed monsoons that shrunk the paddy acreage
to 1.35 million hectares last year. Paddy is cultivated on 1.5 million hectares
of arable land in Nepal. As Nepal’s agriculture system is predominantly
rain-fed, paddy fields are allowed to lie fallow when the heavens don’t open
up. Round-the-year irrigation coverage amounts to only 18 percent.According to
the department’s statistics, farmers planted paddy on 1.51 million hectares
this year, up 11 percent from before. This is the highest paddy acreage since
2011-12.
Average
productivity has increased to 3.66 tonnes per hectare from 3.15 tonnes last
year. Region-wise, paddy output in the Eastern, Central and Western regions is
expected to amount to 1.62 million tonnes, 1.46 million tonnes and 1.15 million
tonnes respectively. Likewise, production in the Mid-Western and Far Western regions
has been estimated to reach 616,861 tonnes and 686,476 tonnes respectively. Senior
agro expert Bhola Man Singh Basnet said that a 10 percent increase in paddy
production would boost the country’s GDP growth by 1 percent. The agricultural
sector contributes about one-third of the real GDP, of which paddy accounts for
7-8 percent.
“The
projected bumper paddy harvest will be a shot in the arm for Nepal’s economy
that received a beating from the deadly April 25 earthquake and subsequent
trade embargo last year. But there are some risks associated with a bumper
harvest as a surplus will push down prices which could dampen the hopes of
farmers expecting higher incomes,” he said.“Although the government has set the
minimum support price of paddy for this year, it will not help farmers as the
announcement came too late,” he said.Yubak Dhoj GC, director general of the
Department of Agriculture, said that the country was on line for a record paddy
harvest this year as timely and regularmonsoon rains encouraged farmers to
transplant paddy on all lands available.
“Besides,
timely budget allocation and distribution allowed agriculture offices across
the country to supply inputs like seeds and fertilizers to farmers in adequate
quantities,” he said. The bumper harvest will narrow down rice imports to some
extent and help the country regain its food surplus status, he said.According
to GC, even if the country has an ‘excess surplus’ of rice, imports will not
drop significantly as imported rice is of the ‘fine aromatic’ variety which is
not grown much in Nepal.“Due to burgeoning incomes and a swelling middle-class
population in Nepal, demand for fine aromatic rice has been growing notably for
the last few years. “We need to encourage farmers to produce high quality rice
to offset ballooning imports.”Nepal imported rice and paddy worth Rs21.86
billion in the last fiscal year, down 11.7 percent from the previous year.Although
import bills have dropped by double digits, they are still huge despite the
trade embargo that lasted for five months had paralyzed Nepal’s entire trade
and transit system in the last fiscal
yearhttp://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-12-14/nepal-on-path-to-record-paddy-harvest-says-doa.html
Philippines approves rice trader
imports of 641,080 T, below quota
MANILA - The Philippines' state grains agency has approved permits
for local rice traders to import 641,080 tons of the staple grain from
Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and India, it said in a notice posted on its
website on Wednesday.The approved imports, which must be brought in by Feb. 28,
2017, account for 80 percent of the maximum volume of 805,200 tons that private
traders are allowed to bring in under an annual country-specific quota scheme.Private
traders will import 284,780 tons of rice from Thailand; 294,020 tons from
Vietnam; 56,140 tons from Pakistan; and 6,140 tons from India, the National
Food Authority (NFA) said after evaluating all applications.
The shipments will boost the rice supply in the country, which has
remained ample this year thanks to the NFA's rice imports in 2015 and in recent
months.The NFA has a stand-by authority to import another 250,000 tons of rice
in addition to the 250,000 tons it bought in August from Vietnam and Thailand.Fresh
demand from the Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice buyers, could
underpin export prices particularly in Vietnam and Thailand, traditionally its
main suppliers.Rice export prices in India and Vietnam weakened last week on
thin demand, but still failed to attract buyers, while prices rose slightly in
Thailand amid a slowing harvest.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/14/16/philippines-approves-rice-trader-imports-of-641080-t-below-quota
Farmers warn of stir over ‘flawed’ policy
Sambalpur: Opposing the paddy procurement policy of the
state government for the current kharif season, the members of Paschima Orissa
Krushaka Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti, a farmers’ outfit of western Orissa,
Tuesday warned of a massive agitation.
The farmers would suffer while the rice millers
stand to make money due to the prevailing policy which should be amended
immediately on the basis of crop cutting report of the district, the outfit’s
convener Ashok Pradhan demanded at a press meet at Sanskrutika Samaj Bhawan
here.Though crop cutting report was made at the district level, it was later
altered, paving way for such an anti-farmer policy, he alleged.
The farmers under Hirakud command area would block the state and national highways unless the government takes a decision to protect the interests of farmers in seven days, other members of the outfit said.According to Pradhan, the decision over the volume of paddy per acre to be sold by a farmer had been decided at district level since 2011. However, the practice has not been followed this year.According to the fresh policy of the government, a farmer of an irrigated region can sell 18 quintals of paddy per acre while it has been reduced to 12 quintal per acre for farmers of non-irrigated regions. The decision of the government is not at all acceptable in the present scenario, the convener said.According to reports, bumper production has been reported in Hirakud command area in Sambalpur, Bargarh and Subarnapur districts as the farmers didn’t have to suffer from pest attack during this kharif season.
But, with the implementation of the fresh procurement policy, the farmers would be left with surplus amount of paddy which they would be forced to sell to rice millers at throwaway prices. Though the issue was raised at the Assembly, it was not addressed, it was learnt. On the other hand, the farmers are still struggling to get input subsidy, crop insurance and drought assistance for 2015.To make matters worse, the farmers of Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Deogarh and Bargarh districts are yet to get agriculture loan to the tune of `746 crore to raise crops in the upcoming rabi season.Of the `750 crore, only `4 crore has been sanctioned for disbursement among the farmers till December 13, it was learnt. The rabi crop would also be affected unless they receive the loan amount soon, the farmers rued. PNN.Several farmer leaders including Lingaraj Pradhan, Murari Prasad Purohit and Saroj Mohanty were present at the press meet. PNN
GIEWS Country
Brief: Cambodia 12-December-2016
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
·
Increased rains boost prospects
for 2016 main season rice output
·
Rice exports in 2016 forecast
above last year’s level
·
Rice prices increased seasonally
in October
·
Large numbers of people affected
by the lingering effects of prolonged drought in 2015 and 2016
Increased rains boost prospects for 2016 main season rice
production
Rice exports in 2016 forecast above last year’s level
Rice exports in the 2016 calendar year are forecast by FAO at
1.25 million tonnes, 4 percent above last year’s level, mainly reflecting
increased border trade with Viet Nam. By contrast, maize shipments in 2016 are
anticipated to be three times lower than their level last year, due to the sharply
reduced production in 2015. Maize exports are expected to return to normal
levels at 140 000 tonnes in 2017, in line with a recovery in 2016 output.
Rice prices increased seasonally in October
Wholesale prices of rice increased in most markets in October,
supported by seasonal tightness, but remained below their year‑earlier levels.
In an attempt to boost prices paid to farmers during the 2016 main harvest, the
Government approved in late September a special loan package of USD 27 million
to rice millers to buy rice paddy from farmers. The total includes USD 20
million from the Government’s budget and USD 7 million from the state-run Rural
Development Bank. On the loans provided to rice millers, the Government will
charge an annual interest rate of 8 percent.
Large numbers of people affected by lingering effects of drought
in 2015 and 2016
The impact of the prolonged drought from early 2015 to mid‑2016
has resulted in an increased level of food insecurity in the affected areas.
According to official estimates, approximately 2.5 million Cambodians and 18
out of 25 provinces, were affected by the drought. Although rains improved from
late July over most of the country, bringing relief to the drought affected
areas, farming households with little resilience and low agricultural
productivity have not recovered fully and may require some humanitarian
assistance.
http://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/giews-country-brief-cambodia-12-december-2016
Gov't to Convert More Old Rice into Animal Feed Next Year
Write : 2016-12-13 17:06:30 Update : 2016-12-13 17:19:02
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=123908
