Thursday, October 22, 2015

22nd October 2015 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

New Online Platform for International Agricultural Trade

Oct 21, 2015

The Italian Telematic Commodity Exchange has developed a new online platform for international agricultural trade, "International Market",  to extend the benefits and advantages of an electronic commodity exchange to non-European countries.
It also aims at balancing the demand for and supply of food products between European and non-European countries.
The Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry presented the "International Market" on October 20, 2015 at the Milan Rice Expo.
"We are ready to start with a first experimental phase of one year, involving mostly African countries, from Egypt to Tunisia, from Angola to other Mediterranean partners. The development of international relations, fairer and more transparent markets passes through innovative solutions such as this," said the Italian Agriculture Minister.
The new platform will allow small and medium sized enterprises from the developing countries to trade internationally by surpassing the gap related to different international regulations. It also allows parties to integrate their agreements with the choice of more and specific contractual terms.
Members will receive ID and password to access the trading platform and transact their goods and conclude effective contracts. The platform automatically records the prices and quantities of various goods traded thereby ensuring market transparency.
The "International Market" is seen as an innovative tool to facilitate companies' access to foreign markets in a regulated and transparent way.

Indonesia will Import Rice if Dry Season Continues Until November 2015, Says President

Oct 21, 2015

The Indonesian President today confirmed that the government would decide to import rice if rains don't resume by the fourth week of October 2015 and if the dry season continues till November, according to local sources.
The President noted that rice import agreements are already finalized with some exporting nations and rice can be shipped to Indonesia whenever needed. He stated that the imported rice will be used to add up to the national rice reserves.
The Vice-President earlier indicated that Indonesia needs to import about 1.5 million tons of rice to maintain adequate stocks and avoid price hikes. He confirmed that the government would import rice from Vietnam to maintain food supply at the end of this year after analyzing the likely food shortages in November and December 2015.
Indonesian rice production is likely to be impacted by a drought-inducing El Nino phenomenon, which is expected to be stronger than that experienced in the 1997-1998 period.
The President was keen on achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and avoid imports. However, the extending dry conditions have prompted the government to import rice.

Iraq Seeks to Purchase 30,000 Tons of Rice in International Tenders

Oct 21, 2015

Iraq has invited international tenders to purchase about 30,000 tons of rice from U.S., Uruguay, Argentina and India, Bloomberg quoted a statement from the Iraq's Trade Ministry.
Last date for submitting bids is November 11, 2015 and offers remain valid till November 19, 2015.
The Iraq Trade Ministry did not make any purchase in the last tender, for which it initially set September 6, 2015 as deadline to receive bids with offers having to remain valid until September 10. It extended the deadline twice due to high prices.




Plans Underway to Develop Global Food Crop Genetics Search-Engine

Plans are underway to develop a new food crop genetics search-engine known as Global Information System (GLIS), which can speed up research efforts aimed at breeding and developing higher yielding crop varieties, according to local sources.  
Nearly 139 government agencies and non-government organizations who are members of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources have approved for the development of GLIS at a meeting in Rome recently.
The Head of genetic resources at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) noted that the GLIS will serve as an index that helps users to get  information that exists on many databases around the world. "It is a bit like the search-engines Google or Bing, they are indexes of information held on other people's websites," he said.
He noted that many gene banks contain rarely used, low-yielding varieties of rice and other food crops, and these contain useful genetic traits, like disease resistance, drought or frost tolerance. An index developed with their traits can help researchers breed better varieties, he said. "If you can transfer specific desirable plant characteristics from the old varieties into the new varieties, then you create something that's better than the best," he added.
It is understood that world's famous genetic repositories such as Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway and a facility in Horsham in Australia will be roped in to provide public access to digital information about genetics held in their collections.
Australia, which chairs the Treaty's governing body, has so far contributed over $1.5 million to the Treaty since 2009, according to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

China Rice Imports Increase Sharply in First Nine Months of 2015

Oct 21, 2015
China has imported around 2.314 million tons of rice in the first nine months of 2015 (January - December), up about 34% from around 1.73 million tons imported during the same period last year, according to data from China Customs General Administration.
In September 2015, China imported around 357,700 tons of rice, up about 66% from around 215,000 tons imported in August 2015, and almost twice of around 180,000 tons imported in September 2014.
China has exported around 205,200 tons of rice in first nine months of 2015, down about 43% from around 363,161 tons exported during the same period last year, according to data from the China Customs General Administration.
In September 2015, China exported around 63,000 tons of rice, up about 3.3 times from around 19,000 tons exported in August 2015 and up about 45% from around 43,489 tons exported in September 2014.
China imported about 2.563 million tons of rice and exported about 419,069 tons of rice and in 2014.
USDA estimates China to produce around 145.5 million tons of milled rice in MY 2015-16 (July - June). It estimates China to import around 4.7 million tons and export around 400,000 tons of rice in 2015.

Philippines to Hold Emergency Meeting on Additional Rice Imports This Week

Oct 21, 2015

The government of Philippines has decided to hold an emergency meeting this week to discuss about additional rice imports this year after the Typhoon Koppu left many paddy fields damaged, according to Reuters.
The National Food Authority (NFA) Council is scheduled to meet on October 29to review the country's rice supplies and the need for one million tons rice imports next year. However, the NFA Council has decided to advance the meeting to this week as crop losses from the Typhoon are likely to be high.
"We will immediately discuss if the stocks we've prepared for El Nino and an additional volume that has yet to arrive would still be enough until December," said the NFA Administrator.
The typhoon reportedly has destroyed about 400,000 tons of paddy rice, almost 5% of the estimated output of around 7.95 million tons (basis milled) in the last quarter.
The government has already approved for importing about 1.8 million tons of rice for delivery this year.

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Move Higher as Firmer Grains Continue to Support the Market

Oct 22, 2015

Chicago rough rice futures for Nov delivery settled 8.5 cents per cwt (about $2 per ton) higher at $12.260 per cwt (about $270 per ton). The other grains traded higher today; Soybeans closed about 1% higher at $9.0525 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.7% higher at $4.9475 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 1.1% higher at $3.8075 per bushel.
U.S. stocks were mixed in choppy trade Wednesday, as investors took in fresh corporate earnings. The Dow Jones industrial average was slightly higher, while the S&P and the Nasdaq traded near the flatline again. Investors also digested EIA oil inventories data, which showed inventories rise by 8 million barrels, as U.S. crude prices have fallen over 4.5% this week. Wall Street also digested Japanese exports data, which came in far weaker than expected. Japan's annual export growth slowed for the third straight month in September, raising questions as to whether or not the Bank of Japan will go further into its qualitative and quantitative easing program. In Europe, stocks ended mixed, with the pan-European STOXX 600 closing flat and the German DAX ending higher in anticipation of Thursday's European Central Bank meeting. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 44 points, or 0.24%, to 17,259. The S&P 500 traded 0.26 points higher at 2,031, with industrials leading four sectors lower and materials leading laggards. The Nasdaq fell 6 points, or 0.12%, to 4,874. Gold is trading about 0.8% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2.1% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.1% higher about  1:30pm Chicago time.
Tuesday, there were 967 contracts traded, down from 1,694 contracts traded on Monday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Tuesday increased by 214 contracts to 13,108.

Thailand, Vietnam Rice Sellers Alter Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asian Quotes Remain Unchanged

Oct 21, 2015

Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for parboiled rice by about $5 per ton to around $30 - $370 per ton today. Vietnam rice sellers increased their quotes for jasmine rice variety by about $5 per ton to around $475 - $485 per ton. Other rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged from yesterday.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton about $15 per ton discount on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $370 - $380 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $45 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $20 per ton discount on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $350- $360 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $50 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $280 - $290 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $340 - $350 per ton, about $65 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.                            
100% Broken Rice

Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $305 - $315 per ton, at par with Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $290 - $300 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $275 - $285 per ton.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

20th October,2015 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

EC to Implement New Regulation for Limiting Inorganic Arsenic in Rice from January 1, 2016

Oct 19, 2015
The European Commission (EC) will implement the new regulation for limiting inorganic arsenic in rice and other food stuffs according to local sources.The EC reportedly made a new recommendation to modify the laws of a regulation issued by the Official Journal of European Union (EU) on June 26, 2015. According to the regulation (2015/1006), the EU set new permissible limits for inorganic arsenic in rice. It allowed up to 0.20 micrograms per kilogram of non-parboiled rice (polished or white rice), up to 0.25 micrograms per kilogram of parboiled and husked rice, up to 0.30 micrograms per kilogram of rice waffles, wafers, crackers and cakes, and 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of rice for baby food.
However, in a new regulation (2015/1381) issued on August 10, 2015, the EC extended the previous regulation to other food items as well. Since arsenic occurs naturally in the environment and is present in soil and ground water, it is absorbed by all plants and animals, says the EC. The long-term association with the element are likely to cause skin lesions, cancer, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiovascular diseases, abnormal glucose metabolism, and diabetes, it says.Therefore, the EC sought a scientific opinion on the risks to human health related to the presence of arsenic in foodstuffs (incl. drinking water) from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Since the Authority requested for a more detailed specification of data about arsenic in the EU states, the EC instructed all the states to monitor the presence of arsenic in food in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Food stuffs including cereal grains, cereal based products (including bran and germ), fruit and vegetable juices, drinking water (including bottled water), coffee, dry tea leaves, beer, fish and sea food, vegetables, algae products (including hijiki), milk, dairy products, food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and food supplements will be monitored for the presence of arsenic.

Venezuela May Import Rice from Suriname at Relatively Low Prices

Oct 19, 2015

Venezuela is reportedly planning to import rice from Suriname, a move that is likely to completely end the oil-for-rice deal with Guyana according to local sources.
The Suriname President is understood to have requested the Venezuelan leader, who visited Suriname last week, to buy their surplus rice. The Venezuelan leader also reportedly agreed to the proposal. “We have decided to deepen trade relations and will intensify the implementation of the rice agreement,” told the Venezuelan leader to reporters.The foreign ministers have an explicit mandate to deepen trade relations and to ensure the import of rice from Suriname,” added the Suriname President.Suriname reportedly wants Venezuela to import rice under a rice for oil deal like the one it struck with Guyana, which is likely to expire this November. Moreover, it is also understood that Venezuela will be getting rice at a relatively cheaper price that it used to get from Guyana. Local sources report that Suriname is agreeing to supplying rice at nearly half the price of Guyana's.
Meanwhile Guyana is also exploring new markets for its rice as the PetroCaribe deal with Venezuela is on the verge of closure and Venezuela has not shown any interest so far in renewing the deal. It is also reportedly struck new contracts with Trinidad and Tobago for importing oil.On the other hand, Venezuela's food shortages have intensified as the government is not ready to renew the PetroCaribe deal with Guyana. Venezuelans are reportedly buying most of their food stuffs in the black market.
Both Venezuela and Guyana have been facing border issues, which have reportedly affected the rice-for-oil deal as well. They are understood have approached the UN to resolve the border issues.

Thailand, India, Vietnam Rice Sellers Alter Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asian Quotes Remain Unchanged

Oct 19, 2015
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for 100% B, 5% broken rice varieties by about $5 per ton each to around $365 - $375 per ton and $355 - $365 per ton respectively. They also lowered their quotes for and glutinous rice variety by about $15 per ton to around $660 - $670 per ton. Vietnam rice sellers increased their quotes for 5%, 15%, 25% and jasmine rice varieties by about $10 per ton each to around $365 - $375 per ton, $355 - $365 per ton and $475 - $485 per ton respectively. They increased their quotes for glutinous rice variety by about $5 per ton to around $470 - $480 per ton. India rice sellers increased their quotes for 25% broken rice and parboiled rice varieties by about $5 per ton each to around $330 - $340 per ton and $340 - $350 per ton respectively.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton about $10 per ton discount on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $365 - $375 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $45 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about 15% discount on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $345- $355 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $50 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $280 - $290 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $340 - $350 per ton, about $65 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.                            
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $305 - $315 per ton, at par with Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $290 - $300 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $275 - $285 per ton.

Philippines to Decide on Additional One Million Tons of Rice Imports by End of October, Says NFA Administrator

Oct 19, 2015
The government of Philippines will decide on importing additional one million tons of rice in the first quarter of 2016 by the end of October 2015, Bloomberg quoted the National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator as saying.The NFA official told reporters that the NFA Council will meet end-October to discuss rice import plan. He noted that the NFA may purchase rice through government-to-government (G2G) transaction or through private sector.The Philippines has already secured 500,000 tons of rice imports for delivery in the first quarter of 2016.The government is expecting this year's paddy output to decline by about 25% due to the El Nino induced drought conditions. The effects of the El Nino are expected to last till the middle of 2016. Government officials are considering the phenomenon to be as intense as that in 1997-98, when the farm output fell by 23% and prices increased significantly.
It has  approved for importing about 1.8 million tons rice for delivery this year. As on October 13, about 937,000 tons of rice have been received and about 600,000 tons were purchased by the private traders under the WTO rules.
Global Rice Quotes
October 19th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade   365-375                ↓
Vietnam 5% broken        365-375                ↑
India 5% broken               350-360                ↔
Pakistan 5% broken        305-315                ↔
Myanmar 5% broken      415-425                ↔
Cambodia 5% broken     415-425                ↔
U.S. 4% broken                 490-510                ↔
Uruguay 5% broken        535-545                ↔
Argentina 5% broken     530-540                ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken      330-340                ↔
Vietnam 25% broken      345-355                ↑
Pakistan 25% broken      280-290                ↔
Cambodia 25% broken   400-410                ↔
India 25% broken             330-340                ↑
U.S. 15% broken               500-510                ↔

Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd     365-375                ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd          405-415                ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd                 340-350                ↑
U.S. parboiled 4% broken             590-610                ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken          545-555                ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken    NQ         ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%   820-830                ↔
Vietnam Jasmine             475-485                ↑
India basmati 2% broken              NQ         ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken       NQ         ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails     830-840                ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super            305-315                ↔
Vietnam 100% broken   305-315                ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd          275-285                ↔
Cambodia A1 Super        355-365                ↔
India 100% broken stxd                 290-300                ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens      NQ         ↔
U.S. pet food     330-340                ↔
Brazil half grain NQ         ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Indian Researchers to Support Government to Promote Use of Black Rice

Oct 19, 2015
Researchers from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) will help the government in promoting the use of black rice, which is considered to be highly nutritious, according to local sources.Black rice is mostly grown in India's North-Eastern states and is famous for its pleasant nutty flavour. Black rice has a good demand in the U.S., Australia and European nations. Already one of the black rice varieties called 'chakhao', grown in Manipur has good reputation in China.The IARI scientists will reportedly suggest an action plan to the government on how to promote black rice and other rice varieties. They noted that the plan would earn foreign exchange as well as improve the condition of farmers in the north-east states.
The Head of the IARI's genetics division noted that that it is important to promote the unique variety like black rice in the larger interest of farmers in different regions. "Black rice has medicinal value. Being rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, it is anti-cancerous as well,: he said.

Indonesian Trade Minister Reiterates About Possible Rice Imports

Oct 19, 2015
The Indonesian government is carrying on discussions with the governments of Thailand and Vietnam over possible rice imports amid concerns of lower production due to extending drought conditions, according to Reuters.The Trade Minister today told the House of Representatives today the government has decided to import rice this year to ensure adequate stocks and curb any price hikes. He assured that the government's rice import plan would not affect farmers' incomes as the stocks won't be released into the market.The government is keen on achieving self-sufficiency in rice production this year and avoiding imports. Even last month, the Agriculture Minister noted that the drought conditions are unlikely to impact rice production. However, the decision to import rice has been taken after the Bulog stocks fell to around 1.7 million tons.
Last week, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs told reporters that the decision would be taken after looking at the harvests, which will continue till the end of October 2015. He also noted that the decision would be taken after looking at the harvests, which will continue till the end of October 2015.
Indonesian rice production is likely to be impacted by a drought-inducing El Nino phenomenon, which is expected to be stronger than that than that experienced in the 1997-1998 period.

Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Begin Week with Slight Gain as Market Attempts to Hold Ground Following Last Weeks Decline

Oct 19, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Nov delivery are currently noted 4 cents per cwt (about $1 per ton) higher at $12.150 per cwt (about $268 per ton) during early floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen trading mixed in early action; soybeans are currently seen trading about 0.1% higher, wheat is listed about 0.1% lower and corn is currently noted 0.3% lower.U.S. stocks traded mostly lower Monday, as investors prepare for a deluge of earnings while digesting Chinese economic data. U.S. equities opened lower, with all major indexes falling about 0.3%.Over a fifth of S&P 500 companies are scheduled release quarterly results this week. Overnight, China reported a third-quarter gross domestic growth figure of 6.9%, slightly above the expected 6.8%, but also its lowest in six years.
 China also reported industrial production rose 5%, below the expected 6% increase. China's growth data took its toll on the commodities space, which saw U.S. crude futures fall more than 2% in morning trading, while Brent futures dropped about 2.5%. The energy sector in the S&P fell more than 1%.In Europe, the pan-European Stoxx index traded about 0.1% higher, while the German DAX rose more than 0.5%.The Dow Jones industrial average traded down 56 points, or 0.33% at 17,159. The S&P 500 traded down 6 points, or 0.31% at 2,026, with energy leading all sectors lower. The Nasdaq fell 10 points lower, or 0.22%, at 4,875. Gold is currently trading about 0.7% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2% lower, and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.4% higher at 9:30am Chicago time.

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Go Nowhere as Falling Grain Prices Keep a Lid on Buying Interest

Oct 19, 2015

Chicago rough rice futures for Nov delivery settled 0.5 cents per cwt (about $0.11 per ton) lower at $12.105 per cwt (about $267 per ton). The other grains finished lower today; Soybeans closed about 0.8% lower at $8.9100 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.3% lower at $4.8575 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 1% lower at $3.7300 per bushel.U.S. stocks traded in a narrow range Monday, as investors prepare for a deluge of earnings while digesting Chinese economic data. Over a fifth of S&P 500 companies are scheduled release quarterly results this week. Overnight, China reported a third-quarter gross domestic growth figure of 6.9%, slightly above the expected 6.8%, but also its lowest in six years. China also reported industrial production rose 5%, below the expected 6% increase. China's growth data took its toll on the commodities space, which saw U.S. crude futures fall about 2.5%, while Brent futures dropped about 3%. The energy sector in the S&P fell more than 1.5%.Investors also looked at housing data for more clues about the strength of the U.S. economy, with the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index reading coming in at its highest in a decade.
European stocks closed mixed as the pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.3%, while London's FTSE 100 fell 0.4%. The German DAX closed over 0.6% higher. Asian equities ended mixed overnight, with the Shanghai Composite falling 0.11%, while the Hang Seng closed narrowly higher. The Dow Jones industrial average traded down 32 points, or 0.19% at 17,184. The S&P 500 traded down 5 points, or 0.29%, at 2,027, with energy leading eight sectors lower and consumer discretionary leading advancers. The Nasdaq dipped 1 point, or 0.03% at 4,885. Gold is trading about 0.9% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2.3% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.4% higher about  1:00pm Chicago time.Friday, there were 1,113 contracts traded, down from 2,122 contracts traded on Thursday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Friday increased by 183 contracts to 12,987.

Cambodia Secures 100,000 Ton Rice Export Deal with China

Oct 19, 2015
Cambodia has reportedly signed a contract with China to export about 100,000 tons of rice from early 2016, according to Khmer Times.The Vice-President of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) told local sources that they will export high quality white rice to China under the agreement. He noted that the government is keen on doubling rice exports to China next year. He noted that Cambodian rice is priced higher than other Asian rice due to which it is losing competitiveness in the global market. “The federation is creating a working team to pinpoint problems and find solutions to make our rice more competitive,” he was quoted.The Deputy General of the General Department of Agriculture hailed the deal. Exporters have also expressed satisfaction over the deal saying it would increase competitiveness of the Cambodian rice. They told local sources that.

"The scale of the deal will have a positive impact throughout the entire value chain and occurs at a time when competition is rising in the EU’s market," said one of the leading exporters. He added that "the deal demonstrates a long-term commitment from China to support Cambodia." However, he cautioned that the deal may lead to a shortage of high-quality white rice in the country. He therefore advised customs officials to monitor the flow of white rice across the borders.Cambodia reportedly exported nearly 100,000 tons of rice to China in the first nine months of this year. The South-East Asian nation has exported around 369,105 tons of milled rice in the first nine months of 2015, up about 37% from around 269,370 tons exported during the same period last year, according to the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export Formality.

19th October ,2015 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine

Rice News Headlines...
Rice exporters cry for help
Mandatory jute packaging deadline extended
Oil extraction from rice bran can save Pakistan $ 2.5 billion: UIG
Rice likely to firm up as prices hit bottom, production declines
SENATE SUMMONS COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF NIGERIAN CUSTOMS TO EXPLAIN HIS DECISION TO LIFT BAN ON RICE IMPORT
POLICY
Devendra Fadnavis promises to help rice farmers, millers
Pusa 1121 paddy arrives in market, but buyers wary
Iraq Update:  Chaos Still Reigns
Chef de Riz Named at International Rice Festival
Crop Progress:   2015 Crop 95 Percent Harvested  
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures  
Rice Festival packs Crowley streets
Competitors’ tariffs cost U.S. rice producers 1.3 million tons in exports in 2013
Global body gives green light for food crop genetic search engine
Vietnam's Mekong Delta in desperate shortage of fresh water
Sharp decline in rice trade feared
Basmati prices lower than 2015's, despite PDS purchases
BASMATI RICE EXPORT PRICE TO BOUNCE BACK BY DECEMBER, SAY EXPERTS
Rice likely to firm up as prices hit bottom, production declines
GI tag sought to preserve uniqueness of basmati
Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
APEDA Commodity News from India

New Details…
Rice exporters cry for help
| Reap says solar tubewell plan can provide long-term relief to farmers, exporters
October 19, 2015
LAHORE - The rice exporters have asked the government to bailout rice sector which is collapsing under double whammy of declining prices and harassment by the banks.Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan newly-elected chairman Muhammad Shafique Ch said that the rice sector, which makes value addition of over 175pc, generating hundreds of thousands of jobs, its foreign exchange earnings of over $2 billion continue to suffer, hitting all stakeholders from growers to millers and exporters.The arrival of new crop has aggravated the situation as around five hundred thousand tons of rice from earlier crops couldn’t be sold or exported which is rotting in godowns.
Shafique Ch said that the new crop will further imbalance the market resulting in closure of hundreds of rice mills.The millers are unable to pay bank loans or clear outstanding amount to the farmers therefore State Bank has extended date of their repayments until June 2016 but banks continue to harass rice millers to recover Rs30.5 billion loans.According to Reap chairman, Pakistan’s rice trade is facing severe challenges mainly due to rising costs of agricultural inputs and its export may decline sharply during this fiscal year.He said that the rice export, the second largest earner of the valuable foreign exchange, is continually being neglected by the federal government.
Shafique Ch said that owing to the high costs of agricultural inputs including fertiliser, electricity, water and lack of seeds development, Pakistan’s rice is uncompetitive in international market, especially the basmati varieties.Presently, Indian rice exporters are offering as low as the $300 per metric ton price for the basmati rice in the world market.As the prices of Indian rice are much lower than those in Pakistan, major importing countries and international buyers are switching to the Indian rice.Shafique Ch said that under the current situation, exporters are not in a position to buy paddy from farmers because of a shortage of cash flow as their finance limit have already been choked.Therefore, the government should take some immediate measures to support them.The exporters are not in a position to return dues of export refinance facility instantly, because rice is still in millers’ stock and financial charges on these stocks are daily increasing the cost.Shafique Ch said that the government should waive off the bank markup on the stock of last two years, besides refunding almost $40 million of 1 percent WHT which was deducted during the last two years period of loss.Moreover, WHT should also be reduced to 0.25 percent in future.
The government should ask SBP to extend Export Refinance payback period and EF-25 based loans.He suggested the government to provide $200 per metric ton for basmati export, besides recognising rice sector as industry with zero rated GST and preferential electricity and gas supply.The government should also expedite pending GST and Income Tax refunds.Reap chairman said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif farmers’ relief package is appreciable and it was better if the cash payment should be up to Rs10,000 instead of Rs5000 as per acre loss is around Rs50,000.It is a short-term solution and this meager amount will not compensate the huge loss of farmers.However, the solar tubewell plan of the government is good and can provide long-term relief to farmers if it is implemented properly.The proposed plan will lower input cost of farmers equalising exporters cost to the regional competitors, helping improve rice export.
The solar tubewells will also save electricity which can be diverted to the industry in future, he added.The Reap Chairman asked the government to run R&D under public-private partnership by formulating Basmati Rice Development Board for demand-driven research.The government may set up state of the art laboratory for rice testing at par with European standards labs.Presently, super basmati seed is more than 20-year old, resultantly per acre yield has dropped to 30 maund from 50 maund, besides reducing Average Grain Length.
“We demand that the Rice Research Institute should work on a project to reduce the input cost and increase the yield and quality of the Pakistani rice so that the cost of paddy will be reduced and the exporters can compete in the world market.“In addition, to protect the basmati rice export trade, Pakistan must focus on the markets of Iran and Saudi Arabia since these are the major importing countries of the basmati rice.A legal and official banking channels should be developed that can help start the official rice export to the neighboring country of Iran. http://nation.com.pk/business/19-Oct-2015/rice-exporters-cry-for-help
Mandatory jute packaging deadline extended

Abu Bakar Siddique
The government has extended a deadline, allowing the rice-making sector a few more days to shift from polythene to jute for packaging.As part of the implementation of the Jute Packaging Act 2010, which makes use of jute mandatory in packaging across businesses, October 25 was the last date for the shift.However, considering a request from businessmen, who said they were not ready, the government has extended the deadline until the end of November, said Mohammad Kefaetullah, director of the Department of Jute.The jute packaging act – enacted in 2014 to revive the once leading foreign currency earning sector of the country – considers the rice-making sector, the rice-millers to be specific, as one of the key focus points.According to the act, paddy, rice, wheat, maze, fertiliser and sugar must be packaged in jute bags. Violators face a maximum of one year in jail or a fine of Tk50,000 or both for using non-degradable synthetics to package commodities.
Kefaetullah said that the government will now go tough against violators; mobile courts have been operating across the country since June 1 and no violation will be excused after the November deadline expires.He also said that the rice-millers use around 1.4 million sacks every year and if only they could be made to switch to jute packaging, the entire situation would change.Nirod Baran Saha, convener of the Naogaon Rice Millers’ Association, told the Dhaka Tribune that they also want to use jute packaging.“But price of rice will go up if we switch to jute sacks instead of polythene. A 50kg jute sack costs Tk30 more than a polythene sack of the same capacity,” he said.According to the Jute Department, around 750 million jute bags will be used annually and 50% of the jute production would be consumed locally once the packaging act is implemented.Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) believes that the sector will regain its lost strength overnight if only 20% of the businesses start using jute bags.
 http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/oct/19/mandatory-jute-packaging-deadline-extended#sthash.QmG0J2eF.dpuf
Oil extraction from rice bran can save Pakistan $ 2.5 billion: UIG
October 18, 2015, 9:52 pm

Islamabad: The country can save 2.5 billion dollars under the head of palm oil import bill if local production of edible oil seeds is promoted, a business leader said today. The oil import bill is set to rise as the population is increasing with a fast pace which will hurt forex reserves therefore government should promote edible oil sector to make country self-sufficient, said Chairman of the United International Group Mian Shahid.Pakistan remained self-reliant in the edible oil sector for long but the sector declined due to apathy of the authorities and now national production stands one-third of the demand, he said.  The planters are on the mercy of buyers due to lack of government intervention and absence of a support price mechanism, he said.

Mian Shahid said that proper attention, good seed varieties, cheap inputs, latest technology and incentives can increase area under cultivation which will turn this sector around.Primitive oil mills are wasting hundreds of thousands of oil seed during extraction process while thirty thousand tonnes of oil can be extracted from the rice bran which needs attention of the private sector. Per capita use of edible oil in Pakistan stands at 13 litres while its usage is increasing by three percent per annum.Modern refineries can improve extraction and quality of edible oil while providing improved revenue to the government.

http://nation.com.pk/business/18-Oct-2015/oil-extraction-from-rice-bran-can-save-pakistan-2-5-billion-uig
Rice likely to firm up as prices hit bottom, production declines
By Prabhudatta Mishra Oct 18 2015
Tags: Commodities
Thai rice exporters association data show benchmark Asian price is at seven-year low
Among the few agriculture commodities that may have good prospects next year, rice could be one. Reason: global inventories are set to fall as production in the second largest exporter, Thailand, is estimated to be at 19-year low.In India, the benchmark Pusa 1121 basmati variety is currently quoted at about $750 a tonne compared with about $1,150 a tonne year ago. Prices of Thai 5-per cent broken white rice, a benchmark in Asia, declined 16 per cent this year to $350 a tonne between January and Septe¬mber.
The scope for a further decline in prices in Thailand and India is limited because global stocks are also falling, said Vijay Setia, a former president of all-India rice exporters association.But rice prices in the US have surged in recent times due to adverse weather conditions. Rough rice futures in Chicago is up 22 per cent during the July-September quarter. The trend may continue as production in the US is likely to dip by 14 per cent in 2015-16 (August-July) crop year to 18.95 billion pounds, according to the US department of agriculture.The rice prices the world over take cues from the Chicago futures market though the US is not a big producer like China or India. China produces about 20 times more than the US, but the latter is estimated to be the world’s fifth-largest shipper in 2015-16 with a 42 per cent increase over last year.
Global stockpiles of rice are seen to fall for a third consecutive year. Production in Thailand may fall because of dry weather induced by El Nino causing the global output to drop for the first time since 2009-10 even as demand grows for the sixth year, USDA data show. According to the USDA, total output in the world will drop to 475.8 million tonne from 478.6 million tonne in 2014-15.The Thai rice exporters association data show that the benchmark Asian price is at a seven-year low. As the world looks to Thailand, production in the south-east Asian country may decline to as low as 22.98 million tonne in 2015-16, down by 30 per cent, from over 32 million tonne a year earlier. Thai farmers have reduced planting areas under rice at the advice of the government, which is concerned about depleting water reservoir levels.
In India, as basmati is a benchmark in the nation’s exports, the government swung to action when its prices fell below the minimum set rates.Basmati is a long grain aromatic rice grown for many centuries in the specific geographical area, at the Himalayan foothills of the Indian sub-continent, blessed with characteristics extra-long slender grains that elongate at least twice of their original size with a characteristics soft and fluffy texture. Delicious taste, superior aroma and distinct flavour make basmati rice unique among other aromatic long grain rice varieties, according to Apeda.Agro-climatic conditions of the specific geographical area as well as method of harvesting, processing and ageing attribute these characteristic features to basmati rice, Apeda said.
If basmati prices fall below the minimum support price, why shall farmers grow? Until now, export earnings from basmati had been about 40 per cent more than from non-basmati varieties. In terms of volume, the shipments of
basmati are about half of non-basmati or even 60 per cent lower.In India, basmati rice is cultivated in about 1.9 million hectares of land in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and three districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan is the only other country where basmati rice is grown.India exported 3.70 million tonne of basmati rice valued at Rs 27,597.87 crore during 2014-15 (April-March). Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait are some of the major buyers of Indian basmati. India accounts for 65 per cent of the world basmati rice trade, and Pakistan the rest, according to Apeda data.
Currently, farmers in Haryana are selling Pusa 1509 variety at Rs 1,550 per quintal and Rs 1,350 in Punjab. The prices in Haryana improved only after FCI started buying the grain. Upset over the falling basmati rice prices, farmers in Punjab have sought Rs 4,500 per quintal rate for Pusa 1509 variety and Rs 5,000 per quintal for Pusa 1121.

prabhudata.m@mydigitalfc.com
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/commodities/rice-likely-firm-prices-hit-bottom-production-declines-080

SENATE SUMMONS COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF NIGERIAN CUSTOMS TO EXPLAIN HIS DECISION TO LIFT BAN ON RICE IMPORTPOLICY
Hadassah Egbedi
PUBLISHED
October 19, 2015In a bid to reduce the surge in the smuggling of rice through land borders, and also to facilitate the resuscitation of domestic industries, the Federal Government imposed a banon rice importation four years ago. Smuggled imported rice was seen as a major threat to the development of Nigeria’s rice sector; while a 50kg bag of smuggled rice costs about N7000 then, which is about $35 now, locally produced rice costs way higher – about N12,000 ($60).Two weeks ago, Colonel Hameed Ali, Comptroller-General of Customs, ordered the removal of rice from import restriction list, and also re-introduced import duties at land borders, stating that the decision to ban rice was not an effective measure as people have found other means of smuggling the product.

According to Mr. Wale Adeniyi Public Relations Officer of customs, the new measures will enable the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) “reorganise their anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and also ensure that all those importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay their extant duty.”Following this announcement, the National Rice Millers Association of Nigeria, NRMAN, criticised Colonel Hameed Ali stating that he erred in his decision to lift the ban on importation of rice through the land borders. Mohammed Abubakar, Chairman of NRMAN said the NCS “overreached its statutory mandate as an enforcement agency in taking such a policy decision.”Mr. Abubakar said, the success of the custom’s decision would destroy Nigeria’s rice value chain attained by the previous administration. “First of all, the customs does not have the power to do that, it is a matter of national policy and customs do not make national policy.

” He further said that the decision was an attempt by the customs to legitimise the smuggling of rice, “Anyone who gives such directive has smuggling intentions.”Mr. Abubakar promised that NRMAN would ensure the customs see patriotic reason and rescind the decision. And he very well may have done that as the Senate ad hoc Committee on Rice Waivers recently summoned Col. Ahmed Ali (rtd), to explain his decision to lift the ban on the importation of rice through the land borders.

In a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero, he reiterated the statement of Mr Abubakar, saying the Comptroller-General did not have the power to unilaterally lift the ban, adding that the action would undermine local production of rice by Nigerian farmers. Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was in agreement, he stated that as long as policies could suddenly be reversed ‘in this manner’, promoting local production would remain an illusion.Prior to the implementation of the policy by the government in 2011, smugglers strove to evade the 20 percent customs levy, and therefore sold at a cheaper market price, or below market price, making business bad for genuine importers and local rice farmers. But the implementation of the ban created a level playing field for both local rice producers and genuine importers, thereby increasing the value chain of Nigeria’s number one staple food over the last few years.

http://venturesafrica.com/senate-summons-comptroller-general-of-nigerian-customs-to-explain-his-decision-to-lift-ban-on-rice-importation/
Devendra Fadnavis promises to help rice farmers, millers

Gopu Pimplapure,TNN | Oct 19, 2015, 03.58 AM IST
BHANDARA: Indian paddy growing farmers and rice mill owners have to opt for the latest technology if they want to remain competitive at national and international level, said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis while inaugurating the Rice Milling Expo at Gondia on Sunday.Fadnavis lauded Gondia District Rice Millers Association for organizing the expo at Circle Ground and said decentralized paddy purchase policy of Government of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh has largely benefited paddy farmers and rice millers. He said Maharashtra, in consultation with central government, will take positive decisions to help paddy growing farmers and rice millers out of the present turmoil in a fortnight.He said the state is mulling reduction in electricity tariff as demanded by industrialists in Vidarbha and Marathwada, and state may give bonus to farmers in some other form. He also announced special workshop for both stakeholders with agriculture experts and professors in agriculture universities to benefit farmers and rice millers by introducing new technology.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Devendra-Fadnavis-promises-to-help-rice-farmers-millers/articleshow/49445109.cms?
Pusa 1121 paddy arrives in market, but buyers wary
Rice millers are yet to sell a large quantity of old stock

Pusa 1121 paddy being dried in Fazilka. Tribune photo
Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, October 18
Even as the Pusa 1121 variety of basmati has started arriving in one of the largest grain markets of the Northern region in Fazilka, the purchase is yet to begin. Rice mill owners, who are bulk buyers of the variety, are hesitant about purchasing basmati due to huge financial losses incurred last year, due to low prices of basmati in the international market.“It will not be viable for rice millers to offer more than Rs 1,700-1,800 per quintal to farmers to meet the input cost to run their mills as the exporters have announced the price of fresh basmati rice as Rs 3,700 to 3,800 per quintal,” said Ranjam Kamra, spokesman, Basmati Rice Millers Association, Punjab.There is apprehension among rice millers as a large quantity of old stocks is yet to be liquidated.On the other hand, farmers are also worried about the proposed prices of their produce.
 Sources said fresh basmati paddy fetched only Rs 1,700 to 1,900 per quintal in other markets of the state. “The farmers should be offered at least Rs 2,500 per quintal to make the cultivation of basmati viable and to promote diversification,” said Om Singh of Pakka Chisti village, who is sitting in the market for the last one week awaiting auction.The sources said farmers were trying to delay bringing their produce to the market in hope of getting remunerative price. Although the state government has announced MSP of all varieties of paddy to be Rs 1,450, the aromatic 1121 variety is sold on higher rates.The economy of the district, particularly Fazilka and Jalalabad subdivisions, is largely dependent on rice trade in the absence of any other industry in this border belt. Paddy is sown in about 97,000 hectares (basmati in 72,000 hectares and parmal in 25,000 hectares) in the district.The farmers and rice millers have demanded that the Centre should introduce an export policy to save its patent product of basmati.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/pusa-1121-paddy-arrives-in-market-but-buyers-wary/147796.html


Iraq Update:  Chaos Still Reigns
  BAGHDAD, IRAQ -- Monday, October 19, 2015
Amid reports of corruption
centered around rice tenders conducted by the Iraqi Minister of Trade (MoT), USA Rice has learned a court order was issued over the weekend to arrest the Iraqi Trade Minister and his brother to be investigated for corruption.  It remains unclear how this latest shake up will affect the pending or future tenders.  A new tender that was to be announced today has been postponed and, according to the Director General of the Grain Board of Iraq, a new tender will be issued either later this week or next regardless of this new situation.USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward said, "At this point, USA Rice will await further guidance from our consultant and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad before proceeding with plans for a visit by members of the Ministry of Trade or the Grain Board."
 Contact:  Jim Guinn (703) 236-1474
Chef de Riz Named at International Rice Festival
 CROWLEY, LA -- Competition was fierce at the 79th annual International Rice Festival's Rice and Creole Cookery Contest sponsored by USA Rice last Friday.  Hometown standout Jill Villejoin won the title of Chef de Riz (cooker of rice) based not only on her cooking expertise but also her rice knowledge, including the nutritional value, cooking qualities, and types and varieties. Overall winners from the rice-dish categories, called tri-color winners, included: Khloe Pitre of Dry Creek, children's division and Junior Chef de Riz winner; Kallie Pitre of Dry Creek, intermediate division; and Victoria Armentor of New Iberia, teen division. The contest is an opportunity for youth and adults to showcase the many ways that rice can be incorporated into the family diet. "The Volunteers for Family and Community Club (VFC) appreciate the annual support of this contest by USA Rice," said Letha Vincent, contest organizer and Rice and Creole Cookery Contest Chairwoman.
 Contact:  Randy Jemison (337) 738-7009
From left:  Randy Jemison (USA Rice), Victoria Armentor, Jill Villejoin,
Kallie Pitre, Khloe Pitre, and Letha Vincent
Crop Progress:   2015 Crop 95 Percent Harvested

WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-five percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is harvested, according to today's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.

Rice Harvested, Selected States
Week Ending
State Oct 18, 2014 Oct 11, 2015 Oct 18, 2015 2010-2014 average
Percent
Arkansas 90 93 96 91
California 81 65 90 57
Louisiana 100 100 100 100
Mississippi 89 91 98 95
Missouri 77 85 90 86
Texas 100 100 100 100
Six States 90 88 95 87


CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures  
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for October 19
Month Price Net Change
November 2015 $12.105 - $0.005
January 2016 $12.390 - $0.010
March 2016 $12.665 - $0.015
May 2016 $12.905 UNCH
July 2016 $13.100 + $0.010
September 2016 $12.415 + $0.050
November 2016 $12.415 + $0.050


Rice Festival packs Crowley streets

KLFY NewsroomPublished: October 16, 2015, 11:18 pm  Updated: October 16, 2015, 11:20 pm
The streets of Crowley were packed for the 79th International Rice Festival.The annual Rice Festival continued with lots of music and fun.Guests enjoyed tons of food, a rice cooking contest and the famous international rice eating contest.T-Rouge Mouton told KLFY the rice eating contest is one of his favorite events.“Today I was actually in that contest and I came out second. I ate 19 scoops of jambalaya.””The Rice Festival is the oldest and largest agricultural festival in Louisiana.Mouton has been coming to the festival since he was a little boy.He says the Cajun atmosphere is what keeps him coming back each year.“You have a good time and you got amazing food and a good atmosphere for a Cajun. I’m from Crowley and that’s where you come to have some of the best times of your life.”” Adds MoutonThe festival is held each year to pay tribute to the rice industry, one that has played a major role in the success of southwest Louisiana.Gina Klumpp who owns P&G’s Snack Wagon told KLFY “We want to give everybody a taste of Gueydan, Cajun cooking… The food is always a main attraction.”A Parade will be held Saturday afternoon, which will feature more than 100 units.

http://klfy.com/2015/10/16/rice-festival-packs-crowley-streets/
Competitors’ tariffs cost U.S. rice producers 1.3 million tons in exports in 2013
Oct 18, 2015Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press
 “What we found is that the policies that have the greatest impact on U.S. production and exports are tariffs,” said John Giamalva, one of the analysts for the International Trade Commission. “If global tariffs had been eliminated on rice in 2013, both U.S. production and exports would have increased by about 1.3 million metric tons that year.”

Most of the world’s rice-producing and consuming countries have tariff regimes to encourage domestic production and protect their milling sectors. The tariffs range from a relatively benign 15.2 percent on average for Venezuela to 322.4 percent for Japan.So what would happen if all of those countries eliminated their tariffs and allowed rice to flow freely into their countries? Would it make any difference for U.S. rice producers, millers and exporters?

Analysts with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington conducted a study of the competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry and of other factors impacting global rice trade. Three members of their team reported on those findings during the latest in the University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture’s Food and Agribusiness Webinar series.“What we found is that the policies that have the greatest impact on U.S. production and exports are tariffs,” said John Giamalva, one of the analysts. “If global tariffs had been eliminated on rice in 2013, both U.S. production and exports would have increased by about 1.3 million metric tons that year.”A number of foreign governments have accused the United States of subsidizing its farmers, in recent years. Brazil brought such a case against the U.S. cotton program to the World Trade Organization in 2004 and won. But the facts are the U.S. provides far less in subsidies and much lower tariffs on agricultural imports than its competitors.

Analysts for the International Trade Commission looked at six types of government policies to assess the impacts of these Government policies on both U.S. and global rice production, consumption and trade. “Actually what we considered was the removal of these six types of Government policies by category,” says Giamalva. “And although most of the report focused on long grain white rice, the model that we used here, which is the rice flow modeled developed at the University of Arkansas, considers long grain, medium grain and aromatic rice at paddy rice stage, at brown rice, and also at the mill rice stage .The increase of 1.3 million metric tons if tariffs had been removed in 2013 is out of a base production of about 6 million metric tons and exports of 3 million metric tons for the U.S. rice sector. Internationally, with 450 million metric tons of rice produced annually, the impact would have been minimal.

“The reason the tariff elimination would have had the greatest impact on U.S. production and exports is because many countries in the world have very high marginal tariff rates on rice,” said Giamalva, noting the countries highlighted in the study have marginal tariff rates on rice of 15 percent and more, including China, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. “Most of the impact would have been on medium grain rice because those countries that predominantly consume medium grain rice, Japan and South Korea, have the highest marginal tariff rates on rice. Now this is not their maximum tariff rate on rice; this is the average marginal tariff rate on rice. So therefore if those were eliminated, most of the increase in production and consumption – production and trade would have been in medium grain rice.

To watch the International Trade Commission analysts presentation, visithttp://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/economics-marketing/food-agribusiness-webinars/posts/10-07-10-usitc-rice-study.aspx
For more information on the University of Arkansas’ Food and Agribusiness Webinar Page, visit http://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/economics-marketing/food-agribusiness-webinars/
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/competitors-tariffs-cost-us-rice-producers-13-million-tons-exports-2013
Global body gives green light for food crop genetic search engine
ABC Rural
By Clint Jasper
PHOTO: A new global index of food crop genetics will help researchers breed better crop varieties that could help tackle hunger and poverty in the developing world.(Clint Jasper)
MAP: Adelaide 5000
Government agencies and non-government organisations hope an online, easy to search database of food crop genetics will be an important tool in addressing hunger and poverty in developing nations.The 139 signatories to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture gave the project, known as the Global Information System (GLIS), the green light at a meeting in Rome recently.Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.
   00:00            00:00      
AUDIO: The International Rice Research Institute's Ruaraid Hamilton and Australia's chief plant protection officer, Dr Kim Ritman explain the importance of a new, virtual gene library(ABC Rural)
The Treaty's governing body, chaired by Australia since 2013, hopes establishing a search-engine for food crop genetics will speed up research efforts aimed at breeding and developing higher yielding crop varieties with new traits like salt, drought and heat tolerance.The first contribution to the project has already been made by the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute."One of the key design features of the system is that it will not attempt to create a copy of all the information that's out there into one database," said Institute head of genetic resources Ruaraid Sackville Hamilton."Rather the GLIS will be an index that points users in the direction of the many databases that already exist around the world, without replacing them.
It is a bit like the search-engines Google or Bing, they are indexes of information held on other people's websites."
Ruaraid Hamilton, International Rice Research Institute
"It is a bit like the search-engines Google or Bing, they are indexes of information held on other people's websites."The famous Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, and other similar genetic repositories, such as a facility in Horsham, Victoria, will be asked to provide public access to digital information about the genetics held in their collections.Many gene banks contain rarely used, low yielding varieties of major food crops, like wheat, barley, rice and corn, however these rare species can often contain useful genetic traits, like disease resistance, drought or frost tolerance.Mr Hamilton said by creating an index of information about these traits will help researchers breed better varieties."If you can transfer specific desirable plant characteristics from the old varieties into the new varieties, then you create something that's better than the best."That is the primary way in which we help developing countries.

"In making the initial contribution to GLIS, the International Rice Research Institute has 'exposed' its central index, and now researchers, breeders and farmers from across the globe can search for new genes and the traits they express for their breeding programs and projects.Australia has contributed over $1.5 million to the Treaty since 2009, according to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.The department's chief plant protection officer, Dr Kim Ritman said the Treaty had advanced significantly under Australia's leadership, and the approval to get GLIS underway was a significant milestone."Australia has been instrumental in the Treaty since it was established in 2004, and we have put in roughly about $1.5 million since 2009," Dr Ritman said."Australia sees this as really important because we want to share the information stored in our national genetic resource centres in Horsham and Adelaide, and in return we get access to genetic information from around the world."
Topics: community-development, wheat, rice, research, research-organisations, genetics, adelaide-5000,sydney-2000, brisbane-4000, darwin-0800, hobart-7000, melbourne-3000, perth-6000
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-20/virtual-gene-bank-gets-green-light/6864776
Vietnam's Mekong Delta in desperate shortage of fresh water
TUOI TRE NEWS
Updated : 10/17/2015 16:08 GMT + 7
The Mekong Delta of Vietnam with wide system of rivers and canals interlacing has been in a desperate shortage of fresh water for cultivation in the coming rice season.
The General Department of Irrigation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a meeting on Friday in the local province of Ben Tre to discuss solutions to deal with the circumstance.Dang Van Dung, vice director of the Southern Hydrometeorology Station, told the meeting that the raining season in Vietnam came around two months late this year and raining has not occurred evenly over the region.The water level upstream Mekong River from May this year has been lower than the average level, and at some points 1 – 2 meters lower than the lowest level recorded before.The low rainfall certainly incurs sea water reaching deeper into rice fields and other farming land in the mainland.

A representative of the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research remarked that the penetration of sea water onto farming land this year may be more serious due to low fresh water.Dung added the average temperature from May to October this year was 1 – 1.8 degree Celsius higher the same period of previous years, he added.The total rainfall during the first nine months this year in the south reached averagely 600 – 1,500mm, down 20 – 50 percent compared to the same time of previous years.Especially, the total rainfall measured at stations on Mekong River during the first four months of this raining season – from June to September – was 30 – 50 percent lower than the same time of the last few years.

Dung predicted that the total rainfall in the south from October 2015 to April 2016 will be 20-40 percent less than the average level in previous years.At the same time, the average temperature will likely be 0.5 – 1.5 degree Celsius higher than before.Nguyen Thanh Can, director of Tien Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said 2,000 hectares of rice field in the locality have been damaged by sea water.The other province in the Mekong Delta, Hau Giang has 5,000 out of 75,000 hectares of rice field damaged by sea water.Ben Tre Province has 6,500 hectares of farming land badly affected.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:8Tx_ZZYD43UJ:tuoitrenews.vn/society/31044/vietnam-s-mekong-delta-in-desperate-shortage-of-fresh-water+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Sharp decline in rice trade feared
Friday, October-16-2015
Pakistan's rice trade is facing severe challenges due to rising cost of agricultural inputs and its export may decline sharply during this fiscal year. Noman Ahmed Shaikh, Senior Vice Chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has said that rice export trade, the second largest earner of valuable foreign exchange for the country, is continually being neglected by the federal government."Owing to high cost of agricultural inputs including fertiliser, electricity, water and lack of seeds development, Pakistan's rice is uncompetitive in international market especially Basmati varieties," he added.Presently, Indian rice exporters are offering as low as $300 per Metric Ton price for Basmati rice in the world market. As the prices of Indian rice were much lower than Pakistan, major importing countries and international buyers were switching to Indian rice, Noman informed.
"We have rice stocks of some 0.5 million tons rice, having a value of more than a billion dollar, of previous year's crop, while new crop paddy arrival is expected in the market by October-end," he said, adding that it was an alarming situation for the rice trade as previous stocks were still lying in the godowns and new crop would arrive in next two weeks, resulted in losses to the growers."In the current situation, exporters are not in a position to buy paddy from growers due to shortage of cash flow as their finance limit have already been choked.It believed that rice growers will not get a good price of their commodity due to availability of previous stocks in the market, therefore the government should take some immediate measurers to support the growers," senior vice chairman REAP demanded.
"We (exporters) are even not in the position to pay back dues of export refinance facility instantly because rice is still in millers' stock and financial charges on these stocks are daily increasing the cost," he mentioned.Noman said that in order to save the rice stocks from pesticides, it needed regular fumigation to avoid damage of commodity, resulted in an additional burden on the exporters.He said last month Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif convened a high-level meeting with all leading exporting sectors including rice.During that meeting former chairman REAP Rafique Suleman presented a detailed proposal to protect the growers as well as exporters from huge losses, however unfortunately none of demand is so far accepted. "Our major demand is withdrawal of 3.5 percent withholding tax on local purchase of rice and repayment of Export Refinance loans in 360 days instead of current 180 days," he mentionedSenior Vice Chairman REAP said rice export sector was the only sector which had shown the outstanding performance during a very short span of time of 10-12 years by massive surge in the export.
With the struggle and efforts of rice exporters, Pakistan's rice export has reached near $2 billion by end of FY15, compared to only $300 million in FY05."We assured the federal government that the implementation on the REAP's suggestions not only save the growers and exporters from huge losses but also help to expand rice exports to over $4 billion within next three years," Noman said.He proposed subsidy on agricultural inputs such as seed, water, diesel, electricity, besides measurers to enhance the per acre yield."We demand that Rice Research Institute should work on a mage project to minimise the input cost and increase the yield and quality of Pakistani rice, so that cost of paddy will be reduced and exporters can compete in the world market.In addition, to protect Basmati rice export trade, Pakistan must focus on the markets of Iran and Saudi Arabia, as these are the major importing countries of Basmati rice.In this regard legal and official banking channel should be developed that can help to start official rice export to neighbouring country Iran, which has already lifted a ban on the commodity import from Pakistan," he suggested.

News Source                                                                                           News Collated by
PAKISSAN.com
http://pakissan.com/english/news/newsDetail.php?newsid=29987
Basmati prices lower than 2015's, despite PDS purchases

Prices rise to Rs 1,400-1,500 per quintal after PDS purchases, lower than Rs 2,500 per quintal last year
Vijay C Roy & Sanjeeb Mukherjee  |  New Delhi October 20, 2015 Last Updated at 00:29 IST

Basmati rice exporters in a fix over falling pricesBasmati exporters' realisations down 18%Lifting of Iran sanctions boon for basmatiBranded basmati sales to touch 2.9 mtFarmers unlikely to raise basmati acreage. Procurement of basmati rice by state agencies from Punjab and Haryana, along with normal paddy this year, has not yet improved the market sentiment, with traders reluctant to quote a price higher than that offered by the state agencies.Though early days, data sourced from Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board shows that till Friday, around 2.4 million tonnes of paddy had been procured by state agencies, of which basmati rice was 0.15 million tonnes. In Haryana, of the 2.4 million tonnes of paddy, less than 20 per cent was basmati rice.Before central government intervention, Pusa 1509 basmati was selling at Rs 900-1,100 per quintal, which has now risen to Rs 1,400-1,500 per quintal, but it is less than the Rs 2,500 per quintal a year ago.“We are yet to get the price we were getting last year,” Gurmeet Singh, a farmer from the Mohali district of Punjab told the Business Standard.
He said the government intervention had helped them to some extent but not what they were anticipating as of now.“Before government intervention, basmati prices were sold at Rs 900 per quintal. As the state agencies stepped up the procurement process, the farmers were benefited by Rs 300-400 per quintal,” Singh added.Another problem which some traders pointed out with Pusa 1509 is that, rice recovered from it after milling is less than normal paddy, hence, realisation is still lower.
As compared to normal rice, a quintal of Pusa 1509 gives around 52 per cent rice after milling, while in normal rice it is 67 per cent.Last month, as prices of basmati, especially Pusa 1509, fell sharply, the Centre allowed the state procurement agencies of Punjab and Haryana to buy this paddy variety as Grade A at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,450 per quintal — the same MSP as non-basmati.In Punjab and Haryana, bulk of paddy is procured by the state agencies on behalf of  Food Corporation of India  (FCI) annually. Data from FCI show till Friday, 2.9 million tonnes of rice have been purchased by FCI either directly or through the state agencies from across the country in the 2015-16 crop marketing season that started from October, which is 0.93 million tonnes more than last year.The increase mainly has been due to higher procurement in Punjab and Haryana.
Business Standard
BASMATI RICE EXPORT PRICE TO BOUNCE BACK BY DECEMBER, SAY EXPERTS
October 17, 2015 | 2:48pm IST.  
Average export price of basmati rice declined to $929 per tonne during April-August 2015 from $1,415 per tonne a year ago
Deepak Kumar | The Dollar Business

Even though the realisation from basmati rice exports is shrinking to a record low, industry experts hope that the prices would bounce back by early December primarily due to an increase in demand from the Middle East and Iran.“Reliasation is not as high as it should be. It is definitely lower than the last year. There has been a slowdown in Iran as far as importing price is concerned. Once new orders start coming in from Iran and Saudi Arabia, basmati exports value will increase. We expect its price to go up by early December,” R Sundaresan, Executive Director of All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA), told The Dollar Business.Even though the volume of basmati rice exports increased by 16.92% during April-August this fiscal, its exports in value terms declined by 23.15% over the same period last year.During this period, India exported about 16.78 lakh tonnes of basmati rice worth $1.56 billion (over Rs.9.9 thousand crore) as compared to 14.35 lakh tonnes worth 2.03 billion (Rs.12.18 thousand crore) during the corresponding period of 2014-15.“There are a lot of rumors in the market but our data shows that domestic production and exports are more or less same as last year. There has been a little  slowdown in basmati rice demand in Iran, but that shortfall has been compensated by an increase of demand in Saudi Arabia. The balance is maintained,” Sundaresan said.Despite a surge in export volume by as much as 2.43 lakh tonnes, its overall relaisation remained less by a significant margin.The drop in realisation was attributed to lower average price of basmati rice, which declined to $929 per tonne during April-August 2015 from $1,415 per tonne a year ago.
The slowdown was triggered by several domestic as well as international factors, including weak international demand, poor quality and huge carryover stock.“Iran remains one of our major markets. But exports to Iran have been hit by surplus stocks in Iran and an increase in import duty. The government has recently announced that it will set up a high level committee of agricultural experts to discuss this issue,” another industry expert told The Dollar Business.[/sociallocker]

Rice likely to firm up as prices hit bottom, production declines

By Prabhudatta Mishra Oct 18 2015
Thai rice exporters association data show benchmark Asian price is at seven-year low

Among the few agriculture commodities that may have good prospects next year, rice could be one. Reason: global inventories are set to fall as production in the second largest exporter, Thailand, is estimated to be at 19-year low.In India, the benchmark Pusa 1121 basmati variety is currently quoted at about $750 a tonne compared with about $1,150 a tonne year ago. Prices of Thai 5-per cent broken white rice, a benchmark in Asia, declined 16 per cent this year to $350 a tonne between January and Septe¬mber. The scope for a further decline in prices in Thailand and India is limited because global stocks are also falling, said Vijay Setia, a former president of all-India rice exporters association.
But rice prices in the US have surged in recent times due to adverse weather conditions. Rough rice futures in Chicago is up 22 per cent during the July-September quarter. The trend may continue as production in the US is likely to dip by 14 per cent in 2015-16 (August-July) crop year to 18.95 billion pounds, according to the US department of agriculture.The rice prices the world over take cues from the Chicago futures market though the US is not a big producer like China or India. China produces about 20 times more than the US, but the latter is estimated to be the world’s fifth-largest shipper in 2015-16 with a 42 per cent increase over last year.
Global stockpiles of rice are seen to fall for a third consecutive year. Production in Thailand may fall because of dry weather induced by El Nino causing the global output to drop for the first time since 2009-10 even as demand grows for the sixth year, USDA data show. According to the USDA, total output in the world will drop to 475.8 million tonne from 478.6 million tonne in 2014-15.The Thai rice exporters association data show that the benchmark Asian price is at a seven-year low. As the world looks to Thailand, production in the south-east Asian country may decline to as low as 22.98 million tonne in 2015-16, down by 30 per cent, from over 32 million tonne a year earlier.
 Thai farmers have reduced planting areas under rice at the advice of the government, which is concerned about depleting water reservoir levels.In India, as basmati is a benchmark in the nation’s exports, the government swung to action when its prices fell below the minimum set rates.Basmati is a long grain aromatic rice grown for many centuries in the specific geographical area, at the Himalayan foothills of the Indian sub-continent, blessed with characteristics extra-long slender grains that elongate at least twice of their original size with a characteristics soft and fluffy texture. Delicious taste, superior aroma and distinct flavour make basmati rice unique among other aromatic long grain rice varieties, according to Apeda.Agro-climatic conditions of the specific geographical area as well as method of harvesting, processing and ageing attribute these characteristic features to basmati rice, Apeda said.If basmati prices fall below the minimum support price, why shall farmers grow? Until now, export earnings from basmati had been about 40 per cent more than from non-basmati varieties.
In terms of volume, the shipments ofbasmati are about half of non-basmati or even 60 per cent lower.In India, basmati rice is cultivated in about 1.9 million hectares of land in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and three districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan is the only other country where basmati rice is grown.India exported 3.70 million tonne of basmati rice valued at Rs 27,597.87 crore during 2014-15 (April-March). Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait are some of the major buyers of Indian basmati. India accounts for 65 per cent of the world basmati rice trade, and Pakistan the rest, according to Apeda data.Currently, farmers in Haryana are selling Pusa 1509 variety at Rs 1,550 per quintal and Rs 1,350 in Punjab. The prices in Haryana improved only after FCI started buying the grain. Upset over the falling basmati rice prices, farmers in Punjab have sought Rs 4,500 per quintal rate for Pusa 1509 variety and Rs 5,000 per quintal for Pusa 1121.

prabhudata.m@mydigitalfc.com
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/commodities/rice-likely-firm-prices-hit-bottom-production-declines-080
GI tag sought to preserve uniqueness of basmati
By Prabhudatta Mishra Oct 18 2015 , New Delhi
Tags: Commodities
Special identity to open more markets for export of aromatic rice
The government should accord the geographical indication (GI) tag to basmati rice as soon as possible if the uniqueness of rice variety is to be preserved as prices fall and to facilitate this, there is immediate need for a pro-active role by the Centre.In the next hearing scheduled in the first week of November, the appellate authority of the geographical indication registry will hear the views of agricultural and processed food products export development authority (Apeda) and others that challenge inclusion of some parts of Madhya Pradesh under the geographical boundary where basmati rice can be grown.Madhya Pradesh was allowed to grow basmati in Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Sheopur, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Hoshangabad, Jabalpur and Narsinghpur and the GI areas will cover these districts too.A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
Apeda challenged the order of assistant registrar of geographical indications at the Chennai-based intellectual property appellate board (IPAB) in an appeal in early 2014. The state government opposed that.Pakistan’s Lahore-based basmati growers’ association (BGA) also challenged the decision to allow Madhya Pradesh to grow basmati.Apeda is said to have spent more than Rs 7.6 crore on fighting legal battle in many countries, including the US, over basmati rice.“There is impending need to protect the exclusivity of basmati, otherwise it will be more serious, even greater than the whitefly attack on Punjab’s cotton crops,” said KV Prabhu, joint director at New Delhi-based Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IGRI). He requested the Indian Council of Agriculture Research director general, S Ayyappan, to intervene on this issue at a conference.If basmati prices fall below the minimum support price, there will be no incentive for farmers to cultivate it. Until now, export earning from basmati had been about 40 per cent more than from non-basmati varieties.
On the other hand, in terms of volume, the shipments of basmati are about half of non-basmati or even 60 per cent lower, he said.There are countries like China and Mexico that put non-tariff barriers to restrict market access for basmati rice. By according a GI tag, it will be helpful to bargain with these countries to allow import of basmati rice into their countries, Prabhu said.India has so far seven varieties of rice that have the GI tag, but basmati is not on the list yet. Kerala’s Navara, Palakkadan Matta, Pokkali, Wayanad Jeerakasala, Wayanad Gandhakasala, Kaipad and Uttar Pradesh’ Kalanamak have received GI approval.
 There are about 12 basmati varieties that have been notified under the Seeds Act.India exported 3.70 million tonne of basmati rice valued at Rs 27,597.87 crore during 2014-15 (April-March).Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait are some of the major buyers of Indian basmati. India has a share of 65 per cent in world’s basmati rice trade, while the only other producer Pakistan accounts for the rest, according to Apeda data.Currently, farmers in Haryana are selling Pusa 1509 variety of paddy at Rs 1,550 per quintal and Rs 1,350 in Punjab. The prices in Haryana improved only after FCI started buying the grain, said Vijay Setia, a former president of the all India rice exporters association.

prabhudatta.m@mydigitalfc.com
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/commodities/gi-tag-sought-preserve-uniqueness-basmati-096
Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
A comprehensive daily commodity market report for Arkansas agricultural commodities with cash markets, futures and insightful analysis and commentary from Arkansas Farm Bureau commodity analysts.
Noteworthy benchmark price levels of interest to farmers and ranchers, as well as long-term commodity market trends which are developing. Daily fundamental market influences and technical factors are noted and discussed.
Soybeans
High Low
Cash Bids 920 860
New Crop 937 881


Riceland Foods

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


Futures:


High Low Last Change

Nov '15 900.50 890.75 891.00 -7.25
Jan '16 904.00 895.25 895.50 -6.50
Mar '16 907.25 898.00 898.50 -7.00
May '16 911.50 902.50 903.00 -6.50
Jul '16 917.25 908.00 908.25 -6.75
Aug '16 915.75 908.00 907.75 -6.25
Sep '16 907.25 901.00 900.00 -5.25
Nov '16 905.00 898.25 898.25 -4.25
Jan '17 908.25 904.75 903.50 -4.25



Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Soybean Comment
Soybeans were lower today as forecast for rains in Brazil should help boost planting progress there. This bearish news overshadowed today's export report which showed continued strong export inspections and another sale to China. Look for this news to provide underlying support for prices and help limit losses in coming days.
________________________________________

Wheat
High Low
Cash Bids 482 471
New Crop 500 428


Futures:


High Low Last Change

Dec '15 493.50 484.25 485.75 -6.50
Mar '16 501.00 491.75 493.25 -6.75
May '16 505.50 496.50 497.75 -7.25
Jul '16 508.25 499.75 501.00 -7.50
Sep '16 517.00 508.50 509.25 -8.00
Dec '16 530.25 523.00 523.50 -8.00
Mar '17 535.00 535.00 535.25 -7.75
May '17 535.50 -7.75
Jul '17 524.75 -5.75



Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices continue to slide today as bearish fundamentals continue to drive prices. Beneficial rains combined with weakness in other markets sent wheat to new 4-week lows today. Wheat Is likely to remain weak as a poor fundamental picture remains a drag on prices.
________________________________________

Grain Sorghum
High Low
Cash Bids 387 318
New Crop 388 338


Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
________________________________________

Corn
High Low
Cash Bids 386 349
New Crop 408 375


Futures:


High Low Last Change

Dec '15 377.50 372.50 373.00 -3.75
Mar '16 388.25 383.25 383.75 -4.00
May '16 394.25 389.75 390.50 -3.50
Jul '16 399.50 395.00 395.75 -3.50
Sep '16 397.50 393.25 393.75 -3.50
Dec '16 404.75 400.50 401.00 -3.50
Mar '17 412.75 410.75 410.50 -3.75
May '17 419.00 418.00 416.50 -3.50
Jul '17 424.00 421.75 421.00 -3.00



Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Corn Comment
Corn prices closed lower again today. Prices remain under pressure as harvest progresses quickly and dollar continues to rise. While the stock situation still looks better than originally thought, the fact that stocks remain above 1.5 billion bushels and low oil prices and strong dollar have the potential to lower demand and raise stocks.
________________________________________

Cotton
Futures:


High Low Last Change

Dec '15 64.07 62.96 63.24 -0.61
Mar '16 63.89 62.85 63.12 -0.58
Dec '16 64.04 63.19 63.37 -0.39



Memphis, TN Cotton and Tobacco Programs
Cotton Comment
December cotton futures ended lower after again failing at resistance at 64 cents in early dealings. Data out of China shows their imports are down 42% during the first nine months of the year, and September's were particularly dismal, down 60%. The recent rally has been fueled by smaller U.S. production and severe quality issues to the crop on the East coast after Hurricane Joaquin flooded many fields. Also supportive is news that the crop in India and Pakistan will be short. However, the smaller crop there has caused prices to soar, and the All World Price right along with them. That means the LDP for U.S. farmers has been cut in half over the past few weeks.
________________________________________

Rice
High Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
Long Grain New Crop


Futures:


High Low Last Change

Nov '15 1220.5 1206.5 1210.5 -0.5
Jan '16 1249.5 1236.0 1239.0 -1.0
Mar '16 1271.5 1264.5 1266.5 -1.5
May '16 1290.0 1287.5 1290.5 0.0
Jul '16 1310.0 +1.0
Sep '16 1241.5 +5.0
Nov '16 1241.5 +5.0


Rice Comment
Rice futures were mostly lower. November continues to find support near $12, which is the 38% retracement level. The recent rally has stalled and a round of profit taking quickly took $1.40 off the market over the past two weeks. The market is still trending higher, however. Global production problems have helped support the market since the summer. Disappointing U.S. yields have likely been built into prices at this point.
________________________________________

Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:


High Low Last Change

Oct '15 139.000 137.525 137.950 +2.000
Dec '15 142.575 140.400 141.450 +2.025
Feb '16 143.825 142.100 142.650 +1.325
Apr '16 142.600 141.200 141.700 +1.175
Jun '16 133.250 132.250 132.425 +0.800
Aug '16 130.575 129.700 129.725 +0.750
Oct '16 132.600 131.475 131.750 +0.775
Dec '16 133.800 132.950 132.950 +0.625
Feb '17 133.300 132.700 132.825 +0.875


Feeders:


High Low Last Change

Oct '15 196.100 194.575 194.925 +1.125
Nov '15 193.450 191.350 192.000 +1.850
Jan '16 185.175 183.325 183.650 +1.275
Mar '16 182.250 180.350 180.450 +0.800
Apr '16 182.325 180.325 180.875 +1.100
May '16 182.325 180.575 181.025 +1.100
Aug '16 183.000 180.975 181.125 +0.775
Sep '16 181.600 181.600 181.200 +1.650



Arkansas Prices
Ash Flat Livestock Auction
Ola Livestock Auction
Springdale Livestock Auction

Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City - Feeder Cattle Auction Weighted Average Report
Cattle Comment
Cattle prices started the week on another positive close. Continued increases in boxed beef prices and improving cash prices remain supportive of livestock prices.
________________________________________

Hogs
Futures:


High Low Last Change

Dec '15 66.725 65.025 66.025 +0.450
Feb '16 68.925 67.750 68.000 -0.450
Apr '16 72.125 71.175 71.350 -0.600
May '16 76.675 76.650 76.300 -0.225
Jun '16 79.850 79.025 79.125 -0.500
Jul '16 79.275 78.525 78.550 -0.550
Aug '16 78.375 77.900 77.900 -0.275
Oct '16 68.675 68.350 68.625 -0.125
Dec '16 66.275 66.000 66.025 -0.350


Hog Comment
________________________________________

Shell Eggs
Daily Midwest Regional Eggs
Daily New York Eggs
National Turkeys
Weekly Weighted Average Prices for Whole Young Turkeys
Delmarva Broilers
Daily Southern Broiler/Fryers
http://www.arfb.com/ag-markets-statistics/report/

APEDA Commodity News from India
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 19-10-2015
Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price
Apricots
1 Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4875
2 Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4375
3 Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t) 3625
Honey
1 Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3080
2 Australian extra light/light amber, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4700
3 Chinese extra light amber, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 1925
Guar Gum Powder
1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2210
2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1550
3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2650
Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 17-10-2015
Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price
Jowar(Sorgham)
1 Gulbarga (Karnataka) Hybrid 1132 1432
2 Solapur (Maharashtra) Other 1816 2901
3 Deoli (Rajasthan) Other 1150 1400
Maize
1 Soundati (Karnataka) Local 1300 1480
2 Pune (Maharashtra) Other 1600 1800
3 Derol (Gujarat) Other 1300 1315
Papaya
1 Solan (Himachal Pradesh) Other 2200 2500
2 Jalore (Rajasthan) Other 1000 1200
3 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 1500 2300
Brinjal
1 Chala (Kerala) Other 1700 1754
2 Ahmedabad (Gujarat) Other 500 1200
3 Mumbai (Maharashtra) Other 800 1600
Source:agmarknet.nic.in
For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No
Price on 19-10-2015
Product Market Center Price
1 Pune 327
2 Mysore 335
3 Nagapur 300
Source: e2necc.com


Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 19-10-2015
Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High
Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons
1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 16 17
2 Chicago Idaho Russet 11 14.50
3 Detroit Oregon Russet 12.50 13.50
Carrots Package: 20 1-lb film bags
1 Atlanta California Baby Peeled 20 20.75
2 Chicago California Baby Peeled 17 17.50
3 Dallas Arizona Baby Peeled 17 17.50
Grapefruit Package: 4/5 bushel cartons
1 Atlanta Florida   Red 20.50 20.50
2 Detroit Florida Red 15.50 20.50
3 New York Florida Red 21 21
Source:USDA