Arkansas County natives named to Rice Leadership program
Rice Foundation Chairman Todd
Burich praised all the applicants for the extremely competitive program and
asked rice industry representatives to encourage finalists to reapply next
year.
Submitted PhotoPictured are Rice Leadership Development Class members Greg Van
Dyke (from left), Dustin Harrell, Paul Johnson, Hudgens Jeter, Collin
Holzhauer, Nat McKnight and Nicole Creason.
By USA Rice Federation
Posted Dec. 17, 2014 @ 12:42 pm
STUTTGART —
The seven members of the 26th Rice Leadership
Development Class were announced during the USA Rice Outlook Conference annual
luncheon last week. The program is an intensive two-year study of all aspects
of the rice industry and includes media training and leadership
development.Rice Foundation Chairman Todd Burich praised all the applicants for
the extremely competitive program and asked rice industry representatives to
encourage finalists to reapply next year."The rice industry enjoys strong
leadership, and has a bright future," Burch said. "This program plays
a critical role thanks to the high caliber participants, their dedication to
our industry, and the training they receive."
The new class includes producers Nicole Orlicek Creason
of Jonesboro; Hudgens Jeter of Stuttgart; Paul Johnson of Welsh, Louisiana; Nat
McKnight of Cleveland, Mississippi; and Greg Van Dyke of Pleasant Grove,
California. Industry related members are Dustin Harrell of Rayne, Louisiana,
with the LSU AgCenter; and Collin Holzhauer of Harrisburg with Southern Rice
and Cotton.Candidates for the program must be between 25 and 45 years of age at
the time of application and derive their primary livelihood from some aspect of
the rice industry.
Louisiana benefits from improved U.S.- Cuban relations
One of the state’s largest rice growers praised
Wednesday’s announcement of a possible improved relationship between the United
States and Cuba saying it would provide an economic boost across Louisiana.
Elton Kennedy of Morehouse Parish, perhaps the
state's largest rice grower and a leader in the USA Rice Federation, hopes
Congress will move forward in ending the embargo now that President Barack
Obama said his administration would work toward resuming diplomatic relations
and trade with Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years.“It will
definitely be a great boost especially to rice growers. We need the market so
bad because our exports have been lacking. It’s great news and something that
should have already happened. I hope Congress will make it happen because we
need it badly. It’s so natural for us because Cuba is close to our shore. It’s
sad because all this (embargo) has done is hurt ourselves. It’s time to do
something,” Kennedy said.
U.S. farmers can sell their rice to Cuba now, but it
must be an up-front cash transaction and must be conducted through a foreign
bank, restrictions that are usually prohibitive to trade.Commissioner of
Agriculture Mike Strain said resumed trade would be a boon for the Port of New
Orleans. A half-century ago, before the trade embargo with Cuba, 65 percent of
all trade goods to and from Cuba traveled through the Port of New Orleans.
“It’s going to be extremely positive for Louisiana,
specifically for rice and poultry,” Strain said. “They’re our closest trading
partner We’re poised to reconnect with Cuba. They want and need our products
and because of our proximity to the island we can get them there cheaper than
other countries.”Gov. Bobby Jindal issued a statement Wednesday calling on
Congress to stop the president’s plan with Cuba, saying it jeopardizes the
safety of Americans.
“I am happy that Alan Gross has returned to his
family after being imprisoned — but he should have been released without
conditions. This is just one more sign that shows the President has no strategy
for leading on an international stage. His policy of appeasement toward Cuba
and other threats is endangering national security and the American people.
Negotiations like these confuse our friends and reward our enemies. Ruthless
dictators like Assad, Putin and Castro think Obama is an easy mark and will be
sorry to see him go.
With today’s announcement, the President is appeasing
a Communist dictatorship headed by the Castro brothers that takes political
prisoners and completely disregards basic human dignity. Taking steps to
normalize relations with Cuba only serves to reward them, and it is a
disservice to those in Cuba who wish to be free and who live in fear of a
dictatorial regime. The U.S. should be a beacon and fearless advocate for
freedom and democracy – instead, the President is validating the Castro way of
governing and only allowing the brothers to tighten their grip on the island.
We must be willing to stand for freedom around the globe. The safety of the
American people depends on it,” Jindal said.However a local church leader who
has conducted countless mission trips to Cuba over the past two decades
believes the embargo continues to hurt Cuban citizens and hampers Louisiana’s
exports.
Northminster Church of Monroe has conducted mission
trips to Cuba annually for the past 20 years, traveling to Ciego de Avila,
Cuba, to partner with its sister church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel for
community projects.Northminster Church member Craig Henry said the last trip to
Cuba was conducted in October. He believes an improved relationship between
both countries will help the citizens - many who live in poverty - and bring
Cuba into the 21st century.“It’s great news today and a really positive
movement, finally,” Henry said.
“There are so many positive aspects for Louisiana and
hopefully our rice farmers will be able to sell rice more easily,” Henry
said.Cuba buys most of its rice from China, but Henry said Louisiana could
provide the country with a cheaper alternative which helps Cubans and increases
business for rice farmers and Louisiana ports.“I think the more open we are
with our Cuban brothers and sisters the sooner Cuba can enter the 21st century.
Things are better since we first went in 1994 but it’s still tough on the
average Cuban. It’s tough to live there when the average Cuban makes $1 a day.
I’m confident as we move into this new relationship things will improve and
life will be better for them,” Henry said.
Updated Cuba policy could spell
out big money for Ark. rice growers
Posted: Dec 17, 2014 8:26 PM PSTUpdated: Dec 17, 2014 8:26 PM PST
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) -President Obama's call for open travel and
commercial opportunities between Cuba and the U.S. is being met with criticism
by some and excitement by others here at home. The move more than 50 years in
the making is welcome news for Arkansas rice growers who would like to reunite
with their once largest customer. On Wednesday, President Obama announced
an update to the U.S. Cuba policy, including the reestablishment of diplomatic
ties between the two countries – including travel and commercial trade.
Pre-embargo back in 1961, Cuba was
the number one market for U.S. rice exports, and Arkansas rice growers would
like to see that be the case again. “From what we know, we have an
opportunity to reestablish some commercial trade that's been away for much too
long,” said Ben Noble, executive director of the Arkansas Rice
Federation. Noble admits the announcement made on Wednesday doesn't
include many details surrounding potential trade with the communist nation, but
he remains optimistic. For years Arkansas has pushed for the easing of
trade restrictions on Cuba. In a letter penned by Governor Mike Beebe to the
National Governor's Association back in 2009, he stressed how big open rice and
poultry trade with Cuba could be for the Natural State.
State rice producers were able to
conduct rice trade with Cuba after 2000, when trade restrictions were lifted to
allow for “cash in advance” purchases. Noble said “cash in advance” hurts a
commodity like rice, and in 2005 harder trade restrictions were put in place on
Cuba. Noble mentioned after 2005, rice trade from the US to Cuba was nearly
non-existant. “Certainly any amount of increased trading opportunities
will be of benefit to this state,” commented Noble.
Estimates suggest the United States
on a whole could see exports of rice to Cuba valued at over $200 million. With
that much money on the line, trade mission trips are already being lined
up. “The state chamber already had plans to go to Cuba in the summer with
this type of focus,” said Noble. “I would expect that the announcement
[Wednesday] will increase the attention on that trip and probably the interest
in participation.”
Prices
of rice here remain stable: NFA
By
Reuel John F. Lumawag
Thursday,
December 18, 2014
THE
National Food Authority (NFA-Davao City) said prices of rice in the city have
remained stable as of Thursday.Based on the agency's monitoring, the retail
price of regular milled rice is from P31 to P39 per kilograms (kg) with a
prevailing price of P35/kg while the wholesale price is at P30 to P36/kg with a
prevailing price of P33/kg.Well milled rice is at P35 to P42/kg with a
prevailing price of P38.50/kg while the wholesale price is at P32 to P39 with a
prevailing of P35.50/kg.
The
prices of Fancy rice, Special rice B and Special rice A, also remain stable.The
price of Special rice B, which includes organic rice and the 160 toner variety
among others, is at P36 to P50/kg with a prevailing price of P43/kg.Special
rice A, the most expensive varieties of rice that includes glutinous rice, red,
brown, and black rice among others, is at P42 to P74/kg with a prevailing price
of P58/kg.NFA Davao City provincial director Virgilio B. Alerta, in a phone
interview with Sun.Star Davao yesterday, said the stability in the price of
rice is due to the increase in supply brought by the harvest months of October,
November, and December.There is now harvest coming from the rice producing
provinces of the region, which are Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Compostela
Valley, and Davao Oriental.
Alerta
said the region is moderately self sufficient when it comes to rice
production.He also said the surplus of rice production from North Cotabato,
Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato are also being sold in the markets
here.Alerta said consumers can expect the stability in the price of rice up
until the first quarter or early second quarter of next year. Based on the
cycle of rice production, he said the price would increase around April, the
beginning of the lean months, and will last until September.He said they will
closely monitor the prices of rice around February or March next year.Alerta
also said consumers can be assured that there is sufficient supply of NFA rice.
At present, they have some 900,000 sacks of rice in their warehouses.NFA rice
is being sold at P27/kg for regular milled rice and P32 for well milled rice
SETX
rice industry mary benefit from possible Cuban embargo lift
SETX rice industry may benefit from possible
Cuban embargo lift Updated: Thursday, December 18 2014, 01:24 AM CST BEAUMONT -
by Kara Dixon Douget's Rice Mill has been operating in Southeast Texas for more
than three decades. Vice president Greg Devillier said the rice industry has
been profitable for for the past few years. "The past year, the price of
rice has dropped pretty good," said Devillier.
On Wednesday, President Obama announced steps the
White House will take to establish a relationship with Cuba. One of them is to
lessen restrictions that would allow commercial travel and business between the
countries. Devillier said that lifted embargo will help the rice industry.
"We get another buyer of U.S. grown rice. It always helps the price of rice,"
Devillier said.
The embargo was put in place by Congress in 1960
shortly after the Cuban Revolution and influx of Cuban Exiles to the U.S.
Devillier said the embargo was not a great idea because Cuba was the rice
industry's top customer. "My understanding of the embargo is that we can't
sell products to Cuba. That doesn't make business sense at all because at the
time the embargo came, they were our top customer," said Devillier.
Retired Lamar University professor Dr. Bruce Drury does not think the embargo has
been effective. If lifted, he said it may take time for anyone to feel the
effects.
"They
don't have any money right now," said Dr.Drury. "They've got to
change the economy and generate some money." President Obama's statements
on Cuba have received mixed reaction on Capitol Hill. Texas District 1U.S.
House Republican Representative Randy Weber released a statement. Weber said
there was no communication between the President Obama and Congress regarding
the numerous policy changes. "The President needs to come to Congress
moving forward with anymore policy changes that greatly affect this nation's
economy and well-being," said Weber. "These policy changes will have
a direct impact on Southeast Texas, including economic ones.
I will stay active in the debate particularly
through my role on the foreign affairs committee to ensure that what's done, is
in the best interests of Texas District 14," Weber said. Drury said since
Congress voted to put the embargo in place, they also have to lift it. He thinks
it will pass. He also said the Cuban government needs to do its part.
"It
all depends on President Castro and his government turning things around
allowing people to express ideas, establishing businesses and allowing foreign
capital into the country," Drury said. If the Cuban economy makes money,
he said rice isn't the only industry that would prosper. "They'll not only
buy rice, they'll buy automobiles, heavy equipment...all sorts of things. It
will be a win win for everybody," Drury said. While it is not certain what
the outcome may be if the embargo is lifted, he believes the humanitarian
effects may outweigh the economic effect.
"It will be much better for the Cubans. It
will be much better for the Cuban-Americans and much better for
Americans," Drury said. Here's a look back at U-S relations with Cuba
since Cuba’s revolution: Key events in U.S.-Cuba relations:
-- Jan. 1, 1959: Fidel Castro's rebels take power as dictator
Fulgencio Batista flees Cuba. The United States soon recognizes the new government.
-- June 1960: Relations begin to sour as Castro veers left. Cuba
nationalizes U.S.-owned oil refineries after they refuse to process Soviet oil.
Nearly all other U.S. businesses are expropriated by October. --
October 1960: Start of U.S. embargo: Washington bans exports to Cuba, other
than food and medicine. -- Jan. 3, 1961: U.S. breaks relations
with Cuba and closes embassy. -- April 16, 1961: Castro declares
Cuba a socialist state. -- April 17, 1961: U.S.-trained Cuban
exiles stage the failed Bay of Pigs invasion aimed at toppling Castro. U.S.
intelligence agencies also stage repeated attempts over the years to kill the
Cuban leader. -- Feb, 7, 1962: President John F. Kennedy expands
embargo, banning almost all Cuban imports. -- October 1962: U.S.
blockade forces removal of Soviet nuclear missiles from Cuba. U.S. President
John F. Kennedy agrees privately not to invade Cuba. -- April
1980: Mariel boatlift: Cuba says anyone can leave; some 125,000 Cubans flee,
causing a refugee crisis for the United States. -- December 1991:
Collapse of Soviet Union devastates Cuban economy.
-- August
1994: Castro declares he will not stop Cubans trying to leave; some 40,000 take
to sea heading for United States. -- Sept. 12, 1998: Five Cuban
spies arrested in the United States. They are later convicted. Cuba mounts an
international campaign to free them, saying they were defending island against
U.S.-based terror attempts. -- July 31, 2006: Fidel Castro
announces he has had operation, temporarily cedes power to brother Raul. Fidel
resigns as president two years later. -- Dec. 3, 2009: USAID
contractor Alan Gross arrested in Havana, stifling incipient efforts to improve
U.S.-Cuba ties under President Barack Obama. -- Dec. 17, 2014:
Gross freed and remaining members of Cuban Five spy ring freed as part of
prisoner exchange
watchVideo: http://fox4beaumont.com/community/features/community-news/stories/setx-rice-industry-may-benefit-possible-cuban-embargo-lift-611.shtml
source with thanks: http://fox4beaumont.com/community/features/community-news/stories/setx-rice-industry-may-benefit-possible-cuban-embargo-lift-611.shtml
source with thanks: http://fox4beaumont.com/community/features/community-news/stories/setx-rice-industry-may-benefit-possible-cuban-embargo-lift-611.shtml
Thailand Regains Position As Top Rice Exporter
By Minggu Simon Lhasa
BANGKOK, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- Thailand is projected to
regain its title as the world's top rice exporter this year, toppling
India.Increased exports of Thai rice to other countries in the Far East and
Africa are expected to propel Thai rice exports to 10.2 million tonnes in 2014,
which, if confirmed, would stand only 500,000 tonnes short of the 2011 record
exports, according to the Rice Market Monitor (RMM).This was revealed at a
briefing by Vili Fuavao, Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the
Pacific of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) here
this afternoon.
A development dominating the international rice trade
this year has been the resurgence of Thailand as a leading rice exporter,
"an advance made possible by key policy changes regarding government
market intervention, namely the suspension of the paddy pledging programme and
public stock sales," the report states."The ensuing restoration of
its competitive edge has permitted Thailand to recapture much of the market
share lost to India and Vietnam over the past two years," it adds.The RMM
predicts that rice deliveries by India will fall by five per cent to 10.0
million tonnes in 2014, depressed by a combination of heightened competition
for markets and a reduction in demand in its major Basmati outlets.
The export outlook is also bleak for Vietnam, the RMM
states, with official deliveries now projected to remain close to the 2013
depressed level of 6.6 million tonnes, as the country is out-priced in Africa
and rivalled by Thailand in important Far Eastern markets such as the
Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.Malaysia is expected to import one million
tonnes of rice this year, almost unchanged from last year.While final figures
won't be confirmed until early next year, FAO's last quarterly report for 2014
indicates much of the forecast growth in 2014 global trade in rice is likely to
be due to a surge in exports from Thailand, which again will claim the title as
the world's top rice exporter.Global rice production has remained steady, down
only slightly from the previous record-setting year, with weather conditions
contributing to a 0.5 per cent decrease in Asia.
At 744.7 million tonnes (496.6 million tonnes, milled
basis), the resulting 2014 global production forecast is expected to be only
slightly lower this year compared with last year (down 0.2 per cent or 1.6
million tonnes).It reflects a 0.1 per cent contraction of both plantings and
yields to 162.9 million hectares and 4.57 tonnes per hectare, respectively,
brought about by unfavourable weather conditions.Overall global trade in rice
is expected to hit 40.2 million tonnes in 2014 and could reach 40.5 million
tonnes in the 2015 calendar year, the RMM states.
The anticipated growth in global rice trade in 2014 is
forecast to be sustained by a near 2.0 million tonne surge in shipments to
Asian countries to 18.9 million tonnes.
At a country level, the increase would mostly mirror a resurgence of demand from the Philippines, in the aftermath of damage incurred as a result of typhoon Haiyan and depleted inventories.The country may close the year with delivery of 1.8 million tonnes, up 1.1 million tonnes year-on-year, part of which is to reconstitute public rice reserves, the report states.
At a country level, the increase would mostly mirror a resurgence of demand from the Philippines, in the aftermath of damage incurred as a result of typhoon Haiyan and depleted inventories.The country may close the year with delivery of 1.8 million tonnes, up 1.1 million tonnes year-on-year, part of which is to reconstitute public rice reserves, the report states.
-- BERNAMA
Ex-president
Kufuor in big rice business
For every business magnate, US$400 million (GHC1.28 billion) is
money that cannot be put into a competitor’s pocket. In the world of a
president, that is an amount of money that can put up several classroom blocks,
supply water, or even purchase enough fuel to deal with ‘dum-so.’
What about an ex-president? It is difficult to tell, but the
answer may not be far if you read the mind of former President John Agyekum
Kufuor.That Ghana spends US$400 million on importation of rice is a headache to
the former president. That amount is 147 short of the $547 million Millennium
Challenge Account first compact which the United States awarded his
administration to construct the N1 (George Bush) Highway, the Mallam
interchange and other road networks, especially in the Afram Plains area of the
Eastern Region.
It is also about $112 million less than the amount of money the
current administration received on oil exports over January to December
2014.Now, the former president, who was awarded the World Food Prize in 2011
along with Brazilian Lula da Silva, has put the machinery of the John A. Kufuor
(JAK) Foundation, which he chairs, into motion to advocate in favour of
domestic production of rice.
By this act, he is seeking to beat down the amount of money spent
on rice imports and help to channel a chunk, if not all, of the amount into
the hands of local rice farmers to produce the staple, which has now become the
first choice meal for majority of Ghanaian households.“All we want to do is to
ensure that appropriate policy environment is created for the production
through processing and marketing of local rice,” Professor Baffour
Agyemang-Duah, Chief Executive Officer of the JAK Foundation, spoke of the
former president’s intentions.He was speaking on Tuesday in Accra where the JAK
Foundation, in collaboration with the Ghana Rice Inter-professional Body,
GRIB, outdoored a Public-Private National Dialogue Council on Rice, a vehicle
that will facilitate the sharing of ideas by private sector actors and public
sector institutions on policy and regulatory improvements for the rice industry
in Ghana.
According to Prof. Agyemang-Duah, the Public-Private National
Dialogue Council on Rice (or Rice Council) is “an effort, in collaboration with
other partners, to revive the Ghanaian spirit especially in the area of
Ghanaian rice production.“We want to today, constitute a council and inaugurate
it…so that the public sector, which is normally controlled by government, and
the private sector where individuals, independent people and companies are
operating can come together, have a common platform to dialogue on the best,
appropriate policies for our rice industry to meet local demand,” he intimated.
In real terms, the value of the rice industry per annum is worth
more than the US$400 giving that local rice production is calculated to be in
the region of 30 percent of national need.The JAK Foundation has, therefore,
taken a strategic initiative to ensure that if the local production is not
propped, in the least, the existing quota for local farmers can be
preserved.Looking three to four decades back, however, one gets a picture of
massive retrogression. Here, Prof. Agyemang-Duah recalled: “…we know that in
the early 70s this country started exporting rice. I was a young man, and I saw
it myself under the government of General (Ignatius Kutu) Acheampong. Through a
very, very vigorous policy of operation feed yourself, we produced so much rice
we started exporting rice to our neighbouring countries.”
Sprint into 2014, and you will find that Ghana is a pale shadow of
its former self. Prof. Agyemang-Duah acknowledges that “We’ve been told many
times by governments that we spend a chunk of our scarce resources on importing
rice. And I understand that currently we spend about 400 million dollars a year
on rice importation. The assumption is that if we can produce our own rice then
we will be saving ourselves that much.”His lamentation is that “the whole idea
of relying on imported rice is the problem just as we relying on so many goods
imported for our livelihoods is a problem.” He expatiates that “Now we know we
are importing not only rice, we are also importing tomatoes, some vegetables,
plantain; things that in our very youthful days we will just walk behind the backyard
and just get them free of charge to our homes for our meals.”
According to the Ministry of Trade, a minimum US$500 million is
spent on rice imports and even that is modest because many importers engage in
under-invoicing or under declaration of actual value of their imports in order
to avoid tax.Evans Sackey, Executive Secretary at GRIB, supplies that current
rice consumption is at 1.6 million metric tonnes, up almost three-fold from
the 2008 figure of 600,000 metric tonnes. Per the statistics, not more than
500,000 metric tonnes, or 31 percent, is supplied by local producers.
The inauguration of the Rice Council is, therefore, meant to
address challenges to local production, which are mainly policy-related so that
an enabling environment can be created for local production to thrive.“The
expectation is that after this council is inaugurated, it will look at the rice
strategy and validate the priorities therein. We will not end there. We are
also hoping that zonal councils will also be launched in the regions where
priorities of stakeholders will also be discussed. Then the findings at both
the local and national levels will serve as the basis for the public-private
dialogue on the rice industry,” said Prof. Agyemang-Duah.
He added, “So, this is just the beginning. We are building the
national architecture, to be followed by the regional group.”Beyond the short
term, “we envisage that in the near future, this council will link to the rice
councils in other neighbouring countries, for instance in Nigeria and Burkina
Faso, to constitute a West African rice council. And if we succeed in that, we
can link that to other sub-regional councils as, for instance, we have in East
Africa,” the CEO said.
Meanwhile, the JAK foundation is a partner to a major rice
initiative – Competitive African Rice Initiative, CARI. In partnership with
TechnoServe and Kilimo Trust of Tanzania, the project is designed to maximize
rice production in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania. This five-year
project empowers small-scale rice farmers in these Sub-Saharan Africa countries
and is sponsored by the German Cooperation, Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation and managed by the German Development Corporation, GIZ.“The JAK
Foundation is a partner handling mainly the advocacy and policy aspects of
the rice industry in Africa,” Prof. Agyemang-Duah stated. “Through these four
countries, we hope to create these councils that will, hopefully, cascade into
an African kind of rice council so that in the future, all Africa can be self-reliant.”
India rubs Iran the wrong way, rice farmers pay the price
Thursday, 18 December 2014 - 7:05am IST | Place: New Delhi |
Agency: dna
Rice exporters and farmers are a sad lot these days. Their grouse is that Iran, the biggest
buyer of their produce, has ditched them, for no fault of theirs. Iran, which
used to impose an aromatic rice import duty of 10% earlier has now raised it to
45%. It has also started insisting on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
certifications and ISO 2200 packaging protocols and low arsenic levels. A
delegation of exporters, which visited Teheran in October, returned
empty-handed.
So, why is Iran doing this?
Iranians are particularly riled that, last September, when they sought a meeting between their president Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, it was declined. PMO attributed it to scheduling issues, but sources say a meeting with an Iranian president ahead of Modi's meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have created a diplomatic ruckus. Earlier, Rouhani had invited Modi to Iran for talks. The invitation was handed over to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj early September on the sidelines of a summit of the Shangahi Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Tajik capital Dushanbe.
Iranians are particularly riled that, last September, when they sought a meeting between their president Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, it was declined. PMO attributed it to scheduling issues, but sources say a meeting with an Iranian president ahead of Modi's meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have created a diplomatic ruckus. Earlier, Rouhani had invited Modi to Iran for talks. The invitation was handed over to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj early September on the sidelines of a summit of the Shangahi Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Tajik capital Dushanbe.
How much does Iran import from India?
Iran accounted for around 38% of India's total basmati rice exports. The country exported 3.7 million tonnes of basmati last fiscal. It declined to 4,23,431 tonnes in April-September 2014, which is about 30% of total basmati exports to Iran the previous year. The value of basmati exports in 2013-14 was Rs 28,187 crore. According to FAO, India's rice exports in 2014-15 are expected to decline by around 20%, with most of the decline in basmati rice to occur in key markets like Iran.
Iran accounted for around 38% of India's total basmati rice exports. The country exported 3.7 million tonnes of basmati last fiscal. It declined to 4,23,431 tonnes in April-September 2014, which is about 30% of total basmati exports to Iran the previous year. The value of basmati exports in 2013-14 was Rs 28,187 crore. According to FAO, India's rice exports in 2014-15 are expected to decline by around 20%, with most of the decline in basmati rice to occur in key markets like Iran.
What about arsenic levels?
Rice exports to Iran are likely to decline further due to the phytosanitary and other restrictions. In July 2014, Iran increased the accepted level of arsenic in rice from 80 ppb (parts per billion) to 120 ppb. Moreover, the Enforcement Directorate investigation into UCO Bank's dealings with Iranian importers has also hurt exports.
Rice exports to Iran are likely to decline further due to the phytosanitary and other restrictions. In July 2014, Iran increased the accepted level of arsenic in rice from 80 ppb (parts per billion) to 120 ppb. Moreover, the Enforcement Directorate investigation into UCO Bank's dealings with Iranian importers has also hurt exports.
How bad are farmers hit?
The impact is already being felt in Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Farmers in Punjab's Khanna mandi are realising just Rs 3,200 per quintal for Pusa-1121 basmati crop against Rs 4,100 last year. The Parboiled Pusa-1121 Basmati rice is currently said to be fetching about $1,100 per tonne (landed cost, West Asia), compared to $1,400-plus at this time last year.
The impact is already being felt in Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Farmers in Punjab's Khanna mandi are realising just Rs 3,200 per quintal for Pusa-1121 basmati crop against Rs 4,100 last year. The Parboiled Pusa-1121 Basmati rice is currently said to be fetching about $1,100 per tonne (landed cost, West Asia), compared to $1,400-plus at this time last year.
Will domestic prices be affected?
Farmers had extensively grown Basmati, depending on the trend in the last three years. Basmati paddy production this year is expected at 12 million tonnes, up from 8.5 mt in 2013-14. "The slump in exports may bring down prices in the domestic market. That does not spell good for basmati rice producers," said Bal Krishna Mittal, MD, Gurdaspur Overseas Ltd, which deals in basmati rice. He wants the government to restore the Interest Subvention Scheme to avert a decline in rice exports and losses this year.
Farmers had extensively grown Basmati, depending on the trend in the last three years. Basmati paddy production this year is expected at 12 million tonnes, up from 8.5 mt in 2013-14. "The slump in exports may bring down prices in the domestic market. That does not spell good for basmati rice producers," said Bal Krishna Mittal, MD, Gurdaspur Overseas Ltd, which deals in basmati rice. He wants the government to restore the Interest Subvention Scheme to avert a decline in rice exports and losses this year.
Basmati exports set to decline
December 18, 2014 Last Updated at 22:33 IST
This year, earnings from the export of basmati rice are expected to fall 15-20 per cent,
owing to Iran banning the import of the commodity from India.Iran purchases
about 40 per cent of the basmati rice sold in the international market by
Indian exporters. Through the past few years, Iran has been charging an import
duty on rice (basmati and non-basmati) to safeguard the interests of farmers in
that country.
This year, however, Iran banned
such imports.Mohinder Pal Jindal, president of the All India Rice Exporters'
Association, told Business Standard though exporters had purchased about 80 per
cent of the estimated export demand, there was no clarity on the demand from
buyers in Iran.Besides Iran, Europe and Saudi Arabia are the major buyers of
Indian basmati rice. Though demand from these regions is stable, given the
bumper crop in India, exporters are bracing up for low prices.
Last year, the average realisation was $1,400 a tonne; as of now,
the price stands at about $900 a tonne. It is expected if the import
restrictions in Iran aren't lifted, the price will fall further.
A senior official in the Agriculture and
Processed Food ProductsExports Development Authority said the
slowdown in demand had resulted from the ban by Iran. He added in the past few
years, basmati exporters had booked huge profits, as Iranian importers had
bought aggressively. Last year, Iran had imported 1,450,000 tonnes of rice from
India; this year, that country's rice imports from India will stand at 900,000
tonnes.
Annual consumption of rice in Iran is about three million tonnes and production this year is reported at about two million tonnes.The official added a price correction for basmati was expected, as prices had become unrealistic. High production of food grain across the globe had led to a fall in the prices of various commodities and rice exporters couldn't remain insulated from this trend, he said.
Annual consumption of rice in Iran is about three million tonnes and production this year is reported at about two million tonnes.The official added a price correction for basmati was expected, as prices had become unrealistic. High production of food grain across the globe had led to a fall in the prices of various commodities and rice exporters couldn't remain insulated from this trend, he said.
Thailand dominates rice trade
amid sale of reserves
- Published:
18 Dec 2014 at 18.15
- Online
news: News
- Writer:
Bloomberg News
Rice exports from Thailand will hit a record
level next year as sales from reserves and the end of a price-support programme
help the country retain its position as the largest shipper, the Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said. Farmers in Phrom Phiram district in
Phitsanulok province bring in their harvest in September. The Food and
Agriculture Organisation forecasts rice exports from the kingdom to surge next
year. (Post Today photo).
Shipments surged 54% to 10.2 million tonnes
this year, helping Thailand to replace India as the biggest exporter in 2014,
the Rome-based agency said in a quarterly report on Thursday. In 2015, Thai
shipments will gain further to 11 million tonnes even as local production
drops, while India's shipments will probably contract to 8.2 million tonnes
from 10 million tonnes this year, the United Nations' agency said.The
government halted a price-support programme in February that spurred the
buildup of record stockpiles as exports fell, enabling India to become the
largest supplier. The country's military, which took power in May, said that it
would press on with sales from the holdings. Though dry weather has caused a
water shortage that will cut the crop this season, Thai exports will keep on
rising, the FAO said."A development dominating the international rice
trade this year has been the resurgence of Thailand," it said, citing the
end of the price-support programme and sales from public stockpiles. "The
ensuing restoration of its competitive edge has permitted Thailand to recapture
much of the market share lost to India and Vietnam over the past two
years."Shipments from Vietnam, the third-ranked exporter, were seen steady
at 6.6 million tonnes this year, but will rise to 6.9 million tonnes in 2015,
the agency forecast. Global exports rose to a record 40.2 million tonnes this
year, and may climb to 40.5 million tonnes next year, it said.
The new government won't buy crops directly
from farmers as it spurred oversupply, Agriculture Minister Petipong Puengbun
Na Ayudhya, said on Oct 1. Thailand is looking to sell 2 million tonnes to
China for delivery in 2015-2016, Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya told
reporters on Nov 14.
Tax
Extender Bill Impacts Farming Communities
Time for an upgrade?
WASHINGTON, DC -- On Tuesday, the Senate passed
H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. The $42 billion tax package applies tax
breaks to the 2014 tax year, retroactively and until December 31, 2014. Included in the legislation was an extension
for Section 179, which according to Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) is "one of
the most important provisions in the act" and provides a
"depreciation and expensing provision for small businesses,"
including farms. Section 179, which has
been reinstated to the original limit of $500,000, allows small business owners
to immediately depreciate 100 percent of a capital purchase, avoiding the
hassle of depreciation over time and simultaneously lowering taxable
income.
In
addition to the extension, the bill reinstates 50 percent bonus depreciation,
which allows for capital purchases of any size to be depreciated 50 percent in
the first year. Though the extension
leaves long-term tax issues unresolved, Hoeven said, "the short-term
solution will allow farmers and other small businesses to expense and
depreciate property they have purchased or repaired for their
operations."Louisiana rice producer and USA Rice Producers' Group Chairman
John Owen emphasized how important the extension is not just to farmers, but to
rural communities.
"Section 179 is hugely important to small
business owners and is a big boost to rural communities. The $500,000 limit encourages farmers to
invest in machinery and improve their operating efficiency, which results in
improvements to rural infrastructure that are key to keeping small businesses
strong," Owen said.
Contact:
Evan Spencer (703) 236-1476
Source with thanks:USA Rice
Federation
Agriculture
Committee Assignments for 114th Congress Announced
Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Representative Mike Conaway (R-TX)
Contact: Evan Spencer (703)
236-1476
Source with thanks:USA Rice Federation
Yunnan
Province Department of Agriculture Visits USA Rice
The agenda reads: RICE
ARLINGTON, VA -- A team of policy and program directors from the
China Yunnan Province Department of Agriculture met with USA Rice Federation
staff on Tuesday to get a better sense of the U.S. industry. Of particular interest to the Chinese team
was U.S. rice production and the safety net for farmers provided in whole or in
part by the U.S. government.The delegation leader, Mr. Bin Ke, Yunnan Province
Department of Agriculture Division Director, explained he saw the visit as an
opportunity to learn more about U.S. agriculture and to establish an
international information exchange on new developments in the agricultural
commodity industry, particularly regarding risk management and
government-subsidized safety net measures.
"The questions were
frank and the discussion lively," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice's vice
president of international promotion.
"The department chose USA Rice because we represent and advocate
for the interests of the entire U.S. rice industry. We were happy to start this relationship off
on a positive and collaborative note."Yunnan Province is located in
southwestern China and has a population of more than 45 million.
Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458
Source with thanks:USA Rice Federation
Weekly
Rice Sales, Exports Reported
WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 78,000 MT for 2014/2015 were
down 10 percent from the previous week and 7 percent from the prior four-week
average, according to today's Export Sales Highlights report. Increases were reported for Japan (24,000
MT), Mexico (13,300 MT), Haiti (9,500 MT), Panama (9,500 MT), and Canada (4,500
MT).
Exports of 39,500 MT were down 64 percent from the previous week
and 50 percent from the prior four-week average. The primary destinations were Mexico (16,700
MT), Japan (12,000 MT), Canada (3,100 MT), Honduras (2,100 MT), and Saudi
Arabia (1,700 MT).This summary is based on reports from exporters from the
period December 5-11.
Source with thanks:USA Rice
Federation
|
CME
Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
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Source
with thanks:USA Rice Federation
Permit levels could make good irrigation
targets for farmers
18 and 36. Those two numbers are
likely to take on increasing significance in the months ahead as farmers, farm
organization leaders and regulatory officials continue to grapple with the
problem of a declining alluvial aquifer beneath the Mississippi Delta.Those are
the maximum amounts of irrigation water growers can apply – 18 inches for
cotton, corn, soybeans and grain sorghum and 36 inches for rice – under the
irrigation well permits granted them by the Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality.“I remember asking last year how many acre inches we can
apply to corn, cotton and soybeans, and none of us knew,” says Jason Krutz,
irrigation specialist with Mississippi State University and a speaker at the
Mississippi Delta Irrigation Summit held at Stoneville, Miss., Dec. 10. “That
number is 18, and rice is 36.”
Krutz said few producers have
probably looked for that number and few cared until now even though the amounts
are specified on the well permits.“But at the end of this season, 10 percent of
those wells will be metered, and the information will be given to a regulatory
agency,” he said. “So somebody cares now about how much water we’re pumping out
of the aquifer."For now, participation in the metering program is
voluntary and will remain so as long as growers using the meters report their
information for 2014 and enough additional growers sign up in 2015 to reach the
10 percent level. But presentations at the Summit indicated a number of growers
are exceeding the 18- and 36-inch maximums on their permits.
On the other hand, if the
metering program doesn’t reach 10 percent participation by the June 30, 2015
deadline and the 2014 metering information isn’t reported by the Feb. 15, 2015,
deadline, MDEQ officials have said the program could become mandatory.Chris
Wells, the MDEQ’s chief of staff who was pinch hitting for Gary Rickard,
executive director of the agency, noted that latest estimates say farmers in
the Mississippi Delta can pump up to 1.5 billion gallons of day during peak
irrigation use.
”It’s an astronomical number,” he
said. “I personally can’t fathom that much water, and you can imagine the
impact is that over several decades there has been a decline in the levels in
the aquifer and not enough recharge during winter to replace all of that.”Wells
said that’s what the Delta Sustainable Water Resources Task Force, which was
created by the Department of Environmental Quality and consists of a number of
farm and governmental organizations is charged with addressing.The Mississippi
Delta Irrigation Summit, which was attended by nearly 200 producers from
Mississippi and Arkansas, is also part of that effort, he noted.
Krutz said he believes farmers
have charged Mississippi State University with the task of making them better
furrow irrigators. “That charges makes sense with 80 percent of our acres being
furrow irrigated, and we need to make strides in improving how we deliver water
with that system.”Mississippi State specialists have settled on three tools
they believe will help growers make better use of their furrow irrigation
systems. Those are software programs like Pipe Planner, surge irrigation and
using soil moisture sensors for irrigation scheduling.
“What we did on all our Extension
sites and what we’re encouraging our producers to do is use Pipe Planner,” says
Krutz. “It is well-based, free, fairly interactive, and it gives you a lot of
information. It will tell you what size and type of polytubing you need and it
will tell you the size, quantity and spacing of the holes you need to make sure
all the water will hit the tail ditch at the same time which then improves our
application efficiency.“And, by default, it’s going to reduce our irrigation
costs.” (Pipe Planner is a software program developed by Delta Plastics Inc., a
Little Rock, Ark.-based company that provides disposable plastic tubing for
irrigation. Delta Plastics is providing the software free as part of its new
H2O Initiative.)
Surge irrigation, he said, “takes
care of problems we have in conventional irrigation. We can have a lot of tail
water runoff, which is inefficient, and what we can’t see is that we can have a
lot of deep percolation loss with water moving below the rooting zone, which
means the plant cannot utilize it.”It can be especially beneficial in silt loam
soils or the traditional cotton soils, which tend to “seal over” when water
hits them, Krutz noted. Sending “pulses” of water across the field so that it
has time to soak in before another pulse pushes down the row improves
irrigation efficiency about 25 percent.
Growers can choose from a number
of soil moisture sensors that all do the same thing: “They’re going to tell you
when the profile is full and how much water is being utilized in the different
regions of the root zone, and they can set a threshold at which point we think
we will have yield loss or demonstrate a yield loss if we go beyond that,” he
said.“That’s a long ways off from just scheduling every Monday when we start
turning the wells on. We’ll see when we go into our different field locations
where we’ve paired up with you if this tool actually works.”Krutz’s comments
seemed to be well-received by attendees, for the most part. One grower was
slightly skeptical.“Jason has been working in relatively wet conditions the
last two years,” said one producer. “We’re waiting to see how this works when
we go weeks without rainfall, and the crops are begging for moisture.”
For more information on
conserving irrigation water, visithttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/wntsc/?cid=nrcs143_023638
SE Texas rice farmers optimistic
about end to Cuba embargo
By Manuella Libardi
Published 9:28 am, Thursday,
December 18, 2014
Louis
Broussard owner of Beaumont Rice Mils Inc. looks through paperwork in a small
office at the heart of the mill. Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise Photo:
Guiseppe Barranco
An elderly woman working at a Havana market ran up to Nick Lampson, hugged him and offered her
thanks for the then-congressman's effort to bring back the high-quality, cheap
rice that she once had on her table.
Lampson said he traveled to Cuba in 1999 with Southeast Texas
rice farmers to meet with then-President Fidel Castro and his government in an attempt
to call for renewed agricultural trade between the United States and Cuba.
Before a 1960s trade embargo, Cuba imported virtually all of its rice from the
U.S., Lampson said.
Source with thanks:
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/SE-Texas-rice-farmers-optimistic-about-end-to-5965640.php?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+December+18%2C+2014&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
Strain: Farmers would benefit by Cuba trade
Resumed trade between the U.S. and Cuba would be of
enormous benefit to Louisiana, which already ships some food to Cuba,
high-ranking state leaders say."They are hungry people and they really
need food," Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said of the Cubans.In
specific, with resumed trade Louisiana farmers could enjoy a "tremendous
increase in market for poultry and rice," which the state produces in
abundance, if the U.S. and Cuba eventually resume trade relations. But other
possibilities abound.Gary P. LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New
Orleans, said 23,775 tons of poultry has been shipped to Cuba through the port
in 2014.
That's trade that resulted from agreements initiated
between Louisiana and Cuba during a 2005 visit to Havana by then Gov. Kathleen
Blanco. That trip enabled Louisiana to ship a limited array of goods to Cuba:
building supplies, communications equipment and humanitarian aid.LaGrange said
that rice is exported to Cuba through the Port of Lake Charles, also a result
of that initial visit by Blanco, although the rice must make a circuitous route
to Cuba because of U.S. trade restrictions.President Obama on Wednesday said
his administration would work toward resuming diplomatic relations and trade
with Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years.
That announcement drew fire from Louisiana's
governor, who said, "Taking steps to normalize relations with Cuba only
serves to reward them, and it is a disservice to those in Cuba who wish to be
free and who live in fear of a dictatorial regime. But not from all
Louisianians criticized the president's initiative.Strain, a Republican, said
resumed trade would be a boon for the Port of New Orleans. A half-century ago,
before the trade embargo with Cuba, 65 percent of all trade goods to and from
Cuba traveled through the Port of New Orleans. LaGrange said Cuba was the Port
of New Orleans' biggest trade partner prior to the embargo."Opening
borders helps us," Strain said. "We stand at the gateway.
"Strain said Cuba needs what Louisiana can
provide. Obama would permit some farm equipment to be exported to Cuba, whose
farmers' production has suffered from poor soil.He said the state's poultry
industry, which extends from Tangipahoa Parish to the upper reaches of the
state, would benefit from exporting more food to Cuba. LaGrange said Louisiana
poultry is a good fit for Cuban consumers."They love their chicken.
Almost meal has a chicken," LaGrange said.Most
meals have rice, too, and Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter's Rice
Research Center in Crowley, said Louisiana can ship as much rice as Cuba can
handle.
The state is
coming off bountiful crop years."That's not an issue," Linscombe said
of supplying Cuba with ample amounts of exported rice. "We are badly in
need of exports."Linscombe said Cuba was the biggest export market for
U.S. rice when the embargo was put in place a half-century ago. The Cubans
prefer long-grain rice, which Louisiana produces.Strain said that Cuba has
suffered because of poor soil, and even its once touted sugar output has fallen
off considerably.Jim Simon, general manager of the American Sugar Cane League
in Louisiana, said his organization does not fear a short-term threat from
Cuban sugar."Maybe in years to come," Simon said, but added that it takes
many years to normalize trade relations.
He said that at one time Cuba was a "substantial
sugar player," but is less significant now.LaGrange said beyond farm
products and farm equipment, resumed trade relations with Cuba could open up
new destinations for cruise ships that sail out of the Port of New Orleans.
That's something that Port of New Orleans representatives and Cuban officials
have discussed during some six of seven meetings over the past 15 years. He
said port officials have tried to keep doors open to Cuba over the years in
case U.S. restrictions were lifted.
"We will take about cruising to Cuba and making
a call to Key West," LaGrange said of one possible cruise route. "A
call to Key West, the Bahamas and Cuba would be a natural cruise."David
Baker, Hesse/BORSF associate professor of marketing and international business
at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, suggested in the medium-to-longer
term oil exploration and oil services companies might do business in and around
Cuba."However, recent exploratory wells drilled by companies Repsol from
Spain, Petronas from Malaysia and Petroleos de Venezuela In Cuban waters have
been unsuccessful," Baker said.
"The verdict is therefore still undetermined if
there is significant potential for this sector."Strain said he supports
resumed trade despite political differences between the two countries."We
do business with China, Vietnam and other countries," he said. "We
need to progressively open our relationships. Through trade and education, communism
cannot stand."
Source with thanks:
http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/local/acadiana/2014/12/17/strain-farmers-benefit-cuba-trade/20550987/?utm_campaign=%5B%27Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013%27%5D&utm_source=%5B%27USA+Rice+Daily%2C+December+18%2C+2014%27%5D&utm_medium=%5B%27email%27%5D
What will major shift in U.S.
policy toward Cuba mean for agriculture?
Rice would benefit greatly if trade barriers lifted
He may be a lame duck but President Obama wasn’t limping when he
took the podium Tuesday morning to announce a major shift in relations between
the United States and Cuba. The surprising announcement included a host of
diplomatic, humanitarian and business bullet points intended to ease the island
nation’s isolation.
“In the most significant changes in our policy in more than 50
years, we will end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to
advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between
our two countries,” said Obama. “Through these changes, we intend to create
more opportunities for the American and Cuban people, and begin a new chapter
among the nations of the Americas.”The president acknowledged his actions will
not lift the trade embargo that has been in place for more than 50 years.
However, the U.S. will open an embassy in Havana and Obama called on Congress
to lift the trade ban.
“We’re still trying to figure out exactly what all has been
agreed to,” said Andrew Grobmyer, executive vice president of the Agriculture
Council of Arkansas. “But we’re certainly excited to see some action brought by
the Obama administration on Cuba. We hoped it would’ve happened earlier and
would’ve been a unified effort by the White House and Congress. But we’ll take
this and hope it leads to the lifting of commerce and trade restrictions.
“We want this to provide open trade — especially with agricultural
products in the near future. This might be enough to pressure Congress to move
on the Cuban trade embargo.“We’ve pushed for trade with Cuba for many years and
through many presidents. Congress should be proactive and support this effort.
Times have changed over the decades and the opportunity is ripe for this. By
trading with Cuba, we can bring the country more in line with U.S. ideals.”What
about the Mid-South specifically?
“I think it would be a boost for all crops,” said Grobmyer.
“However, rice would be a big winner because it’s a big part of the Cuban diet.
And think about how close the United States is to Cuba. Compared to other
countries we export to, it’s not a long way to haul from Arkansas to Cuba. From
a trade perspective, because transportation costs would be low, it’s kind of a
natural fit.“Another industry that would be helped is poultry. Obviously,
there’s a lot of poultry raised in the state.”
http://deltafarmpress.com/government/what-will-major-shift-us-policy-toward-cuba-mean-agriculture?page=1&utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+December+18%2C+2014&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
High levels of arsenic found in
rice
Posted: Dec 17, 2014 12:25 PM PSTUpdated: Dec 17, 2014 12:25 PM PST
Consumer Reports has issued new guidelines for limits
on how much rice you and your children should eat. Consumer Reports
analyzed Food and Drug Administration data on more than 600 foods that
contain rice and found some with worrisome levels of inorganic arsenic,
which is linked to several types of cancer. The Food and Drug
Administration recommends parents consider other options rather than rice
cereal for their children's first solid food.
Consumer Reports' analysis found that hot rice cereal
and rice pasta can have much more arsenic than its lab saw in previous
tests. So Consumer Reports now recommends that children rarely eat these
foods, which means not more than twice a month. And Consumer Reports
recommends children under five limit rice drinks, rice cakes and
ready-to-eat rice cereals. Levels of arsenic vary. Consumer Reports based
its recommendations on the higher levels in each food group to offer consumers
the best protection.
As for rice itself, Consumer Reports' lab tests in
2012 found high levels of inorganic arsenic in white rice and even higher
levels in brown rice. Consumer Reports has tested other types of rice and
other grains and has found several alternatives with much lower levels of
inorganic arsenic. Some good choices — sushi rice from the U.S. and white
basmati rice from California, India and Pakistan. On average they had half the
amount of arsenic as most other types of rice. And brown basmati rice
from California, India and Pakistan has about one third less inorganic
arsenic than other brown rice. Other good options — bulgur, barley and
faro, as well as gluten-free grains like amaranth, buckwheat, millet and
quinoa.
In response to Consumer Reports' investigation, the USA Rice Federation issued this statement: “Research conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. rice industry shows arsenic levels found in U.S.-grown rice are below safe maximum levels established this year by the World Health Organization. Studies show that including white or brown rice in the diet provides measurable health benefits that outweigh the potential risks associated with exposure to trace levels of arsenic. The U.S. rice industry is committed to growing a safe and healthy product; we continuously test our crop, and research ways of reducing the already low levels of arsenic found in rice even further.
The Food & Drug Administration issued this statement: The FDA's ongoing assessment of arsenic in rice remains a priority for the agency. Last year, the FDA released what we believe to be the largest set of test results to date on the presence of arsenic in rice and rice products, and we are planning to release a draft assessment of the potential health risks associated with the consumption of arsenic in these same foods.
Until that review is completed, the agency continues to recommend that consumers, including pregnant women, eat a well-balanced diet containing a variety of grains. Parents should feed infants and toddlers a variety of grains as well, and consider options other than rice cereal for a child's first solid food.Published studies and ongoing FDA research indicate that cooking rice in excess volumes of water – five to six times that of the rice – and draining the water can reduce the arsenic content, though it may also reduce the nutritional value of the rice.Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' website. Subscribe toConsumerReports.org.
Global
rice exports surge in 2014
Thursday, 18 December 2014 03:28
Bumper produce and a surge in demand
for rice, particularly in the Far East Asia, have resulted in 2014 recording
the highest rice export figures globally, FAO has announced
Increased exports of Thai rice to
other countries in the Far East Asia and Africa is expected to propel Thai rice
exports to 10.2mn tonnes in 2014. (Image source: Mike Gifford/Flickr)
While final figures wouldn’t be
confirmed until early next year, FAO’s last quarterly report for 2014 Rice Market Monitor (RMM) indicated much of the
forecast growth in 2014 global trade in rice was due to a surge in exports from
Thailand, which regained the title of world’s top rice exporter.“Indeed, a
development dominating international rice trade in 2014 has been the resurgence
of Thailand as a leading rice exporter, an advance made possible by key policy
changes regarding government market intervention,” the report stated.Increased
exports of Thai rice to other countries in the Far East Asia and Africa is
expected to propel Thai rice exports to 10.2mn tonnes in 2014, which, if
confirmed, would stand only 500,000 tonnes short of the 2011 record
exports.“The ensuing restoration of its competitive edge has permitted Thailand
to recapture much of the market share lost to India and Vietnam over the past
two years,” it added.
The RMM predicted that rice
deliveries by India will fall by five per cent to 10mn tonnes in 2014,
depressed by a combination of heightened competition for markets and a
reduction in demand in its major Basmati outlets. The export outlook is also
bleak for Vietnam, the RMM stated, where official deliveries are now projected
to remain close to the 2013 depressed level of 6.6mn tonnes, as the country is
out-priced in Africa and rivalled by Thailand in important Far Eastern markets,
such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Production remains steady
Despite regional variations, overall, global rice production had remained steady, down only slightly from the previous record-setting year. Weather conditions contributed to a 0.5 per cent decrease in Asia.At 744.7mn tonnes (496.6mn tonnes, milled basis), the resulting 2014 global production forecast is expected to be only slightly lower this year compared with last year (down 0.2 per cent or 1.6mn tonnes), reflecting a 0.1 per cent contraction of both plantings and yields to 162.9mn hectares and 4.57 tonnes per hectare, respectively, brought about by unfavourable weather conditions.Overall global trade in rice is expected to exceed 40mn tonnes in 2014 and could reach 40.5mn tonnes in the 2015 calendar year.
The anticipated growth in global
rice trade in 2014 is forecast to be sustained by a near two million tonne
surge in shipments to Asian countries to 18.9mn tonnes. At a country level, the
increase mostly mirrored a resurgence of demand from the Philippines, in the
aftermath of damages incurred as a result of typhoon Haiyan and depleted
inventories. The country may close the year with delivery of 1.8mn tonnes, up
1.1mn tonnes year-on-year, part of which to reconstitute public rice reserves,
the report stated.Traditionally a self-sufficient nation, Sri Lanka has also
been compelled to rely on supplies from abroad to compensate for significant
production shortfalls, with 280,000 tonnes assessed to have been purchased by
the country.
Rice millers’ problems to be
solved on Dec 29’
PATNA: Chief minister Jitan Ram
Manjhi on Wednesday said the longstanding problems of the rice millers would be
solved at the entrepreneurs (udyami) panchayat scheduled for December
29.Speaking at a conference of Bihar state rice millers association at the S K Memorial Hall, Manjhi
promised to solve their problems instantly, but finance minister Bijendra
Prasad Yadav said the announcements with financial implications can't be
implemented instantly.
The CM said he solved the problems of homeguards and the policemen on a single day and gave instant instructions to the officers regarding their longstanding demands. He said Bihar has 3,000 rice mills, yet the state imports rice from Punjab and Haryana. "The government proposes to procure 24 MT of rice from next year against 18 lakh MT this year. The state food corporation's godowns have the storage capacity for only 11 MT. This has to be increased," the CM said. He asked the industrialists to create job opportunities in Bihar itself so that local youths do not need to go outside Bihar in search of employment. He assured government assistance to the entrepreneurs.
The CM said he solved the problems of homeguards and the policemen on a single day and gave instant instructions to the officers regarding their longstanding demands. He said Bihar has 3,000 rice mills, yet the state imports rice from Punjab and Haryana. "The government proposes to procure 24 MT of rice from next year against 18 lakh MT this year. The state food corporation's godowns have the storage capacity for only 11 MT. This has to be increased," the CM said. He asked the industrialists to create job opportunities in Bihar itself so that local youths do not need to go outside Bihar in search of employment. He assured government assistance to the entrepreneurs.
Source with
thanks: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Rice-millers-problems-to-be-solved-on-Dec-29/articleshow/45553894.cms
Fin Min asks states to clear CCL
dues before seeking loans for foodgrains
Decision taken after a meeting with representatives of PSBs,
states, primarily Punjab, FCI and RBI
Anindita Dey | Mumbai
December 18, 2014 Last Updated at 13:58 IST
This cash credit
limit has been sanctioned in favour of State of Punjab with a direction to
clear the pending dues of previous cash credit limits first. Further the
ministry has also sought data from all states during non closure previous cash
credit limit account for credit given for off take of foodgrains.Normally, the
paddy procurement is done by two routes that is Customed Milled Rice (CMR) and through Levy route. For procurement through Levy
route, levy rice limit has been restricted up to maximum 25% of the rice
purchased or processed or held by the millers/dealers all over the country with
effect from 1st October 2014 onwards.
Levy rice means
the paddy purchased by a rice miller with his own resources and as per the
current policy, 25% of the total rice processed will be procured by the
procurement agencies.
Source with
thanks: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/fin-min-asks-states-to-clear-ccl-dues-before-seeking-loans-for-foodgrains-114121800456_1.html
Fast & Furious Weeknight
Cooking: Kofta Curry
Offers and articles from the Web
By Stacie Dong and Simran Singh
For the Mercury News
POSTED:
12/17/2014 12:00:00 PM PST0 COMMENTS| UPDATED: ABOUT 22 HOURS AGO
Kofta curry makes a quick and easy weeknight
dinner. (A Little Yumminess)
Kofta curry is to Indian cuisine what
spaghetti and meatballs is to Italian food. We love how so many cultures around
the world have their own versions of meatballs -- or koftas, as they are
referred to in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. This recipe is basically
meatballs braised in a spicy tomato-and-onion-based sauce.Don't let the long
list of ingredients scare you off. This is a relatively easy recipe if you have
all the spices in your cupboard -- and if you're missing one or two, don't
worry about it. You'll still have a stellar dish. Although the recipe calls for
dark turkey meat, beef, chicken or lamb work well, too. And, adjust the water
level to suit your tastes -- use less than indicated if you prefer a thicker
sauce.
You can make the koftas the day before and
leave them in the refrigerator overnight. But this is a dish that freezes
really well, so make a double or triple batch and freeze some for a busy day.
Serve them with a fluffy rice pilaf (basmati rice works best), some
store-bought naan and a simple raita or yogurt.This is spectacular comfort food
for a cold, rainy day -- and we're hoping for many of those this winter.San
Francisco food writers and moms Stacie Dong and Simran Singh's blog, A Little
Yumminess (www.alittleyum.com), focuses on family food adventures and recipes
with a global twist.
KOFTA CURRY
Serves 3 to 4
Advertisement
KOFTAS:
1 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
1 cup white onion, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon ginger, grated or minced
1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 egg
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red chile powder, optional
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
CURRY SAUCE:
1/4 cup oil
1 cup white onion, finely chopped
4 green cardamom pods, bruised or smashed
1-inch piece cinnamon stick
4 garlic cloves
1 serrano chile
1-inch piece ginger, peeled
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons cumin
3 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/2 tablespoon ground fennel, optional
1/4 cup yogurt, not low-fat
2 cups water
1. In a large bowl, mix all the kofta
ingredients. Form into 1-inch balls.
2. For the sauce, heat the oil in a large
saute pan. Add the onions, cardamom and cinnamon; fry until golden brown, 7 to
8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, using a mini-food processor,
pulse the 4 garlic cloves, serrano chile, ginger and water until finely chopped
(or chop it finely by hand, omitting the water). Set aside.
4. Add the cumin to the onions, stirring for
about 1 minute. Then add the garlic-serrano mixture; fry 2 to 3 minutes more.
5. Add the tomatoes, salt, coriander and
fennel; cook on high heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in yogurt, a little at a time. Add
water and bring to a boil. Add the koftas and simmer 20 minutes, covered. Turn
the koftas and simmer for 20 minutes, turning them every 10 minutes. Remove the
cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Serve kofta curry with a basmati rice pilaf.
Persian, Somali food in short supply in
Winnipeg, so this duo is a great discovery
Chicken kabob, kabob koubbideh
and barg at George's Inn and Submarine. (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
) Photo Store
DINING OUT
George's Inn & Submarine
1395 Pembina Hwy., 204-452-2258
Palm Tree
596 Ellice Ave., 204-691-6591
Chef Samira Abdi cooked up a
platter of Somali specialties at Palm Tree. (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE
PRESS )Photo Store
Several years ago we had a few
Persian restaurants and, in the more recent past, the occasional Somali
restaurant. With the temporary closing (several months now) of Kabob Palace,
and the permanent closing of Sa'aadal Kheyr, we lost our only sources of
Persian and Somali food. Recently, though, I found a new source for each of
those cuisines -- limited in both cases and definitely not run-of-the-mill.It
seems almost axiomatic that the more difficult the communication, the better
the chances of good food; at least that's how it was in today's two subjects.
Ordering may be difficult, but
what George's and Palm Tree have in common is the smiling welcome and warmth of
the owners who, despite the difficulties in communication -- or possibly
because of it -- are exceptionally eager to please those who show an interest
in their cuisines.
Today's source of Persian food is
a surprising one. Certainly a name like George's Inn & Submarine offers no
clues, and, in fact, they still turn out good burgers, thick subs and fresh-cut
fries. But they weren't the reason I'd sought out this little place, and the
only clue to that reason is one small sign in the window with what I assume is
Iranian script.The relatively new owners (as of seven months ago) speak very
little English, but in this case, ordering is easy, since there are only three
Persian dishes.
And, fortunately, those three are
absolutely delicious. They are listed on the wall-board menu, all of them
kabobs, but served off the skewers (from $6.89 to $14.89, combos from $13.89 to
$23.89). Chicken of course, we all understand, and I happened to know that
koubbideh meant ground beef. But what, I wondered, was barg? Fortunately a
bilingual Iranian customer was there to tell me that barg meant small pieces of
beef.All the meats had been marinated, were redolent of lemon juice, hints of
onion, possibly garlic and sumac, and bursting with exquisite flavours. They
come with a platter of saffron-streaked basmati rice, with a roasted tomato on
the side, the use of which the owner demonstrated for us -- slipping the skin
off, spooning it onto the rice, adding a pat of butter, sprinkling it with
salt, pepper and sumac (from the table shaker), and mixing it all up.
And yes, the rice was as
wonderful as the kabobs. A nice little touch was the complimentary little
saucer of pimento-stuffed olives and chunks of raw onions, and the delicious
Persian tea was a perfect finish.It's a simple place, with moulded, bolted-to-the-floor
plastic booths, but bright, spotless and cheerful, with big pots of geraniums
lining the window sills, and one entire wall adorned with a rendition of
sidewalk cafes. Yes, communication can be a problem, but there are only the
three Persian specialties and all of them are musts. So do as I did, and order
all three. You'll be as delighted as I was, and wish, as I did, that there were
more Persian dishes to sample.
-- -- --
The walls are lemon yellow and
when they're at full power the lights are very bright, but the colourful
tablecloths and placemats add cheerful notes in the Palm Tree. Since there are
more choices than at George's the ordering may pose more problems, but most of
the results are also delicious.
Before we'd even chosen anything,
steaming bowls of soup turned up -- a flavourful broth that tasted of beef and
bean liquid (with an underlying nip). A Somali custom, apparently, and a lovely
one, since it staved off hunger while we tried to decipher the menu. It wasn't
easy. Some items are listed under Breakfast (including a Somali omelette,
chicken or beef burgers and oatmeal), and some under Lunch and Dinner (with
entrées from $6.99 to $13.99). Some items aren't listed at all -- the crisp
sambusas, for instance, filled with slightly spicy beef and potato.
There were no helpful
descriptions, so I resorted to my customary plea in such situations -- could we
have a little of everything? Well, of course we didn't get everything, but we
did get a decent variety, starting with a huge platter of delicious basmati
rice pilaf, accompanied by another platter with small portions of a number of
items. Most were good, two were outstanding, and whatever else you may have
here, don't miss the kalaankal dry (i.e. sauceless) beef stew -- cubes of beef
with onions and peppers -- and the chicken stew of cubed white meat chicken,
also with onions and peppers, but with a different flavour and slightly
saucier. The seasoning in both was subtle, but both were so beautifully
flavoured we actually asked for more. In fact, the spicing in everything we
tried was relatively mild -- milder, possibly, than it might be for the Somali
clientele
Also on the platter were a
roasted chicken leg -- juicy and tender, with a pale orange glaze on the skin
-- a slice of grilled kingfish (slightly dry, with no notable seasoning, but
decent); and chunks of goat on the bone. Before we'd ordered the goat, our
server kept mentioning the bones, but I didn't get the hint -- these were huge
and unwieldy, with cartilage attached. The meat was delicately flavoured,
though, and if I had it to do over, I'd take the hint and order the goat
boneless, in a stew.Also included were big, floppy chapatis (unleavened
flatbread) and a tasty relish of sautéed onions with beans, raisins and a few
chunks of potato.We finished with Somali chai, spiced with (among other things)
hints of cardamom. It was wonderful but a tad too sweet, and it's probably a
good idea to add the sugar yourself.
Republished from the Winnipeg
Free Press print edition December 18, 2014 C5
Source with
thanks: Winnipeg Free Press
Fast & Furious Weeknight
Cooking: Kofta Curry
POSTED: 12/17/2014 12:00:00 PM
UPDATED: 12/18/2014 05:34:22 PM PST
Kofta curry makes a quick and easy weeknight dinner. (A Little
Yumminess)
Kofta curry is to Indian cuisine what spaghetti and meatballs is
to Italian food. We love how so many cultures around the world have their own
versions of meatballs --
or koftas, as they are referred to in Indian and Middle Eastern
cuisine. This recipe is basically meatballs braised in a spicy
tomato-and-onion-based sauce. Don't let the long list of ingredients scare you
off. This is a relatively easy recipe if you have all the spices in your
cupboard -- and if you're missing one or two, don't worry about it. You'll
still have a stellar dish. Although the recipe calls for dark turkey meat,
beef, chicken or lamb work well, too. And, adjust the water level to suit your
tastes -- use less than indicated if you prefer a thicker sauce.
You can make the koftas the day before and leave them in the
refrigerator overnight. But this is a dish that freezes really well, so make a
double or triple batch and freeze some for a busy day. Serve them with a fluffy
rice pilaf (basmati rice works best), some store-bought naan and a simple raita
or yogurt.This is spectacular comfort food for a cold, rainy day -- and we're
hoping for many of those this winter.San Francisco food writers and moms Stacie
Dong and Simran Singh's blog, A Little Yumminess (www.alittleyum.com), focuses on family food adventures and recipes with a global
twist.
KOFTA CURRY
Serves 3 to 4
KOFTAS:
1 pound ground
turkey, preferably dark meat
1 cup white
onion, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon
ginger, grated or minced
1/2 tablespoon
garlic, minced
1 egg
1/4 cup fresh
cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red
chile powder, optional
1 teaspoon
ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
CURRY SAUCE:
1/4 cup oil
1 cup white
onion, finely chopped
4 green cardamom
pods, bruised or smashed
1-inch piece
cinnamon stick
4 garlic cloves
1 serrano chile
1-inch piece
ginger, peeled
2 tablespoons
water
2 teaspoons
cumin
3 Roma tomatoes,
finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons
salt
1 tablespoon
ground coriander
1/2 tablespoon
ground fennel, optional
1/4 cup yogurt,
not low-fat
2 cups water
1. In a large
bowl, mix all the kofta ingredients. Form into 1-inch balls.
2. For the
sauce, heat the oil in a large saute pan. Add the onions, cardamom and
cinnamon; fry until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile,
using a mini-food processor, pulse the 4 garlic cloves, serrano chile, ginger
and water until finely chopped (or chop it finely by hand, omitting the water).
Set aside.
4. Add the cumin
to the onions, stirring for about 1 minute. Then add the garlic-serrano
mixture; fry 2 to 3 minutes more.
5. Add the
tomatoes, salt, coriander and fennel; cook on high heat for 10 minutes,
stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in
yogurt, a little at a time. Add water and bring to a boil. Add the koftas and
simmer 20 minutes, covered. Turn the koftas and simmer for 20 minutes, turning
them every 10 minutes. Remove the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Serve kofta
curry with a basmati rice pilaf.
Source with thanks: Mercury News
Delight your
taste buds with savoury Afghan dishes
Brampton Guardian
Caravan Kabob House offers a full array of succulent Afghan cuisine, featuring a
menu of savoury dishes that are sure to delight. Enjoy dishes with a harmonious
combination of marinated meats, grated seasonings, fresh vegetables served with
savoury basmati rice. Caravan Kabob House’s mission is to advance cultural
understanding through culinary taste. We offer lamb, steak, chicken and
veggies, and all of our kabobs are grilled to perfection.Caravan Kabob House is
located at 547 Steeles Ave. East, Brampton, Ontario (Main intersection Kennedy
Rd. & Steeles Ave.) We are open 7 days a week, from 11 am to 11 pm. Our
menu features authentic Afghan cuisine, while still offering some Canadian
dishes as well.
Caravan is a people friendly
restaurant. Our top priority is customer satisfaction. All of our staff tries their best to give you a positive
experience. We offer our customers dine - in, take-out and catering! The
restaurant is designed for a fast-food feel while still having the restaurant
atmosphere. We keep both our kitchen and dining room very clean. Our customers
are our #1 priority; if you’re not happy, we’re not happy. All of our dishes
are prepared and made on site, so you know it’s always fresh. Our portion sizes
are large but affordable. We try to give our customers the best deal for their
hard earned money. Caravan Kabob House is the best place for Afghan and
Canadian food.
Chef Omar Momand has been involved in various businesses over
the past 10 years, perfecting his culinary skills with his family owned
restaurant, Bamiyan Kabob. For 8 years he established restaurants, like Watan
Kabob. Now he has collaborated with Harirud Cooperation to open Caravan Kabob
House in the heart of Brampton.
Omar migrated to Canada in 2001. He finished his schooling with
Humber College to start as freelance photographer. Omar discovered his love for
the culinary arts in 2006. He started cooking, and then joined Bamiyab Kabob in
2007 with his cousins. In 2012, he opened Watan Kabob in Mississauga,
established this restaurant, and then he move to Brampton to open Caravan kabob
House in 2014.Caravan Kabob House is one of the best places for Afghan cuisine
you can find in Ontario. Fairly new, but in a very short period of time,
Caravan Kabob has established its name all over Ontario.
How to plan a
perfectly balanced Indian meal
How to plan a
perfectly balanced Indian meal
Brar's Divine Desserts Of India
905-502-7277
Brampton Guardian
Trying food from around the world will introduce you to new
flavours and dishes you can add to your boring everyday menu. Indian cuisine is
filled with aromatic, exotic spices, rich sauces and indulgent desserts and can
provide you with a sultry addition to your current meal repertoire. Here are
some tips on how to plan a perfectly balance Indian meal.
Appetizers
Mains
You can choose from a wide variety of main dishes both
vegetarian and meat. Lovely veggie dishes such as aloo goobi combine spices
with cauliflower and potatoes and the smooth and luscious sauce of palak paneer
combines lovely spinach with Indian cheese. Meat dishes include luscious and
spicy lamb as well as rich sauced chicken dishes such as tomato based butter
chicken. Again you can choose how to control your spices when making it on your
own and when ordering in Indian restaurants you can let your server know if you
are less able to handle too much heat for your palate.
Rice
Rice plays a major role in Indian meals and it can also help cut
down on the burn if you are finding the food too spicy. You can buy a nice
basmati rice to serve at home which is a nutty, lovely longer grained rice and
in Indian restaurants they prepare various rice dishes with spices that are
first toasted in the pan as well as nuts and raisins. Delicious.
Bread
Indian breads are delicious and flat and many are made either on
a hot grill or in a traditional clay oven. They are a must to dab up all those
lovely sauces and breads such as naan or paratha are often served with
fillings.
Dessert
Many people miss out on the
delectable sweets of Indian cuisine. From lovely Indian desserts such as syrupyrasmalai to lovely milky cakes and bars
such as barfi they are the perfect end to an Indian meal with a warm cup of
chai tea.To find authentic Indian cuisine to serve at home Brar’s prepares
authentic Indian cuisine available at leading grocers including Walmart,
Freshco, No Frills and at all fine Indian grocery stores. Visit www.brars.ca for locations and a list of their sweet and savoury Indian
products. You can also enjoy a lovely Indian meal at their Brampton Indian
restaurant located at 199 Advance Blvd., Unit #11, 905.799.1625 or their
Toronto location at 2646 Islington Ave, 416.745.4449.
Source with
thanks: Brampton Guardian
