News Headlines...
Ø Relief
package: rice exporters see no relief
Ø Experts for
providing better rice seeds to farmers
Ø Falling
rice prices land UAE traders in soup
Ø Rice
exports resume though annual target likely to be missed
Ø Rice
export licences to be granted
Ø NFA to
award 750,000 MT rice deal to Vietnam, Thailand
Ø Kharif
foodgrain output likely to decrease 1.8 % due to rain deficit in some states
Ø Vietnam,
Thailand to supply extra rice
Ø Plant
third crop to beat El Niño, rice farmers told
Ø NFA
assures enough rice supply
Ø Auditors:
Rice Board Violated Law Not Reporting Millions Out of State
Ø Top Rice
Exporter Sees Crop at Two-Decade Low on Water Shortage
Ø U.S. and
China to sign rice protocol agreement
Ø Rice
exports: It’s time for the “giants” to leave
Ø APHIS Sets
the Record Straight on China Phytosanitary Deal
Ø CME
Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
Ø Parboiled
and White Rice Manufacturing Plant Project Report: Industry Trends,
Manufacturing Process, Machinery, Raw Materials, Cost and Revenue
Ø Global
Organic Rice Market 2015 Industry Analysis, Research, Trends, Growth and
Overview
Ø Mixed bag Mediterranean at Al
Seraj
Ø Qatar firm in Rs 110 crore
basmati rice exports scam
Ø Arkansas
Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
News Detail...
Relief package: rice exporters see no
relief
September 17, 2015
RECORDER
REPORT
Suleman, Chairman Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan (REAP) has shown serious concerns over the announcement
of relief package by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Prime Minister as he believed that
there is no relief for rice export sector. He said the subsidy of Rs 5,000 per
acre announced by the prime minister would not help resolve the rice crisis, as
this cash support for farmers is not sufficient for Basmati rice farmers.
"Support price of Rs 1600 for
super basmati paddy is not realistic, as the prevailing market rates for super
basmati paddy is Rs 800 and still there is a huge difference of Rs 800 which
have to be considered by the government", he added. He said that the
government did not consider the suggestions which were submitted by REAP. He urged for rollover of all bank
limits without penalties should be allowed under Running Finance as well as
Export Refinance where settlement should be extended from current 180 days to
360 days. In addition to this, it demanded that State Bank of Pakistan related
cost of funds for all 100 percent mark-up paid/payable on ERF/FE/Running
Finance should be refunded/waived without penalty and the borrowers may pay
only the bank's spread as per documented realities available with all banks for their respective
clients who are rice millers or rice exporters for the period July 2014 to
September 2015.
He said that in order to save the
rice trade, the government should withdrawal 3.5 percent withholding tax on
local purchase of rice and announced a refund of 100 percent withholding tax
paid by rice exporters from the period July 2014 to June 2015, besides refund
of 10 percent invoice value to all rice exporters for shipments from July 2014
to June 2015. "One of the
most important issues is the lack of Research & Development in rice as Rice
Research Institutes are failed to provide any new and good quality seed of
basmati rice for the last 15 to 20 years. REAP had series of meetings with
NIBGE, Faisalabad, Pakistan Agricultural Research Centre (PARC) Islamabad and
requested them to work towards introducing new basmati variety for the revival
of rice export trade", Rafique said. e
further said that rice exporters are facing problems in dealing with shipping
companies due to the sudden increase in their charges on arrival of new rice
crop.
He said that TDAP has no sufficient funds to
undertake the activities for marketing and promotion of Pakistani rice.
Therefore government should allocate additional budget for TDAP to increase the
exports from Pakistan. "If
rice exporters' concerns are not addressed and their proposals are not
considered, then rice export trade will have to see alarming crisis and rice
exporters will have to struggle very hard to survive, as the circumstances are
not in favour of rice exporters", he warned.
http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/1227951/
Experts for providing better rice seeds
to farmers
Sep 17,
2015- Climate change is bad for everyone, and small farmers in the developing countries
suffer the most from it. It’s no different in Nepal.Increasing effects of
extreme climate change have stymied growth in the farm sector that has
significantly affected the earnings of paddy farmers, leading experts to stress
the need to increase their access to climate stress-tolerant rice
varieties.Speakers at a workshop of a USAID-funded project entitled
Accelerating the Adoption of Stress-Tolerant Rice Varieties by Smallholder
Farmers in Nepal and Cambodia held on Wednesday said that applying varieties
that are resistant to drought and can withstand floods could help Nepali
farmers earn better incomes and increase the country’s food grain
productivity.Farmers are unaware of stress-tolerant varieties due to lack of
proper dissemination of information, and this has put their livelihoods in
danger.
The
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been providing financial help to IRRI to
develop drought-tolerant rice varieties for Nepal, India, Bangladesh and some
African countries. The project plans to double rice production in 10
years.“Under the project, we have targeted reaching 100,000 farmers within
two-three years,” Tripathi said. The project has been implemented in 20
districts in the Western, Mid-Western and the Far Western regions. In addition,
the project has been extended to two Tarai districts, Jhapa and Morang, at the
request of the government.
Currently, eight drought-tolerant varieties—Sukhadhan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, Tarahara 1 and Hardinath 2—and two submergence-tolerant rice varieties—Swarna Sub-1 and Sabha Mahasuri Sub-1- have been released by the government with IRRI support.Sukhadhan 1, 2 and 3, Sabha Mahasuri Sub-1 and Swarna Sub-1 were released in 2011. The government had approved Sukhadhan 4, 5 and 6 last year.
Currently, eight drought-tolerant varieties—Sukhadhan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, Tarahara 1 and Hardinath 2—and two submergence-tolerant rice varieties—Swarna Sub-1 and Sabha Mahasuri Sub-1- have been released by the government with IRRI support.Sukhadhan 1, 2 and 3, Sabha Mahasuri Sub-1 and Swarna Sub-1 were released in 2011. The government had approved Sukhadhan 4, 5 and 6 last year.
These varieties, also known as “climate
change-ready rice”, can tolerate drought for up to one and a half months. The
plant can also grow under water-deficiency stresses.They have been recommended
for the Tarai, inner Tarai and river basin areas. Among these three, Sukhha 6
has the ability to re-grow even two weeks after submergence. These varieties
have a yield more than four times higher compared to traditional seeds.
According to Tripathi, 250 tonnes of these seed
varieties were supplied this year and 500 tonnes have been planned for the next
season.Uttam Kumar Bhattarai, secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural
Development, said that major challenges to Nepal’s agriculture are abiotic
stress such as drought, submergence and rising temperatures due to climate
change.According to him, 30 percent of the paddy areas in Nepal are prone to
drought, while 10 percent of the fields are affected by submergence. “As 27 out
of the country’s 75 districts are facing a food deficit, these varieties could
increase productivity and are key to addressing food insecurity.”
Published: 17-09-2015 08:05
http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2015-09-17/experts-for-providing-better-rice-seeds-to-farmers.html
Falling rice prices land UAE traders in soup
MENAFN - Khaleej Times - 16/09/2015
(MENAFN - Khaleej Times)In a new episode of the defaulting saga a
large number of commodity traders at Dubai's Al Ras wholesale market have gone
bust creating a crisis at over a dozen local and foreign banks and financial
institutions sources said.Between 40-50 commodity traders dealing in rice sugar
edible oil and frozen chicken legs have defaulted in the last three-four months
on their banking obligations traders and bankers said.The defaulting traders at
least 25 of whom are reportedly missing also owe millions to the market said
Mian Sajjad Ahmed managing director of Batala General Trading at the Al Ras
wholesale market.
The sources attribute the trouble to a glut in the market caused by
a bumper basmati crop in India and Pakistan and an Iranian ban on imports from
India. Prices of Indian basmati rice plummeted from 610 per metric tonne to
305-443 in 2014-15.In Pakistan basmati prices plunged 40 per cent to 730-750 in
2014-15 from 1000. India's premium long grain rice 1121 is sold at 750 per
metric tonnes Sella basmati traded at 720-730 and Pakistan's IRRI- 386 is sold
at 750 all down from 1200-1300 at the start of the year.According to a retailer
in Dubai prices of Pakistani rice brands Falak and Mehran sustained a downward
trend with Falak available in market at as low as Dh28 on offer for a 5kg bag compared
to the Dh45 normal price."Indian brands - Dawat Pride of India and India
Gate among others - also fluctuated in rates depending on hypermarket and
grocery stores but overall these brands sustained stable trend in the market
ranging from Dh9 to Dh14 per kilogram" he said.Sajjad told Khaleej Times
that out of 50 traders only four companies were operating out of the Al Ras
wholesale market and the rest were having offices elsewhere in the Jabel Ali
Free Zone Sharjah and Ajman.
"On the average these small and medium enterprises had
borrowed Dh20-25 million" a source at a multinational bank said. However
one firm's exposure is as big as Dh150 million while several borrowed between
Dh50 and Dh100 million he said.The bankers fear they may have to write off Dh2
billion-Dh2.5 billion this financial year due to the crisis.A banker said in
most cases the default was not "wilful" a view also echoed by Sajjad.
One company owner fled with not only his bank loan but his own Dh1.5 million
and another Dh20 million from the market Sajjad said while another trader paid
all his creditors before he left.According to him it all started with the
plunge in prices. Sajjad said some genuine traders could not pay on time
following which banks suddenly stopped their credit line and demand to pay
their dues.This panicked the traders said Sajjad who blamed nervous bankers for
creating a crisis out of nothing.
However Sajjad said most of the companies whose names were revealed
to him by Khaleej Times were never heard before. They were not at all involved
in foodstuff business but may have built their books to con the banks."The
whole situation developed in just two months as everything was fine until Eid
Al Fitr" he said.One banker said at least 20-25 defaulted traders have
already left the country to avoid legal action including immediate arrest and
litigation for recovery.He said at least four rice traders sold a total of
40000 metric tonnes of rice in the market at 40-50 per cent discount. At least
a dozen of traders have not defaulted but they are in a dire straits and unable
to meet their commitments with the banks and market.Traders dealing in Indian
rice were largely affected when Iran put a temporary ban on imports from India
in November 2014 on the grounds of having adequate stocks and for political
reasons.
http://www.menafn.com/1094344058/Falling-rice-prices-land-UAE-traders-in-soup
Rice
exports resume though annual target likely to be missed
By Htin Linn Aung
| Thursday, 17 September 2015
Rice exports resumed yesterday after a month-and-a-half halt due
to flooding.
”Minister of Commerce U Win Myint said on September 9 at the
annual meeting of business chamber UMFCCI that Myanmar’s rice stock is
sufficient to last until November, when the harvest begins. He said the stock
had been compared to the domestic population by exports before reaching the
decision to allow exports to resume.Although exports are flowing again, the year’s total rice exports are
likely to fall below last year’s export volumes, which were a recent record.The
halt, which lasted 45 days, will bite into this year’s export total, as will the decline in production caused by the floods.Myanmar Rice Federation vice chair U Aung Naing Oo said exports
are likely to fall about 200,000 tonnes short of last year’s total of 1.8
million tonnes of exports.
“Production has fallen because paddy fields were destroyed by
floods. Export volumes will also drop,” he said.Federation general secretary U
Ye Min Aung said the increase in domestic prices had also steered more rice toward
the local market, which would have been exported in better times.Rice is second
to beans and pulses as the country’s main agricultural export. In 2014-15, 1.8
million tonnes of rice were exported, generating income of more than $700
million, while 1.4 million tonnes of beans and pulses were exported for $850
million, according to official statistics.
Translation by Zar Zar Soe
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/16529-rice-exports-resume-though-annual-target-likely-to-be-missed.html
Rice export licences to be granted
The Myanmar Rice Federation has announced that it will grant
rice export licences for up to 500 tonnes and that 2 per cent of exports must
be kept in reserve for six months. Companies can apply to the Ministry of
Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw for a licence.The MRF said firms needed an export
declaration and to keep 2 per cent of the exports back in reserve for six
months. Stores of rice would be checked monthly and companies must be ready to
hand over reserves if asked.
Export licences for both land and sea trade would be granted, it
said. The term of licences was one month.The MRF is holding discussions with
the ministry on sea and land trade and the storage of rice reserves. Rice
exports would resume in October even though no official reply had been
received, the MRF announced.Dr Soe Tun, the MRF’s vice-chair, said: “A
cargo ship can carry 1,000 tonnes of rice. We might face difficulty loading
rice onto a ship if only 500 tonnes of rice is allowed.”The country has kept
34.8 million tonnes of rice in storage, enough to meet domestic demand until
the end of November. The ministry is reviewing the resumption of exports as a
bumper harvest is expected from September to the end of November.
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/rice-export-licences-be-granted
NFA to award 750,000
MT rice deal to Vietnam, Thailand
The National Food Authority (NFA) said on Thursday that Vietnam
and Thailand are likely to secure the contract for the supply of 750,000 metric
tons (MT) of milled rice, as the Philippines races to stockpile the staple amid
the onslaught of El Niño.NFA officials made the pronouncement following an
auction held in Quezon City. Bids submitted by Vietnam and Thailand were
acceptable to the food agency’s Bids and Awards Committee.Vietnam offered to
sell 450,000 MT of 25-percent broken well-milled rice at $426.60 per MT, while
Thailand offered to ship the remaining 300,000 MT at the same price via a
government-to-government procurement scheme. The price includes cargo handling
and freight costs.
“The notice of award may be made in the next three days, after
which the [winning bidder] will submit the performance bond to the NFA,” said Patricia
Galang de Jesus, vice chairman of the NFA Committee on government-to-government
procurement.The total volume auctioned off on Thursday includes the 250,000 MT
standby rice stocks that the government had approved for importation to ensure
that the country would have enough rice despite the onslaught of El Niño.NFA
Administrator Renan Dalisay earlier said the government has decided to secure
the entire 750,000 MT, while international rice prices remain affordable due to
ample stocks.
Dalisay said the price of imported rice might go up in the next
few months as El Niño-affected countries are expected to beef up their rice
supplies. The Philippines will pay Vietnam $191.97 million, while Thailand will
be paid $127.98 million.Delivery of the rice shipments will be made on a
staggered basis. For the 250,000 MT standby stocks, half will be delivered by
the end of November, while the other half will arrive in the country by the end
of December.The 500,000 MT intended for 2016 will be shipped in the first quarter
of next year—175,000 MT by the end of January; 175,000 MT by the end of
February; and 150,000 MT by the end of March.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the
country’s total unmilled rice production for 2015 may decline slightly to 18.86
million metric tons (MMT) from 18.97 MMT produced last year due to the effects
of the drought.The projected output is 1.22 MMT short of the national rice
production target of 20.08 MMT for 2015.The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Services Administration earlier reported the dry spell caused
by El Niño may intensify in the last quarter of the year, and would persist
until summer of next year.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/nfa-to-award-750000-mt-rice-deal-to-vietnam-thailand/
Kharif foodgrain output likely to
decrease 1.8 % due to rain deficit in some states
By ET Bureau | 17 Sep, 2015, 06.24AM IST
The agriculture ministry said that on account of timely onset of
monsoon as well as government multiple interventions with contingency plans,
timely advisories and regular monitoring of seed and fertiliser availability,
estimated production of most of the crops during the current kharif season is
higher than the first advance estimate of 2014-15. In 2014-15, as per the
fourth advance estimate, the country saw kharif production touched 126.31
million tonnes. In 2013-14, the country saw a record kharif foodgrain
production of 129.24 million tonnes. Rice production in kharif 2015-16, is
estimated to be 90.61 million tonnes, 0.27 per cent less than the previous
year. The crop has been planted on 36.84 million hectares against 36.65 million
hectares a year ago. Grain
analyst Tejinder Narang said the
estimate would not have any impact on grain prices. "Rabi planting of
paddy has yet to take place and it is likely to make up.
Vietnam, Thailand to supply extra rice
ETNAM and Thailand are poised to bag contracts to supply a total of 750,000 metric tons (MT) of additional rice to boost the Philippines’ buffer stock amid a brewing “strong” El Niño that could turn out to be the worst since 1998.
The
National Food Authority (NFA) yesterday auctioned off the supply of 250,000 MT
of 25% broken rice to be imported this year and 500,000 MT of the same standard
due early next year.The agency set a $426.83/MT budget for the tender, which
involved a government-to-government procurement scheme. Existing bilateral rice
agreements allow the Philippines to import from Thailand, Vietnam and
Cambodia.Only Vietnam and Thailand participated in the first auction round but
their offers were rejected for exceeding the government’s budget. Vietnam
submitted a $431.25/MT offer for the entire 750,000 MT, while Thailand offered
$430/MT for 300,000 MT.Both were given until yesterday afternoon to revise
their bids, as provided by the auction’s terms of reference.
Vietnam
submitted a revised offer of $426.60/MT but for the supply of only 450,000 MT,
while Thailand revised its offer for 300,000 MT to $426.83/MT -- matching the
government’s budget.“We will recommend for award the lowest offer of Vietnam
for 450,000 MT,” said Patricia A. Galang-de Jesus, special assistant to the NFA
administrator.“Considering that the entire volume was not taken up, Thailand
will be given the chance to match the lowest price,” added Ms. Galang-de Jesus,
who also serves as vice-chairman of NFA’s Committee on Government-to-Government
Procurement.Thailand agreed to match Vietnam’s offer of $426.60/MT for the
balance.Ms. Galang-de Jesus said recommendations for award will be submitted to
the NFA Council. “The NFA Council will have to confirm the award first,” she
said, adding that notices of award are expected to be issued “within three
days” from yesterday.
The
stocks are scheduled to be delivered on a staggered basis, with the first
125,000 MT tranche due by the end of November and another 125,000 MT by the end
of December.Next year’s shipments will involve the delivery 175,000 MT each by
the end of January and February, and the 150,000 MT balance by the end of
March.The 250,000 MT rice stocks to be shipped in by December will bring the
total volume of rice contracted for this year to 1.787 million MT. The total
includes the 500,000 MT imported in February and 250,000 MT in June, both via
government-to-government procurement. It also covers private sector importation
under the minimum access volume (MAV) commitment for this year. The government
last July contracted 187,000 MT under the MAV-omnibus origin scheme and 600,000
MT under the MAV-country specific quota.
The
Interagency Food Security Committee -- led by the National Economic and
Development Authority -- earlier this month authorized the importation of the
additional 750,000 MT in preparation for the impact of the El Niño.NFA
Administrator Renan B. Dalisay earlier this month said the country has
sufficient stocks until yearend, but explained that the government is rushing
to bring in the projected volume needed in an effort to beat a possible spike
in international rice prices. “To maintain the stability of rice stock and
price, the government will start negotiating... now when rice prices in the
international market are still low and stable.
”NFA’s
head said that rice prices could jack up once demand from other countries
shoots up amid El Niño. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical &
Astronomical Services Administration has warned that the currently developing
El Niño episode that could last till May next year could be the worst since the
1997-1998 event.Crop damage from heat had already begun to take its toll on
farm output, which crawled just 0.73% last semester against the government’s
3.3-4.3% full-year growth target for 2015. Agriculture accounts for about a
tenth of the country’s gross domestic product, which is targeted to expand
between 7-8% this year.
Plant third crop to beat El Niño, rice
farmers told
Posted on September 17, 2015 10:16:00 PM
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Rice farmers in Northern Mindanao are
being encouraged by the National Irrigation
Administration (NIA) to plant a
third crop as a response to the dry conditions brought about by El Niño.
NIA’s
adjusted scheme involves a third crop to be planted between the two usual
periods.Mr. Bugacia said he has proposed that farmers “open a new 120-day
window for a third cropping between the two seasons so they can have an
additional season’s worth of harvest.”Most of the rice in Region 10 is of the
lowland type, covering about 30,000 hectares (ha). Of these, 17,000 ha are
located in Bukidnon. Meanwhile, NIA-10 is set to inaugurate on Sept. 23 a
P500-million reservoir in Tangub City, which will serve 640 ha of farmland.The
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) earlier announced that the current El Niño episode could last up to
the first half of 2016.“This 2015-16 El Niño event will potentially be among
the four strongest events since 1950,” PAGASA said in its most recent advisory
issued on Sept. 3. -- Mark
D. Francisco
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=plant-third-crop-to-beat-el-ni&241o-rice-farmers-told&id=115532
NFA
assures enough rice supply
September 17, 2015 By Merlito G. Edale Jr.
SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela, September 16 (PIA) – The National Food
Authority (NFA) here has assured the public that there are enough rice buffer
stocks in the region for the coming months.Mario Gonzales, regional director,
said they have enough supply of rice amid concerns that prices of the staple
food will increase as El Nino phenomenon continue to affect the rice harvest in
the region.“We have enough rice stocks in our warehouses to last for the next
few months and are enough to stabilize any prize hike in the market,” Gonzales
said.
He likewise urged farmers to sell their rice harvest to the agency
which is pegged at P17.00 per kilo while P12.30 per kilo for corn.Gonzales said
his agency has targeted to buy 158,000 sacks of corn this cropping season.He
added that NFA accredited rice outlets regionwide have also enough rice supply,
making rice more affordable for consumers at P27 per kilo for regular
milled-rice while P32 per kilo for the well-milled rice. (ALM/MGE/PIA-2
Isabela)
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/481442368412/nfa-assures-enough-rice-supply#sthash.jrtNkslS.dpuf
Auditors: Rice Board Violated Law Not
Reporting Millions Out of State
Published 09/17 2015 08:33PM
Updated 09/17 2015 08:33PM
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- State auditors confirm what KARK reported in May -- that millions of dollars under the charge of a state board tasked with promoting research for rice farmers had been sitting in an out-of state account."The agency did not comply with Arkansas laws," Jon Moore with the Division of Legislative Audit told lawmakers Thursday while releasing its report on the funds. You can read the audit here.Legislators were able to question the Rice Research and Promotion Board's administrator about why millions of additional dollars in revenue were not reported to state finance officials, which is a violation of Arkansas law.
Moore informed lawmakers that it did not appear that anything
criminal occurred and that all funds appeared to be accounted for. Brandy
Carroll, an Arkansas Farm Bureau employee and administrator of the board, told
legislators the board is working to follow proper protocol moving forward.KARK
reported in May that it appeared money from Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) auctions
for rice being shipped to Colombia were being deposited and held by The Rice
Foundation in an account in Virginia. On Thursday, the audit confirmed that
report and noted the board failed to follow the protocols of reporting revenue,
failed to receive appropriations from the General Assembly and failed to comply
with investing regulations for state agencies.The board received an initial
European TRQ fund that began in 1999, and those funds were set up to be
distributed to rice boards through The Rice Foundation.
The money from the Colombian TRQ, however, was slated to go
directly to the boards themselves instead of using The Rice Foundation, which
is affiliated with the USA Rice Federation, as a pass through."The board
elected to have the Rice Foundation invest those on their behalf and hold
those," Carroll said.The audit notes that TRQ funds from 1999 onward were
"materially understated" for many years. With no mention of those funds
as revenues during audits for the past 10 years.Carroll was not asked and did
not address why those funds were not reported as revenues. She did note that
the money was always kept separate and apart from "check-off funds"
that are collected as a tax on rice farmers and purchasers to fund research and
marketing projects.
According to Carroll approximately $11 million is currently
sitting in the cash fund account with The Rice Foundation, and Carroll said the
board had received approval to continue keeping the money in that account,
provided proper revenue reports were filed with the state. When
KARK began inquiring about the funds in April 2015, not a single state
financial official or state auditing official we spoke with - outside the Rice
Research and Promotion Board members and staff - knew of the TRQ funds
existence or why they were not being reported.To follow this and other Marci
Manley investigations, click here to like her on Facebook and here to follow her on Twitter.
http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/auditors-rice-board-violated-law-not-reporting-millions-out-of-state
Top Rice Exporter Sees Crop at Two-Decade
Low on Water Shortage
SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 10:00 PM
Rice production in Thailand may plunge to the lowest level in 19
years as dry weather may prompt the world’s largest shipper to further restrict
plantings to preserve water supply.Output of rough rice may decline to as low
as 22.98 million metric tons in 2015-16, the least since 1996-97, assuming
there is no planting during the dry season starting in November, Thailand’s
Office of Agricultural Economics said in an e-mailed reply to Bloomberg
questions on Tuesday. That’s down 30 percent from 32.62 million tons a year
earlier.A smaller crop from the Southeast Asian nation, which accounts for
about a quarter of the global trade, may tighten supply just as El Nino
threatens to parch fields in Asia and disrupt harvests worldwide. Global
production will fall for the first time since 2009-10 as flooding and drought
in major growers damage crops, while consumption expands for a sixth year, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.
Water Supply
Farmers won’t be allowed to plant
crop from Nov. 1 to April 30 as lower-than-average rainfall causes insufficient
water supply, Farm Minister Chatchai Sarikulya told reporters on Sept. 11.
Cabinet is yet to make an official announcement on prohibiting
plantings.Growers need to reduce plantings or switch to other crops that
consume less water as rainfall this year is about 25 percent below a historical
average, resulting in declining water reserves, Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a
government spokesman, told reporters Wednesday. State agencies are working on
measures to support farmers, he added.
World rice production for 2015-16
is forecast at 475.76 million tons, down from 478.65 million projected in
August, the USDA said in a report last week. Consumption was estimated at
487.42 million tons for the same year.Futures on the Chicago Board of Trade
traded at $12.920 per 100 pounds at 4:52 p.m. in Bangkok. Prices rose to
$13.080 this week, the highest since July 2014.
http://www.agweb.com/article/top-rice-exporter-sees-crop-at-two-decade-low-on-water-shortage-blmg/?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+September+17%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
U.S. and
China to sign rice protocol agreement
In those
intervening ten years, China has switched from being a rice exporter to (in
recent years) importing two million tons or more of long grain rice. Vietnam has
been the origin of most of the Chinese imports, due to a combination of price,
proximity, and quality. The U.S. has not been permitted to ship to China
because r...
By U.S. Rice Producers Association
Posted Sep. 17, 2015 at 3:12 PM
HOUSTON —
Officials from the United States and the Peoples’ Republic of
China will sign a phytosanitary protocol during the week of September 21st when
Chinese President Xi Jinping leads a delegation on an official visit to
Washington, DC. Culminating an effort that reaches back more than 15 years, the
US Rice Producers Association (USRPA) has been pushing to open the Chinese
market to U.S. rice.In
those intervening ten years, China has switched from being a rice exporter to
(in recent years) importing two million tons or more of long grain rice.
Vietnam has been the origin of most of the Chinese imports, due to a
combination of price, proximity, and quality. The U.S. has not been permitted
to ship to China because rice was not included in the original negotiations that
resulted in the sale of millions of tons of soybeans and cotton and other
grains. That now changes with the new phytosanitary protocol.
USRPA applied for funding from USDA/FAS under their Emerging
Markets Program to travel to China to determine if there would be demand for
U.S. long grain milled rice should it ever be permitted. Over the years,
consumer preferences were recorded and analyzed, and the conclusion was obvious
— rice milled in the United States would be considered a preferred product deserving
of a premium price in the opinion of the growing consumer class in China. In
recent years, medium grain rice from both the South and California has been
included in these consumer surveys, and the result is the same: “When can we
buy it?”
A number of importers and distributors in China have been
identified, and it is likely that the newly-permitted trade will get off to a
fast start. It is not clear how large the trade could become once the logistics
and the commercial terms are perfected, but China could represent a significant
boost to the U.S. rice market, which recently has been slammed by the loss of
markets and low-priced subsidized foreign competition.
“This has been a long and exhaustive process and sometimes that’s
the nature of international market development, while I must compliment the
USRPA staff and its board members including past Chairmen, B.J. Campbell of
Missouri and Ray Stoesser of Texas, who along with officials of the Foreign
Agricultural Service and Animal Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA,
have not hesitated in pursuing this effort that is so important to our rice
farming and milling industry,” says Dwight Roberts, President & CEO of the
organization. “Our analysis of the China market goes back to 1998 when at the time
no one thought China would ever be a significant importer,” added Roberts.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20150917/NEWS/150919704
Rice exports: It’s time for the “giants”
to leave
|
VietNamNet Bridge - Rice exports
seem to be the playground of big State-owned corporations, which are able to
impose unfavorable conditions on others, especially farmers.
|
|
·
|
Dubious rice export floor prices
The export floor price for rice is stipulated in Decree
109/2011/ND-CP, which is determined under the guidance of the Vietnam Food Association
(VFA) based on domestic and global market movements.Rice trading firms have to
register rice export prices, which must not be lower than the floor price set
by the VFA.The calculation of export floor price is extremely difficult,
because the nature of market is always volatile. VFA had to adjust the floor
price many times, for example, up to eight times in 2011.
The change of the floor price frequently and unexpectedly in a
short period of time can cause anxiety for rice trading businesses. This
creates a risky business environment and drives rice trading enterprises to
short-term business plans.In fact, the implementation of this policy still
lacks transparency, leading to unfair competition.During many periods (eg
2-4/2011 - 1-8/2012), 5% and 25% broken rice from Vietnam were exported at the
prices that were lower than the floor price set by the VFA, according to FAO
statistics.
This makes us suspect that the floor price regulations published
by the VFA, in fact, could not regulate transactions, and some businesses could
still offer lower export prices than the floor price.The businesses developing
high quality rice varieties may not pay much attention to this issue. However,
ambiguous information could lead to ambiguities in competition. Transparency of
these issues is an important commitment to equal competition among businesses
and, above all, to create stability for investments of enterprises.
Exports of high-quality rice are still low
Decree 109/2011/ND-CP 2011 and then Decision 6139/QD-BCT 2013
stipulate the conditions to become a rice exporting firm, including: (i) having
at least one warehouse with a minimum capacity of 5,000 tons of rice and (ii)
at least a rice husking factory with a minimum capacity of 10 tons of paddy per
hour.This means that the businesses that have close relations with farmers and
produce branded products but do not meet the above criteria will not be
exporting rice.For example, Vien Phu Viet Nam Company, with the Hoa Sua rice brand,
cannot actively access the market but have to entrust rice exports to large
companies that are eligible to export rice. With a huge effort to build its own
brand, this company cannot directly export its products because of the problem
of a "license".
Once a business has the certificate of rice export, to maintain
rice export activities, it must meet the criteria of exporting at least 10,000
tons of rice per year, according to Decision 6139/ QD-BTC of the Ministry of Industry
and Trade. This represents a focus on volume rather than quality of export
rice.It is more difficult for exporters of high quality rice as they are
requested to have large enough material area to satisfy this condition. Exports
of low-quality rice are done easily as exporters only need to purchase a
sufficient volume of rice from traders.Rice exports appear to have become a
playground of giants able to impose unfavorable conditions on others,
especially farmers.We do not know whether these giants help improve the
efficiency of the rice sector because having connections with farmers is not
the most important condition.
Overall, Decree 109/2011/ND-CP was issued with the aim of
minimizing the number of incompetent rice exporting companies. However, this
would make the export of high-quality rice, with a relatively low volume,
extremely difficult. Therefore, we believe that there should be a special
mechanism for businesses to export branded rice.Therefore, the regulations on
keeping a stable number of rice exporters, with up to 150 enterprises, and the
provisions to maintain export volume of 10,000 tons per year in Decision
6139/QD-BCT, should be canceled. The "hard" numbers only make
enterprises "shun" the production and export of high-quality rice.Let’s
imagine that the rice sector is "untied" and all companies with their
own rice brands are allowed to export their products, there will be more
Vietnamese companies exporting high-quality rice to the world market. The
credibility and effectiveness of Vietnam's rice industry will be significantly
improved. A market is only healthy when there are more players with different
products allowed to join.
"Tying" the output
Not only the problem of "license," Vietnam’s rice
exporting policies also create many other output-related difficulties for
private enterprises.Circular 44/2010/TT-BCT, giving detailed guidance to some
articles of Decree 109/2010/ND-CP, says that traders are not allowed to sign
rice exporting contracts, or let their buyers re-export rice to the markets
that already have government-to-government contracts, unless they are approved
by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Thus, private companies are only
permitted to export rice to small or new markets.According to an analysis of
the World Food Organization (FAO) in 200, rice is usually exported to
neighboring countries due to the characteristics of taste and transport costs.
Meanwhile, the government to government contracts are signed with
major partners in neighboring countries of Vietnam such as the Philippines,
Indonesia or Malaysia ... That means the export markets of commercial contracts
are very "narrow", thus investments in rice becomes even more
risky.We think that it is time that State-owned enterprises (SOEs) give up the
commercial playgrounds for increasingly dynamic private businesses. SOEs should
focus on rice stockpiles and ensure food security in the country.Because
private enterprises, with their acumen, will "capture" market signals
faster than SOEs. They are also an important link in the chain links with
farmers to bring Vietnam's rice brands to the international arena.Blowing new
vitality into private enterprises, a stable investment environment and policies
friendly to the market are the best and most sustainable policy for building
Vietnam rice brands.
The uncertainty in the investment climate and institutions has
restricted the dynamism of businesses in the process of seeking export markets.
Many policy-related issues are hindering Vietnamese businesses in building rice
brands and linking farmers and it seems that all problems originate from the
obsolete mechanism.Policy change is an arduous process, but it is time for all
parties to make a breakthrough. If the rice sector triggered the first
renovation 30 years ago, we believe that the changes in policies and mechanisms
to help the industry become more commercial are likely to be the sign for a
second renovation. And those who will benefit the most, like in the first
renovation, will be the farmers.
Nguyen Quang Thai - Nguyen Khac Giang
(Vietnam Institute for Economic Policy Research
APHIS
Sets the Record Straight on China Phytosanitary Deal
We will sell no rice before it's time
Earlier
this week, USRPA, who had representatives on yesterday's conference call,
reported to members and the media that the signing would now take place in
Beijing at the request of the Chinese.
When asked if this was accurate, APHIS officials said, "it's
speculation."The brief call concluded with a commitment from APHIS to continue
to stay in close contact with the industry to provide updates, and a commitment
from USA Rice to continue its policy of supporting the work of APHIS, and
waiting to receive actual confirmation of a finalized agreement.USA Rice also
continues to remind interested parties that once the protocol is agreed to,
there will still be a great deal of work to be done on both sides of the
Pacific before shipments of U.S.-grown rice are eligible to be exported to
China.
Contact:
Michael Klein (703) 236-1458
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice
Futures
|
Parboiled and White Rice Manufacturing
Plant Project Report: Industry Trends, Manufacturing Process, Machinery, Raw
Materials, Cost and Revenue
LONDON, Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IMARC's latest study "Parboiled and White
Rice Manufacturing Plant Project Report: Industry Trends, Manufacturing
Process, Machinery, Raw Materials, Cost and Revenue" provides a
techno-commercial roadmap for setting up a parboiled and white rice
manufacturing plant. The study, which has been done by one of the world's
leading research and advisory firms, covers all the requisite aspects of the
parboiled and white rice industry. This ranges from macro overview of the
market to micro details of the industry performance, processing and
manufacturing requirements, project cost, project funding, project economics
including expected returns on investment, profit margins, etc. This report is a
must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business
strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray
into the parboiled rice and white rice industry in any manner.
Key Questions Answered in This Report?
- What are the key success and risk factors in the parboiled and white rice manufacturing industry?
- How has the parboiled and white rice market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
- What is the structure of the parboiled and white rice industry and who are the key players?
- What are the various unit operations involved in a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What is the total size of land required for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the machinery requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the raw material requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the utility requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the manpower requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the infrastructure costs for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the capital costs for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the operating costs for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What should be the pricing mechanism of parboiled and white rice?
- What will be the income and expenditures for a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What is the time required to break-even?
Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/2861478/
About Reportbuyer
Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers
http://www.reportbuyer.com
For more information:
Sarah Smith
Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com
Email: query@reportbuyer.com
Tel: +44 208 816 85 48
Website: www.reportbuyer.com
Key Questions Answered in This Report?
- What are the key success and risk factors in the parboiled and white rice manufacturing industry?
- How has the parboiled and white rice market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
- What is the structure of the parboiled and white rice industry and who are the key players?
- What are the various unit operations involved in a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What is the total size of land required for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the machinery requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the raw material requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the utility requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the manpower requirements for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the infrastructure costs for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the capital costs for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What are the operating costs for setting up a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What should be the pricing mechanism of parboiled and white rice?
- What will be the income and expenditures for a parboiled and white rice manufacturing plant?
- What is the time required to break-even?
Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/2861478/
About Reportbuyer
Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers
http://www.reportbuyer.com
For more information:
Sarah Smith
Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com
Email: query@reportbuyer.com
Tel: +44 208 816 85 48
Website: www.reportbuyer.com
SOURCE ReportBuyer
RELATED LINKS
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parboiled-and-white-rice-manufacturing-plant-project-report-industry-trends-manufacturing-process-machinery-raw-materials-cost-and-revenue-300145420.html
Global Organic Rice Market 2015 Industry Analysis,
Research, Trends, Growth and Overview
The
research report, titled Organic Rice Industry 2015 Market Size, Share, Trends,
Price, Segmentation, Growth, Outlook, Company Profiles, Demand, Insights,
Analysis and Forecast 2015-2020.This press release was orginally distributed by
SBWire.Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/17/2015 -- The research report, titled
Organic Rice Market Research 2015, provides an executive-level blueprint of the
global Organic Rice market. It evaluates the market on the basis of factors
driving the demand, market size, and ongoing trends. The report also cites the
economic factors directly impacting the market. For the purpose of the study,
the report obtains information from industrial sources such as financial
records of the leading companies, prevalent industrial trends, and insights
from industry veterans using primary and secondary research techniques. The
impact of government regulations on the performance of the market is studied
and the historical statistics of the market are also referred to.
The
valuable inputs obtained from industry experts are compiled in the report in a
clear and concise manner. With an exhaustive collection of info graphics,
graphs, pie charts, and tables, this research report on the global Organic Rice
market provides elemental information about the market.For the purpose of the
study, the report segments the global Organic Rice market in terms of crucial
parameters, and evaluates the market share held by each of these segments.
Economic factors and government regulations impacting the growth of the
individual segments are discussed in detail in the report. Furthermore, the
report highlights the incumbent export and import trends in the global Organic
Rice market.Browse Complete Report with TOC @
http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-organic-rice-industry-2015-market-research-report.htm
The report uses industry-leading
analytical tools such as Porter's five forces analysis and SWOT analysis to
study the opportunities and challenges the market is likely to face. To
evaluate the competitive landscape of the global Organic Rice market, the
report profiles the companies operating in the market in detail. It studies the
strengths and weaknesses of these companies, and weighs out the opportunities
and threats they face to calculate their individual market share. The financial
records of the companies are also referred to for the purpose of the study.
Other factors that the report analyzes include recent developments in the
Organic Rice market, the prevailing demand and supply trends, bargaining power
of consumers and suppliers, threat of new entrants and substitutes, and the
financial performance of the leading companies in the market.
To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @
http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=359144&type=E
Table of Contents
Chapter One Organic Rice Industry Overview
1.1 Organic Rice Definition
1.2 Organic Rice Classification and Application
1.3 Organic Rice Industry Chain Structure
1.4 Organic Rice Industry Overview
Chapter Two Organic Rice International and China Market Analysis
2.1 Organic Rice Industry International Market Analysis
2.1.1 Organic Rice International Market Development History
2.1.2 Organic Rice Product and Technology Developments
2.1.3 Organic Rice Competitive Landscape Analysis
2.1.4 Organic Rice International Key Countries Development Status
2.1.5 Organic Rice International Market Development Trend
2.1.6 Global Organic Rice New Project and Project Plan
2.2 Organic Rice Industry China Market Analysis
2.2.1 Organic Rice China Market Development History
2.2.2 Organic Rice Product and Technology Developments
2.2.3 Organic Rice Competitive Landscape Analysis
2.2.4 Organic Rice China Key Regions Development Status
2.2.5 Organic Rice China Market Development Trend
2.2.6 China Organic Rice New Project and Project Plan
2.3 Organic Rice International and China Market Comparison Analysis
Chapter Three Organic Rice Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis
3.1 2015 Global Key Manufacturers Organic Rice Capacity and Manufacturing Plants Distribution
3.2 2015 Global Key Manufacturers Organic Rice R&D Status and Technology Source
3.3 2015 Global Key Manufacturers Organic Rice Raw Materials Sources Analysis
Chapter Four Organic Rice Production by Regions by Technology by Applications
4.1 2009-2015 Organic Rice Production by Regions (such as Russia Ukraine and China)
4.2 2009-2015 Organic Rice Production by Applications
4.3 2009-2015 Organic Rice Price by key Manufacturers
4.4 2009-2015 Russia Organic Rice Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis
4.5 2009-2015 Ukraine Organic Rice Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis
4.6 2009-2015 China Organic Rice Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis
Chapter Five Organic Rice Manufacturing Process and Cost Structure
5.1 Organic Rice Product Specifications
5.2 Organic Rice Manufacturing Process Analysis
5.3 Organic Rice Cost Structure Analysis
5.4 Organic Rice Price Cost Gross Analysis
Chapter Six 2009-2015 Organic Rice Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast
6.1 2009-2015 Organic Rice Capacity Production Overview
6.2 2009-2015 Organic Rice Production Market Share Analysis
6.3 2009-2015 Organic Rice Demand Overview
6.4 2009-2015 Organic Rice Supply Demand and Shortage
6.5 2009-2015 Organic Rice Import Export Consumption
6.6 2009-2015 Organic Rice Cost Price Production Value Gross Margin
Read More @ http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-organic-rice-industry-2015-market-research-report.htm
Chapter One Organic Rice Industry Overview
1.1 Organic Rice Definition
1.2 Organic Rice Classification and Application
1.3 Organic Rice Industry Chain Structure
1.4 Organic Rice Industry Overview
Chapter Two Organic Rice International and China Market Analysis
2.1 Organic Rice Industry International Market Analysis
2.1.1 Organic Rice International Market Development History
2.1.2 Organic Rice Product and Technology Developments
2.1.3 Organic Rice Competitive Landscape Analysis
2.1.4 Organic Rice International Key Countries Development Status
2.1.5 Organic Rice International Market Development Trend
2.1.6 Global Organic Rice New Project and Project Plan
2.2 Organic Rice Industry China Market Analysis
2.2.1 Organic Rice China Market Development History
2.2.2 Organic Rice Product and Technology Developments
2.2.3 Organic Rice Competitive Landscape Analysis
2.2.4 Organic Rice China Key Regions Development Status
2.2.5 Organic Rice China Market Development Trend
2.2.6 China Organic Rice New Project and Project Plan
2.3 Organic Rice International and China Market Comparison Analysis
Chapter Three Organic Rice Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis
3.1 2015 Global Key Manufacturers Organic Rice Capacity and Manufacturing Plants Distribution
3.2 2015 Global Key Manufacturers Organic Rice R&D Status and Technology Source
3.3 2015 Global Key Manufacturers Organic Rice Raw Materials Sources Analysis
Chapter Four Organic Rice Production by Regions by Technology by Applications
4.1 2009-2015 Organic Rice Production by Regions (such as Russia Ukraine and China)
4.2 2009-2015 Organic Rice Production by Applications
4.3 2009-2015 Organic Rice Price by key Manufacturers
4.4 2009-2015 Russia Organic Rice Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis
4.5 2009-2015 Ukraine Organic Rice Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis
4.6 2009-2015 China Organic Rice Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value Analysis
Chapter Five Organic Rice Manufacturing Process and Cost Structure
5.1 Organic Rice Product Specifications
5.2 Organic Rice Manufacturing Process Analysis
5.3 Organic Rice Cost Structure Analysis
5.4 Organic Rice Price Cost Gross Analysis
Chapter Six 2009-2015 Organic Rice Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast
6.1 2009-2015 Organic Rice Capacity Production Overview
6.2 2009-2015 Organic Rice Production Market Share Analysis
6.3 2009-2015 Organic Rice Demand Overview
6.4 2009-2015 Organic Rice Supply Demand and Shortage
6.5 2009-2015 Organic Rice Import Export Consumption
6.6 2009-2015 Organic Rice Cost Price Production Value Gross Margin
Read More @ http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-organic-rice-industry-2015-market-research-report.htm
For more information on this press
release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/global-organic-rice-market-2015-industry-analysis-research-trends-growth-and-overview-625769.htm
Media Relations
Contact
Ivan Gary
Manager
Qyresearchreports
Telephone: 866-997-494
Email: Click to Email Ivan Gary
Web: http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-organic-rice-industry-2015-market-research-report.htm
Manager
Qyresearchreports
Telephone: 866-997-494
Email: Click to Email Ivan Gary
Web: http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-organic-rice-industry-2015-market-research-report.htm
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2678225#ixzz3m5mv7ET8
Mixed bag Mediterranean at Al Seraj
CHICKEN KEBAB: Lunchtime choice was flavorful, moist.Sometimes
restaurants we visit are great, and sometimes they aren't very good at all —
but until we tried Al Seraj on Rodney Parham, we'd never been to one that was both in the
space of a single week. Our initial impression of the place was that Little
Rock had gained a valuable addition to our international food scene, but a
second meal left us scratching our heads and wondering what went wrong.
The restaurant is in the former Great Wraps location next to
Bedford Camera, and on our first trip in, we were impressed by the clean
interior, which despite being at the height of lunch looked as though the
restaurant had just opened. Walking past the prep bar to the register to place
our order, we noticed the wide variety of fresh salads and ingredients
available, and our mouth always starts watering the minute we see a spinning
column of gyros meat ready for shaving.We decided to start small for lunch with
an order of hummus ($4.69), and we were excited when the plate hit the table.
The chickpea puree was silky smooth and the splash of olive oil over the top
added a delightful pungent note to the dish.
The Chicken Kabob ($5.99), marinated grilled chicken, was moist
and flavorful. The bread for the sandwiches was a flatbread-style wrap, and
again it was clear that Al Seraj is using homemade bread. We finished lunch and
left already planning our next trip. It was a fantastic meal.A return trip for
dinner proved to be about as far from fantastic as could be imagined. If there
was one highlight of this disastrous second meal, it was an order of falafel
($2.99). The hushpuppy-sized chickpea patties were tender and well spiced, and
while we found the tahini sauce on the side to be a touch thin, the flavor was
spot on.
Falafel is a dish that
can easily be served either too dry or falling apart, but these were firm,
moist and delicious.Unfortunately, that's basically where the good times ended.
A Half-and-Half Platter ($12.99) with gyros meat and chicken shawarma committed
sins that were avoided by our previous meal: The meat was dry, spongy and
uninspired. Gyros meat should be shaved from the column and lightly crisped in
a pan; this was just shaved and dumped onto a plate. The shawarma had a good
flavor, but it was so dry that sip after sip of water was required just to get
it down. A side of baba ganouj didn't help matters, veering from pleasantly
sharp to bitter, despite having a good texture and consistency.Most
disappointing, though, was the Lamb Kabob ($12.99).
Four sad chunks of
gristly, tough lamb made us wonder if we were actually at the same restaurant
that pleased us so much just a few days prior. A side salad of cucumbers,
tomato and tangy tzatziki sauce was tasty and fresh, and our other side of
basmati rice was fine (if under-seasoned), but we had really come into the
place with a taste for lamb, and thus left disappointed. It was as if an
entirely different kitchen had prepared our food the second time around. The
attention to spice and flavor that we enjoyed so much during our previous lunch
seemed more slapdash and inconsistent the second time around, with some items
(like the lamb) having very little flavor while others were prepared well.
Given that Al Seraj performed so well the first time, we are
inclined to give it another chance to reach those heights again. Perhaps the
place is simply better equipped to do sandwiches and other lunch-style dishes,
or perhaps there is a better crew in the kitchen during the day. Whatever it
is, we still recommend giving the place a try, because while we found our
dinner dishes lacking, that first lunch had enough sparkle and taste that there
is obviously potential at Al Seraj.
Al Seraj Mediterranean Restaurant
11400 N. Rodney Parham Road
954-2026
QUICK BITE
It can be a little confusing
knowing where to order at Al Seraj, and there aren't any signs to guide the
way. Go back to the rear of the restaurant along the prep bar to place an
order. Meals from the restaurant are also available for delivery through Chef
Shuttle.
HOURS
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
OTHER INFO
All major credit cards accepted;
no alcohol.
Arkansas
Times
Qatar firm in Rs 110 crore basmati rice
exports scam
Vishnu Sukumaran New Delhi: Sep 16, 2015, DHNS
Delhi Police have filed a case
against a firm, in which Qatar government is said to have a major stake, after
allegations of unpaid bills of Rs 110 crore for basmati rice exports for the
past 15 months.
Police have informed the Qatar embassy about the action, which followed a complaint by Saraswati Vihar municipal councillor Jyoti Aggarwal.Aggarwal has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the company had caused “irreparable loss” to over 1,000 farmers in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. According to police, the farmers had supplied basmati rice to Bush Foods Overseas through commission agents and brokers. The firm exports basmati rice, ready-to-eat products and spices to 70 countries. It has a registered office at south Delhi’s Saket and a factory in Haryana.
The councilor Jyoti said in her complaint that 69.5 per cent
shares of Bush Foods Overseas were purchased for Rs 750 crore by Hassad
Netherlands BV in March 2013. “Hassad Netherlands BV is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Hassad Food Company, which is ultimately owned by the Qatar
Investment Authority of Government of Qatar,” Aggarwal’s complaint said.
“It is alleged that Bush Foods Overseas’ CEO and managing
director Vir Karan Awasthy is behind the fraud,” a police officer said. Awasthy
holds 30.5 per cent shares of the company.In the letter to Modi, Aggarwal urged
the government to stop further investment by Hassad Netherlands BV and Hassad
Food in India till all farmers’ and vendors’ dues were paid. A case under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420
(cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code was
registered with the Economic Offences Wing police station on Monday.The FIR
names Bush Foods Overseas, Awasthy, Hassad Netherlands BV, Hassad Food chairman
and managing director Nasser Mohamed Al Hajri, and two others.
Deccan Herald
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
|
927
|
832
|
|
New Crop
|
917
|
832
|
|
|
||
Riceland Foods
|
|
||
|
Cash Bids
|
Stuttgart: - - -
|
Pendleton: - - -
|
|
New Crop
|
Stuttgart: - - -
|
Pendleton: - - -
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soybean Comment
Soybeans ended lower today. The market remains under
pressure from strengthening supplies. While we have seen some strong export
sales in recent weeks and days, they are not enough to provide major support.
Total commitments for this 2015/16 remain well below previous years.
Wheat
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Cash Bids
|
--
|
--
|
|
New Crop
|
494
|
469
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices continue to weaken as they found no
support from outside markets. Wheat will remain a follower in the commodity
markets as we have no support for higher prices.
Grain Sorghum
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Cash Bids
|
408
|
368
|
|
New Crop
|
406
|
380
|
|
|
||
Corn
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Cash Bids
|
396
|
343
|
|
New Crop
|
467
|
348
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
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Corn Comment
December corn closed lower today. December corn is
back testing support near $3.75, and if this support is broken the next support
level is near $3.60. While corn continues to feel pressure from improving crop
conditions, the market continues to find support from stock situation which remains
near 1.5 billion bu. The market has little support to see major gains but at
the same time it remains unlikely prices will set new lows
Cotton
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Futures:
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Cotton Comment
Cotton futures ended lower across the board. The
monthly supply/demand reports didn't provide great news for prices. The
estimates pegged U.S. production at 13.428 million bales, up 3% from the August
estimate but down 18% from 2014. Average yield is projected at 789 pounds per
acre, down from the previous report, but abandonment is expected to only 4.56%,
down from the previous estimate of 11.35%. Ending stocks were raised to 3.2
million bales. December continues to be confined in the two-cent trading range
between 62 cents and 64 cents.
Rice
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High
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Low
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Long Grain
Cash Bids
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Long Grain
New Crop
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Futures:
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Rice Comment
Rice futures charted a bullish reversal today as
November became the lead contract. November continues to have resistance at
$13, while January as resistance at $13.34. The U.S. long-grain crop was pegged
at 131.5 million hundredweight, down from 149 million just last month due to
reduced harvested acres and yield estimates. The long grain export forecast was
cut by 10 million cwt, but the net result was still a carryout estimate that is
down 15% from last month.
Cattle
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Futures:
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Live Cattle:
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Feeders:
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Hogs
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Futures:
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Hog Comment
http://www.arfb.com/ag-markets-statistics/report/
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