Thursday, December 17, 2015

16th December 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine-Latest Rice News Updates

Today Rice News Headlines...
§  Ghost rice’ in Vietnam – Conclusion: International orders for ‘ghost rice’
§  Contract farming
§  Food Pioneers: Abbott Partnership to Improve Fortified Rice Profiled on BBC Horizons
§  Two California growers in rice leadership program
§  Thai rice policy to suit current economic climate
§  Rice stocks good for 91 days – PSA
§  USDA Further Restricts Farm Program Eligibility    
§  2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference Breaks Record    Exhibit Hall
§  PH woes dampen global rice output
§  APEDA Rice Commodity News
§  CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices
§  CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures  
§  Drought Takes Toll on Cuba’s Rice Crop
§  Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
News Detail...
Ghost rice’ in Vietnam – Conclusion: International orders for ‘ghost rice’
TUOI TRE NEWS
UPDATED : 12/16/2015 10:24 GMT + 7

Increasing demand from consumers and farmers for so called ‘Ghost rice’ has inspired scientists to cross-breed multiple species with the highly nutritious breed.

Scientists have received orders from large global markets to create multiple nutritious rice strains fathered by ‘ghost rice.’It is a tough mission both in terms of science and reality. Currently there are around 20 scientists specializing in ‘ghost rice,’ mainly from Japan, China, and Vietnam.When the biological ‘secrets’ of ghost rice remained ‘uncoded,’ the number of researchers decreased due to age. In addition, they were also busy preserving the source of the ‘ghost rice’ gene that was decreasing in the wild.

The rice species of the future are the ones that will inherit the ability to survive and resist disease with ‘ghost rice’ as ‘father’ combined with the fragrance and nutrition from other species as ‘mother.’However no one has ever cross-bred to meet the demand.“American people prefer rice with grains of average size and high nutrition,” said Doctor Nguyen Thi Lang from the Mekong Delta Rice Institute in Vietnam.“People in the Middle East favor fragrant rice with a long grain.“The responsibility of scientists is to cross-breed different species of rice to meet different demands of consumers.“If we can meet their demand, they will import our grains at a higher price.”

The U.S. has ordered scientists to cross-breed their local ‘ghost rice’ as ‘father’ with other rice species as ‘mother’ to create very highly nutritious rice for the production of supplementary medicine.As people become more affluent, they need to not only feel full but also nutritious, Dr. Lang commented.“We began studying at the request of the U.S. but have not found one breed to meet the standards demanded by the U.S. market,” Dr. Lang explained.“They require rice that contains a low amount of phytic acid.“A high amount of phytic acid will decompose protein in food. This means that the nutritional value of the rice is not well absorbed.“It is easy to understand why they ask for rice with a low content of phytic acid.

”She said she and her staff have cross-bred hundreds of combinations but none of them meet this requirement.Besides cross-breeding new rice varieties, scientists are concerned with preserving ‘ghost rice’ in nature.Doctor Duong Van Ni, an expert in biodiversity from Can Tho University, said multiple countries have started collecting samples of rice, corn, beans and other cereals from around the world since the 1960s to preserve the gene pool for cross-breeding later.But storing in laboratories over a long period of time causes degradation. The best way of preservation is to keep species in their local environment, Dr. Ni said.

http://tuoitrenews.vn/features/32244/ghost-rice-in-vietnam-p4-international-orders-for-ghost-rice
Contract farming
Monika Singh
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
IN its bid to fulfil its 2020 rice self-sufficiency mission, Grace Road Group has launched contract farming with local farmers last week.As part of the initiative, the Grace Road Group will provide all the materials needed for mechanised and organic rice farming, which includes seeds, machinery, organic fertiliser made from earthworm casting or other organic materials, and natural vermin repellent.Grace Road Group president Daniel Kim said the cost of those materials would be deducted every time the contract farmer sold his rice to Grace Road Group and, in the case of the tractor, the machine will be owned by the contract farmer once the cost was repaid.Mr Kim said the contract had a provision for education and site monitoring needed for the farmer to make sure there were no problems for farming.
Mr Kim said continual contact would be kept between Grace Road Group and the contract farmer to resolve the problems that may arise and the contract was for a minimum of five years."The biggest reason Fiji imports not only rice, but most food commodities was there was no market that could motivate Fijians to start farming."To resolve this issue, we plan to finish the construction of the rice processing complex (RPC) that can process 6000 tonnes of rice in a year. RPC will commence its full-scale operation next year in February," said Mr Kim.He said mechanised farming was the direction that Fiji should be headed in and that was why the group imported machinery and implements that were suited for Fiji's land.
"And today, we have made our first distribution of the machinery with the local Fijian farmer for contract farming. Fiji's rice self-sufficiency cannot be accomplished just by Grace Road Group and some government departments. We absolutely need the support of Fijian farmers."Mr Kim said contract farming was their first attempt and there were ups and downs expected, but the group was confident of the project being successful."We want to announce that this contract farming is not for a select few, but it is open to anyone who wants to farm rice in the Navua region. Starting with Navua, we will expand this contract to the entire region of Fiji such as Rewa.
We will continue our challenge of mechanised, organic rice farming to fulfil our mission of 2020 rice self-sufficiency, and we will succeed," said Mr Kim.Navua farmer Vicky said he was grateful to the group for their support and the opportunity."I have an available land, but there was nothing that I could do with it. But Grace Road Group decided to provide everything that I needed for farming and all I need to do is diligently farm in my own land," he said."I have not received this kind of tremendous help in my life and I could not believe that I was starting this contract."I wish to express my gratitude to Grace Road Group for their full support and I will succeed with mechanised organic rice farming on my piece of land."
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=334094
Food Pioneers: Abbott Partnership to Improve Fortified Rice Profiled on BBC Horizons
BLOG
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 9:00am
Recently the global TV program BBC Horizons profiled how Abbott nutrition scientists helped the international non-profit organization PATH to improve fortified rice – which has the potential to help more than 1 billion people worldwide.With $1.5 million in funding support from the Abbott Fund, the partnership also has built local production capacity in India, where fortified grains will be produced by local businesses and rice millers – thus strengthening local distribution chains.
To see the full video on BBC Horizons, click here.
http://3blmedia.com/News/F Abbott #nutrition scientists help advance fortified rice – watch 'Food Pioneers' on BBC Horizons http://3bl.me/zs3ctyood-Pioneers-Abbott-Partnership-Improve-Fortified-Rice-Profiled-BBC-Horizons#sthash.8DkKbw36.dpufhttp://3blmedia.com/News/Food-Pioneers-Abbott-Partnership-Improve-Fortified-Rice-Profiled-BBC-Horizons

Two California growers in rice leadership program

National program managed by the USA Rice Federation
Dec 16, 2015Farm Press Staff | Western Farm Press
Seven new members of the 2016/18 Rice Leadership Development Program class were named during the annual Rice Awards Luncheon at the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference. This year’s conference was held in New Orleans, Louisiana.The USA Rice Outlook Conference is where the U.S. rice industry meets, bringing together rice farmers, millers, merchants, and representatives of allied businesses from all rice-producing states and beyond for information and interaction, and featuring a trade show devoted to rice-related farm equipment, technology, products and services.
The class is comprised of five rice producers and two industry-related professionals selected by a committee of agribusiness leaders. “The rice industry enjoys strong leadership, and has a bright future. This program plays a critical role thanks to the intensive training and the high caliber participants,” said Rice Foundation Chairman Todd Burich.The new rice-producer class members are Michael Bosworth, Olivehurst, Calif; Imran Khan, Chico, Calif; Allen McLain, Abbeville, Louisiana; Sidney Robnett, Stuttgart, Ark; and Brandon Truax, Gillett, Ark. The new industry-related class members are Sunny Bottoms with Horizon Ag, of Dumas, Ark., and Kristopher Riggs with Anheuser-Busch, of Jonesboro, Ark.
The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication training. During a two-year period, class members attend four one-week sessions that are designed to strengthen their leadership skills.John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc., and American Commodity Company are sponsors of the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. The USA Rice Federation manages the program.
Image:Standing from left, members of the new Rice Leadership Development Program - Kristopher Riggs, Brandon Truax, Allen McLain, Imran Khan, Sidney Robnett, Sunny Bottoms and Michael Bosworth. Pictured standing far right is Chuck Wilson, Rice Foundation. Seated are program sponsor representatives - Brian Ottis, RiceTex; Kevin Ripple, John Deere; Chris Crutchfield, American Commodity Company; andTodd Burich, Rice Foundation.
USA Rice
http://westernfarmpress.com/rice/two-california-growers-rice-leadership-program

Thai rice policy to suit current economic climate

Wednesday, 16 December 2015By  NNT
BANGKOK - The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has indicated the need for Thailand to secure the sustainability of rice supplies amid economic and climate changes. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya presided over the opening ceremony of the Thai Rice Convention 2015 at Kasetsart University. In his speech, Gen Chatchai said Thailand’s rice policy needs to adapt to the changing world, especially to the arrival of ASEAN Economic Community and free trade agreements. He believed that the new rice policy should be developed with rice farmers in mind, while also taking into account the risks, strengths and weaknesses of Thai rice. The minister added that rice farmers should reach more consumers by increasing their product value through innovation.Gen Chatchai claimed that it is easy to improve Thai rice to suit consumers’ needs, as there is a wide variety of grains grown locally.
 http://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/thai-rice-policy-to-suit-current-economic-climate-53888#sthash.QAlk4pML.dpuf

Rice stocks good for 91 days – PSA

By Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star) | 

MANILA, Philippines - Domestic rice stock inventory remains sufficient for 91 days, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.Stocks held in households would be sufficient for 44 days, those held in commercial warehouses for 26 days while those held in National Food Authority (NFA) depositories would be enough for 21 days.Around 48.8 percent of total rice stock inventory was held in households, 28.4 percent in commercial warehouses and 22.8 percent in NFA depositories.The country’s total rice stock inventory as of end-November stood at 3.11 million metric tons (MT), 5.2 percent higher than the stockpile of 2.95 million MT in November 2014 and 41.5 percent higher than last month’s inventory of 2.2 million MT.
Year-on-year, stock levels in NFA depositories increased 64.3 percent but stocks in households and commercial warehouses went down 6.3 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.Corn stock inventory, meanwhile, stood at 298,200 MT as of November, up by 24.5 percent year-on-year but 29.1 percent lower month-on-month. Of November’s total corn stock inventory, 63.6 percent were in commercial warehouses, 36 percent were with households, and 0.4 percent were in NFA depositories.Year-on-year, corn stocks in commercial warehouses went up 47.2 percent while stocks in households and in NFA depositories fell 1.4 percent and 37.5 percent, respectively.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/12/17/1533317/rice-stocks-good-91-days-psaThai rice policy to suit current economic climate

USDA Further Restricts Farm Program Eligibility    
Brantley at last week's
USA Rice Outlook Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized and published regulations that seek to define "active personal management" that will further limit its farm program payments to managers that are "actively engaged in farming."

On March 26 of this year, USDA published a draft rule seeking to define "active personal management" and requested public comments as required by section 1604 of the 2014 Farm Bill. Following USDA's request, USA Rice submitted two sets of comments to USDA through the Federal Register representing the USA Rice Farmers and the other set jointly with other commodity and farm organizations.In general, the comments encouraged USDA to provide clarity of significant contributions to a farming operation to ensure that farm managers weren't excluded because of a narrowly defined regulation. The industry also asked for assurances that breaks in familial lineage due to death of a parent, grandparent, etc. did not result in a loss of payments to active farm managers.
Ben Mosely, vice president of government affairs for USA Rice said, "It appears our concerns have not been addressed so we're going to be thoroughly reviewing the final rule over the next several days and communicating with USDA to clarify potential impacts this rule could have on the rice industry."He added, "Since the rule is set to go into effect during the 2016 crop year, we're going to push for a grace period or additional flexibility to make sure producers that need to reconstitute or reorganize their operations have ample time to work through the rule's complexity."Arkansas rice farmer and chairman of USA Rice, Dow Brantley, echoed Mosely's thoughts.
 "Given the general state of the farm economy it could be very costly for a lot of farmers to reorganize their operations and potentially lose payments for some of their farm managers," he said. "USDA has made clear that this rule does not affect family farms, but in rice country, due to evolving tax structures and legal complexities, most all of our operations are considered joint ventures or general partnerships but they're still farms and they're still run by families. Our organization worked hard to secure these farm safety net programs so it's unsettling to see our industry is now in jeopardy of losing a significant amount of what we worked to achieve."
 Contact: Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475
2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference Breaks Record    Exhibit Hall
NEW ORLEANS, LA - It's official, the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference set a new mark for attendance at 945. "There were a lot of factors driving this: a full two days of programming, including new sessions, offsite learning opportunities, and of course, we know New Orleans is a great draw, especially at this time of year," said Dow Brantley, USA Rice Chairman. "It's encouraging to see so many in the industry come out, even when things aren't great in the countryside. It shows we're on the right track and offering good value to our customers."

In addition to traditional program offerings like state outlook and rice research reports, USA Rice capitalized on the excitement and uncertainty of the current political landscape to offer four top notch political sessions: Thursday's keynote session with James Carville and Mary Matalin moderated by Ritter Grain's Brian King; Mike Dunn's detailed look at political influence in Washington; Friday's political discussion between Louisiana rice farmer John Owen and Congressman Ralph Abraham (R-LA); and the in-depth and always-entertaining political and policy analysis from Informa Economics' Jim Wiesemeyer.
This year's conference concluded with a panel discussion entitled, "The Future of Food and What It Means for Rice," led by futurist Mike Lee of Studio Industries with Paul Galvani of Riviana Foods and Todd Kluger of Lundberg Family Farms. The session took a provocative look at trends happening today, like gluten and GMO free and eating local, to possible food trends of tomorrow like 3D printing of food, aero farms, and alternate proteins.

This year's conference also featured more dedicated time in the Exhibit Hall that was bursting at the seams with 59 exhibitors.
 "Our members and exhibitors appreciated having more time to interact with each other in the exhibit hall, so that's definitely something we'll expand on next year," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "We really appreciate all of our exhibitors and sponsors for their support and look forward to seeing them next year at our even bigger exhibition hall."Ward also said the Annual Rice Awards Luncheon was a conference highlight. "Attendees heard moving speeches from the award winners, got to meet the 2016/18 Rice Leadership Development Program class, and reconnect with people in the industry that they may not have seen since the year before," she said.
 The Outlook conference is the largest annual rice-specific gathering in North America and is an educational service of USA Rice. Next year's conference is scheduled for December 7-9 in Memphis, Tennessee at the Cook Convention Center.

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

PH woes dampen global rice output

By: Ronnel W. Domingo

@inquirerdotnet,Philippine Daily Inquirer

01:42 AM December 17th, 2015

The global output of milled rice for crop year July 2015 to June 2016 has been pared down further, dropping to a five-year low of 469.3 million tons due in part to depressed prospects in the Philippines.According to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the forecast was reduced by 4.2 million tons, also on lowered expectations for Australia, India and Madagascar.“Rice production in the Philippines is lowered [by] 250,000 tons to 11.25 million tons—due mostly to government reports of more extensive flooding and wind damage from recent cyclones,” the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) said in its monthly update.

 “Total rice production in the Philippines is estimated to be 6 percent smaller than a year earlier and the smallest crop since (crop year) 2011/2012,” the ERS said.“The 2015/2016 Philippines’ area estimate was lowered 150,000 hectares to 4.35 million, down 7.5 percent from a year earlier,” the agency said. “In contrast, the average yield is projected to be the highest on record.”In a separate report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the country’s stock of milled rice surged to 3.11 million tons as of Nov. 1 following the year’s main harvest season.

According to the PSA, the national inventory—which increased by 41 percent or 910,000 tons over the previous month—was good for 91 days’ consumption.Data from the PSA showed the National Food Authority’s stock decreased by 40,000 tons to settle at 710,000 tons. The NFA stock was good for 21 days’ consumption, still above its minimum mandated volume of 15 days’ supply.Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/133908/ph-woes-dampen-global-rice-output#ixzz3uZVXqxmV

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/133908/ph-woes-dampen-global-rice-output

 

APEDA Rice Commodity News

 

Price on: 15-12-2015
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Apricots
1
Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
4875
2
Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)
4375
3
Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)
3625
Raisins
1
Californian Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)
2433
2
South African Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)
2463
Sultanas
1
Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t)
2917
2
South African Orange River, CIF UK (USD/t)
2614
3
Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t)
2000
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 14-12-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
2800
3800
2
Solapur (Maharashtra)
Other
2120
5165
3
Samsi (West Bengal )
Fine 
2790
2820
Wheat
1
Hoskote (Karnataka)
Other
1827
1915
2
Dehgam (Gujarat)
Other
1400
1715
3
Palthan (Maharashtra)
Other
1525
2200
Mousambi
1
Sirhind (Punjab)
Other
2000
3000
2
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
2700
2900
3
Mechua (West Bengal)
Other
2900
3400
Brinjal
1
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
2400
2600
2
Barnala(Punjab)
Other
400
600
3
Surat (Gujarat)
Other
1000
2250
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 15-12-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
440
2
Mysore
417
3
Hyderabad
401
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 15-12-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado  
Russet
15
17.50
2
Chicago
Idaho 
Russet
13
16
3
Dallas
Idaho
Russet
12.50
12.50
Carrots
Package: 20 1-lb film bags
1
Atlanta
California
Baby Peeled
18.50
20.50
2
Chicago
California
Baby Peeled
17
17.50
3
Dallas
Arizona
Baby Peeled
17
18.50
Grapes
Package: 18 lb containers bagged
1
Atlanta
Peru
Red Globe
25
28.50
2
Chicago
Peru 
Red Globe
26
26.50
3
Miami
California
Red Globe
24.75
25
Source:USDA
CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices 
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporationtoday announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2015 crop, which will become effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices decreased $0.19 per cwt for both long grain and medium/short grain.

World Price
MLG/LDP Rate

Milled Value ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Long Grain
14.80
9.34
0.00
Medium/Short Grain
14.31
9.60
0.00
Brokens
  8.93    
----
----

This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates:

U.S. Milling Yields
Whole/Broken
(lbs/cwt)
Loan Rate
($/cwt)
Long Grain
55.01/13.46
6.50
Medium/Short Grain
61.81/8.43
6.50

The next program announcement is scheduled for
 December 23, 2015.    



CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for December 16 
Month
Price
Net Change

January 2016
$10.955
+ $0.055
March 2016
$11.220
+ $0.050
May 2016
$11.520
+ $0.055
July 2016
$11.780
+ $0.045
September 2016
$11.785
+ $0.015
November 2016
$11.800
+ $0.015
January 2017
$11.800
+ $0.015

Drought Takes Toll on Cuba’s Rice Crop
HAVANA – A prolonged drought in Cuba has caused the rice harvest to fall short of projections by roughly 87,000 tons, the Agriculture Ministry said.More than 70 percent of Cuban territory has been affected by the most severe drought in 115 years, according to the National Climate Center.As a result, the rice harvest will total around 165,000 tons instead of the expected 252,000 tons, state news agency ACN said, citing Lazaro Diaz, head of the Agriculture Ministry’s grain division.“This has been a rough year for farmers, in particular rice growers, whose goal of supplying more rice to the economy and replacing imports is dependent on rainfall and stored water,” the official said.

Diaz said that the harvest continues, though work was suspended in recent days in the western region of the country amid heavy rains.For 2016, the ministry projects Cuba’s rice production will reach 538,000 tons, equivalent to 60 percent of domestic demand.Rice is a staple of the Cuban diet, with an annual average per capita consumption of 70 kilos (154 pounds), amounting to 700,000 tons for the nation, according to official data.
www.laht.com/article.asp
Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report
Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Jan '16
1115.5
1095.0
1098.5
-7.0
Mar '16
1143.0
1123.0
1125.0
-7.5
May '16
1168.5
1168.5
1154.5
-7.0
Jul '16
1180.5
-6.5
Sep '16
1180.0
1180.0
1180.5
-3.0
Nov '16
1182.0
-3.0
Jan '17
1182.0
-3.0
Rice Comment
Rice futures may be attempting to stabilize after the recent downturn which took over $1.50 off the market in a matter of a few short days. January is attempting to establish support at $11. The domestic cash market is quiet and export demand is slow as well, which is typically the case around the holidays. The monthly supply/demand report showed little change, with only a 1 million cwt decrease in imports into the U.S. and use unchanged. Exports were pegged at 98 million cwt, and ending stocks were cut to 38.8 million cwt. The average on farm price for long grain remained $11.50 to $12.50. Global rice stocks are forecast to decrease for the third year in a row as consumption is expected to outpace production. Production was lowered to 469.3 million metric tons, down approximately 8.9 million tons from the preceding year.

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