Friday, March 11, 2016

10th March 2016 Daily Global regional and local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

03/10/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Mar '16
1009.5
997.0
1010.5
-3.5
May '16
1055.5
1020.0
1034.5
-4.0
Jul '16
1078.0
1050.0
1062.0
-3.5
Sep '16
1070.0
1065.0
1078.5
-3.0
Nov '16
1093.5
-4.5
Jan '17
1108.0
-6.0
Mar '17
1108.0
-6.0
Description: DTN Description: CME Group Description: Click here for info on Exchange delays.
Rice Comment
Rice futures continued lower today, despite weekly exports that were a marketing year high. Sales last week were 145,800 metric tons, with Japan and Venezuela the top buyers. However, this weeks WASDE report lowered US exports by another 2 million cwt, bringing the estimate to an even 100 million cwt. That left carry out up 2 million cwt at 43.9 million cwt. Global rice supplies for 15/16 were raised 1.8 million tons due to increased production.



Drought to damage almost half a million rice fields in central Thailand

BY EDITORON THAILAND

Drought to damage almost half a million rice fields in Central Plain
Description: 100308-wpcf_728x409.jpg
BANGKOK: — Drought which is affecting several parts of Thailand will ruin almost half a million rai of rice fields in the central region.
This was disclosed by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya at a meeting yesterday to discuss the drought situation. Gen Chatchai said rice fields likely to be affected by the water shortage are those grown off-season, while farmers who grew their seasonal crops won’t be affected as they were all harvested.They are rice fields grown along the Chao Phraya river in the Central region, and more than 400,000 rai are expected to be damaged by drought.According to the minister, off-season rice covered a total of 3.05 million rai along the Chao Phraya River, 1.98 million rai of which was grown within the irrigation zone and the remaining planted outside the zone.
Rice harvest is finished only for 940,000 rai of off-season rice fields,he said.He said he has ordered the deputy permanent secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives to work out long term water use and farming areas in all provinces by this month.
Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/154436

Japan says El Nino weakens, to return to normal weather in summer

TOKYO

Japan's weather bureau said on Thursday the El Nino weather pattern, which is often linked to heavy rainfall and droughts, was expected to continue weakening and that there was a high possibility the weather would return to normal by summer.The Japan Meteorological Agency projected a similar forecast last month.El Nino - a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific - can trigger drought in Southeast Asia and Australia and floods in South America, hitting production of key foods such as rice, wheat and sugar.
(Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-weather-elnino-japan-idUSKCN0WC0FK

Commerce minister puts rice ball in Hun Sen’s court

Description: Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol speaks at a private sector development forum in Phnom Penh last year. Photo supplied

Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol speaks at a private sector development forum in Phnom Penh last year. Photo supplied
Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol has forwarded a report on urgent actions required to address the rice sector’s woes to Prime Minister Hun Sen, suggesting a limit on rice imported and making available cheap capital to distressed millers.The report, which was submitted yesterday, picks up four urgent measures from a nine-point action plan sent to Chanthol by a group of millers and exporters, whose initiative is called CRISIS (Cambodian Rice Industry Survival Implementation Strategy).The suggestions in Chanthol’s report mirror those made by the CRISIS group on Monday and include a 100,000 tonne a year restriction on imports of milled rice from the Kingdom’s neighbouring countries, which the group says is not a violation of any World Trade Organisation regulations.
The report also suggests increased monitoring of rice imports at border entry points and imposition of punitive action on millers found guilty of mixing local and imported rice for export.To tackle the sector’s financial problems, the report asks that the government facilitate access to $250 million in loans at a lower rate of 4 per cent, lowering electricity prices for millers to 400 riel per kilowatt hour, and negotiating access to the Laem Chabang port in Thailand to reduce logistics costs.The high costs of loans – 8 to 10 per cent at commercial banks and between 20 to 30 per cent with microfinance lenders – has lead to nearly 40 per cent of millers going bankrupt in the last three years, the report states.
CRISIS member and CEO of Battambang-based rice miller Brico Kann Kunthy said the group was consulted before the minister decided to send only four of the nine suggestions made, which he said were a top priority.“We had to select the urgently required measures of the nine important actions we submitted to the minister,” he said. “We hope to get positive results on at least some of the four points.”Kunthy said CRISIS would work with the Cambodia Rice Federation’s (CRF) proposed committee to find solutions for the rice sector’s problems, despite the CRF proposing only two suggested actions at a press conference it held on Wednesday.“Even though our issues are different from the ones they submitted, it is still a push to get action from the government”, he said.“We have to deal with the short-term challenges first, but the CRF always focuses on long-term plans,” he said.
In response to criticism of its handling on the rice sector, the CRF proposed that rice importers should have a licence and facilitation for a loan package from the Rural Development Bank for $20 to $30 million.This followed a meeting of CRISIS and Chanthol last week, where the group not only highlighted the problems in the sector, but were also critical of the functioning of the CRF, calling for structural and electoral reforms before elections are held in May for the next mandate.
CRISIS, which started in February and initially called itself RISKS (Rice Industry Strategic Key Solutions), has increased its members from 18 last week to 24 this week, with members coming from the rice producing provinces of Battambang, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey and Prey Veng.
Contact author: Cheng Sokhorng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/commerce-minister-puts-rice-ball-hun-sens-court

Global rice trade is projected to decline in 2016

3/10/2016 - by World Grain Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.— Global trade in rice is expected to decline for the second consecutive year in 2016, reflecting reduced exports from India, Australia, Cambodia, and the U.S., and softening demand, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service said in a February 2016 report.Reduced imports by Nigeria — the world’s second-largest rice import market — account for the largest share of the decline in global rice trade. Imports by Nigeria are expected to fall 17% in 2016, the result of a recent increase in import tariffs, declining oil revenues, and foreign exchange restrictions. Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, the E.U., Nepal, and Sri Lanka are also expected to reduce rice imports this year.
The decline in global trade comes despite further growth in demand by China, the world’s largest rice importing country, as well as expanded imports by the Middle East and Indonesia. Rice imports by China have been at record high levels since 2012 and are expected to grow 4% in 2016, reflecting prices that are lower in the global market than the domestic market, stock-building efforts by the government, and quality concerns regarding domestic rice
http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2016/03/Global_rice_trade_is_projected.aspx?ID=%7B7DA785FD-1A09-4448-80E9-530291E81CCB%7D&cck=1

Local technologies enhance rice drying, milling


March 10, 2016
Two locally-developed technologies that aims to address the most common post-harvest problems of Filipino rice farmers   are now being commercialized by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).PhilMech Executive Director Rex Bingabing said the two technologies –  the fluidized bed dryer and brown rice huller — will be very beneficial to local farmers.
“The moment local companies begin fabricating the two technologies, farmers and millers can to efficiently dry and mill rice,” Bingabing said.The fluidized bed drying system was built to accommodate large volumes of high-moisture paddy rice for drying during the rainy months, when drying under the sun is not possible.The technology allows hot air or gas flow to pass through wet paddy rice for a short duration which results to fluidization on the drying bed, eliminating grain clumping and results to uniform efficient drying.
PhilMech field tests show that the optimal drying time for palay with 24 percent moisture content to 14 percent final moisture content using the fluidized bed dryer can be attained in about three hours, compared to the eight to 12 hours required in conventional mechanical drying.“With the fluidized bed dryer, drying time is significantly reduced by 52 percent and consequently the drying cost is likewise lessened,” Bingabing explained.Powered by a biomass furnace that uses rice hull as energy source the machine that has a capacity to dry 500 kilograms (kg) per hour of wet paddy rice at a cost of P0.63 per kilogram.
”In addition there is no risk in overheating the grains since drying temperature can be preset. Because of this, the quality of grains dried using the fluidized bed drier is better compared to conventional mechanical driers,” Bingabing said.The dryer is fully automated, requires low energy, and made of locally available materials.The second technology — the brown rice huller — was developed to address the milling needs of farmers’ and retailers’ as a response to growing demand from consumers.

http://www.mb.com.ph/local-technologies-enhance-rice-drying-milling/#2H41ZhtqzAsu71sX.99

Scientists attribute rising methane levels to agriculture

A breakthrough in understanding about the causes of climate change has today been published online in the prestigious international journal Science.The findings of a study initiated by NIWA scientists, rule out fossil fuel production as the major cause in the rise of methane levels in the atmosphere since 2007.The research, led by NIWA atmospheric scientist Hinrich Schaefer, has concluded that increasing levels of methane in the atmosphere since 2007 are most likely due to agricultural practices, and not fossil fuel production as previously thought.Methane is a greenhouse gas and one of the major contributors to climate change. The amount of methane in the earth’s atmosphere is estimated to have increased by about 150 per cent since 1750.
NIWA scientists first noticed trends occurring in the data collected at NIWA’s clean air monitoring stations at Baring Head in Wellington and Arrival Heights in Antarctica.
With only Southern Hemisphere data to go on, the scientists began to collaborate with the University of Colorado in the US, and Heidelberg University in Germany whose scientists were taking similar measurements in a number of locations across the world.
"We wanted to put all the data together, then calculate the global average for each year and look at how that has changed over time," Dr Schaefer said.
Between 1999 and 2006 scientists observed a plateau in the amount of methane in the atmosphere. The amount had been steadily increasing since pre-industrial times but then levelled out for about seven years. After 2006 it began to rise again and continues to do so.
Dr Schaefer said there were three broad questions the scientists sought to answer: 
- Were there methane sources that diminished when the plateau began in 1999?
- What were they?
- What has been driving the renewed growth since 2006?
"We found we could distinguish three different types of methane emissions. One is the burning of organic material, such as forest fires. Another is fossil fuel production - the same processes that form natural oil and gas - and the third is formed by microbes which come from a variety of sources such as wetlands, rice paddies and livestock."
Around the time the plateau in methane emissions occurred, economic collapse in the Soviet Union caused oil production to decline dramatically - a factor that could now be detected in atmospheric analysis but is of no great surprise to the scientists.
However, analysis since 2006 rules out fossil fuel production as the source of methane increasing again.
"That was a real surprise, because at that time the US started fracking and we also know that the economy in Asia picked up again, and coal mining increased. However, that is not reflected in the atmosphere," Dr Schaefer said.
"Our data indicate that the source of the increase was methane produced by bacteria, of which the most likely sources are natural, such as wetlands or agricultural, for example from rice paddies or livestock."
Previously published studies had determined that the methane originated from an area that includes South East Asia, China and India - regions that are dominated by rice production and agriculture.
"From that analysis we think the most likely source is agriculture."
"If we want to mitigate climate change, methane is an important gas to deal with. If we want to reduce methane levels this research shows us that the big process we have to look at is agriculture.
"The good news is that if the source was wetlands, we couldn’t do anything about it. But there is ongoing research that is looking at reducing methane production in agricultural practices."
There is also another important consideration in the mix. Naturally produced methane sources are particularly sensitive to changes in climate and Dr Schaefer says wetlands produce more methane if there is more rain and if it is warmer. Thawing permafrost produces methane and methane is also found in ice-like structures in ocean sediments.
"Which means that global warming could result in more methane being produced from these natural sources. You could have a situation where humans are causing global warming which causes natural methane sources to emit more methane, contributing to further warming.
"We don’t see that, not yet. Our findings at least give us an angle to tackle the problem."
However, Dr Schaefer stressed it would be wrong to conclude that the study gives fossil fuel a clean bill.
"If fossil fuel production picks up again that may change the situation dramatically."
To read the paper see:
www.sciencemag.org
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/246059

U.S. rice exports fall too short


When Japan's year began last April 1, MAFF allocated approximately 100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to the SBS system. SBS is designed in theory to provide importers and foreign suppliers direct access to consumers versus rice imported under the ordinary minimum access tenders which initially end up in government warehouses.


By Michael Klein
USA Rice Federation

Posted Mar. 10, 2016 at 12:49 PM 

ARLINGTON, Virginia
As Japan's fiscal year sets to close at the end of this month, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) will once again increase the amount of rice imported under the so-called ordinary minimum access tenders because of very poor performance under the Simultaneous-Buy-Sell, or SBS, System.When Japan's year began last April 1, MAFF allocated approximately 100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to the SBS system. SBS is designed in theory to provide importers and foreign suppliers direct access to consumers versus rice imported under the ordinary minimu








New Conservation Stewardship Program Finalized 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published its final Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) rule in the Federal Register.The CSP was updated following the guidelines set by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill and after reviewing nearly 500 comments on the Interim Rule, the agency is finally ready to put the new rule into effect.

CSP is known as the USDA's largest conservation program by acreage.  Since its inception in the 2008 Farm Bill it has provided financial assistance on more than 70 million acres of working lands.  The program has been utilized by U.S. rice farmers since it was first introduced and provides a number of enhancements that work particularly well on rice-growing operations.USA Rice submitted comments to NRCS regarding the Interim Rule asking for payment equity for using existing versus new conservation practices and more transparency in the ranking process for CSP applications.  The final rule did this by removing the much-criticized and complex Conservation Measurement Tool and using a public set of ranking criteria similar to the process used by EQIP.  

Jeff Durand, Louisiana rice farmer and co-chair of the USA Rice Ducks Unlimited Stewardship Partnership, shared his thoughts, "Conservation definitely comes at a cost but CSP gives us as rice farmers the opportunity to cost-share some of the expenses for implementation and maintenance of enhancements and practices that keep our industry sustainable."Durand added, "Earlier this year, USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited put together the Rice Growers' Conservation Handbook that outlines the CSP and EQIP practices that are most commonly used by rice farmers and provides some additional background information on the programs.

"Last month, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $150 million available to enroll 10 million new acres in CSP for Fiscal Year 2016.  Applications are due to local NRCS offices by March 31.  Vilsack said of the CSP, "[It is one of the most] popular programs with producers because it results in real change on the ground by boosting soil and air quality, conserving clean water, and enhancing wildlife habitat."The Stewardship Partnership's Sustaining the Future of Rice project through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program will also offer the opportunity for rice farmers to sign-up for CSP later this year in all six rice-growing states.


In Memory:  Penn Owen
USA Rice was saddened to learn of the passing of Penn Owen, a longtime Mississippi rice leader.  Owen was born on August 4, 1935 in Memphis, TN, and graduated from Vanderbilt University.  He is survived by his wife, Norma, their three children, and seven grandchildren.Owen began his professional career at Union Planters National Bank in Memphis, but spent most of his life directing his family's farming operations in Tunica, MS.  In addition to his work promoting the Delta region, Owen served on the USA Rice Council Board of Directors and on the International Promotion and Domestic Policy Committees."Penn was a visionary who helped shape the modern U.S. rice industry and was instrumental in Rice Council efforts promoting U.S. rice here and around the world," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.  "He will be remembered for his commitment to rice farmers and for advocating so effectively on their behalf in Washington."
A private graveside service will be held at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Tunica. Friends are invited to a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. March 19 at Memphis Hunt & Polo Club, 650 S Shady Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120.USA Rice extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Penn Owen.





          Rice Prices

as on : 10-03-2016 08:10:35 PM
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Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals
Price
Current
%
change
Season 
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Gadarpur(Utr)
3009.00
63.62
75710.00
2100
2120
14.13
Siliguri(WB)
460.00
15
1962.00
2600
2600
-
Samsi(WB)
300.00
500
15260.00
2800
2900
-
Gondal(UP)
257.00
42.78
10324.10
2050
2015
0.99
Sainthia(WB)
167.50
-4.07
342.10
1755
1850
-
Bahraich(UP)
154.00
6.21
3060.50
2075
2080
NC
Ballia(UP)
150.00
25
6120.00
1975
1980
NC
Sitapur(UP)
145.00
-3.33
5336.00
2160
2160
NC
Pilibhit(UP)
140.00
42.86
16944.00
2195
2185
-6.40
Birbhum(WB)
138.00
-2.95
1449.20
1800
1750
-8.16
Shahjahanpur(UP)
136.00
23.64
39669.30
2200
2210
7.06
Basti(UP)
131.00
4.8
3795.50
2060
2080
5.64
Bareilly(UP)
116.00
34.88
6122.00
2175
2175
4.82
Kalipur(WB)
105.00
16.67
3555.00
2000
2000
-4.76
Aligarh(UP)
90.00
5.88
2060.00
2120
2150
10.99
Nalbari(ASM)
83.00
-1.19
524.50
2000
2000
NC
Ghaziabad(UP)
80.00
33.33
1810.00
2120
2075
-0.24
Thodupuzha(Ker)
70.00
NC
1610.00
2650
2650
8.16
Mainpuri(UP)
70.00
-6.67
677.00
2010
2010
4.69
Dhing(ASM)
69.00
-25
2370.20
1800
1800
-16.28
Coochbehar(WB)
65.00
0.78
785.50
2100
2100
-2.33
Golaghat(ASM)
50.00
42.86
175.00
2400
2300
-
Kasimbazar(WB)
45.00
NC
1187.50
2320
2320
-9.02
Gazipur(UP)
43.00
16.22
1152.00
1930
1930
4.89
Karimganj(ASM)
40.00
-50
1260.00
2200
2200
-26.67
Gauripur(ASM)
36.00
-21.74
2114.50
4500
4500
-
Purulia(WB)
36.00
20
1434.00
2200
2180
-7.56
Dadri(UP)
34.00
-2.86
1409.00
2120
2070
-0.24
Lanka(ASM)
30.00
-25
1880.00
1750
1750
-
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
30.00
20
1090.00
3000
3000
-
Jhargram(WB)
29.00
16
237.00
2700
2700
-3.57
Bindki(UP)
27.00
-37.21
1933.00
2265
2245
9.42
Kesinga(Ori)
25.00
-58.33
310.00
2400
2600
NC
Haldibari(WB)
25.00
-16.67
571.50
2350
2350
-11.32
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
24.80
31.22
1019.20
1900
1900
-
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
23.40
-4.88
766.60
2300
2300
-11.54
Mekhliganj(WB)
19.50
-2.5
430.50
2050
2050
-
Alipurduar(WB)
19.00
5.56
270.00
2200
2200
2.33
Firozabad(UP)
17.00
6.25
404.00
2110
2120
3.94
Kasganj(UP)
15.00
25
469.00
1920
1940
-6.34
Kannauj(UP)
15.00
7.14
235.30
2180
2190
0.46
Yusufpur(UP)
15.00
NC
432.00
1900
1890
-0.52
Divai(UP)
14.00
NC
213.00
2060
2075
2.23
Pukhrayan(UP)
14.00
-6.67
114.50
2020
2020
-8.18
Champadanga(WB)
14.00
-6.67
556.00
2300
2300
-13.21
Jahanabad(UP)
13.00
8.33
190.50
2220
2200
12.41
Dibrugarh(ASM)
12.50
-37.5
802.80
2400
2400
-
Mirzapur(UP)
12.00
-7.69
1076.00
1935
1925
0.26
Raiganj(WB)
12.00
9.09
629.00
2860
2875
19.17
Bampada(Ori)
10.00
NC
130.00
2500
2500
-
Barikpur(Ori)
10.00
NC
90.00
2500
2500
4.17
Pundibari(WB)
9.50
5.56
130.00
2050
2050
-3.53
Deogarh(Ori)
9.00
NC
306.00
2500
2500
NC
Rampur(UP)
9.00
-25
340.50
2215
2205
8.31
Bhivandi(Mah)
8.00
NC
216.00
3550
3570
111.31
Dibiapur(UP)
8.00
NC
85.00
2250
2260
3.21
Raibareilly(UP)
7.50
-25
231.00
2060
2070
3.00
Chengannur(Ker)
7.00
NC
389.50
2400
2500
-14.29
Buland Shahr(UP)
7.00
NC
299.00
2040
2050
0.49
Muradabad(UP)
6.00
-25
370.50
2250
2230
13.35
Rura(UP)
5.00
11.11
66.60
2200
2210
4.76
Islampur(WB)
4.00
33.33
198.40
2150
2150
-
Imphal(Man)
3.30
NC
137.60
2900
2900
NC
Aroor(Ker)
3.00
NC
148.70
6900
6800
-25.81
Karimpur(WB)
3.00
-70
43.00
3150
3150
NC
Perinthalmanna(Ker)
2.90
NC
59.70
2500
2500
-19.35
Jeypore(Ori)
1.50
-40
23.90
3250
1700
-12.16
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
1.50
NC
73.10
2000
2000
-9.09
Sardhana(UP)
1.20
20
56.90
2150
2150
2.87
Shillong(Meh)
1.00
42.86
37.00
3500
3500
NC
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8336239.ece





Rice Prices

as on : 11-03-2016 12:56:28 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals
Price
Current
%
change
Season 
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Gadarpur(Utr)
3552.00
18.05
79262.00
2139
2100
16.25
Kanpur(Grain)(UP)
425.00
1.19
7490.00
2120
2140
-3.20
Bazpur(Utr)
300.00
-75
24788.41
1200
1900
-42.83
Gondal(UP)
249.00
-3.11
10573.10
2060
2050
1.48
Srirampur(ASM)
160.00
14.29
4005.00
2500
2950
-1.96
Mathabhanga(WB)
120.00
NC
2900.00
1950
1950
2.63
Kalipur(WB)
110.00
4.76
3665.00
2050
2000
NC
Lanka(ASM)
40.00
33.33
1920.00
1750
1750
-
Jaunpur(UP)
35.00
-7.89
1019.00
1960
1950
0.51
Udala(Ori)
34.00
161.54
652.00
2700
2700
8.00
Gazipur(UP)
30.00
-30.23
1182.00
1940
1930
-4.90
Purulia(WB)
30.00
-16.67
1464.00
2200
2200
-8.33
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
25.00
-16.67
1115.00
3000
3000
-
Jayas(UP)
25.00
-
65.00
2025
-
-
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
25.00
13.64
399.00
1850
1850
-13.95
Firozabad(UP)
18.00
5.88
422.00
2100
2110
3.45
Kolaghat(WB)
18.00
12.5
404.00
2300
2300
9.52
Dibrugarh(ASM)
16.00
28
818.80
2400
2400
-
Champadanga(WB)
16.00
14.29
572.00
2350
2300
-11.32
Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)
16.00
-11.11
442.00
2300
2300
15.00
Bijnaur(UP)
14.00
27.27
388.00
2210
2210
-
Kannauj(UP)
13.50
-10
248.80
2180
2180
0.46
Mirzapur(UP)
13.00
8.33
1089.00
1925
1935
-0.52
Deogarh(Ori)
9.50
5.56
315.50
2500
2500
NC
Raibareilly(UP)
8.00
6.67
239.00
2070
2060
3.50
Chengannur(Ker)
7.00
NC
396.50
2600
2400
-7.14
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
6.60
-73.39
1025.80
1900
1900
-
Perinthalmanna(Ker)
2.90
NC
62.60
2500
2500
-19.35
Darjeeling(WB)
2.50
-7.41
60.10
2800
2800
3.70
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
2.00
33.33
75.10
2000
2000
-9.09
Sardhana(UP)
1.00
-16.67
57.90
2140
2150
2.15
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8341526.ece


Indian artists thrive at Dubai Global Village


The Indian pavilion attracts thousands of visitors daily. While the 340 odd stalls here buzz with activity, these four seasoned artists are winning hearts and also being rewarded handsomely
Published: 18:05 March 9, 2016
The mother–son duo have been part of the Global Village for 15 years, impressing visitors with their masterful henna work. Hailing from the state of Rajasthan, they are highly proficient in both traditonal Indian as well as Arabic henna designs.“People here like our work and there’s a strong demand for Indian designs among the visitors. We have a steady stream of customers daily and they keep us busy,” says Guddi as she and Bittu adorn the hands of Afghan expat Mora Akhtar and her mother Ramila with intricate henna motifs.
The two customers are elated with the result, not least because they have been given a 50 per cent discount – Dh15 for one side instead of Dh30.“I have a tough life at home and every dirham I make is important. Every year I take home at least Dh10,000 at the end of the season after paying for accommodation and food,” says Guddi.
Karayil Sadanandan, the caricaturist
Karayil Sadanandan recently left a job with a publishing firm where he worked as a cartoonist so he could dedicate more time doing caricatures at the Global Village. “There is a lot more money here,” he says. “I make around Dh15,000 a month, something I could never imagine in my previous job.”As we chat, an Egyptian couple approach him to do their caricature. After both parties settle for a price of Dh60, Sadanandan picks up the pencil and goes about his craft. He adds a bit of colour to the image with marker pens. In 10 minutes the caricature is done. The couple are happy with the outcome and flash a big smile. “To me their smile is the biggest compliment,” says Sadanandan, who hails from Kerala.

Jagdish Lal, the rice grain artist
Having one’s name etched on a grain of rice brings luck and happiness, says Jagdish Lal from New Delhi who has come to the Global Village for the 16th time. “This is like my second home. I work here for nearly six months in a year,” he tells XPRESS. He shows us a 000-sized brush which he says has been with him for years. “This is what earns me the bucks.”He picks a long grain of Indian basmati rice and starts etching a name on it. “I can write up to 26 characters.”
 When finished, he puts it inside a glass tube with oil. The oil helps the grain stay in place while the glass acts like a magnifying lens, showing the name clearly. “People use this as a key chain or pendant.” Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_22
Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_02He says his earnings at Global Village have helped him fund the education of his children, adding he takes home at least Dh17,000 every season (he charges Dh15 a grain.) “In India, I make only half of that or even less in a year.”
Joby Chacko, the portrait maker
Joby Chacko from Kerala makes no bones about how fortunate he is to be showcasing his art at the Global Village. Coming here for 15 years, Chacko says he get richer by Dh150,000 at the end of every season.Charging Dh100 for a charcoal portrait, Joby says he does at least 10 of them in a day. “On weekends, the number doubles. This year with the rupee devaluating, I will be taking home a lot more money.”
Gulf news people
 Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_11Description: XNE_160218_GV_ARTISTS_INDIAN_18

Asia Frontier Capital's Travel Report To Iran

Description: Asia Frontier Capital Ltd.
Long only, value, growth at reasonable price, long-term horizon
Iran has two stock exchanges, and over 600 listed shares with a market capitalization of USD 140 billion.The market is trading at a discount to other frontier/emerging markets.Due to the ongoing sanctions, US investors are not allowed to invest in Iran directly currently.Dedicated Iran equity funds (including Asia Frontier Capital) are in the process to be launched for non-US investors - but not yet launched due to the FX transfer issues.Short-term alternatives: The french car manufacturer Peugeot.
In line with our process of being on the ground in the countries we invest in, Thomas Hugger (CEO and Fund Manager the AFC Asia Frontier Fund), traveled to Iran to attend a conference in Tehran.
Having waited anxiously for three hours at the Dubai Airport for the final leg of my journey to Iran, I was eager to board the Emirates B-777 flight to Tehran. Espen, an investor in our AFC funds, wrote a report of his trip to Iran for ourJuly 2015 AFC newsletter and had compared what he saw with the popular movie "Argo". I was looking forward to forming my own impressions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country rich in history, crippled by economic isolation, and now attracting the interest of foreign investors in the wake of sanctions relief.
The flight seemed no different from other routes arriving and departing from Dubai, though there was a noticeably large representation of women, the majority of whom were not wearing hijabs or headscarves. I was one of the few Westerners on board. The plane was nearly at full capacity, and I saw Russians, Italians, Chinese, Koreans, and another Swiss compatriot, but no Americans or British. After tasting my first delicious Persian meal (and sipping my last beer for a while), we began our descent from the 1 hour 40 minute flight, and to my surprise, there was no change in appearance of my fellow female passengers. Even after touching down at the huge Tehran International Airport, there was still no change.
We arrived at the small international terminal building, and only when the airplane door opened did the women suddenly down their colorful headscarves. Many of the women barely covered half of their heads! I knew this trip was going to be very different from my previous travels to conservative Middle Eastern countries.

11th March 2016 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Global Rice Quotes
March 10th, 2016
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade           370-380           ↔
Vietnam 5% broken     365-375           ↔
India 5% broken          365-375           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken     335-345           ↔
Myanmar 5% broken   420-430           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken 410-420           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           440-450           ↓
Uruguay 5% broken    445-455           ↔
Argentina 5% broken   435-445           ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 350-360           ↔
Vietnam 25% broken   355-365           ↔
Pakistan 25% broken   305-315           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken            395-405           ↔
India 25% broken        330-340           ↔
U.S. 15% broken (sacked)       460-470           ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd             365-375           ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd      NQ       ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd           355-365           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       480-490           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken     520-530           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken             NQ       ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%           660-670           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         450-460           ↔
India basmati 2% broken         NQ       ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken    NQ       ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 755-765           ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super       330-340           ↑
Vietnam 100% broken             340-350           ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd     285-295           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super    335-345           ↔
India 100% broken stxd          260-270           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens   NQ       ↔
U.S. pet food   280-290           ↔
Brazil half grain           NQ       ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Oryza CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Finish Lower but Close Well off Session Low as Outside Markets Provide Last Minute Support


Mar 11, 2016
Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery settled 4 cents were cwt (about $1 per ton) lower at $10.345 per cwt (about $228 per ton). The other grains finished the day higher; Soybeans closed about 0.4% higher at $8.8925 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.9% higher at $4.7700 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.9% higher at $3.6275 per bushel.
U.S. stocks held lower in choppy trade Thursday as oil prices fell and concerns about the effectiveness of monetary policy rose following the morning's announcements from the European Central Bank. Draghi surprised markets by saying he didn't anticipate a need to reduce rates further, although new facts can change the situation and the outlook. The euro extended earlier gains in afternoon trade, rising above $1.12 to its highest since Feb 15. The euro initially turned lower following the ECB announcement to trade near $1.08, its lowest since Feb. 1. In U.S. economic news, weekly jobless claims declined 18,000 to a seasonally adjusted 259,000 for the week ended March 5, the lowest reading since mid-October, the Labor Department said in a Reuters report on Thursday.
The prior week's claims were revised to show 1,000 fewer applications received than previously reported. In afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average traded down 123 points, or 0.73%, to 16,876. The S&P 500 traded down 12 points, or 0.6%, to 1,976, with information technology leading eight sectors lower and materials and telecommunications the only advancers. The Nasdaq composite declined 49 points, or 1.05%, to 4,625. Gold is seen trading about 1.3% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 1.2% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 1.2% lower at about  2:00pm Chicago time.
Wednesday, there were 840 contracts traded, up from 352 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Wednesday increased by 249 contracts to 12,172. 

Experts Advise Vietnam Businesses to Grow Rice in Cambodia to Boost Exports to EU

Mar 10, 2016

An official from the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia suggested that Vietnam businesses should consider growing rice in Cambodia to boost exports to the EU as Cambodia enjoys a preferential tariff of zero percent on rice exports to the EU under the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement, according to local sources.
Experts opine that Vietnam traditionally exports to the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in ASEAN, and markets such as Africa and South America, but Vietnamese businesses find it difficult to penetrate into the EU and U.S, markets as they are more demanding on quality aspects.
He noted that businesses could either set up husking and processing rice plants in Cambodia, or organize production in Cambodia for export. He said setting up such processes in Cambodia would help the Cambodian rice sector also, which is in need of around $300 million capital to improve its infrastructure.
He also noted that this could help Vietnamese exporters to build a quality rice brand.

Drought Likely to Affect 80,000 Hectares of Rice Fields in Central Thailand, Says Agriculture Minister

Mar 10, 2016

On-going drought conditions are likely to ruin about half a million rai (80,000 hectares) of rice fields in Central Thailand, local sources quoted the Agriculture and cooperatives Minister.
Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, the Minister noted that off-season rice crops are severely affected by water shortages while seasonal crops are not that badly affected since most of them were harvested by now.
About 400,000 rai (around 64,000 hectares) of rice fields along the Chao Phraya river in the central region are the most affected, he said. Off-season rice is planted in a total of 3.5 million rai (around 560,000 hectares) along the Chao Phraya river, according to the Minister. Of this about 1.98 million rai (around 316,800 hectares) are plants within the irrigation zone and the remaining are planted outside the zone.  He noted that harvesting is complete in only 940,000 rai (around 150,400 hectares).
The Minister reportedly ordered the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives to sort out long-term strategies for water use in all provinces by the end of this month.
In a recent report, the USDA Post forecast Thailand's MY 2015-16 (January - December 2016) paddy rice production at around 24 million tons, down from last year's 29.4 million tons. It forecast Thai off-season paddy production to decline about 57% y/y to around 3.1 million tons.

Thailand Rice Sellers Increase Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged

Mar 10, 2016

Thailand rice sellers increased their quotes for A1 super white broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $330-$340 per ton today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged today.                      
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about $5 per ton discount to Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $365 - $375 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton, about $30 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $335 - $345 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $5 per ton discount to Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $355- $365 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.
Parboiled Rice           
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton, about $50 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $10 per ton discount to Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $340 - $350 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $260 - $270 per ton, about $25 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton.

Life Cycle Assessment Tool Can Help Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Rice Production, Say Researchers

Mar 10, 2016

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool can be used to mitigate the negative impact of rice production on environment, according to researchers.
A Japanese professor from Tohoku University noted that the LCA tool would help rice farmers to effectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice production and cope with climate change.
Speaking in a lecture at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), he said the LCA  enables rice researchers to analyze the environmental impacts of rice production at every stage, and take necessary actions to mitigate the negative impacts. “Using LCA as a tool, we can evaluate the environmental effects of a product [like rice production] throughout its life cycle, from cradle to grave,” he says.
He noted that using LCA, Japanese rice producers discovered that most carbon-di-oxide emissions occur in the middle of the production and drying stage. Therefore, they moved from conventional tillage to a reduced tillage system, in which GHG emissions are relatively low.
A researcher from the PhilRice, who conducted a study on LCA, said: "When you do LCA, you will know each step in the rice-production process. You can identify which step produces the most emissions. From there, we plan our actions."
However, he noted that LCA is still not very popular in the Philippines and so he urged the Filipino researchers to use LCA, like in Japan and Australia, to reduce the harmful GHG emissions during rice production.

USA Rice Promotions Boost U.S. Rice Exports, Says Official

Mar 10, 2016

Promotional activities by the USA Rice Federation have helped boost sales in the major export markets of the U.S., Stuttgart Daily quotes the Chairman of the USA Rice International Promotion Committee.
For instance, he says the rice cooking classes conducted by the Federation in Mexico have helped to promote awareness about the U.S. rice among local people. They have also helped boost sales of U.S. rice in Mexico.
A survey of about 2,000 participants of USA Rice promotional activities in Mexico showed that prior to attending an event only 54% had a positive image of U.S. rice. The remaining of them saw it as time consuming to cook, fattening and limited in its use. However, the after participating in the USA Rice promotional activities, more than 90% of the participants reported a positive image of rice.

"This is just a snapshot of the consistent and positive results from the training USA Rice has conducted in Mexico for the past two decades that has led to increases in Mexican consumption of rice, most of which comes from the United States," added the official.

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

9th March 2016 Daily Exclusive Oryza Rice e-Newsletter by riceplus Magazine

India Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged

India rice sellers lowered their quotes for 5% broken rice and 100% broken rice by about $5 per ton each to around $365-$375 per ton and $260-$270 per ton respectively today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged today.                      
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about $10 per ton discount to Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $370 - $380 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton, about $30 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $335 - $345 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, on par with Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $350- $360 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.
Parboiled Rice           
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton, about $50 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $325 - $335 per ton, about $10 per ton discount to Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $335 - $345 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $260 - $270 per ton, about $25 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton.

Tags:

Drought and Salt Water Intrusion Damage More than 200,000 Tons of Rice in Vietnam, Says MARD


Mar 08, 2016
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reports that the on-going drought and salt water intrusion have damaged more than 200,000 tons of rice worth one trillion VND (around $44.64 million), according to Radio Free Asia.
The MARD noted that salt water intrusion appeared two months earlier than previous years due to lower water levels in rivers. If the drought persists until June this year, the Ministry expects about 500,000 hectares of rice crops to be at risk.
An expert from the Can Tho University told reporters that drought and more upstream agricultural development in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are pushing up the saline levels in rivers. Salinity in the Vam Co, Tien and Hau Rivers and other rivers in Mekong Delta is reportedly higher than traditional levels.
Last month, the Deputy Prime Minister announced 2.3 billion VND (around $103,132) aid for farmers in the Mekong Delta region.
Meanwhile, exporters are worried that a likely lower production due to drought an salinity may impact exports as well. They say lack of water for irrigation has reduced the quality of Vietnamese rice and its competitiveness against rice from other countries in the region.
So far this year, Vietnamese rice exporters have signed contracts to export more than 1 million tons. Vietnam exported 856,219 tons of rice in first two months of 2016, up about 103% from 421,202 tons of rice exported during same period in last year, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). 
In order to boost exports to high-end markets, experts are stressing on the need to invest in improving rice varieties, developing more large-scale fields, building trademarks, and expanding trade promotion programs.
 Global Rice Quotes
March 9th, 2016
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade           370-380           ↔
Vietnam 5% broken     365-375           ↓
India 5% broken          365-375           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken     335-345           ↔
Myanmar 5% broken   420-430           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken 410-420           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           455-465           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    445-455           ↔
Argentina 5% broken   435-445           ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 350-360           ↔
Vietnam 25% broken   355-365           ↑
Pakistan 25% broken   305-315           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken            395-405           ↔
India 25% broken        330-340           ↔
U.S. 15% broken (sacked)       440-450           ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd             365-375           ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd      NQ       ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd           355-365           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       480-490           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken     520-530           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken             NQ       ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%           660-670           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         450-460           ↑
India basmati 2% broken         NQ       ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken    NQ       ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 755-765           ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super       325-335           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken             340-350           ↑
Pakistan 100% broken stxd     285-295           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super    335-345           ↔
India 100% broken stxd          260-270           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens   NQ       ↔
U.S. pet food   280-290           ↔
Brazil half grain           NQ       ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Syria Issues Tender to Buy 8,113 Tons of White Long-Grain Rice

Mar 08, 2016
Syria's General Foreign Trade Organization (GFTO) has issued a tender to purchase 8,113 tons of white long-grain rice of third class, according to a notice dated March 7, 2016, on its website.
Rice is for delivery in three tranches between June 15, 2016 to December 15, 2016. The schedule of delivery is as below:
Offers should be submitted to GFTO Secretariat by 3 p.m. Damascus time, March 22, 2016, according to the notice. Tender closes on March 23, 2016 and the offers will be valid for 60 days from closing date.
This is the third tender issued by the GFTO this year. The first two tenders were also for 8,113 tons of white long-grain rice each.

Oryza February 2016 Rice Market Review
Mar 09, 2016

The Oryza White Rice Index (WRI), a weighted average of global white rice export quotes, ended the month of February at $382 per ton, down about $4 per ton from a month ago and down about $37 per ton from a year ago.
Thailand
Thailand 5% broken rice quotes ended the month of February at about $360 per ton, down about $10 per ton from a month ago and down about $45 per ton from a year ago.
The government of Thailand has sold about 397,639 tons of stockpiled rice in the two auctions this year. The government currently holds about 13 million tons of rice in its stockpiles and it is reportedly planning to clear the stocks by the end of 2017. The Thai military government has reportedly sold about 5 million tons of stockpiled rice worth $1.5 billion since it seized power in May 2014. Separately, the Thai Commerce Ministry is considering opening the auctions of stockpiled rice to foreign bidders as part of its efforts to sell at least 5 million tons of rice from the stockpiles this year.
Meanwhile, the government set Thailand’s 2016 rice export target at about 9.5 million tons, down about 5% from about 10 million tons exported in 2015, due to the impact of extended drought conditions on this year's production. The USDA Post reports that Thailand's 2015 rice exports declined about 11% to about 9.8 million tons from about 11 million tons in 2014 mainly due to a sharp decline in parboiled rice exports. The Post forecasts Thailand's 2016 rice exports to further decline to about 8 million tons.
The USDA Post forecasts Thailand's MY 2015-16 (January - December 2016) paddy rice production at about 24 million tons, down from last year's 29.4 million tons and down from USDA's official estimates of about 29.4 million tons due to a sharp reduction in off-season rice acreage and production. Separately, Thailand's 2015-16 secondary rice crop (January - June) acreage declined by about half to about 800,000 hectares due to extending drought conditions, Bloomberg quotes Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives. Water levels in the country's dams stood at about 3.2 billion cubic meters as of February 15, 2016 compared to about 6.8 cubic meters on November 1, 2015. Authorities have been discouraging rice farmers  planting  the secondary rice crop due to insufficient water supplies.  The Prime Minister of Thailand said that the government is planning a new water resource management system based on the current water demand and supply conditions, as well as crop planning.
Vietnam
Vietnam 5% broken rice quotes ended the month of February at about $360 per ton, up about $5 per ton from a month ago and down about $10 per ton from a year ago.
Vietnam exported 856,219 tons of rice in first two months of 2016, about double the  421,202 tons of rice exported during same period in last year, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).  Separately, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has urged the trade counsellors and domestic rice exporting companies to reduce their dependence on China and expand into other markets including Europe, Japan, South Korea and the U.S.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been formally released in January 2016. The whole text will be in force after a legal verification as well as ratification by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. According to the Agreement text, the EU will completely remove duties on about 80,000 tons of rice imports annually from Vietnam, including 20,000 tons of husked rice imports, 30,000 tons of milled rice and 30,000 tons of aromatic rice imports. However, for other rice products, it will gradually remove tariffs over the next five years.
Experts have warned that increasing salt water intrusion in Vietnam is likely to impact the nation's rice production and exports significantly
Cambodia, Myanmar, & Laos
Cambodia 5% broken rice quotes ended the month of February at about $415 per ton, down about $15 per ton from a month ago, and down about $20 per ton from a year ago. Cambodia exported about 95,945 tons of milled rice in the first two months of 2016, up about 30% from about 73,597 tons exported during the same period last year, according to data from the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export Formality (SOWS-REF). Month-over-month, Cambodia's rice exports in February 2016 increased about 18% from about 44,033 tons in January 2016. Year-over-year Cambodia's rice exports in February 2016 increased about 38% from about 37,676 tons in February 2015. Meanwhile, Cambodian rice exporters have expressed concern that Cambodia lacks a comprehensive rice export policy, which they say could aid in boosting production and exports. They noted that despite winning the world's best rice competition for three consecutive years, the Cambodian rice industry continues to face challenges such as access to finance, as well as inadequate irrigation, milling and storage facilities. Cambodian rice exporters have also expressed concern that Cambodian rice exports to the EU under the Everything But Arms (EBA) Agreement would be impacted following the finalizing of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA), under which the EU has agreed to scrap duties on about 80,000 tons of Vietnamese rice annually. The EU reportedly accounts for about 40% of Cambodia's total rice exports.
Myanmar 5% broken rice quotes ended the month of February at about $425 per ton, up about $5 per ton a month ago and up about $10 per ton from a year ago. Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce is estimating the country's rice exports will fall sharply in FY 2015-16 (April - March) based on the current pace of exports. The Ministry data shows that Myanmar has so far in this fiscal year exported about 1.037 million tons, down about 17% from about 1.255 million tons exported during the same period last year. Myanmar exported 1.84 million tons of rice in FY 2014-15, with China accounting for about 70% of the country's exports. Meanwhile, officials from the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) urged the government to consider securing reserve rice stocks this year amid concerns of El Nino strengthening by the middle of this year.  The MRF officials reportedly suggested that the government purchase about 200,000 tons of rice for reserves.
The government of Laos is aiming to export one million tons of rice this year, local sources quoted the Director of the Department of Planning and Cooperation under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. In order to achieve the goal, the government targets a production of about 4.2 million tons of paddy in the 2015-16 season, according to the official.
India
India 5% broken rice quotes ended the month of February at about $365 per ton, up about $5 per ton from a month ago, and down about $30 per ton from a year ago.
The government of India forecasts India's 2015-16 (July - June) milled rice output to decline about 2% to about 103.61 million tons from about 105.48 million tons in 2014-15. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates India's MY 2015-16 rice production at about 100 million tons, down from last year's 104.8 million tons and unchanged from USDA's official estimates. The FAO forecasts India's 2015 paddy rice output to decline about 2% to about 155.407 million tons from about 158.210 million tons in 2014 due to an expected decline in secondary rabi rice crop (November - May).
The USDA forecasts India's exports in MY 2015-16 (October - September) at about 8 million tons, down about 33% from last year's 11.871 million tons and down from USDA's official estimates of about 8.5 million tons. Meanwhile, the government of India is hoping to secure a one million ton rice export deal with Indonesia, as the South East Asian nation is likely to witness a fall in its rice production this year due to the extending dry conditions. Separately, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has made it mandatory for all Indian rice mills/processing units exporting basmati rice to the U.S. to register with India's plant quarantine organization, National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), to ensure quality rice exports to the U.S.
Paddy procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other government agencies in the 2015-16 kharif marketing season (KMS) has reportedly reached about 28.412 million tons as on March 02, 2016, up about 21% from about 23.42 million tons last year. The government is targeting to procure about 30 million tons in KMS 2015-16.
An agricultural scientist has advised all the state governments in India to promote and popularize black rice cultivation, as it is full of therapeutic properties, according to The Hindu BusinessLine. He says, black rice has anti-carcinogenic properties and is known to arrest the growth of cancer cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-angiogenesic effects inhibit the formation of new blood vessels, which encourage tumour growth. Presence of anthocyanins in black rice specifically arrest growth of breast cancer cells, say researchers.
Pakistan
Pakistan 5% broken rice quotes ended the month of February at about $340 per ton, down about $5 per ton from a month and a year ago.
Pakistan exported about 2.445 million tons of rice (including 223,634 tons of basmati and 2.22 million tons of non-basmati) in the first seven months of FY 2015-16 (July 2015 - January 2016), up about 11% from about 2.196 million tons (290,013 tons of basmati and 1.91 million tons of non-basmati) exported during the same period in FY 2014-15, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Meanwhile, the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has urged the government to provide zero sales tax status to them as they are facing severe liquidity crunch due to pending tax refund claims.
Separately, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has resumed banking ties with Iran allowing all commercial banks and financial institutions in the country to restart business with their Iranian counterparts.
The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) under the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has selected 14 new rice hybrids for commercial cultivation in the country. The new varieties are said to have yielded about 106 maunds per acre (about 10.6 tons per hectare). It has advised the National Seed Council to push for their commercial cultivation.
Bangladesh's Agriculture Ministry may import seeds of hybrid rice varieties from India, the Daily Star quoted the Director General of the Ministry’s Seed Wing. The Ministry is reportedly considering some popular rice varieties grown in India, and imported by Bangladeshi farmers through border trade. Separately, an agro processing, seed and crop solution company in Bangladesh has collaborated with the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to enhance varietal rice breeding in the country.
The government of Sri Lanka, which has about 200,000 tons of surplus paddy rice, is planning to export it to the Southern African nations, according to the Sunday Times Sri Lanka. The government is also planning to clear the excess rice stocks by distributing it among the recipients of its social welfare scheme 'Samurdhi.' The government of Sri Lanka is reportedly expecting paddy rice output from the 2015-16 Maha crop (September - March) at about 2.93 million tons, up about 7% from about 2.74 million tons last year.
The FAO estimates Bhutan's MY 2015-16 (July - June) rice imports at about 70,000 tons. The agency estimates Bhutan's 2015 paddy rice production to increase about 1% to about 78,000 tons from about 77,000 tons in 2014.
Philippines
The government of the Philippines may not import rice for the lean season (July-September) this year due to adequate stocks, the Manila Times reports. The country's Food Security Committee (FSC) has reportedly deferred the plan to import about 400,000 tons of rice for the lean season as the current rice inventories and the output from the dry season are sufficient to cover the country's demand. Normally, the government imports rice during lean months to ensure adequate stocks and to curb price hikes.
Separately,  a Senior Research Fellow at the state-run Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) has advised the government to consider imposing a 35% tariff on rice imports after the WTO-imposed quantitative restrictions (QRs) on rice imports expire in July 2017, according to local sources.
The researcher noted that the expiration of QRs would intensify competition among rice importers and foreign suppliers leading to a fall in domestic prices and affecting the incomes of local farmers and traders. The World Bank Lead Economist advised the government of the Philippines to remove quantitative restrictions on rice imports and open the rice import market to avoid unnecessary price increases and enhance the efficiency of the rice sector.
The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) is also targeting to cut the production cost of paddy rice by about 22% to about P 8.50 per kilogram (about $178 per ton) from about P 11 per kilogram (about $231) as part of its efforts to help farmers become more competitive. Meanwhile, extending dry conditions due to the El Niño phenomenon have damaged about 94,934 tons of rice worth P1.62 billion (about $24 million) as of February 18, 2016 in the Philippines, Business Mirror quoted a report by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
China
China imported about 287,200 tons of rice in January 2016, about 2.3 times from about 122,400 tons imported during the same period last year, according to data from China Customs General Administration. Meanwhile, in January 2016, China exported about 22,200 tons of rice, down about 20% from about 27,900 tons exported in December 2015 and up about 15% from about 19,300 tons exported in January 2015.
Meanwhile, China is currently facing rice storage problems due to the government's procurement policy at high prices, according to experts, reports Caixin Online. Though the policy is very attractive to farmers, they are now the victims as the state grain buying agency Sinograin is not in a position to buy rice as all its warehouses are filled up. While Sinograin's warehouses can hold up to 500,000 tons of rice annually, it had to buy nearly 1.7 million tons of rice in 2013, 1.2 million tons in 2014 and 1.5 million tons in 2015.
Separately, the government of China is planning to clear old rice and corn stocks and has asked local grains administrations to recommend potential buyers of the stocks. Separately, China is left with very few options to deal with its massive grain stockpiles, but all outcomes are bad for global grain markets, a senior USDA official said.
The FAO forecasts china's MY 2015-16 (June - May) rice imports to decline about 6% y/y due to government's efforts to limit informal imports. The agency forecasts China's 2015 paddy rice output at about 208.25 million tons, up from about 206.507 million tons in 2014 due to favourable weather conditions.
Indonesia
The government of Indonesia is targeting to produce about 76.22 million tons of paddy rice in 2016, up about 1.1% from an estimated 75.36 million tons in 2015, Reuters quoted the Director General of Food Crops at the Agriculture Ministry. Separately, the Director of procurement at the state logistics agency Bulog said that the country may not import rice this year due to adequate stocks.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Agriculture Minister has highlighted the need to shorten the rice supply chain in the country in order ensure fair prices to consumers as well as the farmers.
Latin America
Brazil’s National Grains Supply Company (Conab) forecasts Brazil's 2015-16 paddy rice production at about 11.5 million tons, down about 7.7% from an estimated 12.44 million tons in 2014-15 due to a likely reduction in acreage and yield. Conab's production forecast is also down about 1% from its January forecast of about 11.63 million tons. Brazil rice stocks stood at about 110,388 tons in January 2016, down about 4% from about 115,126 tons in December 2015 and down over 50% from about 240,544 tons in January 2015, according to Conab.
Brazil exported about 96,050 of rice in January 2016, up about 37% from about 69,913 tons exported in January 2015, according to data released by the Rice Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IRGA).
Five percent broken rice from Uruguay and Argentina quotes ended the month of February at about $440 per ton, down about $30 per ton from a  month ago and down about $160 per ton from a year ago.
The USDA Post forecasts Argentina's MY 2015-16 (December 2015 - November 2016) paddy rice production at about 1.262 million tons, down about 17% from an estimated 1.523 million tons in MY 2014-15, and down from the USDA's official estimates of about 1.431 million tons. The Post forecasts Argentina's 2016 rice exports to increase to about 520,000 tons from an estimated 400,000 tons in 2015.
The USDA Post forecasts Peru's MY 2016-17 (April - March) milled rice imports at about 220,000 tons, unchanged from the previous year. USDA is yet to publish its official estimates. The Post reports that Peru imported about 237,987 tons of rice in the calendar year (CY) 2015. The Post estimates that some 50,000 MT of paddy rice were unofficially exported from Peru to Ecuador in CY 2015.
Bolivia's 2015 paddy rice production increased by about 25% to about 472,000 tons from about 378,000 tons in 2014, according to the FAO.
U.S.
U.S. 4% broken rice quotes ended the month of February at about $460 per ton, down about $10 per ton from a  month ago and down about $20 per ton from a year ago.
The USDA lowered the U.S. all rice paddy average farm prices to about $242.51-$255.73 per ton from its last month's forecast of $279.98 - $302.03 per ton, based on reported prices to date and expectations regarding prices for the remainder of the market year.
Separately, The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is considering cutting trading hours for rice futures as well as changing its delivery instrument from warehouse receipts to shipping certificates.
Africa
The government of Rwanda may stop importing rice by 2018 as part of its efforts to reduce the bulging trade deficit, according to local sources. Rwanda imported about $37 million worth rice in 2015 compared to about $31.1 million in 2014. The country 's trade deficit stood at about $1,761.3 million in 2015. Higher deficit is attributed to a fall in the country’s exports due to falling global prices.
The FAO estimates Tanzania's MY 2015-16 (July-June) rice imports at about 100,000 tons.
It estimates Tanzania's 2015 paddy rice production to decline about 7% to about 2.4 million tons from about 2.586 million tons in 2014. In Tanzania, rice is a Msimu/unimodal crop and is grown between November – June every year.
Europe
The EU imported about 583,986 tons of rice during the period September 1, 2015 - February 23, 2016, up about 18% from about 493,787 tons imported during the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) total milled rice production (Japonica and Indica) is estimated at about 1.772 million tons in the marketing/crop year (MY) 2015-16 (September 2015 - August 2016), up about 8% from an estimated 1.637 million tons in MY 2014-15, according to the latest balance sheet published by the EU Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development (EU-DGARD). 
Other Markets
The FAO forecasts Iran to import about 1.2 million tons of rice in 2015-16 (April-March) despite an increase in 2015 paddy rice production. The agency estimates Iran's 2015 paddy rice production to increase by about 17% to about 2.7 million tons from about 2.3 million tons during the previous year.
The FAO forecasts South Korea to import 440,000 tons of rice in 2016. The agency estimates South Korea's 2015 paddy rice production at about 5.8 million tons, up about 2% from about 5.638 million tons in 2014 due to favourable weather conditions, which boosted yields to an all-time record of 7.2 tons per hectare. Separately, the government of South Korea is planning to purchase about 157,000 tons of rice from local farmers next month as part of its efforts to stabilize prices, Yonhap News quotes a ruling party lawmaker. It will reportedly spend about 140 billion won (about $113.6 million) for the purpose. Meanwhile, the government of South Korea is planning to sell old rice from its stocks to animal feed industry as part of efforts to handle increasing rice inventory and declining consumption as well as to reduce corn imports, Yonhap News quoted the Agriculture Ministry.
The FAO forecasts Japan's MY 2015-16 (April - March) rice imports at about 700,000 tons. The agency forecasts Japan's 2015 paddy rice production at about 10.2 million tons, down about 5% from 10.77 million tons in 2014 due to a reduction in the paddy area reflecting a decline in prices. Separately, Japanese rice traders are expecting the country to import more rice this year due to an increase in domestic prices.
The USDA has estimated Malaysia's milled rice imports to increase to about 1.05 million tons in MY 2015-16 (January 2016 - December 2016), up about 5% from about one million tons in MY 2014-15 due to an expected slight increase in local demand. In 2015, Malaysia imported about one million tons of rice worth $515 million. The agency estimates Malaysia's MY 2015-16 milled rice production to remain stable at last year's level of about 1.8 million tons due to the prevailing of dry weather conditions in 2015. Meanwhile, the FAO forecasts Malaysia's 2015 paddy rice production at a record 2.7 million tons, up about 2% from about 2.645 million tons in 2014 despite a slight contraction in paddy area due to favourable weather conditions, increased yields and continued government support to the rice sector.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) forecasts Australia's MY 2015-16 (April 2015 - March 2016) paddy rice production to decline to about 305,000 tons (about 240,950 tons, basis milled), down about 58% from an estimated 724,000 tons (about 570,380 tons, basis milled) in MY 2014-15.
Ukraine's 2016 rice output is expected to increase about 12% due to an expected increase in acreage by about 23%, local sources quoted the Director of the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economics."
February Tenders:
Syria has issued a tender to purchase 8,113 tons of white long-grain rice of third class.
South Korea issued a tender to buy about 40,000 tons of non-glutinous rice in tenders for delivery between May 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016; and bought about 25,000 tons of rice of the U.S. and Indian origins.
Iraq is seeking to buy about 30,000 tons of rice in tenders from the U.S., Uruguay and Argentina.
The Mauritius’ state purchasing agency has issued an international tender to purchase up to 6,000 tons of long-grain white rice.
Taiwan has completed the 2016 U.S. rice Simultaneous Buy and Sell (SBS) tender of 35,600 tons at the first scheduled held on February 18.
Research and Scientific Development:
The President of India has highlighted the need for more research in developing climate-resilient rice varieties, which can withstand extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods and cyclones.
Researchers from the University of Vertinary and Animal Sciences have found means to replace wheat bran with rice husk in animal feed industry.
The USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is developing a new software called "Rice Studio," which can be used along with consumer-grade photo scanners, to grade rice by measuring the percentage of broken kernels in milled rice quickly and accurately.
A group of scientists from twelve universities in eight countries are working to develop a new hyper-efficient, drought-resistant rice variety known as C4.
South Korea's Rural Development Administration is planning to encourage local companies to produce medicines and other health products using black rice as it contains one of the highest levels of anthocyanin antioxidants, which act as anti-cancer agents.
Researchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have adapted the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique, which has been proven useful in detecting viruses in animals and humans, to detect viruses in rice plants.
Indian scientists are trying to develop rice varieties that can yield rice in drought conditions.
Researchers from the University of Western Australia have launched a plant proteins database called Crop Proteins with Annotated Locations (CropPAL) to help scientists to get more targeted information on breeding new rice varieties.
The Life+Ebro-Admiclim project carried out by the researchers at the Institute of Research & Technology Food & Agriculture (IRTA) in Spain aims to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in rice fields.
A scientist from the University of Philippines in Los Baños is developing a mechanical device called Mechanical Postharvest Pest Removal System (MPReS) to easily remove pests from rice and corn in an environment-friendly manner.

 

Cambodian Rice Federation Reiterates Need for Government Intervention to Protect Local Farmers and Millers


Mar 08, 2016

Members of the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF) have written a letter to the Commerce Ministry to effectively deal with the challenges faced by the local rice sector, according to the Khmer Times.

The CRF letter follows a letter from a group of millers and exporters called the Rice Industry Strategic Key Solution (RISKS) to the Ministry. Last week, the group had written to the Ministry urging it to act quickly on the issues faced by the country's rice sector. They also warned in the letter that if the government does not take immediate steps, most of the exporters and millers are likely to become bankrupt very soon. The mainly highlighted on increasing imports from Vietnam and lack of finance facilities to traders and exporters.

The letter by the Federation urged the Ministry to act quickly on the above issues. According to the letter, the CRF has identified short-, medium- and long-term solutions for the problems faced by the rice sector.

In the short-term, the CRF has asked the government to curb rice imports from Vietnam by mandating all rice importers to have import licenses. In the medium- and long-term, the CRF stated that the government should address problems of paddy storage facilities, high interest rates on loans and high electricity costs for millers.

“It has a huge impact on Cambodian farmers, consumers and rice millers. It is not too late to act now, but it will be too late if the recommendations of the rice millers and exporters are not taken into account and implemented soon,” said one of the top rice exporters.
The CRF President noted that the federation is committed to working closely with the government, relevant ministries and stakeholders to resolve the issues facing the rice sector.

 

Oryza CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Fall as Traders Make Adjustments to Holdings ahead of USDA S&D Report


Mar 09, 2016

Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery settled $0.165 cents were cwt (about $4/ton) lower at $10.535 per cwt (about $232 per ton). The other grains finished the day higher; Soybeans closed about 0.3% higher at $8.8450 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.5% higher at $4.6525 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.4% higher at $3.6050 per bushel.

U.S. stocks held lower in choppy trade Tuesday after weaker-than-expected Chinese trade data renewed concerns about global growth. The major averages came well off session lows in midday trade as gains in utilities, telecoms and consumer staples offset declines in energy. China's exports fell 25.4% year-over-year in February, more than expected and the largest since May 2009, according to Reuters. The trade surplus was at $32.59 billion in February, versus analysts' expectations of a $50.15 billion surplus. Analysts largely attributed the sharp drop in the data to a slowdown in business activity around the early February Lunar New Year holidays,
Reuters said. Exports for the first two months of the year were still down 17.8% and imports off 16.7% from the same period last year.

 The data also showed China's February crude oil imports jumped 20% on year to their highest ever on a daily basis, driven by import quotas and stockpiling. In afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average declined 25 points, or 0.15%, to 17,048. The S&P 500 traded down 9 points, or 0.47%, at 1,992, with energy leading six sectors lower and consumer staples leading advancers. The Nasdaq composite declined 17 points, or 0.38%, to 4,681. Gold is seen trading about 0.1% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 4.2% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.1% higher at about  2:30pm Chicago time.

Monday, there were 677 contracts traded, up from 352 contracts traded on Friday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Monday increased by 70 contracts to 11,919. 

 

Losses from Thai Rice Pledging Scheme Higher Than Previous Estimates, Says Government Official

Mar 08, 2016

The Finance Ministry committee that is looking into the accounts of the rice pledging scheme, introduced by the previous government, has reported that the actual losses from the scheme are higher than the earlier estimates of around 680 billion baht (around $19 billion), according to local sources.Following the second meeting with the committee this year, the Permanent Secretary of Finance told reporters that the losses have crossed the earlier estimated figure due to the deterioration of the stockpiled rice and falling rice prices. He also noted that the losses may be higher than the initial predictions if the interest rates and the rental fees are also taken into account. He affirmed that no rice had gone missing from the stockpiles.

The official, however, did not reveal the details of the scheme's total losses and costs. The committee's report is likely to be presented to the National Rice Policy Commission next week.
It is likely that the committee's report may be used as evidence as the former Prime Minister and former Commerce Minister in the rice pledging case.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Drop as South American Tender Offers Come in Well under U.S. Origin

 

Mar 09, 2016 
The U.S. cash market was weaker today after offers for the latest Iraqi tender were announced showing that yet again the U.S. was uncompetitive against South American origins.

Analysts note that the cheapest offer from the U.S. was $93 per ton more expensive than the cheapest offers from Argentina and $64 per ton more expensive than the cheapest offer from Uruguay.Adding to today’s bearish sentiment was the news that Argentina sold 15,000 MT of 5% broken bulk white rice to Mexico at $450 per ton CFR Veracruz.

Mexico is the U.S.’s main export market and analysts note if the U.S. loses substantial market share in that country it could be devastating to U.S. prices.

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