Australian Researchers Launch Public Plant
Proteins Database to Facilitate Crop Research
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, according to ABC Online.
Plant proteins help in breeding new crop varieties
because they dictate whether the crops can cope with things like drought,
rising temperatures and saline soils.
The Lead researcher of the database noted the resource
would help scientists to learn more about how the proteins work. "With
actually knowing which proteins you want to improve, increase or decrease or
change you might be able to do a more targeted approach and you might be able
to guide the breeding," she said.
"The protein location is a really important piece
of information because proteins within the cells work together in units. So
it's really important to know which units do which functions so that you can
link them to other parts of the cell," she added.
The database contains information on the location of
vital proteins in rice, wheat, maize and barley. The researchers are keen on
adding information on a further seven crop varieties by the end of 2017.
Cambodia Exports 95,945 Tons of Rice in the
First Two Months of 2016; Up 30% from Previous Year
Mar 03, 2016
Cambodia has exported around 95,945 tons of milled rice
in the first two months of 2016, up about 30% from around 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-on-month, Cambodia's rice exports in February
2016 increased about 18% from around 44,033 tons in January 2016. Year-on-year
Cambodia's rice exports in February 2016 increased about 38% from around 37,676
tons in February 2015.
The top three destinations during the month were China
(13,437 tons), France (6,068 tons) and Poland (5,246 tons), according to the
official data.
Cambodia has exported around 538,396 tons of milled
rice in 2015 (January - December), up about 39% from around 387,061 tons
exported during the same period last year. The government of Cambodia aimed to
increase official rice exports to one million tons in 2015 but missed the
target due to inadequate milling facilities and infrastructure as well as lack
of access to funding.
Index Increases Slightly m/m in February 2016
Mar 03, 2016
The FAO All Rice Price Index increased by two points or
1% to around 197 points in February 2016 from around 195 points in the previous
month. Before that, the index declined continuously for fifteen months from
September 2014 to November 2015.
According to the FAO, prices of the Lower quality
Indica sub-index remained stable at 181 points, while those of the Higher
Quality Indica sub-index increased by about 1 point or 0.5% to 180 points. The
Japonica sub-index increased by 4 points or 1.5% to 244 points due to firm
Egyptian quotations; and Aromatic sub-index declined by 1 point or 0.7% to 148
points.
In January - February 2016, the FAO All Rice Price
Index averaged 196 points, down about 11% from around 221 points during the
same period last year. Sub-index for higher quality Indica rice prices declined
about 6.1% y/y and sub-index for lower quality Indica rice prices declined
about 3.6% y/y. Aromatic rice price sub-index declined about 22.9% y/y, and the
sub-index for Japonica rice prices declined by about 13% y/y.
According to the FAO, Thai rice prices moved up, on a
stronger Baht and on expectations of new deals. Pakistan rice prices rose on
increased sales to Africa. India rice prices on very subdued import demand and
despite a strong pace of purchases by the government. Prices in Vietnam also
declined ahead of the imminent harvest of the winter/spring crop. Prices in the
U.S. Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil declined due to low demand.
During February 2015, average rice export quotations
(on fob basis) of Thai 100% broken rice, Thai parboiled rice, Thai 5% rice,
Thai 25% rice, Thai A1 Super rice and Thai Fragrant rice increased to around
$389 per ton, $390 per ton, $384 per ton, $374 per ton, $339 per ton and $783
per ton respectively.
Global Rice
Quotes
March 4th, 2016
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 365-375
↔
Vietnam 5% broken 360-370 ↑
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 350-360 ↑
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 430-440
↑
India basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 755-765 ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 325-335
↔
Vietnam 100% broken 330-340
↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 285-295
↔
Cambodia A1 Super 335-345 ↔
India 100% broken stxd 265-275
↔
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 U.S.
Rough Rice Recap - Prices Hold Steady Even as Exports Jump
Mar 04, 2016
The U.S. cash market was seen unchanged today despite
the USDA reporting stronger export sales than previous weeks.
Analysts note that new sales of paddy to Venezuela and
Colombia are a welcome surprise to the market. However, if prices are
going to stabilize or rally there will need to be a significant increase in
milled rice sales.
In the meantime, the USDA reported that cumulative
net export sales for the week that ended on February 25 totaled 91,200
tons, an increase of 64% from the previous week and 53% higher than the prior
4-week average.
Increases were reported for the following destinations:
30,000 tons to Venezuela, 26,000 tons to Colombia, 12,100 tons to Japan,
10,600 tons to Costa Rica including 5,200 tons switched from unknown
destinations, and 2,300 tons to El Salvador which was partially offset by
a 900 ton reductions from an unknown destination.
U.S. rice exporters shipped 38,100 tons, a decrease of
45% from than last week and 22% lower than the prior 4-week average.
Increases were reported for the following destinations:
13,000 tons to Haiti, 5,200 tons to Costa Rica, 5,100 tons to South Korea,
3,700 tons to Mexico, 3,200 tons to Jordan, 2,800 tons to Taiwan, and
1,900 tons to Canada.
FAO Forecasts 2015-16 Global Rice Production at
491.4 Million Tons; Slightly Down from Previous Year
In its March 2016 Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, the
UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) forecasts 2015-16 global
rice production at around 491.4 million tons, slightly down
from an estimated 494.7 million tons in 2014-15, and slightly down from its
last month's forecast of around 491.8 million tons. The FAO attributes the fall
to lower production prospects in India, Iran, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The FAO estimates 2015-16 global
rice utilization at around 498.3 million tons, up about 1.1%
from an estimated 492.8 million tons in 2014-15 due to a 1.3% increase in food
consumption. "Although the usage of rice in feeds remains relatively
small, it is forecast to grow by over 3 percent in 2015/16, stimulated by the
disposal of low quality supplies in China and Thailand and by the increasing
availability of rice specifically grown for feed purposes in Japan," says
the FAO.
The FAO estimates 2016 global rice stocks at around
167.2 million tons, down about 3% from an estimated 172.8 million tons in 2015,
and up from its last month's forecast of around 166.6 million tons. The FAO
expects the world stocks-to-use ratio down
to a four-year low of 32.9%.
The FAO estimates 2016 global rice trade at around
45.3 million tons, up about 0.4% from an estimated 45.1 million tons last year,
and slightly down from its last month's forecast of around 45.4 million tons.
The FAO expects lesser purchases by the Philippines and Sri Lanka in 2016.
Mauritius Tenders to Buy Up to 6,000 Tons of
White Rice
The Mauritius’ state purchasing agency has issued an
international tender to purchase up to 6,000 tons of long-grain white rice from
optional origins, Reuters quoted the European traders.
The tender deadline is March 15, 2016 with offers
remaining valid until April 29, 2016. The rice is reportedly expected to be
delivered between May 1, 2016 and August 31, 2016.
Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes Today;
Other Asia Quotes Unchanged
Mar 03, 2016
Vietnam rice sellers lowered their quotes for 5% broken
rice and 25% broken rice by about $5 per ton each to around $355-$365 per ton
and $345-$355 per ton respectively. 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 premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $355 - $365
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 premium on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $345-
$355 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 -
$375per 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 $5 per ton discount to Vietnam 100% broken rice
shown at around $330 - $340 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at
around $265 - $275 per ton, about $20 per ton discount to Pakistan broken
sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton.
Spanish Project Aims to Cut Greenhouse Gas
Emissions in Rice Fields
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, according to local sources.
Flooded rice fields are responsible for about 5 to 20%
of methane emissions. It is estimated that between 2005 and 2020 greenhouse gas
emissions from rice growth could increase by 16%.
Usually methane production occurs in rice fields when
these are flooded. The layer of water cuts off the oxygen supply to the soil
and the organic matter it contains is left for the anaerobic bacteria (those
that don´t need oxygen to grow) living in the soil to use. These bacteria
breakdown the organic matter and produce methane. Thus, rice plants per se do
not generate the methane, but they carry this gas from the soil where it is
produced to the surface, and consequently to the atmosphere.
The LIFE+ Ebro-Admiclim project has initially selected
15 representative rice fields in the Ebro Delta and monitored greenhouse gases,
soil, water, and agricultural and physical-chemical variables in these fields
on a monthly basis. The results obtained by IRTA´s researchers revealed two
seasonal periods for methane emissions, corresponding to the months of
July-August and October, the highest emissions occurring in October. Then the
researchers estimated the emissions for all the rice fields through this
project. They noted that all the rice fields in the region produced some 10,500
tons of methane per year.
Going further, the researchers will try to understand
the factors that greatly influence the methane production in the rice fields.
An IRTA researcher presented these results during the
12th Rice Technical Workshop held some days ago in the Ebro Delta.
USDA Post Estimates 2015-16 Malaysia Rice
Imports to Increase 5% y/y to 1.05 Million Tons
Mar 03, 2016
USDA Post has estimated
Malaysia's milled rice imports to increase to around 1.05 million tons in MY
2015-16 (January 2016 - December 2016), up about 5% from around one million
tons in MY 2014-15 due to an expected slight increase in local demand. In 2015,
Malaysia imported around one million tons of rice worth $515 million.The Post
estimates Malaysia's MY 2015-16 domestic consumption to slightly increase to
2.85 million tons due to a growth in the immigrant labor population. In
February 2016, the government had announced the possible recruitment of 1.5
million manual labor from Bangladesh to work in Malaysia.
The Post estimates
Malaysia's MY 2015-16 milled rice production to remain stable at last yea's
level of around 1.8 million tons due to the prevailing of dry weather
conditions in 2015. The Post expects a decline in yield despite an increase in
planting areas in East Malaysia. The government provides various incentives
such as subsidized seeds, fertilizer and pesticides to encourage increase in
paddy production. Currently, government's support price for paddy is around
RM1,200 (around $331) per ton. Government provides support to only 15% broken
rice variety.
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