.
Iran, Pakistan seal MoU on Zahedan-Quetta train
News ID:
3662096 -
TEHRAN, May 18 (MNA) – Iran and Pakistan have inked an MoU aiming
to develop trade relations via Quetta-Zahedan railroad. In a ceremony
in presence of Iranian and Pakistani officials on Tuesday, Director general of
Southeast Railways Seyed Mostafa Davoudi, who has travelled to Quetta as the
provincial capital of Baluchistan in Pakistan, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) over Quetta-Zahedan train which will ply on the 750-km
railroad once a week.In his visit to Baluchistan of Pakistan, Davoudi also met
and talked with the head and members of Quetta’s chamber of commerce
According to the newly-signed MoU, the two sides have agreed to
launch freight train service between Quetta and Zahedan on a regular basis in
order to escalate trade cooperation between Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan and
Pakistan’s Balochistan provinces as well as between the two countries.
The
Iranian official stressed during the meeting that establishment of regular
cargo train between the two neighboring states would enhance bilateral trade
and economic cooperation.Davoudi stressed that the new railway connection is
not restricted to two bordering provinces; rather, it marks a good platform for
businessmen from all over the country to run safe and inexpensive transport of
products.He added that according to another MoU it was agreed that railway
transportation in this route receives 10 to 30 percent price discount.A freight
train carrying rice from Pakistan had recently left for Iran’s Zahedan while
the train will also be capable of transporting fuel from Iran to Pakistan once
tankers are available.Quetta is located in Pakistan's Baluchistan province
while Zahedan is the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan province in southeast of
Iran
http://en.mehrnews.com/news/116677/Iran-Pakistan-seal-MoU-on-Zahedan-Quetta-train
Support for Rice Industry Paying Off
Khmer Times/May Kunmakara
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World
Bank group, has been helping finance Cambodia’s rice industry and from 2012 to
2015 has provided more than $140 million for the development of the industry
since the rice policy was released by the government to boost exports to one
million tons of milled rice.IFC on Wednesday released the results of the IFC’s
Rice Sector Support Program, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), over rice projects in Cambodia.
So far IFC has directly facilitated more than $140 million worth
of Cambodian rice exports, of which more than 50 percent involved the high-value
fragrant rice. With IFC support, 11 rice mills have obtained Hazard Analysis
and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification.The IFC has also provided
training to hundreds of rice millers and re-processors to improve operational
efficiency and quality control. In addition, IFC has helped more than 34,000
farmers in eight provinces learn about the latest farming techniques and adopt
improved fragrant rice seeds, it said.
“Today, IFC and the CRF (Cambodia Rice Federation) are hosting a knowledge sharing workshop to exchange ideas with government representatives, private sector stakeholders and development partners. Attendees will learn about IFC’s key lessons and achievements in the last five years and discuss the sector’s next steps including its current challenges, and ways to increase competiveness,” it said.Sok Puthyvuth, the president of the CRF, said Cambodia’s formal milled rice exports have significantly increased in the last five years, from approximately 100,000 metric tons in 2010 to 530,000 in 2015.“Thanks to support from IFC, our development partners and the government, we look forward to Cambodia’s rice sector advancing to the next level,” he said.
Kyle Kelhofer, the IFC Country Manager for Cambodia, the Lao
People’s Democratic Republic and Vietnam, said that rice production, processing
and marketing are estimated to employ more than 20 percent of the Cambodian
population, further proving the sector’s positive impact on job creation and
income growth.
“IFC seeks to add value to every step in the supply chain with
interventions on farming, milling and exporting levels so that the country can
better integrate into the regional and global economies,” said he said. Since
2010, the Cambodian rice industry has developed rapidly. To improve global
market accessibility, the country developed its first international rice
standards.Leading mills have also been encouraged to obtain food safety and
quality management certifications from international regulators. Such progress
has helped Cambodia achieve international acclaim, winning the World’s Best
Rice awards for three consecutive years from 2012 to 2014.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/25120/support-for-rice-industry-paying-off/
Rice Prices Surge as Thailand’s Drought Worsens
Rice Prices Surge as Thailand’s
Drought Worsens
BY RENE EMERY
BY RENE EMERY
Crab Fried Rice – Fried rice thai style Asia Thailand.
BANGKOK: — Thailand’s rice
prices have hit a two-year high following anticipation of lower supply due to
increasing drought conditions that have plagued Thailand this year. Honorary
president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Chookiat Ophaswongse, stated,
“Prices for all types of rice have risen.”
Prices have risen significantly
even from last month’s prices, according to the association. Glutinous rice is
up to US$900 a ton, up from US$867 last month. White rice prices have risen to
US$424 a ton, up from US$397 in April.
Hom Mali rice prices have remained
stable over the last month, at US$795 a ton. The free-on-board export price of
Hom Mali rice and higher demand for the rice from China caused Thai farmers to
shift much of their production to the staple. Demand for Hom Mali rose in Indonesia
and Malaysia, too. The surge in demand for Hom Mali has caused domestic
production for glutinous rice to drop.Full story:
https://ethailand.com/business-news/rice-prices-surge-thailands-drought-worsens/2649/
Commerce Ministry may hold fourth rice auction
The Nation May 19, 2016 5:12 pm
With good response to the recent rice bidding and strong demand in
the market, the Commerce Ministry is considering holding the fourth round of
rice auctions next month.
The aim is to clear out the government's stockpiles while serving
demand amid the low supplies in the market.Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general
of the Foreign Trade Department, said Thursday that the ministry will gradually
release rice from its stocks via bidding.
The fourth round is expected to be for possibly about a million
tonnes, she said
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Commerce-Ministry-may-hold-fourth-rice-auction-30286310.html
Asia Rice-Dry weather boosts export prices
Thai
5 pct broken prices hit two-year high
*
Vietnam's 5 pct broken rice at one-month high
*
Philippines to ban rice imports by private traders
By
Ho Binh Minh
HANOI,
May 18 (Reuters) - Thai rice prices surged this week to a two-year high as
drought cut output in Asia's top growers, which also boosted Vietnamese grain
prices and kept buying demand thin, traders said on Wednesday.Prices in
Thailand, the world's second biggest rice exporter after India, hit their
highest level since May 2014, ahead of the government's plan to reduce its
massive stockpiles. situation is due to drought, lesser output, and many crops
were unable to grow," said Kiattisak Kallayasirivat, a Bangkok-based
director at Ascend Commodities-SA.
"It
is almost mid-year now, so the demand has arrived, but with fewer supply or
shipments arriving, millers and exporters are rushing to buy rice," he
told Reuters.
This
week, Thai 5-percent broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 rose to $418-$420 a tonne,
free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, the highest since May 11, 2014, from $398-$400 a
tonne a week ago. RICE/ASIA1
Kiattisak
sees the price rising to $500 a tonne over the next two months.
Despite
the price hike, small orders were coming in while exporters have kept stocks
ready for loading, another rice trader said.Thai rice meant for exports, using
old-crop grain, is still being offered at a discount of around $20 a tonne to
Vietnamese rice of the same grade, making it more competitive, traders in
Vietnam said.
"Prices in Vietnam have
risen a bit in line with higher prices in the region, while there is no fresh
buying demand," said a trader at a foreign firm in Ho Chi Minh City.Demand
in Southeast Asia will also ease as the new Philippine administration will bar
private traders from importing rice, traders in Vietnam said. remained thin as
harvesting of the summer-autumn crop in Vietnam's Mekong Delta will begin in
July, while stocks of the better-quality winter-spring rice have thinned,
traders said.Vietnam's 5-percent broken rice, using winter-spring grain, rose
to $380-$385 a tonne, FOB Saigon Port for outright shipment, while the grade
also stood at $370-$375 a tonne for July/August loading, with the new
summer-autumn grain blended.At $385 a tonne, the price is the highest since
April 20, according to Thomson Reuters data.Last week, the grade stood at
$370-$375 a tonne.
"African buyers are not
looking at Vietnamese rice because of its high price, while they may prefer
Indian or Pakistani grain," another trader in Ho Chi Minh City said
http://in.investing.com/news/commodities-news/asia-rice-dry-weather-boosts-export-prices-59448
PNC Chairman says rice importers controlling politicians
Bernard Mornah has stated that rice
importers and owners of other businesses in the country sponsor politicians,
making it impossible to implement certain policies when the politicians are
voted into office.
·
Published: 19.05.2016
·
David
Mawuli
3
playBernard Mornah
National Chairman of the People's National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah has stated that rice importers and owners of other businesses in the country sponsor politicians, making it impossible to implement certain policies when the politicians are voted into office.
Mornah argued Class FM on Tuesday, May 17 that the practice was
detrimental to the country’s democracy to the extent that politicians were
controlled by external forces.
He further stated that policies
that will improve the lives of Ghanaian citizens are scrapped in order to
please the sponsors of the politicians and it was time the practice came to an
end.
“Do you know why we cannot stop rice importation in this country?
Because those who are importing rice are financing political parties. So you
will think that when you win elections you would want to come and put in
policies that you produce the rice domestically, but what do you want them to
do? That is where they got their money from to be able to finance you,” Mornah said.
“In 2003 thereabouts, [there was] Act 699 – which was on
importation of rice and poultry in this country – increasing import duty, which
means you are making imported chicken and rice expensive. What that would do is
that it will boost domestic production and encourage farmers. The then Minister
of Finance, Osafo Marfo, after the Poultry Farmers Association took the matter
to court that it was not being implemented and they were suffering losses, went
to parliament to seek the revocation of that law. In effect, those who are
importing chicken will benefit. Those producing chicken in Ghana suffered a
loss,” he continued.
He also blamed such actions on rent-seeking, which leads to the detriment of citizens.
“You can talk about anything, but those who are running the economy
are the businesses and they will support the political parties. You do not ask
them where they get their monies. When you win elections and now you want to
implement your policies that will make the Ghanaian economy survive, then they
will say: ‘Chief’ [and come at you],” he explained.
He added: “We [Ghanaians] are not taking
our democracy into our own hands. The Electoral Commission has to look for
donors before we can conduct our own elections, so who is controlling your
democracy?”
State's rice
planters beat clock
96% of crop in ground after wet weather in ’15 cut into yield
By Claire Williams
This article was published today at 2:09 a.m.
two-farmers-harvest-rice-in-september-near-stuttgart-last-year-arkansas-farmers-planted-about-139-million-acres-of-rice-and-a-planting-of-17-million-acres-is-expected-this-year
Two farmers harvest rice in September near Stuttgart. Last year,
Arkansas farmers planted about 1.39 million acres of rice and a planting of 1.7
million acres is expected this year.
CommentsaAFont Size
Arkansas farmers are ahead of their rice-planting schedule -- a
year after wet weather meant low rice yields.
About 96 percent of the state's planned rice acreage was planted as
of mid-May, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of
Arkansas System's Agriculture Division, said some farmers have purchased more
rice and planted more rice acreage.
"The midseason weather has to cooperate, of course, but in the
grand scheme of things, the majority of acreage being planted this early would
suggest that the table is set for a very positive year," he said.
"Our production could be very high this year."
Rice is an important crop for the state, ranking first in the
country for rice production. Arkansas produces about half of the country's rice
every year, according to the Arkansas Farm Bureau. About 60 percent of that
rice is exported.
Hardke said that last year Arkansas farmers planted about 1.39 million
acres of rice. This year he is predicting as many as 1.7 million acres.
"If we hit 1.7 million acres, it would be the second-largest
rice acreage we've ever had in the state," he said. The largest was in
2010 at 1.785 million acres.
Joe Christian, a rice farmer who lives near Jonesboro and the
Arkansas Farm Bureau's chairman of rice commodity division, said last year's
rain meant he couldn't get all his rice planted.
He planted 1,400 acres last year. This year he has about 1,600
acres planted. He finished planting rice last week and is now working on
soybeans.
"There's a lot of rice farmers, including me, that are
struggling," he said. "We can't afford another low yield year."
Rice, like other crops, has a small window for planting. Bad
weather or broken equipment can set a farmer's profits back.
"Last year if I hadn't gotten my rice in a 10-day window, I
wouldn't have gotten anything," Christian said. "It's very critical
how fine a line and how small a margin you got for error."
National rice production is forecast to hit the highest numbers
since 2011, up about 19.7 percent from last year, according to USDA data.
Christian said low yields last year, combined with low prices,
meant that rice farmers like him saw tight margins.
"Rice prices were pretty low," Christian said.
"They're not where they need be."
Herb Ginn, Lawrence County staff chairman of UA's Agriculture
Research and Extension Service, said rice farmers last year were waiting for
enough dry weather to get rice in the ground. Lawrence County is one of the
highest rice-producing counties in the state.
"Last year, we were really struggling," Ginn said.
"We'll be up more than 10 percent, is my guesstimate. I am seeing a lot of
rice."
Other Arkansas crops, including soybeans, wheat and corn, also are
being planted on or ahead of schedule, according to the UA Cooperative
Extension Service.
Business on 05/20/2016
Print Headline: State's rice planters beat clock
Talking with … An exotic
rice importer who saves water, women’s backs
by alix wall, j.
correspondent
Name: Caryl Levine
City: El Cerrito
Position: Co-founder, Lotus Foods
City: El Cerrito
Position: Co-founder, Lotus Foods
J.: You and your husband founded a company importing various kinds of
heirloom rice from around the world. What sparked this idea?
Caryl Levine: It started with a market research trip through China in 1993,
where my husband Ken [Lee] and I were looking for an entrepreneurial business
idea. We had no idea it would be in the food industry. We were in this village
in southwestern China that has 26 different ethnic minorities. We were served
this steaming bowl of black rice with a roasted nutty flavor with a hint of
fruit. Everyone told us it was very nutritious and had numerous health
benefits. They said it had been reserved for the emperors to ensure them a long
life. Later, we were in Beijing, in the Forbidden City, when Ken had the idea
to call it Forbidden Rice, the Emperor’s Exclusive Grain. We shipped some home,
and sent it to a dozen top Bay Area chefs. Everyone is always looking for the
next exciting ingredient and plate presentation.
Caryl Levine
Where is the majority of the rice
you import grown?
Asia and Southeast Asia, with some
in India, Cambodia, China, Africa, Madagascar and Italy. In addition to
discovering and creating a market for Black Forbidden Rice, our vision was to
keep the biodiversity of rice alive. Twenty years ago, the most exotic rice
varieties in this country were basmati and jasmine, no one knew about these
heirloom varieties like black or red from Bhutan. If there’s no market for
them, farmers won’t grow them. We are ensuring that small family farmers can
get a fair wage for growing these varieties.
Tell me about your campaign to incentivize farmers to use less water to grow rice.
For 5,000 years, people thought
rice needs to be flooded; but it survived in water, it didn’t thrive. We
started an awareness campaign called “more crop per drop,” about SRI, or System
of Rice Intensification, in which farmers use 50 percent less water and no
chemicals, doubling and tripling their yield. Almost 4 billion people eat rice
daily to survive and it’s grown on the backs of women. With this new system,
they use a weeder and are standing straight instead of bending over, weeding
and transplanting. Women who adopt this are spending so many fewer hours in the
fields. They have more time for child-rearing and other activities that may
bring more income. With women not having to work in flooded fields, they aren’t
as exposed to disease, like the malaria mosquito, and it improves their food
security, health and income.
Tell me about your involvement with the Clinton Global Initiative.
In 2008, Ken was invited to speak
about how we’re helping to alleviate poverty with some of our small farmers
using the SRI method. In 2014, I was invited back to speak about
sustainability. I was on a panel with companies like General Mills and
McDonalds. It was like David and Goliath, it was wonderful for me to be in that
company and for the larger companies to hear what we were doing and realize
what impact they could be making. Last year, we got to bring one of our Thai
SRI farmers to be on a panel that Chelsea (Clinton) hosted.
Buying local is prized among people who care where their food comes from. How do you counter that message, since your products likely appeal to those same consumers?
We’re considered a local company,
and we live in a global world. When you bring a container of rice [by sea],
you’re using less energy than you might when you’re growing rice on the East
Coast and shipping it cross country. Also, how we’re growing it creates no
methane emissions, so it’s better for the environment. It isn’t so black and
white.
What was your Jewish upbringing? Do you feel your Jewish values influence the way you run your business in any way?
I came from a Conservative Jewish
family on Long Island. I chose piano over Hebrew school, but I’ve always
identified with my Jewish heritage; I kept my last name because it’s part of
who I am and it’s always identified as being Jewish, it gives me away. When I
meet interesting and smart people and then realize they’re Jewish, I think,
“Aha! It’s because you’re Jewish. You’re my tribe.”
“Talking with …” focuses on local Jews who are doing things we find interesting. Send suggestions tosueb@jweekly.com.
http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/77644/talking-with-an-exotic-rice-importer-who-saves-water-womens-backs/
05/19/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Soybeans
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Cash Bids
|
1065
|
1007
|
|
New Crop
|
1070
|
1028
|
|
|
||
Riceland Foods
|
|
||
|
Cash Bids
|
Stuttgart: -
- -
|
Pendleton: -
- -
|
|
New Crop
|
Stuttgart: -
- -
|
Pendleton: -
- -
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soybean Comment
Soybeans closed
with modest losses given the sharp declines early in the session. At midday
soybeans were down 24-cents on the day, but managed a late rally to close only
down 4-cents. While soybeans saw strength in export sales, actual sales were
lower than expected. Continued competition from South America remains a drag on
U.S. exports, but the market still expects a sharp increase in exports as the
new marketing year begins. The soybean market remains oversold and could see
further losses if technicals begin to dominate the market.
Wheat
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Cash Bids
|
490
|
444
|
|
New Crop
|
490
|
465
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices
failed to see the recovery experienced soybeans and closed near daily lows. The
market remains under significant pressure from a lack of demand and prospects
for bigger supplies. Weakness in outside markets remain the major driver driver
for wheat as there is little fundamental support for wheat.
Grain Sorghum
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Cash Bids
|
365
|
326
|
|
New Crop
|
336
|
281
|
|
|
||
Corn
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Cash Bids
|
411
|
378
|
|
New Crop
|
407
|
397
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corn Comment
Corn prices
closed sharply lower today as improvements in weather forecast are expected to
boost corn prospects. The larger supply concerns overshadowed the strong export
sales report released earlier this morning. While prices closed lower there was
a late rally which pulled prices off their lows. Corn prices continue to face a
bearish fundamental outlook, and now have the challenge of trying to break
resistance at $4 again.
Cotton
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cotton Comment
Cotton futures
turned lower today as a strengthening dollar sent commodities tumbling. Not
even a positive export report could turn things around today. USDA says export
sales were 201,100 running bales for 15-16 shipment. That brought export
commitments to a total of 8.492 million bales for the marketing year, which is
still 21% below the year ago total. China continues to auction 30,000 tons a
day to local mills. So far, they are liquidating higher-quality cotton, but the
market is looking for indications they are running out of their best reserves
and will begin to auction lower quality cotton, some of which is years old.
Planting progress is well ahead of last year's pace, and bit ahead of the 5
year average as well. December will have resistance at the recent high of 63.69
cents, while support is at 60.10 cents.
Rice
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
Long Grain Cash Bids
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
Long Grain New Crop
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
|
||
|
Futures:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rice Comment
Rice futures
turned lower as a stronger dollar pressured commodities. Arkansas farmers have
now planted 96% of intended acres. The question remains, though, will they stop
there? The five year average for this date is 80%, so if conditions remain
favorable, the crop might get bigger. This large crop could limit the upside
potential of the market, however, dry conditions in other rice growing regions
of the world could provide support. July continues to trend higher, but Wednesday's high of $12.14 1/2 will be the first level of
resistance. Above that, the upside objective is the 62% retracement level of
$12.46.
Cattle
|
Futures:
|
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|
Live Cattle:
|
|
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Feeders:
|
|
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Arkansas Prices
Illegal Occupation’ of Kulgam SKUAST Unit Affecting Research Work
Posted
on: Friday, May 20th, 2016
KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Authorities at Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC)
(erstwhile Rice Research and Regional Station), a constituent unit of
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST-K) located at Khudwani area of South Kashmir’s
Kulgam district Thursday alleged that forces have illegally occupied some of
their buildings, thus drastically affecting research atmosphere of this Centre.
Associate Director MRCFC Ghulam
Ahmed Parrey said that during 2010 uprising, Police Post, Khudwani which was
located at Qaimoh “forcibly and illegally occupied” three buildings of Mountain
Research Centre for Field Crops.“At first, only 8-10 JK police personnel were
posted in the Police Post and now the Police Post has been converted into full
police garrison which include JKP, JKAP, SOG, sometimes CRPF and at some
occasions Regular Army operate from this Centre. Now they are making illegal
occupation stronger day-by-day as they have fenced more than 3 hectares of land
by tin sheets and that too without any approval from undersigned or Competent
Authority of the University. The Police Station/SOG Camp has been operating
from our research centre. The presence of the police post has been causing
tremendous difficulties to scientific staff in carrying out research and other
related activities at the Centre,” Associate Director said.
Associate Director, according to
CNS, said that MRCFC is a vital centre for maintenance of various indigenous
and exotic genotypes of rice, wheat and oilseed crops developed and maintained
over a long period and is known nationally and internationally for its
contribution in evolution of high yielding crop varieties.Parrey said that the
“illegal occupation” by Police and forces attached with police Post Qaimoh
Kulgam has drastically affected research atmosphere of this Centre.
“Every
time the police, paramilitary and army personnel are observed in the premises
of the Centre and their unscheduled movements and their vehicles are constantly
disturbing the working atmosphere. All matters pertaining to police cases,
criminal cases, accidents and family matters are being dealt openly in the
campus itself and consequent to it the status of work culture can just be
imagined. During September, 2014, devastating flood further aggravated the
situation due to complete felling down of the fencing further enhanced
trespassing from all sides.”
“During
any law and order problem in the vicinity of our Centre, the University
property becomes first causality at the hands of protesters, which in the
process of targeting the said Police Post, cause irreparable damage to the
property of the Centre and even at times the standing and stored produce are
also not spared. Last year in February, June and October, the Farm was
converted into a battle field and during the counter operation of forces
against the protesters the oilseed, wheat and rice crops were completely
tramped over, resulting in loss of valuable germ-plasm of wheat, oilseeds and
rice. Such episodes have been a routine at the centre and as a result of which,
the staff feels insecure and are hesitant to work at the Centre,” Parrey said
adding that he has even communicated to Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir and has
requested him to take up the matter with the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of
the University during the coming University Council Meeting.
He said that Centre “will lose
credibility” in case security post is not relocated. “In view of the importance
of this Research Centre, with respect to food security, University cannot,
under any circumstances, spare even a marla of land for non-agricultural
activities or for construction of a Police Post,” Parrey said.
http://www.kashmirlife.net/illegal-occupation-of-kulgam-skuast-unit-affecting-research-work-105789/
Government allows bulk exports of rice bran oil
Government has
allowed the bulk exports of rice bran oil without any limitation on pack sizes
The Government of India has permitted the bulk
exports of rice bran oil without any limitation on pack sizes, a decision that
will possibly help the rice millers and paddy growers in the country.
"Export of rice bran oil in bulk (irrespective of any pack size) has been exempted from the prohibition on export of edible oils," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification on Thursday.
Currently, the exports of edible oils are permissible in branded packs of up to 5 kg with a minimum price of export of $900 a tonne.
Although India imports considerable amount of edible oils, the government has allowed the bulk exports of rice bran oil in order to help the small rice millers to get better price internationally as demand of the oil is limited in the local market.
The country’s imports of vegetable oil (including edible and non-edible oils) reached a record 14.61 million tonnes, during the oil year 2014-15 (November-October).
During the first six months of the oil year 2015-16, the vegetable oils imports increased by 17 percent to 75.57 lakh tonnes, compared to 64.66 lakh tonnes in the same period of the previous oil year.
Imports meet more than 50 percent of India’s cooking oil demand.
The country imports palm oil majorly from Malaysia and Indonesia and a little quantity of crude soft oils, along with soyabean oil, from Latin American countries.
https://www.thedollarbusiness.com/news/government-allows-bulk-exports-of-rice-bran-oil/46604
In-Depth Analysis of
TPP Shows Rice Right to Abstain for Now
WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. International Trade
Committee (USITC), an independent, quasi-judicial Federal agency with broad
investigative responsibilities on trade matters has released a long-awaited
analysis of the mammoth Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, and the findings
aren't making the strong case for the deal that the Obama Administration likely
had hoped for.
The almost 800-page report estimates a modest gain for
the U.S. economy with consumer purchasing power up 0.23 percent over the next
16 years with the deal as compared to not having the deal in place. Some
agriculture sectors do well with pork, beef, poultry, and dairy making net
gains in exports over imports, but the same cannot be said for rice according
to the USITC. Rice remains the only agriculture sector that has not
publicly taken a position on the pending trade deal between 12 nations, saying
they believe the deal to be deficient for rice, but that they will hear the
U.S. negotiating team out. That non-position appears to be validated by
the USITC report.
"U.S. rice production is expected to be marginally
lower under TPP than without in response to lower exports," the report
says. "Exports would decline because the U.S. rice industry may find
that gains in access to the Japanese market are more than offset by lost
sales...in Mexico, where the United States would lose its current tariff
advantage over Vietnam."
"As we've said from the outset, we don't believe
the modest gains presented in the deal offset the potential losses that will
result from the deal," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.
"However, we're not giving up on turning this into a win for U.S. rice
farmers and we're seeking some clarity and assurances around some of the
issues, specifically with regard to access to Japan, solidifying our number one
market of Mexico, and seeking meaningful compliance by our trading partners
with existing agreements."
USITC previously studied rice and global
competitiveness at the request of the House Ways and Means Committee and found
that rice is the commodity with the most government interference around the
world.
"We hear all the time that rice is a sensitive
commodity around the world," Ward said. "Well guess what? We
feel the same way."
Chancellor visits Stuttgart facilities
Chuck Culver, with the UofA research and extension center, gave a short presentation about what they study at the center followed by a tour by Chuck Wilson, director. They then went out to the rice plots that they study where Jarod Hardke explained about the different varieties. Following the tour, the group went next door to...
Dawn
Teer/Stuttgart Daily LeaderJarod Hardke talks rice to Joe and Sandy
Steinmetz.
By Dawn Teer
Stuttgart Daily Leader
Stuttgart Daily Leader
Posted May. 19, 2016 at 12:33 PM
STUTTGART —
The University of Arkansas (UofA) Chancellor Joe Steinmetz, along
with wife, Sandy; Vice Chancellor of Administration Marsha Overby, Chief of
Staff Laura Jacobs, Vice Chancellor and Athletic Director Jeff Long, Vice
Chancellor for Advancement Chris Wyrick, Vice Chancellor of Business and
Finance Tim O’Donnell, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charles Robinson and
representatives of UofA Division of Agriculture were at the UofA Division of Agriculture
Research and Extension and the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center
(DBNRRC) for a tour of what both facilities study on Wednesday as part of a
five-day tour of the State.
Chuck
Culver, with the UofA research and extension center, gave a short presentation
about what they study at the center followed by a tour by Chuck Wilson,
director. They then went out to the rice plots that they study where Jarod
Hardke explained about the different varieties. Following the tour, the group
went next door to the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center where Dr. Anna
McClung, director gave a tour of the facility and explained what research they
do there.
Steinmetz,
a native of Michigan joined UofA Fayetteville in January. Prior to coming to
Fayetteville he was at Ohio State University as executive vice president and
provost.
“There
was a national search and I was fortunate enough to be chosen. The position was
very attractive.” he said. The Steinmetz’s have two children, one in
Bloomington, Indiana, the other in New York City and four grandchildren.
Arkansas
County is home to more than 395 UofA alumni, with 33 students from the
Stuttgart area committed to joining the incoming freshman class.Steinmetz felt
it was important to visit Stuttgart since it is a key part of Arkansas'
agriculture economy in rice production, and supporting that research and
success is a core tenet of the university's land-grant mission.The U of A's
Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences has programs in
agribusiness; agricultural economics; agricultural education, communications
and technology; animal science; crop, soil and environmental science;
entomology; food science; horticulture; human environmental sciences; plant
pathology; poultry science.
Steinmetz, a first-generation college graduate, joined the U of A
as chancellor in January. He has spent the last five months meeting with every
academic department on campus as he works to build the future academic plan for
the state's flagship institution. This statewide tour is a key element of that
effort, as well. Steinmetz is visiting with alumni and local and state leaders
across the state to learn more about the unique needs and interests of our state
as he sharpens his vision for the future of the U of A. "I want to learn
more about the people and unique needs in our state," Steinmetz said.
"The best way to do that is to visit them. I don't expect to learn
everything in five days we certainly won't be seeing everything there is to
see. But this marks a beginning.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20160519/NEWS/160519680
Drought drives demand for govt's old rice
- 19 May 2016 at 17:56
- WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS
The latest auction for old rice from the
government stockpile drew strong interest from the private sector as drought
and stable demand. (Photo by Kitja Apichonrojarek)
The
private sector placed orders for 1.17 million tonnes of the government's old
rice stockpile, worth about 10 billion, in the latest auction, the Foreign
Trade Department said on Thursday.
Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the
department, said on offer in the auction were 1.19 million tonnes from 121
warehouses in 30 provinces, The government expected to earn about 10 billion
baht from the ordered rice.The average price of 5% broken white rice was 11,267
baht per tonne, that of 10% broken white rice at 10,550 baht, and that of A1
Special broken rice at 7,879 baht.
The third auction of the old rice stockpile
this year concluded on Thursday.Mrs Duangporn said the prices were good for
long-stocked rice while market prices stood at 13,900 baht per tonne for 5%
broken white rice and 11,000 baht for A1 Special broken rice.The private sector
was highly interested in the latest auction due to drought and stable rice
demand, she said.About 10 million tonnes now remained in the old rice
stockpile, Mrs Duangporn said. The next auction would probably be next month.
This government had organised 14 auctions and
sold 5.4 million tonnes of rice from the old stockpile for 57.6 billion
baht. If the latest auction is included, sales now totalled 6.5 million tonnes
worth 67.6 billion baht, Mrs Duangporn said.Thai rice exports this year to May
16 rose 18% year-on-year to 3.9 million tonnes worth 61 billion baht, up 11.85%
year-on-year, she said.
Senate FY 2017 Ag
Appropriations Promote USDA Post in Cuba
By Peter Bachmann
WASHINGTON, DC -- This morning, the Senate Committee on
Appropriations unanimously voted to advance their $147.7 billion Fiscal Year
2017 spending bill for agriculture and nutrition programs.
The discretionary funding, $21.25 billion, is consistent with that
proposed by the House bill and $250 million below the FY 2016 discretionary
funding level.A boost in funding is included for: agricultural research ($25 million), USDA's
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service ($44.9 million), Natural Resources
Conservation Service ($13.6 million), Food Safety and Inspection Service ($19
million), and Food and Drug Administration ($39 million).
USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely said,
"USA Rice is particularly happy to see the devotion of $1.5 million
towards staffing USDA personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba. We organized a letter with a wide array of
agricultural support requesting appropriators to provide the funding and we're
glad our suggestion was incorporated into the bill."
Mosely added, "Level funding for international food aid
programs that incorporate U.S.-grown commodities such as rice is considered a
win to our organization. Food for Peace
and the McGovern-Dole aid programs are important to the U.S. rice industry."
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), chairman of the Senate Agriculture
Appropriations Subcommittee, said, "Our bill not only invests in crucial
priorities like agricultural research, food safety and inspection services, but
also increases flood prevention and conservation efforts by addressing watershed
project backlogs in all 50 states. It
also incentivizes military veterans to explore career opportunities in
production agriculture."
The bill will now requires the approval of the full U.S. Senate as
does the House's version before they may be conferenced to work out their
differences. It's still unknown whether
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will bring the bill to the floor
of the Senate for a vote before the chambers leave Washington for summer recess
in July.
Tropical Cyclone Roanu a Flood Threat in Eastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar
May 19 2016 07:00 PM EDT
By Jon Erdman
Tropical
Cyclone Roanu may not become an intense Bay of Bengal cyclone, but it may
instead trigger dangerous flooding in parts of eastern India, Bangladesh, and
Myanmar into the weekend.
After
dumping over a foot of rain, triggering destructive mudslides in Sri Lanka earlier in the week, an area of low pressure
consolidated enough convection near its center to be deemed a tropical cyclone
just off the coast of India's Andhra Pradesh state northeast of the city of
Chennai Wednesday.Thanks to wind shear, the change in wind speed and/or
direction with height, Roanu is not expected to strengthen much over the next
few days as it tracks generally northeast toward the coast of Bangladesh or
northwest Myanmar sometime this weekend.As a result, the primary threat from
Roanu will be heavy rainfall.
In
general, the rainfall potential of a tropical cyclone is not a function of its
intensity (i.e. maximum sustained winds), but rather its forward speed.Some of
the most extreme rainfall events worldwide have occurred when tropical
cyclones, in some cases as weak as depressions or even remnant lows, move
slowly, or stall. While not completely stalling, Roanu will move slow
enough to dump some rather prolific rainfall, particularly over eastern
Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the eastern states of India.Moist southerly winds
ahead of the center of Roanu will also steer clusters of thunderstorms with
heavy rain ashore in these same areas.
This
poses a dangerous threat of flooding and landslides, particularly in the higher
terrain of the eastern India states, far north and western Myanmar, even
perhaps into extreme south-central China into next week.
Last
summer, Tropical Cyclone Komen combined with the normal wet phase of the
Asian monsoon to dump
over 3 feet (1 meter) of rain to parts of eastern Bangladesh.
The
resulting flooding and mudslides claimed at least 200 lives and destroyed
55,000 homes.
Fortunately,
Roanu is not expected to intensify appreciably. The Bay of Bengal has a
notorious history for the world's deadliest tropical cyclones, owing to both
population density of low-lying areas near the coast and the shallow northern
end of the Bay of Bengal, funneling storm surge into Bangladesh, in particular.
In early
May 2008, Cyclone Nargis slammed into southern Myanmar, driving a storm surge
into the country's Irrawaddy Delta, claiming over 138,000 lives in the
country's worst natural disaster.
