Tuesday, June 14, 2016

14th June,2016 daily global regional and local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine



Today Rice News Headlines...

Huge surge in prices of essential items witnessed


June 13, 2016
A huge surge in prices of essential commodities of daily use including fruits, vegetables, sugar, pulses, and rice, has been reported during the holy month of Ramazan, according to a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday.The unchecked price of essential food items has irked the consumers. They have demanded of the authorities concerned to take prompt action against hoarders and profiteers, and to implement official price list.Traders in the KP's provincial capital said that prices had gone up due to gap between supply and demand. They said there was no significant increase in prices in current holy month of Ramazan as compared to the last year's prices.

A one-kilogram gram flour (baisin) is available at Rs 150, while dates are being sold at Rs 250 and Rs 280 per kg. Basmati rice is being available at Rs 110 and Rs 100 per kg. Sugar price now ranges between Rs 65 per kilogram, as compared to Rs 62 per kilogram before the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan. Syrups and juices, widely used in Ramazan, are being sold at sky-high rates in retail market, according to the survey.

It was noticed that the price of big white Channa are sold at Rs 180 per kilogram, as compared to Rs 110 during last month. Dal Chana's per kg price was Rs 135 per kilogram, Dal green available at Rs 140 per kg, while Red bean is being sold at Rs 120 per kg, moong at Rs 140 per kg. Dal Mash has become further costlier with Rs 270 per kg, and white lobiya at Rs 120 per kg.Price of cooking oil/ghee of various brands and varieties were ranged between Rs 120 to Rs 180, while ghee prices also witnessed unjustifiable increase in month of Ramazan.

The survey witnessed that five kilogram potatoes are being sold at Rs 150 due to increasing demand in the holy month. Last month the 5 kg potatoes were available below Rs 100 in wholesale market. Five kilogram onion being available at Rs 150 while ginger at Rs 200 per kilogram. With increasing demand in hot and humid weather, the price of lemon has soared to Rs 200 per kilogram.Other veggies such as ladyfinger being sold at Rs 40 per kg, cauliflower at Rs 60 per kilogram, capsicum at Rs 80 per kilogram, calabash at Rs 40 per kg, tori at Rs 40 per kg, and cabbage at Rs 100 per kilogram.
Since the beginning of holy month of Ramazan, the price of fruit has become sky-high due to no-check by authorities concerned. Amid rising demand of fruits, a manifold increase witnessed in the prices of almost all fruits. Apple is being sold at Rs 120 to Rs 150 per kilogram, mango available at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg, melon at Rs 30 per kg, banana at Rs 100 per dozen, water melon at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per piece.According to survey, the price of flour has also surged since the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan, as a 20-kg bag of mix flour available at Rs 720, while bag of fine atta, weighting (20-kg) being sold at Rs 780 and Rs 800 in retail.

Fresh milk is being sold at Rs 90 to Rs 100 per litre - while price of milk powder of various brands and quality had also risen in the retail market. One kilogram fresh yogurt is being sold at Rs 90 to Rs 100.

Seed facility nears completion as Rice Expo approaches

STUTTGART — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is preparing to open its new Foundation seed facility for operation in early August.
The $8.6 million facility will be part of the Rice Research and Extension Center at Stuttgart. Glenn Bathke, program director at the center, said the new facility will be key in making varieties of rice, soybean and wheat foundation seeds, developed by Division of Agriculture researchers, available to seed companies for purchase.
“This is a giant leap forward from our original seed processing facility, which was built in 1951,” Bathke said. “It’s much safer and efficient.”
The facility will manage the certified foundation seeds produced by the Division of Agriculture, which require inspections throughout the entire process, from the field to the point of sale, Bathke said. The facility will be capable of processing as much as 250 bushels of seed an hour, including pre-cleaning, cleaning, sizing and other steps in ensuring the high quality of as many as 25 varieties of seed each year.
“We’ll be able to handle more varieties as well, so we can keep our seed portfolio updated much more effectively,” Bathke said.
Bathke said technicians for machinery involved in the seed handling process are currently onsite to help manage the installation process. There is still plenty of work to be done before the scheduled Aug. 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony, he said, but things are moving according to plan.
Tours of the facility will be included as part of the 2016 Arkansas Rice Expo, taking place Aug. 10, based at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart.
For more information about the 2016 Arkansas Rice Expo, contact the Rice Research and Extension Center at 870-673-2661, or a local Cooperative Extension Service agent.

http://pbcommercial.com/news/area-digest/seed-facility-nears-completion-rice-expo-approaches

Rice export slumps in second quarter

Rice export volume in the first quarter this year posted a strong year on year growth but drastically dropped in the first two months of the second quarter, reported the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).Farmers reap rice in the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP)

Rice export volume and value grew 57.6 percent and 51.1 percent over a year back in the first quarter, high compared to annually average level for the same period.The increase was thanked to contracts signed in 2015, especially Government to Government (G2G) deals with Indonesia and the Philippines and a large number of commercial deals with China.According to the VFA, the strong growth in the first quarter and drought have affected rice productivity and output in the Mekong Delta and highly increased domestic rice prices.

Therefore, exporters have offered higher prices than those from India, Pakistan and Thailand. Vietnamese rice price was US$10-20 a ton higher than Thai rice. This has caused many businesses hesitate and not sign new export contracts.

Commercial contracts especially from China drastically fell while G2G contracts nearly ran out in April and May, resulting in volume drop to below the annually average level of 600,000.

The strong fall has sent Vietnam to reduce rice export norm in the second quarter from 1.8 million tons to 1.5 million tons.

However with current situation, the second quarter is likely to export about 1.3-1.4 million tons, the lowest for the same period of the last several years. The VFA forecast that the number will approximate only 450,000 tons in June.

Total export volume thus might reach 2.7-2.75 million tons in the first half this year. http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2016/6/119252/



Possible new rice varieties subject of field days

Jun 10, 2016 Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter
Steve Linscombe, far right, talks at the Southwest Rice Field Day in Jefferson Davis Parish.
Photo: Bruce Shultz, LSU AgCenter
One or two breeding lines of rice will be chosen this year for seed increases that could result in the first variety release for new rice technology called Provisia.
At field days in Vermilion Parish and in Jefferson Davis Parish in May, LSU AgCenter rice breeder Steve Linscombe said whatever is selected will undergo a seed increase in Puerto Rico this winter for a possible release in 2017. “The good news is by 2018, we should have plenty of seed available.”
He said Provisia will provide farmers with an alternative technology to fight red rice, extending the viability of Clearfield rice, which has allowed farmers to control red rice.
The first Clearfield variety was released in 2002, but outcrosses of red rice with the Clearfield trait have been causing farmers problems in recent years, and Provisia is expected to control those problems.
The new technology discovered by BASF has been in development for the past four years.
Linscombe also said he will identify one or two lines of Clearfield Jazzman this year for seed increases in Puerto Rico this winter, and a new variety could be chosen next year.
AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster told farmers that Provisia can be rotated with soybeans and Clearfield rice to control outcrosses and weedy rice.

Weed control

He also said a new Dow product, Voyant, is being tested for rice with good potential as a broad spectrum herbicide that can control broadleaf weeds, aquatic plants as well as grasses.
He said flatsedge is showing resistance to Permit herbicide, but the weed can be controlled with Facet, Prowl and Sharpen.
Delta Farm Press Daily
AgCenter plant pathologist Don Groth said many Louisiana rice farmers planted earlier than usual this year, and that should result in less disease pressure.
He said cutbacks in fertilizer could mean reduced disease outbreaks. “The more nitrogen you have, the more diseases.”
He said blast and sheath blight disease has been light this year.
Groth warned farmers that Cercospora disease is becoming resistant to propiconazole fungicide. A rate of 6 ounces per acre provided good control at one time, but now 9 to 12 ounces are needed. Sercadis is a good alternative chemical, he said.
AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso told farmers about new equipment at the Rice Research Station that will allow screening of thousands of lines of rice for genetic traits related to disease resistance and grain quality. But he said the equipment will not replace field testing of rice lines.

Low prices

At the Vermilion Parish Field Day, AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto said increased rice acreage this year means low prices will continue for 2016.
He said that more than 3 million acres were expected to be planted this year, a 17 percent increase over the 2015 total. The acreage in the largest rice-growing state, Arkansas, has been estimated at more than 1.6 million acres, he said.
With good yields on the increased acreage, he said, abundant rice supplies will keep prices suppressed.
But, he said, long-grain exports have been on the increase to Latin American countries, including Mexico, the largest U.S. rice customer.

Rice research

Linscombe said checkoff funds paid by farmers result in research to help grow better crops. “Those funds certainly give us much more stability in trying to come up with new techniques for your operations.”
He also thanked farmers Kent Lounsberry near Lake Arthur and Jimmy Hoppe near Fenton, for providing land to conduct off-station research. The Lounsberry farm has hosted the work for 32 years, and the Hoppe farm has made a research field available for 20 years

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/possible-new-rice-varieties-subject-field-days

Kharif paddy sowing begins in Sundargarh

Published: 13th June 2016 06:42 AM
Last Updated: 13th June 2016 06:42 AM
ROURKELA: SOWING of paddy seeds for kharif crop has begun amid sporadic rainfall in rain-fed Sundargarh district. The sowing activity, however, will gain momentum only after the three-day break of Raja festival.
In fact, farmers have rested their hopes on the forecast of good monsoon. But in the event of monsoon playing truant, there will not be much irrigation support as all water bodies, including four medium irrigation dams, are running dry.
According to Odisha Rainfall Monitoring System (ORMS), in June, the district has so far received average rainfall of 32.64 mm against the month’s normal figure of 237.4 mm. The rainfall was scattered and not all blocks received showers.
Farmers said at many places, ‘kharudi buna’ has been completed and seeds were sown on dry ploughed land in anticipation of germination after rain. Similarly, at several other places, ‘baturi buna’ is underway. In this process, the paddy seeds sown once grow in soil moisture.
They said seed sowing would continue till Monday and farmers would take a break of three days from all sorts of farming operations for Raja festival.
Sundargarh-based Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) K N Mohapatra said ideally seed sowing continues till first week of July.
Hoping that monsoon would be good as forecast, he asked the farmers not to panic.   However, agriculture authorities and farmers said barring the last kharif crop season, monsoon predictions in previous years were not accurate.
Incidentally, in this kharif season, paddy cultivation target has been kept unchanged at 2.13 lakh hectares, but farmers are encouraged to go for crop diversification on upland.
The target for cultivation of non-paddy crops is about one lakh ha. The district has about 1.63 lakh ha, 95,000 ha and 55,000 ha upland, medium-land and low-land respectively.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Kharif-paddy-sowing-begins-in-Sundargarh/2016/06/13/article3479819.ece

Iran to ban rice imports from July 21

6/13/2016
DUBAI, June 13 (Reuters) - Iran will ban rice imports from
July 21, the agriculture minister was quoted as saying by the
Tasnim news agency on Monday, aiming to protect domestic farmers
during their harvest.

Mahmoud Hojjati said Iran has imported 191,000 tonnes of
rice this year, noting imports are already down from previous
years.

http://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/iran-to-ban-rice-imports-from-july-21

 

Stockpiled rice to be sold via G2G deals

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION

June 14, 2016 1:00 am

THE Commerce Ministry will continue to focus on government-to-government (G2G) contracts for the release of rice from stockpiles, as well as general rice auctions in the second half of the year after opening a big-lot bid for 2.24 million tonnes tomorrow.

Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the government would continue to release rice from the stockpiles in the second half as it foresaw high demand due to drought in many countries, resulting in lower production.

There are still about 10 million tonnes of rice in the government stockpiles, including the 2.24 million tonnes up for auction tomorrow.

"The government will [send officials] to South Africa and Mozambique to sell rice under G2G [contracts], and will gradually consider open bidding for rice during the rest of the year," she said.The government also plans to sell rice to Indonesia and the Philippines under G2G contracts.

Meanwhile, China has asked for a postponement of negotiations to purchase 1 million tonnes of rice as Chinese officials are not available. Previously, the meeting was set for this coming Friday.However, Chutima Bunyapraphasara, permanent secretary of the Commerce Ministry, said China would soon set up a new appointment and continue its plan to purchase rice under a G2G contract

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Stockpiled-rice-to-be-sold-via-G2G-deals-30288110.html

Is Bird-Friendly Beer Possible?
By Paul Baicich
Special to USA Rice Daily
 OXEN HILL, MD -- It's not as outlandish as you might think.  A "bird-friendly beer" really depends on how you look at beer ingredients and if they have content that actually helps birds.
 Well, we are in luck.  And whether you are a beer fan or not, this may be of interest.
 Ingredients in beer may vary culturally in such countries as the Netherlands, Japan, Mexico, Great Britain, and Belgium, but in the U.S. most brands of beer have used barley as the main ingredient in brewing.  It's the "adjunct" ingredients that may now draw our attention.  "Adjunct" refers to any beer ingredient other than malted barley used to contribute sugar for fermentation (including sugar itself) in making beers.
 Mass market beers, and even craft beers, use these adjunct ingredients.  They can include wheat, rye, oats, corn, and rice.  Of these, one element surely stands out: rice.
 Since rice in the United States is the most bird-compatible, mass-produced, popular crop in the country, it deserves special consideration.  Although the total acreage of rice grown in the U.S. (c. 2.8 million acres) may be less than that used by some other crops - corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and sorghum, for example - rice is actually critical for our wetland birds.
 Today, American rice farms, many of them family farms, serve as "surrogate wetlands" to supplement natural wetlands that have decreased over time.  Rice production creates a modest but essential replacement ecosystem, helping to ameliorate losses of native wetland habitat.  It's important for waterfowl, shorebirds, long-legged waders, rails, and many other species.
 Separating rice at processing mills results in "head rice" (whole-grain) and different grades of broken kernels, or "brewer's rice."  In the past, most broken rice in the U.S. went to the beer industry.  Today, most of the rice going into beer is whole-grain, while the dog-food industry uses much of the broken rice.

Used properly in production, rice lightens the color and body of beer.  It has been used much like corn has in beer, but it helps produce a drier product.  Rice is very much about clean and dry drinkability.  This may not be to your own particular taste, but pale lager still dominates the U.S. beer market, and grains that make beer lighter seem to be essential for most makers of pale lager.
 Currently, Budweiser uses rice in its production.  Indeed, the Budweiser bottle labels announce the rice content: "Brewed by our original process from the choicest hops, rice, and best barley malt."  Among the larger brewers, Coors also uses rice, reportedly less so.  But with some of the biggest beer brands in the country - consider Budweiser, Miller, and Coors - now owned by foreign investors, the future of beer here is still in flux.  At the same time, local craft beers continue to grow, with some of them using rice in the brewing process.
 So far, no major brand has pitched itself as a bird-friendly beer, but perhaps it's only time before that happens.   And, yes, experts say that one could probably make beer from 100 percent rice, but it probably would be very bland!
 Consider rice and wetland birds the next time you order up a brew or go shopping for a six-pack. Paul J. Baicich is a bird-watching and conservation writer and editor, and an avitourism consultant.  He recently coauthored (with M. Barker and C. Henderson) Wild Bird Feeding in America: Culture Commerce, and Conservation (2015, Texas A&M University Press).
USA Rice Daily

Rabobank-led fund to buy minority stake in Parijat


IANS | Jun 13, 2016, 03.42 PM IST
Mumbai, June 13 (IANS) Rabo Equity Advisors, the investment advisors for the $200-million India Agri Business Fund-II, have announced around Rs 100 crore investment in Parijat Industries by the fund to acquire a minority stake, a company statement said.

Parijat is an Indian agrochemical player with a presence in 70 countries, six international offices and exclusive distribution networks in India, West Africa, Russia and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

"Parijat is looking to achieve sales of Rs 15,000 million (Rs 1,500 crore) by 2021 and also expand its domestic distribution network to 10,000 retail points in three years from 4,500 at present, thereby expanding its presence through the country," the statement said.

"Parijat is also recognised in the industry for introducing and promoting new-age molecules."

India Agri Business Fund-II is a $200 million private equity fund targeted at expansion and growth of food and agribusiness companies in India across the value chain. It is sponsored by Rabobank along with anchors such as CDC Group and the Asian Development Bank.

This is the second investment by India Agri Business Fund-II, close on the heels of the first one announced last week in the food condiments sector.

"We are especially excited at the company's export forays and new products expected to be launched in the domestic market over the next few years," said Rajesh Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director of Rabo Equity Advisors.
"Our team at Parijat is committed to exponentially growing its domestic presence besides the international footprint," said Keshav Anand, Chairman and Managing Director of Parijat, adding the company hoped to leverage Rabo Equity domain knowledge and global outreach in business.
Rabo Equity Advisors, a subsidiary of Rabobank, currently advises two funds in India. The first fund has a $120 million corpus, that has been invested in 10 companies across sectors like biotechnology, warehousing, edible oils, dairy and basmati rice, the company said.
Some of the existing portfolio companies are Prabhat Dairy, LT Foods, and Vacmet. Rabo Equity has an exclusive knowledge sharing agreement with Rabobank which gives it unfettered access to the vast knowledge pool and network of Rabobank.

ED, IT to probe multi-crore scam in export of Basmati rice

PTI | Jun 13, 2016, 04.47 PM IST
New Delhi, Jun 13 () The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) department will probe the over Rs 1,000-crore scam in export of high-quality Basmati rice to Iran which was fraudulently diverted mid-sea to Dubai.
Both the agencies have been asked by a Supreme Court- appointed Special Investigation Team to track the money which has been laundered through the export besides zeroing in on its beneficiaries, official sources said today.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which has unearthed the scam, has shared relevant details of the case with the SIT, which is now monitoring the probe, they said.
The SIT, headed by former Supreme Court judge M B Shah, is responsible for investigating cases of black money stashed within and outside the country.
Over two lakh metric tonnes of Basmati rice was illegally offloaded in Dubai, during 2014-2015, instead of Bandar Abbas in Iran, the sources said.
At least 25 big exporters from Haryana and Punjab are under the scanner of probe agencies for their involvement in the multi-crore scam. Both ED and IT have been asked to look into the case, they said.
Explaining the modus operandi, the sources claimed the rice would be taken to Gujarat's Kandla Port by these exporters. They would then file shipping bills--documents filed with customs authorities carrying details of goods to be exported, consignor and consignee--for export to Iran.
Instead of the consignment reaching Iranian shores, it would be diverted mid-sea to Dubai allegedly with connivance of cargo ship operators carrying the goods.
Surprisingly, payments were also made from Iran to these exporters in India. Importers and port officials would allegedly acknowledge the receipt of rice and allow payment to be made against it here, they said.
Agencies are clueless about the end-use of rice off-loaded in Dubai and suspect misuse of the proceeds through the commodity to fund some illegal activity like terror financing, the sources said.
Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha had recently informed the Parliament about the scam.
"Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has detected cases of diversion of Basmati rice export wherein consignments of rice meant for Iran were diverted to Dubai.
"The payments for the said goods were received in Indian Rupees instead of freely convertible foreign currency, by misusing the facilities granted to the goods actually exported to Iran," Sinha had said in a written reply to Lok Sabha. AKV AMS ZMN AMS
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device

Could eating Weetabix prevent early death? Harvard scientists think so...

Monday, June 13, 2016
Eating whole grains – such as brown rice, oats and Weetabix – could prevent an early death, research suggests.Experts at Harvard found just one 16g serving per day of whole grain cuts the risk of dying from any cause, heart disease or cancer. And, they argued, the more whole grains people eat, the bigger the benefits. Their analysis of studies showed that for every single serving (16g) of whole grains, there was a 7% drop in risk of death from any cause, a 9% drop in death from cardiovascular disease and a 5% drop in the chance of dying from cancer.
Three servings of cooked brown rice a day could reduce the risk of death (from any cause) by 20% (Matthew Mead/AP)
When three servings (48g) was eaten daily, people had a 20% lower chance of dying from any cause, a 25% reduced risk of a cardiovascular death and a 14% reduced chance of dying from cancer. The research was published in the journal of the American Heart Association.
A slice of whole grain bread acts as one serving, while two Weetabix (37.5g) is just over two servings.
Two Weetabix contains just over two servings of whole grains (Clive Darra/Flickr)
Half a cup of cooked brown rice or 100% whole grain pasta also count as one serving.
Experts agree that people do not eat enough whole grain foods and fibre.
The recent Eatwell Guide published by Public Health England (PHE) says people should consume 30g of fibre per day from fruit, vegetables and whole grain foods.
Experts believe just one 16g serving per day of whole grain cuts the risk of dying from heart disease or cancer (Danny Lawson/PA)
Currently people only consume around 19g of fibre per day – less than two-thirds the recommendation. Previous studies have shown that whole grains can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In the latest analysis, 12 studies were included from the US, Scandinavia and the UK. The combined studies involved 786,076 men and women and included 97,867 total deaths, 23,597 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 37,492 deaths from cancer. Currently people only consume around 19g of fibre per day (Diana House/Flickr)Qi Sun, assistant professor in the department of nutrition at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston, who led the research, said low-carbohydrate diets that ignore the health benefits of whole grains foods “should be adopted with caution”.He said they may be linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
“Based on the solid evidence from this meta-analysis and numerous previous studies that collectively document beneficial effects of whole grains, I think healthcare providers should unanimously recommend whole grain consumption to the general population as well as to patients with certain diseases to help achieve better health and perhaps reduce death,” he said.

Rabobank-led fund to but majority stake in Parijat

Rabo Equity Advisors, the investment advisors for the $200-million India Agri Business Fund-II, has announced around Rs 1,100-crore investment into Parijat Industries by the fund to acquire a minority stake, a company statement said.

By: IANS | Mumbai | Published: June 13, 2016 2:24 PM
Rabo Equity Advisors, a subsidiary of Rabobank, currently advises two funds in India. (Reuters)
Rabo Equity Advisors, the investment advisors for the $200-million India Agri Business Fund-II, has announced around Rs 1,100-crore investment into Parijat Industries by the fund to acquire a minority stake, a company statement said.
Parijat is an Indian agrochemical player with a presence in 70 countries, six international offices and exclusive distribution networks in India, West Africa, Russia and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
“Parijat is looking to achieve sales of Rs 15,000 million (Rs 1,500 crore) by 2021 and also expand its domestic distribution network to 10,000 retail points in three years from 4,500 at present, thereby
expanding its presence through the country,” the statement said.

“Parijat is also recognised in the industry for introducing and promoting new-age molecules.”
India Agri Business Fund II is a $200 million private equity fund targeted at expansion and growth of food and agribusiness companies in India across the value chain. It is sponsored by Rabobank along with anchors such as CDC Group and the Asian Development Bank.
This is the second investment by India Agri Business Fund II, close on the heels of the first one announced last week in the food condiments sector.
“We are especially excited at the Company’s export forays and new products expected to be launched in the domestic market over the next few years,” said Rajesh Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director of Rabo Equity Advisors.
“Our team at Parijat is committed to exponentially growing its domestic presence besides the international footprint,” said Keshav Anand, Chairman and Managing Director of Parijat, adding the company hoped to leverage Rabo Equity domain knowledge and global outreach in
business.

Rabo Equity Advisors, a subsidiary of Rabobank, currently advises two funds in India. The first fund has a $120 million corpus, that has been invested in 10 companies across sectors like biotechnology, warehousing, edible oils, dairy and basmati rice, the company said.
Some of the existing portfolio companies are Prabhat Dairy, LT Foods, and Vacmet. Rabo Equity has an exclusive knowledge sharing agreement with Rabobank which gives it an unfettered access to the vast knowledge pool and network of Rabobank

APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1493

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 07-06-2016
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Guar Gum Powder
1
Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
3700
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
1100
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2220
Wheat
1
CZCE Wheat Futures (USD/t)
369
2
Black Sea, FOB Brazil (USD/t)
175
3
GFO, HRW, DAT Ontario (USD/t)
166
Honey
1
Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2140
2
Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2160
3
Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2180
Source: oryza, agra-net
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 11-06-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Dhekiajuli (Assam)
Fine
2200
2600
2
Jajpur (Orissa)
Other
1800
2200
3
Sainthia (West Bengal)
Common
2140
2160
Wheat
1
Dehgam (Gujarat)
Other
1690
1730
2
Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh)
Other
1625
1950
3
Sangli (Maharashtra)
Other
1700
2700
Papaya
1
Barnala (Punjab)
Other
3000
3500
2
Akhnoor (Jammu and Kashmir)
Other
2000
2200
3
Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
Other
700
800
Cabbage
1
Kondotty (Kerala)
Other
2500
2700
2
Dasuya (Punjab)
Other
500
600
3
Chittorgarh (Rajasthan)
Other
900
1000
Floriculture
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 31-05-2016
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Rose Flower
Package: bunched 10s
1
Boston
Ethiopia
Assorted Colors
13.50
13.50
Orchid Flower
Package: bunched 10s
1
Boston
Thailand
Dendrobium    
10
10
Lilies Flower
Package: per bunch
1
Boston
California
Asiatic  Type
13.50
13.50
Sunflower
Package: per stem
1
Boston
Mexico
Large Head
2.00
2.00
Source:USDA

06/13/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Soybeans

High
Low
Cash Bids
1184
1117
New Crop
1181
1124


Riceland Foods


Cash Bids
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -
New Crop
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -


Futures:

SOYBEANS


High
Low
Last
Change





Jul '16
1198.75
1167.25
1169.00
-9.25
Aug '16
1197.75
1167.25
1169.00
-8.75
Sep '16
1190.50
1161.00
1162.75
-5.75
Nov '16
1186.25
1157.00
1159.00
-3.75
Jan '17
1182.00
1154.50
1156.25
-2.50
Mar '17
1135.50
1112.75
1115.50
-2.75
May '17
1116.00
1093.75
1096.25
-2.25
Jul '17
1113.00
1092.00
1094.50
-1.00
Aug '17


1075.00
+11.75



Soybean Comment

Soybeans closed lower today as the market is beginning to worry about additional acreage being added to U.S. soybean acreage. Soybeans remain at strong levels thanks to continued strong; however, additional acreage could put supplies at a surplus and begin to push prices lower. Soybeans remain oversold and need bullish demand news to continue in order to support prices.



Wheat

High
Low
Cash Bids
508
469
New Crop
494
469


Futures:

WHEAT


High
Low
Last
Change





Jul '16
503.25
490.75
491.25
-3.75
Sep '16
514.75
502.75
503.25
-3.25
Dec '16
533.50
522.75
523.25
-1.50
Mar '17
551.50
542.25
542.75
+0.50
May '17
563.00
554.00
554.75
+0.50
Jul '17
571.50
563.00
563.50
+0.50
Sep '17


569.50
+0.75
Dec '17
587.00
580.25
579.50
+1.50
Mar '18


588.75
+2.00



Wheat Comment

Wheat closed lower as prices failed to get the necessary support from other market. Wheat continues to face bearish fundamentals which are limiting wheats ability to move higher.



Grain Sorghum

High
Low
Cash Bids
388
368
New Crop
376
350






Corn

High
Low
Cash Bids
434
408
New Crop
431
415


Futures:

CORN


High
Low
Last
Change





Jul '16
438.00
427.50
430.00
+7.00
Sep '16
442.75
431.75
435.50
+8.00
Dec '16
446.75
435.75
440.00
+9.25
Mar '17
450.75
440.00
445.25
+9.50
May '17
453.25
443.00
448.25
+9.50
Jul '17
455.00
444.25
450.25
+9.75
Sep '17
422.50
412.75
417.25
+3.50
Dec '17
421.00
411.00
414.00
+2.75
Mar '18
425.00
419.50
420.00
+2.00



Corn Comment

Corn prices closed higher today as weather remains the main support factor for corn. In addition to the weather concerns private estimates are beginning to forecast lower acreage making the market bullish about the upcoming acreage report. If acreage were to decline and weather forecast remain dry the market will become concerned about supplies. With short South American crops the market needs a normal U.S. Crop.



Cotton
Futures:

COTTON


High
Low
Last
Change





May '16
64.42
62.2
63.08
-0.41
Jul '16
64.02
62.88
63.69
-0.32
Dec '16
62.73
61.44
62.52
-0.18



Cotton Comment

December cotton charted a huge bearish reversal today after failing to challenge last weeks spike high of 66.45 cents in early dealings. Uptrending support is near 62.30 cents currently. In last weeks report, USDA forecast weaker cotton mill use in the U.S. The USDA continues to forecast U.S. Cotton stocks at more than 4 million bales this year and next. Global demand remains sluggish despite a 1.7 million bale decline in global stocks primarily caused by a 2 million bale decrease in China cotton stocks, which were the result of lower production forecasts, not increased demand.



Rice

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


Futures:

ROUGH RICE


High
Low
Last
Change





Jul '16
1139.5
1128.0
1131.5
-4.0
Sep '16
1167.5
1156.0
1158.5
-4.5
Nov '16
1192.5
1185.0
1183.5
-4.0
Jan '17


1203.0
-3.5
Mar '17


1220.0
-3.5
May '17


1236.0
-4.0
Jul '17


1238.5
-4.0

Rice Comment

Rice futures were under pressure today but traded in a fairly narrow range. The USDA supply/demand report did show an increase in short and medium grain rice exports, but also forecast an increase in long grain rice imports. With forecast for another big crop in 2016/17, rice needs to see additional demand develop as we approach the fall. The USDA is forecasting sharp increases next year over the current year, however, export sales are still lackluster.



Cattle
Futures:

Live Cattle:

LIVE CATTLE


High
Low
Last
Change





Jun '16
122.325
119.450
119.450
-3.000
Aug '16
117.600
114.350
114.350
-3.000
Oct '16
117.050
113.800
113.800
-3.000
Dec '16
116.750
113.850
113.950
-2.900
Feb '17
116.300
113.300
113.675
-2.625
Apr '17
115.425
112.725
113.200
-2.500
Jun '17
108.075
105.825
106.300
-2.525
Aug '17
106.575
104.275
104.750
-2.475

Feeders:

FEEDER CATTLE


High
Low
Last
Change





Aug '16
144.625
141.050
141.050
-4.500
Sep '16
143.350
139.625
139.700
-4.425
Oct '16
141.700
138.150
138.150
-4.500
Nov '16
138.500
134.800
134.800
-4.500
Jan '17
132.425
129.825
129.825
-4.500
Mar '17
127.900
127.000
127.000
-4.500
Apr '17


127.925
-4.500
May '17


130.850
-0.200


Cattle Comment
Cattle prices closed sharply lower today as the cash market is beginning to weaken. Over the last few weeks strong cash prices have privided support for cattle as beef prices remain week. With slow demand and weakening cash cattle prices, futures could see further weakness this week and retest lows at 116.45 for live cattle and 139.77 for feeder cattle.


Hogs
Futures:

LEAN HOGS


High
Low
Last
Change





Jun '16
82.250
81.600
81.825
-0.450
Jul '16
86.375
85.075
86.100
+0.400
Aug '16
88.000
86.275
87.825
+1.200
Oct '16
73.475
72.450
73.375
+0.575
Dec '16
67.325
66.650
66.825
-0.125
Feb '17
70.125
69.525
69.750
-0.150
Apr '17
72.700
72.050
72.225
-0.225
May '17
76.100
76.100
76.100
-0.400
Jun '17
80.050
80.025
79.850
-0.150

Monday, June 13, 2016

13th June,2016 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine

















China’s tightened inspection good for Vietnamese rice exporters: insiders
TUOI TRE NEWS
Updated : 06/11/2016 09:42 GMT + 7
A man carries a bag of paddy out of a rice field in Tien Giang Province, located in southern Vietnam.
Tuoi Tre
PrevNext

China has started applying more stringent regulation to ensure the safety of rice imports from Vietnam, a move some Vietnamese insiders say will benefit, instead of hurting, the rice sector.
On Tuesday, Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced it had closed a new protocol with China, including stricter sterilization inspection Vietnamese rice exports have to pass before entering Chinese market.
In order to qualify for exports to China, the rice should be grown at areas certified by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ), according to the document. The shipment should also be sterilized and cleansed of weeds or dirt.
The Vietnamese Plant Protection Department will have to introduce its major rice exporters to China and only those inspected and recognized by the AQSIQ are allowed to ship their grains to China.
The new protocol replaces an old document, stipulating rice export activities between Vietnam and China, which has been in use since 2004.
The regulation amendment has in fact brought more benefits to Vietnam, according to the country’s Plant Protection Department.
According to the old protocol, Chinese experts would come to Vietnam for the sterilization inspection tasks, and the Vietnamese rice companies had to cover their costs.
“With the new rule, the Plant Protection Department will be in charge of working with the AQSIQ, saving time and money for rice businesses,” department head Hoang Trung said.
Trung added that the tightened rule will encourage more official rice exports to China, instead of the effectively unofficial trade across the border.
“This is a good sign as official export is less risky than the unofficial one,” he said.
The Plant Protection Department has selected nine sterilization agencies to work with local exporters, and has collaborated with the Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) to prepare a list of qualified businesses to send to China for certification and recognition.
Under the old protocol, 131 Vietnamese were eligible to export rice to China but only 30 or 40 firms actually sold their goods to that market, said VFA general secretary Huynh Minh Hue.
The new protocol also left Vietnamese rice businesses unsurprised.
Tran Ngoc Trung, general director of Vinh Phat, a rice exporter in Ho Chi Minh City, said the new rule will only help Vietnamese exporters to have better preparation for their shipment to China.
Trung said such regulations on sterilization are what importing countries normally do to ensure food safety and disease control.
“Major rice firms with stable material areas and standardized rice husking facilities and warehouses will not have to worry,” he said. “The U.S. sets even stricter rules but [Vietnamese firms] are still able to enter that market.”
China is Vietnam’s largest rice importer. In May Vietnam’s rice exports to China topped 400,000 metric tons, down 31 percent from a year earlier.
http://tuoitrenews.vn/business/35300/chinas-tightened-inspection-good-for-vietnamese-rice-exporters-insiders


What’s on the menu today?

Hundreds of Fast & Tasty Recipes in the Recipe Toolbar -Download
Creative 'n' healthy options: Carrot drumstick leaves fried rice --Photos: Srivalli Jetti
Channa Rice
Indian calzone with capsicum, corn and cottage cheese
Paneer-stuffed wheat kulchas
Vermicelli vegetable pulao

 

Stressed about what to pack for your ward’s lunch? Give these recipes, which promise to be a balance between taste and health, a shot

Schools have started. One is not faced with just the challenge of getting the kids ready to school on time, but also packing lunch that tastes good and is packed with health. This particular task demands your creative thinking and ability to ensure you pack a balanced meal. Since kids spend less time in actual eating, one has to send dishes that are easy for them to eat and enjoy. Planning ahead or at least the night before helps. If you are planning on fried rice, you can cook the rice the previous night and refrigerate it. Children love ingredients like paneer, channa, corn, potato etc. Try to include vegetables too. Here are a few recipes that you can give a shot.
Paneer-stuffed wheat kulchas
Ingredients (for four to six small-sized kulchas)
For the Kulchas:
Wheat flour – 2 cups
Milk – quarter cup
Curd or yogurt – quarter cup
Baking powder – 1 tsp
Baking soda – half tsp
Salt to taste
Oil – 2 tbsp
For Paneer stuffing:
Paneer – one-and-a-half cups, grated
Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
Cumin powder – quarter tsp
Garam masala powder – 1 tsp
Coriander leaves – a handful
Salt to taste
Method
In a bowl, add all the ingredients for the kulcha and knead a soft, firm dough. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Grate paneer, add red chilli powder, cumin powder, salt, garam masala and coriander leaves to it and mix well. Divide into small-sized balls. Divide the dough into equal-sized balls. Flatten them and stuff with the filling. Seal the ball completely, dust and roll out into tiny parathas. Heat a non-stick pan, grease with oil and cook the kulchas on both sides. Serve with curd and pickle of choice.
Indian calzone with capsicum, corn and cottage cheese
Calzone is a healthier low-cal version, where wheat flour is used and the calzone is pan-cooked.
Ingredients (Makes four)
For the chapatis
Wheat flour – 2 cups
Salt to taste
Water to knead the dough
For the stuffing
Paneer – 1 cup, crumbled (made from one litre milk)
Onion – 1 medium, julienned
Capsicum – quarter cup, finely chopped
Corn kernels – quarter cups
Salt to taste
Red chilli powder – half tsp
Coriander powder – half tsp
Garam masala – quarter tsp
Turmeric powder – a pinch
Kasuri methi or coriander leaves – a handful
Oil – 1 tbsp
Cheese cubes – 2
Method
For the dough
In a wide bowl, take the wheat flour, salt and knead the dough and keep aside for 10 minutes.
For the stuffing
Heat a non-stick pan, add onions, sauté well. Add capsicum, corn and mix well. Add all the spice powders, sprinkle a few drops of water and stir well.
Now crumble the paneer into this mix and combine everything.
To assemble
Divide the dough into equal balls. Dust well and roll into 6-diameter discs. Place a tbsp of stuffing in the centre, grate some cheese over it. Bring one side of the disc towards the other to make a half moon or a crescent shape.
Press the sides with a fork to seal well. Heat a pan with oil, place the calzone and sprinkle oil over it and cook well, by pressing on all sides. Slice into halves and serve with sauce or any dip.
Note: The sauce is spread on the base; but tastes good without the sauce as well.
Channa Rice
Channa is a good source of protein. Always have frozen boiled chickpea on hand to make this easy dish.
Ingredients
Raw rice – 1 cup
Boiled channa – 1 cup
Onion, chopped – half, medium
Tomato – 1 small
Ginger-garlic paste – half tsp
Green chillies – 2 medium
Red chilli powder – three-fourth tsp
Coriander powder – three-fourth tsp
Turmeric powder – a pinch
Salt to taste
Oil – 2 tsp
Ghee – 2 tsp
Coriander leaves – a handful
Whole spices – 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves, 1-inch cinnamon, 1 cardamom
Method
Wash and soak the rice in water for 10 minutes. Heat a pressure cooker with oil and ghee. Add all the whole spices and sauté well. Now, add the onions and fry till it turns brown. Add ginger-garlic paste, sauté well. Now add chopped tomatoes, all the spice powders and simmer for five minutes. Drain the rice and add to the pot. Combine everything and stir for two minutes. Add two cups of water, salt and cover and cook in the pressure cooker for three whistles. Serve with onion raitha.
Carrot drumstick leaves fried rice
Fried rice is always a hit with children. Add drumstick leaves to make it healthier. If you have cooked rice, then you sure will breeze through this one.
Ingredients
Cooked basmati rice – 2 cups
Drumstick leaves – 1 cup
Carrots – quarter cup, chopped in 1-inch fine sticks
Green chillies – 2 medium
Green chilli sauce – 1 tsp
Soya sauce – 1 tsp
Oil – 2 tsp
Ghee – few drops
Salt to taste
Pepper powder to taste
Method
Cook the rice and keep aside. Wash and cut the drumstick leaves. Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add the carrots sticks, and slit green chillies, sauté till carrot are cooked. Next add drumstick leaves, sauté well. Add salt, pepper, soya sauce, green chilli sauce and toss well.
Allow it to cool before packing it in the box.
Vermicelli vegetable pulao
Try this interesting version of pulao with vermicelli loaded with vegetables.
Ingredients
Roasted vermicelli – 1 cup
Water – 3 cups
Whole spices for the masala – 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves, 1 cardamom, 1-inch cinnamon
Mixed Vegetables – 1 cup (potato, carrots, peas, beans)
Onions – 1 medium, sliced
Ginger garlic paste – half tsp
Green chillies – 2 medium
Turmeric powder – a pinch
Garam masala powder – half tsp
Oil – 2 tsp
Salt to taste
Method
Roast the vermicelli for couple of minutes and keep aside. In a pan, boil water, add vermicelli and cook till done. This takes about five minutes. Drain over a colander and fluff with drops of oil and keep aside.
Meanwhile, either microwave the vegetables for five minutes or par boil in a small pan with little water and keep aside.
Heat a non-stick pan with oil, temper with all the whole spices, sauté well. Next add the onions, sauté till browned. Add ginger garlic paste, salt, turmeric powder and fry well.
Now add the cooked vegetables, give it a stir, add the cooked vermicelli. Mix everything well and simmer for couple of minutes. Your vermicelli pulav is ready to be relished.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:WcMgWuoukcsJ:www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/tasty-and-healthy-lunch-box-recipes/article8718278.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk




Mujadara (Rice with lentils and fried onions)

Mujadara
A perfect, warming bowl-food dish, with its sweet spices tempered by cooling Onken natural yogurt.
Ingredients:
  • 200g brown or green lentils
  • 175g basmati rice
  • 50g natural yogurt
  • 3 medium red onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp cracked black peppercorns
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Seasoning
Method:
  1. Place the lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over a medium/high heat, turn down to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes until tender
  2. Fry the onions on a medium heat in a frying pan with a splash of oil and a pinch of salt for about 15 minutes, until they start to caramelise and crisp up on the edges. Remove half to a kitchen towel-lined plate for garnish
  3. Add the cumin, black pepper, cayenne and cinnamon and fry for 1 minute
  4. Add the uncooked basmati rice and cook for a 2-3 minutes until the rice starts to brown. Immediately add the cooked lentils, 600ml of water, and a good pinch of salt and bring to the boil.
  5. Turn the heat down to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. The water should have completely evaporated
  6. Take off the heat and cover with a lid to steam for another 5 minutes
  7. Serve with a sprinkle of the remaining fried onions and a generous spoonful of Onken natural yogurt
To find more recipes from Onken please visit: http://www.onken.co.u

Attaining Self-Sufficiency In Rice Production

| Leave a comment
With the implementation of the first leg of the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) in Kebbi State, Nigeria is certain of the local supply of 14.5 per cent of its total rice consumption in 2016. This is a step towards achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.
Total rice consumption of Nigeria is estimated at 6.9 million metric tonnes and Kebbi State is expected to deliver one million metric tonnes of rice at the end of this year’s harvest, according to estimates from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Although Nigeria is the largest producer of rice, a staple food for almost all household in the country, it is the second largest importer of rice in the world. Rice is mainly imported from Thailand, Brazil, India, USA, UAE.
Rice is grown in approximately on 3.7 million hectares of land in Nigeria, covering 10.6 per cent of the 35 million hectares of land under cultivation, out of a total arable land area of 70 million hectares. 77 per cent of the farmed area of rice is rain-fed, of which 47 per cent is lowland and 30 per cent upland. The range of grown varieties is diverse and includes both local and enhanced varieties of traditional African rice.
Over the years, yields on rice production has been on the rise, but area of land harvested and the number of tonnes produced has been on the decrease, showing a possibility of a declining number of rice farmers.
This decline began in 2008. Before then, government’s  policies affecting rice production had been directed at protecting the local industry through tariffs and providing extension support to rice farmers. The import tariff on value-added rice was 100 per cent in 1995, 50 in 1996 through 2000 and 85 in 2001.
However, with effect from May 2008, rice imports into Nigeria were declared free from all duties and charges, including customs duty, 7 per cent surcharge, value-added tax and levies. This caused a surge in rice importation and discouraged local farmers as it became cheaper to import the calorie-giving food.
Currently, Nigeria spends about N1 billion importing rice to feed its over 170 million population, putting farmers to work in countries like the United States,India and Thailand, while putting farmers out of work in Nigeria.
Despite various interventions, the situation seemed not to change prompting the apex bank to introduce the ABP. The Anchor Borrowers Scheme(ABS) was conceived out of the CBN’s resolve to achieve a strong and viable agriculture base with more integrated value chains, enhanced food security, fewer imports and higher productivity.
In line with the federal government’s target of achieving food security for the country, the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, explained that the APB was one of the apex bank’s initiatives to pursue creation of jobs, reduction in food imports, and diversification of our economy.
“The programme aims at creating economic linkages between over 600,000 smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly improving capacity utilisation of integrated mills.”
The CBN said it established the ABP with a view to collaborating with anchor companies involved in the production and processing of key agricultural commodities. Specifically, the APB has been pushed for rice and wheat farmers in 14 states, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Admawa, Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Cross-Rivers and Ebonyi, to advance their status from smallholder farmers to commercial or large growers.
This has become essential as the federal government has set a target of 2018 and 2019, for self sustenance in rice and wheat, a target that is achievable if the success being recorded in Kebbi was replicated in the other states that had been penned down for the programme.
The CBN had earmarked N40 billion out of the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund to be given to farmers at single digit interest rate of nine per cent per annum.
Under the scheme, a total of 78,581 farmers were engaged in Kebbi State with a total of 573,958 direct and indirect jobs created in the process. According to the Fact Sheet on the scheme released by the CBN, N2,971,532,000 was disbursed under State Government to 70,871 labour- related farmers, N1,224,289,400 was also given to 2,710 farmers, who registered under a group known as Umza, while N740,500,000 was disbursed to another 5,000 farmers under Labana, another farmers’ group in the state.
The apex bank also stated that 73,001 farmers had been supplied inputs so far under the initiative with the total number of 66,765 farmers receiving the inputs under State Government, 3,526 under Labana and 2,710 under Umza.
Apart from the number of jobs created, the Fact Sheet indicated that 70,871 rural farmers now own and operate bank accounts and were also captured under the Bank Verification Number (BVN) biometric project. With 78,581 hecterage of land secured for dry season farming, about 7,710 retained in farming business under ABP, while at least seven indirect jobs had been created per hectare of rice farm through land preparation, nursery, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, threshing, and transportation