World Rice Production 2016/2017
January 2017
This month the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that the World Rice Production 2016/2017 will be 480.02 million metric tons, around 1.49 million tons
less than the previous month's projection.Rice Production last year (*) was 472.39 million tons. This year's 480.02 estimated million tons could represent an increase of 7.63 million tons or a 1.62% in rice production around the globe.
Rice
Production by Country
(Values in Metric Tons)China: 144,850,000
India: 106,500,000
Others: 41,230,000
Indonesia: 36,600,000
Bangladesh: 34,515,000
Vietnam: 27,800,000
Thailand: 18,600,000
Burma: 12,500,000
Philippines: 11,500,000
Brazil: 7,820,000
Japan: 7,790,000
United States: 7,117,000
Pakistan: 6,640,000
Cambodia: 4,700,000
Egypt: 4,554,000
Korea, South: 4,200,000
Nepal: 3,100,000
https://www.worldriceproduction.com/?Referer=Newsletter
Vietnam extends rice trade deal
with Philippines
Vietnam will continue to supply up
to 1.5 million tonnes of rice per year to the Philippines as the rice trade
agreement between the two countries has been extended to December 31, 2018,
according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The Philippines is a key rice
importer of Vietnam, buying from 500,000 – 1,500,000 tonnes of rice from
Vietnam every year, and accounting for 17 – 20 percent of Vietnam’s total
overseas rice shipments during 2011-2015.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/171310/vietnam-extends-rice-trade-deal-with-philippines.html
LGUs to pilot corporate farming
Four rice-producing Local Government Units were
identified as pilot areas for the initial implementation of Corporate Rice
Farming Program of the Department of Agriculture in Negros Occidental.Regional
director Joyce Wendam of the DA-Negros Island Region said yesterday that the
LGUs of Bago, La Carlota, Valladolid and Pontevedra are the identified pilot
areas for the Corporate Rice Farming Program of the government of Negros
Occidental that begins its first season of operation this July.
She said farmers of four LGUs will provide the
rice subsidy of the 9,261 PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries of
the DSWD of the areas estimated at 1 million kilos for 6 months. The DSWD,
under the marching order of President Rodrigo Duterte, has added rice to its
existing subsidy to recipients to take effect this month.In a briefing held
recently at the Pavillon Hotel in Bacolod, 4Ps provincial operations
officerDionela Flores said that including the giving of rice in the subsidy
will not be pushed through this month as they and the DA are still sourcing the
rice supply while the corporate rice farming program is still in its inception
period.
Dionela, however said that though the rice
subsidy may come late this year, it will be given later for it has allocated
funds included in the department's budget for 2017. “There will be an
accumulation of subsidy that will be given when it is available”, she added.
Wendam said the program involves collaborative
undertakings with several government agencies such as the DSWD, DA, the Land
Bank, National Irrigation Administration, Agrcultural Credit Policy Council,
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and theNegros Occidental Farmers and Rice
Millers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NOFARIMCO), the identified farm service
provider of the program in the province.She said NOFARIMCO will act as the
consolidator of the production of the farmers enrolled at the program. Under
the scheme, NOFARIMCO will enter into an agreement with the DSWD to purchase
farmers' rice at P32.50 a kilo for the 4Ps subsidy. The DSWD, in return, will
deposit in escrow the money intended for the payment of rice to the Land Bank
of the Philippines.
To avail of the program, farmers should enrolin
it and sign a contract growing agreement with the service provider. The service
provider will then provide the Land Bank its list of farmers enrolled at the
program and help facilitate their loans.Wendam said the program will help the
farmers to sell their produce at volume and enable them to avail of the
government support services, like the utilization of the cooperative's farm implements
and machineries aside from credit.
A free enrolment premium in the Philippine Crop
Insurance Corporation will be provided with the assurance that their production
investment will be cushioned in case of calamity.Wendamalsoappealed to the
stakeholders of the program to collaborate with one another for its success.
“This will help in the stabilization of the rice price in the market as well as
achieving food security and sufficiency”, she added.She said that in cases when
there is inadequate production supply to meet the 4Ps requirement for the 4
LGUs, they will source rice from the neighboring towns, which will be open for
identification of farmers outside the pilot areas in preparation for the
program expansion and replication on its second season in 2018, she said,
adding that the program will create a chain of effects, in the growth and
development of local farmers.
USA Rice
Federation, more than 100 others push for ag trade with Cuba
Monday
Posted
Jan 16, 2017 at 3:38 PM
"With
less than one week until the Trump administration takes the reins, it's
important that the agricultural community voices its support for policies that
will allow us to sell our crops and products in a free and open market,"
Ben Mosely, vice president of government affairs for USA Rice, said.
"Trade with Cuba is not just a priority for U.S. rice but the dozens of
other organizations and businesses that represent nearly every sector of our
vital industry that signed-on in support of reduced trade and financing
barriers for agricultural commodities."
By Peter Bachmann / USA Rice
Federation
USA Rice, along
with more than 100 state and national agriculture-related organizations and
agribusinesses sent a letter to President-elect Trump and his team asking his administration to
prioritize the removal of private financing and trade barriers for agricultural
commodities and equipment.
"With less than one week until the Trump
administration takes the reins, it's important that the agricultural community
voices its support for policies that will allow us to sell our crops and
products in a free and open market," Ben Mosely, vice president of
government affairs for USA Rice, said. "Trade with Cuba is not just a
priority for U.S. rice but the dozens of other organizations and businesses
that represent nearly every sector of our vital industry that signed-on in
support of reduced trade and financing barriers for agricultural commodities."
While the needed fixes fall under
the jurisdiction of Congress, the letter asks the administration to consider
"progress made in normalizing relations with Cuba, and also solicit the
administration's support for the agricultural business sector to expand trade
with Cuba to help American farmers and our associated industries.
The groups highlighted the fall
of the U.S. as Cuba's go-to for food, "The U.S. has fallen from its
position as the number one supplier of agricultural products from 2003 to 2012,
to now the number five supplier after the European Union, Brazil, Argentina and
Vietnam. The U.S. needs to be number one again. Especially given many of Cuba's
imports, including rice, poultry, dairy, soy, wheat and corn make up more than
70 percent of what they import and they're all grown right here in the U.S. by
hardworking American farmers," Mosely explained.The letter was organized
in part by USA Rice and the dozens of state agriculture organizations and
businesses that make up Engage Cuba's state councils for Cuba
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/news/20170116/usa-rice-federation-more-than-100-others-push-for-ag-trade-with-cuba
Specialty rice
program nears release of 2 aromatic lines
Monday
Posted
Jan 16, 2017 at 11:23 AMUpdated
Jan 16, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Share
By Ryan McGeeney/SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL
STUTTGART - The University of
Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's specialty rice program, seated in the
Rice Research and Extension Center at Stuttgart, is planning to release two
varieties of aromatic rice in the coming years, researchers recently.
Debra Ahrent Wisdom, a program
and research associate for the Division of Agriculture at Stuttgart, said two
jasmine-type aromatic rices, currently known simply as AR-1105 and AR-1102, are
scheduled to be released in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
"These are really the first lines we've released through the specialty
rice program," Ahrent Wisdom said. "We determined there was a demand
for these aromatics through conversations with growers, millers and marketers,
and also by simply looking at rice imports across the country."
Ahrent Wisdom said that while the
United States (and Arkansas in particular) doesn't typically import much long-
or medium-grain rice, imports of aromatics such as jasmine and basmati are
strong.
"There's an interest among
consumers for aromatic rice," she said, noting that immigrants and foreign
nationals, particularly from Asian counties such as India and Thailand,
overwhelmingly prefer the rice grown in their countries of origin.
"We can't grow the varieties
they grow in Thailand and India, because of the photo period
sensitivities," Ahrent Wisdom said. "We can't just say, 'send us some
seed and we'll grow it here.' It doesn't work that way. There's something about
the environment in Thailand and India that makes those aromatic lines just pop.
And it's not everywhere in those countries - it's just certain pockets where
the soil and the environment just works.
"We don't happen to have
that particular environment here - so we work around the environment we
have," she said.
Ahrent Wisdom said both of the
new varieties claim Jazzman, a jasmine aromatic line originally developed by
Louisiana State University, as a parent. In three years of test trials, AR-1105
and AR-1102 have averaged yields of 170 and 150 bushels per acre, respectively.
While the yields aren't comparable to most long-grain rice varieties, the
numbers represent a strong showing among aromatics, she said.
Jarrod Hardke, extension rice
agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said specialty rices like Ahrent
Wisdom's aromatic lines make up less than one percent of overall rice production
in Arkansas, the leading rice state in the country. Nevertheless, producers are
always looking for an edge in marketing opportunities, he said.
"Our growers do want some investment," Hardke said. "Any kind of
value-added product, anything we can find a fit for, at a premium, and can grow
and sell, that's great. But to date, specialty rice markets are still pretty
small."
Karen Moldenhauer, a professor of
Crop, Soil and Environmental Science for the Division of Agriculture in
Stuttgart, said the RREC has been working with aromatic varieties for more than
a decade, although the specialty didn't become a focus of the program's
research until Ahrent Wisdom transferred from Fayetteville to Stuttgart in
2009.
"There was a lot of interest
in aromatic rice," Moldenhauer said. "The Arkansas Rice Research and
Promotion Board and a number of producers in Arkansas thought it would be good
if we could have an aromatic that we could potentially sell to some of these
same people; people that were more interested in different types of rices, so
they could have something from the United States to choose from."
Moldenhauer said that since the
Division of Agriculture's rice breeding program was established in 1931, it has
released about 45 lines of rice, only one of which has been an aromatic.
Glen Bathke, assistant director
of the RREC, said that the specialty rice program's pursuit of unusual lines
provides an avenue for growers to find new markets in which to pursue revenues.
"Just having a new rice
variety released periodically lets growers and business owners know that we can
grow specialty rice here, not just medium- and long-grain," Bathke said.
"We have aromatic markets right here in Arkansas. If growers would like to
participate in that market, we have products that will allow them to do so, and
diversify a little bit. But developing those markets is key."
Ryan McGeeney is with the U of A
System Division of Agriculture
http://www.pbcommercial.com/news/20170116/specialty-rice-program-nears-release-of-2-aromatic-lines
Heavy push for rice megafarms
Three models for grouping
scheme
16 Jan 2017 at 07:35 5,981
viewed5 comments
NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS |
WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS
A farmer in India shows shows the agri-drones he uses to provide
precision spraying over a huge area in a short time. (Photo via VegFru.com)
The government is committed to ramping up the rice megafarm scheme this
year, for which it provides soft loans, machinery and agricultural equipment to
farmers in order to cut production costs and raise productivity. The scheme
will cover 1.05 million rai of related farmland.Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the
newly-appointed Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, said the rice
megafarm scheme will be developed and run this year on three different farming
models based on different geographical locations and demand from participating
farmers.
The megafarm project implemented last year entails participating
farmers pooling their rice farmland together into one large plot, after which
modern equipment, including harvesting machinery, is deployed.
Participating farmers can borrow up to 5 million baht at 0.01% interest
from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), while the
Commerce Ministry is responsible for the marketing and sales of the rice and
finding buyers.
Acting as a group, participating farmers can negotiate for better
access to markets and financial resources such as loans. This grouping and
joint management is intended to ensure efficiency in the entire rice business
-- from planning to farming and marketing to distribution.
Last August, the cabinet approved 3.25 billion baht worth of lending
packages via the BAAC for megafarm projects for 2017-19.
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry signed a memorandum of
understanding with the Commerce Ministry last September and the Interior
Ministry to promote the megafarm scheme.
Last year, there were 381 rice megafarms spanning 940,000 rai. A total
of 63,000 farmers participated in the scheme.
The ministry aims to expand the scheme to 426 rice megafarms this year
covering 1.05 million rai, with the number of participating farmers coming to
72,142. Officials are reviewing incentives to entice more farmers to take part.
"The megafarm scheme this year will run largely on three farming
models: traditional farming, but with better marketing and farm management
methods or the so-called Model 2.0; farming that uses basic technology and
grows mainly premium rice to be supplied as raw materials to various industries
to make products with added value (Model 3.0); and farming that applies
advanced technology such as GPS satellite, soil improvement and agriculture
drones for spraying fertiliser and pesticides to reduce production costs and
produce innovative products (Model 4.0)," she said. "But for Model
4.0, we may need to find and attract interested investors."
Ms Chutima, a former permanent secretary for the Commerce Ministry,
said the ministry will also focus this year on more actively promoting food
safety and security and good agricultural practices (GAP) in the farm sector.
"One of the ministry's top priorities this year is to promote the
proliferation of GAP so that we can declare to the world in the future that
Thailand is a supplier of safe agricultural products such as vegetables to the
world," said Ms Chutima. "Although chemicals are used while farming,
it requires a long-enough period before harvesting and the residue levels must
be at a tolerable rate. This, once achieved, will lead Thailand to the next
step of development: chemical-free farming and ultimately organic
farming."
In tandem with the farming developments, she said Thailand needs to
create better understanding among consumers about the differences between safe
agricultural products and organic ones, how to choose their items and their
willingness to pay more for safe and high-quality products.
"And one of the key focuses this year for the ministry is to
partner with the Agricultural Research Development Agency, which handles
research and development in Thailand's agricultural sector, to optimise
existing research to grow more crops demanded by the market," she said.
Suthep Kongmak, president of the Thai Agriculturist Association, hailed
the government-initiated megafarm scheme, saying the grouping helps reduce
production costs, significantly boosts productivity and raises bargaining
power.
But Mr Suthep said the association, which boasts 40,000 farmers in 47
provinces, only took to the megafarm scheme in 2015/16. Participating farms
account for 60,000 rai, mainly to grow hom mali, white rice and Pathum Thani
fragrant rice.This year, the association aims to increase the amount of
farmland used in the scheme by another 40,000 rai.
"But our association's participating farmers have not registered
with the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, as we don't want to borrow any money,
which will increase their debt," he said. "More importantly, the
ministry stipulates conditions that require us to not only form a group and
register as community enterprises to be eligible for soft loans from the BAAC,
but we also have to file our projects with the Tambon, District and Provincial
Agricultural Extension Office for approval. That sounds inconvenient."
Rice prices on the rise
Updated: April 29, 2011 17:51 IST
S.
VydhianathanCHENNAI: Rice prices in the State are on the rise due to export to Sri Lanka and movement restrictions by the Andhra Pradesh Government.The price of “Sona” variety, which was Rs.17 a kg till last month, is now selling at Rs.20 per kg at the wholesale market. In retail, it is one rupee more. Fresh varieties, selling at Rs.14 a kg, have also registered an increase of Rs.1.50 a kg.Wholesale traders here said exporters purchased a bulk of the quantity from the market as the profit margin in export was higher compared to that in retail sales.
Wholesale and retail traders in Tamil Nadu did not build up stock in the last two months apprehending a fall in prices. This also contributed to the increase in prices, he added.
An increase in the open market price would normally lead to more than usual offtake of rice at the Public Distribution System. At present, only 40 to 45 per cent of the 1.84 crore cardholders purchased PDS rice. The percentage could increase in the coming weeks. But the State had sufficient stock to meet a possible increase in demand. The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation has not received paddy in the current kuruvai season, as against 3.29 lakh tonnes in the previous season. Corporation officials said delta farmers did not raise kuruvai this time as water from the Mettur reservoir was not released on the scheduled date of June 12. However, it would be compensated in the samba season as there would be more arrivals.
A majority of farmers would sell their produce to the corporation as the minimum support price for paddy had increased from Rs.650 per quintal to Rs.825 per quintal for Grade A variety and Rs.620 to Rs.795 per quintal for the common variety. The corporation is expected to purchase about 16.5 lakh tonnes of samba paddy as against 12.78 lakh tonnes in the last season
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/Rice-prices-on-the-rise/article14898782.ece
Mexican chain buys big load
of Thai rice
January 16, 2017 01:00
By THE NATION
By THE NATION
THE COSTCO-MEXICO superstore has imported 112
tonnes of Thai rice for distribution to its 32 branches in 18 Mexican states.
The move
is part of a coordination between the Thai Trade Centre in Mexico and Otis
McAllister Co Ltd – a US-based importer of Thai rice – to promote the product
and expand its presence in Central America market through their distribution
channels in the US.According to the Thai Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn, Costco is also willing to join the Thai Trade Centre to organise marketing campaigns for Thai rice to expand its market share in Mexico.
Malee Choklumlerd, the Department of International Trade Promotion’s director-general, said that the ministry had positioned Mexico as the base to distribute Thai rice in Central America, especially Panama and Cuba.
Malee said that Panama did not have a sufficient rice supply to serve local demand. Recently the Panama government increased rice imports to 67,000 tonnes, which is expected to climb to 135,000 tonnes soon.
Cuba, with 11 million people, is another potential market for Thai rice. However the export of Thai rice to Cuba needs to be done by authorised importers in the island nation.
In 2015 Thailand exported 16,167 tonnes of rice worth US$6.6 million (Bt234 million) to Mexico, while Mexico imported 781,000 tonnes of rice worth $273 million from the US. The Thai Trade Centre in Mexico has invited rice importers from Mexico, Panama, and Cuba to visit the Thaifex – World of Food Asia event in Thailand.
Last week the Hong Kong chain 759 Store imported the first lot of Thai hom mali rice and other types of Thai rice totalling of 136 tonnes from Siam Diamond Export Thailand as part of their memorandum of understanding signed last November.
Under the MoU the Hong Kong superstore will import 10,000 tonnes of rice from Siam Diamond.
The deal reflects the Department of International Trade Promotion’s attempt to promote the Thai rice in Hong Kong.
http://thaicooking.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/EconomyAndTourism/30304181
Lalu fans arrive
with curd, beaten rice
Amit
Bhelari
RJD
chief Lalu Prasad's supporters made a beeline outside his 10 Circular Road residence
on Friday to supply curd, beaten rice, tilkut and other items for Makar
Sankranti on Saturday.Lalu is set to host a grand feast that thousands are
expected to attend. An added attraction for the family is the arrival on Friday
of Lalu's eldest daughter Misa Bharti. "This is my first visit after my
baby was born," Misa said at Patna airport, her husband Shailesh Kumar in
tow.
"Some
20,000 people are expected to visit tomorrow. Laluji is personally monitoring
the arrangements," said Lalu's close aide Bhola Yadav. Lalu usually
organises a two-day feast.Sources said the RJD chief does not need to purchase
anything; his supporters provide everything. Surendra Prasad Yadav, RJD MLA
from Belaganj in Gaya, supplied more than two quintals of beaten rice, curd and
tilkut. Similarly, Pirpainti MLA Ram Vilas Paswan supplied more than a quintal
of Basmati beaten rice. Already 50 quintals of beaten rice, 20 quintals of
curd, 5 quintals of jaggery powder, 10 quintals of tilkut and 40 quintals of
vegetables have arrived. Vegetables like potato, peas, pumpkin and cauliflower
have arrived from supporters in Chhapra.
Madhusudan
Raut, a Lalu fan from his native place of Phulwaria in Gopalganj, has brought
5kg of beaten rice, 3kg of curd and 2kg of jaggery.Sant Kumar Choudhary and
Shiv Ji Rai have come from Raghopur - Lalu's younger son Tejashwi Yadav's
constituency - carrying curd, beaten rice and jaggery.Others have provided
mineral water, chairs and tents
https://agriculture.einnews.com/article/361928008/CjMDhUtaaxwgpsj3?lcf=mfbGzFqDS4bNQ1jDta8oRvPjgESunH4NfqaGB2CDatA%3D
Philippines keeps
door open for Vietnamese rice — ED
Farmers harvest rice at a paddy
field in Ninh Binh Province, south of Hanoi. Photo by Reuters/Kham
The country makes up for 17-20
percent of Vietnam’s total rice shipments.Vietnam is hoping to maintain its
sizable share in the Philippines’ rice market as export contracts totaling
three million tons for the next two years are now up for grabs.The Philippines
was widely expected to cut back on imports of the staple grain, but it has
recently let Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam back in the bidding process.
Vietnamese exporters will of course have to beat out these neighboring rivals
first.
The Philippines is one of the
biggest buyers of Vietnamese rice, accounting for 17-20 percent of Vietnam’s
total rice shipments.Between 2011 and 2015, Vietnam exported from 500,000 to
1.5 million tons of rice to the Philippines each year.Vietnam’s rice shipments
hit 4.9 million tons in 2016, the lowest since 2008. This year the prospects
seem dismal as the world’s rice stock is forecast to hit a 15-year high of more
than 120 million tons, sufficient for 92 days of global consumption, according
to a report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Meanwhile, Thailand plans to
clear its stockpiles, estimated at around 9 million tons, by the end of 2017.
Laos is also finding ways to boost sales to China, Vietnam’s largest rice buyer
https://m.vietnambreakingnews.com/2017/01/philippines-keeps-door-open-for-vietnamese-rice-ed/
As growers age, agriculture ministry eyes shift
to industrial farming
January 15, 2017 1:30 am JST
Exclusive
TOKYO -- Japan's rice farmers could be about to
lose some of their government protection.Drastic changes could take effect
sometime next fiscal year, which begins in April, that would result in generous
subsidies these farmers get being cut.The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries wants to raise the hurdle that farmers have to clear before they can
receive a subsidy for diverting their rice for human consumption to cattle
feed.
The ministry also plans to make it harder to
get a land subsidy currently paid to farmers who have turned their rice paddies
into fields for other crops. This subsidy would not be paid if the tracts are
no longer readily reconvertible to rice paddies.
By taking these measures, the government wants
to pave the way for large-scale farmers. The existing system is meant to help
sustain small-scale farmers.The ministry is also scheduled to terminate a
decades-old system for adjusting rice production.
About 70% of Japan's farmers grow rice, but the
crop represents only 20% of the total value of the country's agricultural
output. This is due to the nation's declining rice consumption and falling rice
prices.
The majority of Japan's rice farmers are small
operators with 1 or 2 hectares of paddies. Their average age is above 70. This
means many rice farmers are past retirement age, and their profession in Japan
is at risk of dying out. The ministry said it is acting to mitigate this risk.The
picture at vegetable and fruit farms is not as bleak
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Japan-to-stop-coddling-its-rice-farmers
Vietnam extends rice trade deal
with Philippines
Vietnam will continue to supply up
to 1.5 million tonnes of rice per year to the Philippines as the rice trade
agreement between the two countries has been extended to December 31, 2018,
according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The agreement is a solid legal foundation for Vietnam to maintain
its share in the Philippines rice market as the product is mostly imported to
the country via governmental auctions.The extension of the deal helps stabilise
Vietnam’s rice export market. The country has been competing with both
traditional rice exporters such as Thailand and India as well as emerging ones
like Pakistan, Cambodia and Myanmar.The Philippines is a key rice importer of
Vietnam, buying from 500,000 – 1,500,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam every
year, and accounting for 17 – 20 percent of Vietnam’s total overseas rice
shipments during 2011-2015.
VNA
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/171310/vietnam-extends-rice-trade-deal-with-philippines.html
Storms to
pummel California with flooding rain, snowy mountain travel
By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather
senior meteorologist
January 17, 2017, 12:48:22 AM EST
A new round of storms will take aim at California and the southwestern United States later this week and this weekend.Each storm will bring locally drenching rain and heavy mountain snow, with the potential for flooding and travel disruptions."The first storm will spread southward through California on Wednesday and Thursday with a second to follow Friday," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.
A third storm will swing in Sunday and may have major impacts that linger into Tuesday.Rain and excess water on the highways will force many motorists to slow down, Pydynowski said.Incidents of urban flooding are likely in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, California.
Rain with potential flash flooding may also reach the desert cities of Las Vegas, Phoenix and Palm Springs, California, as the storms progress inland.Mudslides and other debris flows can be a hazard on secondary roads through the hills and canyons.While the impacts and the amount of rain that will fall will vary with each storm, it will not take as much rainfall to bring some streams and rivers out of their banks.Many streams and rivers are running high, while lakes and man-made containment areas are also holding a significant amount of water.
A vineyard is flooded in the
Russian River Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Windsor, Calif. (AP
Photo/Eric Risberg)
Storms last week and earlier this winter officially ended the drought north of I-80 in California and reduced the level of drought farther south.
Through Tuesday of next week, cumulative rainfall is likely to
average 3 to 6 inches in northern California with 1 to 3 inches likely in
coastal Southern California. However, there is the potential for locally higher
amounts along the west-facing slopes of the Coast Ranges and near the western
base elevations of the Sierra Nevada.
"Gusty winds accompanying each storm could also knock down
more trees, cause sporadic power outages and make travel extremely
difficult," Pydynowski said.
In the high country of the Sierra Nevada, each storm will bring
a general 1 to 2 feet of snow. Cumulative snowfall through next Monday may
reach 7 to 10 feet in the high country.
"Thus far this season, Mammoth Mountain ski area in California, has received 248.5 inches of snow with 144.5 inches falling this month, as of Jan. 16, at the main lodge," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark.Records at the resort date back to the 1969-70 season."The resort is likely to achieve its snowiest January on record, snowiest month on record and could end up with seasonal snowfall that ranks very high on the all-time list," Clark said.
The records are 182 inches (January), 209 inches (any month) and
668 inches (season).The heaviest amount of snow and rain could fall with a
large storm that swings in later this weekend into next week."Motorists
should prepare for restrictions and possible road closures, including at Donner
Pass along Interstate 80," Pydynowski said.Snow levels will dip low enough
with each storm to allow of snow to fall at intermediate elevations. While this
will help to curtail small stream flooding along the mountainsides in the
Sierra Nevada, it can lead to wintry travel problems.
From late this week through early next week, a period or two of
snow and slippery travel can occur over Cajon and Tejon passes in Southern
California.
Farther inland, snow will coat roads around Reno, Nevada, while
Flagstaff, Arizona, could be buried by a foot of snow as the storms progress.
Mixed results for Queensland
rice plantings this summer
By Lara Webster and Mark Jeffery
"What we have found with the rice we have
planted is that you have got to plant it at the right date, at the right timing
to get the maximum yield at the end and that is where the dollars come
in."With standover cane left in the paddocks, rice crops would have helped
to compensate for a small part of the financial losses growers have suffered."They
have suffered a minimum loss of say, 10 per cent of their gross income, so that
would have compensated a little bit for that if they had rice in the
ground," Mr Crowley said.
"We also didn't get soy beans or some of
the other pulse crops in the ground, which is another income stream."The
rotational crops are also planted because of their soil health benefits and
without them in the ground, cane crops will not receive the extra nutrients."That
will force us into a plough-out, replant situation... there are a lot of
ramifications from a late finish to the crushing"
Planting goes ahead further north
Meanwhile
rice growers in the Burdekin and Tully districts have reported they are on
track for planting this year, even in the high rainfall area of Tully.Brian
Dore grows cane and rice on two properties just south of Tully.He said he still
intended to plant on time this season, despite heavy rains and a late cane
season."At this stage, all of our ground preparation is pretty much done and we aim to start planting from January onwards," Mr Dore said."There was a dry period there where could turn around and get the paddocks ready for rice."
While it is the wet season for north Queensland, Mr Dore was not too concerned that predictions of more rain could set back planting."Our planting window opens from now on [so] for the next month or so, I am optimistic we will get a crop in," he said."Everything is prepped and ready to go so we should get it [the crop] in in a timely manner
Rice Prices
as on : 16-01-2017 08:10:24 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|||||
|
Current
|
%
change |
Season
cumulative |
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal |
Prev.Yr
%change |
|
|
Rice
|
||||||
|
Pilibhit(UP)
|
3000.00
|
-14.29
|
97620.00
|
2230
|
2235
|
1.59
|
|
Gadarpur(Utr)
|
1012.00
|
7.55
|
52606.00
|
1995
|
1832
|
-3.39
|
|
Bangarpet(Kar)
|
377.00
|
-11.71
|
2924.00
|
1850
|
1750
|
10.12
|
|
Bhivandi(Mah)
|
237.00
|
130.1
|
67196.00
|
2250
|
2200
|
-6.25
|
|
Gondal(UP)
|
235.00
|
32.77
|
3779.50
|
2150
|
2150
|
NC
|
|
Badayoun(UP)
|
200.00
|
NC
|
470.00
|
2080
|
2090
|
-
|
|
Shahjahanpur(UP)
|
160.00
|
166.67
|
20682.20
|
2330
|
2350
|
5.91
|
|
Ballia(UP)
|
150.00
|
-21.05
|
1580.00
|
2125
|
2120
|
8.97
|
|
Kalna(WB)
|
111.00
|
6.73
|
1174.00
|
2970
|
2950
|
-
|
|
Aligarh(UP)
|
85.00
|
NC
|
1875.00
|
2550
|
2560
|
18.06
|
|
Devariya(UP)
|
75.00
|
25
|
887.00
|
2090
|
2065
|
-
|
|
Kalipur(WB)
|
65.00
|
1.56
|
2780.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
4.76
|
|
Ghaziabad(UP)
|
60.00
|
-25
|
620.00
|
2260
|
2260
|
9.18
|
|
Pandua(WB)
|
52.00
|
8.33
|
726.00
|
2950
|
2950
|
22.92
|
|
Saharanpur(UP)
|
50.00
|
5.26
|
1637.50
|
2320
|
2295
|
13.73
|
|
Samsi(WB)
|
50.00
|
NC
|
200.00
|
3200
|
3200
|
14.29
|
|
Jayas(UP)
|
41.00
|
17.14
|
172.00
|
1960
|
1950
|
-
|
|
Cachar(ASM)
|
40.00
|
-33.33
|
1610.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
-18.52
|
|
Gauripur(ASM)
|
40.00
|
33.33
|
867.90
|
4500
|
4500
|
NC
|
|
Balrampur(UP)
|
37.50
|
15.38
|
371.50
|
2150
|
2125
|
0.47
|
|
Tamkuhi Road(UP)
|
37.00
|
-
|
37.00
|
2150
|
-
|
-
|
|
Ghatal(WB)
|
36.00
|
-
|
78.00
|
2400
|
-
|
-
|
|
Purulia(WB)
|
36.00
|
80
|
428.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
4.55
|
|
Raiganj(WB)
|
36.00
|
-5.26
|
618.50
|
2500
|
2500
|
-3.85
|
|
Beldanga(WB)
|
33.00
|
1.54
|
1624.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
4.35
|
|
Auraiya(UP)
|
30.00
|
-6.25
|
156.10
|
2170
|
2150
|
-
|
|
Partaval(UP)
|
27.50
|
-
|
117.00
|
2100
|
-
|
3.70
|
|
Kondotty(Ker)
|
25.00
|
-
|
75.00
|
3300
|
-
|
-
|
|
Rampur(UP)
|
22.50
|
50
|
285.50
|
2340
|
2450
|
6.61
|
|
Meerut(UP)
|
22.00
|
-12
|
354.00
|
2390
|
2390
|
11.68
|
|
Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB)
|
20.20
|
-15.13
|
388.50
|
2400
|
2400
|
4.35
|
|
Islampur(WB)
|
20.00
|
NC
|
351.00
|
2150
|
2150
|
NC
|
|
Champadanga(WB)
|
16.00
|
NC
|
296.00
|
2650
|
2650
|
8.16
|
|
Banda(UP)
|
15.50
|
6.9
|
177.50
|
2210
|
2220
|
-
|
|
Sahiyapur(UP)
|
15.00
|
-
|
147.50
|
2100
|
-
|
-
|
|
Gajol(WB)
|
13.00
|
44.44
|
22.00
|
2700
|
2650
|
-3.57
|
|
Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB)
|
12.00
|
9.09
|
233.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
4.35
|
|
Lalbagh(WB)
|
11.00
|
-
|
85.50
|
2335
|
-
|
-
|
|
Kolaghat(WB)
|
11.00
|
10
|
220.50
|
2400
|
2400
|
4.35
|
|
Khair(UP)
|
10.00
|
66.67
|
39.00
|
2530
|
2550
|
17.13
|
|
Kaliaganj(WB)
|
10.00
|
NC
|
387.00
|
2450
|
2450
|
-2.97
|
|
Firozabad(UP)
|
9.00
|
-18.18
|
93.50
|
2540
|
2520
|
19.81
|
|
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
|
8.90
|
NC
|
487.90
|
1900
|
1900
|
NC
|
|
Hazaribagh(Jha)
|
7.20
|
-
|
7.20
|
3150
|
-
|
-
|
|
Chandoli(UP)
|
7.00
|
-12.5
|
219.50
|
1975
|
1980
|
-
|
|
Muradabad(UP)
|
7.00
|
-30
|
139.00
|
2380
|
2360
|
6.25
|
|
Chengannur(Ker)
|
6.00
|
-7.69
|
165.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
-4.00
|
|
Imphal(Man)
|
4.90
|
-
|
13.70
|
2900
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Uluberia(WB)
|
4.60
|
-4.17
|
110.00
|
2300
|
2300
|
-
|
|
Dibrugarh(ASM)
|
4.50
|
-4.26
|
303.50
|
2250
|
2250
|
-
|
|
Nimapara(Ori)
|
4.00
|
-
|
8.00
|
1900
|
-
|
-13.64
|
|
Jeypore(Ori)
|
4.00
|
-33.33
|
171.90
|
4400
|
4400
|
7.32
|
|
Darjeeling(WB)
|
3.50
|
40
|
81.10
|
2950
|
2950
|
5.36
|
|
Melaghar(Tri)
|
3.00
|
NC
|
40.50
|
2450
|
2350
|
NC
|
|
Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)
|
2.50
|
25
|
13.10
|
2500
|
2500
|
25.00
|
|
Jahangirabad(UP)
|
2.50
|
NC
|
26.00
|
2265
|
2260
|
-
|
|
Balarampur(WB)
|
2.10
|
-
|
30.50
|
2340
|
-
|
6.36
|
|
Sirsaganj(UP)
|
1.60
|
-46.67
|
42.10
|
2250
|
2240
|
-
|
|
Bishenpur(Man)
|
1.40
|
NC
|
9.90
|
2700
|
2700
|
12.50
|
|
Bangarmau(UP)
|
1.20
|
-33.33
|
89.30
|
2050
|
2050
|
-
|
|
Thoubal(Man)
|
1.20
|
-
|
8.20
|
2700
|
-
|
3.85
|
|
Aroor(Ker)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
11.00
|
7100
|
7100
|
2.90
|
|
Penugonda(Mah)
|
1.00
|
-
|
2.00
|
4080
|
-
|
-
|
|
Lamlong Bazaar(Man)
|
0.90
|
-
|
10.10
|
2700
|
-
|
NC
|
|
Mirzapur(UP)
|
0.80
|
-87.69
|
272.80
|
1990
|
2010
|
3.65
|
|
Shillong(Meh)
|
0.60
|
-25
|
25.00
|
3700
|
3700
|
5.71
|
|
Ernakulam(Ker)
|
0.56
|
NC
|
7.01
|
3500
|
3500
|
-
|
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9482503.ece
Laos to export more rice to China: PM
Source: Xinhua
2017-01-15 21:52:39
VIENTIANE, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- China has agreed
to purchase 20,000 tons of organic rice a year from Laos, Lao Prime Minister
Thongloun Sisoulith told local authorities in the southern Champassak province.Laos
will need to deliver 20,000 tons of genuine organic rice to China and the
shipment must not contain non-organic rice, Thongloun was quoted by the
state-run Vientiane Times on Sunday.About 4,000 tons of sticky rice and
non-glutinous rice had already been delivered to China following an earlier
agreement to export 8,000 tons of Lao rice to China. China has approved an
increase from 8,000 tons to 20,000 tons, said the newspaper.
The exported rice to China is being grown in
Savannakhet province and Champassak province's Khong district. According to Lao
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in October, only the IDP Rice Mill in
Savannakhet province was able to produce quality rice meeting the standard
required by Chinese buyers.There are many rice mills in Laos but their product
is of low quality. Based on a nationwide survey, only the IDP Rice Mill has
been able to meet the Chinese standards.
China's Xuanye (Lao) Co., Ltd was approved by
China's National Development and Reform Commission to be sole exporter of Lao
rice to China with quota of 8,000 tons.More than 778,000 hectares of wet season
rice and over 126,600 hectares of dry season rice are grown annually in Laos.
However, about 226,000 hectares of rice fields in flatland areas are totally
dependent on rainfall because irrigation channels have not yet been built in
those areas.Since 2000, Laos has exported over 300,000 tons of rice annually to
Vietnam, Thailand, China and other countries.
Laos is expected to produce about 5 million
tons of rice by 2020 to ensure food security in the country. In the 2015-2016
fiscal year, Laos' rice production reached 4.12 million tons and is predicted
to increase to 4.35 million tons in the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/15/c_135984301.htm
Mexican chain buys big load
of Thai rice
January 16, 2017 01:00
By THE NATION
By THE NATION
THE COSTCO-MEXICO superstore has imported 112
tonnes of Thai rice for distribution to its 32 branches in 18 Mexican states.
The move
is part of a coordination between the Thai Trade Centre in Mexico and Otis
McAllister Co Ltd – a US-based importer of Thai rice – to promote the product
and expand its presence in Central America market through their distribution
channels in the US.According to the Thai Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn,
Costco is also willing to join the Thai Trade Centre to organise marketing
campaigns for Thai rice to expand its market share in Mexico.Malee Choklumlerd,
the Department of International Trade Promotion’s director-general, said that
the ministry had positioned Mexico as the base to distribute Thai rice in
Central America, especially Panama and Cuba. Malee said that Panama did not have a sufficient rice supply to serve local demand. Recently the Panama government increased rice imports to 67,000 tonnes, which is expected to climb to 135,000 tonnes soon.Cuba, with 11 million people, is another potential market for Thai rice. However the export of Thai rice to Cuba needs to be done by authorised importers in the island nation.
In 2015 Thailand exported 16,167 tonnes of rice worth US$6.6 million (Bt234 million) to Mexico, while Mexico imported 781,000 tonnes of rice worth $273 million from the US. The Thai Trade Centre in Mexico has invited rice importers from Mexico, Panama, and Cuba to visit the Thaifex – World of Food Asia event in Thailand.
Last week the Hong Kong chain 759 Store imported the first lot of Thai hom mali rice and other types of Thai rice totalling of 136 tonnes from Siam Diamond Export Thailand as part of their memorandum of understanding signed last November. Under the MoU the Hong Kong superstore will import 10,000 tonnes of rice from Siam Diamond. The deal reflects the Department of International Trade Promotion’s attempt to promote the Thai rice in Hong Kong
http://thaicooking.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/EconomyAndTourism/30304181
