Price cap on Indian rice supports
Pakistan’s rice exports to Iran
At times when
Pakistani exporters of textile made-ups are unhappy over the crisis being faced
by them in international markets, rice exporters seem happy to avail the
opportunity of improving exports to Iran, following restrictions by Iran on
rice imports from India. As both India and Pakistan produce the same high
quality of rice known as Basmati, the two countries usually compete for major
rice consuming countries, especially Iran which is considered a major
destination for the long-grained aromatic rice.
According to sources, Indian exporters of
Basmati rice are facing serious problems in Iran after Tehran put upper limits
for import and consumer prices of the cereal. While India’s recent exports of
the rice to the West Asian country cost the importer around $950 per tonne
(landed price), the ceiling price imposed is $850 a tonne and the maximum
consumer price set is $ 1.15 a kg. With the ceiling prices, it would not be
economically viable for India to export rice to Iran. Iran consumes more than 3
million tonnes of rice annually and a third of this demand is met by imports.
Indian exporters
have feared that the crisis in Iranian market would indirectly benefit Pakistan
because of its proximity to Iran, as transportation cost was higher for India’s
exporters. Not only the ceiling issue but also the uncertainty overuse of
currency for trade between Delhi and Tehran has impacted India’s basmati rice
exports to Iran following hesitation over the use of the dollar after fresh
sanctions levied by the United States on the republic.
Indian Basmati exports to Iran had witnessed
sharp jump as Delhi launched a rupee settlement mechanism from April 2012 with
Iran to avoid sanctions from the US and EU. This situation, as exporters in
Pakistan believe, has opened room for exporters here to meet the demand of the
neighbouring country. The export of rice mainly Basmati to Iran is being
witnessed during the past few months creating over 50 per cent jump in the domestic
price of the commodity. “We are largely happy to see the boost in export after
a long time crisis faced by the sector,” said an exporter from Punjab.
“Not only the crisis in Iranian market but the
hike in the domestic price of rice in India following low production has also
caused a reduction in export to Middles Eastern countries creating an increased
demand for Pakistani rice in the traditional markets,” he added. According to the data of Pakistan
Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the exports of basmati rice from the country during
the month of March 2017, increased by 154.28 per cent compared to the exports
of the corresponding month of last year.
During the month of March, about 45,745 metric
tonnes of basmati rice worth US$ 43.976 million were exported as compared to
the exports of 17,412 metric tonnes valuing of US$ 17.294 million of the same
month last year. It may be recalled that food group exports from the country
during the month of March decreased by 10.20 per cent and it was stood at US$
346.12 million as against the exports of US$385.313 million of the same month
last year. In last 3 quarters (July-March) of current financial year food group
exports decreased by 11.58 per cent and recorded at US$ 2.885 billion as
against the exports of US$ 3.037 billion of the corresponding period last year.
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/05/07/price-cap-on-indian-rice-supports-pakistans-rice-exports-to-iran/
Coarse rice price soars
42pc rise in a
year; govt to import 3 lakh tonnes of rice on urgent basis
Prices of coarse rice, mostly consumed by the poor and
people of lower-middle income groups, went up 42 percent since June last year.Even
though the private sector imported one lakh tonne of rice during that time,
paying 25 percent import duty, the price of a kg of coarse rice was Tk 45-46
this week. In the first week of June 2016, it was Tk 30-34 a kg.
Though prices of finer and medium quality rice varieties
registered 9 to 20 percent rise during the same period, price hike of coarse
rice was worrying the government.To add to its worries, public granaries now
only have 2.5 lakh tonnes of rice, a six-year low yearend stock.Over 10 lakh
tonnes of boro crop were lost this year to early flooding in seven haor
districts and fungi (rice blast) attack in 19 districts.These forced the
government to renew a 2011 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnam for 3
lakh tonnes of emergency rice imports. Three international tenders have also
been floated during the last fortnight for importing 1.5 lakh tonnes more.
A day after the finance minister placed 2017-18 fiscal
year's budget in parliament, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said rice
prices went up due to sudden floods in the haor areas and that prices would
come down quickly as the government took steps to import rice.However, the
government's rather late move to stabilise the rice market would yield no
immediate results with local millers reluctant to sell to the food department
for a non-lucrative price offered by the government. The government's rice
imports are unlikely to reach ports before the end of July. To make
matters worse, market sources told The Daily Star that prices of rice in the
international market have been rising for the last two weeks.
Sources at the food ministry and the office of the Director
General of Food said the government floated three international tenders in
quick succession in May and in the first week of June seeking to buy 1 lakh
tonnes of parboiled (Shiddo) and another 50,000 tonnes of white rice (Atap).
Dubai-based Sukhbir Agro Energy quoted the lowest price,
$427.85 a tonne, for 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice (first tender) and Singapore-based
Agrocorp International quoted the lowest price, $406.48 a tonne, for 50,000
tonnes of white rice (second tender). The bids for the third tender, for
50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, are scheduled to be opened on June 11, food
ministry sources said.
As it stands now with 25 percent levies on imported rice,
the government would have to pay Tk 44 for each kg of imported rice, Tk 10 more
than what it offers farmers and millers.Though the government had plans of
buying 13 lakh tonnes of rice from the domestic market this boro season, its
offer of Tk 34 a kg fell far short of farmers' and traders' desires. They are
now selling at Tk 42-44 a kg in the domestic market.
A month has gone by since official boro procurement began
and the government could only sign contracts with millers for 1.6 lakh tonnes
of rice. There is no guarantee that the government would actually get that 1.6
lakh tonne of rice.Food Minister Quamrul Islam acknowledged in parliament on
Monday that the government's rice stock was low. He said the process to import
six lakh tonnes of rice was underway.Meanwhile, a recent report of the Vietnam
Economic Times stated that Vietnam would sell up to 10 lakh tonnes of rice to
Bangladesh every year until 2022, under an extended MoU first signed in 2011.
Bangladesh did not need to import rice since 2011-12
financial year but after renewing the MoU, it immediately wanted to purchase
2.5 to 3 lakh tonnes of rice and a total of 5 lakh tonnes of rice by the end of
2017, according to the Vietnam News Agency.The government's Food Planning and
Monitoring Unit's (FPMU) May 31 report stated that rice prices went up in the
international market over the last fortnight. It recorded that prices of
Indian, Thai and Vietnamese rice increased up to 8 percent.Market sources said
the Philippines was in the international market to buy rice along with
flood-ravaged Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which caused the price hike.
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/coarse-rice-price-soars-1416526
Blight to food safety- rice
importation
JUNE 7TH,
2017
EDITOR ANALYSIS
In the past two
years, Nigeria has experienced a significant boost in her domestic rice
production, largely due to innovative incentives. In 2016, the country recorded
an impressive 17.4 per cent increase in output of unmilled rice;-this was
estimated at 7.85 million tonnes compared to 6.69 million tonnes in 2014
according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This improvement is a fantastic
indicator of equitable and sustainable socioeconomic development, but there is
so much more to the story.
For so long,
Nigeria has been a major importer of rice. Most of these imports come from
Asia, where heavy metal contamination of agricultural land is frequently
reported. Heavy metals occur naturally in soil and water resources and uptake
from the soil by plants is already an established phenomenon. It is also
noteworthy that rice is particularly vulnerable to pollution as it readily
scavenges heavy metals from the soil.
However, heavy
metal contamination of paddy rice swamps, irrigation water and other
cultivation media used to grow rice in Asia have been documented to exceedingly
surpass acceptable limits, due to the rapid industrialization experienced in
that region recently. The proximity of agricultural, smelting and mining
activities to planting regions are postulated to contribute massively to the
contamination. In 2013, Guangdong Province government in China reported that 44
per cent of rice samples had excessive Cadmium levels. Similarly high levels of
Arsenic, Mercury and Lead have been detected in rice samples from Asia.
A slow-burning
epidemic of compromised child development, cancers, lung problems,
cardiovascular complications and other degenerative diseases have been
associated with heavy metal contamination. The United States Food and Drug
Administration warns that long-term exposure to high levels of Arsenic may
predispose humans to skin, bladder and lung cancers, as well as heart disease.
Other adverse health effects including kidney damage, bone defects,
hypertension and cancers have been attributed to Lead, Cadmium and Mercury
toxicity.
Experts say that
intake of heavy metals through food is a chronic intoxication process by small
doses. The body bioaccumulates the toxins insidiously over time, and the
excretion and drainage is extremely slow. The half-life of Cadmium for instance
is about 17 to 38 years, in other words, it would take that long to reduce by
half. Ideally, no individual should be exposed to more than 2 grams of Cadmium
in an entire lifetime. Substantial quotients of heavy metals absorbed by the
human body eventually concentrate in the kidneys and liver, exerting formidable
damage. Rice is a staple part of the diet of most Nigerians, therefore, it
represents a leading dietary source of heavy metals to the populace. In a
nutshell, rice from Asia constitutes a major public health challenge to
Nigeria. To this end, it is imperative to make more intensive efforts to
completely eliminate rice imports from this region.
It is apparent
that many Nigerians including the elites and urban dwellers consider many
varieties of local rice such as Ofada, Abakaliki, Ekpoma and African rice a
delicacy. In addition to the perceived superior organoleptic characteristics,
certain studies have indicated that some varieties of Nigerian local rice are
more nutritive, possess antioxidative properties, are rich in phenolic
compounds and confer other health enriching benefits on consumers. However, the
occurrence of foreign matter and impurities, as well as cracked and damaged
grains in locally grown rice is a major deterrent for consumption.
Rice can be
cultivated in virtually all the agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Vast areas of
fertile, arable land (over 79 million hectares), most of which is located in
close proximity to rivers useful for irrigation is available. The warm,
tropical climate is also very suitable. The competitive status of local rice
products in the domestic and international markets can be boosted by improving
paddy cultivation and post-harvest practices, providing adequate education to
farmers, and improving the quality of life of rural farmers.
Massive investment in infrastructure,
machinery and methodologies is necessary to improve rice cultivation and
processing. Policies that will improve local rice processing capacity and
enhance the overall quality of locally grown rice should be initiated. The
ultimate goal should be to produce clean, table-ready, premium quality rice. We
should henceforth, no longer record unmilled rice output but finished
ready-to-cook product statistics. Therefore, obsolete and inefficient rice
milling activities need to be revised and upgraded. All subsectors of the rice
value chain should be revitalized as well.
The reform of
our rice production sector will yield numerous benefits; including but not
limited to ensuring food safety and security, developing the agricultural
sector, creating jobs, and export provisions as well as improving the health
and overall wellbeing of Nigerians
https://www.businessdayonline.com/blight-food-safety-rice-importation/
India on pace
for record rice procurement
With additional procurement of rabi and summer
rice expected to continue in eastern and southern states, India’s rice
procurement in market year 2016-17 is likely to touch a record 38 million
tonnes, about 4 million tonnes higher than last year and 2 million tonnes
higher than the previous record. The USDA estimates India’s market year 2016-17
rice production at a record 108 million tonnes. Market year 2016-17 area is
revised lower to 42.9 million hectares based on the revised official estimates
from the Ministry of Agriculture. Consequently, market year 2016-17 rice yields
are estimated at a record 2.51 tonnes per hectare. According to the USDA
report, the normal 2016 monsoon supported timely planting, lower incidence of
pest and diseases, and relatively lower harvest losses due to untimely rains at
the time of harvest. The relatively higher share of high yielding non-Basmati
rice compared to the long grain Basmati rice supported higher rice production
in the north Indian states.
Indian rice exports have been strong since the
beginning of calendar year 2017 on relatively strong demand for non-Basmati rice,
mainly from African countries and neighboring Bangladesh. According to
preliminary official statistics, rice exports from October 2016 to March 2017
were estimated at 5.2 million tonnes compared to 4.8 million tonnes for the
corresponding period last year, largely on strong resurgence in the demand for
both Basmati and non-Basmati rice since December 2016. Assuming no significant
changes in the price parity for Indian rice during the remaining marketing
year, market year 2016-17 exports are likely to reach 11 million tonnes
compared to 10.2 million tonnes in the previous year. However, any change in
the import policy of the major destination country or in the value of the
Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar may affect the export prospects in the
second half of the marketing year. Market year 2017-18 rice exports are
forecast at 10 million tonnes on sufficient domestic supplies, assuming
continued export demand and international price parity for Indian rice.
http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2017/06/India_on_pace_for_record_rice
Alleged “fake”
Basmati rice to be tested by Sri Lanka’s MRI
A social media claim via Facebook
that Basmathi rice purchased from Lanka Sathosa is made of plastic drew a
strong rebuttal and response from the state-owned organization on Monday.
T.M.K.B. Tennekoon, Chairman, Lanka Sathosa Ltd, told reporters at a
hurriedly-summoned news conference, that after investigation by the Medical
Research Institute (MRI), if the so-called report is proved wrong they would
take legal action against the media concerned for damages caused to the
organisation’s goodwill.
He alleged that the media can create a big
commotion in the society out of a minute thing (Ivakbawak nethiwa ada
maadhyayata puluwan podi theyak aragena mawaapanna ratte okkoma
kelabenawa). Twenty tons of this rice
was purchase from a local trader registered with Lanka Sathosa after a tender
board approval in which the rice was imported from Pakistan, he said and
consequent to the Facebook account claim the sale of the balance quantity of
seven metric tons has been suspended.
However, grilled by the media, Mr Tennekoon was forced to concede that
there is no trustworthy food testing facilities in Sri Lanka with the result
that there is a possibility of substandard food being sold to the
consumers.(QP)
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1023274/alleged-fake-basmati-rice-to-be-tested-by-sri-lankas-mri
Police urge
calm after plastic rice claims in Hyderabad
Students said the rice was very
sticky and they made balls and played cricket with them
Hyderabad: Police on Tuesday
appealed for calm as alleged incidents of sale of plastic rice and plastic eggs
were reported in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. Two incidents
of ‘plastic rice’ surfaced in Yousufguda and Meerpet areas in Hyderabad on
Tuesday. Inmates of a private hostel in Yousufguda complained that the cooked
rice provided to them Monday night was plastic rice as it tasted differently.
The students said the rice was very
sticky and they made balls and played cricket with them. Claiming that the eggs
bought by the hostel owner were also of plastic, the students lodged a
complaint with Yousufguda police station. Authorities collected the samples and
launched investigations. In another incident in Meerpet on the city outskirts,
a citizen complained that the rice he purchased from a local merchant was
plastic rice.
He too lodged a complaint with the police. The
incidents came two days after a TV journalist in Saroornagar area was attacked by
a hotel owner and his aides after he complained about plastic rice in
‘biryani’. Meanwhile, police in the old city of Hyderabad said that a complaint
about plastic rice was lodged at Mir Chowk police station but an analysis of
the sample in laboratory revealed that it was not plastic though hazardous.
Deputy Commissioner of Police V. Satyanarayana told reporters on Tuesday that
the analysis showed that during polishing of the rice, chemicals beyond
permissible limits were used.
While there was no need for any
panic, people should remain alert and bring to the notice of police any
instance of sale of plastic rice, he said. An alleged incident of plastic rice
sale in the temple town of Srisailam in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh also
created flutter on Monday. Some people complained that a merchant sold them
plastic rice. Police said they were investigating. Experts say that it’s easy
to detect plastic rice. If rice is poured in a water container and falls to the
bottom, it is organic rice, else it is plastic rice. Also if cooked rice is
kept for a longer period, fungus get deposited if the rice is organic.
According to doctors, if plastic is consumed on sustained basis, it leads to
hormonal imbalance, digestion, absorption problems, birth defects and even
cancer.
http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/india/police-urge-calm-after-plastic-rice-claims-in-hyderabad-1.2039549
GlobaI Institute to open rice
research centre in Varanasi
LUCKNOW: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is
likely to be open its centre in Varanasi soon as Prime Minister Narendra Modi evinced keen interest in enhancing
rice production in the country through propagation of multiple-
stress-resistant varieties.
Speaking exclusively to TOI, IRRI's South Asia coordinator Dr U S Singh and agriculturist, Mukesh Gautam a consultant at the institute, soon after meeting chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar claimed that the first green revolution of the 1970s had hardly any impact on the eastern parts of India, including eastern UP. "That is the reason it was decided to set up IRRI's centre in Varanasi," said the experts, adding that the institute has its headquarters at Manila, Phillipines.
Speaking exclusively to TOI, IRRI's South Asia coordinator Dr U S Singh and agriculturist, Mukesh Gautam a consultant at the institute, soon after meeting chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar claimed that the first green revolution of the 1970s had hardly any impact on the eastern parts of India, including eastern UP. "That is the reason it was decided to set up IRRI's centre in Varanasi," said the experts, adding that the institute has its headquarters at Manila, Phillipines.
The IRRI is devoted to enhancing rice production through use of
lesser water and introduction of drought and flood resistant varieties produced
in China. "India is the largest exporter of rice and the agenda now is to
exceed production in China which does not have yield quality varieties like
Basmati," said Singh.
Both agriculture experts of Indian origin are working towards popularising
rice in Africa and to introduce new varieties that can sustain odd weather.
"Eastern India depends mostly on rains and has a very small
irrigated area, so the region is most vulnerable to frequent floods and
droughts and that is why IRRI has taken up the cause of introducing weather
resistant varieties of rice in the region," said Gautam. He lamented that
despite major effort and government intervention, not more than 50%
agricultural land is irrigated while the remaining is rain-fed.
Singh said that Central government has shown keen interest in
improving the yield and has supported the IRRI project of
setting up a research Centre in Varanasi. It has in principle been approved by
the agriculture ministry too and a cabinet meeting will finally approve the
opening of its centre. "Though IRRI is a world organisation funded by the
public and NGOs don't have any research centre anywhere in the world we are
happy to start a research centre in Varanasi," he said
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/global-instt-to-open-rice-research-centre-in-varanasi/articleshow/59008699.cms
Plastic rice on your platter?
Very little authentic information available on plastic rice from
food experts has made people anxious in the State capital.
Open
Hyderabad: Against the backdrop of
apprehensions triggered by reports of plastic rice being sold in the city, the
Civil Supplies Department on Tuesday collected samples from a rice outlet in
Meerpet and sent them for laboratory analysis.
The department swung into action after a resident of Meerpet
lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that the rice he bought from the
outlet had characteristics similar to a synthetic or plastic material. However,
officials said clarity on the complaint and the rice would emerge once the lab
reports were available.
Civil Supplies Commissioner CV Anand, confirming the collection of
samples, said the reports were expected to be submitted on Wednesday. On the
possibility of collecting more samples, he said much would depend on the lab
reports and action would be initiated accordingly.
Earlier, the incident saw posts on plastic rice going viral on
social media and vernacular news channels airing the same through the day,
triggering concern among the public. The absence of authentic information on
the issue not coming from food experts only aggravated the anxiety.
According to the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA) and food
technology experts, there is no set definition for plastic rice due to lack of
thorough analysis in accredited food laboratories in Hyderabad or elsewhere.
Experts said what was being projected as plastic rice could be a wrong type of
rice starch made into rice granules and given synthetic coating. It could also
be starch derived from plant sources like tapioca or sweet potato and made to
look like rice granules. The plastic rice could also be a synthetic material
that is made to look like rice.
“There is no need for people to take plastic rice in the literal
sense because so far, there has been no analysis done in a laboratory. We
suspect that there could be some synthetic source of starch in the shape of
rice. Further analysis has to be done before people come to any conclusions,”
said Janaki Srinath, National Executive Member of IDA.
On the other hand, rice millers have come out saying such
incidents are sporadic and have requested customers to procure rice from
reputed sellers and brands.
“It is difficult to differentiate between normal and adulterated
rice with the naked eye. However, while purchasing, customers can taste raw
rice on the spot. They can immediately make out the difference and complain to
police,” members of Karmanghat Rice Millers Association said.
Meanwhile, senior doctors said consuming any kind artificial
additives in food or even plastic was harmful.
“Additives to make food items attractive or cheap are always
harmful. And, if it is real plastic, it’s dangerous because plastic is made
from chemicals. There could be traces of heavy metals, lead and even cadmium,”
says B Balraju, Vice-President (Medical Services), Yashoda Hospitals.
https://telanganatoday.com/plastic-rice-on-your-platter
Rice storage offers price security
Phou Puy, CEO of the
Cambodia Rice Bank, said that once the facility is ready, it will help
stabilise prices during the harvest season and will benefit farmers in
Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat and Siem Reap provinces. “We spent about $5 million on machines and other facilities for
silos and all of these facilities will be installed in July,” Mr Puy said.
Cambodia Rice Bank, which won
the $15 million contract to build the facility from the state-run Rural
Development Bank in April signed a construction and design agreement with the
Cambodian company NGY Investment on the warehouse.
It also signed two other
agreements with Taiwan’s Agrosun Co and Thailand’s International Rice
Engineering Co to supply machinery for the silos. Mr Puy said farmers
will no longer have concerns about rice production and price fluctuations after
harvests. The rice, he said, could be stored when prices were low and released
to be sold when prices recovered.
Phon Nary, director-general of
Heng Huch Rice mill in Battambang, said the facility would not benefit his mill
but would be of use to farmers. He said his warehouse could store about
3,000 tonnes of paddy rice and his silo processes about 45 tonnes of milled
rice per day.
“It is good for farmers in
the context of preventing the flow of rice to neighbouring countries, but for
me as rice miller, I cannot purchase rice to store there,” Mr Nary said.Last September, the price of fragrant rice fell to about 600 riel
($0.15) per kilo, leaving many farmers complaining that the price was too low
to support their families and pay back farming loans.
The farmers used to receive
800 riel ($0.20) per kilogramme. The fall came after rice mills did not have
enough funds and space for storage. There was also a lack of silos for drying
and processing paddy rice while the global rice price fell. The Ministry
of Economy and Finance allocated about $20 million from the emergency budget
fund to the Rural Development Bank to implement a special government programme.
The money would be used to both stabilise currently falling prices and pay
farmers, at market prices, for their newly harvested rice.
Through this programme, the
government will purchase about 90,000 tonnes of rice from farmers, which should
increase the rice price to more than 940,000 riel ($235) a tonne.
Khmer Times
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http://monotonecritic.com/2017/06/06/global-automatic-rice-cookers-market-research-report-2017-2022/
Health
Survey Shows Consumer Confusion, But Bright Spots for Rice
ARLINGTON, VA -- According to the International Food
Information Council Foundation's 12th Annual Food and Health Survey, food
information overload is having a detrimental effect on decisions Americans make
when it comes to diet and health, however, there's good news for rice in some
areas.
The survey, of more than 1,000 American adults, revealed that 96 percent of consumers seek out health benefits in what they eat and drink, however, 78 percent report seeing confusing or conflicting information about what to eat and what to avoid.
"Part of this is their own fault, since 77 percent say they look to friends and family for nutrition and food safety information, but only 29 percent say they trust their friends and family," said Michael Klein, vice president of domestic promotion for USA Rice. "The good news is they also seek out and trust Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) either in person or online or on television."
Klein said USA Rice has spent several years building up strong networks of RDNs to help disseminate good and useful information about U.S.-grown rice, including Supermarket Retail Dietitian Toolkits that provide ideas for thinking, writing, and talking about rice with consumers that are distributed in the run up to National Rice Month.
More good news for U.S. grown rice can be found in attitudes on package and label information.
Eighty-eight percent of respondents want to be able to recognize ingredients listed on the package, and 76 percent make purchasing decisions based on the number of ingredients listed.
"So many of the packages in our aisle list a single, clearly identifiable ingredient: 'milled rice,' it is reassuring to consumers," Klein said.
The survey found consumers remain distrustful of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), with 73 percent seeking out non-GMO food because they believe these foods are either healthier, safer, or better for the environment.
"With no GMO rice in commercial production in this country, we can satisfy consumers with these concerns," Klein said. "Interesting to us is that we also have a great sustainability story to tell, but it doesn't resonate as strongly with consumers yet."
Amongst labels consumers regularly seek out on food packages, "Sustainably Sourced" came in last behind: "No added hormones," "Natural," "No antibiotics," "Pesticide-free," "Non-GMO," "Organic," and "Locally-Sourced."
"We have a healthy, safe, sustainably-produced product and it is gratifying to see these factors are all important to consumers to one degree or another," Klein said. "We'll continue to tell our story to explain why U.S.-grown rice is always the right choice." Continual rainfall in recent days has Louisiana farmers worried about disease problems in their rice crop, an LSU AgCenter plant pathologist said at rice field days held in Jefferson Davis and Evangeline parishes.
The survey, of more than 1,000 American adults, revealed that 96 percent of consumers seek out health benefits in what they eat and drink, however, 78 percent report seeing confusing or conflicting information about what to eat and what to avoid.
"Part of this is their own fault, since 77 percent say they look to friends and family for nutrition and food safety information, but only 29 percent say they trust their friends and family," said Michael Klein, vice president of domestic promotion for USA Rice. "The good news is they also seek out and trust Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) either in person or online or on television."
Klein said USA Rice has spent several years building up strong networks of RDNs to help disseminate good and useful information about U.S.-grown rice, including Supermarket Retail Dietitian Toolkits that provide ideas for thinking, writing, and talking about rice with consumers that are distributed in the run up to National Rice Month.
More good news for U.S. grown rice can be found in attitudes on package and label information.
Eighty-eight percent of respondents want to be able to recognize ingredients listed on the package, and 76 percent make purchasing decisions based on the number of ingredients listed.
"So many of the packages in our aisle list a single, clearly identifiable ingredient: 'milled rice,' it is reassuring to consumers," Klein said.
The survey found consumers remain distrustful of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), with 73 percent seeking out non-GMO food because they believe these foods are either healthier, safer, or better for the environment.
"With no GMO rice in commercial production in this country, we can satisfy consumers with these concerns," Klein said. "Interesting to us is that we also have a great sustainability story to tell, but it doesn't resonate as strongly with consumers yet."
Amongst labels consumers regularly seek out on food packages, "Sustainably Sourced" came in last behind: "No added hormones," "Natural," "No antibiotics," "Pesticide-free," "Non-GMO," "Organic," and "Locally-Sourced."
"We have a healthy, safe, sustainably-produced product and it is gratifying to see these factors are all important to consumers to one degree or another," Klein said. "We'll continue to tell our story to explain why U.S.-grown rice is always the right choice." Continual rainfall in recent days has Louisiana farmers worried about disease problems in their rice crop, an LSU AgCenter plant pathologist said at rice field days held in Jefferson Davis and Evangeline parishes.
“In the last week and a half, I’ve probably had 20 to 30 disease
calls,” said LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Don Groth, speaking at the
Evangeline Parish rice field day on June 1.Groth also spoke about those
concerns at the field day held the previous day in Fenton.
Groth urged farmers to scout their fields and to use fungicides
on time, usually at the boot stage with 2- to 4-inch panicles in the head. But
a treatment for blast disease should be applied at heading. “Once an epidemic
gets going, it takes a lot more to stop it than if you catch it in the
beginning,” he said.
Sheath blight is showing up in some fields, but occurrence is
erratic. Fields where soybeans are planted in rotation with rice are more likely
to have the disease than rice fields following crawfish, Groth said.
Blast disease has not been a problem so far. “If you see it,
make sure everything is flooded,” he said.Fungicide applications should be
avoided immediately after or before a rain, he added.
New genetics
AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso said a new genetics lab funded
by the Louisiana Rice Research Board is providing new benefits with
improvements in the foundation seed program. Varieties grown for seed at the
AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station can be screened to minimize
off-types.
AgCenter rice breeder Steve Linscombe said last year’s flooding
resulted in some rice seed with low vigor. Some of the plots at one of the
field day locations were seeded with low-vigor seed, and those plots were more
adversely affected by recent heavy rainfalls.
A Clearfield Jazzman line under development will have improved
yield from previous versions of Jazzman. “I think this market will slowly
continue to expand,” he said.
AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said the rice crop got
off to a good start this year with a warm winter and spring that allowed early
planting.
This year’s crop of 400,000 acres in Louisiana is about 8
percent lower than last year. “Everything was looking good until late April
when we got significant rainfall,” he said.
Lost acreage
About 4,000 acres of rice were lost in Louisiana because of
floods, but rice acreage in Missouri and Arkansas had more significant losses,
with more than 150,000 acres ruined in Arkansas.
Harrell said a new product to prevent nitrogen fertilizer losses
will be available in 2018.
AgCenter entomologist Blake Wilson said a high percentage the
for Louisiana rice acreage was treated with Dermacor, suggesting that heavy
dependence on the product could lead to resistance problems.
No insecticides can be used in fields where crawfish are raised,
but farmers can reduce stinkbugs by keeping levees and ditches mowed, he said.
The rice leaf miner is showing up this year, he said, but it
poses little threat to yield.
AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster said the herbicide
benzobicyclon could be available in Louisiana next year as Rogue. The product
is good for controlling aquatic weeds, but it does not have the broad spectrum
weed control of another new product, Loyant, he said.
Soybeans
AgCenter plant pathologist Boyd Padgett said this year’s soybean
crop looks good so far. “I’m impressed with the crop overall,” he said.
Farmers are concerned about how long soybeans can survive
flooded conditions, Padgett said. Research indicates soybeans can survive 48 to
96 hours of flooding, but it depends on growth stage, temperature after
drainage and water clarity.
AgCenter plant pathologist Trey Price said the soybean disease
called taproot decline is caused by a fungus. LSU graduate students have
several studies under way on the problem.
Taproot decline is unlikely in south Louisiana because the
disease is found in fields where soybeans are planted in consecutive years, he
said.
Work is ongoing to find a solution to Cercospora that is
resistant to fungicides. “I think resistant varieties will be our ultimate
solution to resistant Cercospora blight,” Price said
http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/recent-rains-concern-louisiana-rice-growers
elta
Farm Press
June brings many challenges to weed control in rice
North Arkansas continues to be wet, making it
difficult to properly time preflood nitrogen and herbicide applications in
rice.
I am getting the normal calls that “my field was clean last week
and there is 4-leaf barnyardgrass everywhere this week and half the field is
covered in water!” Welcome to June in rice weed control.
On preflood applications I always assume the grass is big. Often
choice of treatments now is more a matter of what you can get sprayed as
opposed to what a first or second choice might be.
Where it can be applied, I have recommended a lot of Regiment
and Regiment plus Ricestar HT combinations. I have also recommended a lot of
Ricestar HT plus Beyond and Regiment plus Beyond in Clearfield rice. Where
grasses are larger and there is a mix of species, I prefer mixtures. The
Ricestar HT plus Beyond is a stout combination that can be blown toward
soybeans.
Sometimes, where it is impossible to get a Newpath or Beyond
treatment out because of conventional rice, Regiment alone can be a nice fit if
the grass is barnyardgrass.
I have recommended more RebelEX this year than normal — either
because I needed a recommendation that could be blown toward corn or the weed
spectrum was a mix of grasses, broadleaf and aquatic weeds.
Herbicide drift
Another big story continues to be drift. In rice is a mixed bag
of glyphosate, paraquat and Newpath or Beyond on conventional rice. More
paraquat or Gramoxone is being used every year because of glyphosate-resistant
weeds.
Paraquat by itself often is a burner and rice recovery can be
quite rapid. However most of it is being applied with metribuzin in it to
increase the effectiveness. In fact I seldom recommend paraquat without a
photosynthetic inhibiting herbicide in it. This complicates the drift injury by
increasing the severity and making recovery much slower.
I have been admonished several times this year to write about
respecting your neighbors when applying herbicides. I do not know what else to
say! Most of the drift situations I have walked this year were the result of
ground applications. In most cases there was a strong wind blowing right at the
injured crop. This is either blatant disregard for a neighbor, overconfidence
in the equipment or both.
I am frequently told “you can see right where the spray stopped
— I painted a line!” Yes, it painted a line in the vegetation that it took full
rates to kill, but the fines from the pattern blew a half mile across the rice
field!
You simply cannot apply a herbicide with the wind blowing toward
a susceptible crop in an adjacent field without expecting bad things to happen.
The other story in the field continues to be reports of pigweed
escapes and off-target issues with dicamba applications in the Xtend crops. If
we ever had a year we needed a new technology to get off to a good start, it is
this one, and some of the things going on are disappointing. Sound science
definitely got disconnected from marketing and regulatory regarding dicamba.
Hopefully most of this is correctable but it remains to be seen
http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/june-brings-many-challenges-weed-control-rice-many-challenges-weed-c
http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/june-brings ontrol-rice
Sathosa suspends controversial ‘Basmathi’
rice sale
2017-06-05
21:01:03
Addressing a press briefing Mr. Tennakoon said selling and
distribution of the Basmathi imported rice has been completely halted through
the Lanka Sathosa outlets after he heard the rumors however, only 4 metric tons
out of 20 imported left in the stores and the others has been already disposed.
“We will send the suspicious rice sample to Medical Research
Institute (MRI) today and it will take minimum two weeks period to receive the
report. Until then we will not sell the 'Basmathi' rice imported from
Pakistan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tennakoon said they will complain to the Crime
Investigation Department (CID) to probe weather this issue was an intentionally
created to defame the Lanka Sathosa state retail super market chain. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
- See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Sathosa-suspends-controversial-Basmathi-rice-sale-130320.html#sthash.MNRX9eNR.dpuf
http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Sathosa-suspends-controversial-Basmathi-rice-sale-130320.html
Rice farmers encouraged to plant maize
after harvests
Low-land rice farmers will be
encouraged to plant maize after rice harvests in an attempt to reduce high-land
forest encroachment to clear land for maize cultivation.
Agriculture Minister Chatchai
Sarikalya said on Monday that, from his discussion with representatives of the
animal feed manufacturers’ association, it was learned that animal feed
producers need between 7-8 million tonnes of maize year as raw material to
produce animal feed.
Of the 7-8 million tonnes of
maize needed for the industry, half of them came from legitimate farmland the
rest came from high-land plantations on land which was used to be covered with
forest but which was destroyed and encroached.
The agriculture minister said he
would call a meeting on June 19 with representatives of the animal feed
manufacturers’ association, the maize buyers association and rice farmers who
want to plant maize after rice harvests to discuss maize production to meet
domestic consumption and the purchase of maize crops from the farmers.
The Agriculture Ministry aims to
cultivate maize on 3.36 million rai of land after rice harvests.
Mr Pornsilp Patcharinrattanakul,
president of animal feed manufacturers association, said that demand for maize
this year was estimated at 19.64 million tonnes – up 5.4 percent from last
year’s 18.63 million tonnes
GCAP identifies 20,000
hectares for rice farming
SETH J. BOKPE
06 JUNE 2017
Rice being
harvested at Bontanga in the Northern Region. Picture: Seth J. Bokpe
The Ghana
Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) has identified 20,000 hectares suitable
for rice cultivation in the Nasia-Nabogo valley in the Northern Region.Feasibility
studies in the area reveal that while half of the land could be cultivated
under improved rain-fed agriculture, the rest could be cultivated through
irrigation with water from the Nasia and Nabogo rivers. The GCAP is a World
Bank/United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project.
The land was identified with support from the Land Administration Project
(LAP).
Known as the
Nasia-Nabogo Inland Valley Improved Rainfed Scheme for Rice Production, it is
expected to significantly increase rice production and ultimately cut down the
country’s rice import bill.
Project
During a recent
tour of the project, communities in the Northern and Upper East regions, the
Communication Specialist of GCAP, Mr Daniel Kondor, told the Daily Graphic that
the project had been working with investors on putting a minimum of 3,000
hectares under improved rain-fed rice production since last year as part of the
objectives of GCAP in reducing poverty and ensuring food security. It is also
promoting an all-inclusive commercial farming activities along selected
commodity value chain.
According to
the project’s documents made available to the Daily Graphic, GCAP is funding
the development of the land. Contractors were engaged in April last year for a
pilot development of 600 hectares but were able to realise 485 hectares by June
last year, which was cropped by six farmers. Yields of up to four tonnes per
hectare were achieved and in the process, several jobs were created.
Continuing this
year, the contractors are back on the field doing remedial works to enable
completion of the 600 hectares in preparedness for 2017 cultivation.GCAP is
expected to add another 500 hectares while advertising for investor farmers to
take up additional 1,900 hectares in 2017.
The project
also intends to get agribusiness companies to partner farmer-based
organisations in the Nasia Nabogo valley to crop 7,000 hectares.The remaining
10,000 hectares that will be put under an irrigation system within the valley
is a long-term project that will need the construction of dams.
Support
GCAP previously
supported farmers under its first matching grant, under which 3,563 hectares
are under cultivation in communities in the Savannah Accelerated Development
Authority (SADA) zone, including the Volta Region.
GCAP started
the implementation of a matching grant scheme in mid-2014 to support farmers
with various interventions to remove constraints that impeded the growth and
sustainability of their businesses.
Thirty grantees
(and their smallholder farmers) are being supported under the scheme. They
consist of eight grantees in the Accra Plains and 22 in the SADA zone. As of
the end of March 2016, US$7.1 million (75 per cent of earmarked funds) had been
disbursed to support the various interventions.
Appreciation
At Biu in the
Kassena Nankana district in the Upper East Region, outgrowers working with
Sambay Enterprise, one of the nucleus farmers, expressed appreciation for the
support they had received, including land preparations and the provision of
inputs such as fertiliser.
According to
the farmers, before the GCAP intervention, the average yield of rice per acre
was nine bags but it had since increased to about 15 bags.
“The reason for
the increase in yield is that the land preparation was done early for planting.
We also received quality seeds from Sambay. In the past, we were using our own
seeds,” Ms Yaa Abatisohma, one of the outgrowers, said at a meeting with GCAP
officials to assess the performance of the project.
The farmers
were also excited about the ready market for the products.At Tamalgu in the
Karaga district in the Northern Region, smallholder farmers also recorded
increases in their yields; from 10-12 bags of rice per acre cultivated before
the GCAP intervention, to 15-17 bags per acre after the support.The beneficiary
farmers received training in best practices, including weed control, pest
identification and fertiliser use.
Challenges
Among the
challenges identified by the farmers are late preparation of land before the
rains, high cost of fertiliser, inadequate threshers and harvesters and high
cost of harvesting.
http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/gcap-identifies-20-000-hectares-for-rice-farming.html
140,000
farmers to get anchor borrower loan in Kebbi
-
June
5, 2017
Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, said on Monday that the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) would grant loan to140,000 rice farmers in the state under the
next phase of its Anchor Borrower Programme.Bagudu made the disclosure in
Birnin Kebbi when he addressed some APC loyalists in the state.
“The CBN has agreed to provide soft loan to 140,000 farmers in the
next phase of anchor borrowers programme.“This will ensure that our state
remain on top in the rice production chart as well as a leading exporter of the
commodity”.The governor said efforts were on to fully recover unpaid loan
released to farmers under the programme in 2016.
He urged farmers who were yet to repay the loan to do so, so as to
enable others to benefit.Bagudu stressed that agriculture would continue to be
accorded top priority by his administration https://naija247news.com/2017/06/05/140000-farmers-to-get-anchor-borrower-loan-in-kebbi/
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUN 05, 2017
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-June 5 Nagpur, June 5 (Reuters) - Gram prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) auction on increased buying support from local millers amid thin supply from producing regions because of farmers strike in all over Maharashtra. Repeated enquiries from South-based millers also jacked up prices. Only 550 bags of gram and 1,450 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources.
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram varieties suffered heavily in open market here on subdued
demand from local
traders amid profit-taking selling by stockists at higher level.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties reported down in open market on poor buying
support from local
traders amid good supply from producing regions.
* Masoor and Udid varieties moved down in open market in absence
of buyers amid
healthy supply from producing regions.
* In Akola, Tuar New - 3,600-3,700, Tuar dal (clean) -
5,400-5,600, Udid Mogar (clean)
- 8,200-9,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,800-7,200, Gram -
5,500-5,800, Gram Super best
- 7,200-7,400
* Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in
scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading
activity.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for
100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Available prices
Previous close
Gram Auction
4,500-5,040
4,500-5,000
Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
3,400-3,776
3,400-3,700
Moong Auction
n.a.
3,900-4,200
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Wheat Mill quality Auction
1,500-1,618
1,500-1,605
Gram Super Best Bold
7,500-8,000
7,700-8,200
Gram Super Best
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
6,700-7,000
7,000-7,300
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a
Gram Mill Quality
5,100-5,200
5,300-5,500
Desi gram Raw
5,800-6,000
6,100-6,200
Gram Yellow
7,200-7,500
7,500-7,800
Gram Kabuli
12,300-13,400
12,300-13,400
Tuar Fataka Best-New
5,800-6,000
6,000-6,200
Tuar Fataka Medium-New
5,400-5,600
5,500-5,800
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New
5,200-5,500
5,300-5,500
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New
4,800-5,000
4,800-5,200
Tuar Gavarani New
3,800-3,900
3,900-4,000
Tuar Karnataka
4,000-4,150
4,100-4,200
Masoor dal best
5,200-5,500
5,400-5,600
Masoor dal medium
4,600-5,000
4,800-5,200
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New)
7,000-7,500
7,000-7,500
Moong Mogar Medium
6,500-6,800
6,500-6,800
Moong dal Chilka
5,500-6,500
5,500-6,500
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
7,000-8,000
7,000-8,000
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,500-9,500
8,800-9,800
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)
7,000-8,000
7,300-8,300
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
5,200-5,500
5,400-5,700
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
5,200-5,500
5,200-5,500
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
3,100-3,300
3,100-3,300
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
2,900-3,000
2,900-3,000
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,400-3,600
3,400-3,600
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)
4,000-4,500
4,000-4,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,950-2,050
1,950-2,050
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)
1,750-1,850
1,750-1,850
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
2,150-2,350
2,150-2,350
Wheat Lokwan new (100 INR/KG)
1,850-2,050
1,850-2,050
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)
2,200-2,400
2,200-2,400
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100
1,900-2,100
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)
n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)
3,100-3,500
3,100-3,500
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)
2,300-2,800
2,300-2,800
Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG)
2,900-3,400
2,900-3,400
Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)
3,500-4,000
3,500-4,000
Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)
3,000-3,200
3,000-3,200
Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)
2,500-2,800
2,500-2,800
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,300-2,500
2,300-2,500
Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)
2,600-2,800
2,600-2,800
Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,500
2,400-2,500
Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG)
3,600-4,000
3,600-4,000
Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)
4,500-5,000
4,500-5,000
Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)
4,100-4,300
4,100-4,300
Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG)
4,800-5,200
4,800-5,200
Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG)
6,500-7,000
6,500-7,000
Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)
5,800-6,200
5,800-6,200
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)
10,000-14,000
10,000-14,000
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)
6,200-8,500
6,200-8,500
Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG)
4,600-4,800
4,600-4,800
Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)
6,000-6,500
5,800-6,300
Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)
5,500-5,800
5,100-5,300
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,200
1,900-2,200
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
1,800-1,900
1,800-1,900 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 43.0 degree Celsius,
minimum temp. 30.0 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky.
Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 43 and 29 degree Celsius
respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded
from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices)
http://in.reuters.com
India sees 2017 monsoon rains at 98% of long term average
The HinduThe monsoon delivers
about 70 per cent of India's annual rainfall, critical for the farm sector.
Photo: K V S Giri
Forecasting systems currently indicate neutral El Nino
conditions until the end of this year
NEW DELHI, JUNE 6:
India's crucial monsoon rains are
expected to reach 98 per cent of the long-term average this year, the India
Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday, 2 percentage points higher
than its previous forecast, potentially boosting farm incomes and economic
growth.
The monsoon delivers about 70 per
cent of India's annual rainfall, critical for the farm sector that accounts for
about 15 per cent of India's $2 trillion economy and employs more than half of
the country's 1.3 billion people. Monthly rainfall across the country is likely
to be 96 per cent of its long-term average during July, and 99 per cent of the
average during August, both with a model error of 9 per cent, IMD said in a
statement.
In April, the IMD forecast this
year's monsoon rains at 96 per cent of the 50-year average of 89 centimetres.
India's 260 million farmers
depend on monsoon rains to grow crops such as rice, cane, corn, cotton and
soybeans because nearly half of the country's farmland lacks irrigation. Monsoon rains lashed the Kerala coast of southwest last month in what was the earliest start to
the rains since 2011.
El Nino impact
India's forecasting systems
currently indicate neutral El Nino conditions until the end of this year, the
IMD said, in contrast to the outlook from other global climate centres which
see a 60 per cent probability of weak El Nino conditions developing during the
second half of this year.
El Nino, a warming of ocean
surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific that typically occurs
every few years and was linked to crop damage, fires and flash floods, faded in
2016. Reuters reported in May that India was likely
to receive higher monsoon rainfall than previously forecast as concern over the
El Nino weather pattern eased.
India's monsoon is also likely to
receive a boost from the Indian ocean dipole (IOD) phenomenon, also called the
Indian Nino, as weak positive IOD conditions are likely to develop during the
monsoon season, according to the statement.
The India Meteorology Department
has for the first time relied on the so-called dynamic model to improve the
accuracy of one of the world's most vital weather forecasts. The new system,
based on a US model tweaked for India, could help India raise its farm output
by nearly 15 per cent, by helping farmers tweak the best time to sow, irrigate
or apply fertiliser, and, if rains fail, plan state-wide measures.
(This
article was published on June 6, 2017)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/india-sees-2017-monsoon-rains-at-98-of-long-term-average/article9721317.ece
Nagpur
Foodgrain Prices Open- JUN 06, 2017
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices –
APMC/Open Market-June 6
Nagpur, June 6 (Reuters) – Gram
and tuar prices moved down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce andMarketing Committee
(APMC) auction on lack of demand from local millers amid good supply from producing
regions. Fresh fall in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and high moisture content
arrivalalso pulled down prices. Farmers strike in major parts of Maharashtra
also affected arrival.Only 150 bags of gram and 250 bags of tuar were available
for auctions, according to sources.
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Desi gram raw moved down further in open market on lack of demand from
local traders.
Weak trend in other foodgrain market in
the region also affected sentiment.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.
* Rice Shriram recovered in open market on increased demand from local
traders amid
weak supply from producing regions.
* In Akola, Tuar New – 3,600-3,700, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,400-5,600, Udid
Mogar (clean)
– 8,200-9,200, Moong Mogar (clean)
6,800-7,200, Gram – 5,500-5,800, Gram Super best
– 7,200-7,400
* Wheat, other varieties of rice and other commodities moved in a narrow
range in
scattered deals and settled at last levels
in thin trading activity.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market
prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction 4,400-4,850 4,500-5,040
Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction 3,400-3,740 3,400-3,785
Moong Auction n.a. 3,900-4,200
Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800
Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,500-1,624 1,500-1,618
Gram Super Best Bold 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000
Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.
Gram Medium Best 6,700-7,000 6,700-7,000
Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a
Gram Mill Quality 5,100-5,200 5,100-5,200
Desi gram Raw 5,750-5,950 5,800-6,000
Gram Yellow 7,200-7,500 7,200-7,500
Gram Kabuli 12,300-13,400 12,300-13,400
Tuar Fataka Best-New 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000
Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000
Tuar Gavarani New 3,800-3,900 3,800-3,900
Tuar Karnataka 4,000-4,150 4,000-4,150
Masoor dal best 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500
Masoor dal medium 4,600-5,000 4,600-5,000
Masoor n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500
Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-6,800 6,500-6,800
Moong dal Chilka 5,500-6,500 5,500-6,500
Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best
7,000-8,000 7,000-8,000
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New)
8,500-9,500 8,500-9,500
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,000-8,000 7,000-8,000
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500
Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,100-3,300 3,100-3,300
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000
Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,600 3,400-3,600
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,500 4,000-4,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,050 1,950-2,050
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,750-1,850 1,750-1,850
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,350 2,150-2,350
Wheat Lokwan new (100 INR/KG) 1,850-2,050 1,850-2,050
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400 2,200-2,400
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,500 3,100-3,500
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,800 2,300-2,800
Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,400 2,900-3,400
Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000
Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200
Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,500 2,300-2,500
Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800
Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500
Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000
Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,500-5,000 4,500-5,000
Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,300 4,100-4,300
Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,200 4,700-5,100
Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-7,000 6,400-6,900
Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,200 5,700-6,100
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-14,000 10,000-14,000
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,200-8,500 6,200-8,500
Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800
Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,500 5,800-6,300
Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,800 5,100-5,300
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,200 1,900-2,200
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,900 1,800-1,900
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 40.5 degree
Celsius, minimum temp. 30.3 degree Celsius
Rainfall : Nil
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky.
Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 40 and 30degree Celsius
respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are
excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices)
http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N1J32UR
GIEWS Country Brief: India 05-June-2017
REPORT
Published on 05 Jun 2017
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
·
Wheat production in 2017
estimated at record level
·
Aggregate cereal production
rebounded in 2016
·
Total cereal exports in 2017/18 forecast
close to last year’s reduced level
·
Rice prices stable, while those
of wheat on decrease
Harvesting of the 2017, mostly
irrigated, rabi (winter) wheat is nearing completion, with the bulk already harvested.
Latest official estimates put this year’s output at a record high of 97.4
million tonnes, 6 percent above last year’s good level. The expected increase
is due mostly on a 7 percent year-on-year expansion of the area to 31.8 million
hectares, encouraged by State incentives provided in the form of large State
purchases at high Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) ( FPMA Food Policies ), strong
domestic prices and adequate irrigation water supplies.Planting of the 2017/18
main kharif season crops, including rice and maize, has just started. FAO
tentatively forecasts the 2017 rice production at 165.5 million tonnes (110.2
million tonnes, milled basis), slightly above the 2016 record crop. However,
the current forecast is highly tentative, as the performance of the monsoon
rains from June to September will be critical in determining the main season’s
output and will influence water availability for the secondary rabi season
crop, planted in the last quarter of the year. The Government support to the
rice sector, such as large domestic procurement operations at minimum support
prices, is encouraging farmers to continue favouring rice cultivation over
other crops in 2017. The 2017 maize output is anticipated by FAO at 26 million
tonnes, close to the 2016 record output, under the assumption that strong
domestic demand keeps plantings at last year’s high level.
Cereal production rebounded in
2016
The 2016 season is closed now and
the latest official estimates indicate a rebound in the aggregate cereal
output, reflecting an overall recovery in plantings and yields mostly sustained
by favourable weather conditions. The 2016/17 rice crop is set at 163.7 million
tonnes (109.2 million tonnes, milled basis), implying a 5 percent rebound from
the 2015 dry weather-affected output. The 2016 maize output is officially
estimated at 26.1 million tonnes, a 16 percent increase from last year’s
reduced level. The 2016 wheat production, harvested earlier in 2016, is put at
92.3 million tonnes, an increase of 7 percent year-on-year.
Total cereal exports in 2017/18
forecast close to last year’s reduced level
Cereal exports in the 2017/18
marketing year (April/March) are forecast to remain close to the 2016/17 low
level at 12.2 million tonnes, almost 30 percent below the five‑year average.
This mainly mirrors tighter exportable availabilities, following the
sharply-reduced output in 2015. Wheat exports in 2017/18 are projected at 500
000 tonnes, close to the 2016 reduced level and significantly below the
previous three-year average of 3.6 million tonnes. By contrast, maize exports
in the 2017/18 marketing year (September/August) are anticipated to increase by
34 percent year-on-year to 850 000 tonnes, but they still remain well below the
average as a result of low carryovers and increased domestic demand from the
feed and starch industry. Rice exports in calendar year 2017 are forecast at
10.8 million tonnes, 8 percent above the 2016 high level, reflecting prospects
of increased demand from key African and South Asian destinations.
FAO forecasts wheat imports in
the 2017/18 marketing year (April/March) at 2.5 million tonnes, half the high
level of 2016/17, in line with expectations of sufficient local availabilities
from a large 2017 crop.
Rice prices stable, while those
of wheat on decrease
Retail prices of rice were mostly
stable in recent months, ahead of the 2017 rabi season harvest. Prices of wheat
and wheat flour decreased in most markets, reflecting improved market
availabilities, following the 2017 bumper harvest and large levels of imports
in recent months.
Overall food security is
satisfactory
The overall food security
situation in the country is satisfactory given the provision of highly
subsidized rice as well as wheat and coarse grains through distribution
programmes, especially for the below poverty-line families through the National
Food Security Act (NFSA). The NFSA was first approved in September 2013 and
since then has gradually been rolled out throughout the country, covering all
states and territories by November 2016 ( FPMA Food Policies ). The country is
prone to floods during the monsoon season, which normally affect large numbers
of people. In 2016, floods and landslides in July and August, mostly
concentrated in the northeastern areas, affected about 6 million people causing
losses of human lives, livestock and flood supplies.
http://reliefweb.int/report/india/giews-country-brief-india-05-june-2017
