Saturday, June 24, 2017

KARACHI: Rice exporters and traders have ruled out there’s any such thing as “plastic rice” or rice mixed with plastic, after videos doing the rounds on social media asserted that plastic rice was being manufactured on a large scale in some countries and was smuggled into Pakistan as well.

Besides, the market is abuzz with reports that a person complained about purchasing rice from a leading superstore in Karachi and later claimed that it was plastic rice.

Rice is a staple in Pakistan. It is the third-largest crop after wheat and cotton in the country, and is grown over 10 per cent of the total cropped area, according to the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).

“There’s no such thing as plastic rice,” said Jawed Ali Ghori, a former chairman of REAP. “Plastic is costlier than rice. How can it be mixed with rice? Or how can plastic rice be consumed by humans as it will cause death?”

Mr Ghori said there should be no concern as Pakistanis ate only locally produced rice and the commodity was not imported. “Instead, China imports Basmati 86 rice and other varieties from Pakistan,” he said.

He said the government of Dubai has tested various qualities of rice arriving in the emirate and have found them fit for human consumption.

Another former chairman of REAP, Mohammad Rahim Janoo, said an “international mafia” was trying to destroy the rice trade. He said raids were conducted in some stores in Kenya and Nigeria on reports of the sale of plastic rice, but the authorities did not find anything.

Moreover, making rice from plastic was not feasible, he said. For instance, the export price of Irri-6 rice is $400-450 a tonne while raw plastic price is $850-900 a tonne.

The chairman of Pakistan Plastic Manufacturers Association, Ehteshamuddin, said plastic moulding compound (PMC) was costlier than rice and therefore nobody could mix plastic in rice or make plastic rice.

Giving an example, he said the average price of PMC was Rs75 a pound and it cost Rs165 a kilogram.

After processing, its price swells to Rs200 per kg. In contrast, the price of different varieties of rice hovers between Rs40 and Rs140 per kg. Another high-quality PMC carries the price of Rs125 per pound.

Pakistan imports 80-90pc of PMC from the Far East and the Middle East for making plastic products like household items, chairs and car bumpers.

The chairman of Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association, Anis Majeed, said there have been no reports so far of any smuggling or illegal arrival of plastic rice into Pakistan from any country.

The videos shared on the social media show that plastic rice is highly sticky and take a round or oval ball shape in hand before eating.

He said the new variety of any rice usually has stickiness, and Chinese were particularly fond of Pakistani basmati 86 and Irri rice from new crop.

Pakistan exported 409,669 tonnes of basmati rice in July-May fetching $383 million as compared to 439,662 tonnes ($407.7m) in the same period of last year, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Exports of other rice varieties fell to 2.89m tonnes ($1bn) during the same period as against 3.49m tonnes ($1.31bn) a year ago.

During the preceding fiscal year, rice was sowed on 2,724,000 hectares, almost the same area as compared with a year earlier. Rice production in 2016-17 stood at 6,849,000 tonnes, which was both higher than the year’s target and previous year’s production.

Rice area decreased due to decline in domestic prices of rice and growers shifted to sugarcane and maize crop

plastic-rice-traders-say-theres-no-such-thing

Oxfam, Matco Foods team up against rural poverty

KARACHI: Matco Foods, Pakistan’s largest Basmati rice exporter, Oxfam Pakistan, the international confederation of charitable organisations, and Doaba Foundation, a humanitarian group working in flood-prone areas of south Punjab, have joined hands to improve socioeconomic conditions of rice growers in Pakistan, a press statement said on Thursday.
According to the release, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the representatives of three organisations in a ceremony held at the Matco Foods factory in Sadhoke. “Matco and Oxfam aim to work with rice growers and workers in ten villages of Punjab as a pilot programme under the umbrella project titled: ‘Towards a gender transformative and sustainable Basmati rice value chain in Pakistan,” the statement said.
“The project is focused on empowering as well as organising male/female rice growers/workers in Punjab, helping them achieve competitive rates for their sustainably produced rice, ensuring they earn a higher income, and lobbying for improved working conditions for the tillers.”
Speaking on the occasion, Faizan Ghori, Director Matco Foods, said that as a responsible corporate citizen, Matco was delighted to partner with Oxfam to help improve the livelihood of farmers in the Basmati rice growing areas of Pakistan. “We believe this initiative has both a social and commercial impact,” Ghori said adding, greater productivity and sustainable production of rice would not only help farmers but also strengthen Matco’s supply chain.
Voicing her views, Javeria Afzal, Oxfam’s Programme Director, noted that rice growers in Pakistan have limited opportunities for learning improved farming practices such as integrated pest management, alternatives to chemical fertilisers, and water management.
“A lack of understanding of market dynamics means many growers are unable to get a fair price for their produce. The growers, the majority of whom is women working for low wages, are among some of the most vulnerable and marginalised in the rice industry,” Ms Afzal said.
The statement further said that the goal of the collaboration was to fight poverty and improve food security by implementing a joint development project. “Under the rice value chain project in Muridke and Sheikhupura, Matco Foods will provide technical support on sustainable rice production practices and improve knowledge and agricultural practices at field level,” the statement added.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/212321-Oxfam-Matco-Foods-team-up-against-rural-poverty

A tough month for rice exports

Rice exports continue their decline vis-à-vis the mounting trade deficit. For the eleven months ended FY17, Pakistan's total rice exports are down by 17 percent year-on-year in terms of quantity, and 15 percent in terms of dollars earned.

May 2017 was a particularly difficult month for exporters in general, as the ten-day transporters' strike did a lot of damage. The Rice Exporters' Association of Pakistan (REAP) even threatened to shut down their mills in response to the strike, as export consignments were delayed and orders were canceled. In May, the total quantity of rice exported was 41 percent less than April.

Basmati exports continued their decline, and were lower by six percent over 11MFY16. The same fundamental reasons are there as always - lack of research and development into new varieties and better yields, competition from India, and the loss of the Irani market. However, the Irani market has opened up again recently and Basmati has been seeing a rebound lately - notwithstanding the decline in May due to the transporters' strike (Read: "Basmati exports up with Iran," published May 04, 2017).

The real decline comes from the non-Basmati variety, which has seen 18 percent lower exports year-on-year for the eleven months ended. This has evidently been due to an inability to compete with international prices. Over the past several years, there had been a boom in non-Basmati exports, particularly to African countries. The non-Basmati variety is cheaper and earns significantly less than its aromatic counterpart. However, the boom has now ended and the forex earned from rice is at a new low.

Rice is an overlooked export. After textile, it is the single largest export commodity, amounting to around nine percent of total exports. Its importance is highlighted in the Commerce Ministry's trade policy documents, which never saw any implementation. The rice industry was also not given any relief in the export package, or in the latest budget. Finally, on top of everything, the commodity's production has been suffering due to a decline in area as well (Read: "Agriculture (2016-17): the year of sugarcane," published May 29, 2017).

http://www.brecorder.com/2017/06/23/355898/a-tough-month-for-rice-exports/

Duty cut yet to impact coarse rice prices

Traders expect positive results after two weeks

Ismail Hossain

The Internal Resources Division (IRD) issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) making the reduced duty effective from June 21, 2017.Abdul Majid Bablu, a rice miller from Kushtia, told the FE that the prices of rice have come down by up to Tk 50 per kg except those of coarse rice varieties."The prices of coarse rice did not come down due to its short supply in the market," he said adding that the prices will fall after Eid.The prices at retail level remained unchanged as different varieties of coarse rice were selling between Tk 46 and Tk 50 per kilogramme.Traders in different markets in the capital said they had bought rice earlier at high prices.

"The cut in duty has just been announced. It would need at least 15 days to take effect," Babul Hawlader, a trader in Kawran Bazar, said.Market sources said import of more rice is in the pipeline.It is alleged that the importers were delaying shipments in the hope that the government would soon go for a tariff cut.
With rice prices going up in the global market, local traders are increasingly finding it difficult to make profit after paying high tariff on import.Market sources said rice import was no longer lucrative for traders as they had to pay 28 per cent duty on top of high import costs.Babu Bazar trader Mohammad Asadullah said the duty cut has not yet impacted the market. But very soon it will, he expressed the hope.

According to SRO on import duty cut, husked (brown) rice, semi-milled or wholly-milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed, fortified rice kernel, other semi-milled or wholly-milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed, and broken rice can be imported by paying 10 per cent customs duty (CD).The Customs wing cut the 25 per cent CD to 10 per cent on import of rice. The tax incidence on import of rice was 28 per cent including 3.0 per cent Regulatory Duty (RD).

As per Customs law, the RD was imposed on most of the products under the 25 per cent CD slab. As the CD on rice import has been reduced to 10 per cent, the RD would not be applicable to the item.The government had imposed the high import duty on rice to ensure fair prices for the local growers. But, a substantial hike in rice prices forced the government to go for import.An early flashflood that struck the Haor region in late March caused a loss of Boro rice totalling one million tonnes.
According to market sources, blast attacks (fungi attack) also led to a loss of Boro rice in 19 districts. But the agriculture department claimed that the loss was nominal.Experts and agricultural economists say the government's market intervention will stabilise rice prices very soon.

bdsmile@gmail.com

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/06/24/74820/Duty-cut-yet-to-impact-coarse-rice-prices

U.S. Paddy Allowed Unhindered Access into Colombia

Jun 22, 2017

Worth the wait

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- On June 6, 2017, the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) published “Official Resolution #6705 of 2017” which removed a previous resolution that restricted imported U.S. paddy rice to the port of Barranquilla. The previous resolution also implemented phytosanitary measures for the transportation of U.S. paddy rice and for the management of residues (such as husks) after being milled in Colombia. These mitigation procedures and restrictions to one port in Colombia are now null and void.

This resolution follows on the heels of a June 1, 2017 resolution which removed the phytosanitary pest Tilletia horrida from Colombia’s official pest list. ICA conducted a study that found that tilletia horrida is already present in various locations in Colombia. The study, which collected 54 samples from farms and mills, found tilletia horrida in 92 percent of the collected samples.

“This is excellent and long-awaited news,” said USA Rice Chairman Brian King. “By removing the restrictions on U.S. paddy rice and allowing it to enter any maritime port, U.S. rice will be more competitive in the Colombian market.”

In June of last year, USA Rice led a trade mission of 10 people to Colombia to meet with ICA and stress the importance of concluding the study in a timely manner and improving access for U.S. rice. Within three months of the visit, ICA agreed to reduce the mandatory minimum grain moisture content of U.S. rough rice, one of the required mitigation procedures.

“USA Rice has been working with APHIS and FAS since 2012 to remove these restrictions on U.S. paddy,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. “We are thrilled to see that everyone’s hard work has finally paid off.”

Last year, the U.S. exported 140,000 MT of rice valued at $58 million and more than 40 percent was paddy rice. Colombia, our 51st largest market prior to the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, has become one of the top fifteen U.S. export markets for the past four years.

https://www.usarice.com/blogs/usa-rice-daily/2017/06/22/u.s.-paddy-allowed-unhindered-access-into-colombia

No fake rice, just fake news', rice traders say

ABS-CBN News

Jun 23 2017 10:43 AM | Updated as of Jun 23 2017 04:19 PM

NO FAKES: There is no fake rice, just fake news, rice retailers said in a press briefing on Friday."There is no such thing as fake rice, only fake news. There is no actual fake rice discovered mula 2015 hanggang ngayon ," James Magbanua, national president of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (GRECON), said in a press conference.

The National Food Authority backed the group's claim that no fake rice managed to enter the Philippine market.

"A total of 6 rice samples were subjected to analysis...the result of all samples are totoong rice, there is no fake rice," NFA administrator Jason Aquino said.

Magbanua said there is no incentive for rice producers and retailers to sell fake rice as "it is costlier to produce fake rice by putting plastic additives."

He said the hoax was made to take advantage of rice retailers.

"Merong bumibili ng isang kilo lang pero ibabalik dahil fake rice daw ito. Pinipilit na palitan ang fake rice ng isang kaban kung hindi irereport daw sa gobyerno. Kinikikilan lang kami," Magbanua said.

The group urged the public to be more discerning before believing articles they read online.

The group also called on lawmakers to pass measures that will penalize those who generate and share false and unverified information.

"It is time to consider a legislative measure against those who create fake news, especially news that affect our economy."

The National Food Authority presents samples of alleged "fake rice' in a press conference in Quezon City on Friday. Lab analysis by the NFA of alleged 'fake rice" debunks claims circulating in social media. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

On Thursday, a bill that seeks to penalize any person or group who maliciously spreads false news or information in traditional and online media platforms was filed at the Senate.

Under Senate Bill 1492 any person proven guilty of creating or distributing fake news will face a fine ranging from P100,000 to P5 million and 1 to 5 years of imprisonment.

Violators who have aided and encouraged fake news meanwhile will be fined P50,000 to P3 million and imprisoned from 6 months to 3 years.

If the offender is a public official, he will be made to pay twice the amount of fine and serve twice the period of imprisonment. He will also be disqualified from holding any public office.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/23/17/no-fake-rice-just-fake-news-rice-traders-say

USA Rice and Jewel-Osco 'Build a Better Basket'

By Katie Maher

ARLINGTON, VA -- USA Rice recently wrapped up a partnership with retail dietitians at Jewel-Osco, a supermarket chain with stores across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. During the May promotion that coincided with Celiac Awareness Month, U.S.-grown rice was featured as a smart choice for shoppers following a gluten-free diet. Through Jewel-Osco Dietitians' "Build a Better Basket" program, shoppers were introduced to U.S.-grown rice health benefits, versatility, and recipes through a print newsletter and blog, social media posts, weekly ad circular, and in-store point-of-sale signage.

"Jewel-Osco's Build a Better Basket program provides a great platform for the registered dietitian team to partner with commodity boards, like USA Rice, to share nutrition information and recipes with our shoppers," said Jewel-Osco registered dietitians Samantha Woulfe and Melissa O'Brien. "As dietitians, we believe that rice is a perfect meal time addition not only for those seeking a gluten-free diet, but for anyone looking for a healthful and customizable grain option."

The promotion kicked off with an article in Jewel-Osco's Fresh Ideas summer newsletter featuring USA Rice's gluten-free recipe for Greek Rice Stuffed Tomatoes and a sale on Jewel-Osco's private label U.S.-grown brown rice. The dietitians circulate hundreds of newsletters in-store and at community events, and plan to utilize this issue with consumers throughout the summer months. The article was also featured on Jewel-Osco's What's Cookin' Blog, and promoted throughout the month on social media.

In stores, point-of-sale signage was posted in the rice aisle and cross-promoted in the produce department at 185 stores, showcasing the recipe and rice product sale.

"Having rice featured on a dietitian approved sign enhances the 'healthy halo' and in-store visibility of rice," said Paul Galvani, chairman of the USA Rice Retail Subcommittee. "Having that sign appear in the produce section of the grocery store is a great way to help shoppers think of rice as a healthful compliment to fresh foods and drive shoppers to the center of the store to purchase rice."

Upcoming Rice Field Days

June 27 - Louisiana Horizon Ag Field Day

4:30 p.m. -- Richard Farms, Kaplan, LA. Crop tour at 5 p.m. followed by dinner.

Contact: Michael Fruge, mfruge@horizonseed.com

June 27 - 43rd Annual Eagle Lake Field Day and Program
4:00 p.m. -- TX AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Eagle Lake, TX
Contact: Dr. Ted Wilson, lt-wilson@aesrg.tamu.edu

June 28 -- LSU AgCenter Rice Field Day
7:30-9:15 a.m. -- field tours; program at 10:45 a.m., and concludes with lunch.
LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, 1373 Caffey Road, Rayne, LA
Contact: Dr. Steve Linscombe, (337) 788-7531 or slinscombe@agcenter.lsu.edu

July 6 - St. Landry Parish File Day

8:00 a.m. -- Charlie Fontenot Farm, Palmetto, LA

Contact: Vincent Deshotel, (337) 831-1635 or VDeshotel@agcenter.lsu.edu

July 11 - RiceTec Texas East Side Field Day

3:30 p.m. - Field tours, crawfish forage study presentation, followed by dinner.

Winnie/Stowell Community Building, Winnie, TX

Contact: Dr. Brian Ottis, (573) 391-0366 or bottis@ricetec.com

July 12 -- Northeast Louisiana Rice Field Day

9:00 a.m. - Vic Jordan III Farm, Tower Drive, Oak Ridge, LA

11:00 a.m. - Program, Rayville Community Center, 817 Louisa Street, Rayville, LA

Contact: Keith Collins, kcollins@agctr.lsu.edu

July 13 -- 69th Annual Beaumont Rice Field Day
8:00 a.m. -- TX AgriLife Research & Extension Center, 1509 Aggie Dr., Beaumont, TX
Contact: Dr. Ted Wilson, lt-wilson@aesrg.tamu.edu

NFA eyes additional rice imports

June 23, 2017 at 09:18 pm by Anna Leah E. Gonzales

The National Food Authority will discuss possible additional imports this year as the agency’s buffer stocks are still insufficient to cover the 30-day requirement during the lean season.

The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council requires the NFA to maintain a rice buffer stock good to last for 15 days at any given time and for 30 days at the onset of the lean months. The country’s daily consumption rate requirement is currently at 32,720 metric tons or 654,600 bags.

The National Food Security Council earlier recommended the immediate importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to beef up NFA’s buffer stocks for the lean season.

“The NFA management’s position is we are hoping that there will be an increase to 250,000 metric tons. But we will prioritize the 250,000 metric tons first. We will discuss it with the executive committee within the NFA,” said NFA special assistant to the administrator Rachel Miguel.

“We are following the LEDAC policy that the buffer stock is enough for 15 days for the whole year and 30 days for the lean months. If we need to comply with the 15 days and 30 days, then the (stocks) is really not enough,” added Miguel.

The NFA’s buffer stocks are only enough for six days.

Despite the 250,000 metric tons of rice imports earlier approved, the NFA’s buffer stocks is still 17 days short equivalent to 544,000 metric tons.

“We are not saying it (additional imports) is urgent but when it comes to policy, it is really not enough,” said Miguel.

NFA spokesperson Marietta Ablaza earlier said the first tranche of the 250,000 metric tons of rice imports was expected to arrive by the end of next month.

Ablaza, however, said the NFA was still waiting for the NFA Council resolution approval of the terms of reference for the importation.

“We are still waiting for resolution so that we could immediately publish the bidding,” said Ablaza.

This year’s importation will done through a government-to-private scheme to augment the agency’s buffer stock for the coming lean months of July to September.

Instead of limiting the bidders to government counterparts, private suppliers from participating countries may now be allowed to participate in the bidding, making the whole process covered by the Government Procurement Reform Act, unlike the current government-to-government scheme.

Miguel said the TOR for the imports was expected to be finalized within the next few days,

“It has already been drafted. We are just finalizing it because during the last meeting, there are some suggestions so we are incorporating it in the draft. Definitely we will come up with the TOR next week,” said Miguel

http://manilastandard.net/business/csr-mining/240134/nfa-eyes-additional-rice-imports.html

Japan eyes bigger bite of China's rice market

Tokyo looks to score points with farmers as domestic demand dwindles

TSUKASA HADANO, Nikkei staff writer

Koshihikari rice from Niigata Prefecture, where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's candidate lost last year's gubernatorial election.

TOKYO -- With Sino-Japanese relations showing signs of warming, Tokyo is working to persuade Beijing to accept more Japanese rice in hopes of giving domestic farmers greater access to a market hungry for high-quality imports.

Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made a pitch on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation last month. "I want [Chinese] to eat as much Japanese rice as possible," Nikai told a high-level Beijing official.

After hearing Nikai's plea, the official offered to send an inspector to Japan soon. "We want to review trade over the last 10 years and lay the groundwork" for increased exports, the official said.

The time frame was not plucked from thin air. It was a decade ago that Beijing partly reopened its doors to Japanese rice.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited China on his first official overseas trip back in the autumn of 2006, during his first stint in office, meeting with officials including then-President Hu Jintao. After further negotiations between Beijing officials and Toshikatsu Matsuoka, Japan's agriculture minister at the time, China agreed in 2007 to partly lift an embargo on Japanese rice.

The results have been underwhelming, however. Japan sent just 375 tons of rice to China last year. Beijing requires that imported rice be milled and fumigated at facilities certified by the Chinese government. But Japan has only one milling plant and two fumigation warehouses with this stamp of approval. Farmers have complained that the costs involved force them to jack up prices and that the rice tastes worse.

Finding new markets

Nikai's approach to Beijing may also reflect Abe's political calculation. The Abe government has been phasing out a policy that pays farmers to scale back rice planting, with the subsidy to end entirely in 2018. With domestic consumption shrinking around 80,000 tons each year, oversupply and falling prices could send farmers' incomes plunging. A lower house election will be held before the end of next year, and Japan's roughly 1 million rice-farming households are fertile ground for votes.

Tokyo began discreet talks with Beijing in November. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga called former Agriculture Minister Koya Nishikawa -- a senior figure among LDP lawmakers representing agricultural interests -- to the prime minister's residence to tell him to get the ball rolling. Suga, the eldest son of an Akita Prefecture farmer, plays a major role in the nation's agriculture policy, while Nishikawa is a high-ranking member of Nikai's LDP faction."If we succeed, it'll be a game-changer for Japan's farming villages," Suga said

http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Japan-eyes-bigger-bite-of-China-s-rice-market

Malaysia cries foul as US swoops in on 1MDB-linked bling

Najib aide says motive for $540m roundup 'goes beyond' seizing assets

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

A construction worker walks past a 1MDB billboard at the Tun Razak Exchange development in Kuala Lumpur. © Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian authorities on Friday denounced a U.S. effort to recover another $540 million worth of assets allegedly obtained with money taken from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a state investment fund.

The assets in question include a 91-meter yacht, the rights to the Hollywood comedy "Dumb and Dumber to," artwork by Pablo Picasso, high-end properties and jewelry.

Prime Minister Najib Razak's press secretary said that while Malaysia will cooperate with any lawful investigation, in accordance with international protocols, it is concerned by the "gratuitous" naming of names and the potential for political manipulation.

"This suggests a motivation that goes beyond the objective of seizing assets," Sariffuddin Ahmad said in a statement.

Malaysia is scheduled to go to the polls by mid-2018, and the latest allegations will once again stir up the controversy surrounding 1MDB -- now reduced to a paper company after its assets were liquidated to pay debts and transferred to the Ministry of Finance.

In a multiagency effort led by the Justice Department, U.S. authorities filed civil forfeiture complaints in the District Court of California on Thursday, seeking to freeze the valuables linked to the fund. Combined with complaints filed last July, the authorities aim to recover more than $4.5 billion worth of assets bought with money they say was stolen from 1MDB and laundered through complex transactions involving offshore shell companies.

That makes this the largest attempt to recover stolen assets in the U.S."We are unwavering in our commitment to ensure the U.S is not a safe haven for corrupt individuals and kleptocrats to hide their ill-gotten wealth or money," the Justice Department said in a statement, adding that efforts would be made to return the recovered funds to victims.

The filing also named several individuals and referenced a "Malaysian Official 1," or MO1, described as a high-ranking public servant who held a position of authority at 1MDB. This is purportedly Najib.

In response to last year's filing, a Malaysian cabinet minister had admitted that MO1 was indeed the prime minister, whom he claimed was not part of the U.S. investigations.

http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Malaysia-cries-foul-as-US-swoops-in-on-1MDB-linked-bling

Farmers Prepare for Tropical Depression Cindy

By: Caitlin Rearden

Posted: Jun 22, 2017 05:34 PM CDT

Updated: Jun 22, 2017 05:40 PM CDT

LONOKE COUNTY, Ark.- Tropical Depression Cindy has farmers in parts of Arkansas on high alert. Rain is often a good thing for crops, but too much of a good thing can be detrimental and that's something that farmers have to keep a close eye on. Robby Bevis is a 5th generation farmer in Lonoke county. He grows corn, soy beans and rice, but Thursday he spent much of the day digging ditches.

Because it's been such a wet year, Bevis finished his planting later than normal. He's now about a month behind where he'd like to be. Bevis has a lot of young plants and says and intense rain or high winds could do some damage.

"The roots haven't put down a deep root structure," says Bevis. "They don't have a good hold down deep in the ground so a little bit of wind can lay it down on the ground."

His crops lie right on the line of where he could get several inches of rain from remnants of the tropical depression or virtually none.

"At this point there's not much we can do, other than just making sure we got good drainage in our fields and our drains are open," says Bevis.

With the heaviest rainfall still ahead Bevis says now all he can do is wait.

"We're always at the mercy of Mother Nature and we just have to deal with it after she comes through. Good or bad."

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 25, 2017

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-May 25

Nagpur, May 25 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices recovered further in Nagpur Agriculture Produce

and Marketing Committee (APMC) auction on increased buying support from local millers amid thin

arrival from producing regions. Notable rise in Madhya Pradesh gram & tuar prices also boosted

sentiment.

About 1,6300 bags of gram and 1,600 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to

sources.

    FOODGRAINS & PULSES

   GRAM

   * Desi gram recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid weak

     supply from producing regions.

   TUAR

   * Tuar varieties ruled steady here but demand was poor.

   * Moong dal Chilka reported weak in open market on poor buying support from local

     traders amid good supply from producing belts.

   * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,000-4,100, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,000-6,200, Udid Mogar (clean)

    – 9,000-10,000, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,800-7,200, Gram – 5,800-6,100, Gram Super best

   * 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                  5,200-5,510         5,100-5,450

     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600

     Tuar Auction                3,500-5,050         3,500-5,000

     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        1,500-1,652        1,500-1,620

     Gram Super Best Bold            8,200-8,500        8,200-8,500

     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.

     Gram Medium Best            7,600-7,900        7,600-7,900

     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a

     Gram Mill Quality            5,600-5,700        5,600-5,700

     Desi gram Raw                6,400-6,600         6,350-6,550

     Gram Yellow                 8,000-8,200        8,000-8,200

     Gram Kabuli                12,300-13,400        12,300-13,400

     Tuar Fataka Best-New             6,200-6,400        6,200-6,400

     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        5,800-6,000        5,800-6,000

     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        5,700-6,000        5,700-6,000

     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        5,000-5,500        5,000-5,500

     Tuar Gavarani New             4,200-4,300        4,200-4,300

     Tuar Karnataka             4,300-4,400        4,300-4,400

     Masoor dal best            5,500-5,700        5,500-5,700

     Masoor dal medium            5,200-5,400        5,200-5,400

     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            5,400-6,3200        5,500-6,300

     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) 10,000-11,000       10,000-11,000

     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    8,000-9,000        8,000-9,000

     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        5,800-6,200        5,800-6,200

     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,500-5,600        5,500-5,700

     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          3,300-3,500         3,300-3,500

     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)    1,650-1,750        1,650-1,750

     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)    2,200-2,350        2,200-2,350

     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,000-2,150        2,000-2,150

     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.

     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,100-3,400        3,100-3,400

     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,300-2,800        2,300-2,800

     Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG)        3,100-3,400        3,100-3,400

     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)       2,300-2,450        2,300-2,450

     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)           4,500-4,800        4,500-4,800

     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        4,000-4,200        4,000-4,200

     Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG)           4,650-4,850        4,650-4,850

     Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG)    6,800-7,000        6,800-7,000

     Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)    6,300-6,500        6,300-6,500

     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    11,000-15,000        11,000-15,000

     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    6,500-8,000        6,500-8,000

     Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG)        4,600-4,800        4,600-4,800

     Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)    5,800-6,300        5,800-6,300

     Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)    5,400-5,600        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. 45.2 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 28.0 degree Celsius

Rainfall : Nil

FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 44 and 30

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/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL4N1IR3AB

NFA eyes additional rice imports

June 23, 2017 at 09:18 pm by Anna Leah E. Gonzales

The National Food Authority will discuss possible additional imports this year as the agency’s buffer stocks are still insufficient to cover the 30-day requirement during the lean season.

The National Food Security Council earlier recommended the immediate importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to beef up NFA’s buffer stocks for the lean season.

The NFA’s buffer stocks are only enough for six days.

Despite the 250,000 metric tons of rice imports earlier approved, the NFA’s buffer stocks is still 17 days short equivalent to 544,000 metric tons.

“We are not saying it (additional imports) is urgent but when it comes to policy, it is really not enough,” said Miguel.

NFA spokesperson Marietta Ablaza earlier said the first tranche of the 250,000 metric tons of rice imports was expected to arrive by the end of next month.

Ablaza, however, said the NFA was still waiting for the NFA Council resolution approval of the terms of reference for the importation.

“We are still waiting for resolution so that we could immediately publish the bidding,” said Ablaza.

This year’s importation will done through a government-to-private scheme to augment the agency’s buffer stock for the coming lean months of July to September.

Miguel said the TOR for the imports was expected to be finalized within the next few days,

http://manilastandard.net/business/csr-mining/240134/nfa-eyes-additional-rice-imports.html

Thai rice prices rising as sanctions-free Iran gets its fill

Strong baht also lifting prices

A dish served at a Thai restaurant in Tokyo. TOKYO -- International prices of rice are on the rise, with Thai rice trading at the highest in about three years amid growing demand from Iran.

Export prices of grade-A Thai white rice came to $492 a ton in mid-June, up 10% from a month earlier and the highest since August 2014, according to the Thailand trade commission.
A big buyer is Iran, which has returned to the international markets after its landmark nuclear deal with six world powers -- the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, China and Russia -- was implemented in January 2016. U.S. and European sanctions were lifted, enabling Tehran to make international purchases more easily.
The Iranian government and corporate buyers in the country got their hands on 40,000 tons to 50,000 tons of jasmine rice and grade-B white rice recently, according to trading houses and other sources. Thai rice exporters are eagerly securing supplies for shipment to Iran, an analysis by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed.
Thailand is one of the world's biggest rice exporters, shipping roughly 10 million tons a year to other markets. A seasonal factor is also in play. Now is the time of year when the new crop from Pakistan is not available, so buyers have flocked to Thai rice, said an official at Japanese rice and rice product company Kitoku Shinryo.
Appreciation in the Thai baht is lifting international prices as well. Seeking to assess changes in currency rates, rice exporters in Thailand have been putting off signing contracts, curbing supplies.
Tight supplies are impacting businesses in Japan. The recent shift toward upscale rice in Japan has made affordable domestically grown rice hard to come by, and snack makers are increasingly using rice from Thailand and the U.S., said a midsize producer. If Thai rice continues to trade higher, procurement costs are sure to rise. This could push up production costs for awamori, a distilled alcoholic beverage indigenous to Okinawa that uses Thai rice as a main ingredient.
Japan's restaurant industry will likely remain relatively immune to the rising prices as they focus on upmarket rice for its quality. "Even with a bit higher prices, the priority is on the taste," said an official at Meal Works, an operator of the Mango Tree chain of Thai eateries

http://asia.nikkei.com/Markets/Commodities/Thai-rice-prices-rising-as-sanctions-free-Iran-gets-its-fill

Govt must protect exporters: rice chiefs

Submitted by Eleven on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 15:34

Writer: Nilar

The Muse trade centre (Photo-Tun Nay Hlaing/EMG)

The Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) is working to push the government to prioritise making sure bilateral rice trade with China is unaffected by the freezing of Burmese traders' bank accounts.The MRF’s chairman sent a letter to the Chinese ambassador and its general secretary met the Chinese economic attaché to discuss the matter.

The federation said it was asking the government to investigate the situation to prevent it happening again.

State-run TV reported that among the 349 bank accounts frozen by China in a bid to clamp down on smuggling and illegal gambling, there were 132 bank accounts owned by citizens of Myanmar.Annual bilateral trade is around US$10 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry said the country’s total foreign trade was around US$30 billion.

Normally Chinese banks can unlock a bank account within six months if it is frozen. However, some can be blocked for years. Muse accounted for about 70 per cent of total border trade and the government should prevent financial loss for its traders, business representatives said.

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/10185

Vietnamese rice to reach Ctg in 15 days

June 22, 2017

Newly-appointed Vietnamese ambassador to Bangladesh Tran Van Khoa today said the first consignment of rice from Vietnam is scheduled to arrive in Chittagong within 15 days as he called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Jatiya Sangsad office on Thursday morning.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said the envoy told the premier that his country was exporting the rice under an extended memorandum of understanding (MoU) on rice trade with Bangladesh and the first consignment of Vietnamese rice is scheduled to reach Chittagong in next 15 days”.
The prime minister appreciated the development saying Bangladesh needed to preserve extra grains to meet any possible eventuality.
“We want to preserve extra food to meet any eventuality,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also praised Vietnam’s socioeconomic development saying the Southeast Asian nation achieved remarkable success after the war.
“Vietnam is an example to us . . . we (also) had to fight for independence like Vietnam,” Sheikh Hasina said and conveyed Dhaka’s keenness to strengthen connectivity and economic cooperation with Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations.
She said Bangladesh and Vietnam in particular could share their experiences in different fields like trade and culture.Sheikh Hasina said after the independence, Bangabandhu got only three and a half years and started rebuilding the war-ravaged country.Describing again poverty as the common problem for the developing countries, Sheikh Hasina called for working together to eliminate the curse of poverty.
“If we work together we can achieve success in this regard,” she said.
Appreciating the continuous efforts of Bangladesh in combating terrorism and the adverse impacts of climate change, the Vietnamese ambassador said, “We’ve many commonalities and we can learn from each other.”
He praised highly dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “There have been impressive achievements in many sectors under your leadership,” she said.
Tran Van also appreciated achieving of 7.24 percent GDP growth by Bangladesh in the outgoing fiscal year.
The ambassador conveyed the best wishes of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the Bangladesh premier.
He also handed over a book to Sheikh Hasina depicting the life of Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh also carrying the unforgettable memories of the War of Liberation.
Tran Van said that both the countries had recognised their respective War of Liberation and emphasised the exchange of visits by high-level delegations.
The newly appointed envoy said that his task would be to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries alongside continuing cooperation in various sectors.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and Senior PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum were present on the occasion.

http://businessnews24bd.com/vietnamese-rice-to-reach-ctg-in-15-days/

Monsoon likely to hit state on June 25

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 22

While the pre-monsoon showers have managed to give respite from searing heat to the residents of Uttarakhand, but it will take at least four to five days more for the monsoon to finally make its appearance.

After the pre-monsoon showers on Monday, Tuesday and today, there is a general anticipation among the people for its arrival anytime.

“The monsoon is most likely to strike the state by June 25. It has reached Bihar and should arrive here by June 25,” said Vikram Singh, Director, Meterological Centre.

Earlier, it had forecast June 21, as the onset of monsoon in the state but now the forecast has been advanced to four days. He said the spell of rainfall from June 25 to 28 is expected to be declared as the official arrival of monsoon here. “Rain, though slightly lesser in intensity will continue on June 29 and 30 as well,” added Singh.

Further, the pre-monsoon showers that have taken place so far could be termed a normal and following predictable pattern. These benefit the seasonal fruits, ready to be plucked, providing them with extra juice and sweetness.

The pre-monsoon showers also benefit the farmers preparing for kharif sowing, with adequate water for paddy sowing, they have to depend less on making other arrangements for irrigation

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/uttarakhand/monsoon-likely-to-hit-state-on-june-25/426206.html

Kharif sowing to begin early in AP

THE HANS INDIA | Jun 23,2017 , 03:44 AM IST

Water Resources Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao inspecting the Polavaram Right Main Canal and Tammileru aqueduct at Janampeta village in Pedavegi mandal of West Godavari district on Thursday

Amaravati: Here is good news for farming community of Krishna delta. Now they can speed up their kharif paddy cultivation as Godavari waters will reach Krishna river in the next two days. Hence water can be released for Krishna delta farmers without any delay. As per plans, 14 lakh acres are proposed to be covered by ensuring water supply to irrigation needs of the farmers.

Irrigation Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao Rao, Krishna District Telugu Desam Rythu wing president Chalasani Anjaneyulu and people gathered from local villages offered pujas.

As per the plans of agriculture and irrigation department, nearly 100 TMC feet water is required for Krishna delta to cultivate 14 lakh acres in the limits of Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari and some part of Prakasam district.

The government has plans to totally use Godavari waters for Krishna delta for the current kharif season. Additionally, 10 TMC ft is expected from Munneru rivulet which flows from Khammam district based on rains.
Already Kharif season has begun in Krishna district and several parts of Guntur district.

The farmers are busy with tilling operations and getting ready for preparing seedbeds. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu gave a call three days ago to farming community to get ready for seedbeds operation. Previously the farmers who have water facility from bore wells used to start the kharif cultivation from July. But the government is ready to provide water for irrigation in advance than scheduled this year. Moreover, the farming community who are not having bore wells can start their operations early with Godavari water

Iraq Extends Agreement on U.S. Rice

Jun 21, 2017

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – USA Rice orchestrated a coordinated effort with U.S. State Department and Embassy officials here to ensure the extension of the U.S.-Iraq Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for rice that was set to expire last week. It has now been confirmed that the MOU has been extended by the government of Iraq until January 2018. The extension means exporters of U.S.-grown rice will have additional opportunities to make sales to Iraq through January of next year.

The original MOU was signed almost a year ago after more than a year of pressure from USA Rice and officials within the U.S. government, however, the agreement must be renewed every six months.

“Once again we owe a debt of gratitude to U.S. State Department officials, who worked tirelessly to encourage the Iraq Ministry of Trade to agree to a further extension,” said Betsy Ward, USA Rice President & CEO. “The concept of the MOU originated here, but there’s simply no way it would have been executed and now extended without the Embassy staff and others.”

The MOU for rice grew out of a desire for Iraq to develop a growing economy that contributes to food security through the provision of high-quality and competitively priced rice from reliable and consistent suppliers. At the same time the MOU is intended to strengthen commercial ties between the United States and Iraq, while providing a degree of certainty and consistency that helps facilitate additional rice exports by qualified U.S. private-sector companies.

The extension comes on the heels of a 30,000 MT sale of U.S. rice just last month – the first successful sale under the MOU. Trade sources indicate that Iraq may soon issue a new tender invitation under the newly-extended MOU.

Ward said USA Rice is also working with the State Department to arrange a high-level Iraqi delegation visit to the United States, led by the Iraqi Trade Minister himself. It’s been three years since members of the Iraq Grain Board, the purchasing and advisory board within the Trade Ministry, traveled to rice country with USA Rice. At that time the delegation toured farms in Arkansas, mills in Mississippi, and shipping and grading facilities in Louisiana.

https://www.usarice.com/blogs/usa-rice-daily/2017/06/21/iraq-extends-agreement-on-u.s.-rice

Cross River to complete Ogoja rice mill before December — Commissioner

On June 22, 201710:27 pmIn AgricComments

By Jimoh Babatunde

THE Cross River Government says the rice mill project in Ogoja, Ogoja Local Government Area, will be completed before the end of the year. Prof. Anthony Eneji, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said in Calabar on Wednesday that the project, which also included a rice farm, would serve as production point for Calabar Rice City.

Rice farm

“We are looking at owning our own product; that is, we raise our own rice seedlings and produce our own rice. Already, we are setting up a rice mill project at Ogoja; work is currently ongoing there and very soon, it will be completed. We think we can develop our own special rice seedlings through the rice city so we can produce seeds for our needs and sell to other states,’’ he said.

According to him, the rice city will have a special laboratory where different species of rice will be analysed and classified. Eneji said that when the rice mill became fully operational, Cross River would become one of the largest producers of rice in the country. “Most of what is today known as Abakaliki Rice is produced in Cross River by our people, but because we do not have a functional rice mill; they take our paddy rice to Ebonyi State and call it Abakaliki Rice.

“All that will soon stop as soon as we complete the rice mill. The mill will accommodate farmers from the northern part of the state as well as some farmers from the Central Senatorial Zone,” he said.

Recall that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the Calabar Rice City project during his recent two-day working visit to the state.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/cross-river-complete-ogoja-rice-mill-december-commissioner/

Food security under strain

23 Jun 2017, 21:18:20

Rahman Jahangir

If food security means availability of staple and other essentials at affordable prices, it now appears that it is now in a flux. Rice is the price leader in the market. That is why price of the staple always has a bearing on those of other essentials. While even the coarse rice is beyond the reach of common man because of high price, no vegetable could now be bought below Tk 40 a kilo this year. What's about fish and meat?

The explosive kitchen market scenario simply belies the official figure of inflation. People of the middle and the lower middle class, having fixed income, are now reeling under spiraling prices these days. It's better not to speak of plight of the poor. The government officials and employees getting steep pay hike along with Baishakhi allowance hold no figure in terms of percentage compared to vast population outside the financial bonanza further beefed up by money exchanged below the table.

Who is to blame for the ongoing high rice prices? The Prime Minister's Office should immediately investigate whether some vested groups in the food ministry were in wait for the present food price situation to emerge. If not, why did the ministry fail to assess the situation beforehand and make adequate preparations to face the threat to food security?

The country lost over one million tons of rice due to deluge in Haor and other areas. The food ministry should have informed the prime minister about the impending situation and acted swiftly to build buffer stock of rice to meet exigencies. It is sad that the government has to reduce rice import duty from 26 per cent to 10 per cent so that the private sector could meet shortages in the market. But then what's about the farmers who could not even recover the cost of rice production?

The open market sale, vulnerable group feeding and other social safety net programmes meant for five million ultra poor have made a serious dent into the government warehouses. During the last one year, these programmes have led to the depletion of food reserve with rice stock falling to a six-year low of 1,90,000 tons. On the other hand, the food department's initiative to replenish rice stock by procuring Boro fizzled out. Millers refused to sell rice to the department for Tk 34 a kg set by the government.

In the first 11 months of this fiscal year, 1.48 million tons of rice were distributed under various government programmes against 1.17 million tons in the corresponding period of fiscal 2015-16. Under the fair price programme alone, 6,84,000 tons of rice were distributed. Added to this was an unusual early flashflood that struck the Haor region in late March caused a loss of Boro rice totalling one million tonnes. According to market sources, blast attacks (fungi attack) also led to a loss of Boro rice in 19 districts.

It is not yet known whether the government is thinking of formulating a well-thought-out strategy to deal with climatic challenges Bangladesh is facing today. There is still no indication in this regard. As experts say, even at present conditions, Aman is very vulnerable to climate and climate-related events. Disruption of Aman will thus jeopardise food availability. In the future, climate related natural hazards may become more frequent and more severe, adversely affecting Aman output.

On the other hand, uncertainties of rainfall will also mean uncertainties regarding irrigation during Boro season. Furthermore, if the regional warming becomes quite severe, Boro will be adversely affected also due to temperature extremes. If either Aman or Boro or both substantially fail in a year, that will bring huge food insecurity, economic, social and ultimately political instability.

As Dr Asaduzzaman, a veteran economist, said, "There appears to be only a limited awareness of the urgency of the problem as manifested most glaringly in the policies of the country. This is possibly the main reason for inadequate planning and investments for growth in agricultural and food production under climate variability and change. He said in general, the broad policies, particularly the recent ones are sensitive, sometimes in a holistic manner, to climate change impacts and issues (e.g. Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan; Bangladesh Country Investment Plan for Food Security and Sixth Five year Plan). Unfortunately, such awareness has not been reflected in sectoral policies except the food policies. The National Agricultural Policy, 2013 (pertaining to crops) mentions climate change only cursorily - not as an issue of imminent importance.

That Bangladeshis' heavy reliance on rice is being reduced gradually is amply evident from the country's substantial import of low-cost wheat. This is indeed a silver lining for food security. There has been increasing domestic demand and stable international price. As of March 6, a total of 4.21 million tons of wheat has been brought into the country, with the private sector accounting for over 95 per cent of the imports, according to data from the food ministry. In fiscal 2015-16, 4.36 million tons of wheat was imported. Importers credited the rise in domestic consumption to the lower price of wheat than rice, change in eating habits, and expansion of bakeries and restaurants.

Low-income groups in both urban and rural areas are increasingly choosing wheat-processed food items like flour over rice for its cheaper price. The import of lower quality wheat from Russia, Ukraine, Argentina and Australia -- which account for 80 per cent of the total import -- soared in recent years. The evaluation of the programmes, however, revealed several limitations; a) large overheads due to operation of a large number of small programmes by different ministries often with the same objectives, b) improper targeting of beneficiary households, and c) leakages in implementation.

arjayster@gmail.com

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/06/23/74768/Food-security-under-strain

Analysts cite good, bad sides of Duterte’s 1st year in office

By KIMBERLY LIBRERO on June 24, 2017

THE appointment of an insider as the new central bank governor and a stop to graft-prone government-to-government rice imports are among the good decisions made by President Rodrigo Duterte in his first year in office, according to analysts.
They however expressed some reservations on the Palace-backed tax reform bill pending in Congress as well as the administration’s ambitious P8-trillion infrastructure rollout, in a forum at the Ateneo Professional Schools in Makati City on Thursday.
Antonio La Viña, former dean of the Ateneo School of Government, said government-to-government rice importation was impractical and could lead to significant hikes in rice prices.
The National Food Authority Council’s decision to allow private imports instead was “arguably the most important decision so far that will affect everyone,” he told participants at the Ateneo “Change has Come” forum.
The analysts also lauded Duterte’s decision to appoint Nestor Espenilla Jr. as the new Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor, saying the central bank insider was “the best person” for the position.
Espenilla, who is credited for his steady hand over bank regulation and promotion of microfinance, has no connections with Duterte prior to the appointment, they noted.
While former president Benigno Aquino 3rd was criticized for appointing “relatives and friends,” Duterte’s appointments looked beyond his associates in Davao City and ex-classmates in San Beda College of Law.
La Viña lauded the commitment of the President to peace talks with Muslim rebels, but urged the Chief Executive to “move fast” and get a bilateral ceasefire because “without a ceasefire we cannot really progress too much.”
Analysts however foresee “challenges” to infrastructure development projects and economic reforms.
Commenting on the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure rollout, expected to usher in a “golden age of infrastructure,” La Viña said a three-year rolling infrastructure program should be shielded from corruption.
Ateneo economist Alvin Ang said the proposed lowering of personal income tax rates would benefit “most of current taxpayers,” through exemption for those with incomes not exceeding P250,000 and reduced rates of 25 percent or below for a majority of wage earners.
The government however plans to impose higher taxes on petroleum products, automobiles, and sugary drinks and food, which could have an impact on the poor, he said.
“[When] you lower income tax rates and you charge more in terms of consumer goods, how will that affect prices?” Ang said.

http://www.manilatimes.net/analysts-cite-good-bad-sides-dutertes-1st-year-office/334541/

Duty cut yet to impact coarse rice prices

Traders expect positive results after two weeks

Ismail Hossain

The prices of coarse rice continued to maintain the previous high level until yesterday (Friday) despite cut in import and regulatory duty by 18 per cent.
But prices of other rice varieties recorded some fall.Traders and millers said the cut in import duty will have some positive effect on the prices. The decline is expected to be more prominent after the Eid festival.The revenue board cut the import duty of rice to 10 per cent from 25 per cent and waived 3.0 per cent regulatory duty on Wednesday to lower prices of the staple in the local market.

The Internal Resources Division (IRD) issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) making the reduced duty effective from June 21, 2017.

Abdul Majid Bablu, a rice miller from Kushtia, told the FE that the prices of rice have come down by up to Tk 50 per kg except those of coarse rice varieties.

"The prices of coarse rice did not come down due to its short supply in the market," he said adding that the prices will fall after Eid.

The prices at retail level remained unchanged as different varieties of coarse rice were selling between Tk 46 and Tk 50 per kilogramme.

Traders in different markets in the capital said they had bought rice earlier at high prices.

"The cut in duty has just been announced. It would need at least 15 days to take effect," Babul Hawlader, a trader in Kawran Bazar, said.

Market sources said import of more rice is in the pipeline.

It is alleged that the importers were delaying shipments in the hope that the government would soon go for a tariff cut.

With rice prices going up in the global market, local traders are increasingly finding it difficult to make profit after paying high tariff on import.

Market sources said rice import was no longer lucrative for traders as they had to pay 28 per cent duty on top of high import costs.

Babu Bazar trader Mohammad Asadullah said the duty cut has not yet impacted the market. But very soon it will, he expressed the hope.

According to SRO on import duty cut, husked (brown) rice, semi-milled or wholly-milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed, fortified rice kernel, other semi-milled or wholly-milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed, and broken rice can be imported by paying 10 per cent customs duty (CD).

The Customs wing cut the 25 per cent CD to 10 per cent on import of rice. The tax incidence on import of rice was 28 per cent including 3.0 per cent Regulatory Duty (RD).

As per Customs law, the RD was imposed on most of the products under the 25 per cent CD slab. As the CD on rice import has been reduced to 10 per cent, the RD would not be applicable to the item.

The government had imposed the high import duty on rice to ensure fair prices for the local growers. But, a substantial hike in rice prices forced the government to go for import.

An early flashflood that struck the Haor region in late March caused a loss of Boro rice totalling one million tonnes.

According to market sources, blast attacks (fungi attack) also led to a loss of Boro rice in 19 districts. But the agriculture department claimed that the loss was nominal.

Experts and agricultural economists say the government's market intervention will stabilise rice prices very soon.

bdsmile@gmail.com

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/06/24/74820/Duty-cut-yet-to-impact-coarse-rice-prices

Ramadan and Eid supermarket offers at Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons

What are you eating for suhur and iftar during the month of fasting? Here's some special deals to help

ByDavid Bentley

13:00, 23 JUN 2017
Updated13:24, 23 JUN 2017

Ramadan is coming to an end as Muslims get ready for Eid al-Fitr.
During the month of fasting, two main meals are eaten - suhur (or suhoor) is the meal before dawn and then, in the evening, the all-day fast is broken with a meal called iftar.
The length of the daily fast will be more than 18 hours because Ramadan once again falls within the summer months, including the longest day of the year.
Both meals should be as healthy as possible to make up for not eating the rest of the day.
Although it's tempting to tuck into a big feast in the evening, it's recommended to eat normal-sized nutritious meals, avoiding foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.
A few dates or a glass of fruit juice are often consumed as soon as fasting is over and before the evening meal to give a quick, revitalising burst of energy after going 18 hours without food.
Ramadan foods vary from region to region, but traditional dishes for the evening meal could include soups and stews made with meat (chicken, beef, lamb, goat, fish), beans, chickpeas or lentils, and other vegetables.

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How to stay fit and healthy during fasting month - NHS advice

Salad side-dishes, breads such as chapatis, and fruit desserts should be included at both mealtimes, along with plenty of water.
Eggs (boiled or in omelettes) and porridge (or other cereal) are good choices for the early morning meal.
And to help you get the best items in your fridge and cupboards, many supermarkets are running special offers for Ramadan foods.
Here's a look at what's on offer so you can stock up for Ramadan and also for the Eid celebrations:

Tesco

Ramadan food deals in Tesco for 2017 (Photo: David Bentley/Birmingham Mail)

Tesco has a Ramadan/Eid food section running through the fasting period and including special offers on rice, chickpeas, lentils, ghee, spices, flour, mango juice and other items.
Among the offers, 5kg of Tilda basmati rice is £9, 10kg of Kohinoor basmati rice is just £11, and 5kg of Akash basmati rice is £5 (a saving of £3).
There are also ready-made packets of 'heat and eat' microwaveable curries for just £1 including adraki bhuna, dal makhani, methi aloo and pindi chana aloo.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's has Ramadan deals for 2017

Sainsbury's has offers on products including blackeye beans, nuts, chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, coconut milk, garlic and ginger pastes, ghee, canned mango slices, rice, cooking oil and fruit juice.
Among the deals, 1kg of halal chicken breasts are £3.95 (save 70p), get Chai Xpress 40 teabags for £1.50 (save 50p), plum tomatoes are 35p (save 10p) and Mumtaz halal chicken meals are £2.20 (save up to 80p). Shazans halal lamb burgers are £4 and Shazans halal chicken thighs or wings are £3.50.
Pure butter ghee is £3.50 (save £1), tinned mango slices are 70p (save 25p), guava juice is £1.50 (save 50p) and 5kg of basmatic rice is £10 (save £3).
Also included in the supermarket's range are Cadbury Heroes for £2, Cadbury Milk Tray 530g for £6 (save £3), Celebrations chocolates for £2 (save £1), Ferrero Rocher for £6 (save £1) and Haribo Goldbears, Happy Cherries, Happy Cola and Phantasia halal sweets for 70p a bag (save 25p).
Haribo offers a range of sweets for consumers with halal dietary requirements. It uses animal-derived gelatin to make its gummy products and, for Muslim consumers, a factory in Turkey sources the gelatin from cows rather than pigs.
Celebrations are among the Mars chocolates that are halal certified in the UK.
Cadbury has stated that its UK products are not halal certified but are suitable for those following a halal diet.
In 2014, Cadbury came under fire when Malaysian Ministry of Health tests found traces of pig DNA in Dairy Milk Hazelnut and Dairy Milk Roast Almond bars.
Under Islamic law, products that contain pork are not halal and should not be consumed by Muslims.
But later tests by the Islamic Development Department, part of the Malaysian government, found no traces of pork.
Cadbury Malaysia recalled the products as a precaution but said it had no reason to believe they contained pork and subsequently was awarded a halal certificate.
Indonesia has the highest population of Muslims in the world.
Morrisons has Ramadan/Eid deals too, with 10kg of Shahzadi basmatic rice at £7 (save £5), four tins of chickpeas for £1 and two jars of various seasonings for £3.
A pack of four one-litre cartons of mango or guava juice is reduced from £5 to £3.50. Get two lamb or chicken samosas for £3.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/eid-2017-supermarket-special-offers-13050115

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