Ghana Rice Farmers Complain of Lack of Buyers for Locally Produced Rice
18-Feb-16
Ghana rice farmers are expressing concern that there are no buyers for
locally produced rice due to the influx of imported rice, according to Ghana
News.
They noted that due to this, their incomes are impacted significantly
and most of them are forced to quit rice farming. They noted that they spent
about 1,500 - 2,000 GHC per acre (around 9 - 13 cents per hectare), and since
there are no buyers for their rice, they are forced to find other means of
income to settle their bank loans and other debts.
They told reporters that they mainly face challenges from bad road
network, delayed and improper harvesting, threshing, drying and storage
handling facilities. They noted that they face a lot of difficulty in
transporting their output to the nearby markets. The price of locally produced
paddy declined significantly due to an increase in imported rice.
They noted that consumers are of the opinion that local rice is not
processed properly, does not taste good and is full of stones and husk. “There
is, therefore, the need to create awareness on consumption of the local rice to
enable farmers to make financial gains take care of our families and reduce
poverty,” said one of the farmers.
The Programme Coordinator of Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana
(PFAG) urged the government to set up good processing practices such as
grading, labelling, milling and good packaging to help consumers to develop
appetite for local rice. She also urged the government to improve market
information on prices and other related things.
However, the government officials say farmers should voice their
concerns to the concerned Ministries. “We are not aware of this development
therefore the farmers should come together and officially communicate the issue
to the ministry, so that we would be able to deal with it,” the Deputy Minister
of Food and Agriculture was quoted.
Ghana imports over a half of its annual rice consumption demand and the
government is planning to increase rice production by about 20% per annum over
the next four years to make Ghana self-sufficient in rice. USDA estimates Ghana
rice production at about 300,000 tons (milled basis) in MY 2015-16 (October -
September). The U.S. agency expects Ghana to import 600,000 tons of rice in
2016 to meet consumption needs of around 930,000 tons.
Vietnam Rice Sellers Increase Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asia Rice
Quotes Unchanged
Feb 18, 2016
Vietnam rice sellers
increased their quotes for 5% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around
$350-$360 per ton today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged
today.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is
indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about $10 per ton premium on Vietnam
5% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at
around $360 - $370 per ton, about $20 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown
at around $340 - $350 per ton.
25% Broken
Rice
Thailand 25% rice is
indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, about $10 per ton premium on Vietnam
25% rice shown at around $335- $345 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at
around $325 - $335 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice
shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
Parboiled
Rice
Thailand parboiled
rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton. India parboiled rice is
indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $55 per ton discount to Pakistan
parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken
Rice
Thailand broken rice,
A1 Super is indicated at around $325 - $335 per ton, about $5 per ton premium
on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $320 - $330 per ton. India's 100%
broken rice is shown at around $260 - $270 per ton, about $30 per ton discount
to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $290 - $300 per ton.
Rice Exporters to
U.S. Must Register with India’s Plant Quarantine Organization, Says APEDA
Feb 18, 2016
The Agricultural and
Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has made it
mandatory for all Indian rice mills/processing units exporting basmati rice to
the U.S. to register with India's plant quarantine organization, National Plant
Protection Organization (NPPO), to ensure quality rice exports to the U.S.,
according to Business Standard.
The APEDA has issued a
warning that basmati rice exports to the U.S. would be allowed only from rice
mills/processing units registered with NPPO effective April 1, 2016. The APEDA
reportedly noted that the NPPO would audit the plants of registered exporters
before issuing phyto-sanitary certificate for export of rice to the U.S.
Some exporters noted
that the directive is to reduce rejections of Indian basmati rice consignments
by the U.S. phyto-sanitary authority. “This is perhaps an attempt to regulate
the market as consignments shipped to the US develop some issues related to
pests or any other things. Mandatory registration with NPPO will filter out
opportunistic exporters, while genuine ones would continue. This will help
control the rate of rejection of consignments also,” said one of the top
basmati rice exporters in India.
The U.S. has sought
such registration after it had detected cabinet beetle in basmati rice of
Indian origin in 2011-12. Trade sources told reporters that about 10-15% of
basmati rice consignments from India get rejected every year.
Though some exporters
expressed concern that basmati exports to the U.S. would be impacted due to the
directive, an APEDA official ruled out such concerns. “Around 95 per cent of
exporters have already got registered with NPPO with basmati rice shipment
happening in very organised manner. Therefore, it his highly unlikely there
will be any impact in terms of basmati rice exports to the US with 10 per
variation being common,” he was quoted.
The U.S. accounts for
about 5% of India's total basmati rice exports. India exports about 100,000
tons of basmati and 25,000 tons of non-basmati rice to the U.S. every year.
The Executive Director
of the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) noted that the development
would prompt basmati rice exports to China as well, as China had also in the
past sought a standard operating system of basmati rice exporters in India.
Government of Angola
Sets Up Body to Monitor Rice, Other Food Prices
The government of
Angola has set up the National Council of Pricing to monitor prices of rice and
other food items such as sugar, milk, beef, fish and corn, which are
subject to fixed prices, amid increasing costs and reports of shortages of some
food items, Bloomberg quoted the government Gazette. It will in total monitor
prices of 32 items, including transport fees, port & airport tariffs.
The government will usually review the prices of these items annually.
The government will usually review the prices of these items annually.
As of February 16,
2016, Angola has adequate food reserves, according to the Radio Nacional De
Angola.
Angola is currently
facing declining foreign exchange reserves due to declining oil prices as crude
oil accounts for about 90% of its export
Indian Court to Deal
with Central State Madhya Pradesh’s Basmati GI Plea
Feb 18, 2016
The Agricultural and
Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) applied with the
GI Registry seeking exclusive (commercial) use of the basmati tag for rice
grown within the boundaries of Indo-Gangetic plain (including the Punjab,
Haryana, (western) Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir).
India's central state Madhya Pradesh (MP) sought for its inclusion in the GI
tag application. When the Agriculture and Commerce Ministries as well as the
APEDA opposed the state's plea, it filed an application with the IPAB.
On February 5, 2016,
the IPAB ordered the Chennai-based GI registry to grant GI certificate to
Indian basmati rice grown in Indo-Gangetic plains based on APEDA"s
application, and sent back the MP's petition to the Chennai-Registry asking it
to pass an order within six months after hearing to related parties. The Madhya
Pradesh governemnt challenged the IPAB decision in the Madras High Court.
The Counsel for MP
requested for the proceedings to be carried out in the Court instead of the
Assistant Registrar of GI (ARGI) office. The Court reportedly adjourned the
case to April 5, 2016 and directed the concerned authorities to file their
replies by them.
In the meantime, the
Court directed the APEDA not to take any "precipitating action" over
basmati rice produce from MP until a decision is taken on a petition it
received from the central Indian state, according to Business Standard.
The GI Registry
reportedly granted the GI certificate to Indian basmati rice grown in
Indo-Gangetic Plains and APEDA has been recognized as the sole custodian for
it. The certificate will bar other countries and companies from using the
'basmati' tag.
EC May Propose to
Temporarily Allow Use of Tricyclazole Fungicide in EU
Feb 18, 2016
The European
Commission (EC) will soon present a proposal authorizing the temporary
inclusion of tricyclazole fungicide among those authorized in agriculture ,
used to contain the rice blast disease, according to local sources.
The European Standing
Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF), which examined the draft
regulation submitted by the EU opposing the authorization of the use of
the tricyclazole fungicide, in October 2015 could not block its use in the EU
due to a lack of qualified majority.
The European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA) also noted that the present tests conducted on the
tricyclazole fungicide are not sufficient to block its use in the EU. However,
it said it cannot comment on the extent of the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of
tricyclazole in imported rice, as it does not have enough data to determine all
the effects on humans and the environment, as required by Reg. 1107 / 2009.
The fungicide is used around the world and to forbid its use in Europe
is said to result in the blocking of imports of Asian rice
Government of Myanmar
Urged to Prepare Rice Reserves This Year to Make Up for Likely Production
Shortfalls
Feb 18, 2016
The officials of the
Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) are urging the government to prepare rice
reserves in anticipation of drought conditions in the country, according to
Irrawaddy News.
The Vice-Chairman of
the MRF noted that due to likely extended dry conditions and water shortages,
they are expecting rice shortages and increase in prices. Since the country's
annual paddy harvest runs from around June-July until September-October, the
government should consider storing rice between April and May, he said.
Weather specialists
are reportedly forecasting dry weather conditions during the first six months
of this year. They are predicting temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in
major rice-growing regions, including Magwe, Pegu and Irrawaddy divisions. One
of the former weather forecasters in the country warned that the country needs
to prepare for some of the highest temperatures yet this summer.
Local sources noted
that the government may start procuring rice for reserves. They noted that the
Ministry of Commerce had prepared over 40 warehouses for the storage of rice in
Rangoon, Mandalay and Irrawaddy divisions, as well as Arakan State.
Ghana Rice Farmers
Complain of Lack of Buyers for Locally Produced Rice
Feb 18, 2016
Ghana rice farmers are
expressing concern that there are no buyers for locally produced rice due to
the influx of imported rice, according to Ghana News.
They noted that due to
this, their incomes are impacted significantly and most of them are forced to
quit rice farming. They noted that they spent about 1,500 - 2,000 GHC per acre
(around 9 - 13 cents per hectare), and since there are no buyers for their
rice, they are forced to find other means of income to settle their bank loans
and other debts.
They told reporters
that they mainly face challenges from bad road network, delayed and improper
harvesting, threshing, drying and storage handling facilities. They noted that
they face a lot of difficulty in transporting their output to the nearby
markets. The price of locally produced paddy declined significantly due to an
increase in imported rice.
They noted that
consumers are of the opinion that local rice is not processed properly, does
not taste good and is full of stones and husk. “There is, therefore, the need
to create awareness on consumption of the local rice to enable farmers to make
financial gains take care of our families and reduce poverty,” said one of the
farmers.
The Programme
Coordinator of Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) urged the government
to set up good processing practices such as grading, labelling, milling and
good packaging to help consumers to develop appetite for local rice. She also
urged the government to improve market information on prices and other related
things.
However, the
government officials say farmers should voice their concerns to the concerned
Ministries. “We are not aware of this development therefore the farmers should
come together and officially communicate the issue to the ministry, so that we
would be able to deal with it,” the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture was
quoted.
Ghana imports over a half of its annual rice consumption demand and the
government is planning to increase rice production by about 20% per annum over
the next four years to make Ghana self-sufficient in rice. USDA estimates Ghana
rice production at about 300,000 tons (milled basis) in MY 2015-16 (October -
September). The U.S. agency expects Ghana to import 600,000 tons of rice in
2016 to meet consumption needs of around 930,000 tons.
Oryza U.S. Rough Rice
Recap - Prices Oscillate with Futures; Farmers Waiting on Iraq
Feb 19, 2016
The U.S. cash market
was slightly weaker today with offers from resellers oscillating with the
futures market as farmers remain on the sidelines.
Analysts note that
many farmers are waiting to see the results of the latest Iraqi tender before
pricing the rest of their crop hoping that they buy a large chunk from the U.S.
leading to higher prices.
Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Oscillate with Futures; Farmers
Waiting on Iraq
Feb 19, 2016
The U.S. cash market
was slightly weaker today with offers from resellers oscillating with the
futures market as farmers remain on the sidelines.
Analysts note that
many farmers are waiting to see the results of the latest Iraqi tender before
pricing the rest of their crop hoping that they buy a large chunk from the U.S.
leading to higher prices.
Government of China
Plans to Clear Old Rice Stocks from Reserves
Feb 18, 2016
The government of
China is planning to clear the old rice and corn stocks and has asked local
grains administrations to recommend potential buyers of the stocks, Bloomberg
quoted reliable sources.
Sources told reporters
that ethanol, feed and starch producers are some potential buyers.
Central government
agencies are understood to be finalizing volumes and prices for sales.
The previous attempt
by the government to sell rice stocks from reserves did not attract higher
number of bidders due to high prices and quality concerns.
Thailand 2015-16
Secondary Rice Crop Acreage Declines by Half Due to Drought, Says Minister
Feb 18, 2016
Thailand's 2015-16
secondary rice crop (January - June) acreage declined by about half to around
800,000 hectares due to extending drought conditions, Bloomberg quotes Minister
for Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Water levels in the
country's dams stood at around 3.2 billion cubic meters as of February 15, 2016
compared to around 6.8 cubic meters on November 1, 2015. Authorities have been
discouraging rice farmers to avoid planting for the secondary rice crop due to
insufficient water supplies.
Accordingly, the
country's rice output from the secondary crop is expected to drop
significantly.
The Minister told
reporters that plans for the country’s 2015-16 main rice crop (May - December)
will be complete by around April.
In a recent report,
the USDA Post forecast Thailand's MY 2015-16 (January - December 2016) paddy
rice production at around 24 million tons, down from last year's 29.4 million
tons. It forecast Thai off-season paddy production to decline about 57% y/y to
around 3.1 million tons.
Thai Rice Pledging Scheme Lacked Proper Accounting and Auditing Systems,
Said Witnesses
Feb 18, 2016
Witnesses who were
present at the Court on February 17, 2016, to testify against the former Prime
Minister told judges that the scheme lacked appropriate accounting system
leading to loopholes in disbursements of the state budget, according to local
sources.
The Chairwoman of the
Auditing Committee under the Federation of Accounting Professions said that the
accounting of the scheme failed to adopt the double entry system, which clearly
shows all the expenses and debts. The scheme also lacked periodical accounting
procedures and so auditors could not get a clear picture of its financial
status at any given time, she said. The auditor also noted that accounts were
prepared by some state agencies concerned with the scheme such as the Bank for
Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) or Public Warehouse
Organisation (PWO).
She also noted that
some of the rice stockpiles pledged under the scheme were lost and the
depreciation cost of the stockpiled rice reached about 34 billion baht (around
$956 million).
A National
Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member, who previously chaired a subcommittee
auditing the rice-pledging scheme under the Yingluck administration, noted that
the previous government misspent money drawn from rice sales. This had
shouldered a lot of burden on Finance Ministry, she said.
Meanwhile, the former
Premier told reporters that she would continue her legal fight in the rice
pledging case. She stated that though problems were at the execution level, she
was being targeted. "I have the duty and responsibility to fight on. All
eyes are on me. I assure you I've never thought of fleeing," she was
quoted.
The former Prime
Minister is facing charges of dereliction of duty in preventing multi-billion
dollar graft in running the controversial rice pledging scheme introduced by
her government in October 2011. The scheme is estimated to have caused losses
to the extent of about 500 billion baht (around $14 billion) to the government.
If proved guilty in the present case, she may have to face imprisonment for ten
years.
Salt Water Intrusion to Affect Vietnam's Rice Output and Exports, Say
Experts
Feb 18, 2016
Experts have warned
that increasing salt water intrusion in Vietnam is likely to impact the
nation's rice production and exports significantly, Bloomberg quoted local
sources.
Speaking at a meeting
in Hanoi, the former Director of The Institute of Agricultural Science for
Southern Vietnam noted that the increased salt water intrusion is partly due to
dams upstream built by China and Laos. He warned that the situation is
affecting Vietnam's Mekong Delta and will be worsening.
He noted that due to a
decline in water levels in rivers, about 339,200 hectares of paddy are likely
to be affected. He added that rice plants can survive in water with up to 2
grams of salt per litre, but this year, salinity has reached up to 10 grams per
litre. More than 200,000 tons of rice worth at least 1 trillion
Vietnamese dong
(around $44.64 million) has already been damaged, he said.The Deputy Director
of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting noted that:
"saltwater has intruded 90 kilometres inland in some places due to low
river levels, reaching places it had not for the last 90
years."Agriculture Ministry officials noted that this year's saltwater
intrusion will affect around a fifth of crops across the Mekong Delta. But,
experts noted that though salt water intrusion may not affect food security, it
is likely to impact the country's exports.
Oryza CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Fall Back
below $11.00/cwt as Outside Markets Fail to Provide Support
Feb 19, 2016
Chicago rough rice
futures for Mar delivery settled 18 cents per cwt (about $4 per ton) lower at
$10.860 per cwt (about $239 per ton). The other grains finished the day lower;
Soybeans closed about 0.3% lower at $8.8275 per bushel; wheat finished about
1.3% lower at $4.6850 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.5% lower at
$3.6975 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded
mostly lower Thursday, stabilizing after their largest three-day gain since
August, as investors eyed oil prices and corporate news. U.S. crude oil futures
came off session highs and struggled to hold gains after weekly crude
inventories rose by 2.1 million barrels. WTI traded flat around $30.65 a barrel
as of 1:55 p.m. ET. As of intraday trade Thursday, the major U.S. averages were
on track for weekly gains of about 3% or more. European stocks came off highs,
while in Asia the Nikkei 225 and Hang Seng surged more than 2%.
The Shanghai composite
was a touch lower but held gains of 3.6% for the week so far. In economic news
Thursday, weekly jobless claims came in at 262,000. The Philly Fed index came
in at minus 2.8 for February. The index has held in negative territory since
September. In afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average declined 33
points, or 0.2%, to 16,420. The S&P 500 traded down 6 points, or 0.36%, to
1,919, with financials leading eight sectors lower and utilities and
telecommunications advancing. The Nasdaq composite traded down 35 points, or
0.8%, to 4,498. Gold is seen trading about 1.7% higher, crude oil is seen
trading about 0.1% higher, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.2%
higher at about 1:30pm Chicago time.
Wednesday, there were 1,107 contracts traded,
down from 2,658 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of
contracts outstanding – on Wednesday decreased by 18 contracts to 13,133
Global Rice Quotes
February
19th, 2016
Long
grain white rice - high quality
Thailand
100% B grade 365-375 ↓
Vietnam
5% broken 345-355 ↓
India
5% broken 360-370 ↔
Pakistan
5% broken 340-350 ↔
Myanmar
5% broken 415-425 ↔
Cambodia
5% broken 425-435 ↔
U.S.
4% broken 460-470 ↔
Uruguay
5% broken 440-450 ↔
Argentina
5% broken 430-440 ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 345-355 ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 335-345 ↔
Pakistan 25% broken 305-315 ↓
Cambodia 25% broken 405-415 ↔
India 25% broken 325-335 ↔
U.S. 15% broken (sacked) 440-450 ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 365-375 ↓
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd NQ ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 350-360 ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 480-490 ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 520-530 ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 680-690 ↔
Vietnam Jasmine 410-420 ↓
India basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 750-760 ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 325-335 ↔
Vietnam 100% broken 320-330 ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 285-295 ↓
Cambodia A1 Super 345-355 ↔
India 100% broken stxd 260-270 ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ ↔
U.S. pet food 280-290 ↔
Brazil half grain NQ ↔
All
prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
Exclusive News have been shared with written
permission of ORYZA.com with thanks
