Thursday, December 11, 2014

11th December,2014 (Thursday),2014 Daily Exclusive ORYZA E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Vietnam rice Quotes Mixed Today; Pakistan Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes

Dec 10, 2014
Vietnam rice sellers lowered their quotes for 25% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $350 - $360 per ton and increased their quotes for 100% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $330 - $340 per ton today. Pakistan rice sellers lowered  their quotes for 5% broken rice and 25% broken rice by about $5 per ton to each to around $370 - $380 per ton and $330 - $340 per ton respectively today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is quoted at around $400 - $410 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $385 - $395 per ton. India 5% rice is quoted at around $395 - $405 per ton, about $25 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice quoted at around $370 - $380 per ton, down about $5 per ton from yesterday.
25% Broken Rice 
Thailand 25% rice was last quoted at around $350 - $360 per ton, on par with Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton, down about $5 per ton from yesterday. India 25% rice is quoted at around $360 - $370, about $30 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice quoted at around $330 - $340 per ton, down about $5 per ton from yesterday.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is quoted at around $400 - $410 per ton. India parboiled rice is quoted at around $380 - $390 per ton, about $30 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice quoted at around $410 - $420 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is quoted at around $330 - $340 per ton, on par with Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $330 - $340 per ton, up about $5 per ton from yesterday. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $300 - $310 per ton,  about $10 per ton premium on Pakistan broken sortexed rice quoted at around $290 - $300 per ton.


Ghana Needs New Strategies to Boost Rice Production

Dec 10, 2014
The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) has urged the government to adopt new strategies to boost rice production in the country, according to local sources.Speaking at the inaugural function of a Public Private Dialogue Council on Rice, the President of the GRIB noted that the government should focus on providing access to quality seeds, fertilizers, irrigation facilities, modern rice farming technologies, milling units as well as drying and storage units rather than providing just subsidies on rice production.

He noted that farmers should be encouraged to invest more in production inputs in order to achieve higher and quality output. Farmers should be taught to view rice production as a business, he added.Other speakers in the dialogue urged the government to ensure necessary support to all the stakeholders in the rice value chain to help them produce more rice. They expressed confidence that Ghanaian rice farmers are capable of producing 40% more rice with adequate support from the government.
Ghana produces only 30% of its annual consumption needs of around one million tons and imports the rest. Ghana's annual rice import bill stood at $306 million in 2013 and it is planning to increase rice production by about 20% per annum over the next four years to make the country self-sufficient in rice and subsequently ban rice imports.According to the USDA, Ghana’s rice production is estimated at about 330,000 tons (milled basis) in MY 2014-15 (October - September). The U.S. agency expects Ghana to import 620,000 tons of rice during the year to meet consumption needs of around one million tons of rice. 

Iran Will Resume Rice Imports in February 2015, Global Business Consultant Mustapha Pakzad Tells Oryza in Exclusive Interview

Dec 10, 2014

In an exclusive interview with Oryza, Mustapha Pakzad, global business consultant and Chairman of U.K.-based Pakzad Consulting Group, has shared his views regarding the rice import ban by Iran. Excerpts from the interview…
Oryza: Iran's ban of rice imports, though understood to be temporary, is unprecedented according to many traders. What is your comment?
M.Pakzad: We have had a high volume of imports this year already. The low exchange rates made available at the end of the previous presidency encouraged an over-purchase of rice. This means we have imported about 50% more than needed. The ban is due to the fact that the new government wants to clear the over-stock. As you know rice cannot be stored for much longer than one year. Any further import at this stage is likely to cause unhealthy competition. The ban will, however, be lifted in February 2015.
Oryza: Iran, which normally increases duties on rice imports during September-November every year, has this time opted to ban rice imports citing adequacy of stocks. However, traders say the move is unprecedented. What is your comment?
M.Pakzad: The high tariffs are imposed during harvest periods. We do have adequate stocks, in fact an over-stock. The ban is meant to reduce the over-stock. In fact rice importers are already negotiating with exporters, including the Iranian Government Trading Company. This is because the former believe and the latter actually know that early in 2015 the ban will be lifted and rice imports resumed.
Oryza: There are concerns that Iran may not revert the decision soon given the government's commitment to use the existing rice stocks. Do you see any such possibility?
M.Pakzad:  No. The ban will be lifted in February 2015. Iran has around 2.2 million tons of rice consumption per year. 750,000 to 1 million tons are covered by internal production. This means Iran will always need 1 to 1.2 million tons of rice to be imported.
Oryza: Also, the Iranian government is understood to be advocating self-sufficiency in rice production. Currently, Iran produces less than half of around 3.45 million tons of rice consumption needs. In this backdrop, achieving rice self-sufficiency is not an easy task. How do you think the Middle East nation can achieve this herculean task?
M.Pakzad: Self-sufficiency is unlikely to ever happen simply because Iran does not have the water resources necessary for this. Some attempts have been made to produce rice near Urumieh lake, but the government is trying to stop this because it is draining the lake. So the geographical conditions in Iran will never permit 100% self-sufficiency in rice.
Oryza: Do you think changes in rice consumption patterns have been influencing the rice import decision?
M.Pakzad: No. We have an average 3 to 5% increase in national demand per year.
Oryza: Iran's basmati rice imports from India have been increasing significantly over the last few years. In 2013-14 (April - March), they constituted nearly 85% of Iran's total rice imports of about 1.7 million tons. Despite such a background, Iran seemed to reduce rice imports from India in a phased manner since February this year. Do you see any politically motivated reason behind this decision?
M.Pakzad: Not at all. There are two reasons for this. First is over-purchase which has caused over-stock of rice. Iran normally imports 1.2 million tons per year, last year it imported around 1.8 tons. The over-purchase was encouraged by the particularly low currency rates last year. Second reason is that the government is now asking for GMP health certificate since it is concerned about the standards in which rice is warehoused in India. We have had recent visits to Iran by delegations from Indian Ministry of Commerce and other organizations asking the Iranian authorities for less strict regulations regarding rice imports. Of course these strict measures have actually benefited reputable Indian exporters since it is well known that they uphold high health standards. So they have been the winners in all this. Naturally import volumes have been affected by these tightened regulatory oversights too.
Oryza: Do you see any possibility of Iran shifting buying interest slowly to any other country from India?
M.Pakzad: No, not with rice. The reason is that Iranians like long grain (Basmati) rice. Only India has long grain rice. Of the 1.2 million tons of rice imported into Iran per year, only around 200 thousand tons are second rate quality rice from for example Thailand. This type of rice is used in places like the army. The vast majority of consumption is high grade long grain rice, and it is only India that can provide this.
Oryza: Do you think price differential between the imported rice and locally produced rice could have prompted this decision? That means, is this a move to protect local rice farming community?
M.Pakzad: No. The price of good quality Iranian rice is almost twice that of Indian rice imported and there is therefore no real competition.
Oryza: India exports nearly 30% of its basmati rice exports to Iran and her over-dependence on the Middle East nation is likely to cost her hugely this year. Do you see the need for India to further diversify her overseas basmati rice sales?
M.Pakzad: The Indian rice production volume is 4.5 million tons per year. About 2 million tons goes to Saudi Arabia due to Hajj causing higher consumption, 1.2 million tons comes to Iran and about 300 thousand tons goes to UAE and other places. It is therefore not easy for India to shift exports to countries other than Iran. It would be better to aim at satisfying government regulations and preserving the market.
Oryza: How do you think Iran's decision would impact global rice prices and stocks especially when Thailand and Pakistan are speeding up their trials to reinstate exports to Iran?
M.Pakzad: Thailand has no long grain rice and it therefore poses no threat to Indian rice exports to Iran. Pakistan rice is almost same grade as Indian. However, the health concerns are even greater for Pakistan rice as far as the Iranian authorities are concerned and there is therefore no real threat posed by Pakistan to Indian rice exporters to Iran either. Pakistan tend to only serve the rice import needs of counties in Iran which are along its borders. We must also note that if the ban does continue, Basmati 1121 rice price in India will be affected, but it is unlikely that matters will ever get to this.
Oryza: Finally, when do you think Iran would lift the ban?
M.Pakzad: The ban should be lifted around February 2015.

Myanmar Plans to Release National Rice Export Strategy in January 2015

Dec 10, 2014

The Myanmar government is planning to release its National Export Strategy, which aims to promote the main export commodities, including rice, hotels and tourism sector and supporting services, in January 2015, according to local sources. The National Export Strategy, which is prepared by the officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Customs Department, Myanmar Port Authority and exporters, will be submitted for government approval in the last week of December 2014, according to the Advisor to the Commerce Minister. Once approved, the government is planning to release it to the public.
The government is keen on boosting foreign exchange income to the country and accordingly plans to enhance marketing for top export items like rice as well as provide financial support for production and improvement of product quality. It is keen on developing the export sector extensively within the next five years.
The General Secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) expressed concern that rice farmers often encounter extreme weather conditions, which lead to lower production. He noted that farmers should be given enough support to withstand such odds and still increase production.In September this year, the government noted that it will put rice on the top of its new five-year export promotion strategy and will explore newer markets for its rice exports under the new strategy.Myanmar exported record 1.33 million tons of rice in 2012-13, but exports dropped to 1 million tons in MY 2013-14. The government targets to export over 1 million tons this year. The government is planning to increase its rice exports to about 3 million tons over the next five years.
USDA estimates Myanmar to produce 18.63 million tons of paddy rice (around 12 million tons, milled basis) and export around 1.3 million tons of rice in MY 2013-14 (January - December 2014).

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Retrace Slightly as USDA S&D Fails to Excite Market and as Crude Prices Continue to Tumble

Dec 10, 2014
Chicago rough rice futures for Jan delivery settled 3 cents per cwt (about $1 per ton) lower at $12.260 per cwt (about $270 per ton). Rough rice futures slipped slightly today as softer grain prices and steeply lower crude prices weighed on the market. Today’s USDA S&D provided little in the way of surprises and is seen as already having been priced into the market. Traders had hoped for some follow-through buying interest today, following yesterday’s nearly 25 cent per cwt (about $6 per ton) rally, however they were disappointed as trade activity was muted throughout the day.
The other grains closed lower as well today; Soybeans closed about 1.6% lower at $10.3225 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.7% lower at $5.8275 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.4% lower at $3.9475 per bushel.U.S. stocks fell sharply on Wednesday, furthering the week's losses, as the price of crude fell to a five-year low and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries cut its demand outlook for next year. OPEC reduced its estimate for 2015 by roughly 300,000 barrels a day, with the cartel saying the effect of the 40 percent drop in prices on supply and demand is uncertain. After a 228-point drop, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was recently off 206.92 points, or 1.2%, at 17,594.28.
The S&P 500 dropped 24.68 points, or 1.2%, to 2,035.14, with the energy sector hardest hit of all 10 of its major industry groups in decline. The Nasdaq fell 59.33 points, or 1.3%, to 4,707.14. Gold is trading about 0.2% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 4.9% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.4% lower at about  1:00pm Chicago time. Tuesday, there were 1,085 contracts traded, up from 370 contracts traded on Monday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Tuesday decreased by 172 contracts to 10,166.

Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Lower Overnight as Market Cools After Yesterday’s Rally

Dec 10, 2014
Chicago rough rice futures for Jan delivery were trading 4.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per ton) lower overnight at $12.245 per cwt (about $270 per ton) during early floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen mostly lower: soybeans are currently seen 0.1% lower, wheat is listed about 1.1% lower and corn is noted about 0.7% lower.U.S. stock index futures signaled a lower open on Wednesday ahead of the monthly Federal budget and after recovering much of the losses from Tuesday’s session. Data in focus on Wednesday includes the publication of the Federal budget statement for November, expected at 2pm ET, and a 10-year U.S. Treasury Auction.
European shares were higher on Wednesday, staging a small rebound after heavy selling in the previous session. However, worries about Greece persisted due to uncertainty surrounding a parliamentary vote to elect a new president later this month. The country’s main stock index fell 3%, extending Monday’s losses. Greek bond yields also spiked to around 8.2%. OPEC’s monthly oil market report for December will also be published on Wednesday. This will be of key interest to investors, as oil prices remain under pressure, with Brent crude trading at around $65 per barrel. Gold is currently trading about 0.2% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 2.4% lower,  and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.1% lower at 8:10am Chicago time.

Typhoon Hagupit Not to Impact Philippines National Paddy Rice Output

Dec 10, 2014
Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby) which reportedly damaged about 52,034 tons of paddy rice worth P890.92 million (around $20 million), may not impact the overall paddy rice output in the first quarter of 2015, local sources quoted the Agriculture Undersecretary as saying.He noted that the losses from 'Ruby' are about 1.21% of the 2015 first quarter target of around 4.28 million tons. He added that these minimal losses will not significantly impact the national paddy production target.The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) estimates the country's paddy rice output in the first quarter of 2015 to decline about 0.6% to around 4.28 million tons from around 4.31 million tons last year.
It estimates paddy rice acreage to decline about 2.5% to around 1.13 million hectares from around 1.16 million hectares last year.The PSA estimates the Philippines 2014 paddy rice production at around 18.88 million tons, up about 2.4% from around 18.44 million tons produced in 2013 as yields are estimated to increase to around 3.98 tons per hectare from last year's 3.89 tons per hectare. However, paddy rice planting area is estimated to decline about 0.05% to around 4.75 million hectares from around 4.74 hectares.USDA estimates Philippines  MY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production at around 19.365 million tons (around 12.2 million tons, basis milled), up about 3% from around 18.822 million tons (around 11.8 million tons, basis milled) produced in the previous year. It estimates Philippines 2014-15 milled rice exports at around 1.6 million tons, up about 10% from last year.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Silent Market despite USDA WASDE Increasing Exports

Dec 10, 2014
The U.S. cash market was dead silent today as holiday doldrums set in. Farmers are still hoping to net close to $13.33 per cwt fob farm (about $294 per ton) however bids are seen over $1.00 per cwt lower and which is receiving little to no selling interest.Meanwhile, cash prices were little changed despite the fact that the USDA WASDE report showed a 1.0 million cwt (45,359 tons) increase in US long grain exports which was a result of increasing exports to South America and the Middle East which in turn decreased U.S. long grain ending stocks by the same amount putting their 2014/2015 carry over projection at 27.0 million cwts (1,224,701 tons). 

Quick, Macro Solutions to Micro Nutrient Deficiency in Paddy

Dec 10, 2014
They are called micro nutrients, but their deficiencies can cause mega and macro problems in paddy farms.  Zinc and Iron deficiencies can throw paddy out of gear, indirectly, if not tackled on time. Dr Sandhya Rani, Program Co-ordinator, and her team at Krishi Vignan Kendra at Darshi in south India share information on why micro nutrients deficiency can affect  the farmers’ yield in a big way.  
Oryza: How ‘mega’ is the micronutrient deficiency problem in paddy plants?
KVK team:
Nearly 40 percent of the farms in rice-producing states in south India suffer from Zinc deficiency. Zinc is important for paddy as it aids in making of enzymes, secretion of growth hormones, amino acids, fatty acids, absorption of Nitrogen and Phosphorous.  Zinc also plays a crucial role in the first one month of its planting and for photosynthesis. 
Oryza: What are the first indications of Zinc deficiency in a paddy plant?
KVK team:
Deficiency symptoms start showing from the second week to up to sixth of transplanting. The other symptoms include:
- Yellowing of leaves between the veins
- Leaves turn yellow in black soil
- Leaves display bronze colour in red soils
- Mature leaves display lesions in rust/red
colors
- Leaves turn dry, brittle
Oryza: What should paddy farmers watch out for when treating Zinc deficiencies?
KVK team: Zinc deficiency is most prominent in saline and stagnant soils.  They should also remember to never use Zinc Sulphate with Phosphorous. In case both have to be administered, they should give a gap of at least three days in between.
Oryza: What are the latest solutions to address the deficiency?
KVK team:
Use 20 kg Zinc Sulphate for one acre in the last phase of puddling in farms where paddy is grown once a year. It must be administered once every three years in the Rabi season in farms where rice is grown twice a year.
 
Oryza: How grave is Iron deficiency in paddy plants. What should be done to tackle this?
KVK team:
Iron helps in production of chlorophyll, photosynthesis, Nitrogen absorption and stablization and in making of enzymes. The first signs show up in tender leaves and in the stunted growth of the plant. One can notice yellowing of leaves between the veins due to loss of chlorophyll.  The symptoms are prominent in farms with high content of calcium, salinity when iron content is less than PPM. Farmers should use organic fertilizers of chemical fertilizers with Iron in it.
 
Oryza: What is the solution?
KVK team:
 Farmers need to administer 20 gm Green Vitriol (Iron Sulphate) in one litre of water or 3 gm Citric Acid crystals in 200 litres water solution and administer it thrice in a span of six days. Spraying 0.5 percent chelate solution thrice is also effective.



Global Rice Quotes
December 10th, 2014

Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade          415-425           ↔
Vietnam 5% broken    385-395           ↔
India 5% broken         395-405           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken    370-380           ↓
Cambodia 5% broken             460-470           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           540-550           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    595-605           ↔
Argentina 5% broken 595-605           ↔

Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken NQ      ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 350-360           ↓
Pakistan 25% broken 330-340           ↓
Cambodia 25% broken           NQ      ↔
India 25% broken       360-370           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         515-525           ↔

Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            400-410           ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    410-420           ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd         380-390           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       580-590           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken    570-580           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken            NQ      ↔

Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%          915-925           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         525-535           ↔
India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔
Cambodia Phka Malis             825-835           ↔

Brokens
Thailand A1 Super      330-340           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken            330-340           ↑
Pakistan 100% broken stxd    290-300           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super   NQ      ↔
India 100% Broken stxd         300-310           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔
U.S. pet food 445-455           ↔
Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
contents are published with permission of ORYZA.com



10th December (Wednesday),2014 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Japan weather bureau declares first El Nino in five years

TOKYO Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:16pm IST

A surfer looks at waves as storm clouds move in from the Pacific Ocean at Sydney's Manly Beach August 26, 2014.
CREDIT: REUTERS/DAVID GRAY/FILES
(Reuters) - Japan's weather bureau said on Wednesday that an El Nino weather pattern, which can trigger drought in some parts of the world while causing flooding in others, had emerged during the summer for the first time in five years and was likely to continue into winter. That marks the first declaration by a major meteorological bureau of the much-feared El Nino phenomenon, which had been widely expected to emerge this year.El Nino - a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific - can prompt drought in Southeast Asia and Australia and heavy rains in South America, hitting production of food such as rice, wheat and sugar. 
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) forecast last month that the possibility of an El Nino pattern forming this winter was higher than the 50 percent it had projected in its previous monthly prediction.But on Wednesday it said that an El Nino had emerged between June and August, continuing into November."We can't tell whether or not El Nino will continue until spring, but we can say that there is a higher chance of it continuing in the winter," said Ikuo Yoshikawa, a JMA forecaster.
The Japanese weather bureau does not classify or predict the size of El Nino, he said.Last week, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said that climate models suggest El Nino weather conditions would occur over the next three months, although related weather patterns are already being witnessed.The U.S. weather forecaster also projected last week a 65 percent chance of El Nino conditions during the Northern Hemisphere winter and into spring, up from a 58 percent chance predicted early in November.(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Alan Raybould and Joseph Radford)

Not a good time: Rice growers anxious over fluctuating price

Published: December 10, 2014

The ongoing year has proved to be one of the worst for rice growers amid lower prices and uncertainty among buyers who are expecting further reduction. PHOTO: ONLINE
FAISALABAD: Despite federal government’s doling out Rs5,000 per acre to farmers as subsidy, growers are not happy as they claim that per-acre loss this year has exceeded Rs40,000.The ongoing year has proved to be one of the worst for rice growers amid lower prices and uncertainty among buyers who are expecting further reduction.For the last few years, rice has been available at Rs150 to Rs200 per kilogramme. This year though, it will be available in the market at Rs80 to Rs90 per kilogramme, according to market players. Paddy prices this year have plunged 50% compared to last year.
Last year, the price of Basmati paddy of Kainat variety was Rs3,500-Rs4,000 per 40 kg, 86 variety Rs2,600-Rs3,000 and super variety was sold at Rs3,000 to 3,500 per 40 kg. The super variety is now available at Rs1,400 to 1,500.Exporters are concerned over the situation and say that they are unable to sell last year’s stock that was purchased at a much higher cost.The two to three year old rice fetches good price and is sold at high rates in international markets. Pakistani exporters have 25 per cent of the last year’s stock that, if sold at current rates, will incur huge losses.
Former Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) vice chairman and a well-known exporter Taufiq Ahmad said this year buyers are frightened to buy paddy due to the fluctuating costs, while across the border, India has had a bumper rice crop.The Basmati rice is being sold in the international market at $1,300 to $1,500 per ton, depending upon the variety. Pakistani rice price was $100 to $200 per ton below the Indian rice.“Pakistani exporters would have had an edge if price was the same as last year,” he said.Talking about the non-Basmati rice, he said last year the price of non-basmati rice was $500 to $550 per ton. This year the price would settle around $400 per ton.“Indian rice has edge over Pakistani rice due to good packing, labelling and the use of latest technology.
Our millers and exporters must follow the trend to compete in international market,” said Ahmad.He said Iran is a big market for Pakistani and Indian rice. The country produces only 25 per cent of its consumption and imports the rest from neighbouring countries.“Pakistan is the fourth largest exporter of rice in the world and has the potential to increase exports to Iran.”Recently, a delegation of the Iranian Rice Importers Association visited paddy crop fields in Lahore to ensure quality standards were being met, adding that banking transactions between the two countries must be smooth.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2014.





Pakistan, Iran sign 5 MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation

Published: December 9, 2014
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday signed five agreements with a view to enhance cooperation in diverse fields and improve trade ties between the two countries, Radio Pakistan reported.

The MoUs related to establishment of Joint Investment Committee, cooperation between SMEDA and Iran’s Small Industri es, and establishment of sister port relationship between the ports of Karachi and Chabahar in addition to cooperation in the field of investment, economic and technical assistance. The agreements were signed during a ceremony in Islamabad attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He later told the media that relations between Pakistan and Iran are improving, including bilateral cooperation in economy, culture, science and technology.
The premier identified that there are vast opportunities of increasing the volume of trade between the two neighbouring countries.Earlier, Iran’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance Dr Ali Tayyebnia called on the prime minster in Islamabad.Iranian Minister is in Islamabad to attend the 19th session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission.The premier expressed hope that the JEC session would open new areas of cooperation while fortifying the existing initiatives. During the meeting both sides agreed upon increasing mutual investment and bilateral trade between the two countries.Pakistan for expanding Preferential Trade Agreement with Iran.Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir told the Iranian finance minister that Pakistan wished to make the current Preferential Trade agreement with Iran effectively operational and expand it by including more items of trade in the reduced tariff list.
 This despite the fact that international sanctions have hampered trade ties with Iran.Emphasising on engaging in a constructive dialogue to develop trade relations between the two countries on mutually beneficial terms, the Dastgir said that Pakistan wants to enhance the limited trade base between the two countries, which currently stands at $217 million.Trade between Pakistan and Iran currently comprises mainly oil and gas from Iran and rice from Pakistan. Dastgir said Pakistan wants to enhance the trade base to include meat, fruits, textile, surgical items, sports goods, gems and jewelry in addition to rice as regular items of trade.
The minister was of the opinion that owing to sanctions, the two countries can initially use barter as preferential mode of trading until a suitable and recognised mechanism of payment is chalked out.During the meeting, the Iranian side proposed the establishment of border markets to facilitate the trade among local communities residing in the border provinces of the two countries, adding that initially four such markets can be set up which may be increased depending upon their efficacy in the first phase.Tayyebnia also proposed a plan to develop Joint Economic Zones which would have the necessary facilities to attract investment. Dastgir proposed a Gawadar-Chahbahar Joint Economic Zone which would have the potential to grow immensely.
Pakistan urged Iran to initiate dialogue among relevant authorities to develop mutually recognised standards and specifications which would be accepted across the two countries.Both sides agreed to develop better data exchange systems between them to improve coordination between the two sides.They also agreed to develop additional border posts to facilitate trade and movement of visitors across the border. Currently, there is only one crossing point at Taftan.



Rice exports: If policies are changed slowly, the cost will be high
VietNamNet Bridge – In late 19th century and early 20th century, Vietnam was a major rice exporting country in Asia, together with Burma (now Myanmar). After prolonged wars, Vietnam has become the biggest rice importer in the world, with 500,000 to 1 million tons per year.In 1989, after more than half a century of importing rice, Vietnam again became a rice exporter, with an extremely impressive number of 1.4 million tons. The country has been exporting from 3 to 4 million tons of rice annually and has retained the title "the world’s 2nd largest rice exporting country".
However, after 25 years, it is time for Vietnam to have a comprehensive look at its rice exports and rice exporting policies. For that reason, VietNamNet recently organized a roundtable discussion to discuss the quarter century of rice exports of Vietnam, with the participation of the following honorable guests:- Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan, agronomist, Rector of the Tay Do University in Can Tho - the largest city in the Mekong Delta, a former National Assembly deputy, former rector of the An Giang and Tan Tao universities.- Dr. Vu Trong Khai, independent expert on agricultural economics, former headmaster of the School for Agriculture - Rural Development Personnel
- Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi, former Chair of An Giang province.

From the left: Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi, Dr. Vu Trong Khai and Prof. Vo Tong Xuan.


Milestones of Vietnamese rice

VietNamNet: Looking back on 25 years of export of rice, it would be a mistake if we did not mention the historical moment in 1989, the first year we exported rice again after 50 years, with 1.4 million tons of rice and a revenue of about $310 million. In the previous year 1988 Vietnam still had to import 500,000 tons of rice and earlier the country imported up to 1 million tons a year.Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: At that time, the world was also in shortage of rice so it became a prominent event when Vietnam abruptly turned from a rice importer into a rice exporter. I still remember that after 1989, the Association of American Rice Millers invited me to attend their meeting in Florida to speak about Vietnam’s "overnight" magical change. Many international businesses were there to learn and to collaborate with Vietnam to bring our rice to the international market.

The most interesting thing was that they took me to the headquarters in Washington, to the technical room where 30 telex machines worked 24/7. The guide said, in this room, they received all the information about rice export deals throughout the world. They knew every detail about each rice shipment at every port worldwide. They told me that in 1989, Vietnam exported up to 1.89 million tons, not 1.4 million tons as Vietnam reported.
The world food industry recorded Vietnam’s rice exports in 1989 as a major event in the world. The leading rice trading company in the world, the Belgium-based Schepens Company,  also invited me to their headquarters and they were also interested in doing business with Vietnam.

Dr. Vu Trong Khai: Vietnam’s huge success originated from Resolution 10 of the Politburo in 1988 with a major change of recognizing "peasant households as single autonomous units".
Previously, we kept struggling with rice shortages and hunger. We not only had to import rice but also sold rice produced in the Mekong Delta to buy broken rice at cheaper prices. That was the situation in the late 1980s.The change in policy has produced marvelous results, which shows that Vietnam’s potential in agriculture is enough to feed the nation and have a surplus for export. There is no mention of the policies to enhance production capacity. However, as that policy was issued quite late, we had to pay a high price.

If we "untied" the policies sooner, we would not have made costly investments to turn Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) and the Long Xuyen Quadrangle into a granary that has affected the natural environment. The Dutch experts warned us to "maintain the precious natural ecology of the Mekong Delta and then promote it, first of all in tourism".
Now we cannot change the fact that, because of the nation's hunger, the slow "untying" policies we destroyed the rare natural ecology of Dong Thap Muoi and Long Xuyen Quadrangle. The price we paid for this was very expensive.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi: The gains were clear and it had great significance during extremely difficult circumstances of the country at that time, when hunger lasted for 10 years. Thanks to the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy, in 1989 we had enough rice to eat and then export, from which the export volume increased continuously.

However, the losses were also huge. With that achievement, sometimes we were too excited and an official of the Ministry of Agriculture - Rural Development declared: "Vietnam maintains food security for the world". Meanwhile, later the export of rice reduced when rice quality for export, rice prices, and profit from rice export was not high, and did not match with the output. It is an extremely important thing that we have ignored.

Does Vietnam ensure food security for the world?
VietNamNet: The public opinion also wondered why Vietnam has the responsibility to "keep food security for the world", while Vietnamese farmers - who directly produce the rice - suffer losses and they were not helped by "the world".

Prof. Dr. Vu Trong Khai: Vietnam does not have such commitment. We have no obligation or binding with the "keeping of food security for the world." I knew that when he heard that stateme
nt, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo said: "Do not force farmers to sacrifice in a nonsensical way!”
The world does not force Vietnam to hold that "responsibility" and nobody recognizes Vietnam’s "merit" of exporting a lot of rice at cheap prices.

Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: In a quarter century Vietnamese farmers produced a lot of rice and sold it at cheap prices to world consumers. However, it is due to Vietnam’s poor management and development policies, not because we intentionally "helped" the world. Meanwhile our rice producers are not treated satisfactorily when they engage in this task.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi: This is an issue of economic management science rather than a general stance or moral ambiguity.

VietNamNet: A question to Prof. Vo Tong Xuan – some experts said that if we sell rice at current prices, the Vietnamese State is subsidizing foreign consumers. Could you explain this point?

Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: Vietnam’s rice prices today do not cover minimum costs. In the future, rice prices must fully cover the cost, especially the depreciation cost of irrigation works and transportation costs as other countries do. Rice farmers have to pay irrigation costs and water fees. This is an important adjustment to terminate state subsidies for rice buyers. Until now, rice buyers have been exempted from water costs.Doing so, farmers would sell rice at high prices, as the Thai have been doing, and the state will collect water fees to finance the purchase of rice of the 20% of the population who are not farmers. If there is the political will to implement this strategy, Vietnamese rice will be sold at its true value.
VNN


The latest from the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation


Hanna Raskin  Email  @hannaraskin

Dec 10 2014 6:00 am

Gold rice blows in the wind at the Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center on Savannah Highway in Charleston,SC (GRACE BEAHM/STAFF)
Despite its name, the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation isn't solely concerned with rice. Its mission encompasses all heirloom grains, which is why the Anson Mills-funded organization is also at the forefront of reviving peaches and chestnuts.The group is an intentionally motley group of extraordinarily accomplished historians (who contextualize the scientists' findings) and leading scientists (who validate the historians' hopes and hunches.) Its members periodically get together to review the progress of various projects, which vary from lab tests to international meetings.
At last week's gathering, the following updates took center stage:
. Before a Jesuit priest in 1839 returned from the Philippines with samples of 43 different rice varieties, the only rice grown in Italy was known as Nostrale, meaning "ours." But the Italians apparently shared what was theirs, since records show Nostrale rice was present in Charleston as early as 1748. The foundation is now looking into growing it.. Chinquapins, a species of chestnut, are thriving on Dafuskie Island. The foundation is continuing to support the planting of trees. (And while members likely didn't need any positive reinforcement on that score, Old Village Post House chef Forrest Parker and sous chef Tim Pettit served a pre-meeting snack of chinquapin flour blinis topped with apple butter and country ham.)
. The foundation is exploring what happens when SRI techniques are applied to heritage rice. SRI, a growing methodology that calls for more labor and less water, has amplified yields in areas around the world where irrigation is scarce. But Clemson University's Brian Ward - the newest member of the foundation's board - discovered the modern system isn't entirely compatible with Carolina Gold rice, which was developed to be grown in the traditional manner. When he subjected Carolina Gold to SRI, he produced half as much rice as when he relied on flooding for production.
. Sapelo Island has gained tremendous recognition for its production of red peas, an effort initially encouraged by Atlanta's Linton Hopkins and since embraced by chefs across the Southeast. But site visits by foundation members suggested the scope of the pea project was too small and too seasonal to reshape the island's economy in dramatic and permanent fashion. They began poking into Sapelo's past to uncover other crops which once enjoyed island heydays: Turns out the area was once known for dates, arrowroot and wild oranges.
But the most promising of the lot was purple ribbon sugar cane. The problem for the foundation is making sure the cane matches up with its historical source, which requires testing its DNA against a verified cultivar. "The real glitch is we don't have a vouchered herbarium specimen," Steve Kresovich explained, adding that museums are reluctant to part with even a "paper punch"-sized sample of the collections they're supposed to protect. The search for a cross-checkable strain continues.


VIDEO



Rice, ducks go together in solving hunger

BY SEF CARANDANG
POSTED ON 12/10/2014 2:08 PM  | UPDATED 12/10/2014 6:00 PM


DUCKLINGS AT WORK. No pesticide can beat them in pest management. Farmers use ducks to control pests in ricefields so they can serve safe and healthy rice on their tables. Photo by Jose Apollo Pacamalan

MANILA, Philippines — Ducks. Have you ever given them some thought?
In the Philippines, agriculture is a crucial sector for poverty reduction. 70% of poor Filipinos are in the rural areas where agriculture – often subsistence farming and fishing – is the primary and often only source of income. Thus, creating a sustainable and competitive agricultural industry is a key focus of the Philippine Development Plan, as this will bring inclusive growth to a large segment of the population.But how can we help create a robust agricultural industry that will ensure that the current and next generation of Filipinos, especially the poor, will have plentiful, nutritious and affordable food?
One of the local solutions is ducks. (WATCH: Ducks in action)
The integrated rice-duck farming system (IRDFS) is about growing rice and ducks together in an irrigated paddy field. The paddling movement of the ducks stimulates the rice plants to produce more grains, while the duck manure fertilizes the soil and eventually eliminates the need for any form of fertilizer.The ducks also eat harmful insects and weeds, including the dreaded golden snail (kuhol), which is their favorite snack.Jose Apollo Pacamalan is the leading expert in IRDFS in the Philippines, having brought home the technology from Japan – thanks to Japanese organic farmer and social entrepreneur Dr Takao Furuno in 1997. (READ: PH road to rice self-sufficiency)
For the past 16 years, Pacamalan has been convincing farmers to trade in their expensive and harmful chemical sprayers for week-old ducklings that will work in their rice fields. Pacamalan represents the Philippines in the International Rice-Duck Farming Network which includes Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and Bangladesh.
Better income, environment, health
In the last 5 years, based on the experience of more than 1,000 rice-duck farmers in the Philippines, most of whom are in Mindanao, IRDFS has increased rice productivity up to 9 tons per hectare.The average is only 4.2 tons per hectare when using conventional rice farming technology.IRDFS also reduces the cost of production by 30%. It is the only organic rice farming technology that can successfully be adopted on a large scale.Farmers gain extra income from the sale of duck meat and duck eggs, whether raw or processed into salted egg or balut, a Filipino delicacy that is in very high demand.
What is also exciting is that this farming system has inspired the growth of social enterprises along an integrated rice and duck industry value chain such as rice-duck farms, duck breeder farms, hatcheries, duck meat and egg processing and retail.All of these contribute to rural economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive.As much as 21% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide consist of methane gas that is released primarily by flooded rice fields. This is because flooding cuts off the oxygen supply to the soil and accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, releasing methane into the atmosphere. (READ: How climate change threatens food security)
Studies in China show that ducks in the rice paddies effectively reduce the emission of the greenhouse gas methane, ultimately contributing to the alleviation of global warming. And because IRDFS eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and herbicides, the physical and chemical properties of the soil are improved over time.In the Philippines, ducks in the rice fields also help address schistosomiasis, a chronic public health disease affecting farmers, local folks and freshwater fisherfolk and their families, and is endemic in select parts of the country.
The ducks eat the schisto-carrying snails, helping decrease its population, and thus reducing infection and re-infection of the disease to humans.
#RiceDuckMovement
After just 3 months of eating organic, unpolished rice and iron- and iodine-rich duck meat, there is improved nutrition — weight gain and healthier skin — among 897 children aged 1-10 years old.These malnourished children participated in a feeding program in the Municipalities of Trento and Esperanza in the Province of Agusan del Sur last year. They were also given a porridge called “arrozcalducks.”705 women were organized in local feeding teams, together with the barangay nurses and barangay health workers. They were taught to prepare the arrozcalducks for their children.
Aside from food preparation, the women were also provided inputs on basic nutrition, breastfeeding, environmental sanitation, and family planning through mother’s classes.Based on reports from school teachers and nurses, the average school attendance of the children in all the participating barangays improved significantly from 57% to 72% in Esperanza, and from 64% to 73% in Trento.Integrated rice-duck farming is an innovative, out-of-the-box, local solution that has already been proven effective and needs to be shared with more Filipino farmers and policymakers.Help us harness the enduring spirit of the Filipino poor – the small-scale farmers who are at the heart of efforts to create a food-secure world – by working with them, raising their incomes and making them part of the solution.
There a number of ways you can help:
·         Share this information with your family, friends, networks, and local politicians.
·         Visit and like the #RiceDuckMovement Facebook page and help us share the good news on IRDFS.
·         If you would like to make a donation through direct bank deposit, please emailriceduckph@gmail.com. We can then send you the necessary account details. – Rappler.com
Sef Carandang is a development worker passionate about sustainable agriculture (especially if it involves rice and ducks!), women economic empowerment, rural development, and youth empowerment.
How else can we fight hunger? Report what your LGU is doing, recommend NGOs, or suggest creative solutions like the #RiceDuckMovement. Send your stories and ideas to move.ph@rappler.com. Be part of the #HungerProject.

Government to release export plan in January 2015


Written byHtin Lin AungPublished inEconomy
Myanmar seeks to expand its exports. Containers at Asia World port in Yangon. Photo: Hein Htet/Mizzima
Myanmar’s government is preparing to release its National Export Strategy in January 2015 in an attempt to boost income for the country, aware that regional trade could loosen up under the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community. First, the strategy drawn up by officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Customs Department, Myanma Port Authority and export entrepreneurs will be submitted for government approval, Dr Maung Aung, adviser to the Minister for Commerce, told Mizzima on December 9.
“We will submit the National Export Strategy to the cabinet in the last week of December this year. After that, we will release it to the public,” Dr Maung Aung said.The strategy includes the necessity to promote the country’s main export commodities, the hotels and tourism sector, and supporting services.The national export items comprise of rice, beans and pulses, edible oil crops, marine products, textiles and clothes, timber and forest products, and rubber. The plan includes the promotion of export support such as marketing, financial services for production and export, and the improvement of product quality.
The strategy seeks to fully develop export promotion within five years.U Ye Min Aung, general secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation said those in the export sector should do what they can now before implementing the strategy, expressing concern for farmers whose crop production is subject to the weather and might find it hard to increase production.Representatives of the agriculture and livestock breeding sectors have stressed the need for speed in light of a strategy that is set to be implemented within five years, given the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Free Trade Area will shortly come into force in 2015.
Last modified on Wednesday, 10 December 2014 19:57


Low capital affects rice production

Limited (PVL), formerly Quality Grain Project (QGP), rice producers at Aveyime in the North Tongu District, is facing challenges due to low capital inflow.The company is also not getting support from the government, Nana Atto Dadzie, PVL Board Chairman said when members of the Council of State, who were on a familiarization tour of major farm plantations in Lower Volta Basin, visited the company.

He said the funding history of the company, its associates “and the huge bad press, remain a hangover on the health of investment into it”.Nana Atto Dadzie said the company had been seeking an injection of some $6 million-$18 million fresh capital the past few years without success.“The state of equipment PVL inherited from QGP is as old as 15-20 years and cannot support the firm’s current 250 hectares under plantation,” he said.Nana Atto Dadzie said currently PVL produces 10% of the country’s annual rice needs and has the capacity to increase to it to 50% when the needed recapitalization is got.

He said with its 60,000-tonne capacity rice mill, PVL, using the out-grower system as well, could increase production to about 5000 hectares.Mr. Kojo Osae-Addo, PVL General Manager, said the erratic power supply is also a huge challenge.Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Council Chairman, said that something needed to be done to enable the company increase production.She said the government was doing everything to shore up local production to help reduce rice imports.

Source with thanks : http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=338513

 

RIB calls for change in rice production strategy



The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) is calling on Government to change its strategy in supporting rice production efforts in the country.This according to GRIB, it would ensure that the interventions employed over the years achieve the desired results.Speaking with Joy Business at the inauguration of a Public-Private Dialogue Council on rice, President of GRIB, Imoro Amoro said rice farmers should be re-oriented to view rice production as a business venture.“There’s this sort of tradition that is well-rooted in this part of the world – not only unique to Ghana but Africa where people want almost everything for free – we’re bringing you this, we’ve brought you that subsidized.

No! It doesn’t work out this way because after you’ve stopped giving the people those inputs what do they do? They revert to their old ways of doing things and at the end of the day, the delivery becomes reversed.“So we are trying to promote fee-based interventions – that if you’re a farmer you must be prepared to pay for some things that you need because you know at the end of the day this is an investment that will allow you to improve your output and you will make money” he said.The Chief Executive Officer of the John Kufuor Foundation, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, who is the initiator of the dialogue, implored on government to make sure it gives all those in the value chain the necessary impetus to produce more.

“From our statistics it’s clear that 40% of farmers are ready to produce more than necessary only if they can get the necessary inputs including fertilizers, tractors and harvesters and all that - and of course also supporting the millers and the marketers and all that. Then certainly I think we can overcome.“The fact is that we have done it before so there’s no magic to it. The policies of the early 70s are there to see, so I don’t see why we cannot begin to overcome this challenge that we face as a nation,” he said.

Source with thanks : http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/artikel.php?ID=338524

USA Rice Presents Conservation Achievement Award  
 
From left:  George Dunklin,
DU CEO Dale Hall, and
USA Rice CEO Betsy Ward
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- USA Rice Producers' Group Conservation Committee Chairman Leo LaGrande recognized George Dunklin's leadership and contributions to U.S. agricultural conservation with the presentation of the fifth annual USA Rice Federation Distinguished Conservation Achievement Award.  The award was presented during the annual Rice Awards luncheon held Monday at the 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference."It is the USA Rice Federation's privilege to present this award to George Dunklin," LaGrande said.  "George has been farming rice for 34 years, is a past Commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, has been active in Ducks Unlimited for 31 years, and has recently been elected to become the organization's 42nd president."

"Farmers are, by definition, conservationists," said LaGrande.  "As we continue to see farm policy evolve, we realize conservation and coalition-building is front and center.   And USA Rice's partnership with Ducks Unlimited is a perfect example of this new model emphasizing agriculture's role in preservation of natural resources."The historic stewardship partnership between USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited was formed in 2013 so the groups could work collaboratively to conserve critical natural and economic resources.  Earlier this year, the partnership submitted their first national Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) proposal outlining the planning, design, and installation of conservation practices on working rice lands.  RCPP approval is scheduled to be announced by year's end.

Contact:  Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444



USA Rice Selects Nicholas Schafer as Scholarship Winner   
 
The 2014 NRM Scholarship Grand Prize winner Nicholas Schafer flanked by DowAgro Sciences' Leslie Roberts (l) and USA Rice CEO Betsy Ward

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The USA Rice Federation has announced that Nicholas Schafer, from Carlisle, Arkansas, is the Grand Prize winner of the 2014 USA Rice Federation scholarship. Schafer was awarded the scholarship based on his interactive promotional presentation entitled, "Do You Know Where Your Rice Comes From?"  Schafer received a $4,000 scholarship and a trip with a chaperone to the award ceremony at the 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference here this week.For the fifth year, Dow AgroSciences sponsored the Scholarship Program in recognition of National Rice Month.  The scholarship required high school seniors to actively promote the use of U.S.-grown rice within their local communities.  Scholarships were awarded based on creativity and overall educational content.

Schafer's promotion educated children from his community about the intricacies of rice farming and the origin of their food.  As part of his promotion, he invited children to his family farm to give them a behind-the-scenes look into the various stages of rice farming. Schafer said, "It's not just something that you get from a grocery store.  There's a lot behind it and they need to understand the importance of where it comes from.""Our partnership with Dow AgroSciences for this scholarship reaps immediate rewards, both for the young people who participate and for the communities who benefit from their positive contributions," says Amy Doane, USA Rice's director of membership and marketing.

Contact:  Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446





Delta States Irrigation Conference Next Week   

SIKESTON, MO -- Mark your calendar for the 2014 Delta States Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow held next week, December 17-18 at the Miner Convention Center here.  The Delta States Irrigation Consortium is a group of universities and agencies dedicated to improving irrigation practices and enhancing profitability for irrigators in the MidSouth.  For more information and to register for the conference, go to the website.


WASDE Report Released 

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. 2014/15 rice supplies at 273.9 million cwt are unchanged from a month ago.  All rice domestic and residual use for 2014/15 is unchanged at 131 million cwt. U.S. long-grain exports are increased 1 million cwt to 69 million, bringing all rice exports to 103 million.  Combined medium- and short-grain exports are unchanged at 34 million cwt.  The increase in exports is due mostly to an expected increase to markets in the Middle East and South America.  The all rice milled export forecast is raised 1 million cwt to 68 million, and rough rice exports are unchanged at 35 million.  All rice ending stocks are lowered 1 million cwt to 39.9 million with long-grain stocks reduced to 27 million, and combined medium- and short-grain stocks unchanged at 10.6 million.

The 2014/15 long-grain rice season-average farm price range is projected at $12.00 to $13.00 per cwt, down 20 cents per cwt on each end from last month.  The combined medium- and short-grain farm price range is projected at $18.50 to $19.50 per cwt, down 50 cents per cwt on each end.  The all rice season-average farm price is forecast at $14.00 to $15.00 per cwt, down 20 cents per cwt on each end.  The drop in the price outlook is due mostly to an unexpected substantial drop in October prices reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Agricultural Prices published on November 26 and price expectations for the remainder of the marketing year.

Global 2014/15 rice supply and use are changed little from a month ago.  Global rice production is projected at 475.2 million tons, up 200,000 from last month due primarily to increased forecasts for China and South Korea, partially offset by a reduction for Indonesia. China's rice production is forecast at a record 144.5 million tons, up 500,000 tons from last month, and up more than 1 percent from last year.  The revision is based on production estimates recently released by China's National Bureau of Statistics.  Indonesia's 2014/15 rice crop is forecast at 36.5 million tons, down 500,000 from last month, but up slightly from 2013/14.  The Philippine 2014/15 rice crop is forecast at 12.2 million tons, unchanged from last month, but up nearly 3 percent from last year.  Typhoon Hagupit struck the Philippines on December 6 and tracked through some rice growing areas, but missed the larger producing regions.  Initial reports from the government of the Philippines indicated that the storm had little impact on the overall rice crop.  However, USDA will continue to assess the damage and offer a more complete supply and use analysis in next month's supply and demand report. Global rice consumption for 2014/15 is forecast at a record 482.9 million tons, down slightly from last month.  Global trade is raised 400,000 tons based largely on increased imports by Indonesia; with exports raised for Burma, China, Thailand, and the United States.  World 2014/15 ending stocks are raised 600,000 tons, largely due to increases for China and Vietnam, partially offset by reductions for Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States. Stocks are also raised for Sri Lanka and South Korea.

Read the complete report here.



CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices 



WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan-gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop, which became effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET).  Prices are unchanged from the previous announcement.

World Price
MLG/LDP Rate

Milled Value ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Long-Grain
17.12
10.86
0.00
Medium-/Short-Grain
16.56
11.15
0.00
Brokens
10.33
----
----

This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates:

U.S. Milling Yields
Whole/Broken
(lbs/cwt)
Loan Rate
($/cwt)
Long-Grain
55.83/12.59
6.50
Medium-/Short-Grain
62.39/7.92
6.50

The next program announcement is scheduled for December 17


CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for December 10
Month
Price
Net Change

January 2015
$12.260
- $0.030
March 2015
$12.510
- $0.030
May 2015
$12.760
- $0.030
July 2015
$12.960
- $0.030
September 2015
$12.235
- $0.030
November 2015
$12.135
- $0.030
January 2016
$12.135
- $0.030

 

Arsenic toxicity: Reducing accumulation in rice grains

 

Scientists at Okayama University have uncovered a protein naturally found in rice which could help limit the amount of arsenic absorbed by rice plants from water and soils. Their research could lead to a way of limiting arsenic accumulation in the food chain. Arsenic is a highly toxic element derived from both natural and human sources, the accumulation of which can trigger cancer and skin diseases in humans. A key human health concern is the contamination of drinking water and soils with arsenic, a phenomenon which is particularly prevalent in South and South-East Asia where rice is grown in contaminated water and soils. Rice plants are particularly good at absorbing arsenic, and the chemical accumulates heavily in the rice grains, subsequently transferring to the food chain.

 

Now, Jian Feng Ma and co-workers at Okayama University, together with scientists in Korea and Switzerland, have identified a transporter protein in rice called OsABCC1 which appears to restrict the accumulation of arsenic in rice grains, suggesting a strategy for limiting arsenic accumulation.Ma and his team focused on phloem cells found in the plant's nodes, where arsenic accumulates from the root system before being transferred to the grains. Through a series of experiments, the researchers found that knocking out OsABCC1 gene resulted in 13-18 times more As accumulation in the grains, indicating that this transporter played a vital role in limiting arsenic accumulation in the grains.In this way, OsABCC1 also protects future generations of the rice plants, which can be grown from grains with lower arsenic levels. Over-expression of OsABCC1 could generate rice plants with high arsenic-tolerant and low accumulation in future. Explore further: Gene critical to the development of low arsenic plants identified by scientists

 

More information: "A rice ABC transporter, OsABCC1, reduces arsenic accumulation in the grain." PNAS 2014 111 (44) 15699-15704; published ahead of print October 20, 2014, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1414968111

 

Journal reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences  

Provided by Okayama University

PHL rice output could still reach 4.28 MMT in Q1 2015’

by BusinessMirror - December 10, 2014

THE country’s unmilled rice production would still reach 4.28 million metric tons (MMT) in the first quarter of 2015 despite the havoc wreaked by Typhoon Ruby on farmlands in the Visayas and southern Luzon.Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson U. Palad said in his report that the 52,034 metric tons (MT) of rice crops damaged by the typhoon would not cause a significant dent on palay output. Palay destroyed by the typhoon was estimated at P890.92 million.“Losses in palay are 1.21 percent of the first quarter 2015 national production target,” Palad said in his report.

“These are minimal and losses in [typhoon-affected] areas will have no critical impact on the national palay production target,” he added.In its November report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said palay production is projected to reach 4.28 MMT. This, however, is 0.6 percent lower than the 4.31 MMT produced in the first quarter of 2014.PSA said harvest area could decline by 2.5 percent to 1.13 million hectares in 2015 from 1.16 million hectares in 2014. Yield, however, may improve to 3.79 MT per hectare, or by 2 percent, from 3.72 MT per hectare.The DA also expressed confidence that Philippine corn output would still reach 2.28 MMT in January to March 2015. This is 0.3 percent higher than the 2.27 MMT produced in the same period in 2014.

PSA said harvest area is foreseen to grow by 0.7 percent to 710,330 thousand hectares. Yield, however, may drop to 3.22 MT in 2015 from 3.23 MT recorded in the first quarter of 2014.Palay production for 2014 is forecast at 18.88 MMT, 2.4 percent higher than last year’s production of 18.44 MMT.PSA said the increase could be attributed to the improvement in yield to 3.98 MT per hectare from 3.89 MT.Harvest area, however, may contract slightly to 4.74 million hectares in 2014 from 4.75 million hectares recorded a year ago.The projected output for the July-to-December period may reach 10.5 MMT, 0.5 percent higher than last year’s record of 10.44 MMT.Based on standing crop, palay output in the July-to-September period could reach 3.03 MMT, 10 percent lower than the 3.36 MMT produced a year ago.In the fourth quarter alone, PSA said output could go up by 5.5 percent to 7.47 MMT from 7.08 MMT posted in the same period last year.

Source with thanks: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phl-rice-output-could-still-reach-4-28-mmt-in-q1-2015/

A Visit to Maui Brick Oven

POSTED BY HANNAH ANDERSON ON TUE, DEC 9, 2014 AT 12:42 PM

Maui Brick Oven, a restaurant in Maui, Hawaii, that serves healthful, gluten-free dishes, including brick-oven pizzas, has opened a new location in Germantown.

The restaurant’s interior has a modern, Pacific-inspired brightness. The staff was friendly and helpful, giving detailed answers to my questions about some of the menu items.I visited the restaurant on the second day of its soft opening at the end of November. The menu features rice bowls, salads, brick oven pizzas, and finger foods like coconut shrimp, chicken satay, and chicken tenders. I ordered the Bi Bim Bowl ($11), which was a bowl of basmati rice and broth topped with a fried egg, pickled kimchi, portabella mushroom, candied carrots, and crispy kale. My uncle ordered the Kalua Pig pizza ($16), which had a thin gluten-free crust covered in barbecue sauce, braised pork shoulder, caramelized onions, and mozzarella cheese (they can also substitute vegan Daiya cheese). 

On their own, the ingredients in the Bi Bim Bowl were pretty tasty (the crispy kale and candied carrots were delicious), but overall, the bowl could have used a little more flavor – maybe some extra seasoning in the broth or a little hot sauce spritzed over top to bring the flavors together. My uncle’s pizza had a hearty serving of barbecue on it, and he gave it two thumbs up.About half of the menu is vegan or has a vegan option, making Maui Brick Oven a good option if you hold to a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet, or if you’re just looking for a healthier place to dine out.