Thursday, May 14, 2015

13th May (Wednesday),2015 Daily GlobalRice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Farmers up in arms over plans to import rice to South Korean tables
Posted on : May.13,2015 17:55 KSTModified on : May.13,2015 17:55 KST
A farmer cries as he touches burning rice, during a protest gathering held by members of the Korea Peasants League and various civic groups, calling on the South Korean government to withdraw its plan to open the domestic rice market, and condemning plans for a free trade agreement with China, at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, Nov. 20, 2014. (by Kim Tae-hyeong, staff photographer)

Farmers are protesting South Korean government plans to import table rice as duties disappear this year with a new tarification framework.The Korean Peasants’ League (KPL) and National Rice Producers’ Association held a press conference on May 12 in front of the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT) in Bitgaram Innovation City in Naju, South Jeolla Province, to demand a halt on imports of table rice.“If table rice that costs just half the price of domestic product takes over at the food service places that are our major consumers, market prices will fall and farmers will have fewer sales opportunities,” they warned.“That is why farmers have been strenuously demanding that table rice imports not be allowed [unlike rice for processing], and it’s also why the government removed table rice import duty provisions from the concession schedule last year,” they added.“The National Assembly also urged a removal of table rice import budget items and a halt to imports when it passed the budget last November.”The farmers went on to say a halt to table rice imports would not violate World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations because the rice tarification process has already begun.“We also have to ask if the government is in its right mind when it insists on importing table rice even when we have so much of it after the bumper crop last year,” they added.The farmers’ take on Seoul’s decision to go ahead with the measures in spite of the WTO regulations and current rice supply conditions is that it is motivated by concerns about Washington’s reaction ahead of WTO rice negotiations and South Korea’s possible membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).“They bowed to the anticipated US pressure out of fears of retaliation,” said KPL policy committee chairman Park Hyeong-dae.“They should try to minimize the market effects by halting the table rice imports and do 100% of their imports for processing rice, which they can provide as aid to Nepal or North Korea or use for animal feed,” Park advised.KPL chairman Kim Yeong-ho, 59, from Yesan in South Chungcheong Province, launched a ten-day sit-in demonstration in front of the aT headquarters the same day to demand a halt to the table rice imports. The KFL also plans to stage a nationwide farmers’ rally at the same location on May 21, the date when bidding takes place.On May 8, the South Korean government announced plans to import 10,000 tons of table rice through aT. The corporation held a bidding briefing for importers on May 12. Successful bidders are scheduled to import their allotted quantities by October.The government previously postponed rice tarification between 2005 and 2014, opting instead to import 409,000 tons of rice each year through minimum market access (MMA). 70%, or 280,000 tons, consisted of processing rice, while the remaining 30% (130,000 tons) was table rice.The majority of table rice imports come from the US, amounting to 50,000 tons per year. Costing half the price of domestic product with a tariff of only around 5%, the table rice found wide distribution in the market as an inexpensive option. Critics have blamed it for a long-term slump in rice prices and havoc in the market due to illicit blending with other rice.
 
By Ahn Gwan-ok, Gwangju correspondent
 
Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_business/691028.html

 

India to seek Chinese market access for non-basmati rice


AMITI SEN
VISHWANATH KULKARNI
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, MAY 13:  

India is hopeful that China will provide market access to its non-basmati rice – blocked till now as quality norms have not been defined between the two countries – during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit later this week.“The solution to the problem is simple. We have suggested to China that the protocol that exists for exporting basmati rice should be adopted for exporting non-basmati rice as well,” a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine.China, which began importing rice four years ago and annually imports about 5 million tonnes, has not granted access to Indian non-basmati rice. The absence of defined phyto-sanitary norms between the two countries is cited by the China as the main reason for not importing from India.China, however, has been sourcing its rice from countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. In fact, the steady increase in its purchases from these countries has kept the Vietnamese prices firm.“We see a potential to export up to onr million tonnes of non-basmati rice to China, provided they grant us market access,” said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, the country’s largest non-basmati rice exporter.Rao, who represents the Agri Exporters Association, said India can offer better quality, price and a wider variety to China.The Commerce Ministry has already sent the documentation for establishing the quality protocol by the AQSIQ – the Chinese quality management institute that gives approvals for a variety of imports – to Beijing.“The AQSIQ required certain documents to extend the protocol existing for basmati rice to non-basmati, and we have already sent them,” the official said.When the Prime Minister visits Beijing on May 14, India is hopeful that the required quality protocol would be implemented.Though China has opened up its market for Indian basmati in 2012, hardly any direct shipments have taken place, industry sources said. China is still in the process of registering the Indian mills, although some basmati rice shipments are being exported indirectly through Hong Kong.
(This article was published on May 13, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/india-to-seek-chinese-market-access-for-nonbasmati-rice/article7202154.ece
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 14

Nagpur, May 14 Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor demand from local millers amid good supply
from producing belts. Easy condition on NCDEX in gram and release of stock from stockists also
pushed down prices, according to sources.

               *            *              *              *

    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.

     TUAR
   * Tuar gavarani recovered marginally in open market on good seasonal demand from local
     traders amid tight supply from millers.
  
   * Moong varieties moved down in open market in absence of buyers amid profit-taking
     selling by stockists at higher level.
  
   * Wheat mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid
     weak supply from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana.
                                                                                           
   * In Akola, Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 10,000-10,500, Udid at 9,100-9,600,
     Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,300, Moong - 9,100-9,400, Moong Mogar
    (clean) 10,900-11,300, Gram - 4,300-4,600, Gram Super best bold - 6,200-6,400
     for 100 kg.

   * Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market
     in poor trading activity, according to sources.
      
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close  
     Gram Auction                   3,500-4,425         3,500-4,510
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                5,500-7,080         5,500-7,170
     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,000-6,300
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,500-6,700        6,500-6,700
     Gram Super Best            n.a.               
     Gram Medium Best            6,300-6,400        6,300-6,400
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Mill Quality            5,500-5,700        5,500-5,700
     Desi gram Raw                4,650-4,750         4,650-4,750
     Gram Filter new            6,100-6,200        6,100-6,200
     Gram Kabuli                5,000-6,800        5,000-6,800
     Gram Pink                6,300-6,500        6,300-6,500
     Tuar Fataka Best             10,500-10,800        10,500-10,800
     Tuar Fataka Medium             10,000-10,300        10,000-10,300
     Tuar Dal Best Phod            9,500-9,800        9,500-9,800
     Tuar Dal Medium phod            9,000-9,400        9,000-9,400
     Tuar Gavarani New             7,700-7,800        7,650-7,750
     Tuar Karnataka             7,900-8,000        7,900-8,000
     Tuar Black                 10,700-11,000           10,700-11,000
     Masoor dal best            7,400-7,600        7,400-7,600
     Masoor dal medium            6,900-7,300        6,900-7,300
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold               11,000-11,400       11,000-11,500
     Moong Mogar Medium best        10,200-10,500        10,200-10,600
     Moong dal Chilka            9,200-9,700        9,200-9,800
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            9,500-9,800        9,500-9,900
     Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG)    11,200-11,600       11,200-11,600
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    9,900-10,600        9,900-10,600
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        8,500-8,900        8,500-8,900
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        4,400-4,600        4,400-4,600
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)           3,200-3,350         3,200-3,350
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)        3,200-3,450        3,200-3,450
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)        2,450-2,625         2,450-2,625
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,700-4,800        3,600-4,800
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,500-1,800        1,500-1,800
     Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG)    1,950-2,050        1,900-2,000
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)        1,500-1,700           1,500-1,700
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,550        2,250-2,550
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)    2,100-2,350        2,100-2,350
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,750        3,200-3,750
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,700-3,000        2,700-3,000
     Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)        1,400-1,500        1,400-1,500
     Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)        2,000-2,200        2,000-2,200    
     Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)        2,500-2,800        2,500-2,800
     Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)               3,000-3,300        3,000-3,300
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)        1,600-1,800        1,600-1,800
     Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)      2,100-2,400        2,100-2,400
     Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)      2,500-2,700        2,500-2,700
     Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)        3,300-3,700        3,300-3,700
     Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)               4,000-4,400        4,000-4,400
     Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG)    4,200-4,500        4,200-4,500
     Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG)    4,600-5,200        4,600-5,200    
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    8,000-10,000        8,000-10,000
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    6,000-7,500        6,000-7,500
     Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG)    4,600-5,200        4,600-5,200
     Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)        5,600-6,000        5,600-6,000
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        2,100-2,200        2,100-2,200
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)        2,300-2,450        2,300-2,450

WEATHER (NAGPUR) 
Maximum temp. 42.1 degree Celsius (107.8 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
25.3 degree Celsius (77.5 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night. Maximum
and minimum temperature would be around and 40 and 24 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/2015/05/14/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0Y54XT20150514

PSA: Local rice stock improved last month


Ronnel W. Domingo



2:35 AM | Thursday, May 14th, 2015


The national reserve is good for 75 days of consumption, up from 67 days a month before.However, data from the PSA showed that the National Food Authority’s inventory fell after climbing continually in the previous months, settling at 490,000 tons from 550,000 tons.In April, the NFA’s reserve was 93 percent imported—down from the 96 percent reported in March as the agency renewed its procurement of locally grown palay amid falling prices.As of April 1, the NFA’s stock was good for 14 days’ consumption, lower than the minimum mandated volume of 15 days’ worth of supply.Supplies stored in commercial warehouses rose by 60,000 tons to 800,000 tons, equivalent to 24 days of nationwide consumption. Also, household stocks surged by 290,000 tons to reach 1.26 million tons, enough to last for 37 days

PH may again import rice to boost stocks

May 13, 2015 9:41 pm
by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ

With the El Niño phenomenon expected to continue until the latter half of the year, the country may again have to import rice to replenish before the start of the lean season in June.In its latest inventory report, the Philippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said the country’s rice stocks can last for two and a half months.As of April 1, the total rice stock inventory in the entire country was pegged at 2.54 million metric tons, up by 16.5 percent from 2.18 million MT from last year and 12.2 percent higher than last month’s inventory of 2.27 million metric tons“The total rice inventory for this month would be sufficient for 75 days. Stocks in the households would be adequate for 37 days. Those in commercial warehouses would be enough for 24 days, and in NFA depositories for 14 days,” PSA-BAS said. It added that around 49.4 percent of this month’s total rice stock was with households, 31.5 percent in commercial warehouses and 19.1 percent in NFA depositories.The National Food Authority (NFA) is required by law to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any given time, and 30-day buffer stock during lean months (June to August).With inventory at government depositories falling below the minimum requirement ahead of the lean season, the state-run grains agency may have to look at buying cheaper imported rice before June.“Importation would be the best option for the NFA to meets its mandated stocks during lean months,” a source at the agency said.But Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Francis Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the NFA Council, said the inter-agency body has yet to decide on the rice importation plan.“No decision to import has been made. Let’s just wait for the official statement,” Pangilinan said in a text message.In February this year, Manila imported 500,000 MT of rice through a government-to-government deal with Thailand and Vietnam. The NFA also allowed the entry of about 163,000 MT of rice under the minimum access volume commitment under the World Trade Organization.In 2014, the Philippines imported over 1.7 million MT, the biggest under the Aquino administration.Meanwhile, the source said the NFA may not be able to procure locally grown palay because of the drought.NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay earlier said they hope to procure 3,796,900 bags or 189,845 MT of palay this year to beef up its stocks for the lean months
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-may-again-import-rice-to-boost-stocks/183268/


India to seek Chinese market access for non-basmati rice

AMITI SEN
VISHWANATH KULKARNI
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, MAY 13:  
India is hopeful that China will provide market access to its non-basmati rice – blocked till now as quality norms have not been defined between the two countries – during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit later this week.“The solution to the problem is simple. We have suggested to China that the protocol that exists for exporting basmati rice should be adopted for exporting non-basmati rice as well,” a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine. China, which began importing rice four years ago and annually imports about 5 million tonnes, has not granted access to Indian non-basmati rice. The absence of defined phyto-sanitary norms between the two countries is cited by the China as the main reason for not importing from India.China, however, has been sourcing its rice from countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. In fact, the steady increase in its purchases from these countries has kept the Vietnamese prices firm.“We see a potential to export up to onr million tonnes of non-basmati rice to China, provided they grant us market access,” said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, the country’s largest non-basmati rice exporter.Rao, who represents the Agri Exporters Association, said India can offer better quality, price and a wider variety to China.The Commerce Ministry has already sent the documentation for establishing the quality protocol by the AQSIQ – the Chinese quality management institute that gives approvals for a variety of imports – to Beijing.“The AQSIQ required certain documents to extend the protocol existing for basmati rice to non-basmati, and we have already sent them,” the official said.When the Prime Minister visits Beijing on May 14, India is hopeful that the required quality protocol would be implemented.Though China has opened up its market for Indian basmati in 2012, hardly any direct shipments have taken place, industry sources said. China is still in the process of registering the Indian mills, although some basmati rice shipments are being exported indirectly through Hong Kong.
(This article was published on May 13, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/india-to-seek-chinese-market-access-for-nonbasmati-rice/article7202154.ece

Meet the Mekong Delta Rice Farmers Who Are on the Frontline of Sea Level Rise

·          
·          
·          
May 13, 2015 | 8:45 am
VICE News is closely tracking global environmental change. Check out the Tipping Point blog here.
When Hai Thach weighed his rice harvest last week it was half as much as it should have been. But it was still better than 2013, the year he lost everything.For Thach and millions of other poor farmers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, earning an income off the land is getting harder. Prolonged dry seasons and sea-level rise, brought about by climate change, is pushing saltwater from the South China Sea deeper inland, compromising farmers' irrigation channels."The water is salty every year," Thach, 64, told VICE News, "but it's been worse in the last three years. I'm scared because I cannot live without rice."Pointing next door to an empty rice field that is now caked earth with a thin white layer of salt on top, Thach said his neighbors quit farming last year. "They're trying to sell their land and open a business in the city," Thach told VICE News. "They are wealthier than me. That's not something I can afford to do."More than 17 million people live within the Mekong Delta. Farmers and fishermen have been intensively working the tributaries and fertile fields for only about 150 years. Agricultural success there has made Vietnam the world's third largest rice exporter. But a changing climate now threatens food security and livelihoods.
Hai Thach, 64, stands over his empty rice field. He lost half of his rice crop this season to saline intrusion. 

Hai Thach's neighbor walks across an abandoned rice field. 
Vietnam is one of the countries most vulnerable to rising seas. And its low-lying Mekong Delta is expected to be hit hardest. The region is, on average, just over a meter above sea level.According to Andrew Wyatt of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, a worst-case scenario would be something on the order of one meter of sea level rise by 2100. That could leave 40 percent of the delta flooded, potentially leading to a mass internal migration of almost 10 million people and devastating economic losses estimated at $17 billion. That's in an area that produced almost half of Vietnam's 45 million tons of rice in 2014. In a country of 90 million, that would be a major blow to national income and food security."Saline intrusion has always been a natural, seasonal process," Wyatt told VICE News. "But with sea level rise projections, saltwater will go further inland. Much of what the local communities are reporting is in line with our climate projections."Saltwater intrusion comes during the Mekong Delta's dry season, which usually lasts from November to April. Lack of rainwater allows saltwater to flow farther upstream into the Mekong River's tributaries, the main irrigation source. In the past, Farmers adapted to this cycle by planting a single rice crop during the wet season. Following war with the United States in the 1970s, farmers started a second crop, and then a third in an attempt to increase meager incomes. That's becoming increasingly difficult now that the dry is lasting longer.And this past season was extraordinary. The dry season came a month early and precipitation has yet to return despite the onset of delta's wet season."There's usually enough freshwater to use, but the rainy season has come late," Thach said. "The rain has not diluted the salty water enough to grow rice."
Salt water intrusion in Bac Lieu Province has turned this rice crop yellow. 
Ngo Van Dong's family have been rice farmers for generations. He recently converted his family's rice fields to shrimp ponds.
Saline intrusion has reached up to 35 miles inland this year, according to Vietnam's Southern Hydrometeorology Station. In Bac Lieu Province, a coastal floodplain one hundred miles southwest of Ho Chi Minh Citysalinity is twice the level it was last year. That's not so much a problem anymore for Bac Lieu, as most of the rice fields have been converted to shrimp ponds. Rather than struggling to find more freshwater for a third crop, many farmers took advantage of increased salinization and switched to intensive shrimp cultivation, which thrives in brackish water."Ten years ago this area was all rice fields," Ngo Van Dong, 56, told VICE News. "We can make more money this way." Ngo cleared five acres of rice fields to make seven shrimp ponds. "I'm trying to buy more land to expand, but no one is selling."Bac Lieu has prospered from shrimp farming, but for aquaculturists along the coastline this livelihood is much more precarious. Do Thi Dieu started shrimp farming 15 years ago. She says the water in her shrimp ponds is becoming too salty. "Before, even in the dry season, there was some rain, but now there is none. It's lasting longer than it used to," Dieu said. "In the dry season, the salt content is sometimes too high for shrimp to develop well."
Shrimp cultivation is expensive and is usually only an option for wealthier farmers who can afford the high cost of dredging land and buying equipment. Shrimp farming also comes with its share of ecological problems. The land closer to the sea in Bac Lieu used to be mangrove forests, but it was cleared to make way for the shrimp farms.

Do Thi Dieu, 35, worries climate change will force her to abandon shrimp farming.
"Vietnam had about 60 percent mangrove forest loss during the last 70 years," said Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Climate Change. "Vietnam's mangrove forest areas have fell from 408,500 hectares in 1943 to 189,200 hectares in 2000, and just 168,688 hectares in 2013."Mangroves are important habitats for a vast array of plant and animal species. They also absorb carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the amount of the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. And they provide crucial barriers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and sea level rise."Mangrove forests are buffer belts that reduce the magnitude of sea tides to the delta floodplains." Tuan said. "Thick mangrove forests can also effectively reduce sea winds that push saltwater inland."In efforts to keep the sea back, the Vietnamese government has continued to construct coastal infrastructure, but it needs to reinforce and expand the existing 5,000 miles of dikes and canals, according to the United Nations. They've also attempted to reforest large areas of mangroves, but the results have been mixed.Vietnam is going to need all the coastal protection it can get. The country experiences six to eight typhoons annually, and they could become more extreme as the impacts of climate change intensify over the coming decades.In 2012, floods swept away all the shrimp in Do Thi Dieu's ponds. "In the last three years the water levels have risen and it's breaking our dykes and flooding our houses and shrimp ponds," Dieu told VICE News.
"If climate change is to affect us, we will leave."
Photos by Mark Scialla
https://news.vice.com/article/meet-the-mekong-delta-rice-farmers-who-are-on-the-frontline-of-sea-level-rise


Thai rice exports may drop this year

Michael Mackey
13 May 2015
  

A Thai worker loads a rice sack for export in Bangkok. Photo: PA
Thai rice exporters are signalling that exports of their produce will fall, triggering changes in demand in where it is shipped to."Since Thai rice prices are still higher than our competitors [Vietnam and India] the demand from both Asia and Africa is moving to the countries where rice is cheaper," Sermsak Kuonsongtum, vice-president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told IHS Maritime. "This makes our estimated export figure go down to 8.0-8.5 million tonnes."Last year, Thailand exported about 11 million tonnes of rice, making it the world's biggest rice exporter.A big factor for the projected decline is the increasing cost of Thai rice due to the strong baht."The key factor to driving the export volume is the price, as history has proved that the difference of the prices influence buyers more than the difference in the quality," Sermsak said.India looks set to rival Thailand this year. Thailand exported 2.6 million tonnes of rice during the first four months of the year, only fractionally ahead of India's export of 2.5 million tonnes.Some countries managed to sell their rice up to USD40/tonne cheaper than Thailand's. India, in particular, is helped by its government schemes to boost rice exports and its rice costs about USD360/tonne.
Thai rice costs USD385/tonne while Vietnamese rice costs USD355-360/tonne.


To contact the author of this article, email Maritime360@ihs.com

 

Foodgrain production likely to fall by over 5%

OUR BUREAU
Bad monsoon, unseasonal rain drag output to four-year low of 251.12 million tonnes

NEW DELHI, MAY 13:  

The country’s foodgrain production in the current season ending June is likely to decline by 5.4 per cent from a record output of 265.04 million tonnes (mt) the year before.

Weather vagaries


According to the third advance estimate released by the Agriculture Ministry here on Wednesday, total foodgrain output will be 13.92 mt lower at 251.12 mt for this season, the lowest since 244.49 million tonnes produced in 2010-11.Rice output is estimated at 102.54 mt, down from 106.65 mt last season, while that of wheat, the main Rabi crop, which was damaged across swathes of northern, central and western India due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms between end-February and early-April, has been pegged at 90.78 mt from 95.85 mt last season, the lowest in the last three years.Total production of coarse cereals is expected to decline by 2.87 mt to 40.42 mt, while the estimate for key pulses stands at 17.38 mt – down from 19.25 mt.“It may be noted that production of Kharif crops during 2014-15 suffered due to bad monsoon. Unseasonal rains/hailstorm during February-March 2015 had significant impact on production of rabi crops. As a result of setback in Kharif as well as Rabi seasons, the production of most of the crops in the country has declined this season,” said an official release.Production of oilseeds is also likely to be lower by 5.37 mt – from 32.75 mt to 27.38 mt, while cotton output will also likely decline marginally to 35.32 million bales (of 170 kg each) but will be “higher by 2.85 million bales than the average production of last 5 years.”Only sugarcane production is likely to rise by 4.42 mt to 356.56 mt from 352.14 mt, which could further depress prices of sugar in the domestic market with a fifth consecutive season of surplus production already in the offing.

Contongency plans

According to the Met Department, this year could witness another below normal monsoon due to the El Nino weather effect even if the rain is likely to arrive on time and hit the Kerala coast by June 1.
Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said on Wednesday that the Centre is ready with contingency plans for 580 districts in case of acute weather disturbances.
(This article was published on May 13, 2015)


Government to continue arranging rice trade talks with foreign nations

Wednesday, 13 May 2015
By  NNT

 BANGKOK, 11 May 2015 - Government Spokesperson Yongyuth Mayalarp has affirmed that Thai rice is still competitive in the world market despite the rising price while saying the government will seek more chances to forge rice trade agreements with foreign partners.In response to the private sector’s concerns over the rising price of Thai rice, Mr Yongyuth insisted that the Prime Minister is not being complacent and has instructed the Ministry of Commerce to look into the issue. He said it has been reported by the Foreign Trade Department that the increasing output from major competitors like Vietnam and India has caused their prices to be lower than that of Thai grains. Moreover, Thailand’s shortfall in production due to drought and the baht appreciation have also driven the price up.Mr Yongyuth noted, nonetheless, that high-quality rice is still in high demand and Thai farmers should use this opportunity to upgrade their production and grain quality in order to fetch higher prices.The spokesman also said the premier has persuaded foreign leaders to purchase Thai rice on many occasions and will continue to do so while Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya has been leading rice exporters on overseas trips to organize marketing campaigns and sales activities.As the Thailand Rice Convention 2015 is scheduled to take place from May 19 to 21, Mr Yongyuth expects the event to serve as another important stage for entrepreneurs to showcase Thai rice and its high quality to participating traders from around the world.

http://www.pattayamail.com/news/government-to-continue-arranging-rice-trade-talks-with-foreign-nations-47068#sthash.1EoX41ix.dpuf


Thai govt to consider release of more stockpiled rice

The Nation/Asia News NetworkWednesday, May 13, 2015
A Thai farmer works on her rice field in Nakhonsawan province

As rice farmers enter the end of the second-crop harvest, the government will soon consider reopening bidding for rice from its stockpiles - before the year's main harvest season begins in late August.The plan to release more rice from the stockpiles is part of the government's goal to shift a total of 10 million tonnes from its warehouses over the course of this year.The warehouses currently hold about 16 million tonnes.Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said yesterday that after suspending the release of rice for the past few months, it was now time to reconsider further sales due to lower supply in the market."The Rice Policy Management Committee will next Monday consider whether to open the third round of rice bidding for this year. The government will carefully consider the impact on rice prices in the market, and will also consider other factors such as demand, and rice supplies by other countries," she explained.Duangporn added that despite slowly releasing rice from the stockpiles, the government was maintaining its target for releasing 10 million tonnes of the crop this year.The department is also sticking to its forecast of pushing exports to 10 million tonnes this year, although exporters foresee lower shipments of between 8 million and 8.5 million tonnes.In the first four months of the year, Thailand exported about 3.3 million tonnes of rice, against 3.8 million tonnes in the same period last year. The department chief said that despite lower export volume so far this year, the emphasis was on shipping high-quality rice, including parboiled rice and jasmine rice, overseas sales of which had risen 6 per cent year on year in the period.To promote Thailand as supplier of the world's best-quality rice to the world market, the Commerce Ministry has organised the "Thailand Rice Convention 2015" next week under the theme "Think rice think Thailand…serving the best quality rice to the world".Duangporn said the government would focus on increasing the value of Thai rice, which would enable the world market to recognise the Kingdom as not only a major supplier, but also as a supplier of good-quality rice.Thailand's efforts will also help increase food security in the world market, as it offers a full variety of rice grains to consumers anytime, anywhere and in any amount, she added.The convention, which takes place from May 19-21 at Impact Muang Thong Thani's Hall 4, will be chaired by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, while many experts in the rice industry will participate in the seminar.The convention is expected to attract more than 500 participants from 40 countries for an exchange of knowledge and views on rice and rice trading.
International rice traders, millers and farmers will be among those attending.

http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/thai-govt-consider-release-more-stockpiled-rice#sthash.KWUkhZOM.dpuf

Demand low for Pakistani rice in global market

Published: May 13, 2015
The price of Pakistani rice is higher than the paddy produced by India and other regional countries. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD: Alongside wheat, potato and cotton, the high production cost of rice is hampering its sales in the international market, despite the presence of hefty stocks in the country.
At present, exporters and growers have five million tons of basmati rice and a similar quantity of Irri-6 rice, but they are finding it difficult to sell the commodity in the global market because of sluggish demand and comparatively higher price for Pakistani rice.The price of Pakistani rice is higher than the paddy produced by India and other regional countries.The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) held a meeting with officials of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in Islamabad and demanded steps for reducing the cost of production or introduction of high-quality seeds to increase the productivity.A senior official in the ministry told The Express Tribune that after the meeting the ministry wrote to provinces asking them to take appropriate measures. It also told chief secretaries of the provinces to facilitate the growers in bringing the cost down in the larger interest of farmers, consumers and exporters.“The price of Pakistani basmati is higher by at least $100 to $150 compared to Indian basmati, and that is a big hurdle in the way of exports,” said REAP member Malik Jahangir, who also attended the meeting.“Since 1997, no new basmati seed has come to the market and that’s the reason for the low yield per acre, which has pushed rice prices higher,” he said.India, on the contrary, has introduced five new seed varieties in the last 10 years and that has helped a lot in increasing the yield.“Another step the government could take is to subsidise rice exports so that the stock could be disposed of,” Jahangir suggested.“If we fail to export the existing stock, then next year the farmers will not grow the grain, which might spark a crisis,” he warned, saying they had also written to the Rice Research Centre, Kala Shah Kaku Lahore, but no appropriate response had been received so far.He pointed out that after the devolution of agriculture ministry to the provinces, confusion emerged about the policy issues. Provinces were not taking responsibility of resolving the issues being faced by the growers and traders despite taking assets and resources of the devolved ministry, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th,  2015.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/885369/demand-low-for-pakistani-rice-in-global-market/


Punjab govt warns strict action for burning paddy straw
Niti PTI BotStates AUTHOR:   NITI PTI BOT - MAY 13, 2015

 Chandigarh, May 13 (PTI) Punjab government today issued strict warnings to the peasants burning paddy straw despite a complete ban on the practise. The government also warned of strict action under the provisions of Air Pollution Control Act.     Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Tota Singh said that it was a matter of great concern that despite educative campaign launched by the department regarding ill effects of straw burning on the air and health of soil, many farmers of the state were carrying on with the illegal practise. “Nobody will be allowed to pollute the air by burning the straw.The district administration has been directed to book the erring farmers under the relevant provisions of the Act,” he said here.Notably, a number of farmers in Punjab and Haryana have been carrying on with the bi-annual exercise of burning crop residue, which many environmentalists have cited in the past as one of the causes of dust haze and air pollution in Delhi and northern India.  We have always advised farmers to creatively use the paddy straw to improve the productivity of soil, Singh said.The department has been continuously telling the farmers to use spreader to help distribute straw in field which could be used as fertilizers that would enhance the yield of crops, he added.

http://www.niticentral.com/2015/05/13/punjab-govt-warns-strict-action-for-burning-paddy-straw-313184.html

Iran may resume rice imports this year: Govt


New Delhi: Iran, which has suspended rice imports, may resume the inbound shipments of the commodity this year, Parliament was informed today.Resumption of imports would help India to export basmati rice to Iran, which is a major destination for India for the aromatic rice.“Due to excess rice stocks available in Iran, Iranian authorities temporarily suspended further imports of rice from rest of the world from October 2014.“This ban is not country specific. Iran may resume imports of rice this year depending upon domestic production and demand,” Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.In 2013-14, India exported basmati rice worth USD 1.83 billion to Iran. It stood at USD 1 billion during April-February 2015.Iran mainly imports from Pakistan, Portugal, China, UAE, Latin America, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Oman and India.In a separate reply, the Minister said that government has provided Rs 1,625 crore in the Budget for 2015-16 under foreign trade and export promotion.“The guidelines of interest subvention scheme are yet to be approved by the competent authority,” she said.Under the scheme, government provides loans to exporters at subsidised rates.
http://eprahaar.in/iran-may-resume-rice-imports-this-year-govt/


Can science solve poverty?

May 13, 2015 9:25 pm

WE continue to rave about the country’s stable economic growth and rise in ranking by various ratings agencies but we also continue to hear how this growth has failed to trickle down to the masses. After five years under the Aquino administration, inclusive growth remains exclusive to those who already have the most in life. A survey among the populace reveals a rise in self-rated poverty or the number of those who believe they are poor. In this column, we give way below (after the asterisk) to an analysis which appears in scidev.net provided by Dr. Crispin Maslog, my former professor in grad school at the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, a former journalist, and an environmental activist with stints at the Press Foundation of Asia and the International Rice Research Institute.
* * *
Science may never completely solve the problem of poverty, but it will not be because it did not try. After scientists have landed man on the moon and put a lander on an asteroid, there is no reason, why it should not set its goal higher.There have been attempts to alleviate poverty in recent history like the Green Revolution that staved off famine in the 1960s and raised the income of poor farmers in Asia. Bruce Tolentino, deputy director-general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), says: “One must look at the economic development histories of countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and especially Vietnam, India, China, and more recently, Cambodia. Their relative success in reducing poverty is base on improvements in agricultural technology that were brought about by the Green Revolution.”“There is plenty of peer-reviewed, empirical evidence that conclusively indicate the benefits of the Green Revolution, and which laid the basis for inclusive economic development of those countries that embraced it,” Tolentino tells SciDev.Net.Other initiatives, while far-reaching have not been completely successful, such as global vaccination programs and attempts to control malaria by eradicating mosquitoes. They were among the biggest global public investments ever made.But hope still lingers among the funders of science that the battle against poverty can be won with the help of scientists. In April 2014, the US and UK governments announced new funding towards this end.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced last April 3 its Global Development Lab in partnership with 31 universities, corporations and foundations, whose ambitious goal is to stamp out extreme poverty by 2030 through technology-based solutions. USAID has pledged US$1 billion per year to support the project, which aims to develop in five years technology solutions to poverty in the areas of water, health, food security and nutrition, energy, education and climate change.A few days later, the UK government launched the Newton Fund with funding of £375 million, which aims to strengthen research capabilities of emerging economies including countries in South-East Asia.

Gordian knot of poverty

I commend these new and ambitious attempts to tackle the problem of poverty through the use of science but warn that the problem is like the proverbial Gordian Knot (a metaphor referring to the legendary King Gordius and which means an intricate or complicated problem).We remember the early days of development aid from the West to the developing countries of Asia in the 1950s. The World Bank and USAID employed this formula: Capital + Technology = Development. They poured money and technological expertise into Asia. But after five decades, the poor became poorer and more numerous and the rich became richer.The relationship between science, technology, innovation and society is complicated. I agree with scientists who say that new knowledge on its own cannot solve society’s problems. Technologies do not always reach the people who need them. And if they reach the intended people, the recipients do not know how to use them.There is no one scientific solution to all the problems of the poor. Some science will solve some problems of some of the poor. Some science and technology will be appropriate for poor farmers, for example. Others will answer the problems of informal settlers in the slums.However, once science and technology are developed, they must be accessible to the poor who will use them. This is the problem of technology transfer from the public and private research institutions to the end users. And just as important, the end users must know how to use the technology.An example of effective technology transfer is the Farmers Scientists Technology Program (FSTP) in the Philippines managed by University of the Philippines entomologist, Romulo Davide. Under this government-funded scheme, Davide pairs a farmer with a scientist who works with him on the farm. FSTP has hundreds of cases of farmers who have become rich through the program.However, hundreds of successes are too few when there are tens of millions of farmers and billions of poor people. To further involve more poor people, we need to promote reading and science literacy among the poor. Countries cannot aspire to develop without a scientifically literate population.A final note: The poor must be convinced that the technology they adopt is what they need. A major cause of the failure of the World Bank aid program in Asia in the 1950s is that the people were not consulted about the development projects the bank funded.

Need for social participation

In South-East Asia, there is a strong movement towards social participation. For instance, the Universities and Councils Network on Innovation for Inclusive Development in Southeast Asia or UNIID-SEA promotes innovation for inclusive development.It defines “innovation for inclusive development as that which aims to reduce poverty and enables as many groups of people, especially the poor and marginalized, to participate in decision making, create and actualize opportunities, and share the benefits of development”.This time around the poor must have a say in what problems they have that science and technology can solve for development to be inclusive.Having said that, does the shared service facility (SSF) program of the Trade Department of which millions have been allocated helping solve poverty or are they going to the wrong recipients?
* * *
God is Great!
thelmadm@yahoo.com
http://www.manilatimes.net/can-science-solve-poverty/183327/

Olam Raises Investment on Rice Backward Integration

14 May 2015
By Crusoe Osagie̢۬
Olam Nigeria Limited has unveiled plans to increase its stake in the rice industry  as part efforts to aid the realisation of the self-sufficiency target and job creation efforts of government.The General Manager of the firm, Reji George, disclosed yesterday that his company had concluded plans to kick-start  milling of 200,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice in Doma Council, Nassarawa, by June 1,2015.  According to the firm, its  backward integration plan in the sector is expected to aid local rice production and job creation.The firm had earlier this year unveiled its locally produced rice to the Nigerian market. Olam’s Business Head for Rice, Anil Nair, had explained that the launch was designed to meet growing local demands for the commodity as well as reduce its importation. He explained that the launch of the commodity in Lagos was strategic, since the state holds the largest market of consumers of rice.He said:  “There are lots of paddy been produced and Lagos being the biggest market in the country is having local rice coming to it. It is a sign of good things to come and we hope that two years from now, we will be able to bridge the gap. We have a milling capacity of about 800,000 tonnes in the country and we hope to help this country eliminate import completely.”On placing a total ban on the commodity, George said: “I believe it should be a gradual process. Before you ban rice or any agricultural commodity you must have to develop the local strength of rice production. If you plan the ban of importation of rice, companies like Olam are into commercial production of rice with 6,000 hectares in two cities, making it 12,000 hectares that would definitely help bridge the demand and supply gap, and with support from other companies, in addition to the role government is playing.“In few years time, we would be able to bridge the demand and supply gap and we would be able to be self-sufficient in rice production.”The community leader of  a settlement in the Doma area, Kushunta Adi, said,  “Before the coming of Olam to our community, most people in this area were idle, which is not good, but today, the story is different. In fact, at that initial time, most of the excavators on the project were foreigners, but today, the company has employed many of our youths and this is helping many families here”.“In fact, what they have done here is enormous. I believe if the Federal Government can copy them, the country would be better. If we have one or two other companies like this in Nigeria, it will be difficult for us as a country to import rice,” he added .A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Secretary of the Rice Farmers’ Association, Mr. Michael K. Aondoakaa, in his position, urged the government to urgently protect the local rice industry from being thrown out of the agriculture sector.Aondoakaa, at the House of Representatives hearing, stated  that corrupt actions by some rice importers could destroy  government’s policy and truncate  the local rice sub-sector.He disclosed that a certain  company behaves like another government and has resorted to dubious activities in apparent bid to frustrate the local rice manufacturers.He called on all and sundry to stop this untoward activities in the best interest of Nigeria, especially local farmers and others.
Tags: Nigeria, Featured, News
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/olam-raises-investment-on-rice-backward-integration/209279/


Grand Prairie students visit Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart

 

On Monday, May 4, the students gave presentations to scientists and students at the DBNRRC, then had a question and answer period with scientists from DBNRRC and the Harry K. Dupree Aquaculture Research Center. Students also toured both facilities.




Photo by Dawn Teer/Stuttgart Daily LeaderHildana Tibebu holds a snake as Dylan Duncan looks on during the Future Scientist program at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center.


By Dawn Teer 
dteer@stuttgartdailyleader.com

Posted May 13, 2015 at 3:21 PM 

STUTTGART —
Students from Park Avenue Elementary, Stuttgart High School, Monticello and Hot Springs gave presentations on the corn earworm at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center (DBNRRC) last week. Also in attendance were students from Holy Rosary Catholic school and Hamburg.This was the fruition of a program that began last summer with a two-day program for area teachers to help promote science in school. This is the second year for the Future Scientists program at DBNRRC.When the teachers attended the program last summer, Dr. Craig Wilson showed them how to teach children about the corn earworm, which is a pest that can cause millions of dollars in damage to crops. In the classroom, students grew corn earworm from pupae and did experiments to learn more about how the corn earworm causes damage to corn crops.On Monday, May 4, the students gave presentations to scientists and students at the DBNRRC, then had a question and answer period with scientists from DBNRRC and the Harry K. Dupree Aquaculture Research Center. Students also toured both facilities.The students in attendance from Park Avenue Elementary were Paige Dean, Hildana Tibebu, Dylan Duncan, Evan Watson and Lebrayden Hall. PAE teachers were Kelly Clawitter and Shawna Wilson. Students from Holy Rosary were Mary Grace Straus, Cole Mock, Julia Ryan, Jordan Griffith, Morgan Bock and Evie Jackson and teacher Sarah Richards. SHS students were Zach Mock, Brannon Herring, Kylie Griffin, Robbie Harwell, and Reema Bhakla and Coach Andrew Schroeder.  Hamburg students were Evan Ferguson, Lacee Jacobs andLarry Carher and teacher Don Wallace.  Hot Springs Intermediate school students were Eureka Smith, Emily Clutter, Logan Comstock, Marly Archie, Megan Harbut, Anna Fletcher, Riley Matthews, Moriah Thacker and Eli Evans and teacher Lynn Strong. Monticello Elementary School sent the most students and they were kindergarten and first graders.  Susan Starks’ students were Xander Lane, Cade Newton, Gavin Howard, Sophie Barrilleaun, Soelee Thornhill, and Madyson James.  Janet Lane’s students were Luke Hairston, Jackson Hines, Annsley Oltmann, Maura McMickle, Timothy Forrest and Javian Adams.  Paula Lane’s students were Taylor Collins, Skyler Hill, Jayden Rhodes, Landon Reid, Daniel Pace and Logan McAlpine.Wilson welcomed the students starting things off with a bang. Wilson went on to show a video and then brought out a garter snake and let the students meet it up close.  Anna McClung, director of the DBNRRC, then spoke to the students about the program and how she became a scientist.The students gave presentations on what they  learned from the corn earworm. Look online at stuttgartdailyleader.com for videos from the presentations.Following the presentations and a short break, they had a question and answer panel with scientists Dr. Shannon Pinson, research geneticist; Dr. Angela Baldo, computational biologist; Dr. Jeremy Edwards, plant molecular geneticist; Dr. Bart Green, research fishery biologist; Dr. Miles Lange, research biologist; Dr. Steven Rawles, research physiologist; and Dr. Dave Straus, aquatic toxicologist.

http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20150513/NEWS/150519855


APEDA India News

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 11-05-2015
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Garlic
1
Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
2100
2
Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
2000
3
Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)
1800
Ginger
1
Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
4600
2
Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
5100
3
Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
3000
Guar Gum Powder
1
Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
4880
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2300
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
3400
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 11-05-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Cachar (Assam)
Other
2000
2500
2
Saharsa (Bihar)
Other
2000
3200
3
Bargarh (Orissa)
Other
2100
2300
Wheat
1
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1450
1600
2
Amirgadh (Gujarat )
Other
1210
1750
3
Saharsa(Bihar)
Other
1450
3200
Mousambi
1
Sirhind (Punjab)
Other
3000
4000
2
Mechua(West Bengal)
Other
2600
3100
3
Haldwani(Uttrakhand)
Other
1600
3500
Carrot
1
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
3000
2800
2
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1000
2000
3
Kharupetia(Assam)
Other
1200
1500
Source:agra-net
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 11-05-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
312
2
Ahmedabad
300
3
Hyderabad
272
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 11-05-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Mangoes
Package: flats 1 layer
1
Chicago
Mexico
Ataulfo
10
11
2
Detroit
Mexico
Ataulfo
7
7.50
3
New York
Mexico
Ataulfo
9
9
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
9
11.50
2
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
12.50
13
3
Miami
Mexico
Long Seedless
9.50
10
Grapes
Package: 18 lb containers bagged
1
Atlanta
Chile
Red Globe
24.50
24.50
2
Chicago
Chile
Red Globe
18.50
20
3
Miami
Peru
Red Globe
21
23
Source:USDA




IJMA wants jute policy to revive demand

 

With the mandatory requirement for packaging of sugar in jute bags falling to 20% from 100%, half the jute mills have been facing demand crisis for past two-and-a-half years
Jayajit Dash  |  Bhubaneswar  
May 13, 2
015 Last Updated at 19:58 IST

Reeling under a crisis triggered by the shutdown of jute mills, the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) has urged West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to announce a jute policy early to help revive demand for jute bags.In the past two months, 15 jute mills have faced temporary closure amid tepid demand. With the mandatory requirement for packaging of sugar in jute bags falling to 20 per cent since 2013-14, as opposed to 100 per cent stipulated originally in the Jute Packaging Materials Act (JPMA) of 1987, half the jute mills have been facing demand crisis for the past two-and-a-half years."The indents by the various state government agencies for this year's rabi crop virtually came down to a trickle in April 2015 and there is little likelihood of further indents of jute bags for food grains packing for the months of May and June. Had West Bengal announced the state policy under which packaging of potatoes and rice could have been included, all jute mills in the state would probably have continued production well beyond April 2015," said IJMA chairman Raghavendra Gupta in a letter to Banerjee.Gupta said a quick announcement of the jute policy would not only revive the sector, but also improve sentiments among jute growers, workers and jute mill owners.At present, there are four million jute growers and about 300,000 workmen engaged in the jute sector. If their families are factored in, approximately one-third of the West Bengal's total population of about 90 million are directly or indirectly linked to jute.Pointing out to the overt flouting of JPMA provisions by rice millers, Gupta said very few millers are utilising new jute bags for packaging of rice. According to him, mandating packaging of potatoes grown in West Bengal in jute bags would create a demand of 50,000 tonnes annually for jute bags, he felt.Over the past two years, around 25 per cent of the jute mills have been shut, rendering nearly 100,000 workmen jobless. The precarious situation has arisen due to continuous dilution of JPMA, attempts to violate the Act by sugar sector and different procurement agencies, and erosion of non-government market due to heavy imports from Bangladesh. Surge in imports from Bangladesh have been aided by zero duty on imports and 10 per cent export subsidy provided by the Bangladesh government.Procurement of jute bags has fallen from an average of 2.68 million bales in 2012-13 to 2.03 million bales in 2013-14, dropping further to 1.99 million bales in 2014-15 (one bale is 180 kg).The jute sector is passing through a phase of stagnation as investments in modernisation and product diversification have almost stopped since 2012-13.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ijma-wants-jute-policy-to-revive-demand-115051301092_1.html




World Market Price Subcommittee Talks Acreage, Iraq, and Cuba


USA Rice's Betsy Ward (l.) and Sarah Moran literally talk Turkey with The Rice Trading Company CEO Jay Kapila. WASHINGTON, DC -- The World Market Price Subcommittee met here this morning with representatives from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Economic Research Service (ERS), and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).  Members noted that rice acres in California may be below those indicated in the NASS Prospective Plantings report issued this spring. Members also reviewed NASS rice price reporting questionnaires. NASS reiterated that it is looking only for reported transactions of rough rice at the point of first sale, excluding transportation and other charges from farmers' bins to the point of sale. However, NASS does not adjust data received on rough rice purchases. Subcommittee members agreed that this explanation provided more clarity about the reporting of rough rice transactions at the first point of sale.
 
Discussions with representatives of FAS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focused on trade with Cuba and Turkey, and the U.S. rice industry's ongoing difficulty with the lack of transparency and predictability in Iraq's rice tender process. "We've started the process of looking for an Iraqi contractor to assist our efforts on the ground in Baghdad," said USA Rice COO Bob Cummings.  "This is a recommendation that we received during our meeting last week in Washington with the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones, and we believe it has merit and worth pursuing.  We need to look at all options that can help us return Iraq as a steady customer for U.S. rice."Chairman Keith Glover said, "This was a very positive meeting, with a lot of productive conversation. And, as always, we appreciate USDA's participation."The next World Market Price Subcommittee meeting will be in October.

Contact:  Kristen Dayton (703) 236-1464

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).  Rough rice prices decreased $0.12 per cwt for both long grain and medium/short grain.

World Price
MLG/LDP Rate

Milled Value ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Long-Grain
15.25
9.88   
0.00
Medium-/Short-Grain
14.86
10.01
0.00
Brokens
  9.20
----
----

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
57.21/12.55
6.64
Medium-/Short-Grain
61.89/8.83
6.51

The next program announcement is scheduled for May 20, 2015.   

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 13
Month
Price
Net Change

May 2015
$9.220
 UNCH 
July 2015
$9.445
UNCH
September 2015
$9.715
- $0.005
November 2015
$9.965
UNCH
January 2016
$10.210
UNCH 
March 2016
$10.275
UNCH
May 2016
$10.275
UNCH
Rare rice and art honored as national treasures
MANILA, Philippines - In a special gathering tonight at the National Museum of the Philippines, two large paintings by National Artist Vicente Manansala will be elevated from Important Cultural Properties of the Philippines to National Cultural Treasures—the first Manansalas to gain such status. Since 1962 and until recently, these paintings that had been on the walls of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna will be unveiled at the museum’s new IRRI hall.

In this evening’s event, Treasures in Art and Rice, the IRRI Manansalas and several types of heirloom rice from the mountainous Cordilleras of northern Philippines will be featured alongside each other—the paintings’ unveiling at the museum and heirloom rice as tasty dishes whipped up by five world-class chefs.

Philippine heirloom rice varieties are being studied and promoted through the Heirloom Rice Project, a joint initiative of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and IRRI.

As traditional varieties handed down through generations of a clan or village, these unique crops have high nutritional properties, are in limited supply due to longer growing periods, and are more expensive than more widely cultivated rice, especially in specialty niche markets in the Philippines and abroad.

Under the project, heirloom rice varieties are characterized, classified, and studied for their properties and genealogy. Cultivation practices for each variety are also being documented, which allows scientists to work with farmers to optimize these practices for desired yield and grain quality.

Because of its special eating qualities and novelty, heirloom rice is seeing increasing demand in the global market. The project team is thus also working with entrepreneurs to find demand matches for heirloom varieties that particular regions, villages, or farming households produce.

The paintings, by National Artist Vicente S. Manansala, were commissioned by IRRI soon after its founding in 1960.

Philippine heirloom rice varieties were featured at the Madrid Fusión Manila in April. 
IRRI NEWS


Treasures in Art and Rice: The IRRI Manansala Murals and Philippine Heirloom Rice




Together with the Philippine Department of Agriculture, the National Museum and Friends of Manansala, IRRI will feature the formal recognition of the two Manansala paintings as "National Cultural Treasures." A special presentation of the Philippine heirloom rice will be a highlight at the event to be held at the National Museum (By invitation)

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13th May (Wednesday),2015 Daily GlobalRice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine



Wednesday, May 13, 2015

13th May (Wednesday), 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Why is China Barring Cross Border Rice Imports from Vietnam?

May 12, 2015
The Chinese authorities have reportedly tightened control over unofficial rice imports from Vietnam since mid-April this year and there has been no respite so far, according to local sources. During the last week of April, local sources reported that nearly 30,000 tons of rice is understood to be stuck at border gates and faces risk of decay as it is exposed to all kinds of weather conditions.Experts say, the inherent logic behind the Chinese adopting such a strategy is to put a downward pressure on Vietnamese rice prices. They say China, which has a huge demand for rice, cannot refuse rice from Vietnam. They noted that China has been importing rice from Cambodia though it has stopped importing rice from Vietnam. This proves that China still needs rice to meet local demand.
A leading Vietnamese rice expert told local sources that Vietnamese rice exporters often prefer cross-border exports because of lesser quality checks at the borders. He says they often sell the low-quality rice variety 50404 at low prices via borders to Chinese importers. They cannot sell this rice through official channels due to low quality. He expressed doubt if the Chinese authorities are taking advantage of the Vietnamese exporters' situation.Another rice market analyst suggested that Vietnamese rice exporters should not bend to the Chinese strategies. “Vietnam needs to take initiative in the trade with China. It must not entreat favors. Chinese want Vietnam’s rice because it cannot find better suppliers,” he was quoted as saying.
However, exporters told local sources that the Chinese authorities are keen on collecting tax on rice imports from Vietnam. The Chinese importers are understood to prefer importing rice through borders rather than through official channels to cut costs. For instance, if they import rice through official channels, they need to pay an extra amount of about $160 per ton, including a quota fee of $80 per ton, VAT and import tax. That means, for Viet 5% rice, which costs $355 per ton will cost importers about $515 per ton.The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) data shows that of the 6.3 million tons of rice exported by Vietnam last year, nearly 2 million tons had been exported through borders.

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Continue to Tumble as USDA S&D Increases Carryover Stocks for Both Old and New Crop

May 12, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery settled 16.5 cents per cwt (about $4 per ton) lower at $9.445 per cwt (about $208 per ton). The other grains finished the day lower following the release of what was interpreted as a bearish USDA S&D update; Soybeans closed about 1.9% lower at $9.5550 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.1% lower at $4.8050 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.3% lower at $3.5700 per bushel.U.S. stocks traded mildly lower, paring sharp losses on Tuesday as investors found some relief from a slight recovery in the bond market. Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly turned positive and traded about 5 points lower after plunging 180 points in the open. In the first of three bond auctions for the week, the Treasury Department auctioned $24 billion of 3-year notes at a high yield of 1%. The bid-to-cover ratio, an indicator of demand, was the highest since February. The Dow transports briefly fell more than 1 percent, with all constituents under pressure as oil extended gains on OPEC's forecast for increased demand.
The rise came despite Goldman Sachs' morning note that said the rally in oil prices was premature and itself preventing a decrease in oversupply. Analysts said the U.S. bond market movements was mostly triggered by the selloff in German government debt. The 10-year bund yield traded near 0.68%, a 22% increase for 2015 but still 13% below 6-month highs. European equities slid on Tuesday, with the benchmark German DAX index about 2% lower. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday called on lenders to break an impasse in cash-for-reform talks. Earlier, Greece emptied an emergency IMF holding account to repay 750 million euros ($839 million) due to the international lender, a Greek central bank official said in a Reuters report. The move avoided default but underscored the dire state of the country's finances. San Francisco Federal Reserve President John Williams said in prepared remarks for a Harvard Club address that raising rates "a bit earlier" allows the Fed to increase rates more gradually.
 Of the little economic data due Tuesday, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed job openings down slightly and new hires little changed in March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded down 5 points, or 0.03%, at 18,099. The S&P 500 traded down 3 points, or 0.13%, at 2,102, with materials leading seven sectors lower and energy leading three sectors higher. The Nasdaq traded down 3 points, or 0.07%, at 4,990. Gold is trading about 0.7% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 1.8% higher, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.5% lower at about  1:00pm Chicago time.Monday, there were 645 contracts traded, up from 436 contracts traded on Friday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Monday increased by 24 contracts to 11,095.

FAO Estimates Malaysia 2014-15 Rice Imports to Increase to Over 1.1 Million Tons

May 12, 2015
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates Malaysia 2014-15 (July - June) rice imports to increase to over 1.1 million tons and increase to average level from last year's low level due to strong consumption demand and the government's efforts to replenish stocks. In 2014, Malaysia's rice imports increased about 24% y/y from their below-average level in 2013.It estimates Malaysia's total cereal imports, including rice, to increase about 6% to around 6.4 million from around 5.99 million tons last year.
The FAO estimates Malaysia's 2015 paddy rice production at a record 2.6 million tons (around 1.69 million tons, basis milled), slightly above last year's production of about 2.5 million tons (around 1.62 million tons, basis milled) due to favorable weather conditions and continued government support to the rice sector, including subsidies for agricultural inputs.USDA estimates Malaysia to produce about 2.769 million tons of paddy (around 1.8 million tons, basis milled) and import around one million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January 2015 - December 2015).
Global Rice Quotes
May 12th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade   380-390                ↔
Vietnam 5% broken        350-360                ↔
India 5% broken               370-380                ↔
Pakistan 5% broken        390-400                ↔
Myanmar 5% broken      415-425                ↔
Cambodia 5% broken     430-440                ↔
U.S. 4% broken                 480-490                ↔
Uruguay 5% broken        565-575                ↔
Argentina 5% broken     555-565                ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken      350-360                ↔
Vietnam 25% broken      330-340                ↔
Pakistan 25% broken      345-355                ↔
Cambodia 25% broken   410-420                ↔
India 25% broken             345-355                ↔
U.S. 15% broken               470-480                ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd     370-380                ↓
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd          390-400                ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd                 360-370                ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken             555-565                ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken          570-580                ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken    NQ         ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%   875-885                ↔
Vietnam Jasmine             490-500                ↑
India basmati 2% broken              NQ         ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken       NQ         ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails     815-825                ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super            315-325                ↔
Vietnam 100% broken   305-315                ↓
Pakistan 100% broken stxd          290-300                ↔
Cambodia A1 Super        350-360                ↔
India 100% broken stxd                 270-280                ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens      NQ         ↔
U.S. pet food     370-380                ↔
Brazil half grain NQ         ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

FAO Forecasts Laos 2015 Paddy Rice Production to Increase 3% y/y to 3.4 Million Tons

May 12, 2015
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) forecasts Laos 2015 paddy rice production at around 3.4 million tons (around 2.1 million tons, basis milled), up about 3% from last year's average level of around 3.3 million tons (around 2 million tons, basis milled) last year.In April, the FAO reported that planting of the 2015 main (wet) season paddy crop (May - December) will begin in mid-May and will continue till July.
According to USDA, usually Laos imports around 10,000 tons or rice to meet the local annual consumption demand of around 1.58 million tons. However, this year, FAO forecasts Laos to be self-sufficient in rice production without the need to import rice.Laos is in fact aiming to increase rice production by around one million tons and become an exporter of rice by 2015.
Description: Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/field/image/150512laos.jpgUSDA estimates Laos' MY 2014-15 (January 2014 - December 2014) paddy rice production to increase about 5.8% to around 2.46 million tons (around 1.55 million tons, basis milled) from an estimated 2.325 million tons (around 1.465 million tons, basis milled) in MY 2013-14. It estimates Laos to import around 10,000 tons of rice in 2015, down about 50% from last year.

FAO Forecasts Sri Lanka Rice Imports to Return to Average Levels in 2015

May 12, 2015
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is forecasting Sri Lanka's rice imports to return to normal level in 2015 due to an expected recovery in this year's rice production. It estimates Sri Lanka's 2015 rice imports at around 150,000 tons, down about 75% from last year's high level.The FAO has forecasted Sri Lanka's total paddy at around 4.1 million tons in 2015 (around 2.7 million tons, basis milled), up about 21% from an estimated 3.4 million tons (around 2.3 million tons, basis milled) in 2014.
Description: Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/field/image/150512srilankariceprices.jpgHarvesting of the 2015 main season Maha rice crop (September - March), which accounts for about 65% of annual production, was completed in April. The FAO estimates output from this crop at around 2.7 million tons (around 1.78 million tons, basis paddy), up about 19% from last year's 2.27 million tons (around 1.5 million tons, basis paddy) due to a recovery in planted area as well as adequate supply of irrigation water. Planting for the 2015 secondary season Yala crop (March - September) is underway.
Rice prices continued to decline in April 2015 due to increasing supplies from the 2014-15 main season harvest as well as increased imports in hte previous months. Average retail rice prices stood at around Rs.70,490 (around $530) per ton in April 2015, down about 4% from around Rs.73,410 (around $550) per ton in March 2015.USDA estimates Sri Lanka to produce around 2.85 million tons of rice, basis milled (around 4.19 million tons, basis paddy) and import around 120,000 tons in MY 2014-15 (October 2014 - September 2015).

FAO Estimates Myanmar to Export 760,000 Tons of Rice in 2014-15; Nearly Half of USDA Estimate of 1.6 Million Tons

May 12, 2015
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts Myanmar's 2014-15 (July - June) rice exports at around 760,000 tons, up about 9% from around 697,248 tons in 2013-14. It estimates Myanmar's 2014-15 total cereal exports at around 1.4 million tons.
The FAO estimates Myanmar's 2015 aggregate paddy production at around 29.2 million tons (18.69 million tons, basis milled), up about 1% from around 28.9 million tons (18.5 million tons, basis milled) in 2014. Planting for the 2015 main (wet) season rice crop, which accounts for about 80% of the annual production is currently underway and the FAO expects normal weather conditions.
Wholesale price of Emata rice, the most commonly used variety, increased for the fifth consecutive month in April due to strong border trade with China. They were also above their year-ago levels.USDA estimates Myanmar to produce around 12.15 million tons of rice, basis milled (around 18.98 million tons, basis paddy) and import around 1.6 million tons in MY 2014-15 (January 2015 - December 2015).

India Gurus Advise Rice Farmers to Prepare for Insufficient Rains, as Australian Weather Service Projects El Nino

May 12, 2015
This year’s monsoon rains in India may be below normal.  So far, India’s weather service has projected the season rains will start on schedule, June 1. However, Australia’s weather service today declared that this year will see a strong El Nino for the first time since 2010 and a strong El Nino is typically associated with below normal monsoon rains in India.In India, the Sikh religion's gurudwaras, are pitching advice to paddy farmers on which crops to plant and encouraging them to conserve water in the Kharif (summer/fall) crop season to equip themselves for a potentially weak monsoon this year.
In addition, India’s Punjab state officials are working with researchers, millers and exporters to provide technical and advisory services to farmers.Gurudwaras are seen as one of the viable means to communicate with the farmers and crop sermons have become regular to enlighten the farmers during gurudwara sessions. Exporters and millers are pushing farmers to cultivate short-duration basmati as it takes fewer days for production and consume less water than the regular rice paddy. In light of weak or unpredictable rains this year, it has become necessary to provide in advance short-duration and drought-resistant seed varieties to farmers. Efforts are being made to send timely messages to farmers on types of seeds to purchase locations to procure seed, and exact quantity to plant per hectare. Farmers are also being advised to defer paddy transplanting by a week to June 15.India’s weather office is expected to provide its next monsoon projections on May 15.

Korea-Canada FTA Excludes Rice from Duty Concessions, Says USDA Post

May 12, 2015

The Korea-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into effect from January 1, 2015 excludes rice from duty concessions, according to the USDA Post. Beef (frozen/carcass and half carcass), chicken (frozen),  duck (frozen), skim whole milk powder, cheese, pine mushroom, shiitake, chestnut, tangerine, ginseng, red pepper paste and leaf tobacco are other products that are excluded from duty concessions under the FTA.
Approximately 97.5% of all products traded between Canada and Korea are set to become duty-free in the next ten years. Specifically, 98.7% of Canada's imports from Korea and 98.4% of Korea's imports from Canada will become duty-free in the next ten years.
Korea is a major importer of wheat from Canada and the FTA is expected to increase the competitiveness of Canadian milling wheat in Korea as the import duty is understood to go down from 1.8% to zero. Similarly Canadian pork is expected to become competitive in Korea as the import duty may go down by about 2-5%, and Canadian rapeseed oil is expected to dominate the Korean market as the duty is reduced to zero from 10%.
The government of South Korea has opened its rice import market from the beginning of this year ending its 20-year import quota system. It decided to impose a 513% tariff on rice imports over and above its mandatory rice imports of 408,700 tons under the World Trade Organization (WTO) minimum market access (MMA) quota. The government is keen on protecting the local rice market from cheap imports.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Softer Market as Old Crop Long Grain Ending Stocks Inch Higher; 2015/16 Ending Stocks More Than Double y/y

May 12, 2015
The U.S. cash market was slightly weaker today after the USDA WASDE report showed a bearish outlook for U.S. long grain prices but a more favorable global outlook .Today the USDA increased their old crop long grain ending stocks by 0.5 million cwts (22,680 tons) on account of increased long grain imports which in turn pegged ending stocks at 28.1 million cwts (1.27 million tons).
As for new crop, the USDA pegged long grain production at 162.0 million cwts (7.35 million tons), down 0.4 million cwts (18,144 tons) from than last year, imports at 21.0 million cwts, up 0.5 million cwts (22,680 tons) from last year, and exports at 76.0 million cwts (3.45 million tons), up 3.0 million cwts (136,078 tons) from last year, and domestic and residual usage at 101.0 million cwts (4.58 million tons), also up 3.0 million cwts (136,078 tons) from last year.This is in turn put next year’s long grain ending stocks at 34.1 million cwts (1.55 million ton) or 6.0 million cwts (0.27 million tons)  more than last year and 17.9 million cwts (0.81 million tons) more than the 2013/2014 marketing year. 

Thailand Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes; Vietnam Rice Quotes Mixed Today

May 12, 2015
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for parboiled rice by about $5 per ton to around $370 - $380 per ton today . Vietnam rice sellers increased their quotes for Jasmine rice by about $10 per ton to around $490-$500 per ton and lowered their quotes for 100% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $305 - $315 per ton. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton, about a $20 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton, about a $20 per ton discount to Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $390 - $400 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is shown at around $350 - $360 per ton, about a $20 per ton premium on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $330- $340 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355, on par with Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $345 - $355 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton, down about a $5 per ton from yesterday. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about a $30 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice shown at around $390 - $400 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is indicated at around $315 - $325 per ton, about a $10 per ton premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton, down about a $5 per ton from yesterday. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $270 - $280 per ton,  about a $20 per ton discount to  Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $290 - $300 per ton.

Vietnam's Rice Exports to Africa May Recover in 2015, Says MOIT

May 12, 2015
Vietnam's rice exports to Africa, which declined about 58% y/y in 2014, are showing signs of recovery, according to the Department of Africa, West Asia and South Asia Markets under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT).Based on the export data for the first quarter of 2015, the Department noted that Vietnam's rice exports to African countries such as Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa have increased considerably in this year. It noted that total rice exports to African destinations so far this year have earned about $67 million in the first three months of this year.
According to USDA data, Vietnam's rice exports to African countries declined to around 772,537 tons in 2014 from around 1.83 million tons in 2013 due to a stiff competition with Thailand and India. However, Vietnam's rice exports to Africa in the first three months of 2015 stand at around 164,255 tons, a 95% increase from around 84,289 tons exported during the same time last year.Ministry sources told local reporters that the Department has submitted to MOIT a plan to further increase rice exports to Africa. The plan includes opening bonded warehouses in Africa's major markets such as Angola, Ivory Coast and Cameroon. The Department is reportedly keen on increasing direct exports to these markets while avoiding intervention of third party promotion. If the plan is approved, local sources say, Vietnam's rice exports to African destinations may surge further this year.
The Ministry has also reportedly advised exporters to focus on selling high-quality rice products as part of efforts to build a rice brand name for the country.Vietnam exported about 1.555 million tons of rice in first four months of calendar year 2015, down about 11% from about 1.758 million tons of rice exported during same time last year, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). Average rice export price so far in this year stands at about $419 per ton (FOB), down about 3.7% per ton from same time last year.Last month, the government lowered the floor price (minimum export price) of the lower quality 25% broken rice exports to around $340 per month, down about 3% from around $350 per ton due to subdued demand for Vietnamese rice.

Thailand Plans to Seal More G2G Contracts in 2015, Says Government Spokesperson

Description: Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/field/image/150512thaistickyrice.jpgMay 12, 2015
The government of Thailand is planning to seal more government-to-government (G2G) contracts with foreign partners as part of efforts to promote Thai rice, according to local sources.Government Spokesperson told local sources that the Commerce Ministry is working towards stabilizing rice prices and increasing exports. The Commerce Minister is leading a delegation of rice exporters to various countries and organizing marketing campaigns and sales activities to persuade the respective governments to buy Thai rice.Responding to the private sector's concerns over relatively high prices of Thai rice, he noted that Thai rice is still in high demand despite relatively high prices.
He added that increasing supplies from Vietnam and India have led to a decline in their prices while Thai rice prices have remained firm due to drought and a stronger baht.He also encouraged rice producers to improve the rice quality amid growing demand for high quality rice both domestically and globally.Separately, the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade told reporters that the Department would decide over resuming rice sales from stockpiles after the Rice Policy Committee meeting on May 18, according to Bloomberg. The government had stopped rice sales from stockpiles to avoid fall in prices.The Thai government is confident of eporting over 10 million tons of rice this year despite the lingering concerns over prices and subdued demand. Thailand exported 3.3 million tons of rice between January  and April 2015, down about 1.3% from around 3.8 million tons exported during the same period last year, according to the TREA.  

Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Continue to Slip as Market Faces Lack of Demand

May 12, 2015
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery are currently seen trading 6.5 cent per cwt (about $1 per ton) higher at $9.545 per cwt (about $210 per ton) during early floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen trading mostly higher; soybeans are currently seen about 0.4% higher, wheat is listed about 1% higher and corn is currently noted 0.3% lower.U.S. stocks traded sharply lower on Tuesday as the continued gains in bond yields kept investors on edge. Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly lost more than 150 points in the open. The major indices declined, with the Nasdaq off 1%.
The S&P 500 also fell more than half a percent as information technology led 9 sectors lower. Earlier, the Dow futures briefly fell about 140 points. European equities slid in trade on Tuesday, with the benchmark German DAX index around 2.2% lower. Greece emptied an emergency IMF holding account to repay 750 million euros ($839 million) due to the international lender, a Greek central bank official said in a Reuters report. The move avoided default but underscored the dire state of the country's finances.
The selloff in bonds, which paused last Thursday and Friday, accelerated Monday afternoon and continued into Tuesday's morning trade. Despite the decline in equities, most analysts note that the major indices remain near records and are confident in the stock market's longer-term ability to move higher. Gold is currently trading about 0.7% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 1% higher,  and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.7% lower at 9:15am Chicago time

Vietnam Rice Exports to Asian Destinations Increase Five Fold in March 2015

May 12, 2015

Description: Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/field/image/150512vietnamriceexp_0.jpgVietnam has exported around 613,164 tons of rice in March 2015, about 3.3 times more from around 182,400 tons exported in February 2015, and up about 4% from around 590,329 tons exported in March 2014, according to USDA. While share of Vietnam's rice exports to Asia, Africa and Americas increased m/m in March 2015, its share of exports to Europe and Australia declined m/m during the month.

Asia accounted for around 536,838 tons (about 87.5% of total rice exports by Vietnam in March 2015), about 5 times more than 112,818 tons exported in February 2015 and up about 16% from around 464,111 tons exported in March 2014.

Vietnam exported around 34,545 tons of rice to Africa (about 6% of total March 2015 exports), about two times more from around 14,798 tons exported in February 2015, and down about 27% from around 47,297 tons exported in March 2014.

Vietnam exported around 37,255 tons of rice to American destinations (about 6% of March 2015 exports), up about 11% from around 33,587 tons exported in February 2015, and down about 41% from around 62,726 tons exported in March 2014.

Vietnam's exports to Australia (about 0.2% of March 2015 exports) declined by about 56% to around 1,618 tons in March 2015 from around 3,659 tons exported in February 2015 and declined by about 7% from around 1,745 tons exported in March 2014.

Vietnam's exports to Europe and CIS countries (about 0.4% of total March 2015 exports) accounted for around 2,908 tons, about 83% lower than around 17,538 tons exported in February 2015 and about 80% below than around 14,450 tons exported in March 2014.

Description: Description: http://oryza.com/sites/default/files/field/image/150512chinavietnamborder_0.jpgIn terms of grade, 5% broken rice exports accounted for around 100,567 tons (or, about 16% of total March 2015 exports); Jasmine rice exports accounted for around 71,220 tons (or, about 12% of total March 2015 exports); 15% broken rice exports accounted for around 179,782 tons (or, about 29% of total exports in March 2015); 25% broken rice exports accounted for around 114,635 tons (or, about 19% of total exports in March 2015); glutinous rice exports accounted for around 35,328 tons (or, about 6% of total March 2015 exports); and 10%, 100% and other varieties accounted for around 111,632 tons (or, about 18% of total exports in March 2015).

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