Wednesday, May 27, 2015

27th May(Wednesday),2015 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Philippines NFA Calls Tenders for 250,000 Ton Rice Import on June 5, 2015

May 26, 2015

The Philippines National Food Authority (NFA) has called for tenders from Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia for the 250,000 tons import, according to Reuters. The bidding is set for June 5, 2015, according to a NFA spokesman.The NFA is seeking to import 25% broken well-milled long-grain rice, with delivery expected between July and August, to replenish stocks during the lean season (July - September) as well as prevent commercial rice price hikes.The NFA is authorized to import another 250,000 tons of rice if the drought-inducing El Nino weather condition intensifies. 
Analysts say this year, the Philippines' total rice imports could cross about 2.1 million tons if the government approves the terms of a new trade concession with the World Trade Organization (WTO). As per the new concession, which was supposed to come into effect last year, the Philippines can import 805,200 tons of rice under the WTO minimum access volume (MAV), including 755,000 tons in the country-specific- quota (CSQ) and 50,000 tons in the omnibus quota. Imports under MAV attract 35% duty and imports over and above MAV attract 50% duty.Imports under the WTO MAV would be in addition to the likely imports 1.3 million tons of rice under the government-to-government (G2G) contracts to maintain buffer stocks.
The Philippines already imported 500,000 tons of rice from Vietnam and Thailand this year to curb price increases and boost buffer stocks. Last year, the South-east Asian nation imported more than 1.8 million tons of rice (including 1.5 million tons of 2014 imports and 300,000 tons of 2013 residual imports) to replenish rice stocks and control price hikes.Meanwhile, the Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Field Operations has expressed concern that increased imports could push down the farm gate paddy prices in next harvest season affecting the farmers' incomes. Therefore he suggested the NFA to buy more rice from farmers to stabilize prices.USDA estimates the Philippines to produce around 12.2 million tons of rice, basis milled, in MY 2014-15 (July - June) and import around 1.6 million tons of rice in 2015. The UN Food and Agricutlure Organization (FAO) estimates Philippines to import 1.8 million tons of rice in 2015.

Cambodia Lacks Adequate Capacity to Supply Rice to Philippines, Say Exporters

May 26, 2015
The Philippines National Food Authority (NFA) has invited Cambodia along with Thailand and Vietnam to participate in bidding for 250,000 tons rice tender that is scheduled for June 5 this year. However, it is doubtful if Cambodia will take part in the tender, according to local sources.The Philippines is seeking 25% broken well-milled long-grain rice for delivery between July and August.
The Chairman of a well noted rice exporting company in Cambodia told local sources that the government is presently not ready to participate in the bidding process. He stated that the country lacks adequate capacity to mill and supply to the Philippines as its demand is huge in a short period.He added that several issues such as lack of sufficient storage and milling facilities as well as high production costs and transportation costs should be addressed before attempting to make competitive bids in such tenders. In the present situation, the country would need at least two more years to scale up its capacity.
Cambodia did not bid in the previous import tender by the Philippines earlier this year. The Advisor to the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) noted that Cambodia could supply to the Philippines if the tenders were segregated into smaller orders tonnage wise. He however noted that shipping directly to the to the Philippines ports was still a challenge. Else they need to ship through the Vietnam ports.Cambodia exported around 201,183 tons of rice in the first four months of 2015, up about 67% from around 120,291 tons exported during the same period in 2014, according to data from CRF. USDA estimates Cambodia to produce around 4.7 million tons of milled rice and export around 1.1 million tons (including official exports and unofficial exports to Vietnam and Thailand) in MY 2014-15 (January - December 2015).
Global Rice Quotes
May 26th, 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    405-415           ↔
Myanmar 5% broken   420-430           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken             430-440           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           465-475           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    565-575           ↔
Argentina 5% broken 555-565           ↔

Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 350-360           ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 325-335           ↓
Pakistan 25% broken 360-370           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken           410-420           ↔
India 25% broken       345-355           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         455-465           ↔

Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            370-380           ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    405-415           ↔
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%          860-870           ↓
Vietnam Jasmine         470-480           ↓
India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails             815-825           ↔

Brokens
Thailand A1 Super      315-325           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken            310-320           ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd    300-310           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super   350-360           ↔
India 100% broken stxd         275-285           ↑
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔
U.S. pet food 365-375           ↔
Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Thailand, Vietnam Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes; India Rice Sellers Increase Some of Their Quotes Today

May 26, 2015
Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for Hommali rice by about a $5 per ton to about $860 - $870 per ton today. Vietnam rice sellers lowered their quotes for 25% broken rice and Jasmine rice by about $5 per ton and $10 per ton to about $325 - $335 per ton and $470 – $480 per ton, respectively, today. India rice sellers increased their quotes for 100% broken rice by about a $5 per ton to about $275 - $285 per ton. Pakistan rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged today.
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 $35 per ton discount to Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is shown at around $350 - $360 per ton, about a $25 per ton premium on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $325- $335 per ton, down about a $5 per ton from yesterday.
India 25% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355, about a $15 per ton discount to Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $360 - $370 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton.
India parboiled rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about a $45 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is indicated at around $315 - $325 per ton, about a $5 per ton premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $275 - $285 per ton,  up about a $5 per ton from yesterday and about a $30 per ton discount to  Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Unchanged as Wet Weather Halts Planting; 66% of the Crop in Good-to-Excellent Condition

May 26, 2015
The U.S. cash market was unchanged today as demand remains tepid while sellers stay on the sidelines waiting until prices improve or until they are forced to sell.Analysts contend that the torrential wet weather that pounded the U.S. Mid-South this weekend coupled with forecasts for more rain this week will likely prevent any additional rice acreage to be planted, leading some to believe that the USDA’s projected acreage figure is too high.In the meantime, the USDA estimates that as of May 24, 93% of the US rice crop had been planted which is 1% behind this time last year and 1% ahead of the previous 5-year average. As of now, the USDA estimates that farmers have planted 92% of their rice crop in Arkansas, 98% in California, 99% in Louisiana, 94% in Mississippi, 78% in Missouri, and 84% in Texas.
The USDA estimates that 82% of the crop has emerged which was 4% ahead of this time last year and 5% ahead of the previous 5-year average. As of now, the USDA estimates that 83% of the rice crop in Arkansas has emerged compared to 75% in California, 96% in Louisiana, 82% in Mississippi, 70% in Missouri, and 81% in Texas.The USDA estimates that 66% percent of the crop in good to excellent condition, which was unchanged from last week and 1% behind this time last year. As of now, the USDA estimates that 62% of the crop in Arkansas is in good to excellent condition compared to 80% in California, 66% in Louisiana, 80% in Mississippi, 45% in Missouri, and 52% in Texas.

Vietnam Approves National Rice Development Plan

May 26, 2015
The Prime Minister of Vietnam has approved a national rice development plan under which the government aims to increase competitiveness of Vietnamese rice globally and promote it as a high-quality trademark by 2030, according to local sources.Initially, the government will frame a strategy to develop a national brand for Vietnamese rice especially focussing on high-quality exports to the U.S., European Union and Japan. By 2020, the government aims to promote Vietnamese rice under the national brand to at least 20 potential export markets across the world. It also aims to export rice labelled with the national trademark to 50 potential markets by 2030.The government is planning to get the national brand copyrighted and certified in Vietnam and the 50 potential markets to increase the reach of its national brand globally. It is also planning to build and protect regional rice brand names with in the country.
In order to achieve its plans, the government will first focus on developing brand name for major rice products of the Mekong River Delta region and encourage firms to register for brand building and protection. It will also take steps to guide quality production systems using quality control systems and applying advanced technology.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). It exported 6.32 million tons of rice in 2014.USDA estimates Vietnam to produce around 28 million tons of rice, basis milled (around 44.88 million tons, basis paddy) and export around 6.7 million tons in 2014-15 (January 2015 - December 2015).

Indonesia Trade Minister Rules Out Rice Imports Until July 2015

May 26, 2015
The Indonesian Trade Minister has ruled out rice imports until July this year as the rice supply with the state logistics agency Bulog is sufficient to meet demand until then with an additional 7.1 million tons of rice expected from the ongoing harvest, according to local sources.He however noted that the government would import rice if the supply is not sufficient to meet the demand during the fasting month and the Idul Fitri festivities. He added that the  Ministry is calculating the quota and would issue import permits if needed.The Director General of Domestic Trade at the Ministry told local sources that the domestic demand within the next two months is expected to be only 5 million tons while farmers are expected to produce a total of 7.1 million tons of rice until July. She however noted that the government may decide to import if the harvest fails for any reason.
Earlier in May, the Chief Economics Minister told reporters that a decision on imports will be taken at the end of May or early June.The government of Indonesia is keen on increasing 2015 paddy rice production by about 4% to around 73.4 million tons (around 48.44 million tons, basis milled) from an estimated 70.61 million tons (around 46.65 million tons, basis milled) in 2014; and avoid imports. Indonesia imported 425,000 tons of rice from Thailand and Vietnam in 2014.
However, some analysts have cautioned the government to consider rice imports in the light of country's rice stocks. A professor at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) noted that the country's rice stocks have been declining over the past three years. They declined from 7.4 million tons in 2013 to 5.5 million tons early this year.USDA estimates Indonesia to produce around 36.3 million tons of rice, basis milled (around 57.165 million tons, basis paddy) and import around 1.25 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January 2015 - December 2015).

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26th May (Tuesday),2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

5-Year Import Ban on Rice Could Earn Nigeria $2.6bn Annually’

24 May 2015
 Former minister of commerce and industry, Charles Ugwuh
By Chineme Okafor in Abuja
Former minister of commerce and industry, Charles Ugwuh at the weekend called on Nigeria to place a five-year import embargo on rice, saying within such timeframe, the country could concentrate efforts on in-country production, displace imports and save $2.6 billion spent annually on rice imports.Ugwuh who served under late President Musa Yar’Adua and was once president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) stated that during the five-year period of ban, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) should also be mandated to protect the nation’s indigenous rice industry against smuggling.
“All hands should be on deck by the financial sector, local distributive trade, all agencies of government, and all stakeholders to support the national initiative on rice. If we drive this to success, it would encourage even greater success and confidence to tackle other products and programmes that are relevant to prosperity and well-being,” he said in an interview in Abuja.“We can grow rice and save over $2.6 billion per year we currently spend on rice imports,” Ugwuh stated while insisting that Nigeria could be self-sufficient in rice production.In his words: “We call for a total ban on rice imports for at least five years to enable Nigeria to bend down and produce its own food with the enormous natural resources and endowments we have. The nation can be self-sufficient in rice.
We can eliminate food imports and save $9 billion annually on wheat, rice, sugar, and fish. Nigeria cannot afford to waste such a huge amount and export vital jobs overseas, when massive unemployment is such a great challenge threatening our national survival.”He stated further on the nation’s unique potential for rice production: “Nigeria has suitable ecology to grow rice paddy virtually all over the country. With dedication, perseverance and national commitment, Nigeria can grow and process rice to meet its domestic needs, and indeed, export to other African countries at least, where a ready market exists for over 15 million tonnes from West through Central and Southern Africa.”“Nigeria has been striving hard to grow its capacity in paddy production and processing through massive investments in production infrastructure: power, water, irrigation facilities, dams and processing industries and technology
.“At this moment, Nigeria has made serious start, but she is yet uncompetitive and needs even greater investments to compete with other countries in South-east Asia, which have been producing rice for decades and have evolved a culture of rice at low cost and high yields that are difficult to match,” Ugwuh added.He alleged that: “Unfortunately, each time we make earnest efforts to grow our rice capacity to displace imports, our traditional rice suppliers from South East Asia (India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, among others) double up their efforts through Diaspora merchants to beat us down”.
Speaking on the overall impact of this on the Nigerian economy, Ugwuh said: “Overall, we bleed from our economy $4 billion to $5 billion per year on a product that we can well produce with little effort and determination. From 2008/2009, we embarked on another cycle of investments in integrated new rice mills, farms, seeds production, infrastructure, and technology and rice agronomy christened import substitution strategy a component of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).“Suddenly, we reversed our policies in May 2014 and allowed rice merchants parading as investors to dump over two million tonnes of rice on Nigeria between June 2014 and January 2015. The consequence is a total collapse of the rice market. This was through legitimate import quota, smuggling and discretional waivers granted by ‘higher authorities.”

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/5-year-import-ban-on-rice-could-earn-nigeria-2-6bn-annually-/210134/

NFA sees price spike for commercial rice in July

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 05/26/2015 2:26 PM
MANILA – The National Food Authority (NFA) said commercial rice prices may likely increase by P1-P2 per kilo in the lean months starting July.NFA administrator Renan Dalisay said the agency is implementing strategies to prevent this traditional upward price adjustment by boosting rice stock or supply through the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice.Dalisay said he does not expect prices to go up once there is enough buffer supply.
The NFA is also getting ready for the potential delay in the harvest for the last quarter “palay” stock by utilizing the minimum access volume importation by the private sector.Dalisay said even if only half of the 805,000 metric ton allocation under the minimum access volume is met, the country will have more than enough rice supply to temper the projected price spikes due to the delay in harvest.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/05/26/15/nfa-sees-price-spike-commercial-rice-july

PH sets June 5 for 250,000 T rice import tender

Reuters
Posted at 05/25/2015 11:14 AM
MANILA - The Philippines' National Food Authority (NFA) has invited Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to a June 5 tender for the supply of 250,000 tonnes of rice, a spokesman for the state grains procurement agency said on Monday.The country is seeking offers from the governments of its three neighbours for the supply of the 25-percent broken variety of rice to boost its buffer stocks ahead of the lean harvest season that begins in July.President Benigno Aquino has also given the NFA permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later this year should the drought-inducing El Nino weather phenomenon intensify and damage more crops.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/05/25/15/ph-sets-june-5-250000-t-rice-import-tender

PH rice imports may hit 2.1M MT this year

May 24, 2015 9:17 pm
by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ

THE Philippines’ rice imports could reach as much as 2.1 million metric tons (MT) this year, the biggest volume under the Aquino Administration and roughly the same level as in the 2008 global rice crisis, once the government approves the terms of a new trade concession with the World Trade Organization (WTO).But Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Francis Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, said that the government has yet to finalize the terms of the new trade concession.
The new concession under the so-called minimum access volume (MAV) gives other rice producing nations market access to about 805,200 MT of rice that the Philippines imports annually.The new trade commitment was supposed to take effect last year.With the approved rice imports by the government now hitting 1.3 million MT, the additional volume under the so-called MAV could send the total Philippines’ rice imports to 2.1 million MT this year.“The MAV decision is still being finalized,” Pangilinan said when asked if the NFA had already adopted the approved MAV on rice.
Special treatment in WTO
Rice is a commodity that has direct linkages to food security, livelihood security and the rural development needs of millions in developing countries like the Philippines.At present, rice is the only commodity in the Philippines that enjoys special treatment in the WTO, which excluded the same from agriculture liberalization.
Unlike other agricultural products, rice, which is the basic staple grain of the Philippines, was not tariffied. Instead, rice farmers were protected through the imposition of a quantitative restriction, which allows only a limited volume of the grain to enter the country.

MAV refers to the minimum volume of farm produce allowed to enter the Philippines at a reduced tariff of 35 percent, while shipments outside MAV pay higher rates of 50 percent and would need approval by the NFA.Of the total MAV volume, some 755,000MT will be country-specific- quota or CSQ (with Vietnam and Thailand getting the bulk), while the remaining 50,000 MT will be omnibus volume.Before, the Philippines only allowed 350,000 MT of rice imports, of which 163,000 MT were allotted for CSQ and 187,000 MT for omnibus volume that can be accessed from any country.Manila has historically allowed private sector importation for rice requirement under MAV.
G2G rice imports

But there will be no private sector participation in the procurement of Manila’s buffer rice requirement as the NFA has opted to conduct a government-to-government bidding.In a statement issued Friday, the NFA Said that only countries with existing executive agreements with the Philippines would be allowed to join the G2G tender for the supply of the initial volume of 250,000 metric tons of rice, which will serve as buffer stocks during the lean months.“The governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia will be invited to participate in the G2G procurement,” the agency said.
The NFA also said that it plans to buy well-milled long grain white rice at 25 percent brokens.The interagency Food Security Committee earlier approved the importation of another 500,000 metric tons of rice this year on expectations that local palay (paddy rice) production will fall short of target.It also arrived at the decision as rice stocks at government depositors also fell below the required volume of at least 15-days’ buffer stock at any given time, and 30-days’ buffer stock during lean months.

The NFA said that the importation of 250,000 MT is part of the preparation for the lean months beginning June and to stabilize rice prices, while the remaining 250,000 MT is on standby in case there will be significant effects on production brought by El Niño.The Food Security Committee is chaired by the National Economic Development Authority, with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agriculture, and the NFA as its members.
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rice-imports-may-hit-2-1m-mt-this-year/186165/

Asian countries told to build up rice stocks soon 

Linda Yulisman, The Jakarta Post, Bangkok, Thailand | Business | Mon, May 25 2015, 7:49 AM
Asian countries need to build up rice stocks as global supply may shrink due to growing demand from major buyers like China and India, which will eventually push up prices, according to global research house The Rice Trader.“China is still not on the pace to meet [annual purchase of] 4.5 million tons this year, but they will make it. The fact that they now only have 2.2 million tons suggests that they will buy aggressively,” said Jeremy Zwinger, the president and CEO of the California-based research institute.China, now the world’s-biggest rice buyer, imported 4 million tons of rice last year, up from 3.2 million tons in 2013, according to data from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 
The country’s rice imports in 2014 set a new record for a fourth consecutive year. The dramatic increase rice demand from the world’s most populous nation began in 2007, when imports increased to more than seven times the average of the previous five years.The Rice Trader also expects Indian rice stocks to jump to nearly 10 million tons this year. As of early May, India’s rice stocks had plunged by 22 percent to 22.23 million tons from the previous year, according to statistics from Food Corporation of India (FCI) issued recently. 
Rice Trader data from five rice exporting countries — Thailand, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and the US — shows that overseas shipment sin 2014 reached historically high levels at 34.67 million tons, up 12.4 percent from 2013.The potential of a long drought caused by El Niño would be another factor to watch, as it might pose a significant threat to production, Zwinger noted.Scientists have warned that the world is on track for another year of record-setting heat, with temperatures having hit a new high in the first four months of this year. Australia’s weather bureau has already declared the major event of El Niño, which is caused by a reversal of trade winds in the Pacific, causing ocean temperatures to rise.
Apart from bringing unseasonably dry conditions to Australia and India over the next several months, forecasters have also said El Niño could trigger famine in West Africa. Zwinger said that over the next several months rice prices would stay at a low level on abundant supplies from rice-producing countries, particularly Thailand.In the first two months of this year, Thai rice exports totaled 1.34 million tons, and if the trend is maintained, the country’s rice exports will reach 8.04 million tons, still much lower than 10.97 million tons exported in 2014, according to The Rice Trader.Within such a buyer’s market, Zwinger recommended Asian countries, including China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to buy overseas, as the situation might change into a seller’s market immediately, describing the current situation as a“transition” moment.
“The price now is very acceptable, especially with the risk that the oil price will go back [up, the risks of weather we keep seeing and the fact we had many years of lower production,” he said during Thai Rice Convention recently.As of May 15, rice prices from key suppliers followed a downward trend from the past year. Thai’s 100 percent grade B rice price, for example, dipped by 3.75 percent to US$385 per ton, and India’s 5 percent broken rice price declined by 12.05 percent to $365 per ton, according to data compiled by The Rice Trader. 
Indonesia’s state-owned logistics firm Bulog finance director Iryanto Hutagaol, however, said the government had no immediate plan to import rice, as at present, rice stocks at Bulog warehouses was sufficient, while production was good. Indonesia, the world’s third-largest rice consumer, has delayed the planting season, which will extend the harvest season into June from the normal end period in April. - See more at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/asian-countries-told-build-rice-stocks-soon.html#sthash.unNcchHq.dpuf
VN to develop own rice brand
 Viet Nam News May 26, 2015 12:03 pm
HANOI - Vietnam is aiming to develop a Vietnamese rice brand that would become the world's leading rice by 2030, according to a project approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last week.The project, to develop a Vietnamese rice brand by 2020 with vision to 2030, seeks to improve the image recognition of Vietnamese rice and its competitiveness, as well as expanding market share in the world market and developing a national rice brand, in line with Vietnam’s history, culture and tradition.
The strategy to develop a national brand for rice would focus on two issues: identifying quality-conscious markets, such as the US, EU and Japan to export high-quality varieties, and retaining traditional markets with medium-quality rice.Specifically, by 2030, 50 per cent of the nation’s rice is to be exported under Vietnamese brands.The national rice brand would be protected in Vietnam and at least 50 other countries by 2020. Also, regional rice brand names would be developed and protected, based upon distributing products that are typical to a region.
Five key sub-projects to be implemented within the framework includes building and managing a national rice brand name; developing a national rice brand name for major rice products of Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region; protecting brand and supporting firms in registering for brand protection; promoting Vietnamese rice brands, and boosting exports and expanding markets.The project highlighted the role of enterprises in building and developing Vietnamese rice brand names through developing their own brands and rice products and participating in the global value chain.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/VN-to-develop-own-rice-brand-30260937.html

Vietnam's key rice harvest seen flat at 13.5 mln T -govt

Tue May 26, 2015 1:47am GMT
HANOI May 26 (Reuters) - Vietnam has harvested an estimated 13.5 million tonnes of winter-spring paddy from its southern region, incorporating the Mekong Delta food basket, nearly unchanged from last year, the Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday.Production eased slightly from 13.56 million tonnes harvested in a similar crop in 2014 due to lower yields, the ministry said in a monthly report. The Mekong Delta produces 90 percent of Vietnam's rice exports.Stable output while rice shipments from Vietnam, the world's third-largest exporter of the grain after India and Thailand, have dropped around 11 percent so far this year could keep downward pressure on export prices in coming months. (Reporting by Ho Binh Minh; Editing by Joseph Radford)
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N0YH18R20150526

Thailand/Vietnam: Vietnam's rice exports drop as Thailand offloads overstocks

5/26/2015 
Thai News Service
Vietnam's rice exports have struggled to compete with cheaper shipments from Thailand in the first four months of 2015 as the Thai government has sought to offload inventories at highly discounted prices.As a result, a representative of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) said the country's exports to highly price sensitive markets such as those in Africa could fall by as much as 60% from the figures in 2014.Lower exports are resulting in more rice remaining in Vietnamese miller's and farmers inventories, piling pressure on already-bulging storage and raising the spectre of grainspoiling in temporary silos.
The Thai government began executing a subsidized scheme earlier this year in which it plans to sell 10 million tonnes of broken rice in 2015 and an additional seven million tonnes in 2016 at prices substantially below market prices.As one example, the Thai government in March sold 5% broken rice from its inventories at around US$236 to US$378 per tonne compared to the global market price of US$405 per tonne.
A representative of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, who declined to be identified, in turn justified the programme by saying that the government's rice is old and has been stored for a long time so its value has depreciated (Reuters).There is always a large price gap between new rice and old rice, the official said.The nation's rice industry can compete with private Thai traders, but not with the Thai government as it slashes prices to bolster demand for old low quality stock, said a VFA representative.In the four months leading up to May, Vietnam's riceexports dipped 12.73% in volume and 16.37% in value on-year to 1.686 million tonnes valued at US$707 million according to VFA statistics.
In addition to lower export prices and fierce competition with Thailand, in 2015, Vietnam exporters are at risk of shrinking markets in other countries, particularly the Chinese market.China has been the largest importer of Vietnam's rice for the past three years. In 2014 alone, Vietnam exported 2.1 million tonnes of rice to China, accounting for 30% of the nation's export market.However, Vietnam's rice exports to China during 2015 are likely to see a substantial decline as the Chinese government diversifies its import strategy to increase riceimport quota from multiple sources.
To address the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Hai has asked the VFA in collaboration with relevant government offices and those in the private sector to develop specific marketing plans for each foreign market.In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the parties to lay out a scheme to restructure production and shift rice cultivation areas to planting crops with higher profit margins.
Hai said for 2014 Vietnam rice cultivation area stood at around 7.6 million hectares with an estimated production of around 43.4 million tonnes of paddy rice. Rice production exceeds consumption, but the country importstonnes of soybeans and corn annually.The government will guide farmers to shift to crops to soybeans, corn or other crops that will help them improve their overall profits, Hai stressed. - VOV
http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2371497495

Vietnamese rice brand name to be popularized in global market

The Prime Minister has just approved the project to develop Vietnamese rice brand name by 2020 with a vision to 2030.The project is targeted to boost Vietnamese rice’s added value, market share and competition to the world’s markets.Vietnam will strive to popularize the national rice brand name by 2020 and introduce Vietnamese brand name for rice to at least 20 export markets.By 2030, the country will bring the national rice brand name to be the leading one across over the world about its quality and food safety.
In order to reach its target, the government will implement programs to develop local rice brand names and launch preferential policies to support enterprises using the national rice brand name.Besides, the government will select three high quality rice products in the Mekong delta region to improve to be local rice brand names which toward becoming the leading national rice brand name.
Lam Nguyen –Translated by M.Quyen
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2015/5/113849/

Cambodia invited for Philippine rice tender

Mon, 25 May 2015
Cambodia has been invited by the Philippines to bid for a 250,000 tonne rice tender in June to boost the latter’s rice buffer stock during the lean months of July to September.Philippines’ National Food Authority has been tasked with issuing a tender in June for the import of 25 per cent broken rice via a government-to-government deal, with delivery expected to be betweenJuly and August. Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia are eligible for this tender as they already have import contracts with the Philippines.Song Saran, chairman of Amru Rice (Cambodia), confirmed the invitation to bid for the Filipino rice tender but said that the Kingdom was not ready to partake in the bidding currently.
“In my opinion, Cambodia cannot join the tender this year. Cambodia needs at least two years to have enough capacity to compete and supply to the Philippines,” he said.He said several pressing issues, like the lack of paddy rice stock, high production costs and transportation fees, need to be addressed before Cambodia can make a competitive bid.“The Philippines’ demand is for supply of a big volume in a short period,” he said. “Cambodia does not have enough paddy rice to mill and export to the Philippines.
”David Van, adviser to the Cambodia Rice Federation, told the Post in early April that Cambodian agricultural products had good potential in the Philippines. However, he added that there were challenges to increasing exports.“Cambodia could eventually succeed in bidding for future Filipino rice tenders, should the tenders be segregated into smaller orders tonnage wise. But we still need to improve our shipping costs and services [directly] to Filipino ports or via transshipment in Vietnam,” Van said.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/cambodia-invited-phlippine-rice-tender

Belarus, Pakistan sign contracts worth $42m

25 May 2015 12:06  |  Economy
Mikhail Myatlikov

ISLAMABAD, 25 May (BelTA) - Belarus and Pakistan signed contracts worth $42 million on the first day of a visit of a Belarusian business delegation to Islamabad, BelTA has learned. On 25 May the Pakistani capital is hosting the Pakistan-Belarusian business and investment forum. On behalf of Belarus the forum is attended by representatives of 25 companies working in the field of oil refining, agriculture, engineering, medicine, chemicals, light industry, and also commercial enterprises. On behalf of Pakistan the forum is attended by representatives of 60 companies.The Belarusian President's upcoming visit to Pakistan has already given an impetus to the development of bilateral relations, as can be seen by the documents which have been signed already, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mikhail Myatlikov told reporters.

 “We wanted to bring business, introduce Belarusian companies who are here for the first time to partners in Pakistan,” Mikhail Myatlikov said.For the past eight years, the volume of Belarus-Pakistan trade has hovered around $50-120 million per year. Pakistan is one of the key markets for Belarusian tractors outside the CIS. Annual supplies make up 3,000-4,000 units.Mikhail Myatlikov expressed confidence that the range of engineering products in Pakistan will be expanded because the Belarusian delegation in Islamabad includes heads of the companies producing the full range of attachments for tractors and agricultural machinery, which can be in demand in the local market.In addition to tractors Belarus' major exports to Pakistan also include potash fertilizers, synthetic fibers, and tires. From Pakistan Belarus imports rice, fruit, food, leather and textile.Talks between representatives of the business communities of Belarus and Pakistan will continue on 26 May at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Tomorrow will bring new results,” Mikhail Myatlikov said.
Description: Mikhail Myatlikovhttp://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/Belarus-Pakistan-sign-contracts-worth-42m_i_82006.html
Phytosanitary Deal with China Still Not Complete
 Chinese Border Guard
"No U.S. rice past this point...yet."
 WASHINGTON, DC - A phytosanitary agreement between the United States and China that would clear the way for U.S.-grown rice to start flowing into China has been in the works for almost a decade, but a final agreement continues to elude negotiators.  Earlier this year, after lengthy negotiations on a technical level, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sent their Chinese counterparts, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), what many thought would be a final - or close to final - agreement.
However, AQSIQ sent back a modified agreement that includes provisions not seen in any such agreement entered into between the U.S. and any other country. APHIS has sent AQSIQ a request for clarification on some of these requirements in the hopes of moving the final agreement along."Some think the U.S. should just sign the agreement and work out problems later, but our past experience tells us APHIS is right to get answers from the Chinese now, rather than to try to correct a bad deal after the fact," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice's vice president of international promotion.
 "This market is big enough and potentially important enough that the agreement needs to be done right the first time around."Guinn says USA Rice will remain engaged with APHIS as they attempt to open the rice trade between the U.S. and China, continue the regular consultation with rice industry growers and the exporters who will do the business once the market opens, and direct promotion efforts and relationship-building in China for the time when an agreement is finally reached.
 Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458
Crop Progress:   2015 Crop 93 Percent Planted

WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-three percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is planted, according to today's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report. 

Rice Planted, Selected States 
Week Ending
State
May 24,  2014   
May 17, 2015  
May 24, 2015 
2010-2014 average
Percent
Arkansas
94  
 89
92 
92
California
88
 90
98  
84 
Louisiana
99
        98
99
99 
Mississippi 
90 
 93
94
90 
Missouri
94 
75
78
90 
Texas
98 
79
84 
98
Six States
94 
89
93
92 
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Preliminary):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 26
Month
Price
Net Change

July 2015
$9.420
- $0.010
September 2015
$9.695
- $0.010
November 2015
$9.950
- $0.010
January 2016
$10.210
- $0.010
March 2016
$10.275
- $0.010
May 2016
$10.275
- $0.010
July 2016
$10.275
- $0.010

USA Rice Federation

Louisiana corn, soybeans hampered by rains

Some young rice struggling
May 22, 2015Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter | Delta Farm Press
Description: Soybean seedlings flooded
WATER REMAINS on portions of a soybean field at the South Farm of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station in Crowley. Frequent heavy rains have created potential problems for some areas of soybean production in Louisiana, and saturated ground over much of the state is creating drainage problems for row crops. (LSU AgCenter photo by Bruce Schultz)
Description: Corn rootsHeavy rains have caused problems for some Louisiana soybean and corn farmers, especially in the north part of the state where a storm system brought as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas in the one week, but sugarcane and rice are not as affected by the weather, according to LSU AgCenter experts.Ron Levy, LSU AgCenter soybean specialist, said some fields of young soybeans have been too wet.
“We may have some losses and have to replant.”He said he talked with a north Louisiana farmer who had 7 inches of rain. “With that much rain, it fills up all the ditches and drainage areas, so it takes longer for the water to run off.”Levy said some farmers have been waiting to plant, but the excess moisture makes that difficult.Delayed planting will probably mean yields will be affected, he said. “We’re already to a point where we’ll see yields drop off.”A late-planted soybean crop faces more stress from intense summer heat and more disease and insect pressure, Levy said.In southwest Louisiana, as much as a third of the soybean crop may have to be replanted, said Barrett Courville, LSU AgCenter county agent in Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes.

Saturated soil

Many fields where beans are up have excess moisture. “The soil is so saturated that they’re not growing,” Courville said.The wet ground is delaying farmers from getting into the fields to spray herbicides, Courville said. But some areas haven’t received much rain, and the fields are ready to be planted.Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist, said the corn benefits from the rain as long as the fields are not flooded.
“We’re in the rapid growth stage right now.”Some fields hit by high winds had lodged corn, he said. Corn will suffer from a lack of oxygen in fields with waterlogged soil. Corn farmers had to deal with excess moisture during planting in March and April.Cotton in Louisiana is 80 to 90 percent planted, but flooding for that commodity is not good for the crop, he said.Donna Lee, LSU AgCenter county agent in East Carroll Parish, and Keith Collins, county agent in Richland Parish, said water from recent heavy rains appear to have drained, but low-lying areas have standing water. Additional rain this week resulted in wetter fields.“We were needing rain, but we didn’t need 4 and 5 inches,” Lee said. “Now we need sunny weather.”

Cool weather

She said the cotton, corn, soybeans and milo she has seen in northeast Louisiana look good so far. But cool weather that came on May 21 could slow plant growth.“The most susceptible crops were those that are small,” said Collins.He said some fields of young soybeans were underwater and that could affect those crops. Some fields may need to be replanted, he said.Sugarcane is not as affected by heavy rains now, said Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist. “At this stage, cane is pretty resilient.”He said sugarcane farmers have made herbicide and fertilizer applications.
“It would be better if it were a bit drier, but going into the summer with good moisture is good. Overall prospects for the crop continue to look good,” Gravois said.Even though rice thrives in a wet environment, the frequent rainfall has caused problems for rice farmers.“In a lot of places, farmers are struggling to get done what’s needed in the fields,” said Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice specialist.He said landing strips for airplanes have been too wet to use for midseason nitrogen fertilizer applications. Flying services are using hard-surfaced runways, which are often several miles from a field, and the extra distance is resulting in higher fees, he said.

Rice struggling

He said young rice is struggling, and an early outbreak of leaf blast disease has been found.Don Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist, said frequent rains have made ideal conditions for blast.“The rain has increased the probability of each spore being successful in infecting a plant that it lands on. Then the lesions that form can produce more spores due to the moisture,” Groth said.The heavy rainfall also is affecting pastures. Grazing conditions are good, but fields for hay production have been too wet, according to Vince Deshotel, LSU AgCenter county agent and Central Region beef cattle coordinator.“We certainly need a break to get things done in the field,” Deshotel said.
Even if hay producers are able to get into their fields for cutting grass, the wet conditions won’t allow hay to dry for baling.“Probably everybody is a month behind,” he said. “As a hay producer myself, I typically have a cutting done by now.”The wet conditions are also setting the stage for potential cattle health problems. Deshotel said the high mosquito population will stress cattle, and muddy ground could cause hoof problems and an increase in parasites.
http://deltafarmpress.com/soybeans/louisiana-corn-soybeans-hampered-rains

Rice update: planting progress, armyworms, DD50 sign-up

Wet weather slows planting
May 22, 2015Arkansas Extension Service | Delta Farm Press
Description: http://deltafarmpress.com/site-files/deltafarmpress.com/files/imagecache/medium_img/uploads/2015/05/1525203.jpgArkansas Extension's Jarrod Hardke, rice agronomist, and Scott Stiles, economist, have written a report on the current condition of the state's rice. Among their findings:"Progress slowed over the past week with the return of wet weather. Private estimates now peg Arkansas rice acres at 1.425 million, down from 1.441 forecast by USDA in March (and 1.45 by me at the same point). Given conditions and the current outlook – somewhere at 1.3-1.4 million acres looks about right for a final planted acreage. There are no certainties at this point and those final reported acreage estimates are still a long way off."
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/rice-update-planting-progress-armyworms-dd50-sign

4-H program deepens students’ understanding of science in ag


Nancy Madsen/The Free Press

Science in ag

Brian Prchal, left, describes how the biodiesel engine he created compares to regular diesel in a one-cylinder engine April 24 in Montgomery, Minn., as Anna Prchal and Tyler Fromm watch. The students are participating in 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge through the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Posted: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 1:00 am
By NANCY MADSEN, The Free Press
NEW PRAGUE, Minn. —  Brian and Anna Prchal and Tyler Fromm are teenagers making and using biodiesel. They’re also part of a possible solution for a growing need for employees in agriculture.There are 25,700 new jobs for management and business in agriculture and 14,600 new jobs in agriculture and science engineering each year, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture analysis of job figures. The gap between expected job openings and agriculture and related fields graduates is roughly 1,000 each year.For junior high and high school students, “4-H involvement could lead to college, university or even trade school and an ag-related job,” said Josh Rice, who runs the science of agriculture programming at University of Minnesota Extension.

“Agricultural awareness is a very important piece of this. There are ag jobs out there and it’s not just production agriculture. It can be marketing, processing, distribution and even social science.”Minnesota is the first state to start a 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge, which is a team competition showing science and engineering understanding. The teams have three or four members between grades six and 12 who share a common interest. A coach guides them through the scientific or engineering process. The teams also meet with a mentor from the industry, who gives guidance and an inside view of an agricultural career.Brian and Anna Prchal of Montgomery and their cousin Tyler Fromm of New Hope teamed up to work on biodiesel. Jodi Prchal, Brian and Anna’s mother and a fifth-grade teacher, is their coach.Brian created biodiesel from used fryer oil at a local restaurant. He describes the process in detail on how to transform that oil into fuel.“You can burn straight filtered vegetable oil in a diesel engine, but it gums up the engine,” Brian said.

After filtering it, the major step in the process was carefully combining the oil with methanol and potassium hydroxide, which separates the fatty acids from the glycerin, which settles to the bottom. The fatty acids bond with methanol to transform the molecules into biodiesel. That is followed by “washing” the biodiesel with water to cause even more separation, leaving a transparent light orange liquid.Jodi Prchal says the critical moment came when they tried it in an engine. Brian had bought a single-cylinder, nine horsepower diesel engine and it ran smoothly on the biodiesel.Brian’s goal, he said, is to be able to have a diesel truck and run it on his own biodiesel.“I’ve always been really interested in renewable energy,” he said.He made 1 liter of biodiesel for this project but wants a setup that will allow him to make 30 gallons at a time with less intervention.
“It would cost 70 cents a gallon if you do it right versus $4 per gallon of diesel, when diesel was high,” Brian said. He tested the efficiency and the acidity of the biodiesel against diesel.“Biodiesel is not as efficient as conventional diesel,” he said. “But the pollutants were far less. The pH didn’t go up a lot. Diesel has some sulfur in the exhaust, so biodiesel is better for the environment.”Anna’s and Tyler’s projects branch off of Brian’s. Anna tested his biodiesel against kerosene and ethanol for pollutants and energy. She created a calorimeter by suspending a pop can with some water over burners of biodiesel, ethanol and kerosene. She judged pollutants by burning the fuels inside a cylinder with a coffee filter covering the top end.“The kerosene had the most soot, I was in the basement and there was soot all over,” Anna said.

Description: Science in ag“Ethanol had nothing and biodiesel had some spots. Kerosene had the highest temperatures, then ethanol and biodiesel. The better option would be ethanol than biodiesel.”Tyler researched fuels and talked to professionals. After sharing the research with Brian and Anna, he tested the wear of engines when using regular diesel and biodiesel.“The biodiesel was better for wear,” he said.The three have all been around farms their whole lives and have been involved in 4-H, frequently competing at the Minnesota State Fair.

The team has been working on the project since October. In June, they’ll give a presentation to a panel of judges. Questions from the judges will follow the presentations.“That’s what highlights the deeper learning that’s taken place,” Rice said. “There has been a lot of time that the youth have been engaged in active learning.”There are 14 teams competing for scholarships — $1,000 for each teammate for first, $750 for second and $500 for third.The scholarships can be used at any accredited trade school, college or university, for any major because, Rice said, “Any college major that we talk about, we can make a connection to agriculture.

”Students are also eligible to participate each year from sixth grade to high school graduation, even if they have already won one or multiple scholarships.After getting the feedback from the trial year, Rice said he hopes to more than double the number of teams next year.“Over the next five years, we’re hoping for a national program,” Rice said. “Once other states offer the same program, there may be a national contest.”But, at the basic level, the program may attract young people to science and engineering fields, deepen their understanding, allow them to take more advanced science classes in high school, and eventually lead to the qualified employees that agricultural businesses know they’re going to need.

“This could potentially change what agriculture looks like,” Rice said. “This can help students know they have the capability of being scientists and engineers.”On Team Prchal-Fromm, that’s already understood.Brian knows he’s going to double major in mechanical and agricultural engineering at college in the fall. His sister, in eighth grade, knows she wants to work with animals or the environment. And Tyler, also in eighth grade, wants to work for the Department of Natural Resources.Brian joked, “That’s just because you want to fish and get paid for it.”Tyler shrugged and said, “That would be great.”

http://www.trivalleycentral.com/trivalley_dispatch/farm_and_ranch/h-program-deepens-students-understanding-of-science-in-ag/article_961edf5a-03db-11e5-93a0-87ae4d3a7166.html


APEDA India (News)

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 25-05-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Bargarh (Orissa)
Other
2100
2300
2
Dhing (Assam)
Fine
2800
3100
3
Taliamura (Tripura)
Other
2500
2700
Wheat
1
Amirgadh (Gujarat)
Other
1250
1755
2
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1450
1600
3
Rudrapur(Uttrakhand)
Other
1450
1511
Mousambi
1
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
3400
3600
2
Sirhind(Punjab)
Other
3000
4200
3
Mechua(West Bengal)
Other
2500
3100
Cabbage
1
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
2600
2800
2
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
2000
2000
3
Shillong(Maharashtra)
Other
1000
1300
Source:agra-net
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 25-05-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Ahmedabad
306
2
Mysore
345
3
Hyderabad
281
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 22-05-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 40 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Georgia
Yellow
19
20
2
Chicago
Mexico
Yellow
23
26
3
Dallas
Peru
Yellow
25
25
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
8.50
9.50
2
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
12.50
13
3
Detroit
Canada
Long Seedless
9
10
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Atlanta
Virginia
Red Delicious
16
16
2
Chicago
Washington  
Red Delicious
12
14
3
Detroit
Washington
Red Delicious
19
20.50
Source:USDA
 Download/View On-Line the above News in pdf format,just click the following link