Thursday, November 05, 2015

4th November,2015 Daily Global Regional & Local Rice News shared by Riceplus Magazine

APEDA COMMODITY NEWS FROM INDIA


International Benchmark Price
Price on: 03-11-2015
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)
2210
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
1550
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2650
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 03-11-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Manjeri (Kerala)
Other
2800
3800
2
Bangalore (Karnataka)
Medium
4000
4300
3
Samsi (West Bengal)
Fine
2790
2820
Wheat
1
Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Other
1500
1688
2
Dehgam (Gujarat)
Other
1575
1700
3
Sagar (Madhya Pradesh)
Other
1460
2300
Mousambi
1
Muktsar (Punjab)
Other
2500
3000
2
Hissar (Haryana)
Other
3500
3500
3
Mechua (West Bengal)
Other
2500
2800
Brinjal
1
Shillong (Meghalaya)
Other
2400
3000
2
Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Other
400
700
3
Surat (Gujarat)
Other
600
1200
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 03-11-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Ahmedabad
380
2
Chittoor
363
3
Hyderabad
347
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 03-11-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Onions Dry
Package: 40 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Peru
Yellow
26
26.75
2
Chicago
Nevada
Yellow
22
24
3
Detroit
Peru
Yellow
25
26.50
Carrots
Package: 20 1-lb film bags
1
Atlanta
California
Baby Peeled
20
20.75
2
Dallas
Arizona
Baby Peeled
17
17.50
3
Miami
California
Baby Peeled
17
17.50
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Atlanta
Virginia
Red Delicious 
24
24
2
Chicago
Washington
Red Delicious 
21
23.50
3
New York
California
Red Delicious 
20
24
Source:USDA


2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference Early Bird Registration Closing; Contest Winner Announced  



See you in NOLA! 
ARLINGTON, VA- Early bird registration for the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference ends Friday, but that won't matter to Louisiana's A.J. Sabine who is this week's winner and the Grand Prize recipient of the #USARiceOutlook hashtag contest. Sabine will receive free registration to the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans for his active participation in the social media contest.
The month-long #USARiceOutlook contest encouraged members to use the designated hashtag to share promotional content about the highly-anticipated annual USA Rice Outlook Conference. The successful initiative resulted in more than 40 uses of the hashtag and nearly 200 interactions on social media platforms.
"I think the thing that draws me to the USA Rice Outlook Conference year after year is the diversity of issues the conference addresses," said Sabine, a member of the 2014-2016 Rice Leadership Development program. "From international trade policy to rice cooking classes, the USA Rice Outlook Conference offers the ultimate in education on our industry. That, combined with the camaraderie of catching up with growers, marketers, and industry leaders-who are just as passionate about rice as I am, in my home town-well, you just can't beat that kind of experience!"
Weekly winners Mark Isbell, Sean Doherty, and Paul Johnson will receive rice "swag bags" for their participation in the #USARiceOutlook contest. Members are encouraged to continue using the #USARiceOutlook hashtag throughout the conference.

Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446


Kroger Dietitians Enjoy Healthy Competition    



ARLINGTON, VA -- To celebrate National Rice Month (NRM) Kroger used its own employee pool to spread the word about U.S.-grown rice. The supermarket chain, which has more than 2,500 stores in 34 states, encouraged staff to participate in a rice recipe contest. Employees shared pictures of their plates with the hashtag #ricecreations through social media.

"The NRM recipe contest was a fun, creative way to educate employees at stores throughout the country about the versatility and health benefits of rice," said Katie Maher, USA Rice director of domestic promotion. "Kroger has 80,000 employees and we reached them in a way that keeps rice top of mind when making recommendations to customers and of course, they are shoppers too."

Throughout NRM, Kroger's corporate dietitian used social media to post cooking tips, USA Rice recipes, and nutrition facts about rice while promoting the contest through the company's employee portal. One post read, "When you eat US rice, you're eating a sustainable grain! US rice farmers protect & preserve natural resources. Remember to post your #ricecreations photo for a chance to win $100 and a rice cooker."

More than 100 entries were received and the contest was so successful that the company extended the promotion for an additional two weeks. Winners for the five best entries were awarded prizes of gift cards and rice cookers.

"Encouraging families to cook with U.S.-grown rice is beneficial in every way, and our associates really enjoyed this messaging," said a Kroger corporate dietitian.  "We saw creative dishes and the exchange of ideas through our internal social media platform. All in all, this promotion was a success for everyone involved."

CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices 
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporationtoday 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 2015 crop, which will become effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices decreased $0.07 per cwt for long grain and $0.08 per cwt for medium/short grain.

World Price
MLG/LDP Rate

Milled Value ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Rough ($/cwt)
Long Grain
15.10
9.53
0.00
Medium/Short Grain
14.60
9.79
0.00
Brokens
  9.11   
----
----

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

U.S. Milling Yields
Whole/Broken
(lbs/cwt)
Loan Rate
($/cwt)
Long Grain
55.01/13.46
6.50
Medium/Short Grain
61.81/8.43
6.50

The next program announcement is scheduled for November 11, 2015
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for November 4 
Month
Price
Net Change

November 2015
$12.170
 + $0.275
January 2016
$12.445
+ $0.270
March 2016
$12.705
+ $0.270
May 2016
$12.955
+ $0.270
July 2016
$13.190
+ $0.270
September 2016
$12.800
+ $0.265
November 2016
$12.800
+ $0.265

Farmers suffer losses as paddy prices crash


A farmer sits on his paddy sacks at the new grain market in Karnal. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar
Tribune Reporters
Rohtak, November 4
Paddy-growing farmers of the region have suffered massive losses with the price of their produce recording a sharp decline over the past three years. Paddy growers lamented that 1509 variety of paddy, which used to fetch up to Rs 4,200 per quintal in 2013, was purchased at around Rs 3,000 in 2014. This year, the minimum support price (MSP) of this variety has been fixed at Rs 1,450 a quintal by the government, which shows steep fall in paddy prices.Farmers said while the 1509 variety of paddy which was being purchased at Rs 1,450 per quintal, the 1121-basmati variety was also fetching a low price in the range of Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per quintal.“We are in dire straits. The cost of farm inputs is much more than the returns we get in the form of the price of our produce. Thanks to the price crash, natural calamities and disease-attacks, an average paddy farmer is suffering losses to the tune of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per acre,” maintains Rajbir of Sanghi village and Balwan of Bahu Jamalpur village.A visit to the local grain markets by The Tribune revealed that most of the paddy-growers have brought 1121-basmati paddy, which is being purchased by rice-millers for Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per quintal.The farmers, however, maintained that the 1509 variety is being procured by the government agencies at the MSP of Rs 1,450. The paddy-growers, who have brought their produce to the Rohtak grain-market, lament that farmers who have taken land on contract for farming are the worst sufferers as their input cost is much higher as compared to those who have their own agricultural land.Their views are echoed by Devender of Kheri Sadh and Karambir of Dhandhlan village. Amit of Achhej Paharipur village in Jhajjar district, who has brought his produce to the Rohtak grain market, rues that the government has increased water charges supplied for irrigation.Prem of Chamaria village says due to a disease-attack on his crop, he could have produced only five quintals from his three acres of land. Ramesh of Bayyanpur Ladhaut says 1121-basmati variety fetches Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,800. 
Millers-agencies nexus deny MSP to farmers
Sirsa: Farmers as well as traders alleged that an unholy alliance of rice millers, procurement agencies and officials of the market committees were fleecing farmers by buying their crop on a lesser price.“The modus operandi is quite simple. When a farmer comes to us with his crop, he finds no takers for it for four to five days. When he approaches millers, they quote price ranging from Rs 1,200 to 1,300 per quintal for his crop. Harried farmers are left with no other option than selling their crop in distress. Once farmer sells his crop, the millers who already have a connivance with the procurement agencies, get it entered in their records to claim payments as per the MSP,” explained Dinesh Mehta, a trader in Sirsa grain market.Jagsir Singh, a trader from Kalanwali grain market and a former president of Kalanwali Municipal Committee, said the fleecing of farmers does not end here.“They cut 3 kilograms per quintal in the name of Jhaarh (cleaning) and often, a further cut of 3 kilogram per quintal by telling farmers that the moisture contents in his paddy are more than 17 per cent,” alleged Jagsir.He said farmers had locked the Kalanwali grain market against this loot last week, but no action was taken by the authorities concerned in this regard.As per rules, procurement agencies buy farmers’ paddy and give it to millers for custom milling, millers rule the roost in procurement as they have tacit understanding with agencies and government officials responsible for safeguarding farmers’ interests. Swaran Singh Virk, state vice-president of the Haryana Kisan Sabha alleged that his organisation had given several memorandums in this regard, but all had fallen to deaf ears of the authorities concerned.
Survival of farmers’ paddy, bajra at stake
Faridabad/Palwal: “The survival of paddy and bajra crops was at stake and we need to consider an alternative for the next time,” said Hare Kishan, a farmer of Mindkola village of Palwal district.Irked at poor rates and improper paddy procurement, he said almost all farmers suffered irreparable losses and were unable to recover even half of the production cost.Tej Singh, a farmer of Jorkhera village, said it was for the first time that farmers had suffered losses on such a large scale.Ranbir Singh of Deegot village said no one has procured the common variety of grade- A also known as “mota chawal” at the MSP of Rs 1,450 per quintal, he said he was among those who had to dispose it off at a rate of Rs 1,200.Blaming the government machinery, Sunil Bisla of Dayalpur village claimed that he had to suffer a loss of at least Rs 9,000 per acres due to poor rates in the market. He had grown 1121 variety of Basmati rice on several 20 acres and over 100 quintals of Bajra grown by him had no buyer at respectable rates, he claimed, adding that Bajra was being sold almost at Rs 200 less than the MSP.District Food and Supply Controller (DFSC) Ram Avtar said various agencies had procured around 13,604 Metric tonnes of paddy in Faridabad. He said official agencies procure only grade- A while others, including the Muchhal and 1121 paddy, were procured by mill owners. 
Farmers, Agents on a collision course
Ambala farmers face price cut in the name of moisture
Ambala: Farmers in Ambala district who had sown non-basmati varieties of paddy are facing huge price cuts in the name of ‘high moisture content’ even as the government continued to look the other way. A visit to various grain markets of the district revealed that that while farmers were being issued receipts of Rs 1,450 per quintal, which is the MSP fixed by the government, they were paid only Rs 1,200 per quintal as the government agents imposed price cuts ranging between Rs 70 to Rs 140. Vinod Kumar of Sambhalkha village, who faced a price cut of Rs 80 per quintal of his produce, said agents use a hand-held device to measure the moisture content. He said the agents never showed him the exact readings, but told him that moisture content was 24.50. — TNS
Commission agents blame farmers for current situation 
Kurukshetra:  Farmers have been expressing their resentment over lesser MSP for their produce. Suresh Kumar, a farmer from Jyotisar, said: “About 15 days ago, I sold 90 quintals of PR variety for Rs 1,375 to Rs 1,425 a quintal but I was given the receipts of Rs 1,450 per quintal, the MSP.  The commission agent said that the moisture content was on the higher side.” On the other hand, the commission agents blame farmers for the situation. A commission agent wishing anonymity said: “Every year, farmers get instructions that they must bring their produce after drying and cleaning, but they don’t do so.” He said: “In such a situation, millers don’t agree to accept the paddy on the MSP. A cut of Rs 15 per quintal gets imposed on every per cent of extra moisture and it is done with the consent of farmers.” —TNS
(With inputs from Sunit Dhawan, Sushil Manav, Manish Sirhindi, Nitish Sharma and Bijendra Ahlawat)


http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/farmers-suffer-losses-as-paddy-prices-crash/154602.html


Govt. to procure 36 lakh MT of kharif paddy; MSP set at Rs. 1,450 per quintal


The State government on Wednesday announced guidelines for procurement of paddy Kharif 2015-16 specifying the rates of different grades of food grains. In its guidelines issued, the Government has made sure that the quantum of procurement for the Targeted Public Distribution System is met.Accordingly, it was proposed to procure 36 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for TPDS and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) in the State. The farmers would get Rs.1,450 a quintal for “A” grade variety and Rs.1,410 a quintal for the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of paddy. The government has however made provision for lifting up of 54 lakh metric tonnes of paddy under custom made, boiled rice, which would be contributed to the central pool.

If the overall procurement of the State is in excess of the total allocation of the State made by the Centre, under TPDS or OWS, such excess quantity shall be treated to be outside the Central Pool.The government shall hold with itself the stocks of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) thus procured under proper scientific storage for distribution under TPDS or OWS as per allocation made by the Centre at prices notified. It would have to restrict availing credit facility from RBI for the estimated stocks of paddy to be procured for the Central Pool only. If the Stocks of the Rice procured by the government exceeds its allocation under TPDS and other Welfare Schemes, such excess stocks shall be handed over to the FCI by the government.However, the FCI shall have the option to specify whether such excess rice that would be handed over to FCI for Central Pool by the State shall be in the form of raw rice or parboiled rice to meet the overall consumption requirement of the country under TPDS, OWS and type of rice milled in the State.The A.P. State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd.(APSCSCL), the government’s agency, shall procure paddy on a large scale to protect the MSP by opening as many paddy procurement purchase centres as required through Women Self Help Groups (SHG), Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), District Cooperative Marketing Societies (DCMS) etc.The millers may purchase paddy of FAQ at a price not less than the Minimum Support Price. They shall invariably make payment to the farmers through A/c payee cheques / RTGS / NEFT transfer. For sale of preferred varieties of rice within the state, no release certificate is required by the miller. For sale of rice outside the State, the miller shall take release certificate consequent on sale of 2 unit of rice within the state for sale of 1 unit of rice out side the State.A.P.S.C.S.C.L all make necessary arrangements for opening as many paddy purchase centres (PPC), identifying PPCs and tagging of rice mills to the Paddy Purchasing Centres (PPCs) for custom milling. Transport arrangements for immediate shifting of paddy to the rice mills or to the intermediary godowns, if necessary.

Joint team of FCI, govt. to oversee procurement and attend to complaints
Farmers to be paid online through RTGS /NEFT money transfer
If total quantity of CMR falls short of allocation, the Centre will meet the deficit
Non-preferred varieties to be sold without permit or certificate
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/govt-to-procure-36-lakh-mt-of-kharif-paddy-msp-set-at-rs-1450-per-quintal/article7843814.ece

Hutchinson urges Cuba credit sales

This article was published November 4, 2015 at 2:09 a.m.
PHOTO BY BLOOMBERG NEWS / NOAH FRIEDMAN-RUDOVSKY
The MS Simon tanker sails past fishermen at the Port of Havana in June. Congressional leaders were urged Tuesday to allow Cuba to finance the purchase of U.S. commodities in a letter from Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday urged congressional leaders to allow Cuba to finance the purchase of American commodities.Hutchinson, who led a three-day trade mission to Havana in September, has said previously that the current ban on credit sales to Cuba should be lifted as an early step toward improvements in relations between the two countries."The current cash-in-advance requirement limits a potential market of nearly $40 million for Arkansas products alone," Hutchinson wrote in a letter to the majority and minority leaders of Congress.Hutchinson urged passage of legislation by Sen. John Boozman and Rep. Rick Crawford, which would lift the credit restrictions on the sale of agricultural commodities to Cuba. Arkansas' rice, pork and poultry producers are particularly eager to sell their products to Cuba.Boozman, R-Ark., said in a telephone interview that he was "working hard" to repeal the credit ban but noted that it would be difficult because of the vehement opposition of lawmakers from Florida, which has a large Cuban-American population, and other conservatives who say the Cuban government should be punished for human-rights abuses. He said the U.S. trade embargo had failed to force political change in Cuba and that the exchange of goods and ideas was more likely to lead to greater freedoms for Cubans.Boozman said the best chance for passing his legislation would be to attach it to another bill."We'd like to find a must-pass piece of legislation before the end of the year to tag this on," he said.Boozman said the omnibus spending bill that will put into effect the recently approved budget deal was the most likely vehicle. Lawmakers face a Dec. 11 deadline to pass that bill.Crawford, R-Ark., said separately that he couldn't predict when the House might act on his bill but said the next step likely would be a mark-up and hearing before the House Agriculture Committee. He noted that the committee chairman, K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, is a co-sponsor of the bill."It's easy to see that Cuba has the potential to be a significant export market for U.S. agriculture, and I hope my colleagues see this legislation in the context of jobs and economic impact," Crawford said in an emailed statement.The United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations this year after decades of Cold War hostility, and President Barack Obama has called on Congress to lift the trade embargo. Even with the embargo in place, U.S. companies export hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of food, health care products and agricultural commodities to Cuba. But the credit ban makes it difficult for U.S. businesses to compete with producers from countries such as Vietnam, which allows Cuba to finance purchases for up to two years, and overall U.S. trade with Cuba has declined. Some Cuba experts question whether Raul Castro's government is committed to changing that trend.In his letter, Hutchinson said he had voted to maintain the embargo while he was a member of Congress."However, I don't believe that lifting the embargo is an all-or-nothing matter," Hutchinson wrote. "Congress, under your leadership, can undertake efforts that would benefit Americans while maintaining political pressure on a regime that has violated human rights for more than 50 years."The governor's letter went to House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.Meanwhile, Dan Hendrix, president and chief executive officer of the Arkansas World Trade Center, which helped organize Hutchinson's trip, said another trade mission was being planned for March or April. Hendrix said he was optimistic at least a few of the companies that sent representatives with Hutchinson would make deals with Cuba before then."I think we will see some momentum and positive activity between now and March or April of next year," he said.Hendrix said he could not identify the companies that might be close to striking deals.

Business on 11/04/2015
Print Headline: Hutchinson urges Cuba credit sales
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/nov/04/hutchinson-urges-cuba-credit-sales-2015/?f=business&utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+November+4%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email






Iran Comes to Rescue of Indian Rice Farmers as Curbs Eased

Nov 04, 2015 4:20 am ET
(Updates shares in final paragraph.)
Iran’s decision to end curbs on imports is set to boost demand for basmati rice, the aromatic grain used in biryani and pilaf dishes, and send its prices soaring, according to  KRBL Ltd., a rice miller and exporter based at Noida, near New Delhi. Exports to Iran may increase for the first time in two years, the company said.Basmati rice prices plunged more than 50 percent in the past two years after Iran cut purchases and Indian farmers boosted planting. The easing of international trade sanctions on Iran sees the country having access to more supplies at a time when Thailand is looking to dispose of its near-record state stockpiles. The scrapping of the import ban, imposed to protect domestic farmers during the harvest, may lead to fresh purchases, according to the All India Rice Exporters Association.“Basmati rice prices will increase in the domestic market and overseas buyers will also need to increase their offers,” Anil Kumar Mittal, KRBL’s chairman, said by phone on Tuesday. “Looking at our prices, Iran will increase its purchases.”Plunging PricesPrices of some basmati rice in India slumped to about $700 a ton from as high as $1,600 a ton in 2013 as Iran reduced imports, said Mittal, who has been trading rice for three decades at the family-owned company founded in 1889. Iranians will prefer Indian basmati rice over white rice from the U.S., he said.Indian basmati rice exports to Iran dropped 35 percent to 935,567 tons in 2014-15 and Saudi Arabia replaced it as the largest buyer. Iran’s total rice imports are seen at 1.6 million tons in 2015-16, up from 1.5 million tons a year earlier, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.Iran will probably issue new import licenses in December or January, according to R. Sundaresan, executive director of the All India Rice Exporters Association. Exports may climb 6.9 percent to about 1 million tons in the year through March, Mittal said.India is the world’s largest exporter of basmati rice and ships half of its output of about 8.7 million tons to countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Basmati rice, preferred over other varieties for its length, aroma, taste and texture after cooking, is mainly grown in India and Pakistan.KRBL and other mills retailing packaged rice in India will be able to increase prices and that’ll boost their profit, Mittal said. Shares of KRBL and LT Foods Ltd. have more than doubled this year, while Kohinoor Foods Ltd. jumped 16 percent, on prospects of better earnings.-
-With assistance from Manish Modi in New Delhi.
THE WASHINGTON POST





Iran Comes to Rescue of Indian Rice Farmers as Curbs Eased


Updated on November 4, 2015 — 2:20 PM PKT
Rice farmers and mills in India are banking on Iran to end a two-year slump in prices.Iran’s decision to end curbs on imports is set to boost demand for basmati rice, the aromatic grain used in biryani and pilaf dishes, and send its prices soaring, according to  KRBL Ltd., a rice miller and exporter based at Noida, near New Delhi. Exports to Iran may increase for the first time in two years, the company said.Basmati rice prices plunged more than 50 percent in the past two years after Iran cut purchases and Indian farmers boosted planting. The easing of international trade sanctions on Iran sees the country having access to more supplies at a time when Thailand is looking to dispose of its near-record state stockpiles. The scrapping of the import ban, imposed to protect domestic farmers during the harvest, may lead to fresh purchases, according to the All India Rice Exporters Association. “Basmati rice prices will increase in the domestic market and overseas buyers will also need to increase their offers,” Anil Kumar Mittal, KRBL’s chairman, said by phone on Tuesday. “Looking at our prices, Iran will increase its purchases.”

 

Plunging Prices

Prices of some basmati rice in India slumped to about $700 a ton from as high as $1,600 a ton in 2013 as Iran reduced imports, said Mittal, who has been trading rice for three decades at the family-owned company founded in 1889. Iranians will prefer Indian basmati rice over white rice from the U.S., he said.Indian basmati rice exports to Iran dropped 35 percent to 935,567 tons in 2014-15 and Saudi Arabia replaced it as the largest buyer. Iran’s total rice imports are seen at 1.6 million tons in 2015-16, up from 1.5 million tons a year earlier, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

Iran will probably issue new import licenses in December or January, according to R. Sundaresan, executive director of the All India Rice Exporters Association. Exports may climb 6.9 percent to about 1 million tons in the year through March, Mittal said.India is the world’s largest exporter of basmati rice and ships half of its output of about 8.7 million tons to countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Basmati rice, preferred over other varieties for its length, aroma, taste and texture after cooking, is mainly grown in India and Pakistan.KRBL and other mills retailing packaged rice in India will be able to increase prices and that’ll boost their profit, Mittal said. Shares of KRBL and LT Foods Ltd. have more than doubled this year, while Kohinoor Foods Ltd. jumped 16 percent, on prospects of better earnings.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-04/iran-comes-to-rescue-of-indian-rice-farmers-as-import-ban-ended




In distress, paddy farmers learn harsh lessons

            Posted at: Nov 4 2015 1:55AM

Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service
Sirhind/Chandigarh, November 3
Call it export crunch or “non-existent demand”, basmati growers of Punjab are forced into distress sale. Sample this: PUSA-1121 variety of basmati has fetched Rs 1,750-1,800 per quintal. Last year, the price hovered around Rs 2,800 per quintal. The going rate for the less preferred 1509 variety is anywhere between Rs 1,250 and 1,400 a quintal against last year’s Rs 2,500 a quintal.Farmers have decided not to opt for basmati cultivation next season. “Sowing basmati has cost us heavy. After suffering losses between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 per acre crop, we have decided not to repeat our mistake,” said Sher Singh, a farmer from Jalbera village of Fatehgarh Sahib.The “basmati chaos” has reportedly been created by a considerable rise of supplies in the Indian market and an almost static export of the crop.“Punjab has registered 40 per cent rise in arrival of basmati at 39 lakh metric tonne as compared to just 22 lakh metric tonne in 2013-14. But the annual Indian basmati export quotient has been static at 13 lakh metric tonne in the past three years. This has led to a huge pileup with exporters. We are advising farmers against cultivating basmati. They will fetch good price only if annual basmati arrival in the markets remain around 20 lakh metric tonne,” said Ravinder Singh Cheema, president of the Punjab Arhtiya Association and vice-chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board.He said the only way out before the Punjab Government was to either support basmati growers with a Minimum Support Price or come up with export and milling policies. “The major problem is that basmati growers of Punjab solely depend on private players,” said Pushpinder Singh Khinda, a farmer based in Sultanpur Lodhi of Kapurthala district.A major reason for an almost nil growth in the crop export was the reported lack of interest of North America, Europe and Australia due to high pesticide content in it. “Indian basmati demand is limited to gulf countries only,” Cheema said. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/community/in-distress-paddy-farmers-learn-harsh-lessons/154297.html

Official denies Iran ban on rice import lifted

Wed Nov 4, 2015 11:39AM
Iran needs about 3 million metric tons of rice a year, with the deficit bought from abroad.

An Agriculture Ministry official has denied that Iran had removed a ban on rice imports aimed at protecting domestic farmers during their harvest. 

“Although there is need for imports to adjust domestic market, no authorization has been issued yet for rice imports,” director general of the grains and basic crops of the ministry Kaveh Khaksar said on Wednesday.The rebuttal came after another official was quoted as saying that the import ban had been lifted as of November, prompting a surge among Indian rice shippers.Khaksar said local farmers had produced 1.8 million metric tons of rice in the current crop year although harvest was not complete yet.Iran needs about 3 million metric tons of rice a year, with the deficit bought from abroad.Khaksar said 400,000 metric tons had been already imported in the first six months of the current Iranian year which ends on March 20, 2016.“The rice prices are going up and given the ban of over a year, it seems there is need for new imports,” he said.On Tuesday, Deputy Agriculture Minister Ali Qanbari was quoted as saying the ban on rice imports was lifted on Oct. 23 and Iran’s Government Trading Corporation (GTC) had launched an international tender to purchase rice. Quoted by the Reuters news agency, Qanbari also said lifting sanctions would help bring the cost of imported wheat down by as much as 30%.The removal of sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) would sharply slash the costs of transportation, he was quoted as saying on the sidelines of a conference in Dubai."We are hoping that by the lifting of sanctions, especially on IRISL, the costs would fall by 20 to 30 percent," said Qanbari, who is also the chairman and CEO of GTC.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/11/04/436271/Iran-agriculture-rice-wheat-imports




Rice farmers call for ppp to boost production

By GNA




New Edubiase (A/R), Nov 05, GNA - The Association of Rain-fed lowland rice farmers under the Ministry of food and Agriculture (MOFA), has called for increased capital injection through public-private partnership (PPP) to scale up the production of the local staple.
Mr Maxwell Adu - Opoku, the coordinator in charge of the sustainable rain-fed rice production project in the Ashanti Region, speaking on behalf of the Association told the Ghana News Agency that the sector supporting the lives of about 1,396 farmers and their dependents, could reduce the country's rice import bills substantially."But farmers need to have access to consistent credit facilities and new technology to improve per hectare yield to make this happen" he added.This he said could be done through public-private partnership (PPP) to attract young farmers to sustain and revamp the rice industry as the average 55-60 life expectancy of most of its farmers already in the 55 age bracket, threatens the survival of the industry.
Mr Adu-Opoku who was speaking in an interview at New Edubiase, stressed the need for intensive research, technology innovation and soft credit facilities to ensure the sustainability of the jobs of these farmers whose fate now hangs in a balance for lack of financial assistance.'It is so sad that returns on investment for rice farmers was far better than any crop currently grown in Ghana, yet financial and other support to the sector was minimal', he added.The situation, he said, worsened with the indiscriminate sale of wetlands to illegal miners whiles Ghana's food import bill for rice continued to rise with more than half of the population living in abject poverty in remote areas.Mr Adu-poku warned that if this trend continued, the availability of food in Ghana in the near future will depend on imports making the country vulnerable to outcomes of external catastrophic events and shocks that negatively affects food production from external sources.The sustainable rain-fed lowland rice production project was a bilateral technical cooperation jointly initiated by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and other partners in 2009 with the objective to increase rice produce and profit margins of rice farmers in the Ashanti region.However, he said, years of neglect without any continuous [G1] assistance from government, in the provision of equipment and credit facilities to sustain the operations of the rice farmers, had stalled the project.

https://www.modernghana.com/news/653831/1/rice-farmers-call-for-ppp-to-boost-production.html





Thai junta turns to populist subsidies to ease farmer tensions

 

POSTED: 04 Nov 2015 14:10

Thailand's junta has approved US$1.3 billion (843 million pounds) in rural subsidies, akin to the populist policies of the government it ousted, to appease disgruntled and politically powerful farmers who are struggling with record low commodity prices and weak exports.

A rice mill worker holds rice fallen onto the ground in Udon Thani, Thailand, September 16, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

BANGKOK: Thailand's junta has approved US$1.3 billion (843 million pounds) in rural subsidies, akin to the populist policies of the government it ousted, to appease disgruntled and politically powerful farmers who are struggling with record low commodity prices and weak exports.The rural hartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests.The military government had pledged to wean farmers off expensive subsidies used by the previous government which it ousted in a 2014 coup.
But last week it approved measures worth around US$1 billion to help rice farmers and on Tuesday gave the greenlight to US$365 million to help rubber farmers who had threatened to rally in defiance of a ban on political gatherings."In a situation of economic difficulty they have to stimulate consumption and what they think is: give grassroots people money and it will circulate," said Gothom Arya, an advisor to the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Bangkok's Mahidol University."Though the junta's action is exactly the same as previous governments, they claim that this time money will not leak," said Arya.Such measures would have been unthinkable immediately after the coup which ushered in a junta pledging to "clean up" Thailand and move the country away from corruption associated with politicians and their populist policies.But seventeen months on, incomes in rural areas, where more than 34 million Thais live, have collapsed and farmers in the world's second-biggest rice exporter and top rubber exporter have been calling for the re-introduction of subsidies.

JUNTA FALLING TO SOOTHE TENSIONS

Thailand's farmers have been at the centre of a decade of political turmoil. Military attempts to disperse 10 weeks of protests by Thaksin's "red shirt" supporters in 2010 left scores dead and sparked the worst violence in modern Thai history.The subsidies are the latest in a raft of measures, including soft loans through village funds, by newly appointed Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, one of the architects of the Shinawatra's populist policies, to appease farmers and boost the economy.But while aid is rising, farmers remain critical of the junta, which has not guaranteed crop prices as farmers demand, and their measures are far from the scale of Yingluck's schemes."Rubber prices drop. We make less money. I would rather see the government help raise rubber prices," said Samai Sribang, 58, a rubber farmer.A Yingluck rice programme which paid almost 50 percent above global market prices, cost around US$14 billion, and fuelled criticism of vote-buying. She also spent US$620 million building rubber stockpiles under a price support programme.In January, a military-appointed legislature impeached Yingluck for negligence over the rice scheme that distorted markets and built up massive rice stockpiles.(Additional reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Aukkarapon Niyomat; Editing by Michael Perry)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/thai-junta-turns-to-popul/2237738.html





Thai junta turns to populist subsidies to ease farmer tensions

BANGKOK | 


A man works inside a rubber factory at Raman district in the southern province of Yala, Thailand, November 4, 2015.
REUTERS/SURAPAN BOONTHANOM
Thailand's junta has approved $1.3 billion in rural subsidies, akin to the populist policies of the government it ousted, to appease disgruntled and politically powerful farmers who are struggling with record low commodity prices and weak exports.The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests.The military government had pledged to wean farmers off expensive subsidies used by the previous government which it ousted in a 2014 coup.But last week it approved measures worth around $1 billion to help rice farmers and on Tuesday gave the greenlight to $365 million to help rubber farmers who had threatened to rally in defiance of a ban on political gatherings."In a situation of economic difficulty they have to stimulate consumption and what they think is: give grassroots people money and it will circulate," said Gothom Arya, an advisor to the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Bangkok's Mahidol University."Though the junta's action is exactly the same as previous governments, they claim that this time money will not leak," said Arya.Such measures would have been unthinkable immediately after the coup which ushered in a junta pledging to "clean up" Thailand and move the country away from corruption associated with politicians and their populist policies.But seventeen months on, incomes in rural areas, where more than 34 million Thais live, have collapsed and farmers in the world's second-biggest rice exporter and top rubber exporter have been calling for the re-introduction of subsidies.
JUNTA FALLING TO SOOTHE TENSIONS
Thailand's farmers have been at the center of a decade of political turmoil. Military attempts to disperse 10 weeks of protests by Thaksin's "red shirt" supporters in 2010 left scores dead and sparked the worst violence in modern Thai history.The subsidies are the latest in a raft of measures, including soft loans through village funds, by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, one of the architects of Shinawatra's populist policies, to appease farmers and boost the economy.But while aid is rising, farmers remain critical of the junta, which has not guaranteed crop prices as farmers demand, and their measures are far from the scale of Yingluck's schemes."Rubber prices drop. We make less money. I would rather see the government help raise rubber prices," said Samai Sribang, 58, a rubber farmer.A Yingluck rice program which paid almost 50 percent above global market prices, cost around $14 billion, and fueled criticism of vote-buying. She also spent $620 million building rubber stockpiles under a price support program.In January, a military-appointed legislature impeached Yingluck for negligence over the rice scheme that distorted markets and built up massive rice stockpiles.
($1 = 35.5200 baht)
(The story was refiled to correct the title of the minister in paragraph 10)
(Additional reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Aukkarapon Niyomat; Editing byMichael Perry)


Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report


Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Nov '15
1214.5
1200.0
1217.0
+27.5
Jan '16
1245.5
1217.0
1244.5
+27.0
Mar '16
1271.5
1250.0
1270.5
+27.0
May '16
1295.5
+27.0
Jul '16
1319.0
+27.0
Sep '16
1280.0
+26.5
Nov '16
1280.0
+26.5

Rice Comment

Rice futures gapped higher for the second time in three days. Global production problems have helped support the market since the summer. Traders will begin rolling out of November contracts soon to avoid delivery as the contract expires. January completed a 62% retracement on Thursday to $11.55 and has bounced off support at that level and has put 90 cents back on the market in only five sessions.



http://www.arfb.com/ag-markets-statistics/report/




Fact Sheet:Regional Partner: West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD)

REPORT
Published on 03 Nov 2015 
Objective:
Conduct, coordinate and disseminate research on agriculture practices and improved seeds to member states and national research centers.
Support from USAID/West Africa:
2002 to Present
Linked Programs:

CORAF partners with USAID’sWest African Seed Program.

Geographic Focus:

22 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.Description

The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) was created in 1987 to “improve the efficiency and effectiveness of small-scale producers and to promote the agribusiness sector.” It focuses on developing new technologies and innovations to benefit farmers in the region and on collecting and dispensing agricultural data. It also strengthens and coordinates the existing regional agricultural systems, as well as giving policy options to its member states that can encourage agricultural growth.CORAF/WECARD is one of the main implementers of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) Pillar 4, which had the goal of 6 percent agricultural growth by 2015. To date, nine countries have exceeded this target (Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania) and another four have achieved growth of between 5 and 6 percent. In June 2014, the African Union extended this mission, setting a new goal of doubling agricultural productivity by 2025

USAID Support

USAID support to CORAF/WECARD has strengthened its capacity to build a solid base of research information in West Africa. CORAF/WECARD’s work increases farmer access to information on food and farming systems, natural resource management, markets and trade, climate change adaptation and biotechnology. It also focuses on scaling up agricultural technologies to strengthen the link between research and the farm so farmers can improve productivity and increase profit. One example of this is in Benin, where CORAF/WECARD discovered that, if farmers precede rice cultivation with cowpeas, they will get the same yield from the rice with half of the usual amount of mineral fertilizer. CORAF/WECARD disseminates thousands of such best practices that have an enormous impact on the labor to profit ratio of farming in the region.USAID support to CORAF/WECARD also includes improving the production and availability of quality-certified seeds for farmers in the region through the West African Seed Program, thus improving farmers’ yields and crop quality.Activities Supported by USAID/West Africa in 2013

• Baseline studies on agricultural research and post-harvest research for five value chains including maize, rice, millet, sorghum and livestock.• Trials on high-yielding varieties of rice, maize and sorghum resistant to major biotic and abiotic stresses.• Tests to improve the market quality of targeted cereal and traditional meat processed products. • Capacity building for producers and agro-processors.Key CORAF/WECARD Technologies and How They are Being Scaled Up 1) Climate-smart crop varieties like submergence-tolerant rice, drought-tolerant sesame and maize, heat tolerant and high-yielding millet and sorghum. Scaling up methods include demonstration plots and engaging all value chain actors, from plant breeders to private sector partners, to encourage commercializing new varieties of seeds.2) Integrated Soil Fertility Management includes crop and site-specific fertilizer recommendations, best practices to rehabilitate degraded land and preserve soil fertility, and urea deep-placement (UDP) of fertilizer to maximize efficiency. These best practices are dispersed through demonstrations of deep placement of fertilizer and training agro-dealers so they can educate customers on how to most efficiently use fertilizer

3) Post-Harvest Quality Management through improved storage containers and post-harvest practices to reduce aflatoxin levels, which in large amounts can cause fungus growth. Promotion of storage container use and demonstrations of small-scale grain harvest machinery (stripper, thresher, and winnower) are dramatically reducing waste.

CORAF/WECARD and the Presidential Feed the Future Initiative

Feed the Future is focused on creating sustainable improvements in agriculture by building the capacity of West African organizations that can take ownership of agricultural work in the region. CORAF/WECARD’s work targets every step in the value chains of staple crops and thus improves every aspect of West African small farmers’ livelihoods: better yields, more efficient and sustainable inputs, better access to markets and market data, and less wasteful processing. CORAF/WECARD’s strategy aligns with the mission of Feed the Future: holistic and long-term efforts to eliminate food insecurity in West Africa.
http://reliefweb.int/report/world/fact-sheetregional-partner-west-and-central-african-council-agricultural-research-and

5th November ,2015 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Vietnam, Pakistan Rice Sellers Alter Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asian Rice Export Quotes Remain Unchanged

Nov 04, 2015

Vietnam rice sellers have lowered their quotes for jasmine rice by about $5 per ton to around $470 - $480 per ton today. Pakistan rice sellers increased their quotes for 5% broken rice by about $5 per ton to around $310 - $320 per ton. Other Asian rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton about $15 per ton discount on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $370 - $380 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, about $35 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, about $10 per ton discount on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $355- $365 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $50 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $280 - $290 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $340 - $350 per ton, about $65 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.                            
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $320 - $330 per ton, about $10 per ton discount to  Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $330 - $340 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $285 - $295 per ton, about $10 per ton premium on Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $275 - $285 per ton.

Guyana May Soon Secure Rice Export Deal with Mexico, Says PMO

Nov 04, 2015

Guyana is likely to secure a rice export contract with Mexico shortly, local sources quoted a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The statement noted that the decision was taken when the Prime Minister of Guyana met with the Mexico's Agriculture Minister during the Open Governance Summit in Mexico City from October 27-29, 2015. It stated the Mexico's Agriculture Minister assured Guyana that he would speed up the formalities related to the finalizing of the deal. He also reportedly encourage private sector to enter into contracts with Guyanese millers.
The government of Guyana has been seeking to enter new markets for its rice after losing its valuable Venezuela market. Venezuela has denied to renew the oil-for-rice deal with Guyana. The Mexico market has been one of the several markets being explored by the government.
The statement noted that Guyana produced 359,960 tons of rice in the first six months of 2015, up about 15.3% from around 312,283 tons produced during the same period last year.
Guyana aims to produce about 618,000 tons of milled rice and export around 521,000 tons in 2015. Guyana has exported around 501,208 tons of rice in 2014, up about 27% from around 394,000 tons exported in 2013, according to data from the Agriculture Ministry.

Indonesia Secures 500,000 Tons Rice Import Deal from Thailand, Says Bulog Official

Nov 04, 2015

The government of Indonesia has secured a deal to import 500,000 tons of rice from Thailand, Reuters quoted the Bulog Procurement Director as saying.
"We agree on the volume - about 500,000 tonnes - but haven't yet agreed on price, specification, and the shipment schedule," he told reporters. He added that a contract would be signed soon and if rains don't resume in the coming weeks, the government will import rice.
Indonesia reportedly signed an agreement with Vietnam to import up to 1.5 million tons of rice if needed.
The Indonesian statistics agency has lowered its estimates for the country's 2015 paddy rice production to around 74.99 million tons, slightly below the estimated 75.55 million tons. It is understood that the current estimates do not account for the El Nino impact on the rice production. If the impact of El Nino is considered, it is likely that the production may be much below the estimates.
The President has been keen on achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and avoid imports this year. However, the extending dry conditions are reportedly prompting the government to import rice. Analysts have been predicting Indonesia to import around 1.6 million tons of rice this year.
Separately, the Agriculture Minister told local sources that the government is holding 1.5 million tons of stocks and it will increase the rice stocks until the end of this year. He asserted that the current stocks position is safe as the production is increasing.

India to Launch 'Climate Smart' Paddy Variety Shortly

Nov 04, 2015

Scientists of the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in India are developing a 'climate smart' paddy variety with multi-trait gene packaging, which is capable of withstanding both drought and flood, according to local sources.
"This is a major breakthrough as scientists have been able to agglomerate genes that are resilient to opposite extremes of climatic conditions as flood and drought to design a single paddy variety that would not only absorb the stress but also give high yield in such conditions," said a senior scientist of the CRRI.
 “With the launching of the ‘Climate Smart’ paddy, farmers in areas facing extreme climatic conditions would be benefited a lot, added the CRRI Director.
The CRRI has reportedly nominated around six varieties of 'climate smart' paddy to the Centre and carrying out field trials in several states, encompassing different climatic and land conditions. The variety is likely to be released within two years, according to the CRRI.
Recently, the government of India's eastern state Odisha has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop high-yield, stress tolerant paddy to overcome impact of climate change.

Higher Water Levels and Firm Prices Prompt Turkey Rice Farmers to Increase Acreage in MY 2015-16, Says USDA Post

Nov 04, 2015
USDA Post estimates Turkey's MY 2015-16 (September - August) rice production at around 500,000 tons (milled basis), up from last year's 460,000 tons and unchanged from USDA's official estimates. The Post reports that the increase in production is mainly due to increased acreage reflecting higher water levels in several dams as well as higher prices during the planting period.
Planting for the 2015-16 paddy crop completed in May and harvesting, which began in the second week of September, is also complete, says the Post. Paddy rice area in MY 2015-16 increased by about 3% to around 98,000 hectares from last year's 95,000 hectares.
The Post estimates Turkey's rice imports in MY 2015-16 at around 350,000 tons, up from an estimated 320,000 tons last year. It reports that Turkey imported around 317,536  tons of rice (including 250,945 tons of milled equivalent of paddy) in 2014.

USDA Post says that due to the macroeconomic concerns and the upcoming general election, traders are unwilling to purchase newly harvested domestic rice. Farmers are expecting the government to announce an intervention price. But the government may not announce a procurement price for paddy rice, according to the Post. Currently, the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) has about  26,000 tons of paddy rice and 7,000 tons of milled rice in its stock. 



Iran Has Not Officially Lifted Import Curbs on Rice Imports, Says AIREA Official

Nov 04, 2015

The government of Iran has not officially lifted curbs on rice imports, the Executive Director of the All India Rice Exporters Association was quoted.
"We spoke to Iran embassy officials on this issue, they said there is no such development," he said.
Separately, the Director of Basmati Export Development Foundation at the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) noted that the Iranian authorities have not officially banned rice imports but only suspended fresh orders since October 2014 due to surplus stocks. 
"At present, basmati rice is being exported against the permits issued prior to October 2014. There is no official communication from the Iran government that it has resumed fresh orders. Our embassy is seized of the matter," he was quoted.
Iran is the largest buyer of Indian basmati rice and Indian exporters are looking forward for Iran to resume imports as it would enhance basmati rice exports as well as push up prices, which have been falling since the beginning of this year due to lower demand.
India has exported 300,000 tons of basmati rice to Iran in the first four months of (April-August) FY 2015-16 (April - March) against 370,000 tons during the same period in FY 2014-15, according to the APEDA data. India exported about 970,000 tons of rice in FY 2014-15 and around 1.44 million tons of rice in FY 2013-14.
USDA estimates the annual rice consumption of rice of Iran at around 3.35 million tons. The Middle East nation produces around 1.75 million tons and imports the rest.

Oryza CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Resume Their Rally as the Bulls Once Again Step Up to the Plate; Wheat Moves Higher on Technical Buying

Nov 05, 2015

Chicago rough rice futures for Jan delivery settled 27 cents per cwt (about $6 per ton) higher at $12.445 per cwt (about $274 per ton). The other grains finished the day mostly higher led by a sharp technical rally in wheat; Soybeans closed about 0.6% higher at $8.8400 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.9% higher at $5.2625 per bushel, and corn finished the day unchanged at $3.8050 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded in a range Wednesday, after a strong start to November, as investors looked for more clues on the timing of a rate hike from a slew of data and Fed speakers. Fed Chair Janet Yellen said Wednesday morning a December rate hike is a "live possibility," depending on the data. In prepared remarks for her testimony before the House Financial Services Committee on bank regulation and supervision, she said banks are much healthier but problems remain. In the afternoon, New York Fed President William Dudley is scheduled to give a news briefing on looking beyond the macro economy. Economic data gave a mixed view on the services sector, which remains well in expansion territory.
 The non-manufacturing ISM October report showed a rise to 59.1 from 56.9 the prior month. However, Markit said its October PMI services index declined to 54.8 from 55.1 in September. With two days to Friday's nonfarm payrolls report, the ADP employment report showed private companies added 182,000 jobs in October. In other economic news, weekly mortgage applications fell 0.8% last week as interest rates rose. In midday trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 45 points, or 0.25%, to 17,873. The S&P 500 traded down 7 points, or 0.34%, to 2,102, with energy leading eight sectors lower and utilities and information technology the only advancers. The Nasdaq fell 10 points, or 0.19%, to 5,135. Gold is trading about 0.6% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 3.2% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.9% higher about  1:00pm Chicago time.Tuesday, there were 812 contracts traded, down from 1,321 contracts traded on Monday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Tuesday decreased by 146 contracts to 12,120.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Firm as Futures Rally; Farmers Continue to Wait for Higher Prices

Nov 05, 2015

The U.S. cash market was firmer today as offers from resellers increased with the futures market while most bids were unable to attract sellers.Analysts note that most farmers remain uninterested in the prices they are seeing and content to put their rice into storage, waiting until after the hunting season and the holidays before they market the rest of their crop.News that Guyana had reached a deal with the Mexican government that would facilitate the sale of paddy to Mexico was mostly shrugged off by the market.

Philippines Rice Stocks Increase Sharply in October 2015

Nov 04, 2015
The Philippines rice stocks have increased in October 2015 after declining for four months continuously, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). The increase can be attributed to increasing imports.
Total rice stocks in the Philippines as of October 1, 2015 stood at around 2.2 million tons, up about 12.2% from around 1.96 million tons recorded on September 1, 2015, and up about 21.5% from around 1.81 million tons recorded during the same period last year.
According to the BAS, household stocks (which account for about 35.4% of total rice stocks in the country) stood at around 780,000 tons as of October 1, 2015, down about 6% from year-ago levels of around 830,000 tons. Commercial warehouse rice stocks (which account for about 34.3% of total stocks) have reached around 670,000 tons as of October 1, 2015, up about 29% from their year-ago levels of around 520,000 tons. The rice stocks with the National Food Authority (NFA) (which account for 30.3% of total stocks) stood at around 750,000 tons, up about 67% from around 450,000 tons recorded in October 2014.
Month-on-month, household rice stocks are up about 37%, commercial warehouse rice stocks are up about 16% and NFA rice stocks - in which about 91.8% are imported rice - are down about 6%, according to the BAS.
The BAS says that the Philippines' rice stocks as of October 1, 2015 are enough to last for 65 days (household and household stocks are enough for 23 days, commercial warehouses stocks are enough for 20 days and stocks with NFA are enough for 22 days).
Global Rice Quotes
November 4th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade          365-375           ↔
Vietnam 5% broken    370-380           ↔
India 5% broken         345-355           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken    310-320           ↑
Myanmar 5% broken   415-425           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken             415-425           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           490-510           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    535-545           ↔
Argentina 5% broken 530-540           ↔

Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 345-355           ↔
Vietnam 25% broken 355-365           ↔
Pakistan 25% broken 280-290           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken           400-410           ↔
India 25% broken       330-340           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         500-510           ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd            355-365           ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd    405-415           ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd         340-350           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       590-610           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken    545-555           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken            NQ      ↔

Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%          790-810           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         470-480           ↓
India basmati 2% broken        NQ      ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken   NQ      ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails             830-840           ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super      320-330           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken            330-340           ↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd    275-285           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super   355-365           ↔
India 100% broken stxd         285-295           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ      ↔
U.S. pet food 330-340           ↔
Brazil half grain          NQ      ↔

All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

3rd november 2015 daily exclusive oryza rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

China Agrees to Import Rice from South Korea Under Bilateral Deal

Nov 02, 2015

China has agreed to import rice from South Korea as part of the on-going bilateral summit between the Premiers of the two countries, according to local sources.The two countries have reportedly reached an agreement on inspection rules regarding South Korea's rice.China has not allowed rice imports from South Korea despite a number of attempts by the South Korean government due to absence of a phytosanitary protocol between the two countries.South Korea has been seeking to enter the Chinese rice market for long. The deal is expected to a good move for South Korea, which is of late struggling with increasing production and declining consumption

Thailand Rice Exports Decline Sharply in First Nine Months of 2015

Nov 02, 2015
Thailand exported around 6.6 million tons of rice in the first nine months of 2015, down about 13% from around 7.56 million tons exported during the same period last year, according to data from Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA). In value terms, Thailand rice exports earned around $3.155 billion, down about 15% from around $3.73 billion earned during the same period last year.In September 2015, Thailand exported around 720,554 tons of rice, up about 3% from around 696,919 tons exported in August 2015, and down about 25% from around 960,042 tons exported in September 2014. The increase can be attributed to an increased demand from the Philippines and other importing nations. In value terms, Thailand’s rice exports earned about $332.89 million from total rice exports during the month, up about 2% from around $314.95 million earned in August 2015, and down about 17% from around $402.03 million earned in September 2014.
During the month, white rice exports accounted for around 317,832 tons (about 44% of total September 2015 exports), Hom Mali rice exports accounted for about 104,068 tons (about 14% of total September exports), brokens accounted for 44,558 tons (about 6% of total September 2015 exports), glutinous variety accounted for 7,569 tons (about 1% of total September 2015 exports), parboiled rice accounted for about 241,985 tons (about 33% of total September 2015 exports) and husked/brown rice accounted for about 4,541 tons (about 0.6% of total September 2015 exports).  

Average export prices of all varieties of rice, except the parboiled rice, increased during the month.The TREA estimate October exports to reach 800,000 tons due to competitive prices.



Indonesia to Import 250,000 - 300,000 Tons of Rice from Vietnam in November 2015

Nov 02, 2015

Indonesia's State Logistics Agency Bulog has been authorized to receive about 250,000 - 300,000 tons of medium-quality rice from Vietnam this month, Investor Daily quoted the Procurement Chief at the Bulog was quoted as saying.The government has been planning to import rice if needed. It has reportedly secured rice import contracts from four countries including Thailand and Vietnam.Meanwhile, the Indonesian statistics agency is expecting the country's 2015 paddy rice production at around 74.99 million tons, slightly below the estimated 75.55 million tons, according to Reuters. However, the agency noted that the current estimates do not account for the El Nino impact on the rice production.The country's paddy rice output reached around 70.85 million tons in 2014, according to the Agricultural Ministry.

Iran May Issue New Basmati Rice Import Permits Shortly, Say India Exporters

Nov 02, 2015

Indian rice exporters are expecting Iran to issue fresh basmati rice import permits from next month, local sources quoted the Executive Director of the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA). “We have got indications from importers in Iran that they may issue fresh licences from December or January," he said.Iran imposed a temporary ban on rice imports in November 2014 citing self-sufficiency in rice production and excess stocks as reasons. The government of India has been pursuing the Iranian authorities to resume basmati rice imports from India.

Iran is the biggest buyer of India's basmati rice but following Iran's ban, India's basmati rice exports have been impacted significantly. India's basmati rice exports to Iran fell to around 930,000 tons in FY 2014-15 (April - March) compared to around 1.44 million tons on FY 2013-14. In value terms, India's basmati rice exports to Iran fell to around Rs.9,759 crore (around $1.5 billion) in FY 2014-15 from around 10,976 crore (around $1.68 billion) in FY 2013-14.
According to data from the AIREA, India exported about 33,554 tons basmati rice worth Rs.192 crore ($29 million) in August 2015, against 44,022 tons worth Rs.335 crore (around $51 million) in August 2014.Meanwhile, locally, basmati rice farmers are feeling the impact of reduced demand. Domestic paddy prices have fallen to around Rs.1,300 to Rs.1,800 per quintal (around $229 - $274 per ton) from around Rs.3,000 per quintal (around $458 per ton). Exporters and traders are reluctant to pay high prices for procuring basmati paddy due to low demand.They are likely to stage protests against the state governments of Punjab and Haryana for encouraging them to increase the production of less-water consuming and high-yielding basmati rice varieties this year.

Thailand, Vietnam Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asian Rice Export Quotes Remain Unchanged

Nov 02, 2015

Thailand rice sellers have lowered their quotes for fragrant A1 Super rice and parboiled rice varieties by about $5 per ton to around $345 - $355 per ton and $355 - $365 per ton respectively. They also lowered their quotes for Hom Mali rice by about $20 per ton to around $790 - $810 per ton. Vietnam rice sellers have lowered their quotes for glutinous rice by about $10 per ton to around $465 - $475 per ton today. Other Asian rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton about $15 per ton discount on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $370 - $380 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $45 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $25 per ton discount on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $355- $365 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $330 - $340 per ton, about $50 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $280 - $290 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $340 - $350 per ton, about $65 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.                            
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $320 - $330 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $285 - $295 per ton, about $10 per ton premium on Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $275 - $285 per ton

Thailand Rice Exports Decline Sharply in First Nine Months of 2015

Nov 02, 2015
Thailand exported around 6.6 million tons of rice in the first nine months of 2015, down about 13% from around 7.56 million tons exported during the same period last year, according to data from Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA). In value terms, Thailand rice exports earned around $3.155 billion, down about 15% from around $3.73 billion earned during the same period last year.In September 2015, Thailand exported around 720,554 tons of rice, up about 3% from around 696,919 tons exported in August 2015, and down about 25% from around 960,042 tons exported in September 2014. The increase can be attributed to an increased demand from the Philippines and other importing nations. In value terms, Thailand’s rice exports earned about $332.89 million from total rice exports during the month, up about 2% from around $314.95 million earned in August 2015, and down about 17% from around $402.03 million earned in September 2014.

During the month, white rice exports accounted for around 317,832 tons (about 44% of total September 2015 exports), Hom Mali rice exports accounted for about 104,068 tons (about 14% of total September exports), brokens accounted for 44,558 tons (about 6% of total September 2015 exports), glutinous variety accounted for 7,569 tons (about 1% of total September 2015 exports), parboiled rice accounted for about 241,985 tons (about 33% of total September 2015 exports) and husked/brown rice accounted for about 4,541 tons (about 0.6% of total September 2015 exports).  Average export prices of all varieties of rice, except the parboiled rice, increased during the month.The TREA estimate October exports to reach 800,000 tons due to competitive prices.


Global Rice Quotes
November 3rd, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade           365-375           ↔
Vietnam 5% broken     370-380           ↔
India 5% broken          345-355           ↔
Pakistan 5% broken     305-315           ↔
Myanmar 5% broken   415-425           ↔
Cambodia 5% broken 415-425           ↔
U.S. 4% broken           490-510           ↔
Uruguay 5% broken    535-545           ↔
Argentina 5% broken   530-540           ↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 345-355           ↔
Vietnam 25% broken   355-365           ↔
Pakistan 25% broken   280-290           ↔
Cambodia 25% broken            400-410           ↔
India 25% broken        330-340           ↔
U.S. 15% broken         500-510           ↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd             355-365           ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd      405-415           ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd           340-350           ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken       590-610           ↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken     545-555           ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken             NQ       ↔

Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92%           790-810           ↔
Vietnam Jasmine         475-485           ↔
India basmati 2% broken         NQ       ↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken    NQ       ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 830-840           ↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super       320-330           ↔
Vietnam 100% broken             330-340           ↑
Pakistan 100% broken stxd     275-285           ↔
Cambodia A1 Super    355-365           ↔
India 100% broken stxd          285-295           ↔
Egypt medium grain brokens   NQ       ↔
U.S. pet food   330-340           ↔
Brazil half grain           NQ       ↔

All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

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