Saturday, January 09, 2016

8th january 2016 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine-Latest Rice News Updates

·         Today Rice News Headlines...
·         Pakistan, Indonesia ink $400m rice export deal
·         Indian rice export may decline
·         Unit to boost farming below sea level
·         Govt mulls rice imports from India
·         Rice farmers hear optimistic outlook for coming year
·         Chinese hybrid rice taking trip overseas
·         China tops importers of Cambodian rice in 2015
·         New Thai rice plan aims to cut rice production to 25 million tonnes this crop year
·         Rice imports aimed at curbing poverty rate: VP
·         Indonesia, India to collaborate on rice and pharmaceuticals
·         2016 Food Aid Funding Increase Part of Bipartisan Omnibus Bill
·         Liberia: UCI Increases Rice Import
·         Rice remains Japanese staple, despite popularity waning
·         Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Jan 08

·         Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report





















Pakistan secures $400 million rice export pact with Indonesia
January 08, 2016

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has concluded an agreement with Indonesia to export one million metric ton of rice, estimated at around $400 million over four years, a government statement said on Thursday.The agreement for export of rice will be implemented by Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Indonesian government organisation BULOG (State Logistic Agency), a statement issued by the Commerce Ministry said.The TCP has finalised the first tender of 15,000 metric tons of rice export to Indonesia, which includes 5,000 metric tons of basmati rice and 10,000 metric tons of non-basmati rice.

The finalisation of this tender has a positive effect on the rice prices in Pakistan and the prices have started to stabilise.Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said that the export order of one million metric ton would end the uncertainty prevailing in the domestic rice market and lucrative prices would prove to be an impetus for growers to expand rice production in the coming years.Dastgir said the Commerce Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research will bring in new legislation for high yielding varieties of rice and law for Geographical Indication for Pakistani basmati rice.

Pakistan was the first country out of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to have rice export agreement with Indonesia.Pak-Indonesia trade rose 215 percent to 2.2 billion in 2014 from 700 million in 2010 after the conclusion of Preferential Trade Agreement. Earlier Indonesian government said it mulling to import rice from Pakistan amid low rice stocks following a prolonged dry season. Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said his government was preparing a government-to-government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on rice imports with the Pakistani government. The  Indonesian rice planting season had been put back from October to November because of last year’s prolonged El Nino. As a result, harvest time in several areas across Indonesia suffered delays, leading to depleted rice stocks in the first quarter of 2016.  The government there calculated that it has only 1.35 million tons of rice in March. Normally, the government has 1.5 million tons of stocks. To fulfill the shortage of rice, the government was keen to sign import MoUs with Myanmar and Pakistan.

Indonesian officials said the agreements were a precaution measure to anticipate reduced rice stocks, which could in turn lead to surging prices of basic commodities. The estimated domestic production of rice at the end of March this year will be 1.35 million tons in the Southeast Asian country.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/88651-Pakistan-secures-400-million-rice-export-pact-with-Indonesia#sthash.jNG65g9I.dpuf

 

Pakistan, Indonesia ink $400m rice export deal

Published: January 8, 2016
Jakarta will purchase 1m tons of rice over four years. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: In a bid to boost the rice industry, Pakistan has concluded an agreement with Indonesia for export of one million tons of rice valuing around $400 million over the next four years.The agreement for rice export will be executed by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Bulog (state logistics agency) of Indonesia.
TCP has finalised the first export tender for 15,000 tons of rice which includes 5,000 tons of basmati and 10,000 tons of non-basmati rice.The finalisation of the tender has had a positive effect on rice prices in the country as they have started stabilising.Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said the intensive trade diplomacy of the Ministry of Commerce had resulted in securing a large export market for Pakistani rice for the period 2016-19.

He said the export order for one million tons would end uncertainty prevailing in the domestic rice market and lucrative prices would prove to be an impetus for growers to increase paddy production in coming years.Dastgir said the commerce ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research would bring new legislation for high-yielding rice varieties and for geographical indication of Pakistani basmati rice.Pakistan is the first country compared to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that has a rice export agreement with Indonesia. Trade between Pakistan and Indonesia rose 215% to $2.2 billion in 2014 from $700 million in 2010 after conclusion of a preferential trade agreement.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2016.
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http://tribune.com.pk/story/1023775/joining-hands-pakistan-indonesia-ink-400m-rice-export-deal/

 

Indian rice export may decline


India’s rice exports for the current financial year are headed for a decline, both in value and volume terms, over the previous year on reduced purchases by large buyers, such as Iran and Nigeria, and drop in realizations, according to report by The Business Line of India

Latest export trends suggest that total rice shipments – basmati and non-basmati – have declined 7.3 per cent in volumes and 18 per cent in value terms for the April-November period over the corresponding period last year. While basmati shipments were up 23 per cent in volume terms, realisations were down 13 per cent in rupee terms and 18.5 per cent in dollar terms, on account of decline in grain prices. Non-basmati rice shipments dropped by a fifth in volume terms and by a fourth in rupee terms. This was largely on account of stoppage of imports of parboiled rice by Nigeria due to the foreign exchange issue in the African nation. “Going by the current trend, our exports may see a decline.We may end up shipping 10.5-11 million tonnes (mt) of rice, both basmati and non-basmati put together this year,” said Rajen Sundaresan, Executive Director, All India Rice Exporters Association. India had exported a total of 11.92 mt rice in 2014-15.

 Basmati shipments to Iran, the largest buyer of the Indian aromatic rice variety in recent years, have dropped 25 per cent to 3.9 lakh tonnes during the April-October period of the current financial year against 5.18 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year. Iran, which had stopped issuing fresh import permits for basmati in November 2014, began issuing new permits from December 2015, Sundaresan said.As a result, basmati shipments were likely to pick up in the coming months. However, the quantum of permits issued by Iran so far could not be ascertained. “Our basmati shipments, in volume terms, may increase by about 10 per cent this year, while in value terms there could be a decline of 20-25 per cent on lower realisations,” said AK Gupta, Director, Basmati Export Development Foundation. Non-basmati rice exporters, who rely mainly on the African markets, are not optimistic about the outlook for exports in the absence of demand from Nigeria and the firming trend in domestic prices.

“The market is not very buoyant because of low prices in countries, such as Pakistan and Vietnam,” said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director of Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, a large rice exporter in Kakinada. Rao said Indian rice is not competitive in the global market compared to rice from Thailand and Pakistan.The Centre should provide some incentive to rice exporters to help maintain their market share, he added. Rao expects the overall non-basmati shipments to be in the region of around five million tonnes this year. Tejinder Narang, a grains trade analyst, said a depreciating Thailand currency (baht) will pose a challenge to Indian exporters, who are already battling a firming trend in domestic rice prices. “Lack of demand from Nigeria is bound to impact Indian exports,” he added.Source: The Financial Express


Unit to boost farming below sea level


SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the international centre on agriculture and training in ‘below sea level farming system’ at the Moncompu Rice Research Station near Alappuzha on February 6. The centre will function as an autonomous body under the Agriculture Department.The Chief Minister will be the chairman of the governing body. Agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan will be the vice-chairman. Agricultural scientist K.G. Padmakumar will be the director of the new centre.

The centre will be first of its kind in the country. The State government will spend Rs.10 crore to establish the centre, according to District Collector N. Padmakumar. The centre will be associated with the Moncompu Rice Research Station and the Regional Agriculture Research Station, Kumarakom.The centre will collaborate with SAARC countries under the guidance of Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Centre to come
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/unit-to-boost-farming-below-sea-level/article8079938.ece

Govt mulls rice imports from India


Khoirul Amin, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Business | Thu, January 07 2016, 5:32 PM
Business News

The government is considering importing rice from India, the world’s second-largest rice producer, in anticipation of insufficient supply in the near future.Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said on Wednesday his ministry was seeking to diversify import sources for rice, the country’s main staple food.“We also encourage the signing of a memorandum of understanding [MOU] with India, because India has become the largest rice exporter in recent years,” he said.India’s rice exports had reached a value of US$3 billion to $4 billion per year, he added. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India exported around 10 million tons of rice both in 2013 and 2014, displacing Thailand as the world’s largest exporter.

Thailand is, however, forecast to reclaim its top spot this year. The data has also reveals that India has become the second-largest rice grower, after China.The Trade Minister recently signed an MOU with Pakistan to secure rice imports from the South Asian country after previously failing to secure commitments for more imports from Vietnam and Thailand, because the Philippines had already bought the commodity from the two countries.In the fourth quarter of last year, the government was a little too late in securing additional rice imports to stabilize domestic prices amid insufficient domestic supply, giving enough time for the Philippines — which also experienced a lack of supply —―to secure commitments from Vietnam and Thailand.

Indonesia had planned to import a total of 1.5 million tons of rice from Thailand and Vietnam last year, but only 1 million tons were realized.On the other hand, the Philippines, which used to import around 500,000 to 700,000 tons of rice a year, imported an unusually large volume of 1.5 million tons from the two Southeast Asian rice exporters last year.Thomas said previously that while imports from Pakistan had not been realized yet, the Pakistani government had explained that it could supply around 500,000 tons of rice to Indonesia.“The State Logistics Agency [Bulog] is studying detailed Pakistani rice supply,” he said.Meanwhile, Bulog procurement director Wahyu said Bulog’s rice stocks stood at 1.38 million tons as of Wednesday, and he estimated that the country would not need to import in the next four months.

 “There hasn’t been any order for additional imports from Pakistan so far,” he added.Separately, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said he was upbeat that rice production would increase, as his ministry had been taking precautionary measures for possible La Niña weather phenomenon this year. La Niña, widely seen as El Niño’s opposite, typically brings more rainfall, threatening crops with flooding
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/07/govt-mulls-rice-imports-india.html#sthash.4B81IO0m.dpuf

Rice farmers hear optimistic outlook for coming year
Posted: Thu 5:15 PM, Jan 07, 2016


By: News Staff - Email

Courtesy: LSU AgCenter / MGN
CROWLEY, La (Press Release) - Rice farmers attending the first three of a series of LSU AgCenter producer meetings came away with reasons for optimism this year, with the start of planting season only two months away.The good news includes the potential for higher prices and federal approval of a bird repellent for rice seed.Meetings were held in Welsh on Jan. 5, Ville Platte on Jan. 6 and Crowley on Jan. 7. Additional sessions are scheduled for Jan. 19 in Mansura, Feb. 2 in Rayville and Feb. 25 in Breaux Bridge.LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi said rice stocks have declined by 22 percent from last year, and higher prices are anticipated. “It’s slowly moving up to $20 a barrel,” he told farmers at the meeting in Crowley.

The projected average price for long-grain rice is $19.44 a barrel, or $12 per hundredweight, he said. The projected average for medium-grain rice is $19.93 a barrel, or $12.30 per hundredweight.A decrease in rice acreage nationwide last year halted a price decline that started in 2014, Salassi said. Louisiana rice acreage in 2015 was 415,000, down by roughly 40,000 acres from the previous year.
Conditional approval for the bird repellent was signed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 5.AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said the EPA granted the approval for two years for the bird repellent AV-1011. The material does not hurt the birds, but it prevents them from eating seed treated with the natural chemical after they have consumed a small amount of the repellent-treated seed.Also at the meetings, farmers learned about two new varieties developed at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station.

A long-grain Clearfield variety, CL153, has good grain quality and good disease resistance, said LSU AgCenter rice breeder Steve Linscombe. The variety is in seed production this year, and it will be a good alternative to CL151 when it is available for commercial production next year.A new Clearfield medium-grain variety, CL272, will be an improvement over CL271, he said, with better yields and improved grain appearance and uniformity.Linscombe said work continues at the station on hybrid development with the expectation that a commercially viable hybrid might be in the pipeline in two to three years. In addition, a potential Clearfield Jazzman variety is ready for harvest now in Puerto Rico.A seed increase for the herbicide-resistant Provisia rice is also being produced on a seven-acre field in Puerto Rico.

AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster advised farmers that tank mixing the Provisia herbicide with other herbicides can result in damaged rice. “I can’t tell you when it’s going to happen or when it’s not going to happen,” he said.Webster said he also is testing the herbicide Rinskor, which has a new mode of action that works well on broadleaf weeds and grasses.Harrell said last year’s heavy rainfall challenged farmers during planting time. In addition, the unusually wet spring caused problems with fertilizer applications that are recommended for dry soil.AgCenter plant pathologist Don Groth reminded farmers that planting early is advised for disease-susceptible varieties. “Once you get into April planting, you are creating more risk.”Late-planted rice needs to be treated earlier with a fungicide, Groth said.

And applying only the recommended amount of nitrogen can reduce disease severity.AgCenter entomologist Mike Stout said insect problems can be reduced by planting early and using a seed treatment for rice water weevils.Stout said the Mexican rice borer continues its spread into Louisiana, with adults found in St. Landry Parish in the fall. It was first found in Calcasieu Parish in 2008.Stout also said a new threshold for stinkbugs probably will be recommended this year.AgCenter soybean specialist Ron Levy said severe flooding in north Louisiana and heavy rainfall and drought in south Louisiana were problems for many farmers.

 But he said farmers who grew their crops on raised beds with irrigation had good results.Salassi said soybean prices will probably not increase in 2015, with a projected Louisiana average of $9.20 per bushel. He said two years of record crops have boosted ending stocks.“Unless we have a significant drop in acreage, it’s going to take a while to move those soybeans out of the market,” Salassi said.
__
Bruce Schultz wrote this article for LSU AgCenter
http://www.knoe.com/home/headlines/Rice-farmers-hear-optimistic-outlook-for-coming-year-364575861.html

Chinese hybrid rice taking trip overseas

China Daily/Asia News NetworkFriday, Jan 08, 2016

China's National Rice Research Institute is looking to tap into seed markets in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America as it promotes its hybrid rice varieties over the next five years.Cheng Shihua, director general of the institute, said it will promote its hybrid rice seeds in emerging markets."We have conducted a number of tests on new rice varieties in rice paddies overseas. More often than not, our hybrids produce 30 per cent higher yields than local varieties," he said.The Hangzhou-based institute, which emphasizes genetic studies of rice and genome research for improving rice yields, grain quality, pest resistance and stress tolerance, is set to launch a joint venture seed company in Indonesia to develop new hybrid rice varieties for farmers.
Cheng said the institute will partner with Chinese seed companies to promote its technology overseas."We need to ensure that the rice companies make a profit and that local farmers improve their yields," he said.During the 13th Five Year Plan period (2016-20), the institute will go further than simply setting up demonstration centres for Chinese technologies, he said."We need to establish ourselves in the local seed markets, and this will offer us a starting point to establish ourselves further in the agricultural sector," he said.He said the cost to export Chinese rice seeds to foreign markets remains high, so the institute wants to develop local rice varieties overseas with a local labour force.

The concept must go through a very complicated administrative approval procedure from the Ministry of Agriculture."We are hoping that the approval procedure will be simplified in the near future," he said.Development of local rice varieties overseas will also help China improve its own rice research, as it will help enrich its rice gene pool, he said.Hu Peisong, deputy director general of the institute and a researcher in rice genetic studies and genome research, said the country still lags behind other major rice-producing countries in the world in terms of improving grain quality.

He said the institute will put more focus on the improvement of rice quality over the next five years in order to meet the nation's growing demand."International academic exchanges with Southeast Asia and India are also getting more frequent, and that will help the country improve its rice quality as well," he said.
http://business.asiaone.com/news/chinese-hybrid-rice-taking-trip-overseas#sthash.upzjuXvd.dpuf

 

China tops importers of Cambodian rice in 2015


20160108T000000Z 
Philippines News Agency

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 8 -- A surge in Chinese purchase orders helped boost the growth of Cambodia's rice export in 2015, according to a government's report released on Friday.Cambodia exported a total of 538,396 tons of milled rice to over 50 countries and regions last year, up 39 percent from the 387,061 tons in the year before, said the report compiled by the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export.China is the top buyer of Cambodian rice, followed by France and Poland, the report said.The world's second largest economy imported some 116,831 tons of milled rice from Cambodia last year, up 138 percent year-on-year, it said.Hean Vanhorn, director of the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export, attributed the remarkable growth to good quality rice and excellent relations between Cambodia and China. (PNA/Xinhua)

Published by HT Syndication with permission from Philippines News Agency. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

 

New Thai rice plan aims to cut rice production to 25 million tonnes this crop year


BY EDITORON THAILAND

New rice plan aims to cut rice production to 25 million tonnes this crop year
BANGKOK: — About 25 million tonnes of rice will be produced during 2516-17 crop years instead of the normal production output of between 31-32 million tonnes to correspond with anticipated consumption demand.
Commerce permanent secretary Chutima Boonyaprapat said Thursday that the private and farming sectors had been invited to join the government sector in working out an integrated rice production and market plan for the 2516-17 croup years. The plan is divided into short-term or six-month, medium-term or 12-month and long-term or 18-month programmes.Ms Chutima said it was agreed by the three parties that the yield for the 2516-17 croup years would be capped at 25 million tonnes instead of 31-32 million tonnes as the government wanted to reduce rice-farming areas due to drought and also to correspond with market demand. The plan is expected to be completed within a month, she added.
Regarding production, Ms Chutima said the Commerce Ministry would see to it that production costs are to reduce such as the costs of fertilizer, pesticides and harvesting as well as upgrading the standard of rice mills.As for domestic marketing, the ministry will try to secure more rice markets and to ensure fairness in rice trading which may include inspection of rice weighing and humidity measurement, price tagging and setting the standard of rice trade.The Agriculture Ministry has been tasked with rice cultivation zoning to set different zones for different types of rice and water management as well as choosing the right rice types for different zones.
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/new-thai-rice-plan-aims-to-cut-rice-production-to-25-million-tonnes-this-crop-year/127329/






Rice imports aimed at curbing poverty rate: VP


Jumat, 8 Januari 2016 23:15 WIB |
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla defended rice imports from Pakistan and India, saying they are aimed at curbing poverty rate in Indonesia."Rice price has the deciding factor. If it is not stable, the poverty rate will go up. So the imports prevent the price and poverty rate from rising and needs can be met," he said at the Vice Presidential Office here on Friday.Rice price plays a deciding role in the peoples life and thus, the government has the obligation to stabilize it, he said."The problem is that we have to stabilize rice price because it plays a deciding role. No matter whether the rice is imported from Pakistan or elsewhere, we must have sufficient stocks," he said.

Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said earlier the government is looking into the possibility of cooperation with Pakistan to import rice from the country."The process is going on. We have signed a MoU with the Pakistani government (to import rice) under a government to government partnership. Right now the state logistics agency (Bulog) is studying technical details of rice stocks in Pakistan," he said. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) said on Monday that the number of Indonesians living in poverty rose by 780 thousand to 28.51 million in September 2015, from 27.73 million in September 2014, The number of poor people rose significantly during the September 2014-March 2015 period due to a fuel price hike in November 2014 and the impact of economic slowdown, BPS Chairman Suryamin said.

"Compared to September 2014, (the number of poor people) in September 2015 rose by 0.78 million," he said.According to BPS data, the inflation rate in the September 2014-March 2015 period was recorded at 4.03 percent, with rural inflation reaching 4.4 percent over the same period.Compared to September 2014, rice prices rose 14.48 percent to Rp13,089 per kilogram and farmers exchange rate weakened by 1.34 percent in March 2015.However, he added that the number of residents not belonging to poor category began to increase in March 2015 after the governments social program was implemented.

The decline was also the result of the governments efforts to anticipate inflation in March 2015, he said.Therefore, the number of poor people dropped by 80 thousand during the March 2014-September 2015 period."Admittedly, if we look at data in September last year, the number of poor people did increase but if we look at data in March 2015, it declined," he said. (*)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/102410/rice-imports-aimed-at-curbing-poverty-rate-vp




Indonesia, India to collaborate on rice and pharmaceuticals 

Anton Hermansyah, thejakartapost.com | National | Fri, January 08 2016, 11:24 AM
Spicy affair: Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh (center) poses with a number of writers of a book entitled Masala Bumbu: Enhancing the India-Indonesia Partnership, including (from left to right) former deputy foreign minister Dino Patti Djalal, businesswoman Shinta Kamdani, pastry chief Farah Quinn and former trade minister Gita Wirjawan, at the book’s launch in August last year. (JP/DON)

Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong is scheduled to visit India and meet with Indian Trade Minister on Jan. 28-29 to follow up on a pledge to collaborate, Indonesian Ambassador to India Rizali Wilmar Indrakesuma has said.In the trade collaboration with India, Thomas said Indonesia would focus on two things, namely pharmaceuticals with a focus on generic medicine and rice imports from India.Collaboration in pharmaceuticals was initiated by President Joko "Jokowi" Widowo after meeting with Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Nov. 11, 2015. The plan to import rice was confirmed on Thursday by Thomas, who said he would propose an MoU to India.

Collaboration in pharmaceuticals is seen as a positive step as India is the biggest producer of generic medicine in the world. Indonesia AIDS Coalition (IAC) executive director Aditya Wardhana expressed hoped that Indonesia could also learn something from India."Indian medicinal policy really supports its people. It utilizes the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights [TRIPS] agreement by the World Trade Organization to produce affordable generic medicine," Aditya told thejakartapost.com recently.He gave as an example Sovaldi, a branded medicine to treat hepatitis C. He stressed that it cost US$1,000 per pill, not per box. Hepatitis C patients around the world protested the price, but no country openly supported the protest except for India.
 Utilizing the TRIPS agreement flexibility, if there are public objections to a patent, a patent registration can be canceled. "From there the Indian pharmaceutical company could produce the generic version called Sofosbufir, and it is affordable, around $7 per pill," Aditya explained.In reference to trade, Ambassador Rizali voiced hope that it would enhance relations between two countries. He said that many things had been initiated, the last being the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Arrangement (CECA) in 2011 by then trade minister Mari Elka Pangestu.

"But results of the follow up cannot be felt now. Chemistry must be built not only between governments but also between Indonesian and Indian businesspeople. Indonesian businesspeople remain wary of Indian businessmen and vice versa," said Rizali.Rizali also expressed hope that pharmaceutical and rice trade would help Indonesian and Indian businessmen get to know each other better."India is a big market and has the highest economic growth in Asia. Maybe it won't replace China as Indonesia's main trading partner, but by looking more to India, we could have alternatives and diversification for our economy," Rizali explained. (dan)(+)

 

2016 Food Aid Funding Increase Part of Bipartisan Omnibus Bill

By Peter Bachmann

 WASHINGTON, DC -- Before Congress concluded business for the year in December, they passed the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus which provided the first significant increase in PL-480 (Food for Peace) funding in many years. 

The program received $1.466 billion in initial funding from 2015 but the Omnibus bill also provided a one-time appropriation of $250 million of "Food for Peace Title II Grants" to be used directly toward international food aid in conflict zones like the Middle East or Syria.  The funds are to be used toward the purchase and shipment of U.S. commodities, such as rice, and not to be converted to cash or vouchers.

 

Sarah Moran, USA Rice director of international promotion, said, "We've been asking for increases in Food for Peace funding for years and we're glad that USA Rice and our partners' efforts have paid off this year."Moran added, "USA Rice is continuing efforts and exploring new options to prioritize U.S.-grown fortified rice as part of international food aid commodity shipments."

The Omnibus bill provides funding for federal programs for the remainder of the fiscal year and averted a government shutdown.  The massive document outlining 2016 appropriations has several beneficial provisions for agriculture including a $925 million increase from last year's funding level.

 

Liberia: UCI Increases Rice Import

Gambia: Papa Gassama is African Referee of the Year for Second Time

Since emerging as the largest importer of Liberia's staple food, rice, the United Commodities Incorporated (UCI) has persistently proved that it can meet the demands of millions of consumers.Even during the outbreak of the Ebola virus when a number of companies shut down, UCI kept its wheel of supply turning. This was confirmed when Mr. Anwar Ezzeddine, UCI Chief Executive Officer declared that, "UCI has never realized any shortage even during the Ebola crisis."

 

The UCI further made a major breakthrough in September 2015 when a ship loaded with 33,000 tons of rice with approximately 1.2 million bags, onboard M.V. AL MUKTHTAR from Kakinada in India was docked at the Freeport of Monrovia to augment the strength of an already huge stockpile of the commodity in many UCI warehouses on Bushrod Island.The additional supply by UCI was a way of assuring the general public that the company was still a giant as far as meeting the demands of rice consumers was concerned.At present, the UCI boasts of huge stockpile of rice that the public can rest assured that there would be no shortage on the part of the company with efforts being made to import additional huge amount of the country's staple food.

 

Founded in 2008, UCI is an international soft commodities trading company with its headquarters in Monrovia. The company has an extensive knowledge of the Liberian and other neighboring markets.UCI's vision is to establish a company that forges close bonds with main suppliers and offers quality goods at affordable prices. This lays the foundation for its business code of conduct, close collaboration, exchange of information and transparency, risk management, allocation and shared growth.Since its inception, UCI has enjoyed continuous and sustainable growth at all levels, and boasts of being a leading importer of key commodities in the country.

 

The UCI team has extensive field knowledge, giving it the flexibility and capacity to adapt to the customers' specific situations and requirements. UCI aims to provide effective services and offer innovative solutions to the challenges that each day brings.With more than 100 employees representing five different nationalities, UCI has a diverse and proficient team of employees at all levels in the company.The company's assets and ensuing customer satisfaction places UCI at a competitive edge in the rapidly transforming Liberian market place. This advantage promotes diversifying activities and the range of products offered.

 

UCI, which originally specialized in rice trading, now has a presence in the Liberian wheat flour, sugar, cooking oil, cement and steel rod markets.The workforce has also grown substantially from an original staff of five to more than a hundred employees. Constant development of its turnover demonstrates a successful business model.UCI plans to develop its position as a first-class partner by increasing and diversifying commodity trading operations from and to the emerging economies of the Mano River Union (Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone).

 

http://allafrica.com/stories/201601081247.html

 

 

 

| BLOOMBERG

 

JAN 8, 2016

Rice remains a Japanese staple but per-head consumption has fallen consistently for more than half a century as diets have diversified.Since the end of World War II, the dinner table has undergone significant changes in Japan.In the aftermath of the war, many Japanese still suffered from serious food shortages. Rations of rice were delayed, while substitute foods, such as sweet potatoes and corn, were also in short supply.City dwellers traveled to farming villages or the black market to acquire food and to stave off hunger. While receiving food aid from overseas, Japan pushed ahead with a national drive to boost the production of rice and other foods.

 

In 1955, 10 years after the war ended, the infant mortality rate was still high, with 39.8 of every 1,000 babies dying within a year of birth.The Japan Nutrition Association was established in the year as an affiliate of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the predecessor of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.In 1956, the association launched a nutrition improvement campaign, with “kitchen vehicles,” or revamped buses equipped with cooking facilities, visiting many locations across Japan.In efforts to promote Western-style dishes, staff demonstrated cooking methods, including the use of a frying pan and oil, a cooking style still not in wide use in the country.Traditional washoku (Japanese cuisine) consists of rice, miso soup, fish, vegetables and potato. Experts warned this could result in excessive intakes of carbohydrates and salt.

“The campaign was aimed at improving meals that were nutritiously ill-balanced due to the heavy weighting of rice, said Ritsuko Uetani, chief of the Tokyo-based association.In 1955, the electric rice cooker revolutionized the household chore of steaming rice in a pot. Due to its labor-saving benefits, rice cookers proved a smash hit. Within four years, about half of all households owned at least one, allowing many Japanese to eat white rice easily.Around the same time, a theory that eating rice makes people dull provoked controversy.The late Takashi Hayashi, an expert in cerebrophysiology and a then professor at Keio University, noted in his book published in 1958 that white rice does not contain the vitamin B group, which is found in wheat, a key ingredient of bread. Arguing that eating white rice impedes the proper functioning of the brain, Hayashi proposed bread as a staple food.

 

According to Uetani, the production of 12 “kitchen vehicles” used in the nutrition improvement campaign was financed with assistance from the Oregon Wheat Growers League. The aid reflected the U.S. aim of developing Japan as a major export market for its surplus agricultural produce.The Oregon league did not set any conditions on the association’s campaign in exchange for its financial assistance, Uetani said.A 1961 brochure by the Japanese association reported that laver sandwich, miso paste sandwich and mackerel hot dog were the most popular items with the Japanese public during cooking demonstrations.In the high-growth period, a bread-centered diet came to be widely accepted in Japan as life became increasingly Westernized. Meat, eggs, milk and dairy products started to appear regularly on menus, while intakes of fruit and vegetables increased.

 

Average annual rice consumption reached a postwar peak of 118 kg in fiscal 1962. Consumption fell in the late 1960s, however, resulting in large amounts of unused rice. In a turnaround, the government adopted in 1970 the gentanpolicy of reducing the acreage under cultivation to promote carefully planned production cuts.It was not long before obesity and lifestyle-related diseases became a problem due to excessive intakes of animal protein and fat. People started to take a fresh look at the good aspects of the traditional Japanese diet centered on rice.Still, the shift away from rice showed no signs of stopping. By fiscal 2012, average annual rice consumption had fallen to 57 kg, decreasing by half in half a century.“In my childhood, I usually ate two or three bowls of rice in each meal, but nowadays, people use small bowls and few have second helpings,” said Yoshiaki Tanaka, managing director of Shinmei Holding Co., a major rice wholesaler based in Kobe.

 

Tanaka believes there is little likelihood of rice consumption recovering in Japan amid a declining and aging population.Washoku was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013, while rice-centered meals have gained popularity overseas as a healthy diet.

But Issei Maeda, president of Tokyo-based Agri Holdings, which operates anonigiri (rice ball) shop in Singapore, said, “Even ramen noodles are considered healthy as they are Japanese food.”

 

Image:A farmer operating a combine harvester loads a truck with rice in a paddy in Katori, Chiba Prefecture, in September.

 

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/08/national/rice-remains-japanese-staple-despite-popularity-waning/#.VpDzO_l94dW

 

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Jan 08

 

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC & Open Market-January 8
 
Nagpur, Jan 8 Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor buying support from local millers good high
moisture content arrival. Downward trend on NCDEX, easy condition in Madhya Pradesh pulses and
increased supply from producing regions also pushed down prices, according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
    GRAM
   * Desi gram raw declined marginally in open market on lack of demand from local 
     traders amid good supply from producing regions.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders 
     amid ample stock in ready position.     
 
   * Lakhodi dal moved down in open market on poor buying support from local traders amid 
     increased supply from producing belts.    
      
   * In Akola, Tuar New - 8,400-8,700, Tuar dal New - 14,000-14,400, Udid - 
     12,600-13,100, Udid Mogar (clean) - 15,700-17,200, Moong - 
     8,700-8,900, Moong Mogar (clean) 9,900-10,200, Gram - 4,300-4,500, 
     Gram Super best bold - 5,800-6,200 for 100 kg.
 
   * Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market 
     in limited trading activity. 
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                3,600-4,000         3,700-4,100
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                7,000-8,950         7,100-9,070
     Moong Auction                n.a.                6,400-6,600
     Udid Auction                n.a.           4,300-4,500
     Masoor Auction                n.a.              2,600-2,800
     Gram Super Best Bold            6,000-6,500        6,000-6,500
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            5,700-5,800        5,700-5,800
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            4,700-4,900        4,700-4,900
     Desi gram Raw                4,700-4,850         4,750-4,900
     Gram Filter new            5,100-5,300        5,100-5,300
     Gram Kabuli                5,800-7,800        5,800-7,800
     Gram Pink                        6,400-7,300        6,400-7,300
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             14,300-14,800        14,300-14,800
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        13,400-14,000        13,400-14,000
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        12,500-13,200        12,500-13,200
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        11,000-12,000        11,000-12,000
     Tuar Gavarani New             8,350-9,250        8,350-9,250
     Tuar Karnataka             9,200-9,500        9,200-9,500
     Tuar Black                 15,100-15,500        15,100-15,500 
     Masoor dal best            6,500-6,800        6,500-6,800
     Masoor dal medium            6,100-6,300        6,100-6,300
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold            10,000-10,500       10,000-10,500
     Moong Mogar Med            9,200-9,800        9,200-9,800
     Moong dal Chilka            8,700-9,300        8,700-9,300
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            8,500-8,700        8,500-8,700
     Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG)    16,000-17,500       16,000-17,500 
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    13,500-16,000        13,500-16,000    
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,700-11,000        9,700-11,000     
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        5,700-6,100        5,700-6,100
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          4,300-4,500         4,400-4,600
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            3,100-3,300        3,100-3,300
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,200-3,400           3,200-3,400
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    3,300-3,800        3,300-3,800   
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,600-1,700        1,600-1,700
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    1,725-1,775        1,725-1,775   
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         1,650-1,850        1,600-1,800
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,100-2,450        2,100-2,450    
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   1,950-2,200        1,950-2,200
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,300-3,800        3,300-3,800    
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,600-2,900        2,600-2,900           
     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    2,600-2,800        2,600-2,800    
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,100-2,300        2,100-2,300    
     Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)         1,800-2,000        1,800-2,000
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,250-2,600        2,250-2,600   
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      1,950-2,350        1,950-2,350   
     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,000-3,400        3,000-3,400    
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,600-2,900        2,600-2,900    
     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    4,400-4,600        4,400-4,600    
     Rice HMT medium New(100 INR/KG)    3,700-4,000        3,700-4,000    
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,800-11,700        9,800-11,700     
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,800-8,000        7,800-8,000    
     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    4,700-5,000        4,700-5,000    
     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    4,100-4,600        4,100-4,600    
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        1,800-2,200        1,800-2,200    
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,700-1,800        1,700-1,800
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 30.6 degree Celsius (87.1 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
12.1 degree Celsius (53.8 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : n.a.
FORECAST: Cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 31 and 14 degreeCelsius respectively.
 
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N14S3E520160108

Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

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


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Jan '16
1148.0
1135.5
1161.5
+23.0
Mar '16
1186.5
1156.5
1184.5
+22.5
May '16
1213.0
1210.5
1212.5
+22.0
Jul '16
1239.0
+21.5
Sep '16
1221.5
+21.5
Nov '16
1239.5
+21.5
Jan '17
1239.5
+21.5

Rice Comment


Rice futures regained yesterday's losses and then some. March found support at $11.56 1/2 for the second day in a row. Yesterday's losses were sparked by disappointing export sales of 51,300 metric tons and shipments of 33,700 metric tons. There is a chart gap between $12.31 and $12.41 that could be an upside target for bulls. The market is finding support from tightening world stocks and concerns about the current El Nino weather pattern impacting production.


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