Tuesday, February 23, 2016

22nd February 2016 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine-Latest Rice News Updates


Advocates push food and nutrition as election issues



Food and nutrition security advocate groups are urging candidates to address food sustainability and malnutrition in their electoral platforms.

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“Steady economic growth has not translated to the improvement of lives of many Filipinos,” executive director Romeo C. Dongeto of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development said in a statement.He pointed out that notwithstanding the reduction in the number of people suffering from hunger as shown in a recent SWS survey, numerous reforms remains to be carried out addressing income inequality and rural poverty.Last month, the SWS released a survey showing the hunger rate last year at 13.4%, the lowest in 11 years.Other organizations that have called for candidates to address nutrition and food security include the Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security (PhilCAN) and Farmers group Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP).


PhilCAN vice-lead convenor Dyan Amee Rodriguez attributed hunger and malnutrition in the country to various factors, including “natural disasters, climate change, and poor governance.”“We can eradicate malnutrition through consistent and scaled up initiatives, and use of accurate, timely and credible information in designing and monitoring interventions,” Ms. Rodriguez said.The PKMP attributed the “high prevalence” of poverty to the state of the country’s agricultural development, adding that small-scale farmers and rural communities suffer the most.“Addressing food security should be top priority of the government,” said PKMP secretary-general Nestor Diego, adding that the government focuses more on the benefits of agribusiness than on the welfare of farmers.


National Food Authority (NFA) spokesperson Dir. Angel G. Imperial, Jr. said they will continue monitoring rice supply to keep the country’s stocks sufficient and prices stable.The NFA earlier said it’s possible the country won’t import rice in the first quarter.PhilRice adapts a simplified virus detection tool for rice February 22, 2016.NUEVA ECIJA, Feb. 22 -- Scientists at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have adapted a simplified method to detect viruses in plant and insect vectors using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique.LAMP assay has been proven useful in detecting viruses in animals and humans, said Dr. Emmanuel Tiongco.His team, composed of Dr. Xuan Hoai Truong, Ms. Ma. Johna Duque, and Dr. Rubigilda Paraguison-Alili (Central Luzon State University), extended the application of this method to rice viruses in the Philippines.


The method enables detection of the rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) in plants even before common symptoms become noticeable. “Through this application, major rice virus diseases and insect vectors can be diagnosed in a fast, efficient, and accurate method,” Dr. Tiongco said.Using the method, RTBV can be detected 1 day after infection. The widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects RTBV 3 days after infection.Additionally, Dr. Tiongco said that LAMP assay detects the rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV) and the rice dwarf virus (RDV) not only in rice plants but also in their respective brown planthopper and green leafhopper vectors.

This way, the impending virus spread is known even before rice crop establishment.Existing virus detection tools, Dr. Tiongco commented, have difficulties in detecting viruses that are of low titer (strength of a substance’s solution) aside from being arduous and time consuming.Easy to follow procedures, cheaper equipment required, high level of specificity, and simple result determination by merely looking at the change in color of the test solution are among the advantages of the newly developed method.

Dr. Tiongco and his team have conducted training programs for agricultural technicians, rice researchers, and extension workers about this new method at the PhilRice Central Experiment Station in Nueva Ecija and its stations in Isabela, Negros, and Midsayap."This early, virus detection tool is useful for pest control officers. The reliable and prompt results it provides can lead to proactive solutions, and hence, prevent viral disease epidemic," Dr. Tiongco said. (PhilRice)





Rice initiative to impact 122,000 lives
GIZ boss

ON FEBRUARY 22, 201612:39 AMIN BUSINESSCOMMENTS By Dotun Ibiwoye The perennial problems associated with smallholder farming in Nigeria such as poor farm implements, inadequate fertilisers, outdated farming methods and poor techniques which result in poor crop yield will soon become things of the past if plans by the German Agency for International Cooperation, GIZ, are anything to go by.Thomas Kirsch, GIZ Nigeria’s Country Director disclosed in a chat with Vanguard that his agency has initiated a scheme code-named, ‘The Competitive African Rice Initiativ’e,’ CARI, which will offer matching grants to no fewer than 122,000 farmers in four African countries, including Nigeria.

Kirsch said, CARI is expected to team up with additional partners to target more farmers, all of whom will be integrated into inclusive business models until 2017. According to Kirsch, the focus now is on the marketing of locally produced rice, and to continue to support policies that will create the enabling environment for high yield production.He affirmed that the core mechanism for implementing the program is a Matching Grant Fund mechanism focused on supporting core partners to strengthen linkages and build the capacity of the broader value chain actors.In the Nigerian organisations, where the project, has been implemented, the Country Director said that over 2,000 farmers have been clustered around primary processors, for the production of Garri, Fufu, starch, High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF).

He disclosed that 300 lead farmers have been trained in rapid cassava-stem multiplication, providing additional income to the farmers as well as improving access to improved cassava varieties for the general farming community. ”The Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) seeks to improve the livelihoods of at least 122,000 smallholder farmers in Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania by integrating smallholder farmers into competitive and sustainable business models,” Kirsch said ”Three special projects for support to female farmers are also supported in Nigeria and Ghana,”he disclosed further ”Potato yields of trained farmer groups have increased from 6 to 12 tons per hectare. Potato farmers have received group formation training and have organized themselves to form an association with about 1,500 members to better respond to market demands. 12 storage facilities for potatoes have increased the profitability of potato farming,” he said”We are working with a number of Nigerian corporate and individual professionals, commissioned by GIZ as consultants, to build the capacity of partner organizations and small entrepreneurs.

 He stated that sustainable smallholder Agri-Business Programme commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with cofinancing from the European Union and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) is supporting 350,000 male and female smallholders, mainly in the cocoa growing areas of Nigeria,Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Togo, to sustainably improve their incomes and food supplies from diversified production.Kirsch said approaches are made available to interested programs, companies, organizations in Africa and to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/rice-initiative-to-impact-122000-lives-giz-boss/




02/22/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report
Rice
High
Low
Long Grain Cash Bids
- - -
- - -
Long Grain New Crop
- - -
- - -


Futures:
ROUGH RICE
High
Low
Last
Change
Mar '16
1102.0
1050.0
1070.5
-31.5
May '16
1129.5
1077.0
1098.0
-31.5
Jul '16
1131.0
1119.0
1126.0
-31.0
Sep '16
1140.0
1135.0
1139.5
-29.0
Nov '16
1157.0
-29.5
Jan '17
1170.0
-29.5
Mar '17
1170.0
-29.5
Description: DTN Description: CME Group Description: Click here for info on Exchange delays.

Rice Comment

Rice futures sold off hard in early dealings, but did recover about half of the day's losses before the close. The losses were attributed to the disappointing results of the Iraqi tender. The tender had originally been for US origin rice only, the top bidder only offered 30,000 tons of US rice and the rest was much cheaper rice from Argentina and Uruguay.


LAST DAY to Complete CME Group Survey
All members of the rice industry, particularly those with interest in the rice futures market, are encouraged to complete the CME Group survey found here.
https://cmeg.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_86WBqXz373PWewJ&Q_JFE=0

USA Rice Daily, Monday, February 22, 2016




Colombia cooking class
USA Rice Hosts "Cocina Viva" Chef Seminar in Bogotá
By Ernesto Baron

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - Earlier this month, USA Rice partnered with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council to conduct a culinary seminar for the hotel, restaurant, and institutional sector here.  The interactive session was led by Executive Chef Bernardo Gómez, a professor and member of the Colombia Gastronomical Academy and honorary member of the Colombian Chef Association.

More than 60 participants learned about different types of U.S.-grown rice and rice preparation techniques.  Of particular interest to the chef participants was learning to use the right type of rice for a particular recipe.

"Colombia is largely a long grain market," said John Valpey, chairman of the USA Rice International Promotion Committee.  "This seminar is designed to broaden chefs' horizons here and encourage them to have fun with their recipes and to know that there is always a U.S.-grown rice that will go perfectly with their cooking."

Colombia is a new and important market for U.S rice.  The market went from essentially zero U.S. rice exports in 2011 to more than 329,000 metric tons in 2015 thanks to the 2012 U.S-Colombia Free Trade Agreement that established a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for U.S. rice.  Imports of U.S. rice have outpaced the TRQ every year and the government of Colombia recently announced a tender for an additional 200,000 metric tons of rice in response to domestic production shortfalls as a result of El Niño. 

USA Rice is optimistic that the United States will be able to participate in the emergency needs of the country, but either way, promotions in the country are still important as U.S. rice is still a relatively new experience for most Colombians
Published : 22 Feb 2016, 20:25:56
IRRI-ACI tie up to modernise rice production
DHAKA, Feb 22: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on Monday announced a partnership with Bangladesh's Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI), Limited to build a state-of-the-art rice breeding programme in Bangladesh.



The partnership will help improve the lives of rice farmers and boost rise production through supporting better rice varieties and agricultural technologies. The collaboration will also support a wide range of projects aimed to accelerate genetic research and advance breeding and product development for the Bangladesh rice ecosystem, the IRRI said.

This agreement builds on the successful partnership developed between the two organisations through the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC), started in 2014, which is a public private partnership that enhances the dissemination of hybrid rice technology. HRDC, of which ACI has been a member since May 2014, was established at IRRI in 2008.

IRRI's unique expertise and technology platform will be available to ACI in the form of an intensive technology-transfer programme, partially financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

In addition, ACI will deploy specific elite varieties developed by IRRI that are suitable for Bangladesh agro-climatic conditions. A strong screening program, developed by ACI with the help of IRRI specialists, will yield a robust pipeline of new elite varieties. ACI will be responsible for market introduction of the best varieties.

"The objective of this collaboration with ACI is to facilitate higher rice yields, better quality, climate-change-tolerant varieties, and improved sustainability of rice production in Bangladesh", IRRI Director General Matthew Morell said while commenting on the partnership.
"We are pleased to partner with IRRI, a recognised leader in rice research and development, to address the need to improve the lives of rice farmers through better rice varieties and agricultural technologies, which ensure creating wealth for farmers" said Dr. FH Ansarey, Executive Director for Agribusiness of ACI.

ACI is a leading brand in Bangladesh with activities in pharmaceuticals, consumer brands including agriculture value addition, logistics including agriculture retailing and complete agriculture solution covering seed, fertilizer, crop care, agriculture machineries, animal health and integrated poultry and farmer's forward and backward linkage, according to a news agency.
-Jahangirhttp://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/02/22/17215

Marcos’ Green Revolution


February 22, 2016 8:52 pm


Description: RACHEL A.G. REYES
IN 1962, not long before Ferdinand Marcos was elected president, the Philippines was at the forefront of pioneering scientific research on rice that introduced high-yielding varieties to the country. Supported by several international agencies, including the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, the main goal was to increase food production. Working at the newly established International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in Los Baños, Laguna, scientists from all over the world developed a type of rice that produced heavy heads of grain that grew on short, robust stalks able to bear the weight of the grain without toppling over. This rice variety, called IR-8, required intensive irrigation, plenty of fertilizer, and chemical pesticides, to flourish. Output doubled. Between 1962 to 1964 and 1983 to 1985, with steady increases in between, rice yields rose from 1.24 to 2.48 metric tons of palay per hectare.

The increase was spectacular and unprecedented. For the first time, the chance to effect real equitable change in the lives of the poor was within the government’s grasp. However, despite its promising start, the green revolution in the Philippines did not deliver the gains it was supposed to. Not only did it fail to improve the conditions of the poor but, ironically, the poor slid further into hardship. The opportunity was squandered. What happened?

Under Marcos, per capita income rose, there was a rice surplus, and the price of rice fell. But, to simplify a complicated story, the period from 1965 to 1986 was a paradox. There was economic growth yet it caused massive impoverishment. The American economist James K. Boyce calls this phenomenon “immiserizing growth,” when economic growth, and political and social conditions are such that the rich get absolutely richer and the poor become absolutely poorer.After the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, there was a decline in the absolute incomes of the poor. Millions were without access to basic needs, hunger was widespread, with infants and children hardest hit. Impoverishment prevented the poor from buying rice, even when rice prices were at their lowest. In a 1979 review of Philippine grain production policy, the World Bank found that total rice consumption in the 1970s slowed, growing at only 2.9%, barely in step with the rate of population increase. The poor were not filling up on bread and cake. They were not eating.
Studies by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute found that by 1982, two thirds of families consumed less than the recommended minimum daily calorie intake. 25% of the country’s pre-schoolers were stunted, 14% were wasted, and an appalling 69% were underweight. Between 1970 and 1983, infant mortality was at 59 per 1,000 in rural areas and 55 per 1,000 in urban areas – among the highest in East and Southeast Asia. The cause of infant and child deaths could be directly traced to hunger and a lack of basic health care services. While the Marcos government injected $229 million into private hospitals specializing in single organ diseases (the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney Foundation, and the Lung Center of the Philippines), which catered to the rich, primary health care fell by the wayside. A damning UNICEF report declared it a gross misallocation of resources. Babies and children died from entirely preventable illnesses — diarrhea, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, and common respiratory infections due to undernourishment.
Elsewhere in Asia, the green revolution pulled countries out from the abyss. It helped China recover from Mao’s catastrophic Great Leap Forward and India to overcome mass starvation. In the Philippine case, boosting rice production occurred in a highly inequitable social setting where disparities in wealth and power at both the national and barangay level determined who would be favored from the outset. Had the Marcos government addressed land reform and redistribution of wealth, then more egalitarian and sustained growth might have resulted.

Under Marcos, precisely the opposite occurred. The primary beneficiaries of the green revolution in the Philippines were those who had access to financing and water — the rural elites who came from the ranks of the old landlord classes and upwardly mobile tenant farmers who, with larger farms, were awarded capital subsidies from the government. Subsidies were especially necessary in purchasing the expensive fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, needed by the high yielding varieties. Use of chemical pesticides led to an environmental disaster. Fish, another food staple of the poor, and other aquatic life, became contaminated, compounding the hunger problem still further.

“One cannot explain the prevalence of malnutrition in a period of increasing food and agricultural production as primarily a supply problem” Boyce observed. “Rather, it is a case of the uneven distribution of the available food within the population…the inequitable and worsening distribution of purchasing power.”Under Marcos the green revolution became a privately profitable enterprise.

It is said that the best lies hold a grain of truth. Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos recently asked: “Will I say sorry for the agricultural policy that brought us to self sufficiency in rice?” Bongbong has consistently taken a defiantly unrepentant stance toward his late father’s rule. Born in 1957, he was in his twenties during the period of the green revolution. He did not go hungry himself and, like his father, showed little empathy for the millions who did.


http://www.manilatimes.net/marcos-green-revolution/246377/



Commodity Report-February 22


Published 

In today’s commodity report we have the the National Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report, the California Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report, Weekly Rice Summary and other commodity end of the day market numbers.

National Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report


Description: Commodity TradingRegional prices are 16 to 30.5 cents lower for Extra Large, 19 to 37 cents lower for Large and 10.5 to 28.5 cents lower for Medium. California price are 4 cents lower for Jumbo and Extra Large, 5 cents lower for Large and 1 cent lower for Medium and Small. New York egg prices are unchanged on all sizes. The undertone is steady to higher in California, steady in remaining areas. Offerings are moderate to instances heavy in the South Central, very light to moderate in California, moderate in all other regions. Supplies vary, although mostly moderate to heavy. Retail and food service demand is mostly light to moderate, however moderate to fairly good in the Southeast. Market activity is generally slow to moderate, although moderate to active in California. Breaking stock supplies are light to moderate for mostly normal breaking schedules. Light hen offerings are moderate to heavy for the light to moderate demand.

California Shell Eggs: Daily Egg Report

Benchmark prices are 4 cents lower for Jumbo and Extra Large, 5 cents lower for Large and 1 cent lower for Medium and Small. The undertone is steady to higher for the larger sizes and sharply higher for Medium. Demand is moderate. Offerings are moderate for the larger sizes and light to very light for Medium. Supplies are moderate. Market activity is moderate to active. Small benchmark price $1.16.

Shell egg marketer’s benchmark price for negotiated egg sales of USDA Grade AA and Grade AA in cartons, cents per dozen. This price does not reflect discounts or other contract terms.
RANGE
JUMBO
194
EXTRA LARGE
180
LARGE
174
MEDIUM
136

Weekly Rice Summary

In California, medium grain milled rice prices steady to 3.00 lower. Second heads prices mostly steady; Brewers prices steady to 1.00 lower. Rice by-products: Rice Bran prices 5.00-10.00 lower. Rice hulls spot trade not well tested.
USDA National Weekly Rice Summary (.pdf) with all prices.
Check the February USDA Commodity Report Calendar for today’s commodity reports released by USDA.

Now Monday’s Commodity Market ending market numbers for other commodities:

Corn
March Corn ended at $3.67 1/2 increasing 2 cents, May ended at $3.72 1/4 gaining 3 cents.
Soybeans
March Soybeans ended at 8.81 up 2 3/4 cents, May ended at 8.84 1/4 increasing 3 1/2 cents.
Wheat
March Wheat ended at $4.58 1/2, decreasing 3 1/4 cents, May Wheat ended at $4.64 down 2 3/4 cents.
Rough Rice
March Rough Rice ended at 10.705 losing 0.315, May ended at 10.98 decreasing 0.315.
Live Cattle
February Live Cattle ended at $136.425 increasing $1.05 and April ended at $134.625 up $0.675 and June ended at $123.825 gaining $0.675.
Feeder Cattle
March Feeder Cattle ended at $155.175 losing $0.70 and April ended at $154.575 decreasing $0.05 and May ended at $153.10 up $0.15.
Lean Hogs
April Lean Hogs ended at $69.25 increasing $0.35, May ended at $76.025 up $0.775
Class III Milk
February Class III Milk ended at $13.81 down $0.01, March ended at $13.67 decreasing $0.18 and April ended at $13.61 dropping $0.20.
#2 Cotton
March #2 Cotton ending at 57.74 losing 2.27, May ended at 58.69 down 0.85.
Sugar #11
March sugar #11 ended at 12.61 up $0.09 and May ended at 12.76 increasing 0.09.
Orange Juice
March Orange Juice ended at 125.30 losing $5.30, May ending at 125.80 down $4.85.
Gold
April gold ending at $1210.10 decreasing $20.70 a troy ounce, June at $1210.60 losing $20.70 and August gold ending at $1211.11 down $20.70.
Crude Oil WTI
April Crude Oil WTI ended at $33.39 increasing $1.64, May ended at $35.04 up $1.65 and June ended at $36.18 gaining $1.59.
Brent Crude
April Crude Oil Brent ended at $34.69 gaining $1.68, May ended at $35.29 increasing $1.67 and June ended at $35.98 up $1.64.




India Gate's 550kg rice bag enters Guinness World Records at Gulfood 2016
WAM/Dubai
Filed on February 22, 2016
Description: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/storyimage/KT/20160222/ARTICLE/160229874/AR/0/AR-160229874.jpg&MaxW=780&imageVersion=16by9&NCS_modified=20160222204225Description: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/storyimage/KT/20160222/ARTICLE/160229874/AR/0/AR-160229874.jpg&MaxW=780&imageVersion=16by9&NCS_modified=20160222204225WAM/Dubai
Filed on February 22, 2016

The new record was achieved when the bag was filled in a single day and transported on a truck to Gulfood. Gulfood, the world's largest annual food and hospitality trade show, has broken a Guinness World Record for the globe's heaviest bag of rice.KRBL Limited, the world's largest rice millers and Basmati rice exporters, has successfully entered the Guinness Book of World Records with a bag of rice from its acclaimed India Gate Classic Basmati Rice brand weighing 550kgs, a combined weight of two adult Royal Bengal Tigers.

The new record was achieved when the bag was filled in a single day by a dedicated team at KRBL DMCC's Al Quoz warehouse before being driven on a truck to Gulfood, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre, DWTC, from 21st - 25th February."Guinness Book of World Record assessors were on site to verify the entire process," explained Priyanka Mittal, member of the Board of Directors at KRBL Limited.

Following the feat, Guinness Book of Records accreditors presented the KRBL Limited management with an honorary certificate on the second day of Gulfood."After the show, we plan to display the bag for a few days at a major retail store or a shopping mall before cooking it for distribution to labourers," added Mittal.KRBL Limited, which owns the India Gate Basmati rice brand, is also one of the recipients of World's Greatest Brands and Leaders 2015 - Asia & GCC Awards. The company is participating at Gulfood to connect with its worldwide distributors, forge new alliances and expand its country basket.

The record has been welcomed by DWTC which has signed up more than 5,000 exhibitors from over 120 countries for Gulfood 2016, the largest number in the show's history."The new Guinness World Record is a colourful and engaging addition to this year's show. Dubai is well known for its record-breaking exploits and we're very happy that Gulfood has got in on the act," said Mark Napier, Exhibition Director of Gulfood.Gulfood 2016 is hosting the show's largest contingent to date of national and industry pavilions, having lined up a total of 117, five more than last year, with first-time group participation from Russia, Costa Rica, Belarus, and Mauritius, and New Zealand returning after a six-year break.

Among the anticipated 90,000 visitors from more than 170 countries expected before the show closes on Thursday evening, Gulfood 2016 will host international heads of state, ministers, government officials and national trade associations from five continents.


Rice prices to go up in city, fear experts

Siddharth Tadepalli | TNN | Feb 23, 2016, 10.59 AM IST

Hyderabad: This year, prices of rice and rice products will escalate manifold, fear agrarian experts and traders, who are blaming it on early onset of summer, less sowing and scanty rainfall. At a time when the maximum day temperature continues to hover around 38 degrees Celsius, records from the state agriculture department show that paddy sowing has been lesser than 2014-2015.

Data shows Telangana farmers have restricted themselves to sowing paddy on a measly 2.2 lakh hectares against the average of 6.4 lakh hectares in previous two years. A shortfall of rice is on the cards, as a result of decrease in sowing, especially in the city.

At present, a kg of Sona Masoori rice, is priced anywhere between Rs 45-60 in the open markets. Traders are of the opinion that the price could soar to Rs 80 or higher.

"To cultivate paddy, water must be made available in copious amounts. But in the last one year, we have been facing a drought-like situation. Now, even the borewells have dried up, which is why many of us have stopped sowing paddy," said D Shyam, a farmer who has 30 acres of barren land in Bibinagar.

However, the worst affected would be the urban consumers, according to J Jayaram, general manager, marketing, state civil supplies department, as the monthly consumption of rice in the entire city is around 1.8 lakh tonnes. But with the shortfall in paddy cultivation, farmers fear that the maximum yield that they can now achieve would barely be one-third of the monthly requirement.

"If the acreage of cultivation comes down, apart from a dip in the quantity of rice, the rate for procuring the produce, milling and making it fit for consumption goes up. And, this additional price would have to be borne by the consumers," said Venkateshwarulu Manchu Konda, president, Rice Millers' Association, who supplies rice to several supermarket brands in the city.


Not just the farmers, even agrarian experts like G V Ramanjenayulu highlight how the crop production has come down by half. "Most of the farmers had pinned their hopes on irrigating their farms with the rainwater. But unfortunately, all their hopes were dashed," he said.

Top Comment

Prices in India never come down. Milk, rice, gold, houses, all prices go up continuously. I wonder why they bother to ex... Read MoreSrinivasa Rao D


Even, senior officials from the department said they are fast losing hope on early rains. "It is only the farmers with access to a working borewell, who are taking up paddy cultivation," C Parthasarathi, secretary of the department.

From flab to fabulous

Description: http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/original_images/Feb2016/20160222-bt-yolo.jpg

The Business Times
Monday, Feb 22, 2016

The Business Times

By Tay Suan Chiang
THE crew at Kilter Avenue, a new boot camp, know that no one really likes waking up at 6am to exercise. Which is why their boot camp sessions start only at 10am.The one month-old Kilter Avenue is headed by three working professionals - Karen Heng, an account director at a public relations and branding agency; Caryn Cheah, trade ambassador for a spirits company, and Rajeev Singh, a commercial manager for a shipping company."The three of us met at the gym where we are all members, and bonded over a shared passion and excitement for fitness," says Ms Heng."We all lead active lifestyles, and like working out in groups because there is a higher push of motivation; the sense of camaraderie when training with like-minded people is a feeling that we want to bring across in our boot camps."

The trio want to show that it is possible to be fit and strong mentally and physically, without having to give up what they enjoy as part of their work."This philosophy of balance and moderation in the way we go about our everyday life is the basis of our business," says Ms Heng. She goes to the gym before work daily, does capoeira once or twice a week, and has dinner and drinks with friends a couple of nights a week.
Ms Heng says the boot camp sessions are only one part of Kilter Avenue."We envision Kilter Avenue to be a well-rounded fitness lifestyle brand that is also an online retailer of products that we love and fit into our lifestyle," says Ms Heng.Besides selling passes to its boot camps, at S$15 per session, Kilter Avenue also retails probiotic sodas and soy candles.To stand out from other boot camps in town, different disciplines of sports such as capoeira, Zumba, and boxing are integrated into each session, along with bodyweight exercises such as squats, push-ups, sit-ups and mountain climbers."We want to expose people to different forms of fitness, types of training and ways of workout," says Ms Heng. In addition to the exercises, time-based circuits and some sprints are thrown in.Most other boot camps only have one trainer per class, but at Kilter Avenue, Mr Singh is the head trainer, and there is at least one other Kilter Avenue staff on hand to correct form and ensure an effective 60-minute session.

Wrong form is a slippery slope to injuries and a trap of working out for long periods of time but not seeing commensurate results.Mr Singh is a certified personal trainer, and is also a certified coach for Kettlebell, spinning, powerlifting and indoor cycling.He has also taken part in three Ironman triathlons, as well as other marathons throughout the Asia-Pacific.Boot camps are held every Saturday at Fort Canning Hill, and in the coming months, sessions will also be held at East Coast Park and on Sundays. About 12 to 15 people attend each session, with 20 people set as the maximum. Ms Heng says the boot camps are suitable for everyone of all fitness levels."As our boot camp sessions play around with variations of bodyweight exercises, we are able to tailor according to levels, that is, each movement can have regressions or progressions depending on the individual's level of fitness," she explains.

Also, because the circuits are time-based and not repetition-based, individuals can separately work up to their own maximum effort levels."We encourage those that are weaker, but at the same time, enthusiastically challenge those that are fitter. So, if we see that you can go at a faster pace than you are currently going at, we will not think twice about calling you out and giving you a run for your money," quips Ms Heng.With Kilter Avenue, you can lose the weight you've gained from eating too many pineapple tarts and bak kwa."You can lose body fat and gain muscle, which in turn guides you to a leaner and more efficient body, and ultimately that leads to weight loss," she says."Having the goal of losing body fat is a more holistic approach to being healthy and fit. Weight loss is the natural consequence of that and looking better is the icing on the cake."

EAT YOUR GOALS
YOLO ICON
Village, 12 Gopeng Street, #01-01 Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 8am to 9.30pm, closed on Sundays yolofood.com.sg
YOLO - you only live once - so why feed your body with junk?
"Instead, you should take care of your body, eat what you love and live life to the fullest, because you only live once," says Alexis Bauduin, founder of YOLO, an eatery which focuses on serving healthy meals.
Before he started YOLO, Mr Bauduin, a French expatriate, was the typical corporate worker. He was previously working with the LVMH Group in China.
"I was travelling a lot, having to entertain customers and always in a rush which made eating healthily almost impossible," he says. His unhealthy lifestyle made him sick.
Now 32, he says the turning point for him was when he was 27.
He found it harder to control his weight, and he didn't feel as energised as before. "So I decided to look into eating healthily but such eating options were limited and boring.
The idea for YOLO took shape then but it was only last year that it came to fruition.
Mr Bauduin worked with a nutritionist and a chef to create the meals. "The nutritionist and I would decide which dishes we would select.
We wanted to focus on dishes that people are familiar with but to make them healthier," says the first-time entrepreneur. "The chef would help with the taste and the operational side of things, as we served each meal within five minutes of ordering."
Healthier versions of familiar favourites include chicken rice but made using brown rice, and a prawn pad Thai but with added tofu, vegetables and almonds.
To make things easier, the meals are split into four categories, each with a goal in mind, which are Shape Up, Energise, Build and Glow.
"We all have a goal in mind, but we don't know what we need to eat to get to this goal. YOLO tailors meals to help customers reach their goals," he says.
A meal costs from S$9.90 for a salad with chicken, cauliflower and tabbouleh, to S$15.90 for the miso-glazed salmon steak with bak choy and quinoa. Portions are controlled so there's no overeating.
YOLO's top three meals are the miso-glazed salmon steak, coconut chicken with brown basmati rice, and cauliflower fried rice, which is shredded cauliflower that tastes like rice.
Mr Bauduin makes eating healthy fun, not only through the meal selection, but also with the eatery's slick decor and music selection, where it works with DJs to create its own music set list.
Mr Bauduin says music is an important part to YOLO: "It changes from hip-hop/pop in the morning and afternoon to house music in the later afternoon and at night," he says.
This combination has become a hit with customers of all ages.
"We get youngsters who come because of our decor and music, the office crowd, and even the elderly community who come to purchase a healthier version of chicken rice or the cauliflower fried rice," says Mr Bauduin.

PURISTS' OIL
Nakula Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil Available at Cold Storage and Jasons supermarkets
GOING healthy need not mean making big changes in your life. You could start small, such as by switching to a different oil for cooking.
Coconut oil has been the rage for the last few years, and one of the new brands that's available is Nakula Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil.
The oil is made using fresh Sri Lankan coconut flesh, and has no preservatives added to it.
Coconut oil is reported to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities, and is rich in medium chain fatty acids, which reportedly help to raise the good cholesterol levels and boost metabolism.
According to its distributor, Kevin Tan, managing director of Provenance Distributions, Nakula Coconut Oil is also unrefined, unbleached and chemically unaltered.
"Its pure properties make Nakula Coconut Oil multi-functional. You can use it both in the kitchen and in the bathroom," says Mr Tan.
His company is the exclusive importer of Just Picked CocoWater, and the first to popularise premium Tetra Pak coconut water in Singapore.
He explains that Nakula Coconut Oil can be used for cooking, such as in stir-fries, grilling or roasting. Or it can be drizzled on toast in place of butter, or added to coffee and tea as well. Coconut oil can also be taken on its own as a dietary supplement.
Some users of Nakula Coconut Oil have also used it to make coconut and gula melaka granola, avocado and coconut bruschetta and even yam and coconut chiffon cake.
On the beauty side, coconut oil is said to be a natural make-up remover. It also works as a moisturizer for the face and body, and by swishing coconut oil in the mouth for 20 minutes, it can help to clean teeth.
Apart from its benefits, Mr Tan believes that Nakula has been popular with consumers because of its price. A 500ml jar costs S$15.95 while a one-litre jar is S$29.95.
"This is one of the lowest in the market for premium unrefined organic oil," he says. says.
: http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/content/flab-fabulous#sthash.YOjX1uAE.dpuf


Rice Prices

as on : 22-02-2016 08:10:56 PM

Arrivals
Price
Current
%
change
Season 
cumulative
Modal
Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Shahjahanpur(UP)
378.10
243.73
39085.80
2200
2200
8.64
Manjeri(Ker)
290.00
NC
6380.00
3000
3000
-9.09
Gorakhpur(UP)
190.00
-17.39
3082.00
2120
2115
7.07
Gondal(UP)
180.00
1.12
10067.10
2015
2015
-0.74
Sitapur(UP)
135.00
-2.88
4428.00
2100
2200
-3.23
Pilibhit(UP)
110.00
1000
16358.00
2195
2195
-6.40
Kalipur(WB)
90.00
12.5
2946.00
2100
2050
-4.55
Chandabali(Ori)
85.00
NC
1098.00
1800
1800
28.57
Bindki(UP)
85.00
30.77
1698.00
2230
2260
6.95
Aligarh(UP)
70.00
NC
1635.00
2170
2150
14.21
Barasat(WB)
60.00
20
1435.00
2300
2300
2.22
Pandua(WB)
52.00
15.56
1135.00
2500
2600
-5.66
Samsi(WB)
50.00
NC
14610.00
2900
2800
-
Kasimbazar(WB)
43.50
-1.14
921.50
2380
2310
-8.46
Balrampur(UP)
41.00
30.16
992.00
2040
2040
-0.49
Dadri(UP)
36.00
-10
1258.00
2065
2070
-2.82
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
35.00
16.67
825.00
3000
3000
-
Taliamura(Tri)
32.00
-8.57
240.00
2300
2300
-
Ghaziabad(UP)
30.00
-57.14
1590.00
2070
2075
-2.59
Jasra(UP)
30.00
33.33
295.50
2070
2060
3.50
Partaval(UP)
30.00
50
944.50
2075
2075
7.79
Purulia(WB)
30.00
NC
1332.00
2200
2180
-8.33
Banda(UP)
28.00
-6.67
279.50
2110
2150
-
Kondotty(Ker)
25.00
NC
75.00
2800
2700
-
Mirzapur(UP)
22.00
-15.38
934.50
1920
1920
2.13
Diamond Harbour(South 24-pgs)(WB)
18.00
-14.29
250.00
1850
1850
-
Champadanga(WB)
16.00
6.67
464.00
2350
2350
-12.96
Muradabad(UP)
15.00
50
351.50
2200
2245
11.39
Dibrugarh(ASM)
14.00
-30
641.30
2400
2400
-
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
13.90
-16.27
869.20
1900
1900
-
Naugarh(UP)
13.50
-15.62
407.00
2060
2060
9.28
Raiganj(WB)
13.00
8.33
543.00
2800
2750
-
Medinipur(West)(WB)
13.00
-18.75
404.00
2450
2450
2.08
Kannauj(UP)
12.20
-2.4
184.30
2195
2190
1.15
Kottayam(Ker)
10.00
NC
80.00
3500
3500
-
Kaliaganj(WB)
10.00
NC
356.00
2650
2650
-
Raibareilly(UP)
8.50
-19.05
196.50
2040
2025
2.51
Bhivandi(Mah)
8.00
NC
174.00
2250
3350
32.35
Baberu(UP)
8.00
14.29
96.00
2100
2125
11.70
Jeypore(Ori)
7.50
82.93
154.40
325
410
-
Chengannur(Ker)
6.00
NC
351.50
2500
2400
-13.79
Bolangir(Ori)
6.00
-20
106.50
2200
2200
-12.00
Jhansi(UP)
6.00
20
149.50
2100
2100
7.69
Tusura(Ori)
5.00
-16.67
104.50
2200
2200
-12.00
Buland Shahr(UP)
4.50
-71.88
265.00
2050
2040
1.49
Farukhabad(UP)
4.00
-11.11
159.50
2165
2180
-0.69
Islampur(WB)
4.00
33.33
171.20
2150
2150
-
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
3.80
-2.56
147.30
4100
3250
28.13
Imphal(Man)
3.80
-2.56
119.40
2900
2900
NC
Aroor(Ker)
3.00
NC
121.70
6900
7000
-25.81
Alibagh(Mah)
3.00
NC
75.00
3500
3750
118.75
Murud(Mah)
3.00
NC
159.00
2750
2750
71.88
Perinthalmanna(Ker)
2.90
NC
45.20
2600
2600
-
Darjeeling(WB)
2.50
-21.88
47.40
2800
2800
3.70
Melaghar(Tri)
2.00
-20
78.30
2350
2350
NC
Thoubal(Man)
1.80
-51.35
60.00
2800
2700
180.00
Lamlong Bazaar(Man)
1.60
14.29
40.90
2800
2700
-3.45
Shillong(Meh)
1.20
50
33.10
3500
3500
NC
Sardhana(UP)
1.20
NC
49.70
2075
2070
0.24
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 22-02-2016
Product
Benchmark Indicators Name
Price
Honey
1
Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2590
2
Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2650
3
Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
2700
Guar Gum Powder
1
Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
3780
2
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
1180
3
Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2300
White Sugar
1
CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)
807
2
Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)
691
3
Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)
576
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 20-02-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Maize
1
Davangere (Karnataka)
Local
1340
1400
2
Kopargaon (Maharashtra)
Other
1330
1414
3
Derol (Gujarat)
Other
1460
1470
Paddy(Dhan)
1
Kasargod (Kerala)
Other
1450
1550
2
Aheri (Maharashtra)
Other
1450
1450
3
Dehgam (Gujarat)
Other
1350
1380
Mousambi
1
Thirurrangadi (Kerala)
Other
3500
3700
2
Taura (Haryana)
Other
2000
2000
3
Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Other
2300
2400
Onion
1
Kannur (Kerala)
Other
1500
1600
2
Palitana (Gujarat)
Other
500
675
3
Barnala (Punjab)
Other
800
1100
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 22-02-2016
Product
Market Center
Price
1
Pune
365
2
Hyderabad
335
3
Nagapur
323
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 22-02-2016
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Potatoes
Package: 50 lb cartons
1
Atlanta
Colorado
Russet
17
17.50
2
Baltimore
Idaho
Russet
18
20
3
Chicago
Nevada
Russet
14
16
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
1
Atlanta
Mexico
Long Seedless
13
15
2
Chicago
Canada
Long Seedless
11
12
3
Detroit
Mexico
Long Seedless
14
14.50
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
1
Atlanta
Virginia
Red Delicious   
25.75
26
2
Chicago
Michigan
Red Delicious
15
15.50
3
Miami
Washington
Red Delicious
24
27
Source:USDA
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will soon allow banks to resume ties with Iranian counterparts, an official said on Monday, after the government’s recent lifting of sanctions on the neighbouring Persian Gulf country. 
“The central bank will soon issue instruction to banks regarding this,” Chief Spokesman Abid Qamar at the SBP said. “After the issuance of instructions to banks, all permissible transactions with Iran will be possible.” 
Qamar said currently the central bank-to-central bank contact is not necessary. “The decision of the (Pakistan’s) government will be intimated to Iranian central bank,” he added. 
In February, Pakistan lifted sanctions on Iran pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The modalities for lifting of sanctions were finalised at an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the formal notification following the meeting, which will revive economic and commercial relationship between Pakistan and Iran, including in the areas of trade, investment, technology, banking, finance and energy.
The lifting of sanctions will enable the two countries to fully reinvigorate various bilateral and multilateral arrangements for promoting investments and cooperation, a finance ministry’s statement said.
In the past, business community demanded the government of resuming official banking channels with Iran to streamline trade but due to sanctions the government was unable to do so. 
The resumption of banking ties will enable local importers to open the letters of credit.
Western sanctions on Iran adversely affected its economic relations with Pakistan. The bilateral trade volume fell to $431.76 million in 2010/11 from $1.32 billion in 2008/09 despite the fact both the countries have a preferential trade agreement.
Officials at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) hoped that Pakistan’s exports to Iran will increase in the post-sanction regime.
They said Iran is the world’s second top importer of rice and the biggest importer of Basmati rice. Iran was the major consumer of Pakistan’s aromatic rice as it consumed 65 percent of Pakistan’s Basmati rice exports.
“However, after tough economic sanctions, Pakistan lost this market to India,” said an official at TDAP.
According to the TDAP’s data, Pakistan’s major exporting goods to Iran in 2014/15 included paper and paper board, orange juice, Basmati rice and other verities, plastic material, surgical items, and kinnow. Major importing goods from Iran to Pakistan included liquefied petroleum gas, gram dry whole, electric transformers, petroleum products, steel scraps, sheep skin and dry fruits.
Business community has seen many economic benefits for both Iran and Pakistan in the post-sanction regime.
The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) said the lifting of sanctions will turn the mega projects, such as Pakistan-Iran pipeline project and 1,000 megawatts electricity imports from Iran into reality. 
FPCCI believed that the imported electricity from Iran is much cheaper than the electricity produced by the independent power producers in the country.
Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, at a press conference last week, said the government devised strategies to promote trade between Pakistan and Iran in the post-sanctions regime.
Khan said the resumption of official transactions will help the country in clearing outstanding amount against electricity purchase to Iran. The amount was stuck due to sanctions.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/100144-SBP-to-allow-banks-to-resume-ties-with-Iran۔


23rd February,2016 Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

China Rice Imports Increase Sharply y/y in January 2016

Feb 22, 2016
China imported around 287,200 tons of rice in January 2016, about 2.3 times from around 122,400 tons imported during the same period last year, according to data from China Customs General Administration.
Month-on-month, China's rice imports in January 2016 declined about 27% m/m from around 395,500 tons in December 2015.
In January 2016, China exported around 22,200 tons of rice, down about 20% from around 27,900 tons exported in December 2015 and up about 15% from around 19,300 tons exported in January 2015.
China imported about 3.35 million tons of rice in 2015, up about 31% from around 2.56 million tons imported in 2014. China exported about 285,800 tons of rice in 2015, down about 32% from around 419,069 tons in 2014.
USDA estimates China to produce around 145.77 million tons of milled rice in MY 2015-16 (July - June). It estimates China to import around 4.7 million tons and export around 450,000 tons of rice in 2016.

El Niño Damages $24 Million Worth Rice Crops So Far in Philippines, Says Agriculture Department

Feb 22, 2016

Extending dry conditions due to the El Niño phenomenon have damaged about 94,934 tons of rice worth P1.62 billion (around $24 million) as of February 18, 2016 in the Philippines, Business Mirror quoted a report by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The report showed that about 59,463 hectares of paddy are affected, but about 40,221 hectares have a chance of recovery. Based on the latest projections by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),the DA Field Operation Service Officer in Charge told reporters that the effects of El Niño to rice production in the first half of 2016 would be “minimal.”
The PSA estimates the Philippines 2016 first half paddy rice production at around 8.2 million tons, down about 1.5% from around 8.32 million tons in 2015. The Philippines paddy production in 2015 declined about 4.31% to around 18.15 million tons, down from around 18.97 million tons in 2014 due to the El Niño phenomenon.
Around 304,104 tons of total crops worth P4.002 billion (around $84 million) from around 194,056 hectares are affected by the El Nino, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is expecting the El Niño to gradually weaken from March to May this year, while El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Enso)-neutral is likely between May to July 2016. Enso-neutral refers to a period when neither El Niño nor La Niña is present

FAO Forecasts Japan MY 2015-16 Rice Imports at 700,000 Tons

Feb 22, 2016

The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) forecasts Japan's MY 2015-16 (April - March) rice imports at around 700,000 tons. It estimates the country's total cereal imports at around 24 million tons. Cereal imports cover nearly 60% of the total domestic cereal utilization.
The FAO forecasts Japan's 2015 paddy rice production at around 10.2 million tons, down about 5% from 10.77 million tons in 2014 due to a reduction in the paddy area reflecting a decline in prices.



European Commission Reduces Maximum Residue Level of Pirimiphos-Methyl Insecticide in Rice Cultivation Feb 22, 2016

The European Commission (EC) has reduced the maximum residue level (MRL) for the pirimiphos-methyl insecticide to 0.5 parts per million (ppm/milligrams per kilogram) for rice cultivation under the regulation Reg.53/2016 from the earlier 5 ppm under the previous regulation Reg.396/2005 in accordance with the guidance provided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), according to local sources.
The pirimiphos-methyl insecticide used to prevent and combat infestations by storerooms and stored products, contained in various commercial products authorized for the treatment of foodstuffs or for storage rooms.
The EC has also allowed for similar reduction of MRL for the insectide in corn, rye and buckwheat cultivation, while it as retained at the earlier level for other cereals.
The Reg. 53/2016 EU came into force on February 9, 2016, but under the article 2, it apples to agricutlural products marketed after August 9, 2016. Until then the  MRLs will be applicable under the Reg. 396/2005.
The development may demand more attention in the management of warehouses and stored paddy. 

Government of South Korea Plans to Use Black Rice in Medicines, Health Products

Feb 22, 2016

South Korea's Rural Development Administration is planning to encourage local companies to produce medicines and other health products using black rice as it contains one of the highest levels of anthocyanin antioxidants, which act as anti-cancer agents, according to Arirang News. Black rice is also known to act as an anti-ageing agent and prevent various diseases.
A recent research report also proved that black rice also fights against obesity. Researchers noted that substances found in the outermost layer of black rice are found to inhibit lipogenesis and fat absorption. They conducted a study in which they fed ten out of 20 mice with black rice extract for three months, and found that the mice that were fed with the extract saw a nearly 26% reduction in obesity index and 27% reduction in abdominal fat. They also found that the blood cholesterol in the experimental group of mice was reduced by about 10%.
Recently, another study also showed that post-menopausal women who took black rice extract capsules for 12 weeks could see more than 5% reduction in abdominal fat.
Considering the various health benefits associated with black rice, Korea’s rural department has decided to transfer its extraction technology to companies to help then produce and promote medicines and other health products.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Prices Fall after Iraqi Tender Offers Revealed

Feb 23, 2016

The U.S. cash market was seen softer today after offers on the latest Iraqi tender were revealed, leading some market participants to believe Iraq will scrap the tender for U.S. origin only.
It was reported that 30,000 tons of U.S. origin was offered at $597 PMT CIF free out while another 90,000 tons were offered at $597.86 PMT CIF free out.
Although the tender only called for U.S. origin, one company offered 60,000 tons from Uruguay at $511 PMT CIF free out and 60,000 tons from Argentina at $501.50 PMT CIF free out.
Analysts note that no purchase decision has been made as of yet and that the offers remain valid until February 25th, however the Iraqi Grain Board regularly extends tender deadlines.

FAO Forecasts Malaysia 2015-16 Rice Imports to Increase on Strong Domestic Demand

Feb 22, 2016

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts Malaysia's MY 2015-16 (July-June) rice imports to increase despite an estimated record rice production in 2015 due to a strong Domestic Demand. The FAO estimates Malaysia's 2015-16 total cereal imports, including rice, to increase about 2% y/y to around 6.5 million tons.
The FAO forecasts Malaysia's 2015 paddy rice production at a record 2.7 million tons, up about 2% from around 2.645 million tons in 2014 despite a slight contraction in paddy area due to favourable weather conditions, increased yields and continued government support to the rice sector.
Planting of the 2016 paddy crop is nearing completion. However, concerns of El Nino induced dry conditions during the  northeast monsoon period (December-March) are likely to impact the potential of the 2016 paddy crop.

Oryza CBOT Rough Rice Futures Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Tumble as Offers on Iraqi Tender Revealed

Feb 23, 2016

Chicago rough rice futures for Mar delivery settled 31.5 cents per cwt (about $7 per ton) lower at $10.705 per cwt (about $236 per ton). The other grains finished the day with mixed results; Soybeans closed about 0.4% higher at $8.8425 per bushel; wheat finished about 0.6% lower at $4.6400 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.8% higher at $3.7225 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded more than 1% higher Monday, trying to build on their best weekly gain of 2016, as oil prices climbed. WTI futures for March delivery, which expire after the settle Monday, traded about 7% higher near $31.70 a barrel after the International Energy Agency said in its medium-term outlook Monday that U.S. shale oil production was expected to fall by 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year and another 200,000 bpd in 2017. U.S. crude briefly climbed above $32 a barrel at session highs. The forecast added to last week's drop in U.S. oil rig count to their lowest level since December 2009, according to Reuters. OPEC General Secretary Abdalla Salem El-Badri is scheduled to speak at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston later on Monday. Globally stocks gained, with European stocks more than 1.5% higher and the Shanghai composite jumping more than 2% to lead gains in Asian equities. The Chinese yuan held steady overnight. In U.S. economic news, the flash read on Markit Manufacturing PMI for February was 51.0, down from the final January print of 52.4 and hitting its lowest since October 2012. In afternoon trade, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 263 points, or 1.61%, to 16,655. The S&P 500 gained 28 points, or 1.5%, to 1,946, with energy leading all 10 sectors higher. The Nasdaq composite rose 71 points, or 1.6%, to 4,575. Gold is seen trading about 1.8% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 5.8% higher, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.9% higher at about  1:00pm Chicago time.
Friday, there were 1,699 contracts traded, up from 1,018 contracts traded on Thursday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Friday decreased by 360 contracts to 12,773. 

Iraq Passes On Tenders to Purchase 90,000 Tons of U.S. Rice

Feb 22, 2016

Iraq has passed on tenders to purchase around 90,000 tons of U.S. non-glutinous rice in tenders, which closed on February 21, 2016 with the offers having to remain valid till February 25,2016, Reuters quoted the European traders.
The Iraqi Grain Board (IGB) reportedly received the lowest offer to supply 30,000 tons of U.S. rice at $597 per ton (c&f). Though, the tender had sought only the U.S. rice, the same company that offered lowest bid for 30,000 tons of U.S. rice also offered to supply 60,000 tons of Uruguay rice at $511 per ton (c&f) and 60,000 tons of Argentina rice at $501.50 per ton (c&f).
Other offers for the U.S. rice were reportedly made at $597.86 per ton, $612 per ton and $635 per ton (all c&f).

FAO Forecasts South Korea to Import 440,000 Tons of Rice in 2016

Feb 22, 2016

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts South Korea to import 440,000 tons of rice in 2016. The FAO forecasts South Korea's total cereal imports in MY 2015-16 (October-September) to increase slightly over the previous year due to an increase in wheat imports.
The FAO estimates South Korea's 2015 paddy rice production at around 5.8 million tons, up about 2% from around 5.638 million tons in 2014 due to favourable weather conditions, which boosted yields to an all-time record of 7.2 tons per hectare.
The government is currently facing problem of increasing supplies (from production and imports) and falling consumption. It is planning to strike a balance between rice supply and demand by 2018 through a gradual reduction in paddy production and an increase in consumption.
USDA estimates South Korea to produce around 4.3 million tons of milled rice and import around 470,000 tons in MY 2015-16 (November - October).

Pakistan Rice Export Earnings Decline Sharply in First Seven Months of FY 2015-16 Despite Increase in Tonnage

Feb 22, 2016
Pakistan exported around 2.445 million tons of rice (including 223,634 tons of basmati and 2.22 million tons of non-basmati) in the first seven months of FY 2015-16 (July 2015 - January 2016), up about 11% from around 2.196 million tons (290,013 tons of basmati and 1.91 million tons of non-basmati) exported during the same period in FY 2014-15, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
However, Pakistan's rice exports declined in terms of value during the said period. Pakistan earned around $1,026 million during the seven months of FY 2015-16, down about 13% from around $1,181 million earned last year. The decline is attributed to a sharp decline in global rice prices as well as a slow demand.
In January 2016, Pakistan exported around 390,223 tons of rice, down about 18% from around 475,346 tons exported in December 2015 and down about 6% from around 413,660 tons exported in January 2015. In terms of value, Pakistan earned about $158 million in January 2016, down about 13% from around $180.9 million earned in December 2015 and down about 23% from their year-ago levels of around $204.6 million.
Pakistan exported around 34,550 tons of basmati rice in January 2016, down about 13% from around 39,589 tons exported in December 2015, and down about 10% from around 38,517 tons exported in January 2015. In terms of value, Pakistan's basmati rice exports earned $33 million in January 2016, down about 3% from around $34 million earned in December 2015, and down about 23% from around $43 million earned in January 2015.
Pakistan exported around 355,673 tons of non-basmati rice in January 2016, down about 18% from around 435,757 tons exported in December 2015 and down about 5% from around 375,143 tons in January 2015. In terms of value, Pakistan's non-basmati rice exports earned $125 million in January 2016, down about 15% from around $147 million earned in December 2015, and down about 22% from around $161 million earned in January 2015.

Vietnam Rice Sellers Increase Their Quotes Today; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged

Feb 22, 2016

Vietnam rice sellers increased their quotes for 5% broken rice, 25% broken rice and 100% broken rice by about $5 per ton each to around $350-$360 per ton, $340-$350 per ton and $325-$335 per ton respectively today. India and Pakistan rice sellers kept their quotes unchanged today. Thailand rice sellers are out today due to national holiday.       5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $355 - $365 per ton, about $5 per ton premium on Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at around $360 - $370 per ton, about $20 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown at around $340 - $350 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is indicated at around $345 - $355 per ton, about $5per ton premium on Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $340- $350 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at around $325 - $335 per ton, about $20 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice shown at around $305 - $315 per ton.
Parboiled Rice           
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $365 - $375per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $55 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 $325 - $335 per ton, on par with Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $325 - $335 per ton. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $260 - $270 per ton, about $25 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton.

Thai Commerce Ministry Confirms No Loss of Stocks Under Rice Pledging Scheme

Feb 22, 2016

Thailand's Commerce Ministry has confirmed that there was no loss of rice stocks under the previous government's rice pledging scheme as testified by an auditor to the court, according to Bangkok Post.
The Ministry noted that the difference in figures had occurred due to incorrect bookkeeping method used. The weight of the rice sacks had not been accounted for by the auditor, it said.
Separately, a rice-pledging scheme investigation panel seeking financial compensation from ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra has submitted its findings to the government. The panel found that the former Premier had committed dereliction of duty in overseeing the implementation of the scheme. But it stated that the scheme itself did not cause any damage to the state.

Vietnam Rice Exports Increase Sharply y/y in January 1 – February 18, 2016

Feb 22, 2016

۔News have been shared with written permission of ORYZA.com with thanks.
Vietnam exported around 589,646 tons of rice in January 1 - February 18, 2016, up about 40% from around 421,202 tons of rice exported in first two months of 2015, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). The average rice export price so far in this year stands at around $400 per ton (FOB), down about 11% per ton from around $452 per ton recorded during same last year.
During February 1-18, 2016, Vietnam exported around172,875 tons of rice, down about 14% from around 200,814 tons rice exported in full month of February 2015, and down about 59% from around 416,770 tons rice exported in full month of January 2016. The average export price so far in February stands at  around $382 per ton, down about 16% per ton from a year ago and down about 6% per ton from a month ago.