Friday, August 05, 2016

5th August,2016 daily global,regional and local rice e-newsletter by riceplus magazine



India's monsoon rains 6 percent above average in past week: weather office


A motorcyclist wades through a waterlogged street during rains in New Delhi, India August 1, 2016.
Reuters/Adnan Abidi
Monsoon rains in India were 6 percent above average in the week ended Aug. 3, the weather office said on Thursday.
The weather office has retained its forecast for an above-average monsoon this year, boosting hopes of a rise in farm output and income after two years of drought.
An average or normal monsoon means rainfall between 96 and 104 percent of a 50-year average of 89 centimeters.
The June-September monsoon is crucial for India's rain-fed farm sector that accounts for nearly 15 percent of its $2 trillion economy.
Farmers plant crops such as rice, soybeans, cotton and pulses in the summer-sowing season that starts in June.
(Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal; editing by Susan Thomas)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-monsoon-idUSKCN10F1MR

I ’m disappointed in government for lifting ban on rice importation - Asaki

The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Mr. Sampson Asaki has expressed disappointment in the Ministry of Trade and Industry for lifting the ban on the inland importation of rice into the country.He said the move by government is very surprising since persons who do inland importation do so illegally.In an interview with Kasapa’s Leticia Ohene-Asiedu Mr. Asaki said those who the inland importation of rice usually use the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta borders and as such do not pay tax unlike those who use the ports and pay tax to the government.


He said the Food and Drugs Authority will not be able to check whether the rice is of good quality and healthy for consumption or not since they have no personnel at the borders to do the inspection. Mr. Asaki explained further that the move will also encourage smuggling into to the country since the Ivorian taxes are cheaper than taxes collected in Ghana.

He said although some importers prefer bringing in goods through the Tema and Takoradi ports move will in influence such importers to use the borders.The disagreement follows the lifting of a ban placed on inland importation of rice by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism that importers of rice into Ghana can now do so through the land borders from 1 st August this year.


The ban, which has been in force for about three years now, prevented the importation of rice into the country through the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta borders.The move was to curb the numerous unfair trade practices such as evasion of import duties and other taxes, under-invoicing, infringement of trademarks and smuggling
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/I-m-disappointed-in-government-for-lifting-ban-on-rice-importation-Asaki-460526




Golden rice isn’t ready yet

This is hardly a rice ready for cultivation by farmers — it has not even entered the stage of biosafety evaluation by government regulatory institutions.Recently 110 Nobel Laureates issued a strongly worded plea to Greenpeace to “abandon their campaign against [genetically modified organisms] in general and Golden Rice in particular.” This is not the first time notable scientists have waded into the controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops. What is remarkable about this latest foray, however, is their poor grasp of the facts surrounding Golden Rice.Golden Rice is an orange-yellow-coloured rice, genetically modified to produce beta-carotene, the precursor of Vitamin A. Advocates claim it is a powerful way to combat Vitamin A deficiency, the cause of diseases like childhood blindness, and deaths, particularly among the poor in Africa, South and Southeast Asia. Golden Rice was first developed around 1999 by two European scientists, Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer. The transnational agribusiness corporation Syngenta currently holds commercial rights to it. Moved apparently by humanitarian sentiments, Syngenta decided in 2004 to sub-license it free of charge (subject to several conditions, not all of which are straightforward) to agricultural research institutions in developing countries, through an entity named the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board. The project of taking Golden Rice to developing countries is housed within the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Philippines.

The Nobel Laureates argue that the reason this innovation has not started saving lives yet is Greenpeace’s criminal opposition. This narrative of conspiracy glosses over the rather more straightforward explanation: As IRRI itself admits on its website, Golden Rice is not ready for farmers, yet. There are above-board reasons for this which have little to do with anti-GM activists.
The Laureates say that Golden Rice has “the potential to reduce or eliminate much of the death and disease caused by Vitamin A deficiency” (emphasis added). This statement begs the question: Under what conditions might that potential be actualised? At least two conditions need to be met for Golden Rice to work as hoped: it should be suitable for cultivation by farmers; and it should be bio-available, that is, the digestive system should be able to extract the beta-carotene and make it available to the body, thus improving Vitamin A levels. Questions remain on both counts.
Suitability for cultivation
The two versions of Golden Rice developed so far, Golden Rice 1 and 2, are both Japonica (sticky, dryland) rices, while people in areas with Vitamin A deficiency in South and Southeast Asia generally cultivate and consume the non-sticky, submerged Indica paddies. Japonica varieties are easier to modify genetically, but do not perform well in Asian fields. IRRI is still in the process of crossing Golden Rice into Indica varieties. In 2014, IRRI stated, “Results of the first round of multi-location trials of Golden Rice showed that… yields of candidate lines were not consistent across locations and seasons, prompting research direction toward assessing [other] Golden Rice versions.” This is hardly a rice ready for cultivation by farmers — it has not even entered the stage of biosafety evaluation by government regulatory institutions.
The question of bioavailability is even more vexed. The body does not necessarily absorb beta-carotene because one eats Golden Rice. The Golden Rice Humanitarian Board’s website quotes a study published in 2012 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition for establishing the effectiveness of Golden Rice. On July 29, 2015, the journal retracted this paper citing ethical concerns.
Even assuming that ethical concerns do not detract from the paper’s findings, the study design merits attention. The study saw middle-income, healthy Chinese children consuming a total of 210 grams of pork and other foods over breakfast and lunch daily, with 40 per cent of their total calorie intake coming from fat. Fats help the body absorb beta-carotene, since the latter dissolves easily in fats. Unlike customary practice, the Golden Rice fed to the children had been stored at minus 70C after drying for three days, to avoid any decline in beta-carotene levels with time. Thus, the study design favoured Golden Rice, rather than reflecting the actual lives and habits of poor Asians and Africans, who generally cannot afford fat-rich meals every day. So far, there is no answer to the real question: How will Golden Rice perform as part of meals that poor people, typically malnourished, actually eat?
The Nobel Laureates accuse Greenpeace’s campaign of raising the regulatory bar for GM crops. The facts above suggest that neither Greenpeace nor regulatory hurdles have delayed Golden Rice’s release. In fact, in 2009, the distinguished biotechnologist, Dr. Swapan Datta, former Deputy Director-General (Crop Science) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who had worked on Golden Rice at IRRI, categorically stated, “The regulatory system is not the barrier to releasing Golden Rice in India.” IRRI itself, in its last update released in 2014, said: “Golden Rice will only be made available broadly to farmers and consumers if it is successfully developed into rice varieties suitable for Asia, approved by national regulators, and shown to improve Vitamin A status in community conditions.”
Let us, for the moment, ignore the political aspects of Golden Rice and GM crops. Let us overlook the fact that many sciences (other than physics, chemistry, and medicine represented in the letter) have something to contribute to the debate over GM crops — in India, agricultural scientists, ecologists, nutritionists, and sociologists, among others, have insightfully contributed to the debate. Let us instead ask two basic questions. Is Golden Rice ready to be cultivated by farmers? IRRI itself answers no. Does Golden Rice improve Vitamin A levels among people as they actually live and eat? We don’t know yet.
Aniket Aga is Assistant Professor, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Email:aaniket@umich.edu
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/aniket-aga-on-agriculture-golden-rice-isnt-ready-yet/article8943788.ece

Indonesian wheat imports up on demand from feed mills

by Holly Demaree
Indonesian feed mills continue to face difficulties meeting feed corn demand.

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Indonesia’s market year 2015-16 wheat import is forecast at 8.9 million tonnes, up from the previous estimate of 7.6 million tonnes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) said in a July 28 report. The increase is mainly driven by higher demand from feed mills. It is therefore expected that U.S. wheat exports to Indonesia will increase slightly to 700,000 tonnes in market year 2015-16.
Indonesian feed mills continue to face difficulties meeting feed corn demand due to 2015-16 weather related production declines and the Indonesian government’s restriction on corn imports. In response to low local supplies and import barriers, feed mills are substituting corn with imported feed wheat. The Indonesian Flour Mills Association (APTINDO) said there are 22 feed mills importing feed wheat, resulting in a feed wheat import surge since September 2015. Global Trade Atlas and APTINDO data indicate that wheat imports from July 2015 to May 2016 have reached a total of 8.2 million tonnes, up from 6.7 million tonnes between July 2014 and May 2015, the report said.
The Indonesian government recognizes that the uptick in feed wheat imports poses a threat to the country’s corn self-sufficiency policies. In response, its Ministry of Agriculture stopped issuing import recommendations for feed wheat starting in June 2016. Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture shutdown of feed wheat imports, combined with weak exchange rates is expected to slow Indonesian wheat import growth from an average annual rate of 6% to7% to approximately 5%, the report said. At these levels, Indonesian wheat imports are expected to contract to 8.5 million tonnes in market year 2016-17.
In line with increasing feed wheat imports, the report revises the market year 2015-16 feed and residual wheat consumption estimate to approximately 1.3 million tonnes, compared to the previous estimate of 450,000 tonnes. But market year 2016-17 feed wheat consumption is expected to decline to 550,000 tonnes based on the discontinuation of feed wheat import recommendations. Market year 2015-16 food wheat consumption is estimated to increase by 4.2% to 7.5 million tonnes, compared to the previous estimate of 7.2 million tonnes. This increase reflects population growth, several new-to-market instant noodle brands, and the growth of the high-end retail bakery segment, the report said. Market year 2016-17 food wheat consumption is forecast to grow to 7.7 million tonnes.
Indonesia’s corn production for market year 2015-16 is estimated at 9.3 million tonnes, down from 9.4 million tonnes. The decrease is due to favorable weather that prompted farmers to grow paddy in the place of corn in rain-fed areas and feed mills’ preference for imported wheat.
The decline of corn and favorable weather increased Indonesia’s rice harvest area to 12 million hectares from 11.8 million hectares. As a result, the FAS said market year 2015-16 rice production will increase to 36.2 million tonnes from 35.6 million tonnes. Considering higher production estimates, the report expects market year 2015-16 Indonesian rice imports will decline to 1.8 million tonnes compared to the initial 2 million tonnes.
http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2016/08/Indonesian_wheat_imports_up_on.aspx?ID=%7B783F6076-2EB6-4624-B731-07A7EA0F46E6%7D&cck=1

No worries over collapse of local rice’ – Trade Ministry

Thursday 4th August , 2016 10:25 am

The Trade Ministry has told Citi Business News it has not fully lifted the ban on the importation of rice through inland borders in Ghana.
According to the ministry, three borders have so far been opened to rice importation and more borders will be opened eventually depending on an ongoing assessment of the move.
A statement from the Ministry on Friday, July 29, 2016, announced that three inland borders; the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta borders have been re-opened to rice importers, after almost three years ban.
The decision to however open borders for rice importation has received a lot of backlash from most especially local rice producers as they fear this will once again render the local rice uncompetitive on the markets.
But speaking to Citi Business News, Head of Tax Advisory Board at the Trade Ministry, Lawrence Osei Boateng insists there is no cause for worry as measures have been put in place to ensure local producers are not affected.
“It is only three land borders that we have opened and we are sure that we have the co-operation of the security services, customs to check the menace of smuggling, under invoicing and we have also met with the small scale importers of rice and we have the assurance that they will be doing genuine business,” he stated.
Meanwhile he has assured that a review of interim measures will prompt the opening of the remaining borders to the rice importers.
“So this is work in progress so when we have reviewed and are very sure, we can reopen the rest of the borders,” Mr. Boateng further remarked.
Meanwhile the Chairman of the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), Harold Ntorenkansah says the Trade Ministry must ensure the right standards are brought unto the market to suit the consumers’ preference.
“It is very important that we go back to the roots and check standards. The problem that we have now is because anything at all comes unto the markets as rice, whether imported or locally produced. Talking about the purity of the rice itself; the quality, the grain size, the grain length, the contamination, the percentage broken and all the other attributes of rice come to question. Even the level of milling and the polishing, those are the kind of attributes the consumer wants to see,” he stressed.
By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
http://citifmonline.com/2016/08/04/no-worries-over-collapse-of-local-rice-trade-ministry/#sthash.V1RYxeZb.dpuf

Rice millers seek hike in milling charges

Published: 05th August 2016 05:47 AM
Last Updated: 05th August 2016 05:47 AM
BHUBANESWAR: The rice millers on Thursday demanded the Government to hike the milling charges and development of infrastructure at mandi level to ensure the storage worthiness of rice and avoid quality problem in resultant rice.
Talking to mediapersons, president of Federation of All India Rice Millers Association (FAIRMA) Tarsem Saini said rates for milling charges at `20 per quintal for boiled rice and `10 for raw rice were fixed more than 12 years back.
“Though there has been huge escalation in cost of all inputs like electricity, minimum wages, plant machineries, spares and consumables, no revision of milling has been made. We have demanded to hike it to `80 per quintal,” he said.
The millers who convened a meeting here to discuss issues concerning survival of rice milling industry demanded to frame policies properly and implement separate rice Out Turn Ratio (OTR) for each State as per their respective output instead of a uniform OTR of 68 per cent. “Eastern India, especially Odisha and West Bengal, never produce rice above 63 per cent of the paddy supplied due to climatic condition. But millers in these two States are asked to provide 68 per cent rice,” Saini said. 
General secretary Santosh Sonthalia said instead of storing entire procured paddy will millers, the State agencies should have their own storage arrangements from where the millers can lift paddy against 100 per cent security from time to time by rotating delivery.  The millers warned to sit on dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in September if the Government fails to consider their demand.     More than 400 millers from different parts of the State and office bearers of State associations from Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry attended.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Rice-millers-seek-hike-in-milling-charges/2016/08/05/article3563642.ece


Business Woes Loom for Cambodian Farmers as Rice Export Prices Fall

PREK KOMPEUS, Cambodia – Despite the realities of the global rice export market, work continued as usual for rice farmers on Thursday on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, an epa journalist reported.

On Thursday, about 10 farmers planted fresh rice shoots into the greyish mud of a rice field.

The farmers were reportedly from Takeo Province and came north towards Phnom Penh for work.

But the rice industry might soon encounter very tough times, as global oversupply of rice is causing prices to fall, The Phnom Penh Post newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Cambodia’s rice exports dropped by 6 percent in the first half of this year, along with similar decreases from its Southeast Asian neighbors.

The downward trend is hitting small- and medium-size rice millers the hardest, with at least five such Cambodian millers going out of business over the last year, said Moul Sarith, secretary-general of the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF), as cited by the Post.

He warned that up to half of Cambodia’s rice millers could go bankrupt by the end of the year.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2418047&CategoryId=12396




U.S. Rice Promotions Hit the Festival Circuit in Haiti 

CAP-HAÏTIEN, HAITI -- One of the most important annual festivals in Haiti centers around the period of the voodoo pilgrimage - voodoo is a religion practiced by the majority of Haitians.  These festivals, where people participate in mass rituals and pray to voodoo spirits, were held from July 22-26 in towns near Cap-Haïtian, the country's second largest city.  
This year, USA Rice held an open-air festival during the first night of celebrations in a reserved area of the prominent boulevard here.  Several musical artists and DJs from Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtian performed on a podium dominated by promotional banners for USA Rice.  More than a thousand people attended the festival where various U.S. rice brands, such as Tchako, Good Taste, Mega, and Lucky, were displayed.   
While a mix of songs from blues to reggae to local music (called Konpa) played, the audience was spellbound.  Francky Dolcé, a famous radio star who was the presenter, did a call and response with his audience asking them the qualities of U.S. rice, to which they replied:  "It's not broke, it's high quality.  It has a good taste, it's healthy." 
"These events help promote our message about the benefits of U.S. rice shared by all U.S. brands in Haiti," says USA Rice Chairman Brian King, who also is chairman of the Western Hemisphere Promotion Subcommittee.  "Our unique and innovative promotions program in Haiti has helped lead to a steady, reliable export market which is vital, especially this time of year before the new harvest has come in."  
Last year, the U.S. exported over 400,000 MT of rice to Haiti and is on track to hit that same goal this year, exporting nearly 175,000 MT in the first five months of the year.



Arkansas RiceTec Field Day Brings the Heat

By Chuck Wilson

HARRISBURG, AR -- When the 2016 Arkansas RiceTec Field Day started yesterday at 6:30 a.m. temperatures already were in the high 70s and by the time the field tours ended the mercury had climbed to the mid-90s.  The heat didn't seem to dampen the enthusiasm of growers and industry representatives there eager to learn about newly released rice varieties, new herbicide treatments, various water management practices, a new system for naming new varieties, and have the chance to visit with various industry vendors who were represented.

Following the field tours, participants heard presentations from Bill Reed, senior vice president of public affairs at Riceland Foods, Tena Bresler, president of RiceTec, Inc., and Mike Gumina, global president & CEO of RiceTec, Inc., on topics such as Cuba, China, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), sustainability, water issues, and more.























Thailand may lose No 1 rice exporter’s ranking to India next year

By editor on 2016-08-04 Thailand
Thailand may lose No 1 rice exporter’s ranking to India next year
  Thailand ranks the world’s top rice exporter for the first six months of this year with five million tonnes of rice exported representing an increase of 12.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
 
Thai Rice Exporters Association president Mr Charoen Laothammathat said Wednesday that he expected Thailand would retain this position with 9.5 million tonnes of rice estimated to be exported for the whole year.
 
Ranking the second, third and fourth places after Thailand for the first half of this year are India, Vietnam and Pakistan with export figures of 4.76 million tonnes, an increase of 12 percent; 2.66 million tonnes, a drop of 2.1 percent; and 2.44 milllion tonnes, an increase of 7.5 percent respectively.
 
However, Mr Charoen predicted that Thailand may lose its No 1 rice exporter’s ranking to India next year, citing stiffer price competition among the major exporters, increased rice cultivation in Thailand, Vietnam and India and purchasing slowdown among importing countries as well as the strengthening of baht currency.
 
Thailand’s total paddy rice yield this year was estimated at between 16-17 million tonnes with about 10-20 percent increase in the production of Hom Mali and sticky rice. Paddy price is expected to fetch less than 10,000 baht per tonne.
 
Mr Charoen suggested the government to work out measures to help rice farmers in wake of price drop but he said he was against price intervention. For instance, he said the government should provide farmers with a 2,000 baht per rai subsidy for farmers who farmed less than 20 rai.
 
He admitted that the exporters do not have enough money to buy rice from farmers to be kept at their warehouses, reasoning that exporters last year bought 150,000 tonnes of Hom Mali rice from farmers at 26,000 baht per tonne while the market price now for Hom Mali ranges from 22,000-23,000 baht per tonne.
 
Regarding the leftover rice from the rice pledging scheme estimated at nine million tonnes, Mr Charoen said the government could continue to sell the rice
from stockpiles but at the right timing and at appropriate quantities and at prices between 10-20 percent lower than the prices of new crops.
 

 http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thailand-may-lose-no-1-rice-exporters-ranking-to-india-next-year/150185/

New rice herbicide Loyant looks good in Arkansas

Aug 3, 2016 Bob Scott, University of Arkansas | Delta Farm Press

Speaking at a media event in Leland, Miss., this summer, Dow AgroSciences' Hunter Perry describes how Loyant can be tank-mixed with other herbicides to broaden an already broad spectrum of control.
I have had a chance to see both my and much of Jason Norsworthy’s rice plot work this year, and I am pretty excited about what I have seen. New chemistries are on the way that will be game-changers. One of these products is Dow’s new compound Loyant.
Loyant is an auxin-inhibitor in the same group of chemistry as Facet and 2, 4-D; however, it has a unique site of action. One way we know this is that it has been shown to control Facet-resistant barnyardgrass. New modes of action are sorely needed in rice production today, just like they are for pigweed control in soybean and cotton.
Loyant has a broad spectrum of activity that includes control of annual and yellow nutsedge as well as barnyardgrass and broadleaf signalgrass, and it give good suppression of sprangletop. In addition, Loyant controls a very broad spectrum of broadleaf and aquatic weeds. In fact, I have really only looked at one other compound that can hold back broadleaves in open water as well as Loyant can.
Delta Farm Press Daily
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Although it is not known for its residual control, in our ducksalad plots last year and this year (conducted in the absence of rice), the Loyant plots typically stayed cleaner longer than other commonly used aquatic programs.

Application Recommendations

Loyant will primarily be applied pre-flood at 1 pint per acre. It will be important to wait no longer than about seven days to establish a permanent flood after application. After application, weeds will typically wilt; once the flood hits the wilted plants, they die. Symptomology includes swollen stems at the base of the plant near the soil line that eventually snap or “sluff-off” when the water is applied.
Although it does not appear to be a bad “drifter,” you will need to keep it off soybeans.
Loyant is not a standalone product, but in a program that involves a good upfront residual herbicide or early-post application, it will significantly improve the lives of those dealing with ALS-resistant sedges and barnyardgrass. It looks good following a pre application of Command and Facet or an early post propanil-based treatment with some residual.
Because it controls these ALS-resistant weeds and has activity on hemp sesbania and jointvetch, Loyant will be an excellent tank-mix partner with Newpath in Clearfield rice. A program approach of Command pre, followed by Newpath and Loyant would provide three effective modes of action on most grass weeds.
It appears that the full label will not be obtained until the 2018 season. Currently the proposed label will have a 60-day pre-harvest interval and a limit of 2 pints per acre per year and will allow for tank-mixes with most translocated herbicides. This, of course, may change between now and the spring of 2018.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/new-rice-herbicide-loyant-looks-good-arkansas



APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1530

 

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 03-08-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Alappuzha (Kerala)
Other
3350
3475
2
Gangavathi (Karnataka)
Other
2000
2000
3
Gajol (West Bengal)
Other
2200
2300
Wheat
1
Haveri (Karnataka)
Local
1670
1670
2
Barshi (Maharashtra)
Other
1611
2300
3
Rajkot (Gujarat)
Other
1695
2015
Banana
1
Jagraon (Punjab)
Other
2200
2500
2
Karad (Maharashtra)
Other
1000
1300
3
Thanesar (Haryana)
Other
1500
2000
Cauliflower
1
Kolar (Karnataka)
Local
1000
1500
2
Gosala (Orissa)
Other
1000
1100
3
Surat (Gujarat)
Other
1000
1750

From flab to fabulous

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.

This article was first published on February 20, 2016

Asia One Health



Restaurant review: OM is a refuge for Indian food

The most amazing thing about OM Indian Fusion Cuisine — and there’s plenty that’s amazing — is the transformation of an old restaurant space on the high-traffic corner of East Washington Avenue and Stoughton Road.The new place is spacious, contemporary and comfortable, with a beautiful light blue and green color scheme and a handsome fireplace. There’s no whiff of China Buffet, which had been in the space since 1999. Old-timers may remember it as the one-time Shakey’s Pizza Parlor.
The lunch buffet, offered daily for $10.95 ($12.95 on weekends), is in an area by itself, separated by a short wall. The open kitchen is attractive, with seats to watch the chefs at work. There’s even an area for kids with a blackboard, colored chalk and a basket of toys. The tile work and art is all well done, particularly the three-panel peacock painting by co-owner Nancy Viswanathan’s sister, Patti Robrahn, who handled the restaurant’s interior design.
Then there are the striking silver plates, cups, bowls and mugs that Viswanathan’s husband, Sumanth, brought back from India. The couple, who opened OM June 17, were making the rounds during my dinner visit and couldn’t be more gracious. All the employees I’ve encountered have been extremely friendly and helpful, for that matter.
The buffet doesn’t have as much selection as some other Indian restaurants in town, but that hardly matters when there’s still enough that you can’t get to everything. My companion’s main complaint was that the buffet tables were too low, so it was hard to see the dish names and descriptions without ducking down. While true, it’s a minor quibble.
What impressed me most about the buffet was that executive chef Dilli Shankar doesn’t tone down the spice levels, he makes everything medium spicy, which is my sweet spot.
The classic Indian dish, the smooth chicken tikka masala, was particularly rewarding, with more personality than most. The same could be said for the multi-dimensional vegetable masala with eggplant, potato, red pepper and onion; and the chili paneer, soft chunks of cheese, red and green peppers in a perfectly spicy red sauce. The rice dish vangi bath also had character with spices like tamarind and turmeric, peanuts and pieces of eggplant.
A goat dish was flavorful in a dark sauce with sorrel leaves, tomato and onion. The tandoori mix grill featured enormous chunks of chicken, and we were glad the description card pointed out that there were bones in the Hyderabadi chicken biryani, which was delicious with basmati rice, saffron, lemon, yogurt and spices.
Servers brought out complimentary dosa, a beautiful South Indian pancake or crepe made from a fermented batter. It was a nice change of pace from naan.
There was only one true appetizer on the buffet the day I was in, masala vada, and it was the only miscue. The round chickpea fritters with lentils had a crisp, thick, fried exterior and no real taste.
For dessert, there was mango payasam, a warm rice pudding made with milk, reduced and thickened, to a tapioca consistency. Cashews and golden raisins were in the mix, but it still lacked the impact of a good mango ice cream. Take a pass on the curd rice, a yogurt dish with a harsh, sour taste. My friend screwed up his face when he tasted it.
There are a modest number of beer and wine offerings, and the masala chai ($2.50), spiced hot tea brewed with milk, is comforting no matter how hot it is outside.
The menu features North as well as South Indian food, along with 10 Indo-Chinese dishes. Right now, the “fusion” in the restaurant’s name refers mainly to a pasta section of the menu featuring seven types of sauces. Customers are invited to choose from an equal number of pasta choices: penne, fusilli, spaghetti, farfalle, conchiglie, tagliatelle, or gluten-free.
On a separate evening visit, the kitchen only had penne and spaghetti, so we tried pesto with penne and carbonara with spaghetti. The pesto was delightful, with ample sauce that had a vaguely Indian flavor from the restaurant’s housemade curry powder.
The carbonara, by contrast, had a thick, flavorless cream sauce and tiny strips of ham, instead of bacon. Even some salt would have helped. Both dishes contained black olives and other veggies and were served with grilled, seasoned bread on top.
Offering the pasta dishes isn’t a bad idea for people dining with others who aren’t interested in Indian food, but chef Shankar shows a lot more skill with his native dishes.
And the Viswanathans, as first-time restaurant owners, are doing Madison a great favor by helping to spruce up a blighted corner of the city and turn it into an inviting destination. Namaste



Govt permits basmati rice exports via land custom stations



"In addition to the EDI (electronic data interchange) ports, export of basmati rice will now be permitted through land custom stations on Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Nepal border also subject to registration of quantity with DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade), the commerce ministry said in a notification. | 1 Comments Govt permits basmati rice exports via land custom stations Government permitted exports of basmati rice through land custom stations on Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Nepal border.

 "In addition to the EDI (electronic data interchange) ports, export of basmati rice will now be permitted through land custom stations on Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Nepal border also subject to registration of quantity with DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade), the commerce ministry said in a notification. It also said exports of basmati shall not be permitted on the basis of documents against acceptance unless such export is covered either by bank guarantee or ECGC guarantee with effect from October 1. ECGC Ltd (Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd), wholly-owned by the government with the objective of promoting exports from the country by providing credit risk insurance and related services for exports. India's rice exports in 2015-16 stood at USD 5.79 billion. It was USD 459.39 million in April this year.

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/govt-permits-basmati-rice-exports-via-land- custom-stations_7167521.html?utm_source=ref_article

Global rice market to enter price war

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION August 4, 2016 1:00 am

Charoen
THE GLOBAL RICE market will experience a price war next year as an oversupply is expected at the same time as trade slows, Thai exporters say, putting pressure on the Kingdom because its rice is quite expensive compared with other countries’.
Exporters expect Thai rice shipments this year to total 9.5 million tonnes, maintaining the country's status as the world's largest rice exporter, slightly ahead of its major competitor India, which will export about 9 million tonnes.

Charoen Laothammatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said prices would fluctuate late this year and into 2017 since many rice-importing countries had lower demand, while the supply of rice is expected to rise significantly from the upcoming harvest season after the end of the drought.

The strengthening of the baht against the US dollar has pushed up the price of Thai rice, which will cause difficulty for exporters as the prices of many competitors decrease after the onset of more rainfall.

"With more rice but lower demand, fluctuating currencies and the baht's appreciation, and high competition, the global rice market will enter a price war. Thailand, which is the world's major rice supplier and holds high stocks, needs to manage its rice stocks carefully and stabilise the price to ensure export competitiveness," Charoen said.
As Thailand enters the price war, Charoen expects its rice to become cheaper, while domestic rice prices will also fall because of lower demand.

Lower demand in many importing countries will continue to be affected by low oil prices, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, which are major import markets for Thai rice.

This year, the association expects Thailand to export about 9.5 million tonnes of rice worth about Bt4.4 billion, while next year export volume will drop to about 9 million tonnes.

Thailand could lose its position as the world's rice-export champion in 2017, since India has a high supply of rice and could release more next year, the association says.

The US Department of Agriculture expects the global rice trade in 2017 to decrease by 2 per cent from 41.34 million tonnes to 40.51 million, while world rice output will increase by 2.3 per cent from 470.64 million tonnes to 481.23 million.

Demand for rice consumption in the global market is expected to increase slightly, by 0.4 per cent from 478.48 million tonnes to 480.63 million, while ending stock in the global is expected to rise from 106.7 million tonnes to 107.3 million tonnes.

In the first half of this year, Thailand shipped 4.99 million tonnes of rice worth US$2.2 billion (Bt76.7 billion), more than India, which exported 2.76 million tonnes.

However, as India has high stockpiles of rice, about 25 million tonnes, while its price is lower than Thailand's, Charoen's association is afraid that India could become the world's largest rice exporter instead of Thailand next year.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said it was hard to predict whether Thailand or India would be the world's largest rice exporter next year because of the uncertainties due to fluctuating prices and higher output.

He said that as Thai rice is about $50 a tonne more expensive than some of its rivals', exporters could have difficulty competing.

Currently, Thai rice is trading at around $425 a tonne, while Vietnam's is $375 a tonne for 5 per cent white rice. Thai parboiled rice is quoted at $440 a tonne, and Indian parboiled rice is $375 a tonne.

Moreover, as a larger supply of rice from the upcoming harvest season is expected, the association warns the government to create a benchmark price carefully from its project to clear out its rice stocks.

Charoen said the government could continue to release rice via auctions but it should not sell it for too low a price as that could affect the market price and hurt farmer







Govt to buy up to Bt3.9 bn worth of rice to support price

The Nation

August 4, 2016 6:12 pm

THE GOVERNMENT is prepared to spend Bt3.9 billion to absorb rice during the harvest season from November to February."The measure is aimed at preventing the rice price from falling," Chutima Bunyapraphasara, permanent secretary of the Commerce Ministry, said Thursday.

"The price of rice in the domestic market should average Bt8,000-Bt9,000 per tonne of paddy so that farmers will not get hurt from falling prices when supplies are abundant in the market," she said.

The budget can buy almost half of total rice production, or 12.5 million tonnes from the 27.7 million tonnes of paddy expected to be reaped during the 2016-17 harvest

season.http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Govt-to-buy-up-to-Bt3-9-bn-worth-of-rice-to-suppor-30292163.html




Thailand Sold 347,500 T of Rice in Two July Auctions
Bangkok. Thailand sold 347,500 tonnes of rice from state stockpiles in two July auctions, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday (03/08), as the country looks to eliminate stockpiles built up under the previous administration. The world's second-biggest rice exporter after India has stocks of about 9 million tonnes after buying rice from farmers at prices exceeding global rates under a scheme put in place by ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. In the first auction, four private firms were able to buy 45,459 tonnes of rice for 327 million baht ($9.36 million).
The rice, which is a mixture of "good grade" and substandard rice, is fit for human consumption and industrial use.
In the second auction, which is targeted for export, five exporters won 302,000 tonnes of rice, which will be shipped out to fulfill orders from international buyers.
The amount sold in the two auctions accounted for around 9.12 percent of 3.81 million tonnes, the amount Thailand had originally intended to sell.
The government said it could not sell more as most of the bids were low.
"If private firms offer bids lower than what we have in mind, then we will not sell," said Duangporn Rodphaya, chief of the commerce ministry's department of foreign trade in charge of the country's rice auctions.
"Even though we want to accelerate rice sales, we will not accept low prices, as that will affect market prices."
Duangporn said there will be another auction in August.
Drought in rice producing countries, including Thailand, has cut supply to global markets and given the Thai government an opportunity to accelerate sales before the main annual crop is harvested during the fourth quarter.
Thailand's military junta has sold more than 5 million tonnes in a series of auctions since taking power in a coup in May 2014.
It plans to clear the stockpiles by the end of 2017.
In January 2015 an army-appointed legislature impeached Yingluck over corruption in the rice scheme, which led to her being banned from political office for five years.
The government said on Monday the rice scheme cost the state 286 billion baht ($8.19 billion).
She now faces a criminal case for negligence over the scheme, a case her supporters say is politically motivated
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/international/thailand-sold-347500-t-rice-two-july-auctions/

Rice export to rise to 9.5 million tons throughout this year: Rice Exporters Association


By editor on 2016-08-04 Thailand
Rice export to rise to 9.5 million tons throughout this year: Rice Exporters Association
   BANGKOK, 4 August 2016 (NNT) – Thailand has become the world’s largest rice exporter again with almost five million tons exported in the first half of this year.

However, the private rice exporters have warned of stiffer competition in the second half of year. Rice Exporters Association of Thailand President Charoen Laothammatas said that Thailand’s rice export in the first six months of 2016 marked a 12 percent increase from the same period last year.

Thailand has already exported nearly five million tons of rice in the first half of the year and was expected to deliver a total of 9.5 million tons throughout this year, he said.
He disclosed that Thai rice export in the global market was higher in volume than that of India and Vietnam which exported 4.7 million tons and 2.6 million tons respectively.
The association head expressed concerns over possibilities of a decline in Thai rice export in the second half of this year due in part to heavy rainfalls.
Besides, the Thai rice has encountered fiercer rivalry from India, Pakistan and Vietnam than in previous years, he said. The rising baht would make the Thai rice prices more expensive than the competitors, especially Vietnam and India, he added. Another factor which would adversely affect the Thai rice export included a reduction in purchase volume for some customer countries, he said.http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/rice-export-to-rise-to-9-5-million-tons-throughout-this-year-rice-exporters-association/150177/

Bill seeks mandatory insurance for rice, other key crops



Posted on August 05, 2016

A MEASURE calling for mandatory insurance for palay and other crops determined to be essential for food security has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Former Agriculture Secretary and now Bohol Representative Arthur C. Yap (3rd district) filed House Bill 40 so “farmers may no longer have to suffer heavy financial losses whenever a man-made or natural disaster strikes.”

The bill seeks to amend the Revised Charter of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. and mandates the National Food Authority (NFA) to procure insurance for those who cannot take out their own policies.

“The NFA shall pay for the insurance premium and shall become at least 50% beneficiary of the insurance proceed for all other crops,” the measure read.

Mr. Yap noted that under the current law, crop insurance is mandatory only for farmers who obtain production loans for palay under a supervised credit program, while it remains optional for self-financed farmers, who can only obtain insurance if they agree to be placed under the supervision of agricultural production technicians.

He said that with this setup, only the financial institutions are protected, even in the event of a disaster.

With the proposed amendment, all farm output will be fully insured when disasters occur and farmers won’t suffer financially.

“Likewise, the banks and financial institutions shall also not suffer as the farmers shall continue to have the means to pay for their loans even though their crops were damaged,” said Mr. Yap who was also appointed to chair the House committee on economic affairs.

He said that the mandatory insurance will “alleviate the financial burden of farmers due to uncompensated losses arising from destruction of crops wrought by disasters and calamities [and] keep them away from perpetual indebtedness...” -- Raynan F. Javil
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=bill-seeks-mandatory-insurance-for-rice-other-key-crops&id=131468



No worries over collapse of local rice – Trade Ministry

The Trade Ministry has told Citi Business News it has not fully lifted the ban on the importation of rice through inland borders in Ghana.
According to the ministry, three borders have so far been opened to rice importation and more borders will be opened eventually depending on an ongoing assessment of the move.A statement from the Ministry on Friday, July 29, 2016, announced that three inland borders; the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta borders have been re-opened to rice importers, after almost three years ban.


The decision to however open borders for rice importation has received a lot of backlash from most especially local rice producers as they fear this will once again render the local rice uncompetitive on the markets.But speaking to Citi Business News, Head of Tax Advisory Board at the Trade Ministry, Lawrence Osei Boateng insists there is no cause for worry as measures have been put in place to ensure local producers are not affected.
“It is only three land borders that we have opened and we are sure that we have the co-operation of the security services, customs to check the menace of smuggling, under invoicing and we have also met with the small scale importers of rice and we have the assurance that they will be doing genuine business,” he stated.


Meanwhile he has assured that a review of interim measures will prompt the opening of the remaining borders to the rice importers.“So this is work in progress so when we have reviewed and are very sure, we can reopen the rest of the borders,” Mr. Boateng further remarked.
Meanwhile the Chairman of the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), Harold Ntorenkansah says the Trade Ministry must ensure the right standards are brought unto the market to suit the consumers’ preference.


“It is very important that we go back to the roots and check standards. The problem that we have now is because anything at all comes unto the markets as rice, whether imported or locally produced. Talking about the purity of the rice itself; the quality, the grain size, the grain length, the contamination, the percentage broken and all the other attributes of rice come to question.
Even the level of milling and the polishing, those are the kind of attributes the consumer wants to see,” he stressed
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/No-worries-over-collapse-of-local-rice-Trade-Ministry-460349

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Aug 4,2016

Nagpur, Aug 4 Gram and tuar prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on good buying support from local millers amid weak supply from
producing regions because of rains. Healthy rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and repeated enquiries
from South-based millers also jacked up prices, according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
 
    GRAM
   * Desi gram recovered in open market here on renewed demand from local traders amid 
     tight supply from producing belts.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders 
     amid ample stock in ready position.  
 
   * Masoor varieties recovered in open market on good demand from local trader amid weak 
     supply from producing belts. 
                          
   * In Akola, Tuar New - 7,600-7,700, Tuar dal New - 12,100-12,400, Udid - 
     12,300-12,800, Udid Mogar (clean) - 16,200-16,900, Moong - 
     7,200-7,400, Moong Mogar (clean) 8,700-8,800, Gram - 7,700-7,900, 
     Gram Super best bold - 10,000-10,200 for 100 kg.
 
   * Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals, 
     settled at last levels. 
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                6,800-7,705         6,700-7,600
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                6,500-7,375         6,500-7,200
     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            10,500-10,800        10,500-10,800
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            9,700-10,000        9,700-10,000
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            8,500-8,700        8,500-8,700
     Desi gram Raw                8,150-8,250         8,100-8,200
     Gram Yellow                 9,400-9,700        9,400-9,700
     Gram Kabuli                9,100-11,100        9,100-11,100
     Gram Pink                        9,200-9,400        9,200-9,400    
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             12,500-12,800        12,500-12,800
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        12,000-12,300        12,000-12,300
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        11,500-11,800        11,500-11,800
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        10,500-11,000        10,500-11,000
     Tuar Gavarani New             8,000-8,100        8,000-8,100
     Tuar Karnataka             8,500-8,900        8,500-8,900
     Tuar Black                 11,700-12,600        11,700-12,600 
     Masoor dal best            7,600-7,800        7,500-7,700
     Masoor dal medium            6,700-7,200        6,600-7,100
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold (New)        8,500-9,000         8,500-9,000
     Moong Mogar Medium            7,600-8,000        7,600-8,000
     Moong dal Chilka            6,200-7,000        6,200-7,000
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            7,800-8,200        7,800-8,200
     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 16,000-17,000       16,000-17,000 
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    13,500-15,000        13,500-15,000    
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,000-9,200        9,000-9,200     
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        6,300-6,800        6,300-6,800
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          5,600-5,800         5,600-5,800
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            4,000-4,100        4,000-4,100
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,800-4,000           3,800-4,000
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    4,300-4,800        4,300-4,800   
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,850-1,950        1,850-1,950
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    1,950-2,000        1,950-2,000   
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         1,750-1,950        1,750-1,950
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,400        2,250-2,400    
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,000-2,200        2,000-2,200
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,800        3,200-3,800    
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,700-3,000        2,900-3,000           
     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    3,100-3,800        3,100-3,800    
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,700-2,900        2,700-2,900    
     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,500-2,700        2,500-2,700
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,200-2,500        2,200-2,500   
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100   
     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,700-4,000        3,700-4,000    
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        3,000-3,300        3,000-3,300    
     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    4,400-4,600        4,500-4,900 
     Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG)    4,100-4,300        4,200-4,300   
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,500-14,000        9,500-14,000     
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,000-8,000        7,000-8,000    
     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    5,500-5,800        5,500-5,800    
     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    5,200-5,400        5,200-5,400    
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100    
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,700-1,850        1,700-1,850
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 29.6 degree Celsius (85.3 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
24.6 degree Celsius (76.3 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : 1.6 mm
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers very likely to occur. Maximum andminimum temperature would be around and 30 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.
 
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.)

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Aug 5,2016

Nagpur, Aug 5 Gram and tuar prices reported down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on lack of demand from local millers amid high moisture contentarrival. Increased supply from producing belts and fresh fall in Madhya Pradesh tuar prices also affected sentiment in limited trading activity, according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
 
    GRAM
   * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar gavarani reported higher in open market on good seasonal demand from local 
     traders.
 
   * Wheat mill quality firmed up in open market on increased buying support from local 
     traders amid tight supply from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana. 
                          
   * In Akola, Tuar New - 7,600-7,700, Tuar dal New - 12,100-12,400, Udid - 
     12,300-12,800, Udid Mogar (clean) - 16,200-16,900, Moong - 
     7,200-7,400, Moong Mogar (clean) 8,700-8,800, Gram - 7,700-7,900, 
     Gram Super best bold - 10,000-10,200 for 100 kg.
 
   * Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in 
     scattered deals, settled at last levels. 
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                7,000-7,650         7,000-7,690
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                6,000-7,335         6,200-7,350
     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            10,500-10,800        10,500-10,800
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            9,700-10,000        9,700-10,000
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            8,500-8,700        8,500-8,700
     Desi gram Raw                8,150-8,250         8,150-8,250
     Gram Yellow                 9,400-9,700        9,400-9,700
     Gram Kabuli                9,100-11,100        9,100-11,100
     Gram Pink                        9,200-9,400        9,200-9,400    
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             12,500-12,800        12,500-12,800
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        12,000-12,300        12,000-12,300
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        11,500-11,800        11,500-11,800
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        10,500-11,000        10,500-11,000
     Tuar Gavarani New             8,050-8,150        8,000-8,100
     Tuar Karnataka             8,500-8,900        8,500-8,900
     Tuar Black                 11,700-12,600        11,700-12,600 
     Masoor dal best            7,600-7,800        7,600-7,800
     Masoor dal medium            6,700-7,200        6,700-7,200
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold (New)        8,500-9,000         8,500-9,000
     Moong Mogar Medium            7,600-8,000        7,600-8,000
     Moong dal Chilka            6,200-7,000        6,200-7,000
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            7,800-8,200        7,800-8,200
     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 16,000-17,000       16,000-17,000 
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    13,500-15,000        13,500-15,000    
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,000-9,200        9,000-9,200     
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        6,300-6,800        6,300-6,800
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          5,600-5,800         5,600-5,800
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            4,000-4,100        4,000-4,100
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,800-4,000           3,800-4,000
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    4,300-4,800        4,300-4,800   
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,850-1,950        1,850-1,950
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    2,000-2,075        1,950-2,000   
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         1,750-1,950        1,750-1,950
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,400        2,250-2,400    
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,000-2,200        2,000-2,200
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,800        3,200-3,800    
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,700-3,000        2,900-3,000           
     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    3,100-3,800        3,100-3,800    
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,700-2,900        2,700-2,900    
     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,500-2,700        2,500-2,700
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,200-2,500        2,200-2,500   
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100   
     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,700-4,000        3,700-4,000    
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        3,000-3,300        3,000-3,300    
     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    4,400-4,600        4,500-4,900 
     Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG)    4,100-4,300        4,200-4,300   
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,500-14,000        9,500-14,000     
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,000-8,000        7,000-8,000    
     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    5,500-5,800        5,500-5,800    
     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    5,200-5,400        5,200-5,400    
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100    
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,700-1,850        1,700-1,850
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 30.2 degree Celsius (86.4 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
24.5 degree Celsius (75.9 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : 1.8 mm
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers very likely to occur. Maximum andminimum temperature would be around and 30 and 25 degree Celsius respectively.
 
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.)

 

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Aug 4,2016

 
Nagpur, Aug 4 Gram and tuar prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on good buying support from local millers amid weak supply from
producing regions because of rains. Healthy rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and repeated enquiries
from South-based millers also jacked up prices, according to sources. 
 
               *            *              *              *
 
    FOODGRAINS & PULSES
 
    GRAM
   * Desi gram recovered in open market here on renewed demand from local traders amid 
     tight supply from producing belts.
 
     TUAR
   * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders 
     amid ample stock in ready position.  
 
   * Masoor varieties recovered in open market on good demand from local trader amid weak 
     supply from producing belts. 
                          
   * In Akola, Tuar New - 7,600-7,700, Tuar dal New - 12,100-12,400, Udid - 
     12,300-12,800, Udid Mogar (clean) - 16,200-16,900, Moong - 
     7,200-7,400, Moong Mogar (clean) 8,700-8,800, Gram - 7,700-7,900, 
     Gram Super best bold - 10,000-10,200 for 100 kg.
 
   * Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals, 
     settled at last levels. 
       
 Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
 
     FOODGRAINS                 Available prices     Previous close   
     Gram Auction                6,800-7,705         6,700-7,600
     Gram Pink Auction            n.a.           2,100-2,600
     Tuar Auction                6,500-7,375         6,500-7,200
     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            10,500-10,800        10,500-10,800
     Gram Super Best            n.a.            n.a.
     Gram Medium Best            9,700-10,000        9,700-10,000
     Gram Dal Medium            n.a.            n.a
     Gram Mill Quality            8,500-8,700        8,500-8,700
     Desi gram Raw                8,150-8,250         8,100-8,200
     Gram Yellow                 9,400-9,700        9,400-9,700
     Gram Kabuli                9,100-11,100        9,100-11,100
     Gram Pink                        9,200-9,400        9,200-9,400    
     Tuar Fataka Best-New             12,500-12,800        12,500-12,800
     Tuar Fataka Medium-New        12,000-12,300        12,000-12,300
     Tuar Dal Best Phod-New        11,500-11,800        11,500-11,800
     Tuar Dal Medium phod-New        10,500-11,000        10,500-11,000
     Tuar Gavarani New             8,000-8,100        8,000-8,100
     Tuar Karnataka             8,500-8,900        8,500-8,900
     Tuar Black                 11,700-12,600        11,700-12,600 
     Masoor dal best            7,600-7,800        7,500-7,700
     Masoor dal medium            6,700-7,200        6,600-7,100
     Masoor                    n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Mogar bold (New)        8,500-9,000         8,500-9,000
     Moong Mogar Medium            7,600-8,000        7,600-8,000
     Moong dal Chilka            6,200-7,000        6,200-7,000
     Moong Mill quality            n.a.            n.a.
     Moong Chamki best            7,800-8,200        7,800-8,200
     Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 16,000-17,000       16,000-17,000 
     Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)    13,500-15,000        13,500-15,000    
     Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)        9,000-9,200        9,000-9,200     
     Batri dal (100 INR/KG)        6,300-6,800        6,300-6,800
     Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)          5,600-5,800         5,600-5,800
     Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)            4,000-4,100        4,000-4,100
     Watana White (100 INR/KG)           3,800-4,000           3,800-4,000
     Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)    4,300-4,800        4,300-4,800   
     Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)        1,850-1,950        1,850-1,950
     Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)    1,950-2,000        1,950-2,000   
     Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)         1,750-1,950        1,750-1,950
     Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)    2,250-2,400        2,250-2,400    
     Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)   2,000-2,200        2,000-2,200
     Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)    n.a.            n.a.
     MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)    3,200-3,800        3,200-3,800    
     MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)    2,700-3,000        2,900-3,000           
     Rice BPT best New(100 INR/KG)    3,100-3,800        3,100-3,800    
     Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)        2,700-2,900        2,700-2,900    
     Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)         2,500-2,700        2,500-2,700
     Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)      2,200-2,500        2,200-2,500   
     Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)      1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100   
     Rice HMT best New (100 INR/KG)    3,700-4,000        3,700-4,000    
     Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)        3,000-3,300        3,000-3,300    
     Rice Shriram best New(100 INR/KG)    4,400-4,600        4,500-4,900 
     Rice Shriram med New(100 INR/KG)    4,100-4,300        4,200-4,300   
     Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)    9,500-14,000        9,500-14,000     
     Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)    7,000-8,000        7,000-8,000    
     Rice Chinnor best New(100 INR/KG)    5,500-5,800        5,500-5,800    
     Rice Chinnor med. New (100 INR/KG)    5,200-5,400        5,200-5,400    
     Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)        1,900-2,100        1,900-2,100    
     Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)         1,700-1,850        1,700-1,850
 
WEATHER (NAGPUR)  
Maximum temp. 29.6 degree Celsius (85.3 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
24.6 degree Celsius (76.3 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : 1.6 mm
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers very likely to occur. Maximum andminimum temperature would be around and 30 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.
 
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.)

The Rice Cooker Has Become a Test of China’s Ability to Fix Its Economy

With low-cost exports on the wane, the country is struggling to make high-quality goods for a rising middle class; smartphone connectivity

By Te-Ping Chen
Updated Aug. 3, 2016 11:40 a.m. ET
FOSHAN, China—In a steamy room full of small appliances, Zhao Guoyao frowned over a pot of rice.Mr. Zhao, a product manager at appliance giant Midea Group, wants to make a better rice cooker. It is one small part of a nationwide push to make quality goods for a burgeoning middle class, a process that will help determine whether China can build
http://www.wsj.com/articles/as-exports-decline-china-looks-inward-for-growth-selling-made-in-china-goods-to-the-middle-class-1470238429




Rice exports: PM Office awaits input of finance ministry

Published: August 5, 2016
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It was also mentioned in the proposal that the rice growers must be given incentives - as provided by Thailand, Vietnam and India - to its rice growers and exporters.  PHOTO: FILE
It was also mentioned in the proposal that the rice growers must be given incentives - as provided by Thailand, Vietnam and India - to its rice growers and exporters. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Finance ministry and provincial governments have yet to give their inputs on a proposal prepared by Prime Minister Secretariat in May this year to enhance rice export.
The Prime Minister Secretariat had sent a proposal to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFSR) with nine suggestions to increase the country’s rice exports from the current $2 billion to $3 billion.
The NFSR ministry has sent letters to the provincial governments and concerned ministries including the finance ministry requesting their input.
PM secretariat had asked the finance ministry to provide subsidy to rice growers and NFSR ministry had sought their input accordingly. However, sources in the ministry said that the finance division has yet to submit its take on the proposals.
In the proposal, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) was directed to purchase high quality rice to export to Europe, US, Middle East and asked the commerce attachés in these countries to explore new markets for Pakistani rice.
It was also mentioned in the proposal that the rice growers must be given incentives – as provided by Thailand, Vietnam and India – to its rice growers and exporters.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2016.

Dastgir eager to increase trade with Indonesia

ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has urged the Indo­nesian government to ensure the implementation of an ag­­reement to import one million tonnes of rice from Pakistan.
Both sides inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in January 2016 for export of rice worth around $400 million over a period of four years to be implemented by Trading Corpora­tion of Pakistan and Indone­sian State Logistic Agency.
He said this during a meeting with Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister for Trade of Indonesia, on the side lines of 12th World Islamic Economic Forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Prime Minister of Pakis­tan nominated Mr. Dastgir to represent Pakistan on his behalf at the forum.
Mr. Dastgir Khan also urged his Indonesian counterpart to reconsider the import quota policy for Pakistan for items included in Preferential Trade Agree­ment (PTA) and expressed hope that a quota-free market access would help Pakistani exports to grow.
He said that the barriers to trade which hinders the free flow of products are being phased out in the modern trading system.
He appreciated the fact that PTA between both countries has helped bilateral trade to grow. Import of palm oil from Indonesia has exponentially increased the volume of imports from Indonesia and in future Pakistan might start importing coal from Indonesia in large quantities for electricity generation, he added.
First review meeting of PTA is scheduled to be held in August 2016 in Jakarta, where both sides will share their evaluation and discuss the future course of action.
Indonesian Minister Eng­gar­­tiasto Lukita expressed the desire to find possibilities of converting this PTA into a Free Trade Agreement.
He asserted that signing of a full scale trade agreement between the two countries would open a new avenue for trade in goods and may lead to a point where both countries agree to expand bilateral preferential treatment to services as well.
Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2016

Basmati exports payment dispute: Ban on DA imposed

The practice often leads to disputes over settlement of payment

By: | New Delhi | Published: August 5, 2016 6:05 AM
In a bid to curb the practice of documents against acceptance (DA), which often leads to disputes about settlement of payment between importers and exporters of basmati rice, the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has come out with a notification banning DA in the trade associated with shipment of long-grained aromatic rice.
A DGFT notification said that from October 1, 2016 onwards, “Exports of basmati rice shall not be permitted on the basis of DA unless such export is covered by bank guarantee and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) guarantee.” As reported by FE last month, in the fiercely-competitive basmati rice exports trade, small players, in order to increase the volume of shipments, often send rice consignments to importers who use this unsecured credit to their advantage.
Exporters say that because of DA, basmati rice trade has become a buyers’ market. “Often, consignments are not lifted from the port by importers and thus, the price has to be renegotiated leading to lower realisation,” Vijay Setia, a leading exporter, said.
Trade sources said that because of the practice of DA mostly being carried out by small exporters, the country’s basmati rice shipment has seen a 29% fall to R22,714 crore in FY16, from a record R29,291 crore reported in FY14. However, the volume of basmati exports has risen from 3.7 million tone (mt) to more than 4 mt in the same period. According to an All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) official, other rice-exporting countries like Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand do not allow DA transactions.
The bigger basmati rice exporters at present use the system of ‘letter of credit’, where the importers instruct their bank to pay exporters under the specified conditions mentioned in the original documentary credit.
Through the new notification, the DGFT has also asked exporters to ship basmati rice to the European Union (EU) and Russia only after pre-shipment quality inspection by eight designated labs, including Shri Ram Institute of Industrial Research (both Delhi and Benguluru branches) and Delhi Test House.
Trade sources said that often, consignments are rejected by importing countries in the EU because of higher pesticide-residue levels. The DGFT notification also stated that exports of empty printed gunny bags with marking indicating the product being ‘Indian basmati rice’ are not permitted except when exported along with the consignment of basmati rice.
Meanwhile, the export of basmati will now be permitted through land customs stations on the India-Bangladesh and India-Nepal borders subject to registration of quantity with the DGFT.
India has an around 85% share in global basmati exports while the rest is contributed by Pakistan. Countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the biggest destinations for the country’s aromatic and long-grain rice

CPEC is a 'gift' to Pakistan”: PM

Our government has been working with great sincerity to complete the project

“CPEC is a 'gift' to Pakistan”: PM
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“CPEC is a 'gift' to Pakistan”: PM
Our government has been working with great sincerity to complete the project
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while addressing a meeting of his party's parliamentary committee today Said Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Islamabad last year said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a 'gift' to Pakistan.
"He (Xi Jinping) said this is a gift to you from China
$46 billion investment made by the Chinese government for various projects under the CPEC. Our government has been working with great sincerity, there have been no accusations of kickbacks or corruption against us.
 “All economic targets will be achieved in the next two years”: Ishaq Dar
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar expresses the confidence that all economic targets will be achieved in the next two years. Sixty percent increase has been registered in tax collection during the last three years. Tax to GDP ratio will be increased to fifteen percent during the next two years. IMF has supported our program of economic development. Pakistan is committed to successfully implement the macroeconomic stability program announced by the Government in June 2013.
Dastgir eager to increase trade with Indonesia
Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir  meets with Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister for Trade of Indonesia, side lines of 12th World Islamic Economic Forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan urges the Indo­nesian government to ensure the implementation of an ag­­reement to import one million tonnes of rice from Pakistan. Both sides inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in January 2016 for export of rice worth around $400 million over a period of four years to be implemented by Trading Corpora­tion of Pakistan and Indone­sian State Logistic Agency.  Mr. Dastgir Khan also urged his Indonesian counterpart to reconsider the import quota policy for Pakistan for items included in Preferential Trade Agree­ment (PTA) and expressed hope that a quota-free market access would help Pakistani exports to grow.http://www.radio.gov.pk/04-Aug-2016/cpec-is-a-gift-to-pakistan-pm

APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1531



               
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 03-08-2016
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Rice
1
Alappuzha (Kerala)
Other
3350
3475
2
Gangavathi (Karnataka)
Other
2000
2000
3
Gajol (West Bengal)
Other
2200
2300
Wheat
1
Haveri (Karnataka)
Local
1670
1670
2
Barshi (Maharashtra)
Other
1611
2300
3
Rajkot (Gujarat)
Other
1695
2015
Banana
1
Jagraon (Punjab)
Other
2200
2500
2
Karad (Maharashtra)
Other
1000
1300
3
Thanesar (Haryana)
Other
1500
2000
Cauliflower
1
Kolar (Karnataka)
Local
1000
1500
2
Gosala (Orissa)
Other
1000
1100
3
Surat (Gujarat)
Other
1000
1750
f