Wednesday, July 03, 2019

3rd July ,2019 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter

Seme Customs intercepts 7,524 bottled water smuggled by Chinese workers

Description: VAT: Airlines count losses over  Customs implementation delay

Steve Agbota
The Seme border command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 7,524 bottles of water concealed in cartons packaged as human hair and smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.
The command also seized 13 bags of expired rice and 864 jerry cans of sulphuric acid, which could have taken innocent Nigerians.
However, the bottled water, which according to the command is prohibited from coming into Nigeria was allegedly smuggled for Chinese workers in Nigeria. The smugglers used human hair to cover the table water in order to deceive intelligent Customs officers.
Speaking to newsmen yesterday, the Controller  of the Command, Compt. Mohammed Uba, said the contrabands were intercepted at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) joint border post.
He further disclosed that aside the bottled waters, ginger drinks, 1708 bags of rice and 864 jerry cans of sulphuric acid were also seized in the month under review.
According to him, the smuggled water has a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.04million and was imported from China through Benin Republic to Nigeria.
The CAC stressed further, “The efforts of the enforcement unit of the Command with regard to suppression of smuggling has been unprecedented with the arrest of nine vehicles conveying 83 cartons of Amira/Makoko soap DPV N1.8million; 1,718x50bags of foreign parboiled rice; 26 bales of used clothes and 14 cartons of Nitro feminine soap .
“Other seized items include 13 bags of expired rice; eight sacks of used shoes; 65 pieces of textile; 11 cartons of insecticide; 864 jerry cans of sulphuric acid and 2 sacks of rubber slippers.”
He explained further that one of the vehicle used for conveying the contraband goods was a Toyota Hillux van (masked in an official regalia), intercepted conveying 16 bags of rice at Gbaji axis.

Sabah-Taganak trading activities are not barter trade: CEO
Published on: Wednesday, July 03, 2019
By: Hayati Dzulkifli
Description: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/uploads/news2/2019/07/p2bbbbb.jpg
KOTA KINABALU: The upcoming commercial trading activities between Sabah and Turtle Island (Taganak) in Tawi-Tawi, Southern Philippines, involves export and import activities and not barter trade.
 Worldwide Eco Group CEO Kenneth Kong said it exports local products to the Southern Philippines via Taganak and supplies the island that is less than an hour by boat from Sandakan with oil palm products, cement, cooking oil and groceries. 
 “The trading activities between Sabah and the Turtle Island in Tawi-Tawi involves commercial trading and not barter.
 “We will supply various goods including basic necessities like cooking oil, instant noodles, potatoes and groceries, among others, to the island based on how much they need,” he said, after signing the MoU representing Turtle Island municipality with its Mayor, Mohamad Faizal Salam Jamalul.

 The aim of the MoU is to express willingness of both parties to promote Business Competitiveness of Turtle Island as the gateway into BARMM as well as develop and expand relationships with Philippines traders whom are also referred to as the micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs).
 To a question, Kenneth said the company does not supply subsidised items that are in Malaysia as the MoU agreement will involve doing transhipment trading and import export such as importing rice from Vietnam and sugar from Thailand.
 On whether rice transhipment from Vietnam would stop at Sabah ports, Mohamad Faizal said the transhipment would not stop here or anywhere in Sabah but go direct to Mindanao.
 It is believed that the rice transhipment did not stop at Sabah port here to avoid losses and complications due to an alleged rice transhipment bungle involving 351 containers accounting for 9,000 metric tonnes of rice worth USD3 million detained and seized by Malaysian Customs at Kota Kinabalu since last October that was meant for Southern Philippines.
 In March this year, the paper reported that seven Vietnamese firms were shocked with the unexpected seizure of the rice transhipment, the first time in 20 years that it happened. It had been doing rice trading with Sabah and Labuan trading companies.
It was also reported that a group of 10 consignees (end buyers) of the rice involved in the seizure of 351 containers of rice by the Malaysian Customs, had undertaken an alternative to divert all the businesses to Tarakan, Indonesia, They do not need Sabah or Labuan anymore in such trading as the Philippine President has approved their request to import rice directly from sourcing countries like Vietnam, Thailand or Pakistan.

Following this, Sabah expects to lose future rice imports about RM2 billion a year not only from Vietnam but also from the BIMP-EAGA region, according to Sabah Cross Border Association Chairman Nordin Ening.
 Kenneth said the company, which has export permits, would be giving priority to export cement from here that will be directly transport to the island in big vessels apart from getting cement from Indonesia as its back-up when there is a huge demand for cement.
 On selling cooking gas, the company’s Chief Operating Officer Johnny Kunan said it is in the pipeline as there is necessary paperwork and to get approval before it could export it to the Southern Philippines via the island.
 The imminent commercial trading between Sabah and Taganak is safeguarded from cross-border crimes.
 He said he will ensure 24/7 surveillance on the waters especially the routes of transporting the goods to the island, which is aimed to be the gateway  for cross-border trading between Sabah and  into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and nearby islands.
“I have signed the MoU with Sabah-based company Worldwide Eco Group to commit a higher business cooperation and pursue many significant business activities such as promotion of new business opportunity, investment and bilateral trade that will render win-win situation.
“We are aware of the concerns on security aspect coming from these trading activities like piracy and kidnapping that might happen to the vessels laden with goods heading to the island and nearby areas.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/137293/sabah-taganak-trading-activities-are-not-barter-trade-ceo/

Addressing The Press Conference Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan Also Lauded The Efforts Of Jahangir Khan Tareen In Agriculture

Description: Addressing the press conference Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan also lauded the efforts of Jahangir Khan Tareen in agriculture


Addressing the press conference Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan also lauded the efforts of Jahangir Khan Tareen in agriculture development of the country

Islamabad, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 2nd Jul, 2019 ) :Addressing the press conference Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan also lauded the efforts of Jahangir Khan Tareen in agriculture development of the country.
The provincial agriculture ministers of PunjabBalochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also present on the occasion.
The Minister said that Jahangir Khan Tareen had made lot of efforts to formulate agriculture emergency program which was focused on increased productivity of major crops including wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane and oil seed.
He said that Tareen had taken all the provinces on board and hold several meetings with them and formed working groups in order to finalize the program.
Meanwhile, Tareen said that PC-1 of Agriculture Emergency Program had been finalized and would be presented in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval to launched.
He said overall allocations for the agriculture sector had been enhanced as the Federal government had increase it from Rs 1 billion in its Annual Development Plan last year to Rs 12 billion and same was followed in Punjab and other provinces.
He said that the spending would be taken up to record level of Rs 70 billion in next four years.
He said that the program was a revolutionary step of the government and besides promoting the agriculture sector it would also benefit the local farmers as the special efforts would be made to enhance the per acre yield of all major crops.
Special measures would be introduced to enhance per acre yield of wheat from 35-40 maunds, rice by 10-20 maunds, sugarcane by 650-800 maunds, adding that incentives was announced for the cultivation of oil seeds like canola and sunflower, he added.
In order to make the agriculture produces more competitive, he said that special measures would be introduced for energy, water conservation and pest management to reduce the cost of production.
He said that Rs 220 billion would be spent on the construction of small dams and water course development, adding that 70,000 water courses would be developed.
He said that about 50% water courses would be developed which would help to save about 9 million acre feet water annually and this program would be completed with in next four years.

Biofuels can help reduce current account deficit

Published: July 1, 2019
Description: PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s current account deficit has created many problems for the economy. Major imports are of the oil sector. There is a misplaced notion that nothing can be done for reducing these imports.
Biofuels based on local agro-waste are a viable option and competitive route. Bio-refining technology has come of age. Not only can biofuels replace imports or make equivalent exports, these can also generate employment, increase farm income and revitalise rural life.
Utilising agro-waste would not compete with food supply – a risk that has often been put forth. Also, electric vehicles can have a significant impact on the demand side. A strong case has been made in the following to create a market share of 30% for bio-refining to make an impact of $4-5 billion on improving the trade balance.
Pakistan has a population of more than 200 million and has a large agricultural base. There is a great demand for all sorts of energy including transport fuels. An estimated $12-18 billion of oil imports are there. Furnace oil imports have stopped but they have been replaced by LNG.
On the other hand, there is a large variety of raw material, agro-waste and municipal solid waste (MSW), which are available and can be commercially utilised to replace these imports, at least partly.
Pakistan is the 10th largest sugar producer and occasional exporter and importer. The sugar industry produces many products, which can be converted into fuel and energy. Already, ethanol is being produced, whose production can be increased by 50% by entering into cellulosic processing, without any need for further land or sugarcane.
In Pakistan, agro-waste – wheat, maize, cotton, rice husk, straw and stalk – alone is to the tune of 135 million tons per annum (MTPA). Assuming 50% collection and 20% conversion efficiency, 13 MTPA of biofuels can be produced.
As against this, the annual fuel demand for the transport sector is 13 MTPA as well. One can consume it or export it and import the equal amount of transport fuel – gasoline and diesel. MSW is an extra 48 MTPA, which can also generate an equal amount of biofuel. Advanced 2G biofuels can be produced out of it.
Although ethanol (anhydrous) is an energy product, it is not being used in the country, but is exported. In about 40 or more countries, 5-10% ethanol is added to gasoline to replace fossil content and also as oxygenate to enhance RON levels (anti-knocking property enhancer) from RON 82-87 to RON 92-95.
These products are called E5 and E10 as the numbers represent ethanol content. E5 is almost a standard fuel in most developed and progressive developing countries.
2G bio-ethanol
There are two types of ethanol – one produced from sucrose obtained from sugar molasses and maize starch and is called 1G bio-ethanol. There is 2G bio-ethanol as well, which is produced from cellulosic material obtained from agro-waste and even MSW.
There are following advantages of 2G ethanol production in a sugar refinery – use of sugarcane and its byproducts; use of raw material already present in the production units offering a logistical advantage and cost savings; increase in ethanol production by 50% without additional land requirement for sugarcane cultivation; production of biofuel during off-season; and reduction in carbon emissions.
In 2014, Brazil’s major company Raizen – a joint venture of Shell Petroleum – installed a 2G ethanol plant with capacity of 42 million litres per year and capital expenditure of $62 million. Enzymes have been sourced from famous Danish company Novozymes.
Raizen plans to install seven more such plants by 2024, taking production to 1 billion litres per year.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan has recommended reduction in land availability for sugarcane cultivation as it consumes much water that we don’t have; there is competition for land for other more competitive and value-added crops like cotton; powerful sugar plant owners do not pay right prices to farmers and at the right time; agricultural productivity of land under sugarcane crop is low and sucrose content is also low; land owners and sugar plant owners are held responsible for not providing farmers services and advice; and there is price collusion and hoarding.
However, there is a positive side as well. There are foreign exchange savings to the tune of $2.5 billion, which otherwise would have increased the country’s import bill as is happening in the case of other food items such as cooking oil and tea. The sugar industry can improve its image by investing in high technology and efficiency, reducing cost of production and improving resource efficiency. 2G ethanol is one such route.
The requirement of capital expenditure, as per data provided earlier, is not so high. There is already ethanol production of 600,000 metric tonnes per annum out of 16 distilleries bringing in $400-500 million per annum. It would be saving more foreign exchange, if it is utilised locally.
It could be increased by 50% without any increase in land use. Increased energy availability in the off-season will be quite a welcome addition.
There are other materials and wastes that are being recycled into bio-ethanol. Agricultural waste and even MSW are being converted into bio-ethanol.
In Edmonton Alberta, a MSW to bio-ethanol facility was erected by Erkem in 2014. The facility processes 100,000 tons of MSW per year into 38 million litres of bio-ethanol. It is a two-stage process – first stage produces synthetic gas and in second stage synthetic gas is converted into bio-ethanol.
Alternatively, one could truncate the process partly or wholly and only produce synthetic gas, convert it into synthetic natural gas (SNG) and pump it into the gas grid.
In 2013, Italy was producing 75 million litres annually out of agro-waste. Similar plants of 60,000-70,000 tons are operating in Iowa, Kansas, Brazil and Shandong (China).
In India, a pilot plant and later a larger demonstration plant (capacity of 10 tonnes per day of raw material) has been built that processes agricultural waste like rice or wheat straw, cotton stalk, bamboo and wooden chips. There are plans to upgrade it to a commercial-scale facility. One kg of agro-waste can produce one litre of bio-ethanol.
Promoting investments
Pakistan is among top 10 sugar-producing countries of the world. There is a need for the sugar industry and the government to promote and facilitate investments in these areas. The government should develop cooperation with the Brazilian government so that private-sector cooperation is facilitated.
Similarly, self-financing projects could be promoted to process agro-waste and MSW, cleaning the urban and rural areas and producing bio-ethanol or biogas. Pakistan has a large pool of scientists in the bio-technology area and a number of research institutions, which can play a major role in this respect. They should be encouraged, facilitated and tasked to work in this area.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2003613/2-biofuels-can-help-reduce-current-account-deficit/

S. Korea, WFP In Discussion With U.S. On Sanctions Exemptions For Rice Provision To N. Korea

 
Description: S. Korea, WFP in discussion with U.S. on sanctions exemptions for rice provision to N. Korea

South Korea is closely cooperating with the World Food Programme (WFP) to discuss sanctions exemptions with the United Sates over its plan to send rice aid to North Korea, a unification ministry official said Tuesday

SEOUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 2nd Jul, 2019 ) :South Korea is closely cooperating with the World Food Programme (WFP) to discuss sanctions exemptions with the United Sates over its plan to send rice aid to North Korea, a unification ministry official said Tuesday.
Last month, the unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs unveiled a plan to provide 50,000 tons of domestically harvested rice to North Korea through the WFP, which will handle its delivery and distribution there.
Details on how and when the assistance will be delivered are under discussion between South Korea and the WFP, and securing sanctions exemptions necessary for possible use of ships and other equipment to send rice to the North is one of key issues they should sort out.
"Rice itself is not subject to sanctions, but using ships to transport it could have to do with sanctions," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "The WFP is in consultation (with the U.S.), and our government is also cooperating in the process." Under U.S. sanctions on Pyongyang, vessels making a port call to North Korea are banned from entering harbors in the U.S. for 180 days.
South Korea aims to send the food assistance to the North before the lean season starts in September. The official said that Seoul aims to make the first shipment to the North within this month.
The government recently completed administrative procedures necessary to carry out the rice provision plan.
It will set aside around 127 billion won (US$109.3 million) to secure rice from the local market, along with some $12 million in additional funds to help the WFP's delivery and distribution efforts.
The official said that the government will sign an official contract with the WFP over its plan for rice provision to the North either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
He also expressed confidence that rice distribution in the North would be carried out in a transparent way, saying that the WFP is armed with necessary know-how and personnel.
"The WFP plans to open more local offices (in the North) and double the number of monitoring personnel (from the current 50)," he said. "I think the WFP has a well-established monitoring plan and high capacity on that matter." It marks the first time for South Korea to provide rice to North Korea since 2010, when it sent 5,000 tons to support its efforts to recover from flood damage. It will also be the first time Seoul has sent locally harvested rice to the North through an international agency.
Earlier this month, Seoul donated $8 million to the WFP and the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) for their projects in North Korea to support the nutrition of children and pregnant women and address their health problems. The ministry is considering making an additional donation to such global agencies.

Weekly Inflation Witnesses Nominal Increase Of 0.03

  
Description: Weekly inflation witnesses nominal increase of 0.03

The weekly inflation for the week ended on June 27, for the combined income group, witnessed nominal increase of 0.03 percent as compared to the previous week

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - APP - 2nd Jul, 2019 ) :The weekly inflation for the week ended on June 27, for the combined income group, witnessed nominal increase of 0.03 percent as compared to the previous week.
The Sensitive price Indicator (SPI) for the week under review in the combined group was recorded at 257.50 points against 257. 41 points registered in the previous week, according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Meanwhile, the inflation for the lowest income group also decreased from 236.68 points in last week to 236.95 points, showing growth of 0.11 percent.
As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 11.83 percent, and for the lowest income group, it increased by 9.28 percent.
The weekly SPI has been computed with base 2007-08=100, covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups and combined.
Meanwhile, the SPI for the income groups from Rs 8001-12,000, Rs 12,001-18,000, 18,001-35,000 and above Rs 35000 per month increased by 0.06 percent, 0.
04 percent, 0.02 percent , and 0.02 percent respectively.
During the week under review, average prices of 7 items registered decrease, while that of 19 items increased with the remaining 27 items' prices unchanged.
The items which registered decrease in their prices during the week under review included chicken farm, bananas, onions, tomatoes, LPGCylinder, sugar and gram pulse.
The items which recorded increase in their average prices included cigarettes, potatoes, eggs, garlic, mash pulse, moong pulse, tea (prepared), curd, wheat flour, milk (fresh), rice (Irri-6), gur, vegetable ghee (loose), mutton, cooking oil t(tin), vegetable ghee (tin), beef, red chilly and mustard oil.
Similarly the items which recorded no change in their prices included wheat, rice (basmati), bread, milk (powdered), masoor pulse, salt(powdered), tea (packet), cooked beef, cooked daal,, long cloth, shirting, lawn (printed), georgette, gents sandal, gents chappal, ladies sandal, electricity charges, kerosene oil, firewookd, electric bulb, washing soap, match box, petrol, diesel, telephone local call and bath soap.
Badin growers advised to cultivate rice

Staff Reporter

July 01, 2019 
BADIN : The district administration of Badin, SIDA and irrigation departments on Sunday advised the growers of tail-ends to commence the rice cultivation with initially seedling of paddy crops in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Hafeez Ahmed Siyal along with SIDA officials while holding an important press conference advised the growers to start rice cultivation instantly as within seven days water rotation would end in the district.
Dr Siyal said that due to sincere efforts of Sindh govt the water shortage in the Kotri Barrage was reduced to 23 percent which earlier was 50pc.
He said that Phuleli Canal’s water flow was maintained at 12,000 cusec level recently and none perennial canals including Mirwah and Manak canal maintained an additional water flow which ultimately provided benefit to local growers.
He also informed that water rotation in Golarchi taluka canals would be ending till end of the upcoming week. Water rotation in the Akram Wah system would continue till overall improvement of water system in the province, he added.
The district administration would now control the water shortage after couple of month’s uninterrupted efforts and warned that stern action would be taken against those who theft the water of local growers.
On the occasion, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur and others SIDA officials also addressed the press conference and responded the queries of the journalists.

Market Report:  Jordan 

AMMAN, JORDAN -- Jordan is a relatively small country where rice is a staple food, and though the country produces no rice, and the average yearly consumption is estimated at 53 pounds per capita.  With a total population of 10.5 million, 70 percent is Jordanian, the rest being refugees mostly from Syria, as well as foreign nationals from Palestine, Egypt, and other countries.  

The country currently is suffering from the adverse effects of the Syrian Civil War and the ongoing crisis in Iraq, and consequently trade with its traditionally two largest markets is a victim of conflict in these two countries.   

"The high number of refugees puts pressure on the local economy, as well as on the food supply," said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, who visited with local traders here last week.  "There is a general lack of liquidity in the market and coupled with rising fuel and electricity prices, Jordanian consumers are having to make increasingly difficult choices when it comes to food purchases."  

Jordanian consumers have a preference for medium grain varieties due to its stickier consistency which is better suited to traditional local dishes like mansaf, lamb cooked with a yogurt sauce served over rice.  

"They have a strong preference for U.S. origin rice, and it has been the market leader here for the past few years, appreciated for its high quality and cooking characteristics," said Somogyi.  "However, high U.S. prices coupled with the local economic situation in the past year has resulted in increased imports from cheaper and geographically closer origins like Portugal and Italy, as well as some quantities from China."

There are no restrictions on rice trade, which is conducted through private companies, with total imports estimated at 190,000 MT for 2019.  In 2017, U.S. rice sales totaled 141,000 MT, followed by a drop to 81,000 MT in 2018.  Sales in Jan-April 2019 amounted to 38,000 MT, 5 percent higher than the same period in 2018. 

"In this economic environment, it is important to continue to support local U.S. rice brands with promotional activities to maintain their presence on the market and ensure continued U.S. rice sales," said Somogyi.  "During the trade visits last week, several promotion ideas were discussed including outdoor and online media advertising planned for this coming autumn when Jordanian families return from the summer break and the school year begins." 
Weekly SPI inflation increases 0.03pc
KARACHI: The Sensitive price indicator (SPI) for the week ended June 27 increased 0.03 percent over the previous week, and rose 11.83 percent as compared to weekly inflation in the corresponding period last year, official data showed on Monday.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data showed that weekly inflation for the combined income group recorded at 257.50 points up from 257.41 points last week. SPI for income group of up to Rs8,000 increased 0.11 percent during the week under review as compared to the preceding week, while registering 9.28 percent increase compared to weekly inflation in the corresponding period last year.
Weekly inflation for the group earning Rs8,001 to Rs12,000 increased slightly by 0.06 percent. The SPI for the people earning between Rs12,001 and Rs18,000 increased 0.04; and for those making Rs18,001 and Rs35,000 and above Rs35,000 it went up by 0.02 percent each.
However, weekly SPI increased a whopping 16.02 percent for the Rs35,000 quintile, compared to the weekly inflation in the corresponding period last year. PBS computes weekly price trend of 53 essential items from 17 urban centres. Average prices of 19 goods increased during the week ended on June 27 over the previous week.
The items which recorded the highest increase in average prices were cigarettes, potatoes, eggs, garlic, pulses mash and moong, prepared tea, yogurt, wheat flour, milk, rice irri-6, gur, vegetable oil, mutton, beef, red chilli powder, and mustard oil.
Only seven items registered decrease in prices. Those were chicken, bananas, onions, tomatoes, 11kg LPG cylinder, sugar, and gram pulse. Average prices of 27 items remained unchanged. Those items included wheat, broken basmati rice, plain-medium bread, powdered milk, salt, tea, cooked beef and lentils, electricity, gas, petrol, HSD, landline call, cloth, and soap.

An Indian Treat Is One of the Most Popular 4th of July Dishes in America

What do Americans want to eat on the July 4th? You can probably guess most of the answers, but one will almost certainly come as a surprise.
DoorDash, the largest food delivery service in the country (and second-largest in the world, after Uber Eats), analyzed food orders from across the nation on the holiday itself last year to discern what the ten most popular items were. Taking first place, not surprisingly, was the cheeseburger. In fact, cheeseburgers and the number-three item, french fries, together accounted for 58% of what we ordered. This isn’t surprising considering our immense annual hot dog and hamburger consumption by state.
Between those two iconic foods was another one, a variation on the first — the bacon cheeseburger. Numbers four through eight were, in descending order, hot dogs, onion rings, boneless wings, soft drinks, and traditional wings. Then, between the last of those and the number-ten favorite (tortilla chips), came the big surprise:
The ninth most ordered food item from DoorDash on the Fourth of July last year, and the third most ordered side dish, was…….garlic naan, the garlicky Indian flatbread traditionally cooked in a tandoori oven but reproduceable at home with a cast-iron skillet.
In addition to its nationwide ranking, the DoorDash study broke out the most often ordered foods for the occasion in five major U.S. cities — New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
In San Francisco, fries took first place. Number two, though, was that garlic naan, and there were two other Indian dishes on that city’s top ten — chicken tikka masala at number four and basmati rice at number ten. Another Asian dish made the list, too — pad Thai at number nine.
Some other surprises: Mexican food was sparsely represented, appearing only for San Francisco (super burrito, number three) and breakfast burrito (Los Angeles, number ten).
Cosmopolitan New York City was unaccountably all-American, with variations on burgers, hot dogs, and fries, plus two soda fountain drinks and Shake Shack’s chicken sandwich filling the roster. Our nation’s capital, on the other hand, included the only Persian offering on the list, joojeh (saffron chicken) kabob, but ordered more “craft your own” pizza than anything else.
Chicago upheld its trencherman reputation: Number one on the list wasn’t just french fries, it was LARGE french fries. Chicagoans were also responsible for the only dessert favored by any of the five cities — chocolate cake slice at number eight — and the only condiment, cheese sauce, at number nine. It’s a special treat — and these are the most iconic frozen treats in America
MRF and COFCO to study rice types for China export
YU WAI 02 JUL 2019
Myanmar and China will cooperate in classifying rice types suitable for export to China following an agreement that up to 100,000 tonnes of rice can be exported to the country.
The Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) will cooperate in classifying these rice types.
MRF general secretary U Ye Min Aung said both sides will study what types of rice grown in Myanmar can meet China’s market demand. “There is rice such as Tunpu, Kayinma and Ngasein available in the local market that can be sold to China,” he added.
Besides providing information, MRF would also assist COFCO in purchasing the rice. China, which imports commodities based on a quota system, had set an official quota of 100,000 tonnes of rice from Myanmar in 2016, but traders have been lobbying for the quota to be raised to 400,000 tonnes.
Under the MRF-COFCO agreement, selected companies that have been inspected by a board formed from officials from the Ministry of Commerce, MRF, experts from the relevant fields as well as other government officials would be allowed to export their rice to China.
According to an earlier statement by the MRF, a report would be sent to China from the Department of Agriculture after the inspection process has been completed. A total of 103 rice mills owned by 42 companies that have applied for rice-export permission to China has been inspected. – Translated 

Dried unhulled, medium rice prices climb in June: statistics bureau

Description: Dried unhulled, medium rice prices climb in June: statistics bureau
The Central Bureau of Statistics' Head Suharyanto. (ANTARA/Sella Panduarsa Gareta/bp)
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Central Bureau of Statistics has reported a hike in the prices of dried unhulled rice and medium-quality rice in the mill in June 2019 as compared to those in the previous month.

"The price of dried unhulled rice at the farm level rose 4.50 percent, while the cost of medium rice in the mill rose 0.26 percent," the bureau's head Suharyanto informed the press here on Monday.

Suharyanto elaborated that in June 2019, the average price of unhulled rice during the harvest period at the farm level was recorded at Rp4,552.00 per kilogram (kg), up 4.50 percent, while at the grinding level, it reached Rp4,656 per kg, or increasing 4.72 percent, as compared to that of unhulled rice of the same quality in the previous month.

In the meantime, the average price of grinding unhulled rice at the farm level reached Rp5,246 per kg, a 1.43 percent increase, while at the milling level, the price was recorded at Rp5,361 per kg, or up 1.18 percent.

The price of low-quality, unhulled rice at the farm level is Rp4,888 per kg, or up 4.12 percent, while at the grinding level, the price was recorded at Rp4,288 per kg, or up 4.11 percent.

However, in comparison with June 2018, the average price of unhulled rice in June 2019 at the farm level for all types of unhulled rice at the harvest time, grinding unhulled rice, and low-quality unhulled rice decreased by 2.12 percent, 2.14 percent, and 2.18 percent respectively.

Similarly at the milling level, the average price in June 2019 as compared to that in June 2018 for unhulled rice during the harvest period, grinding unhulled rice, and low-quality unhulled rice also reduced by 1.75 percent, 1.96 percent, and 1.82 percent respectively.

In June 2019, the average price of premium-quality rice in the mill reached Rp9,516 per kg, rising by 0.56 percent than that in the previous month. The average price of medium-quality rice in the mill is Rp9,166 per kg, up by 0.26 percent, whereas the average price of low-quality rice in the mill was recorded at Rp9,012 per kg, up by 0.65 percent.

In comparison with June 2018, the average price of premium-, medium-, and low-quality rice in the mill in June 2019 increased by 0.40 percent, 0.34 percent, and 0.79 percent respectively. 
Reporter: Sella Panduarsa Gareta/Bambang
Editor: Fardah Assegaf

Planned rice research center in Poinsett County hires first director

The planned Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center has hired Tim Burcham as its first director.Burcham was previously dean of the Agriculture College at Arkansas State University and held a joint appointment with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. ASU in Jonesboro is one of the campuses that works with the Division of Agriculture to provide publicly funded education, extension and research all across Arkansas.
The center, being created by the Division of Agriculture in partnership with the Arkansas Rice Research and  Promotion Board, will be built in Poinsett County — the heart of Arkansas’ northern rice-growing region.
Burcham’s appointment is effective Aug. 1.
“I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with a leadership role in the establishment of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center located near Jonesboro,” Burcham said. “The opportunity to establish a world-class rice research facility that seeks to optimize rice production and producer profitability utilizing the latest technological advances excites me about the future of rice production in Arkansas.”
Burcham anticipates the combined research and outreach strengths of the Division of Agriculture and ASU will provide a “multiplier effect with the potential to improve every aspect of rice production in Arkansas.”
“Rice is such an important crop for farmers in northeast Arkansas and it is a major economic driver for our region and the state,” Burcham said. “I look forward to working with Division of Agriculture leadership and members of the Arkansas Rice and Research Promotion Board to shape the future of this new center; a future that will play a vital role in the success of Arkansas rice producers, processors and consumers. It’s the leadership opportunity of a lifetime.”
As the director, Burcham will develop a master plan for the center, which will include research in the area’s unique soils, as well as a general education component. Burcham will also oversee construction of the facility. In addition to using Rice Promotion Board funds, Burcham also will work on developing other funding sources to support a world-class agricultural education center.
Over the past decade and a half, rice production in Arkansas has spread from south to north. The Division of Agriculture has a Rice Research and Extension Center at Stuttgart and also conducts rice research at its Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser in Mississippi County. The Poinsett County location will enable rice research in the area’s mixed soil types.
Burcham is a registered professional engineer in Arkansas and Mississippi and has been involved in consulting activities associated with irrigation design, livestock waste management, onsite wastewater remediation, water quality, biofuels and computer software design. He is active in the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and has held numerous leadership positions including serving on the Board of Agricultural Assembly’s Policy Board of Directors.
South Korea awaits US nod to ship rice to the North
Description: South Korea awaits US nod to ship rice to the North


Since North Korea is under sanctions, those mulling to help need to seek waiver
Riyaz ul Khaliq   |02.07.2019

ANKARA

South Korea is awaiting the U.S. approval, to send 50,000 metric tons of rice to the drought-hit North Korea, to avoid sanctions. 
Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Tuesday that South Korean officials are engaged in discussions with the World Food Program (WFP) to ship rice to the North. South Korea had also promised to donate $12 million, to the WFP to help address food shortage, leading to humanitarian crisis across its borders.
The WFP is the food-assistance branch of the UN and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.
"Rice itself is not subject to sanctions. But using ships to transport are subjected to sanctions. The WFP is in consultation [with the U.S.] and our government is also cooperating in the process,” the officials said.
After the U.S. nod, the UN body will subsequently deliver food and ensure its distribution. The first shipment is expected to be sent later this month.
North Korea is under sanctions since 2006 after it detonated a nuclear device. Therefore, vessels are barred to enter into the U.S. harbors for 180 days after they sail at the North Korean ports without prior approval.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry handling inter-Korean affairs said it has completed administrative procedures necessary to carry out the rice provision plan. It has set aside around 127 billion won ($109.3 million) to secure rice from the local market, along with some $12 million as additional funds to help the WFP's delivery and distribution efforts.
South Korea aims to send the food assistance to the North before the lean season starts in September. The official said that Seoul aims to make the first shipment to the North within this month.
The WFP is mulling to send its officers to North Korea, besides opening more local offices in the impoverished country. The UN body has already 50 of its members posted in North Korea.
In past, South Korea had sent such aid in 2010, when it shipped 5,000 tons to help the North recover from flood damage.
S. Korea, WFP in discussion with US on sanctions exemptions for rice provision to N. Korea

Published : Jul 2, 2019 - 13:14
Updated : Jul 2, 2019 - 13:14
South Korea is in close cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) to discuss sanctions exemptions with the United Sates over its plan to send rice aid to North Korea, a unification ministry official said Tuesday. 

Last month, the unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs unveiled a plan to provide 50,000 tons of domestically harvested rice to North Korea through the WFP, which will handle its delivery and distribution there. 

Details on how and when the assistance will be delivered are under discussion between South Korea and the WFP, and securing sanctions exemptions necessary for possible use of ships and other equipment to send rice to the North is one of key issues they should sort out.

Description: http://res.heraldm.com/content/image/2019/07/02/20190702000448_0.jpg
David Beasley, chief of the World Food Programme (Yonhap)

"Rice itself is not subject to sanctions, but using ships to transport it could have to do with sanctions," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "

The WFP is in consultation (with the US), and our government is also cooperating in the process."  Under multiple US sanctions on Pyongyang, vessels making a port call to North Korea face restrictions in entering harbors in the US and other countries. 

South Korea aims to send the food assistance to the North before the lean season starts in September. The official said that Seoul aims to make the first shipment to the North within this month. 

The government recently completed administrative procedures necessary to carry out the rice provision plan. It will set aside around 127 billion won ($109.3 million) to secure rice from the local market, along with some $12 million in additional funds to help the WFP's delivery and distribution efforts.

It marks the first time for South Korea to provide rice to North Korea since 2010, when it sent 5,000 tons to support its efforts to recover from flood damage. It will also be the first time Seoul has sent locally harvested rice to the North through an international agency. 

Earlier this month, Seoul donated $8 million to the WFP and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for their projects in North Korea to support the nutrition of children and pregnant women and address their health problems. The ministry is considering making an additional donation to such global agencies. (Yonhap)

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JULY 03, 2019
JULY 3, 2019 / 1:55 PM

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-July 3, 2018 Nagpur, July 3 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices recovered in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) on increased demand from local millers amid weak supply from producing belts. Good rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and reported demand from South-based millers also pushed up prices here. About 400 bags of gram and 250 bags of tuar reported for auction, according to sources.

GRAM
* Desi gram raw reported higher in open market on good seasonal demand from local

traders.

TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local

traders amid ample stock in ready position.

* Udid varieties reported down in open market on poor buying support from

local traders amid increased arrival from producing belts.

* In Akola, Tuar New – 5,800-6,000, Tuar dal (clean) – 8,300-8,500, Udid Mogar (clean)

– 7,000-7,700, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,300-8,300, Gram – 4,400-4,500, Gram Super best

– 6,200-6,400 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in

scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close

Gram Auction 3,800-4,110 3,800-4,140

Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600

Tuar Auction 4,700-5,510 4,800-5,510

Moong Auction n.a. 3,950-4,200

Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500

Masoor Auction n.a. 2,200-2,500

Wheat Lokwan Auction 1,900-1,985 1,900-1,985

Wheat Sharbati Auction n.a. 2,900-3,000

Gram Super Best Bold 6,200-6,600 6,200-6,600

Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000

Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a

Gram Mill Quality 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300

Desi gram Raw 4,350-4,450 4,300-4,400

Gram Kabuli 8,300-10,000 8,300-10,000

Tuar Fataka Best-New 8,500-8,600 8,500-8,600

Tuar Fataka Medium-New 8,200-8,300 8,200-8,300

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 7,700-8,000 7,700-8,000

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500

Tuar Gavarani New 5,800-5,900 5,800-5,900

Tuar Karnataka 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300

Masoor dal best 5,400-5,500 5,400-5,500

Masoor dal medium 5,100-5,300 5,100-5,300

Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,500 7,700-8,800

Moong Mogar Medium 5,500-6,500 5,800-6,500

Moong dal Chilka New 6,400-7,400 6,900-7,800

Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 8,100-9,000 8,100-9,000

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,200

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,700-6,500 5,700-6,500

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500 4,200-4,500

Mot (100 INR/KG) 5,100-6,500 5,100-6,500

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,600 5,500-5,600

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000

Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200

Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100

Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,600

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,400-2,600

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,300 2,200-2,300

Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,000-3,600

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,900 2,700-2,900

Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200

Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,100-3,600

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,900 2,500-3,000

Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,200 2,800-3,200

Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400

Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,700 3,500-3,700

Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400

Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700

Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700

Rice Shriram New (100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,100 4,800-5,100

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,500-13,500 8,500-13,500

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,000 5,000-7,000

Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-7,200 6,500-7,200

Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400

Rice Chinnor New (100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000

Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,350-2,550 2,350-2,550

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,050-2,250 2,050-2,250 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 29.6 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 22.9 degree Celsius Rainfall : 16.8 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature likely to be around 32 degree Celsius and 23 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.—not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices)