Saturday, October 03, 2015

2nd October,2015 Daily global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

News Headlines...

·         Geographical indication law in pipeline: Dastagir
·         Ghanaians urged to patronise local rice
·         The Fading Glory Of Ekpoma Rice Production
·         No Conclusion Yet in TPP Negotiations
·         Nigeria inflation may soar as floods destroy produce worth of N49 billion
·         Haryana rice millers end strike after assurance from BJP legislators
·         USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited RCPP Project Implementation Rolls Forward  
·         CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures  
·         Registration of rice brands: draft of 'geographical indication law' to be tabled in NA soon: Dastgir
·         No ban on export of Basmati rice
·         Market Operation to Stabilize Rice Price, says Jokowi
·         Jokowi launches rice market operation in Jakarta
·         Rice Stocks Safe for Six Months: Bulog
·         President flags off 1,034-ton rice market operation
·         Export deceleration glooms Vietnamese rice market
·         Rice exports to bounce back
·         Thai farmers to be told to skip dry-season rice crop 
·         Ghanaians urged to patronise local rice
·         KHARIF ACREAGE UP DESPITE BELOW THAN NORMAL MONSOON
·         Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

 

News Detail...

Geographical indication law in pipeline: Dastagir

The draft of geographical indication law is ready and will be tabled in the parliament in its coming session.Trade strategic framework (policy) for 2015 to 2018 will also be announced soon, said Federal Minister for Commerce Engr Khurram Dastagir Khan while addressing the business community at the annual general meeting (AGM) of Rice Exporters’ Association of Pakistan (REAP) on Wednesday night.He praised REAP’s role for promoting rice export up to dollars three billion per annum and appreciated its target of four billion dollars. After textile sector, he noted that the REAP was the second largest export organisation and it truly represented the country having members and officials across the country.
He noted that the REAP had done a lot for increasing rice export which included research and development activities, introducing latest technology for higher per acre yield of rice crop, and the value-addition along with welfare of the rice growers.“Still more is needed to be done. We would have to put rice export on 21st century lines and move with the world. Like many other countries, Pakistan would have to focus on phyto-sanitary and plant protection standards,” he emphasized.He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government had been trying its best to achieve the goal of economic prosperity and development in the country within the shortest possible time through maximum consultation and partnership with private sector.
“Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) are our partners,” he remarked.He mentioned that the prime minister recently had a long session with the business community and heard the representatives of each sector separately with assurance of resolution of their genuine problems at the earliest. In next couple of days, he added that the prime minister would have another interactive session with the business leaders and might announce a package for the export sector.
Responding to the demand from the out-going and incoming Chairmen of REAP and Patron-in-Chief of REAP and Senior Vice-President FPCCI Abdul Rahim Janoo, the federal commerce minister said that the representatives of REAP would be taken on the boards of directors of Rice Research Institutes in Dokri and Kala Shah Kaku after taking the provincial governments into confidence. “This year, reforms will be introduced in these two research institutes,” he assured.
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2015/10/01/business/geographical-indication-law-in-pipeline-dastagir/

Ghanaians urged to patronise local rice


By: Musah Yahaya Jafaru & Frederik Sundby-Lebech, ACCRADate :Friday, 02 October 2015 05:35
Published in Business News
THE Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has urged Ghanaians to change their mindset and patronise locally produced rice.He said the rice produced locally was more nutritious, healthy and tastier than the imported one.Therefore, he said, it was crucial for Ghanaians to reduce the consumption of imported rice and go for the local rice to save the country the more than $400 million it spent annually on the importation of rice.Mr Kwetey made the call yesterday when he launched the Second Ghana National Rice Festival, which will be held from November 13 to 15, 2015, at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.
The festival, which will be organised by the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), is aimed at making the Ghana rice industry competitive.Stakeholders in the rice industry, including farmers, millers and marketers, are expected to showcase different varieties and brands of Ghana rice at the festival, in the hope of whipping up the interest of the public in local rice.In August 2004, the government, with support from Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), set up the GRIB to galvanise private-sector actors in the value chain to work together with the government to develop a vibrant rice sector. It held the first rice festival in 2013.Mr Kwetey said rice had become an important staple in the economy of Ghana due to increasing per capita consumption over the past years.“It is the second largest cereal consumed after maize in Ghana and has become a common feature in Ghanaian diets,” he said.
The minister also said improved packaging, the absence of stones and chaff and cultivation of varieties similar to the imported rice had increased preference for rice grown locally, and thus created opportunities for citizens to invest in the sector to create wealth and jobs.Mr Akwetey added that the Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial Development Fund (EDAIF) which the government had set up together with the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme and other organisations was part of initiatives that the government had set up to help address financing challenges in the rice sector.
 Investing in rice
The President of GRIB, Mr Imoro Amoro, said rice was an important commodity, therefore, investing in it was investing in jobs, especially for the poor farmers in rural areas.He called for collaborative efforts among the government, the private sector and consumers in the production and marketing of local rice.The Chief Executive Officer of the John A. Kufuor Foundation, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, lauded the government leading the efforts to promote the local rice and affirmed the commitment of the foundation to supporting GRIB and other organisations to promote Ghana rice.
The Head of Rice Research and Development of the Savanna Agriculture Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Wilson Dogbe, who chaired the function, said Ghana had the human resource and variety of seeds needed to produce enough rice to feed the population.
http://graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/50515-ghanaians-urged-to-patronise-local-rice.html#sthash.EI7qsQKI.dpuf

The Fading Glory Of Ekpoma Rice Production

 
 The University town of Ekpoma, in Esan Central local government area of Edo State, is not only popular with the citing of the only state owed tertiary institution, Ambrose Alli University, AAU, the name of the community also rings a bell with the production of what is popularly referred today as ‘Ekpoma Rice’.The appeal for the rice which constitutes one of the staple meals for the people within the entire Edo central senatorial district, adjoining communities and neighbouring states, is sadly, fast losing its popularity and appeal, owing to what researchers attributed to government’s lack of interest in developing the agricultural production of rice for commercial export which will have certainly boosted the local economy of the locality.
However, pundits have argued in several fora that the choice for theimportation and consumption of imported rice by government and other private stake holders is to ensure that we meets our bludgeoning population may be germane but to the detriment of local rice farmers and production especially Ekpoma rice or what other may refer to as ofada rice.In spite of the fertile and abundant arable land, rice importation has dealt the killer blow to the farmers in Ekpoma, and exposes the people to the uncertainties generated from rice importation and consumption.Presently, there are speculations that the rice imported into the country contains strains and grains suitable only for animal domestication and husbandry. Those who know about this, like Friends of the Earth International, FoEI, a worldwide Non-Governmental Organization, has led a consistent crusade against Monsanto and other big corporations involved in genetically modifying the genes of crops for a bumper harvest.
In laboratory tests, FoEI claims it has carried out on imported rice in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, FoEI alleges that some of the rice imported to both countries contains SI strains, fit only for animal husbandry.From findings, Ekpoma rice is relatively easy to produce and is grown for sale and home consumption. In some areas there is a long tradition of rice growing, but for many, rice has been considered a luxury food for special occasions only. With the increased availability of rice, it has become part of the everyday diet of many in Nigeria.The criticism of Ekpoma rice falls on the small stones that mix with it often times. After the rice has been par boiled, it is laid out on tarpaulins or tarred roads to dry.
It is at this stage that there is a danger of small stones getting mixed up with the rice grains. kpoma rice faces competition from imported rice which favored for its long white grains. Imported rice, although widely considered less tasty, demands less preparation as it contains no stones. Removing stones require building designated threshing and drying floors among others will allow Ekpoma rice to compete with Ofada rice and imported rice from asia.But despite the long years of lack of agriculture policy that will encourage local production of rice, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had boasted that the state could provide Nigeria with all the rice supplies it needs if only the federal government could remove waiver on the commodity.
The governor disclosed this in a recent interview against the federal government’s decision to promote local production of food crops in states with comparative advantage on them.He stated “Edo could do a lot if the Federal Government has coherent agricultural policies that do not provide the window for waivers, and expired rice and cheap rice to be dumped on Nigeria,” he stated.The he decried the waiver granted rice importers by the previous administration, regretting that such has led to dumping of various goods in the country which has driven local producers of food items, including rice, out of business.According to him, big rice millers in Edo State were already waiting to see if a new policy that favours local production will be implemented before they would return to the farms.
Oshiomhole, while noting that Edo has huge potential for massive rice production said such might not happen until the right policies are made, stressing that Leventis Group had promised that with the new administration in the country, and controversies over removal of duty waiver, it was willing to resume production adding that Dangote Group had acquired about 50,000 hectares of land for rice farming in the state and was enthusiastic to go into massive rice farming with the right policies in place.The Oshiomhole further assured that his administration had waived land charges as incentives for big investors in agriculture and urged those interested in investing in the state to embrace the gesture.In concerted bid to boast agricultural and rural development programme of rice that would guarantee food security and employment in Nigeria and Edo State in particular had kick started in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state.
The programme, aided by an international consortium, Transformation Agritech Nigeria Limited is currently embarking on commercial rice production as it’s core crop through mechanized farming covering over 10,000 (Ten thousand) hectres.Group Operations and Project Development Director of the company, Dr. Sample Ibemerum explained that the favourable climatic condition of the Niger Delta region for rice made it imperative to engage in the programme which he said would also go a long way to generate employment, eradicate poverty, evolve capacity building, training and exchange.Dr. Ibemerum recalled that Vietnam was reduced to the fourth poorest nation in the world after the American war in 1975 but thereafter transformed itself to a major emerging nation through rice cultivation having being endowed with fresh water and swampy soil suitable for the crop adding that Nigeria could also do same to wipe out poverty and emerge a great nation.However, a scientist and a lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture, Ambrose Alli University, (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, Dr Agharese Osifo, lamented the relegation of local rice production to the background by successive government both at federal and local level.
He said Ekpoma rice is the best brand of rice in Nigeria because of it special unique quality which he noted made it acceptable and better than any other brand of rice in Nigeria adding that “it carbohydrate based is better than the Abakaliki or even the Thailand rice because it is extremely nutritious with some traces of vitamins, mineral and even proteins unlike other brand of rice.Speaking on effort by government to tap into harnessing the economic potential that abound in the production, the academic don stated “I can tell you categorially that government is not doing anything, that is Edo state government and by extension the federal government in respect to supporting, improving or developing Ekpoma rice, this not indicting them or just a political statement, it is purely an academic or scientific statement.
“The reason why I stated that categorically is because of the agricultural policy for Edo state government and before this government too is the concept of privatization and as you well know the former minister of Agriculture Adesina clearly stated that as a matter of policy agriculture should be seen as a business and not a way of way life saying that government should not subsidize or help any agricultural product of farmer in any way because we operates a capitalist system”“In fact, Edo state through the commissioner of Agriculture, Hon Abdul Oroh several time have stated in the media that government will not engage in agricultural production and that include the Ekpoma rice we are talking about. And as you are aware some agricultural enterprises have been sold to foreign investors and that is the sorry story of the Ekpoma rice.“More importantly, also is the Egoro farmer settlement in Ekpoma, but sadly, the farm settlement is rusting away and it an opportunity for the government to develop this Ekpoma rice.
Incidentally, Egoro farm settlement is where the faculty of Agriculture is where am a senior lecturer. The local farmers are still trying their best by planting the upland variety of rice.He however adduced that quality of the rice had been the limiting factor hindering the export of local rice and noted that “most people will not like to eat Ekpoma rice not because they are not patriotic but because of the quality and standard”.“People like imported rice because it is clean and free of pebbles and stones. Nigeria is the biggest rice importer in the whole world and it consumes more rice than any country. The issue of growing Ekpoma rice for export does not arise because the total production of rice in Nigeria is 1.5 metric tonnes against the effective demand 5 million metric tonnes which is strain by importation and of course, we cannot export rice for this reason. However, they are agencies who give concession to those who want to grow it for commercial purposes,” he opined.
No Conclusion Yet in TPP Negotiations 
ATLANTA, GA -- What many hoped would be the final round of negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is being held up by several unresolved issues including market access for U.S. rice.

USA Rice Chairman Dow Brantley, who along with Michael Rue, chairman of the USA Rice Asia Trade Policy Subcommittee, attended the trade talks, said, "We have made it clear to U.S. negotiators that an agreement without meaningful improvement in the quantity and quality of market access for U.S. rice in Japan and preservation of existing market access overall is an agreement that we cannot support."

Yesterday, seventeen Members of the House Agriculture Committee sent a letter to Ambassador Michael Froman, U.S. Trade Representative, echoing these concerns.  Three rice state legislators, Rick Crawford (R-AR), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), and Ralph Abraham (R-LA), signed the letter saying, "We...remain deeply concerned over the lack of meaningful market access in key markets for America's rice farmers..."
 The talks have been extended into tomorrow as TPP countries press for a final agreement.

Nigeria inflation may soar as floods destroy produce worth of N49 billion

Nigeria inflation may worsen as floods destroyed farm produce such as rice, groundnut, millet, guinea corn and maize worth up to N49 billion.All these crops do not require much water and the flood has submerged most of the farms where such crops are planted in the country.Rice one of the most consumed staple food in the country is mostly affected.According to Bloomberg, “Above-normal rainfall in the country’s northwest region caused the banks of the Sokoto and Rima rivers to overflow in the Sokoto and Zamfara states, flooding rice plantations and destroying about 626,250 metric tons of the staple and same in Kebbi and Jigawa states, a combined 635,000 hectares of low-land, rain-fed plantations have been affected.
”Rice is a critical component of the Nigerian diet and a major consumer of the country’s foreign exchange.Nigeria spent about N365 billion annually on importation of rice which is bleeding the country foreign reserves, according to former minister of finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.In the period 2012 to 2014 paddy rice production in the country grew from 4.5 million MT in 2012 to 7.89 million (metric tons) MT in 2013, and 10.7 million MT in 2014.The capacity for integrated rice milling for the production of import-grade rice has also risen from 70,000MT in 2011 to over 800,000MT in 2014.
The number of integrated rice mills increased from only one in 2011 to over 24 by 2014.Given the Central Banks restriction of 41 items from accessing forex from the interbank market which includes rice, it means that millers in the country may not be able satisfy demand and get paddy rice to feed their mills from local suppliers.This may eventually lead to increase in the price of paddy rice and the millers having no option would pass the price increase on to consumers and thus, fuelling food inflation.

Haryana rice millers end strike after assurance from BJP legislators

Thursday, 01 October 2015 - 11:25pm IST | Team Iamin.in
The Haryana Rice Millers and Dealers Association (HRMDA) on Wednesday announced to end its four-day-old strike with immediate effect after assurance by the BJP legislators to consider their demands patiently.“Our delegations met the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Ambala and Kurukshetra districts where it was assured that the Haryana government would consider our demands patiently. We are convinced by the assurance and decided to start paddy purchase for the government,” said HRMDA general secretary Jitender Kumar.

The rice Millers had been on strike with an array of demands, including revocation of central sales tax (CST) and recovery by the excise and taxation department; relaxation in moisture norms during purchase of paddy.After a meeting with the additional chief secretary, food and civil supplies, SS Prasad on Monday, the association had refused to accept the official assurance of finding appropriate ways to look into their demands.HRMDA had then categorically announced to boycott paddy purchase for the government till their demands were accepted.

http://www.iamin.in/en/hisar/news/haryana-rice-millers-end-strike-after-assurance-bjp-legislators-71450
USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited RCPP Project Implementation Rolls Forward  
  RCPP enrollment -- it's time
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project, "Sustaining the Future of Rice" takes another step forward in the implementation process.Earlier this year, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded the project $10 million in funding for the six major rice producing states.  Under the project rice farmers will have two years to enroll in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).  NRCS offices in Missouri are now accepting EQIP applications from rice farmers and Louisiana NRCS will follow suit this coming Monday.  Application in Missouri and Louisiana will be accepted through November 20, 2015.Blake Gerard, Missouri rice farmer and chairman of the USA Rice Farmers, said, "I'm really excited at the pace this project is moving, everything seems to be happening right on target with the overall schedule established.
"  Gerard added that "installing conservation practices on our crop ground is just the right thing to do and so I urge fellow growers to take a look at their conservation plans over the next few weeks and try to find some additional practices they can add under this RCPP project."Rice farmers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri are encouraged to submit EQIP applications as part of the "Sustaining the Future of Rice" RCPP project at their local NRCS offices. Sign-up for CSP is projected to begin in each of the six rice states late in 2016.

To learn more about the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited RCPP project, visit here.
 Contact:  Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for October 2 
Month
Price
Net Change

November 2015
$13.250
- $0.050
January 2016
$13.530
- $0.050
March 2016
$13.800
- $0.040
May 2016
$13.940
- $0.040
July 2016
$14.075
- $0.030
September 2016
$13.180
- $0.005
November 2016
$13.180
- $0.005

Registration of rice brands: draft of 'geographical indication law' to be tabled in NA soon: Dastgir
October 02, 2015
Federal Minister for Commerce Engr Khurram Dastgir said here that the draft of proposed `geographical indication law' has almost been finalised and it will soon be presented in the National Assembly for approval. The proposed law is aimed at supporting rice exporters in getting Pakistani rice brands registered in the international markets, he added. He was speaking at the annual dinner of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) on Wednesday. REAP's chairman Rafique Suleman, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan's CEO S.M. Muneer, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (FPCCI) president Mian Adress, senior vice president Rahim Jano were present on the occasion.
The minister said that Pakistani rice exporters in the absence of `geographical indication law' are facing difficulties in getting their Basmati brands registered in leading importing countries, while their competitors are capturing the market by registering their Basmati rice brands. He hoped that the exports of the commodity will get a boost with the adoption of the proposed law. Moreover, the federal government with a view to providing long-term trade policies to exporters was also working on 3-year trade strategic framework (2015-2018) and the same is expected to be announced shortly, he added. The minister disclosed that the government was actively considering trade policy and a special package for exporters and trade and industry and the same would be announced shortly by prime minister. Reiterating that the government was fully committed to facilitate trade and industry, the minister referred to the prime minister's recent meeting with all stakeholders for the solution of their issues.
He said that the country's economy despite challenges was moving in the right direction and in this he referred to the agreements made with China for investing $46 billion in Pakistan in the next few years. Highlighting the importance of research and development work, the minister said that the federal government has decided to reconstitute the boards of Dokri and Kala Shah Kako research institutes and now rice and other stakeholders will be given due representation on the boards. Urging the rice exporters for value addition and meeting international quality standards for higher exports, the minister said Pakistan was losing markets due to lack of appropriate marketing and hence the need of the hour is to focus on China, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom and other emerging markets.
 He asked the rice exporters to send their high-level trade delegations for marketing and exploring these markets. About the efforts being made by ministry of commerce for enhancing the country's exports, the minister said that the issue of rice export will be discussed with Chinese Minister of Commerce on October 16. Moreover, banking channels between Pakistan and Iran are also likely to be reopened shortly as the United States has already lifted sanctions against Iran, he added.
Earlier, REAP chairman Rafique Suleman informed the minister that traders of rice were facing multiple issues including that of low commodity price in the world market and higher cost of doing business. He said that Pakistan was unable to introduce new varieties of rice due to lack of research and development activities in the rice sector.

No ban on export of Basmati rice

  
PUNE: The government has clarified that there was no germ of truth in stories that it was planning to ban export of Basmati rice. " It has come to the notice of government of India that rumours are bring spread by certain elements that the government has banned the export of Basmati rice. The government of India most emphatically clarifies that there is no truth in such rumours and the government is not even considering any proposal to ban export of Basmati rice" states the press release issued by ministry of commerce and industry. As per the extant policy, export of Basmati rice is allowed subject to registration of contracts with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
" There is no change in the policy and exports of Basmati rice are continuing unabated. During the period from April 2015 to August 2015, exports of Basmati rice have grown by 16.93% in quantity terms as compared to the corresponding period during the previous year" adds the press release. In view of softening of commodity prices, the realization of Basmati rice has gone down as has happened with many other commodities. "However, all steps are being taken to explore more markets and promote retail packs to improve the realization for Basmati rice. It is expected that a good flow of export orders is likely and the government also expects the present trend of growth in export of Basmati rice to continue" the ministry has clarified.
The Times Of India
Market Operation to Stabilize Rice Price, says Jokowi
FRIDAY, 02 OCTOBER, 2015 | 13:30 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo said that market operation is meant to help control rice price in the market. “We are trying to stabilize the price," said Jokowi, on Friday October 2. “We need to control the price, making it affordable.”Jokowi said that the Center of Statistics has revealed that agriculture exchange value has increased by 2 percent. It means that farmers can earn more fortune in the market.Moreover, Jokowi is content with the report from the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) which said that market operation will suppress the price immediately.Earlier today, Jokowi launched market operation program, in which 300,000 tons of rice were delivered to all markets in Indonesia Five cities are made as the center for market operation namely Medan, Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, and Surabaya. Bulog is set to deliver 1,030 tons of rice per day in the cities.
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/10/02/056705783/Market-Operation-to-Stabilize-Rice-Price-says-Jokowi

Jokowi launches rice market operation in Jakarta

thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | National | Fri, October 02 2015, 2:52 PM
(Antara/Wahyu Putro A)
A operation to distribute 300,000 tons of rice has been launched by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at a State Logistics Agency (Bulog) warehouse in Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, on Friday, as part of an effort to stabilize prices.Jokowi also launched the 13th and 14th raskin (rice-for-the-poor) programs during the event to help low-income citizens who are affected by the recent economic slowdown.
"The rice operation is part of an effort to stabilize the price of food as well as to show that the government is always ready to help citizens in these difficult times," said Bulog president director Djarot Kusumayakti as quoted bykompas.com.According to Djarot, the distribution will happen simultaneously in Jakarta, Medan in North Sumatra, Bandung in West Java, Semarang in Central Java and Surabaya in East Java.A total of 300,000 tons of rice is set to be distributed through the program, over time, both via trucks and directly from the warehouse. For the launch of the operation on Friday, 480 tons will be distributed in Jakarta, 110 tons in Medan, 114 tons in Bandung, 130 tons in Semarang and 170 tons in Surabaya.In addition to rice, Bulog is also distributing six tons of meat and eight tons of sugar. (nov/kes)(++++)
Rice Stocks Safe for Six Months: Bulog
FRIDAY, 02 OCTOBER, 2015 | 17:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-State Logistics Agency director Djarot Kusumayakti said on Friday, October 2, that the rice stocks at Bulog had reached 1.7 tons, which would meet demands on rice for the next six months.According to Djarot, the claim was based on an ideal calculation considering the length of stocks and the quality of rice. Djarot added that the calculation was based on the interval of harvesting seasons.“The ideal length for rice stock is six months, because we can manage to hold the stock,” he said.Djarot also ensured that the quality of the rice stocked in six months.
“We don’t want to stock rice in a huge amount with poor quality. Bulog is responsible to maintain [the quality of rice],” Djarot added.President Joko Widodo called on public not to spread a rumor saying that Bulog had no sufficient rice.“Our rice stocks are safe. So, don’t spread any rumors saying that we don’t have it,” Jokowi said when inspecting Bulog warehouse in Sunter, Jakarta.Despite being confident with the rice stock, Bulog had continued to absorb rice from farmers in Karawang, Central Java, and East Java in a bid to secure the rice stocks from the impact of El Nino this year. 


President flags off 1,034-ton rice market operation

Jumat, 2 Oktober 2015 14:29 WIB |
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) here on Friday launched a market operation to distribute 1,034 tons of rice in five major cities of the country.
The head of state was accompanied by State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno and President Director of the National Logistic Board (Bulog) Jarot Kusumayakti during the event.Besides rice, six tons of beef and a truckload of sugar will also be distributed as part of the market operation.
 The rice, beef, and sugar are meant for distribution in the markets in Jakarta, Medan in North Sumatra, Bandung in West Java, Semarang in Central Java, and Surabaya in East Java.
The market operation has been launched as the price of rice increased by around two percent."(This market operation) is aimed at preventing a price hike and to ensure that the prices remain at a normal and affordable level," Jokowi stated.The operation is expected to help reduce the price of rice by Rp300-500 per kilogram.He noted that the rice stock of Bulog reached 1.7 million tons, which was considered safe.Some rice-producing regions, such as Karawang in West Java as well as East and Central Java are expected to harvest paddy in the near future.(*)

Export deceleration glooms Vietnamese rice market
 Export slump has slowed consumption and slashed local rice prices, making farmers and traders incur losses in the Mekong Delta.
The delta has entered the end of the summer autumn rice crop. Some provinces such as Dong Thap, Vinh Long and Can Tho city have started harvesting autumn winter rice amid price reduction.Mr. Vo Truong Chinh from Tam Nong commune, Dong Thap said that long-lasting rain had flattened many rice fields reducing productivity and increasing harvest costs.Meantime, prices have kept falling down damaging farmers. A fresh normal rice is paid VND4,100 a kilogram. It is VND4,500 to long grain and VND4,600 to fragrant varieties.The agricultural industry has advised farmers to produce high quality varieties for exports.
However fragrant rice price is paid only VND100 higher than long grain one a kilogram.It costs more effort and time to tend the former type, whose productivity is lower and less consumable than normal rice, he said.Traders have also incurred losses because of slow consumption.Most traders have undergone losses of VND6-7 million a 40 ton rice boat for the last one month because of low quality and price, said Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong from Lap Vo district, Dong Thap.Trader Tran Van Long from Cho Moi district, An Giang, said that about 60-80 percent of traders had suffered losses and many had stopped purchasing.
Unstable rice industry
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, businesses have exported 4.47 million tons of rice worth US$1.92 billion in the first nine months this year, down 10 percent in value and 15.7 percent in volume over the same period last year.
Traders loading rice abroad in the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP)
China has tightened small volume imports through the border and intensified purchase from Myanmar, Pakistan and India with lower prices. Thailand has also stepped up supply to this market.China holds 35 percent of Vietnamese export market share. However the export turnover to this market has kept falling for recent years, said experts.The country imported nearly 65 percent of its rice demand from Vietnam in 2012-2013, which reduced to 53 percent in 2014 and 47 percent this year.Two other major markets of Vietnam including Indonesia and the Philippines have planned to reduce import and expand domestic production.Dr. Vo Hung Dung, director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho city, said that China and Africa have reduced imports. Vietnam will face severe competition from India, Thailand, Myanmar and Pakistan in both short and long terms.

The country so should have a new suitable direction for the rice industry to brake the decline trend, he said.Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association Huynh The Nang said that of the top five rice exporters in the world in the first eight months this year, only Vietnam saw a value reduction of 13 percent, while the US increased 34 percent, Pakistan 20 percent, India 18 percent and Thailand 2.2 percent.Mr. Nang said there too many limitations in the rice industry which have been repaired very slowly. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has encouraged developing large scale paddy fields to lower cost price and improve competitiveness, however total area has been less than 200,000 hectare, a tiny ratio compared to the country's rice farming area.Businesses have been passive in accessing markets and Vietnamese rice has so far yet to have a brand name or choose a segment in strong position, he added.
Farmers transport harvested rice home in An Giang province (Photo: SGGP)
By Nguyen Thanh – Translated by Hai Mien
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/Economy/2015/10/115631/

Rice exports to bounce back

Fri, 2 October 2015
Rice exports fell sharply last month, but the Kingdom’s most important crop is expected to recover and end the year in positive territory.The Secretariat of the One Window Service for Rice Exports Formality reported on Wednesday that Cambodia’s rice exports fell 31.7 percent in September compared to one year earlier.Secretariat chief Hean Vanhorn attributed the slump to a barrage of factors that battered Cambodia’s price point.He said yesterday that Thai exporters recently decreased their price of fragrant rice by 20 per cent to about $800 per tonne, while Myanmar was selling 5 per cent broken white rice at $420 per tonne, below Cambodian prices.Exports also declined on account of the euro’s depreciation against the dollar, he added.

The European Union was the largest export destination for Cambodian rice, accounting for 64 per cent of shipments for the first nine months of 2015.Song Saran, chairman of Amru Rice, linked last month’s dip in exports to a supply shortage as a result of below-average rainfall earlier in the year that led to an increase in prices, making Cambodia’s prized jasmine rice less competitive in international markets.“Cambodian rice prices increased last month as stocks were depleted,” he said. “Exports dropped because buyers were able to purchase rice at a low price in other countries, such as Myanmar.
”Saran said prices of Cambodian premium milled fragrant rice had climbed to $880 per tonne, up from $750 per tonne at the beginning of the year.But he expects rice exports to pick up this month – provided the rains continue – and expects the sector to recover by the end of the year.“Rice exports will increase in the last three months of the year because we started the harvesting season,” he said.“But if the rains don’t continue through October, it will hurt next year’s yield.”However, September’s dip should have minimal impact on the Kingdom’s annual export tally, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Direct milled rice exports between January and August were about 340,000 tonnes, nearly 50 per cent up compared to the same period a year earlier, it noted.
“Reflecting the high pace of shipments so far this year and the government’s strategy to boost official exports through targeting new markets, FAO forecasts total [milled rice and paddy] exports in 2015 at 1.2 million tonnes, 6 per cent above last year’s level,” the agency said in a press release.Moul Sarith, acting secretary-general of Cambodia Rice Federation, said the Agriculture Ministry projects that 9 million tonnes of paddy rice will be harvested this year. He said orders should start to pick up again this month.“It’s nearing harvest time,” he said. “It’s a good time for exporting rice as the freshly milled rice has a pleasant smell and high quality.”
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rice-exports-bounce-back

Thai farmers to be told to skip dry-season rice crop 
BY EDITOR ON          2015-10-02 THAILAND
Farmers to be told to skip dry-season rice crop
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation
Water shortage looms as current levels well below the average
BANGKOK: — SEVERE WATER shortages seem inevitable as the level in both the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins were well below average and farmers were instructed not to plant the dry-season rice crop to ensure availability of water for domestic consumption.

 Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry permanent secretary Theerapat Prayunrasiddhi said the ministry had ordered the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) to inform farmers in the Chao Phraya River Basin about the water situation in order to encourage them not to grow the dry-season rice crop.Theerapat said the water available in the four major dams in the Chao Phraya River Basin – Bhumibol, Sirikit, Kwai Noi and Pasak Jolasid had only 3,006 million cubic metres as of yesterday, which was very low.
He said the RID, the Water Consumer Committee, irrigation volunteers and other authorities would meet with farmers to inform them about the water shortage, so that they will avoid the dry-season rice crop especially because of the high risk of failure of the crop due to water shortages. “I would like to inform all farmers and water users in the Chao Phraya River Basin that we do not have enough water for the dry-season crop, because the available water will be needed for domestic consumption. Irrigation Department officers will try to create understanding among water consumers about the water-management plan during the upcoming dry season,” he said.
Despite the warning, it was reported that the dry-season rice crop had already been planted in 500,000 rai (80,000 hectares) of the overall 10.7 million rai of paddy fields in the Chao Phraya River Basin.While a water shortage was also reported in the Western region, Thanarath Pummakasikorn, the director of Srinagarindra Dam, said that as of yesterday available water in the dam was only 2,294 million cubic metres, while available water in the Vajiralongkorn Dam was only 2,274 million cubic metres.

“According to the data, the water level is lesser now than in previous years. We face a critical water shortage and we can no longer provide water to the agricultural sector,” Thanarath said.
He asked water users in seven provinces of the Mae Klong River Basin to use water wisely and encouraged farmers to cultivate crops that require less water.Speaking at a forum ‘Road map to the future of water management’ organised by NOW26 channel yesterday, Wiwat Salyakamthorn, Agri-Nature Foundation president, advised that farmers in the irrigation area should adjust their production to suit the changing climate because the 20 per cent farmers in the irrigation area are the ones who suffer the most from drought.“During a drought, we see that 80 per cent of farmers outside the irrigation area can adjust well to the situation because they are familiar with water shortages and can change their production pattern, unlike those in the irrigation areas who are used to easy access to water,” Wiwat said. He concluded that the farmers needed to help themselves during drought, as the government cannot provide help to everyone. He urged them to learn mixed farming and have their own water reservoir on their land.
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Farmers-to-be-told-to-skip-dry-season-rice-crop-30270007.html

Ghanaians urged to patronise local rice

 THE Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has urged Ghanaians to change their mindset and patronise locally produced rice.He said the rice produced locally was more nutritious, healthy and tastier than the imported one.Therefore, he said, it was crucial for Ghanaians to reduce the consumption of imported rice and go for the local rice to save the country the more than $400 million it spent annually on the importation of rice.Mr Kwetey made the call yesterday when he launched the Second Ghana National Rice Festival, which will be held from November 13 to 15, 2015, at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.
The festival, which will be organised by the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), is aimed at making the Ghana rice industry competitive.Stakeholders in the rice industry, including farmers, millers and marketers, are expected to showcase different varieties and brands of Ghana rice at the festival, in the hope of whipping up the interest of the public in local rice.In August 2004, the government, with support from Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), set up the GRIB to galvanise private-sector actors in the value chain to work together with the government to develop a vibrant rice sector. It held the first rice festival in 2013.Mr Kwetey said rice had become an important staple in the economy of Ghana due to increasing per capita consumption over the past years.

“It is the second largest cereal consumed after maize in Ghana and has become a common feature in Ghanaian diets,” he said.The minister also said improved packaging, the absence of stones and chaff and cultivation of varieties similar to the imported rice had increased preference for rice grown locally, and thus created opportunities for citizens to invest in the sector to create wealth and jobs.Mr Akwetey added that the Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial Development Fund (EDAIF) which the government had set up together with the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme and other organisations was part of initiatives that the government had set up to help address financing challenges in the rice sector.The President of GRIB, Mr Imoro Amoro, said rice was an important commodity, therefore, investing in it was investing in jobs, especially for the poor farmers in rural areas.
He called for collaborative efforts among the government, the private sector and consumers in the production and marketing of local rice.The Chief Executive Officer of the John A. Kufuor Foundation, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, lauded the government leading the efforts to promote the local rice and affirmed the commitment of the foundation to supporting GRIB and other organisations to promote Ghana rice.The Head of Rice Research and Development of the Savanna Agriculture Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Wilson Dogbe, who chaired the function, said Ghana had the human resource and variety of seeds needed to produce enough rice to feed the population.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Ghanaians-urged-to-patronise-local-rice-385243

KHARIF ACREAGE UP DESPITE BELOW THAN NORMAL MONSOON

October 2, 2015

Even though Monsoon ended below than normal this year, it left a trail of increased sowing of kharif crops. While area sown under pulses increased substantially by 12 per cent, paddy acreage rose marginally during 2015 kharif season. The higher sowing figures have been led mainly by increased area under pulses like arhar (tur), urad and moong.According to the latest estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry, as of Thursday, crops such as rice, soyabean, sugarcane and a variety of pulses have been sown over 1,031.37 lakh hectares (lha), 1.3 per cent higher than during the corresponding period last year.Under the scare of El-Nino, Southwest Monsoon started on a positive note with June receiving more than sufficient rain and countrywide rainfall percentage standing with 16% excess than normal rainfall at the end of June. Kharif sowing that begins with the onset of Monsoon benefited from the substantial widespread heavy Monsoon rain during June.

 

Increased Acreage


The total area sown under kharif crops as on October 1, reached 1,031.37 lakh hectares compared with 1,017.86 lakh hectare last year at this time. Amidst price rise, the acreage of pulses went up to 114.58 lakh hectares, from 102.56 lakh hectares. As the demand for this staple food item never fails to rise and the retail prices also went up to Rs 150 per kg before the Monsoon, farmers decided to put up more area under this crop.

 

Monsoon 2015

Monsoon 2015 ended with a 14 per cent deficit where out of 36 sub-divisions, 17 reported deficient rainfall between June 1 and September 30. Still many regions benefited from the good rain in June and significant rainfall during the end of September. For instance, West Rajasthan recorded 46% excess rains. Andhra Pradesh recorded 10% more rains where rain helped in increasing paddy acreage.
Image Credit: hindu.com
 http://www.skymetweather.com/content/agriculture-and-economy/kharif-acreage-up-despite-below-than-normal-monsoon/#sthash.MIIIC4eP.dpuf
Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

A comprehensive daily commodity market report for Arkansas agricultural commodities with cash markets, futures and insightful analysis and commentary from Arkansas Farm Bureau commodity analysts.
Noteworthy benchmark price levels of interest to farmers and ranchers, as well as long-term commodity market trends which are developing. Daily fundamental market influences and technical factors are noted and discussed.
Soybeans
High
Low
Cash Bids
907
822
New Crop
916
860


Riceland Foods


Cash Bids
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -
New Crop
Stuttgart: - - -
Pendleton: - - -


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Nov '15
882.00
868.25
874.25
-3.00
Jan '16
886.00
872.25
878.25
-2.50
Mar '16
890.25
876.50
882.00
-2.75
May '16
894.00
880.50
886.25
-2.00
Jul '16
899.50
885.25
891.50
-2.00
Aug '16
898.00
885.50
891.25
-1.75
Sep '16
889.75
880.00
884.50
-1.25
Nov '16
890.00
877.00
882.75
-0.75
Jan '17
889.50
885.00
888.50
-1.00

Soybean Comment

Soybeans closed down slightly today, and we're down 15 cents on the week. The market will likely continue in a sideways to lower trading next week as we approach the next USDA report. Concerns about oversupply and uncertainty regarding China's imports this fall remain the major driving force in this market. While export sales were boosted this week by large sales reports, the market is still looking for more especially if production numbers are increased next week.


Wheat
High
Low
Cash Bids
508
458
New Crop
524
423


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Dec '15
523.00
511.75
513.25
-5.00
Mar '16
528.75
517.25
519.00
-5.25
May '16
532.50
521.25
523.25
-5.00
Jul '16
534.25
523.50
525.25
-4.50
Sep '16
541.25
532.50
533.00
-4.25
Dec '16
553.00
544.00
546.00
-3.00
Mar '17
557.50
557.50
556.50
-2.25
May '17
554.75
-2.00
Jul '17
536.25
-2.00

Wheat Comment

Wheat prices closed lower today, while prices ended up more than 5-cents on the week. This marks the fifth week in a row for higher prices. With December wheat near the upper end of recent trading range, the market will be looking for additional fundamental support to push prices much higher.


Grain Sorghum
High
Low
Cash Bids
399
331
New Crop
400
349



Corn
High
Low
Cash Bids
398
351
New Crop
414
382


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Dec '15
391.50
384.00
389.25
+0.50
Mar '16
401.50
394.50
399.50
-0.25
May '16
407.75
401.25
406.00
-0.25
Jul '16
412.25
405.75
410.25
-0.50
Sep '16
404.75
399.25
403.00
-0.75
Dec '16
411.50
406.25
410.00
-0.75
Mar '17
420.25
415.75
419.25
-0.75
May '17
426.50
424.75
425.00
-1.00
Jul '17
430.00
428.00
428.75
-0.50

Corn Comment

Corn prices ended the day slightly higher, up just a quarter cent on the week. Corn prices remain volatile as we continue to get mixed reports from harvest and on the demand side. Prices could come under pressure next week as multiple private sources raised their corn yields this week. This news combined with slow export sales is likely to keep corn under $4 through harvest, baring some major surprise from the USDA.


Cotton
Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
- - -
- - -
59.2
-0.45
Dec '15
61.2
60.08
60.14
-0.46
Mar '16
60.88
59.91
59.96
-0.33

Cotton Comment

December cotton ended the week on a negative note. Hurricane Joaquin could provide some price support as harvest is delayed and cotton quality is impacted. Export sales of 117,300 bales were supportive.


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


Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Nov '15
1333.0
1319.0
1325.0
-5.0
Jan '16
1361.0
1350.0
1353.0
-5.0
Mar '16
1380.5
1380.5
1380.0
-4.0
May '16
1394.0
-4.0
Jul '16
1405.0
1403.0
1407.5
-3.0
Sep '16
1318.0
-0.5
Nov '16
1318.0
-0.5

Rice Comment

Rice futures traded in a narrow range and ended a bit lower. Reports of disappointing yields across the south coupled with smaller acreage has fueled the recent rally. Concerns about Asian production are also a factor, as an El Nino weather pattern has caused drought in major production areas. Weekly export sales were solid at 70,500 metric tons, but weren't enough to push prices to a new high. November continues to find resistance at $13.39.


Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
123.350
120.025
123.050
+1.650
Dec '15
131.750
128.325
131.500
+1.500
Feb '16
134.025
131.250
133.700
+0.900
Apr '16
133.800
130.800
133.475
+1.050
Jun '16
125.975
123.600
125.525
+0.675
Aug '16
123.850
121.750
123.475
+0.900
Oct '16
126.100
124.200
125.875
+1.225
Dec '16
126.750
125.550
126.450
+0.725
Feb '17
126.000
+0.100
Feeders:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
180.350
175.025
179.825
+2.425
Nov '15
175.400
169.400
175.000
+2.875
Jan '16
170.175
164.875
169.900
+3.000
Mar '16
169.350
164.375
168.800
+2.975
Apr '16
169.600
165.225
169.025
+2.500
May '16
169.300
165.000
168.800
+2.450
Aug '16
169.525
166.750
169.125
+2.250
Sep '16
168.350
167.375
168.350
+2.375

Cattle Comment

Cattle prices ended the week on a positive note; however prices were still down sharply in the week as live cattle were down $10 for the week and feeders down $6 on the week. Today's gains were the result of profit taking after a sharp sell off earlier in the week. Look for prices to remain under pressure as the market remains concerned about demand.


Hogs
Futures:
High
Low
Last
Change
Oct '15
74.300
72.325
73.275
+0.650
Dec '15
66.175
64.550
65.675
+1.150
Feb '16
68.600
67.200
68.375
+1.175
Apr '16
72.550
71.375
72.175
+0.675
May '16
77.050
77.025
77.025
+0.700
Jun '16
80.400
79.550
80.300
+0.750
Jul '16
80.075
79.100
80.000
+0.900
Aug '16
79.150
78.725
79.050
+0.550
Oct '16
68.675
68.050
68.575
+0.350

Hog Comment


Shell Eggs

National Turkeys

Delmarva Broilers


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

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