Friday, July 27, 2018

27th July,2018 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter




ASIA RICE-INDIA DEMAND PICKS UP AFTER RECENT SLUMP; RATES STEADY ELSEWHERE

7/26/2018
* Export prices edge higher from 15-mth low in India
* Activity remains quiet in Thai, Vietnam markets
By Apeksha Nair
BENGALURU, July 26 (Reuters) - Demand for India's benchmarkrice variety picked up this week after a recent slump, pushingup export rates for the grain, while quiet trade amid plentiful
supply kept rates across other major Asian centers broadlysteady.
Rates for India's 5 percent broken parboiled rice<RI-INBKN5-P1> rose by $3 per tonne to $389-$393 per tonne afterfalling to the lowest level since April 20, 2017 last week."Indian rice has become competitive due to the recent fallin prices. African buyers are placing orders," said an exporterbased at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.Farmers in India have planted summer-sown paddy rice on15.65 million hectares as on July 20, down 12.4 percent from a
year ago.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Bangladesh, imports of rice inJuly stood at 19,600 tonnes, the country's food ministry datashowed, after the government imposed a 28 percent tax on rice
imports to support its farmers after local production revived."Importing rice is no longer profitable for us. So, werefrain from striking any new deal like others," a Bangladeshi
trader said.
In Vietnam, rates for 5 percent broken rice<RI-VNBKN5-P1> stayed unchanged from a week ago, at $390-$395 atonne, with slow trade."Though the summer-autumn harvest has been going on, heavyrains are slowing down the harvest, keeping domestic paddy pricestable," a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.
Traders said farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largestrice producing area, have harvested around 50 percent of thesummer-autumn crops.Thailand's benchmark 5 percent broken
rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> was quoted at $380-$385 per tonne, free onboard (FOB)Bangkok, on Wednesday, narrowing from $380-$395 lastweek.At an average of $382.50 per tonne, the Thai rice price hashit the lowest since November last year.
Thailand is in the middle of harvesting its off-seasoncrops. The arrival of new supplies and a weaker baht have pushedprices, traders said, adding that the market is quiet because
buyers are waiting to see if prices could go lower."Off-season crops are coming. It's a good amount because ofample water," a trader in Bangkok said.
Another trader said he expects prices to recover soon aslogistics improve and demand picks up.
On Tuesday, Thailand's cabinet approved a raft of measuresworth 60 billion baht ($1.80 billion) aimed at helping farmersstore what it expected to be 9 million tonnes of new rice to
prevent a market oversupply.(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok, Khanh Vu in
Hanoi, Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Editing byVyas Mohan)


Global Rice Cooker Market 2018 Midea, Joyoung, Panasonic, PHILIPS, SUPOR, ZO JIRUSHI, TIGER, Povos, Toshiba, Matsushita

MACHINERY AND TOOLS BY AMOLG JULY 26, 2018 

The report “Global Rice Cooker Market” enlight crucial and distinct factors dominate the market growth forecast amount from 2018 to 2022. The report conjecture is predicated on historic Rice Cooker market information from 2012 to 2017 and current market bearings. The Rice Cooker report intent to deliver discerning info and well-defined facts boost the Rice Cooker trade growth. The report begins with the market summary, Rice Cooker trade chain structure, former and current market size in conjunction with Rice Cooker business opportunities in coming back years, an increase in technological innovation, offer demand and lack, numerous drivers and restraining factors pull the Rice Cooker setting. what is more, Rice Cooker report depicts production and consumption magnitude relation of assorted topographic regions and dominant market players contribution to world Rice Cooker market growth.

Technological innovations and proficiency within the work Rice Cooker market have command of many players. Rice Cooker report is a vital tool for active market players across the world sanctionative them to develop Rice Cooker business methods. Competitive analysis of Rice Cooker market players is predicated on company profile info, Rice Cooker Product image and specifications, upstream raw materials analysis and suppliers info, Rice Cooker producing method, cost, sales margin and revenue 2016 to 2017.

Sample of worldwide Rice Cooker Market Report atwww.extentresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?repid=2320
Global Rice Cooker Market Share by makers, Product includes Electric Rice Cookers, Gas Rice Cookers andApplication application123The Major Dominant Players Profiled in world Rice Cooker Market includes Midea, Joyoung, Panasonic, PHILIPS, SUPOR, ZO JIRUSHI, TIGER, Povos, Toshiba, Matsushita, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Philips, LG ,Global Rice Cooker Market Study with Product Coverage Includes atomic number 13 kind and stainless-steel kind. In Terms of End-Use Rice Cooker Market is split into Nationaldefenseindustry, Airseparationindustry, PetrochemicalIndustry and Dynamicalmachine.

Business Insights Delivered by world Rice Cooker Market Report
Global Rice Cooker market report begins with trade summary, Rice Cooker market size assessment, market distribution, analysis regions aid the expansion of Rice Cooker market, changes in market dynamics supported (Drivers, Rice Cooker rising Countries, Limitations, Rice Cooker business Opportunities, trade News and Policies by Regions).
In the second half, Rice Cooker trade chain analysis give details regarding upstream staple suppliers, Rice Cooker major players producing base, Product varieties and market share, value structure Analysis, Rice Cooker Production method Analysis, producing value Structure, staple value, Labor Cost, Rice Cooker downstream consumers.
The third half, Rice Cooker report describes production, consumption and rate by Rice Cooker product kind and applications forecast year from 2017 to 2022. Import and export state of affairs of Rice Cooker trade, market standing and SWOT analysis by regions (2012-2017),
The twenty-five percent describes Competitive Landscape of prime leading makers includes Company Profiles, debut, Price, profit margin 2012-2017. Rice Cooker market volume analysis by product kind, applications and major nations.
The fifth and most decisive a part of Rice Cooker report depicts the corporate profile, debut, market positioning, target Customers, worth and profit margin of prime leading players of Rice Cooker from 2017 to 2022.
The Later half, world Rice Cooker Market report show trade impediment study, new entrants SWOT analysis, market risk and Suggestions on New Project Investment.
Inquiry for purchasing world Rice Cooker Market Reportwww.extentresearch.com/inquiry-for-buying.html?repid=2320
Imperative Points lined in world Rice Cooker Market Report
– Historical, current and projected world Rice Cooker market size and rate in forecast years.
– pays attention to rising Rice Cooker market players with sturdy product information.
– Adequate counter plans and methods to realize the competitive advantage of Rice Cooker trade.
– Driving and retentive factors of Rice Cooker business.
– Technological innovations and pinpoint analysis for ever-changing competitive dynamics.
– Clear Understanding of the Rice Cooker market supported growth, constraints, opportunities, utility study.
– Analysis of evolving Rice Cooker market segments additionally to an entire study of existing Rice Cooker market segments.
http://industrydailynews.com/2018/07/26/global-rice-cooker-market-2018-midea-joyoung-panasonic-philips-supor-zo-jirushi-tiger-povos-toshiba-matsushita/



Global Rice Malt Syrup Market Analysis Report 2018- CNP, Habib-ADM, Suzanne, Ag Commodities, The Taj Urban Grains

By wsophia 
  
  
The global “Rice Malt Syrup market” research report encloses a deep analysis of the global Rice Malt Syrup market. It portrays as a helpful resource for the new business entrants and existing players in the market. In this report, the global Rice Malt Syrup market is valued at USD XX million in 2018 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2018 and 2025. This report delivers a brief summary of the global Rice Malt Syrup market and reviews the market volume. It highlights important players in the global Rice Malt Syrup market such as CNP, Habib-ADM, Suzanne, Ag Commodities, The Taj Urban Grains, Northern Food Complex, Khatoon Industries.
Comprehensive data associated with the foremost players in the Rice Malt Syrup market are also included in the global Rice Malt Syrup market research report. This data includes latest developments, market share, product offering, and business overview of the key market players. The report uses SWOT analysis for the evaluation of major players in the Rice Malt Syrup market.
The study uses various methodological techniques to analyze the global Rice Malt Syrup market expansions. It also utilizes the impact of Porter’s five forces on the development of Rice Malt Syrup market. The global Rice Malt Syrup market is bifurcated on the basis of end-user application and types of products. It additionally estimates the requirement of each product group in the end-user application segments.
The report enfolds all the aspects determining the development of the global Rice Malt Syrup market. It allows for planning the market estimation for the projected period. The report also demonstrates latest market trends and key visions as well the areas of market expansion in the forthcoming time. The global Rice Malt Syrup market is also analyzed in the terms of revenue [USD Million] and volume [k MT]. Moreover, the major product category and segments Regular Type, Organic Type together with their sub-segments Food & Beverage, Other of the global market are covered in the global Rice Malt Syrup market research report.
The global Rice Malt Syrup market is also bifurcated on the basis of geographical regions such as Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Middle East and Africa. Furthermore, the market expansion is marked out in every key area. The impact of various global and microeconomic factors on the global Rice Malt Syrup markets are discussed in the global Rice Malt Syrup market research report. Additionally, the report investigates the complete value chain of the global Rice Malt Syrup market and scrutinizes the downstream and upstream essentials of the value chain.
There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Rice Malt Syrup market
Chapter 1, Definition, Specifications and Classification of Rice Malt Syrup , Applications of Rice Malt Syrup , Market Segment by Regions;
Chapter 2, Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;
Chapter 3, Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Rice Malt Syrup , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;
Chapter 4, Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);
Chapter 5 and 6, Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan, Rice Malt Syrup Segment Market Analysis (by Type);
Chapter 7 and 8, The Rice Malt Syrup Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Rice Malt Syrup ;
Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type Regular Type, Organic Type, Market Trend by Application Food & Beverage, Other;
Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;
Chapter 11, The Consumers Analysis of Global Rice Malt Syrup ;
Chapter 12, Rice Malt Syrup Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;
Chapter 13, 14 and 15, Rice Malt Syrup sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.
Reasons for Buying this Report
This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics
It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth
It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow
It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future
It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors
It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments
Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.
http://legmannews.com/global-rice-malt-syrup-market-analysis-report-2018-cnp-habib-adm-suzanne-ag-commodities-the-taj-urban-grains/


                       
Epic Research Daily Agri Commodity Report Of 26 July 2018
07-26-2018 11:03 AM CET - Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance
Press release from: Epic Research
The Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) estimates India's Cotton exports for this season (October 2017 to September 2018) to be 70 lakh bales, an increase of 20% over last year. From October, 2017 to April 2018, the total amount of cotton exported from India was 51.21 lakh bales. CAB has estimated that the Cotton production for the current Cotton season will be 370 lakh bales. Domestic prices of Cotton are ruling below the International Cotton prices. Domestic sale prices of the representative variety of S-6 cotton vis-à-vis international prices of its equivalent variety was lower by 7.18% as on July 14.

Earlier China use to import only Basmati Rice from India, amid trade war with US, China has agreed to import even non-Basmati Rice from 14 of the 19 registered Rice exporters from India. The clearance comes amid rising tension between the United States and China over trade tariff. China is looking for newer markets to boost its inventories. In an agreement signed on June 9, China agreed to import from India non-Basmati Rice. The shipments had to comply with the Chinese plant quarantine laws and regulations. India has to ensure that processing and storage houses of the Rice to be exported to China is free from pests, soil, seeds of weeds, paddy hull, loose bran and any of plant debris of Rice.

Indian Tea exporters are hoping to get a larger share of markets as the reval exporter Sri Lanka facing a three-pronged challenge. Export prices of the orthodox tea variant from Sri Lanka averaged $3.83 a kilo during January to June period this year, while prices for the Indian export of the same variant were $2.87 a kg. However, the cost of production of orthodox teas in Sri Lanka is nearly $5 a kg; compared with just $2.6 a kg in India. This makes Lankan production unviable. Indian producers also get tax incentives for export.

Economic News

Active monsoon conditions over the past 12 days has seen the countrywide rain deficit reduce to 2% from a high of 9%, but rainfall has continued to be poor in some major paddy-growing states, particularly Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, hitting the ongoing sowing of kharif crops. The Met office expects the monsoon to remain active in the rest of the month, which means monsoon in July is likely to be normal. The turnaround in the monsoon began around July 11. Since then, central India has gone from a slight rain deficit to an 18% surplus for the season. Rains have been good in south India as well, which currently has a season's surplus of 11%. Northwest India has seen average rainfall during this 12-day period, with the overall deficit being dented slightly from 10% to 6% (till July 23).

In a major relief to valueadded pepper exporters, the Kerala High Court issued an interim stay on the minimum import price (MIP) of Rs 500 per kg imposed on black pepper imports. The court observed that only the Central government had the power to issue notification framing or amending the Exim Policy under section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992. The director general of foreign trade (DGFT) had in March issued orders banning all consignments of pepper imported below MIP. The MIP was first introduced last December to protect domestic pepper growers who said rising imports were responsible for the sharp slump in pepper prices. But value-added pepper exporters, who import pepper for value addition and re-export the commodity, continued to bring in pepper by paying fines from December till March. DGFT issued a ban in March. “We will appeal against the stay. We have also met the commerce minister and apprised him of the situation,” said KK Vishwanath, co-ordinator of Consortium of Black Pepper Growers Organisation.

Trading Recommendations

SELL CORIANDER AUG BELOW 4950 TARGET 4930/4910/4890 SL 4980
SELL TURMERIC AUG BELOW 7190 TARGET 7160/7130/7100 SL 7230
SELL GUARGUM5 OCT BELOW 8750 TARGET 8710/8670/8630 SL 8800

Epic Research Limited delivers reliable trading advice for traders to fulfill their goals and return expectations is very true. Every day we work for 2 different things: thorough research on market movements & deliver those high efficiency calls timely to our clients and help them to make their investment at the right place. We have designed services for different investors as per their needs like commodity tips , equity tips, agri tips and many more to serve our clients.

Want to take a FREE TRIAL? Visit our site link below and become a part of our Epic family. Happy trading.

www.epicresearch.co/or mail us @ info@epicresearch.co

Also you can Whatsapp us at :7049084664

Our Office:411 Milinda Manor, 2 RNT Road, Indore 452001





The nine roles you need on your data science research team

Data science research has become an essential element of modern companies' success in the digital economy. Here's how to build a data science team to get the most bang for your buck.


Follow:   
It's easy to focus too much on building a data science research team loaded with Ph.D.s to do machine learning at the expense of developing other data science skills needed to compete in today's data-driven, digital economy. While high-end, specialty data science skills for machine learning are important, they can also get in the way of a more pragmatic and useful adoption of data science. That's the view of Cassie Kozyrkov, chief decision scientist at Google and a proponent of the democratization of data-based organizational decision-making.
To start, CIOs need to expand their thinking about the types of roles involved in implementing data science programs, Kozyrkov said at the recent Rev Data Science Leaders Summit in San Francisco.
For example, it's important to think about data science research as a specialty role developed to provide intelligence for important business decisions. "If an answer involves one or more important decisions, then you need to bring in the data scientists," said Kozyrkov, who designed Google's analytics program and trained more than 15,000 Google employees in statistics, decision-making and machine learning.
But other tasks related to data analytics, like making informational charts, testing out various algorithms and making better decisions, are best handled by other data science team members with entirely different skill sets.

Data science roles: The nine must-haves

There are a variety of data science research roles for an organization to consider and certain characteristics best suited for each. Most enterprises already have correctly filled several of these data science positions, but most will also have people with the wrong skills or motivations in certain data science roles. This mismatch can slow things down or demotivate others throughout the enterprise, so it's important for CIOs to carefully consider who staffs these roles to get the most from their data science research.
Here is Kozyrkov's rundown of the essential data science roles and the part each plays in helping organizations make more intelligent business decisions.
Data engineers are people who have the skills and ability to get data required for analysis at scale.
Basic analysts could be anyone in the organization with a willingness to explore data and plot relationships using various tools. Kozyrkov suggested it may be hard for data scientists to cede some responsibility for basic analysis to others. But, in the long run, the value of data scientists will grow, as more people throughout the company are already doing basic analytics.
Expert analysts, on the other hand, should be able to search through data sets quickly. You don't want to put a software engineer or very methodical person in this role, because they are too slow.
"The expert software engineer will do something beautiful, but won't look at much of your data sets," Kozyrkov said. You want someone who is sloppy and will run around your data. Caution is warranted in buffering expert analysts from software developers inclined to complain about sloppy -- yet quickly produced -- code.
Statisticians are the spoilsports who will explain how your latest theory does not hold up for 20 different reasons. These people can kill motivation and excitement. But they are also important for coming to conclusions safely for important decisions.
machine learning engineer is not a researcher who builds algorithms. Instead, these AI-focused computer programmers excel at moving a lot of data sets through a variety of software packages to decide if the output looks promising. The best person for this job is not a perfectionist who would slow things down by looking for the bestalgorithm.
A good machine learning engineer, in Kozyrkov's view, is someone who doesn't know what they are doing and will try out everything quickly. "The perfectionist needs to have the perfection encouraged out of them," she said.
data scientist is an expert who is well-trained in statistics and also good at machine learning. They tend to be expensive, so Kozyrkov recommended using them strategically.
data science manager is a data scientist who wakes up one day and decides he or she wants to do something different to benefit the bottom line. These folks can connect the decision-making side of business with the data science of big data. "If you find one of these, grab them and never let them go," Kozyrkov said.
qualitative expert is a social scientist who can assess decision-making. This person is good at helping decision-makers set up a problem in a way that can be solved with data science. They tend to have better business management training than some of the other roles.
data science researcher has the skills to craft customized data science and machine learning algorithms. Data science researchers should not be an early hire. "Too many businesses are trying to staff the team with a bunch of Ph.D. researchers. These folks want to do research, not solve a business problem," Kozyrkov said. "This is a hire you only need in a few cases."

Prioritize data science research projects

For CIOs looking to build their data science research team, develop a strategy for prioritizing and assigning data science projects. (See the aforementioned advice on hiring data science researchers.)
Decisions about what to prioritize should involve front-line business managers, who can decide what data science projects are worth pursuing.
In the long run, some of the most valuable skills lie in learning how to bridge the gap between business decision-makers and other roles. Doing this in a pragmatic way requires training in statistics, neuroscience, psychology, economic management, social sciences and machine learning, Kozyrkov said. 


Global Basmati Rice Market 2018: LT Foods, Amira Nature Foods, Best Foods, KRBL Limited, Kohinoor Rice, Aeroplane Rice, Tilda Basmati Rice

MRE operates in and reports on countries where high reward goes hand-in-hand with high risk. We bring you time-sensitive, hard-to-get, relevant news, research and analytical data, peer comparisons and more for over 115 emerging markets.

 jimmyhollen July 26, 2018
 Market Research Explore
The Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 statistical study published by Market Research Explore contains a brief overview of  Basmati Rice Market. This report isolates the Basmati Rice market based on the key Vendors, Type, share, analysis, size and applications. The analysis was accomplished using an objective combination of primary and secondary data including contributions from major participants in the market. Basmati Rice influenced the largest share and is expected to grow fastest during the forecasted period of 2018-2023.
This report focuses on the top Manufacturers in Global Basmati Rice Market are given bellow :-
LT Foods, Amira Nature Foods, Best Foods, KRBL Limited, Kohinoor Rice, Aeroplane Rice, Tilda Basmati Rice, Amar Singh Chawal Wala, Hanuman Rice Mills, Adani Wilmar, Galaxy Rice Mill, Dunar Foods, Sungold

Global Basmati Rice Market: Regional Segment Analysis :-
Market Segment by Regions
2012
2018
2023
Share (%)
CAGR (2012-2017 Forecast 2018 – 2023)
North America
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
China
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
Europe
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
Southeast Asia
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
Japan
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx
Total
xx
xx
xx
xx
xx

About Us:
MRE is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and consulting services. The company’s exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. MRE’s experienced team of analysts, researchers and consultants gathers information from proprietary data sources, also uses various tools and techniques to achieve desired output model and to cope-up with quality assurance.
If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want: @ sales@marketresearchexplore.com
https://mymarketgazette.com/135533/global-basmati-rice-market-2018-lt-foods-amira-nature-foods-best-foods-krbl-limited-kohinoor-rice-aeroplane-rice-tilda-basmati-rice/



Science: How climate change will alter our food [Report]

The world population is expected to grow to almost 10 billion by 2050. With 3.4 billion more mouths to feed, and the growing desire of the middle class for meat and dairy in developing countries, global demand for food could increase by between 59 and 98 percent. This means that agriculture around the world needs to step up production and increase yields. But scientists say that the impacts of climate change—higher temperatures, extreme weather, drought, increasing levels of carbon dioxide and sea level rise—threaten to decrease the quantity and jeopardize the quality of our food supplies.
A recent study of global vegetable and legume production concluded that if greenhouse gas emissions continue on their current trajectory, yields could fall by 35 percent by 2100 due to water scarcity and increased salinity and ozone.
Another new study found that U.S. production of corn (a.k.a. maize), much of which is used to feed livestock and make biofuel, could be cut in half by a 4˚C increase in global temperatures—which could happen by 2100 if we don’t reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. If we limit warming to under 2˚ C, the goal of the Paris climate accord, U.S. corn production could still decrease by about 18 percent. Researchers also found that the risk of the world’s top four corn exporters (U.S., Brazil, Argentina and the Ukraine) suffering simultaneous crop failures of 10 percent or more is about 7 percent with a 2˚C increase in temperature. If temperatures rise 4˚C, the odds shoot up to a staggering 86 percent.
“We’re most concerned about the sharply reduced yields,” said Peter de Menocal, Dean of Science at Columbia University and director of the Center for Climate and Life. “We already have trouble feeding the world and this additional impact on crop yields will impact the world’s poorest and amplify the rich/poor divide that already exists.”
But climate change will not only affect crops—it will also impact meat production, fisheries and other fundamental aspects of our food supply.
Weather extremes
Eighty percent of the world’s crops are rainfed, so most farmers depend on the predictable weather agriculture has adapted to in order to produce their crops. However, climate change is altering rainfall patterns around the world.
When temperatures rise, the warmer air holds more moisture and can make precipitation more intense. Extreme precipitation events, which are becoming more common, can directly damage crops, resulting in decreased yields.
Flooding resulting from the growing intensity of tropical storms and sea level rise is also likely to increase with climate change, and can drown crops. Because floodwaters can transport sewage, manure or pollutants from roads, farms and lawns, more pathogens and toxins could find their way into our food.
Hotter weather will lead to faster evaporation, resulting in more droughts and water shortages—so there will be less water for irrigation just when it is needed most.
About 10 percent of the crops grown in the world’s major food production regions are irrigated with groundwater that is non-renewable. In other words, aquifers are being drained faster than they’re refilling—a problem which will only get worse as the world continues to heat up, explained Michael Puma, director of Columbia’s Center for Climate Systems Research.
This is happening in major food producing regions such as the U.S. Great Plains and California’s Central Valley, and in Pakistan, India, northeastern China, and parts of Iran and Iraq.
“Groundwater depletion is a slow-building pressure on our food system,” Puma said. “And we don’t have any effective policies in place to deal with the fact that we are depleting our major resources in our major food producing regions, which is pretty disconcerting.”
Climate projections show that droughts will become more common in much of the U.S., especially the southwest. In other parts of the world, drought and water shortages are expected to affect the production of rice, which is a staple food for more than half of the people on Earth. During severe drought years, rainfed rice yields have decreased 17 to 40 percent. In South and Southeast Asia, 23 million hectares of rainfed rice production areas are already subject to water scarcity, and recurring drought affects almost 80 percent of the rainfed rice growing areas of Africa.
Extreme weather, including heavy storms and drought, can also disrupt food transport. Unless food is stored properly, this could increase the risk of spoilage and contamination and result in more food-borne illness. A severe summer drought in 2012 reduced shipping traffic on the Mississippi River, a major route for transporting crops from the Midwest. The decrease in barge traffic resulted in significant food and economic losses. Flooding which followed in the spring caused additional delays in food transport.
Rising temperatures
Global warming may benefit certain crops, such as potatoes in Northern Europe and rice in West Africa, and enable some farmers to grow new crops that only thrive in warmer areas today. In other cases, climate change could make it impossible for farmers to raise their traditional crops; ideal growing conditions may shift to higher latitudes, where the terrain or soil may not be as fertile, resulting in less land available for productive agriculture.
The ultimate effect of rising heat depends on each crop’s optimal range of temperatures for growth and reproduction. If temperatures exceed this range, yields will drop because heat stress can disrupt a plant’s pollination, flowering, root development and growth stages.
According to a 2011 National Academy of Sciences report, for every degree Celsius that the global thermostat rises, there will be a 5 to 15 percent decrease in overall crop production.
Heat waves, which are expected to become more frequent, make livestock less fertile and more vulnerable to disease. Dairy cows are especially sensitive to heat, so milk production could decline.
Parasites and diseases that target livestock thrive in warm, moist conditions. This could result in livestock farmers treating parasites and animal diseases by using more chemicals and veterinary medicines, which might then enter the food chain.
Climate change will also enable weeds, pests and fungi to expand their range and numbers. In addition, earlier springs and milder winters will allow more of these pests and weeds to survive for a longer time.
Plant diseases and pests that are new to an area could destroy crops that haven’t had time to evolve defenses against them. For example, new virulent mutant strains of wheat rust, a fungal infection that had not been seen for over 50 years, have spread from Africa to Asia, the Middle East and Europe, devastating crops.
Higher levels of carbon dioxide
Because plants use carbon dioxide to make their food, more CO2 in the atmosphere can enhance crop yields in some areas if other conditions—nutrient amounts, soil moisture and water availability—are right. But the beneficial effects of rising carbon dioxide levels on plant growth can be offset by extreme weather, drought or heat stress.
While higher CO2 levels can stimulate plant growth and increase the amount of carbohydrates the plant produces, this comes at the expense of protein, vitamin and mineral content. Researchers found that plants’ protein content will likely decrease significantly if carbon dioxide levels reach 540 to 960 parts per million, which we are projected to reach by 2100. (We are currently at 409 ppm.) Studies show that barley, wheat, potatoes and rice have 6 to 15 percent lower concentrations of protein when grown at those levels of CO2. The protein content of corn and sorghum, however, did not decline significantly.
Moreover, the concentrations of important elements—such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, copper, sulfur, phosphorus and nitrogen—are expected to decrease with more CO2 in the atmosphere. When CO2 levels rise, the openings in plant shoots and leaves shrink, so they lose less water. Research suggests that as plants lose water more slowly, their circulation slows down, and they draw in less nitrogen and minerals from the soil. Vitamin B levels in crops may drop as well because nitrogen in plants is critical for producing these vitamins. In one study, rice grown with elevated CO2 concentrations contained 17 percent less vitamin B1 (thiamine), 17 percent less vitamin B2 (riboflavin), 13 percent less vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and 30 percent less vitamin B9 (folate) than rice grown under current CO2 levels.
A warmer, more acidic ocean
540 million people around the world rely on fish for their protein and income—but seafood will be impacted by climate change, too. Since 1955, the oceans have absorbed over 90 percent of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. As a result, the ocean is warmer today than it’s ever been since recordkeeping began in 1880.
As the oceans heat up, many fish and shellfish are moving north in search of cooler waters.
Off the U.S. northeastern coast, American lobster, red hake and black sea bass have shifted their range an average of 119 miles northward since the late 1960s. In Portugal, fishermen have recently caught 20 new species, most of which migrated from warmer waters. And Chinook salmon, usually found around California and Oregon, are now entering Arctic rivers. Moving into new territory, however, these species may face competition with other species over food, which can affect their survival rates. The range shifts are affecting fishermen, too, who must choose whether to follow the fish they’re used to catching as they move north or fish different species. As these ecosystems change, fishing regulations are having a hard time keeping up, jeopardizing the livelihoods of fishermen whose quotas for certain species of fish may no longer be relevant.
Warmer waters can alter the timing of fish migration and reproduction, and could speed up fish metabolism, resulting in their bodies taking up more mercury. (Mercury pollution, from the burning of fossil fuels, ends up in the ocean and builds up in marine creatures.) When humans eat fish, they ingest the mercury, which can have toxic effects on human health.
Higher water temperatures increase the incidence of pathogens and of marine diseases in species such as oysters, salmon and abalone. Vibrio bacteria, which can contaminate shellfish and, when ingested by humans, cause diarrhea, fever and liver disease, are more prevalent when sea surface temperatures rise, too.
In addition to heating up, the ocean has taken up almost a third of the carbon dioxide that humans have generated, which has changed its chemistry. Seawater is now 30 percent more acidic than it was during the Industrial Revolution.
As ocean acidity increases, there are fewer carbonate ions in the ocean for the marine species that need calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. Some shellfish, such as mussels and pterapods (tiny marine snails at the base of the food chain) are already beginning to create thinner shells, leaving them more vulnerable to predators. Ocean acidification can also interfere with the development of fish larvae and disrupt the sense of smell fish rely on to find food, habitats and avoid predators. In addition, It disturbs the ecosystems that marine life depends upon.
According to research being done at Columbia’s Center for Climate and Life, ocean warming and acidification may end up restructuring microbial communities in the ocean. Because these sensitive microbes are the basis for the global food chain, what happens to them could have unforeseen and huge impacts on our food supplies.
Sea level rise
Some experts predict that sea levels could rise one meter by 2100 due to melting polar ice caps and glaciers. In Asia, where much of the rice is grown in coastal areas and low-lying deltas, rising seas will likely disrupt rice production, and saltwater that moves further inland could reduce yields.
Aquaculture of fresh water species is also affected by sea level rise as saltwater can move upstream in rivers. For example, in the Mekong Delta and Irawaddy region of Vietnam and Myanmar, the booming catfish aquaculture could be affected by saltwater intrusion. If this occurs, fish farms would have to be moved further upstream because catfish have little tolerance for saline conditions.
Who will feel the effects?
Climate change will not only affect food production and consumers; as optimal growing conditions shift with the climate, communities that depend on fishing or farming for their livelihoods will be disrupted.
Some higher latitude areas may benefit and become more productive, but if emissions continue to rise, the outlook for food production from 2050 to 2100 is not good. Wealthy nations and temperate regions will probably be able to withstand most of the impacts, whereas tropical regions and poor populations will face the most risks. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, low-income communities and those with weakened immune systems or chronic medical conditions will be most susceptible to the changes in food access, safety and nutrition.
In addition, because food is a globally traded commodity today, climate events in one region could raise prices and cause shortages across the globe. Starting in 2006, drought in major wheat producing countries was a key factor in a dramatic spike in food prices. Many countries experienced food riots and political unrest.
How science can head off impacts
“Food security is going to be one of the most pressing climate-related issues, mainly because most of the world is relatively poor and food is going to become increasingly scarce and expensive,” said de Menocal. “So what kind of solutions can science provide to help?”
Of course, the best way to reduce these risks to our food supply is to implement policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Earth Institute researchers, however, are working on some ambitious and potentially far-reaching projects to reduce risks to the food system.
Columbia’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society is leading a project called Adapting Agriculture to Climate Today, for Tomorrow, or ACToday. Part of Columbia World Projects, ACToday will help to maximize food production and reduce crop losses by more precisely predicting and managing flood and drought risk, improving financial practices, and, when a food crisis unfolds, identifying the need for relief efforts earlier. The project introduces state-of-the-art climate information and prediction tools in six countries: Ethiopia, Senegal, Colombia, Guatemala, Bangladesh and Vietnam.
In case of a significant disruption in the global food system, there is no agency within the U.S. government whose responsibility it is to take charge, said Puma. His focus has been on trying to understand potential disruptions, which could be related to extreme weather, the power grid, conflict, or other factors. “We want to understand the food system in greater depth so we can identify vulnerabilities and adjust the system to deal with those,” he said. Working with colleagues at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, he is building quantitative economic models to examine vulnerabilities in the food system under different scenarios; they will use the tool to explore how altering certain policies might reduce the vulnerabilities of the food system to disruptions.
The Center for Climate and Life is putting its efforts into building bridges between the business community and the science community in New York, to help clarify for investors the financial risks and opportunities of climate change. Large investment firms with long-term views have trillions of dollars in assets that could be jeopardized by climate change. De Menocal believes more intelligent investment strategies can be pursued with a science-based approach. “If you engage the largest deployments of money on the planet, that’s what’s going to shape behavior,” he said. “If we can educate them about how climate change will impact things that matter to people, then they can act on that knowledge in advance of these things happening.”

China allows rice imports from five more Indian processors

China has allowed five more rice processors in India, including Chaman Lal Setia and Adani Wilmar, to export the cereal to the world’s second largest economy after inspecting their facilities while four companies were told to improve their storage conditions.

By: FE Bureau | New Delhi | Published: July 27, 2018 1:51 AM
Amid the stand-off with the US on trade tariffs, China appears to be serious on importing rice from India, exporters said.
China has allowed five more rice processors in India, including Chaman Lal Setia and Adani Wilmar, to export the cereal to the world’s second largest economy after inspecting their facilities while four companies were told to improve their storage conditions.
Amid the stand-off with the US on trade tariffs, China appears to be serious on importing rice from India, exporters said.
In 2016, China had accredited 14 rice exporters, after an inspection of their processing facilities in India, but prevented the physical shipment on quarantine issue claiming presence of a pest called ‘khapra’ (cabinet) beetle.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the neighbouring country in June, an MoU was signed between China’s General Administration of Customs and India’s Department of Agriculture on phytosanitary requirements for exporting rice from India to China. The 2006 protocol on phytosanitary requirements for exporting rice from India to China was amended to include the export of non-basmati varieties of rice from India.
“Previously, they had agreed to import from 14 rice exporters, all of whom were based in the northern region and mainly deal with basmati,” a government official said referring to the 2016 inspection when Chinese officials had visited 19 facilities. This time two non-basmati exporters, one each from Nizamabad and Nagpur, have found place in the list of five “registered Indian overseas rice producers”, he said. Two teams of China’s General Administration of Customs had visited 14 rice processing plants in different states during July 9-17.
China, the world’s largest producer and importer of rice, buys over 5 million tonne of the cereal per annum mainly from Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan. There is a potential of exporting 1 million tonne of rice, including basmati variety to China in a few years if there is free trade allowed, exporters said.
India’s total rice exports increased to 12.7 million tonne last fiscal from 10.8 million tonne a year earlier, which allowed the country to retain the top slot in global trade of the commodity.
“The two countries are coming closer and I expect a good beginning in trade with China for India’s basmati and non-basmati rice,” said Vijay Setia, president of All India Rice Exporters’ Association. Setia, who is going to China under an official level delegation for talks during August 1-2, said that the neighbouring country this time seems serious to allow the trade.


Rice importer, broker charged for smuggling; Seized rice earns gov’t P178-M from auction

 July 26, 2018 7:00pm 
By NICOLE-ANNE C. LAGRIMAS, GMA News
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed charges against an importer and a customs broker over the importation of 200 container vans of rice into the country allegedly without the required import permit. Four complaints for violating the provision of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act on illegal importation and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act were filed against Santa Rosa Farm Products Corp and four of its top officers before the Department of Justice.
Rice trader Jomerito Soliman, president and general manager of Sta. Rosa, was tagged in the charges, the bureau said in a statement on Thursday.In 2014, Soliman had accused former National Food Authority administrator Arthur Juan and his assistant, Patricia Galang, of extorting millions of pesos from him in exchange for the re-opening of his raided warehouse in Bulacan.
Soliman was recently reported to have cried foul over the seizure of 100,000 sacks of Thai rice his firm had imported from Vietnam. The BOC said Soliman is also a respondent in a rice smuggling case it had filed last year.
Meanwhile, one Diosdado Santiago, a supposed licensed customs broker who allegedly processed the flagged importation, also faces charges, the bureau said.  The BOC added that 150 of the containers were ordered forfeited in favor of the government, while the other 50 were declared abandoned by Manila International Container Port (MICP) District Collector Vener Baquiran.The rice was sold in a public auction, generating a total revenue of P177.99 million, the BOC said. — MDM, GMA News

Ending the Reign of Imported Rice as a ‘Political Commodity’

Today’s Editorial takes a note from National Orator Samuel Tweah who has called for an end to the reign of imported rice as a political commodity. Successive Liberian governments over the years have usually made high sounding pronouncements about the importance of feeding ourselves as a nation which this country has virtually ceased to do since the introduction of commercial rubber farming in Liberia with the coming of Firestone.
Aside from the exceptionally large tract of ancestral land (99 million acres) awarded the rubber concession, a Liberian government policy of forced recruitment of labor, known to local people as (Plotoh), disrupted subsistence rice production in Liberia as farm hands were forcibly drawn from their land and sent to Firestone to work under slave like conditions.
Rubber Production, being a labor intensive activity, required the input of thousands laborers and to feed the workers, each recruit at the time was compelled to bring with him a personal supply of rice. Over time however, this proved unsustainable and Firestone resorted to importing polished rice from the United States of America which they sold at a subsidized price of ten cups of rice for 3 shillings.
In time the Firestone supplied rice became known as Pusawa, Kpelle meaning “three for ten”. In time, our national elite also developed a taste for imported polished rice rather than the nutritious locally grown rice. Urban migration also played a part as many people left the rural areas for the cities, particularly Monrovia in search of better opportunities unavailable in the respective home areas.
They also had to depend on imported rice to feed themselves and their families. Invariably the volume of rice imports increased as subsistence production declined. At the same time successive governments, paying lip service to self-sufficiency in food, especially rice production spent increasing amounts of scarce foreign exchange importing rice. In some cases government officials or those with close connections to the powers that were became active rice growers and major participants in the rice import business.
But the explosive effect of an increase in the price of rice on the market was and had never been felt before not until President William R. Tolbert, in 1979 announced a proposed increase in the price of rice which he said was intended to stimulate local production and increase income of local rice farmers. The proposal was strongly opposed by a cross section of society particularly social pressure groups such as the student movement, the Progressive Alliance of Liberia and the Movement for Justice in Africa(MOJA).
At the time President Tolbert was not only the largest domestic producer, his brother Daniel was a major rice importer as well and according to those opposing the proposed price increase, the Tolbert brothers stood more to gain from the price increase. At the end of the day, on April 14, 1979 a mass protest demonstration against the proposed increase was put down by force resulting in the deaths of hundreds and the extensive looting and destruction of millions of dollars worth of property. A Government Commission of Inquiry set up to probe causes of the riots placed blame squarely at the feet of government.
In his Independence Day address, national orator, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah alluded to this when he declared “In 1979, William R. Tolbert, Jr. attempted to increase the price on imported rice to protect domestic rice production. Politicians used this to incite demonstration. They accused Tolbert of increasing the price on imported rice so that his domestic rice ventures could profit from the increase.
“Granted this was true, had this been possible, the Liberian economy would have benefited. The capacity to grow rice domestically would have been resident with Liberians and the monies generated from this production would have supported the domestic economy. Instead what has emerged from this April 14 episode is the enthronement of imported rice as some kind of ‘political commodity’ whose importation is largely in the hands of non-Liberians, largely because Governments in the past have tended not to trust Liberian entrepreneurs to import the commodity.”
While this newspaper agrees in part with Minster Tweah, that  rice has become a political commodity whose importation is largely in the hands of non-Liberians, we must however draw the Minister’s attention to contrary views put forth in October 2008 by Clarence Tsimpo and Quentin Wodon in World Bank Policy Research Working Paper #4742 entitled: “Rice Prices and Poverty in Liberia”.
They argue: “In Liberia however, at least under the current conditions, the impact of a change in the price of rice is not ambiguous. This is because a large share of the rice that is consumed is imported, while the rice that is locally produced is used mostly for auto-consumption rather than for sale on the market. In such circumstances, an increase in the price of rice, whether imported or locally produced, will tend to result in higher poverty in the country as a whole (even if some local producers will gain from this increase), while a reduction in price will lead to a reduction in poverty. Furthermore, because rice represents such a large share of the food consumption of households, any change in the price of rice is likely to have a rather large effect on poverty measures.”
In the face of all this, the Government of Liberia’s allocation to Agriculture remains dismally low at US$8 million, a mere 1.45 percent of the national budget. Quite clearly, a nation seeking to attain food self-sufficiency will never be able to achieve it with such low priority being placed on agriculture which, for all purposes, should be the bedrock of the national economy. Moreover, as the Minister correctly noted, rice importation remains firmly in the hands of mainly foreign monopolies that control the price.
Is there any reason why the market is not open to anyone with the means to import rice to do so? This newspaper believes that self-sufficiency in domestic rice production cannot be achieved without support to farmers in the form of tools, new rice seed varieties, fertilizers, and advisory services, etc. It must not be forgotten that domestic rice production has still not recovered from the shocks of the prolonged civil war as rice production has yet to return to pre-war levels.
And for those local producers who are attempting to fill the void, the lack of support from government serves to undermine their efforts. Tons of harvested rice produced by a local farmer in Lofa County, for example, was lost because the Government of Liberia virtually refused to assist. The producers of FABRAR Rice also have their stories to tell of Government’s neglect of local farmers.
In the final analysis, “Ending the Reign of Rice as a Political Commodity” as the Minister suggests, requires much more than flowery talk. In the opinion of this newspaper, “Rice” shall continue to remain a political commodity as long as foreign importers maintain a monopoly over imports and as long as the Government of Liberia fails to match talk with action.

https://www.liberianobserver.com/opinion/editorials/ending-the-reign-of-imported-rice-as-a-political-commodity/


U.S. Rice Industry Says Trump Administration's Trade War Mitigation Program Misses the Mark 

WASHINGTON, DC - While some in agriculture are praising the Trump Administration for its attempt to mitigate damage done as a result of the Administration's trade wars, the U.S. rice industry sees the short-term approach as inadequate and is more interested in long-term structural changes that would put U.S. rice on a level playing field globally.

"Rice receives marginal benefit from these proposed programs that are actually only addressing symptoms of our trade woes, not the causes," said Dow Brantley, an Arkansas rice farmer and member of USDA's Agricultural Trade Policy Advisory Committee.  "The United States exports about 50 percent of our rice crop each year and we are already trying to compete in a global market with well-documented illegal trade barriers.  Countries adding tariffs on top is almost too much to bear."

"Rice was completely left off the list of eligible commodities for the Market Facilitation Program despite being specifically targeted for retaliation by China, the EU, and Turkey," said Betsy Ward, President & CEO of USA Rice.  "Meanwhile major trading partners, like Mexico, are diversifying their supply base in anticipation of further trade disruptions, and we are seeing countries exceeding their WTO commitments dump rice in our domestic market.  We are looking at losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars." 

Ward said that although some agricultural commodities, like soybeans, have been hit harder than rice by the latest trade disputes, any disruption to markets has a large ripple effect on the export-dependent rice industry and her organization continues to push for long-term solutions.

"We would obviously rather sell our products on the open market than invoke a government program, but the fact is, the market isn't open, and this trade war is magnifying that," said Michael Rue, a California rice producer and chairman of the USA Rice Asia Trade Policy Committee.  "There are concrete steps the Administration can take right now to level the playing field that do not have an impact on taxpayers."

USA Rice is urging the Administration to implement more permanent solutions that adequately address the rice industry's losses, including action in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and import tariffs on WTO cheaters like Brazil, China, India, Thailand, and Viet Nam; raising the proposed duty on rice imports from China to 25 percent to match China's recent hike in duties on U.S. rice; ramping up inspections on all imported rice to ensure compliance with U.S. food safety regulations; establishing normal trade relations with Cuba; including rice in negotiations with the EU on a new trade regime; increasing rice industry funding for market promotion overseas; and increasing rice purchases for nutrition programs and food aid.

"A good step the Administration could take is to end, once and for all, the debate over cash or food in food aid programs," said Bobby Hanks, a Louisiana rice miller and chairman of USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee.  "These programs should be about U.S.-grown food, not taxpayer cash to pay for foreign commodities, especially when it goes to purchase illegally subsidized rice from our competitors."

USA Rice Chairman Brian King also pointed to a swift resolution to NAFTA renegotiations as essential. 

"There is no trade agreement more beneficial to U.S. rice producers than NAFTA," said King who also chairs the USA Rice Western Hemisphere Promotion Subcommittee.  "Continued uncertainty about its future is a substantial threat to our industry.  Mexico is our number one market and Canada is our number four market because of NAFTA, not in spite of it." 

"Rice already competes in an unfair global market, and now we and the rest of agriculture are paying for the benefits the steel and aluminum industries are enjoying as a result of President Trump's tariffs and ensuing retaliations," Ward said.  "USDA's planned aid is important and should include rice, but it is no substitute for healthy markets and stable trade relationships which is what we all want in the end."

USA RICE DAILY

Irvine's 4 favorite spots to find budget-friendly Greek eats

Photo: Apola Gyro Grill /Yelp
By Hoodline
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 04:53PM
Looking for a tasty Greek meal near you?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Greek restaurants around Irvine, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to satisfy your cravings.

1. Apola Gyro Grill



 Photo: Apola Gyro Grill/Yelp

Topping the list is fast-casual Apola Gyro Grill. Located at 16569 Von Karman Ave. in Irvine's Business Complex, it's the highest rated inexpensive Greek restaurant in the city, boasting 4.5 stars out of 179 reviews on Yelp.

Menu offerings include authentic Greek gyros served Apola style -- a customizable filled pita with your choice of spread, tomatoes, red onions and french fries (situated inside).

Other menu options include sides and sweet options like fresh baklava, Greek yogurt and shots of black cherry or fig preserves. (See the full menu here.)

Leslie S., who reviewed the spot June 21, wrote, "Pretty good Greek cuisine! And the price is very fair. I like the cafeteria-style set up where you slide along the row as you order. This way you can see all the food you are ordering."

2. Nostimo Greek Mediterranean Cuisine
 Photo: Nostimo Greek Mediterranean Cuisine Food Truck/Yelp

Also in Irvine's Business Complex is Nostimo Greek Mediterranean Cuisine, situated at 16221 Construction Circle West. With 4.5 stars out of 58 reviews on Yelp, the Mediterranean food truck has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a quick budget-friendly option.

Chefs Kostas Maltezos and Manolis Sfakianakis deliver an extensive menu with traditional Greek options like stuffed grape leaves, classic pita gyros and basmati rice plates with your choice of protein. (See the menu here.)

"Fantastic food truck option that was near our hotel in Irvine," wroteYelper Kyle V. "Friendly staff and outstanding food! The classic pita was flavorful, and the pita itself had a seasoning on it that was great."

Come check it out for yourself. The food truck's location varies, but scheduling is available. (Visit the company's Facebook page here for additional information and updates.)

3. Gyro King
 Photo: r r./Yelp

Gyro King, located at 2222 Michelson Drive, Floor 4, at the Trade Food Hall, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable Greek spot four stars out of 75 reviews.

On the menu, expect to find healthy Greek specialties like falafel sandwiches, swordfish kebabs and fresh Greek salad served with hummus and pita bread. (Check out the menu here.)

Chris A., who reviewed the spot July 12, wrote, "This place is good! Good portions and great food (I had the gyro plate). I'll definitely be coming here more often!"

4. Chef Ekrem's Mediterranean Grill
 Photo: Joel R./Yelp

Chef Ekrem's Mediterranean Grill, a Greek and Turkish spot in University Park, is another budget-friendly go-to, with four stars out of 48 Yelp reviews. Head over to 18040 Culver Drive, Wholesome Choice Market, to see for yourself.

The spot comes courtesy of 20-year cooking veteran Ekrem Ozturk, a chef and business owner serving up classic (and inexpensive) Greek fare such as gyros, pepper hummus and shawarma plates with tzatziki sauce. (You can view the full menu here.)

"Very good food on a budget!" shared Yelper Valeria E. "I had the chicken wrap, which is large enough for two meals only for $8.99. The shawarma is neither too oily nor salty, which is great!"



Businesses indifferent to Vietnam’s national rice brand

 26/07/2018

VietNamNet Bridge - After a long period of selection, Vietnam's national rice brand has been established and agencies are fulfilling procedures to register for international protection. However, businesses have not shown much interest.

Vietnam's national rice brand has been established


One year ago, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) launched a competition on designing a logo for Vietnam’s national rice brand. The result of the competition will be announced in July.
According to Le Thanh Tung from the Department of Crop Production, Vietnam has filed an international trademark registration application to the Madrid system - a system built on the basis of the Madrid Protocol and the Madrid Agreement. Thanks to the participation of most of the countries in the agreement, this is considered a regimen to obtain protection worldwide.
Tung also said that MARD has promulgated regulations on the use of Vietnam’s national rice brand.
Institutions and individuals have the right to use Vietnam’s national rice brand if they have certificates on business registration, certificates on meeting standards on food safety, and certificates on the conformity of their products with Vietnamese standards. 
The rice products which bear Vietnam’s national rice brand include white rice (long and short grain), fragrant white rice (long and short grain) and white glutinous rice.
Rice products must meet requirements stipulated in national standards. White rice, for example, must meet TCVN 11888:2017, fragrant white rice TCVN 11889:2017 and white glutinous rice TCVN 8368:2010. 
Institutions and individuals can only use the national brand for products granted certificates for the right to use the brand.
Pham Thai Binh, director of Trung An Hi-tech Agriculture, confirmed that he has received documents that guide the implementation of the national rice brand. However, he said this would not influence his enterprises.
“We will keep exporting rice as usual. We will not attach another logo to our products. It is still unclear about the impact the logo can have,” he said.
Rice products must meet requirements stipulated in national standards. White rice, for example, must meet TCVN 11888:2017, fragrant white rice TCVN 11889:2017 and white glutinous rice TCVN 8368:2010. 
Lam Anh Tuan, director of Thinh Phat, said he is not interested in using the brand because no exporter sells rice with Vietnam’s national brand. His partners have not asked him about the national brand.
“I think the enterprises that export specialty rice or fragrant rice would be interested in this. We only export popular white rice,” Tuan explained.
Meanwhile, Luu Minh Duc, former director of Trung Thanh Food, expressed his concern that if inauthentic businesses can use the national brand and their fraud is discovered, other businesses would face misfortune.

 



http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/204441/businesses-indifferent-to-vietnam-s-national-rice-brand.html

China to import rice from 14 Indian firms

Source:Global Times Published: 2018/7/26 20:18:40
China will import rice from 14 Indian companies while the country's trade dispute with the US drags on, Indian news website the Business Standard reported on Wednesday.China has agreed to purchase rice from 14 of the 19 registered Indian rice exporters, while the other five have been asked to improve their storage and isolation facilities so they can apply again, according to the report.

The deal comes amid rising trade tensions between China and the US, with "China looking for newer markets to boost its rice inventories," the Business Standard said.Meanwhile, India hopes to reduce its trade deficit with China by increasing rice exports, the news agency said. That figure has grown to $63.12 billion in the 2017-18 fiscal year, up 23.5 percent year-on-year.

China used to import only basmati rice from India, but it has expanded to non-basmati rice this time around, the report said. In June, the two countries signed an agreement to amend a protocol on phytosanitary requirements, allowing India to export non-basmati rice to China.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1112529.shtml

Rice basmati slips on muted demand

New Delhi, Jul 25 () Rice basmati prices drifted lower by up to Rs 200 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today owing to slackened demand against ample stocks position. Wheat prices also eased on reduced offtake by flour mills.
PTI | Jul 25, 2018, 15:05 IST
New Delhi, Jul 25 () Rice basmati prices drifted lower by up to Rs 200 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today owing to slackened demand against ample stocks position.
Wheat prices also eased on reduced offtake by flour mills.
Traders said, sluggish demand from stockists against sufficient stocks position mainly led to decline in rice basmati prices.
In the national capital, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety fell by Rs 200 and Rs 100 to Rs 7,200-7,300 and Rs 6,600-6,700 per quintal, respectively.
Wheat dara (for mills) also shed Rs 10 to Rs 1,960-1,965 per quintal. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by a similar margin to Rs 1,970-1,975 per 90 kg.
Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,260-2,360, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,960-1,965, Atta Chakki(delivery) Rs 1,970-1,975, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 250-280, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275-310,
Roller flour mill Rs 1,060-1,080 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,120-1,130 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,180-1,190 (50 kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati rice Rs 9,900,
Basmati common new Rs 7,200-7,300, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,600-6,700, Permal raw Rs 2,425-2,450,
Permal wand Rs 2,525-2,575, Sela Rs 3,050-3,150 and rice IR-8 Rs 2,025-2,075,
Bajra Rs 1,330-1,335, Jowar yellow Rs 1,800-1,850, white Rs 2,950-3,050, Maize Rs 1,270-1,275,
Barley Rs 1,570-1,580. SUN KPS SHW ANS

Asia Rice-India demand picks up after recent slump; rates steady elsewhere

JULY 26, 2018 / 3:37 PM

Reuters Staff

 

 

* Export prices edge higher from 15-mth low in India

 

* Activity remains quiet in Thai, Vietnam markets

 

By Apeksha Nair

 

BENGALURU, July 26 (Reuters) - Demand for India’s benchmark rice variety picked up this week after a recent slump, pushing up export rates for the grain, while quiet trade amid plentiful supply kept rates across other major Asian centers broadly steady.

 

Rates for India’s 5 percent broken parboiled rice RI-INBKN5-P1 rose by $3 per tonne to $389-$393 per tonne after falling to the lowest level since April 20, 2017 last week.

 

“Indian rice has become competitive due to the recent fall in prices. African buyers are placing orders,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

 

Farmers in India have planted summer-sown paddy rice on 15.65 million hectares as on July 20, down 12.4 percent from a year ago.

 

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Bangladesh, imports of rice in July stood at 19,600 tonnes, the country’s food ministry data showed, after the government imposed a 28 percent tax on rice imports to support its farmers after local production revived.

 

“Importing rice is no longer profitable for us. So, we refrain from striking any new deal like others,” a Bangladeshi trader said.

 

In Vietnam, rates for 5 percent broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 stayed unchanged from a week ago, at $390-$395 a tonne, with slow trade.

 

“Though the summer-autumn harvest has been going on, heavy rains are slowing down the harvest, keeping domestic paddy price stable,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.

 

Traders said farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest rice producing area, have harvested around 50 percent of the summer-autumn crops.

 

Thailand’s benchmark 5 percent broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 was quoted at $380-$385 per tonne, free on board (FOB)Bangkok, on Wednesday, narrowing from $380-$395 last week.

 

At an average of $382.50 per tonne, the Thai rice price has hit the lowest since November last year.

 

Thailand is in the middle of harvesting its off-season crops. The arrival of new supplies and a weaker baht have pushed prices, traders said, adding that the market is quiet because buyers are waiting to see if prices could go lower.

 

“Off-season crops are coming. It’s a good amount because of ample water,” a trader in Bangkok said.

 

Another trader said he expects prices to recover soon as logistics improve and demand picks up.

 

On Tuesday, Thailand’s cabinet approved a raft of measures worth 60 billion baht ($1.80 billion) aimed at helping farmers store what it expected to be 9 million tonnes of new rice to prevent a market oversupply. (Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Editing by Vyas Mohan)

https://in.reuters.com/article/china-harassment/in-china-metoo-escalates-as-public-figures-are-accused-of-sexual-assault-idINKBN1KH0ZF

 

'Low' remains stationary, promises more rain for Delhi, suburbs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 26
Heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast over Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi today as a stubborn low-pressure area persisted over South Uttar Pradesh. The India Met Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, the north-eastern states, Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Konkan, Tamil Nadu, coastal and South interior Karnataka and Kerala.
SMART MONSOON FLOWS
Southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal are smartly turning monsoon southeasterlies and easterlies across Bangladesh into the north-eastern states, East India, and North-West India.
The 'low' over South Uttar Pradesh has served to boost and amplify these easterly flows to the benefit of the whole of North-West India, even as it interacts with monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea.
The interactive rain is noticeable along a corridor stretching from Dharamsala, Dehradun, New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Gwalior and Lalitpur to Lucknow. Heavy rain is also reported along the foothills of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Bengal, with sustained rains lashing the eastern metropolis of Kolkata since overnight last night.
Minor cloud bursts, flooding and landslips have been reported from some parts of the region, with the Met forecasting the prospect of even more rain during the next few days. A projection of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts marked out the Gwalior-Lalitpur, Dehradun, Mau, Deoghar, and Ranchi areas for sustained heavy rain over the next three days.
HEAVY RAIN FORECAST
The IMD said the rain-generating 'low' over South Uttar Pradesh has dropped anchor and would cause widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and East Rajasthan during the next two days.
It retained the forecast for a likely strengthening of the monsoon during the subsequent two days. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls are likely over Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh during the next three days.
In the East, the Met subdivision of Bengal has made the most gains over the last few days, having reduced the rainfall deficit to -20 per cent, while neighbouring Jharkhand posted a shortfall of -32 per cent.
West Uttar Pradesh (-35 per cent) has improved its position, but East Uttar Pradesh (-43 per cent) and Bihar (-42 per cent) have a long way to go to improve their rainfal deficit. The north-eastern states also wallow in a considerable deficit, while Rayalaseema (-32 per cent) and Lakshadweep (-40 per cent) in the South are cause for concern.

Deadline for Customs Clearance of Rice: Aug. 11


Thursday, July 26, 2018
Rice shipments have until August 11 to undergo customs clearance procedures, provided they acquired warehouse receipts or declaration forms before the end of working hours on July 22, the director general of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration’s Imports and Free and Special Economic Zones Affairs Center said.“The import of any such shipments after the deadline will be banned,” Ali Maqouli also told Mehr News Agency


RICETEC ANNOUNCES 2018 FIELD DAY
What: RiceTec Arkansas Field Day

Where: RiceTec Arkansas Business Center, 15329 Hwy 1, Harrisburg, Arkansas 72432

When:  Tuesday, August 7, 2018

4:00 p.m. –         Registration and Vendor exhibits opens

4:30 p.m. –         Farm Tours begin

6:30 p.m. –         Program and meal service, Louisiana crawfish étouffée and pork steaks from Strawberry’s
Farmers and media are invited to a day of fresh insights and first-hand field experiences during RiceTec’s Arkansas Field Day. This year’s focuses will be on new innovations like irrigation management through automation, new herbicide tolerance technology and new hybrids coming to the market.
As is tradition at field day, the tour will make a pass by RiceTec demonstration plots to show off new products RiceTec will be bringing to the market in the next two years. In addition to the new lineup of FULLPAGE herbicide-tolerant hybrids, RiceTec will also introduce a couple of new high-quality hybrid products. One product has shown high yields combined with chalk levels similar to Cheniere, while another product delivers high amylose content suited to the Ready-to-Serve market. Additionally, a new medium grain hybrid will be on display that has so far shown high quality and yields significantly above Jupiter.
The indoor portion of the program will include presentations from the rice industry, highlighting some of the challenges and successes farmers and the industry are currently balancing. These presenters include
Mike Gumina, Global CEO of RiceTec
John Boozman, United States Senator for Arkansas (Invited)
Rick Crawford, U.S. Representative for Arkansas’s 1st congressional district (Invited)
Industry vendors will participate, including John Deere Financial and other ag lenders, agribusinesses like ADAMA, Valent, and Valley View Agri-Systems, and industry organizations Ducks Unlimited and USA Rice.
https://www.ricetec.com/ricetec-announces-2018-field-days/