Traces of Chinese Plastic Rice Found in India
Mar 12, 2015
Plastic rice
made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and Chinese polymer is similar to
natural rice and can hardly be differentiated by mere look. However, when
cooked, the rice remains hard and soup made by it forms a plastic sheath, which
burns like plastics when burned.How is this rice made? The potatoes are first
turned into the shape of rice grains and industrial synthetic resins are then
added to the mix in order to get the texture of rice.This type of plastic rice
is said to be causing gastritis and other stomach related diseases.Such type of
rice packages have been found to be selling in some parts of India's southern
state Kerala, according to local sources.
Consumers told local sources that such
packages are undetectable as they are being mixed with normal rice packs. It is
understood that this type of rice is being imported from China or is being
bought online from Chinese and Singapore supermarkets.Experts noted that
currently there's no system to check imports of such rice into the country. But
going forward, the Indian government may have to put some procedures in place
to avert the entry of such artificial and harmful products into the country.
India basically does not need to import rice given its huge production
potential.
Earlier,
Chinese plastic rice as well as the locally produced Chinese rice have been criticized for one being poisonous and the
other being toxic after being contaminated with metals such as cadmium.
Rice Bran Oil - The Healthy Oil for Healthy Living
Mar 12, 2015
Dieticians
are of late recommending rice bran oil for maintaining a healthy heart and
body. They say rice bran oil, which is made from bran that is rich in Vitamin E
and antioxidants.An important feature of rice bran oil is that it has an ideal
balance of polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) and monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and is
free of trans-fats. An equal proportion of PUFA is MUFA is essential for oils
to maintain nutritive quality even at high temperatures. It is for this reason
that foods cooked with rice bran at high temperatures are seen to absorb less
oil. It therefore does not stick to food and tends to feel less oily on tongue.
Rice
bran oil is known as heart-friendly oil as it contains the right amount of the
oryzanol, which is known to reduce cholesterol absorption and increase
cholesterol elimination, says an India-based Nutritionist &
Weight-Management Expert. The American Heart Association and the World Health
Organization (WHO) are recommending rice bran oil as the best choice for
improving serum cholesterol levels.
Antioxidants present
in the rice bran oil are known to boost the metabolic rate and help in weight
loss. Its antimutagenic properties are helpful in increasing immunity as well
as preventing cancer.Rice bran oil also contains suqalene, which is helpful in
retaining softness of the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties are known to
reduce the effects of menopause like hot flashes.
Pakistan May Miss Rice Export Target of 3.8 Million Tons in FY 2014-15 Due
to Falling Demand, Says REAP Chairman
Mar 12, 2015
The
Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has forecasted
that the country would not be able to meet its rice export target of around 3.8
million tons in FY 2014-15 (July - June) as demand from China and Malaysia has
been falling, according to Bloomberg.The REAP Chairman noted that Pakistan's
rice exports may reach around 3.5 million tons in 2014-15, of which 600,000
tons are expected to be basmati.
Currently
Pakistan's 5% rice export prices are quoted at around $355 per ton, much lower
than Thai 5% prices of around $400 per ton, Viet 5% prices of around $370 per
ton and India 5% prices of around $395 per ton. Yet, the demand has been thin
partly due to excessive stock offloading by Thailand and re-entry of Myanmar
into the global rice market.Other top rice exporters such as Thailand, Vietnam
and India are also facing lower export demand this year.
Pakistan
has exported around 2.26 million tons of rice (around 313,540 tons of basmati
and around 1.95 million tons of non-basmati) in the first seven months of FY
2014-15 (July 2014 - June 2015), up about 2% from around 2.22 million tons
(around 336,290 tons of basmati and around 1.88 million tons of non-basmati)
exported during the same period in FY 2013-14.The South Asian nation exported
around 3.16 million tons of rice FY 2013-14, down about 7% from around 3.4
million tons exported in 2012-13.
Thailand, Vietnam Rice Sellers Lower Their Quotes; Pakistan Rice Sellers
Increase Their Quotes Today
Mar 12, 2015
Thailand rice
sellers lowered their quotes for A1 super rice by about $5 per ton to around
$320 - $330 per ton and lowered their quotes for Hommali rice by about $15 per
ton to around $895 - $905 per ton today. Vietnam rice sellers lowered their
quotes for 25% broken rice and 100% broken rice by about $5 per ton each to
around $340 - $350 per ton and $305 - $315 per ton respectively and lowered
their quotes for Jasmine rice by about $10 per ton to about $455 - $465 per ton
today. Pakistan rice sellers increased their quotes for 5% broken rice and 25%
broken rice by about $5 per ton each to around $350 - $360 per ton and $315 -
$325 per ton respectively and increased their quotes for 100% broken rice by
about $10 per ton to around $290 - $300 per ton. India rice sellers kept their
quotes mostly unchanged today.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is
quoted at around $395 - $405 per ton, about $30 per ton premium on Vietnam 5%
rice shown at around $365 - $75 per ton. India 5% rice is quoted at
around $390 - $400 per ton, about $40 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice
quoted at around $350 - $360 per ton, up about $5 per ton from yesterday.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is
quoted at around $370 - $380 per ton, about $30 per ton premium on Vietnam 25%
rice shown at around $340- $350 per ton, down about $5 per ton from yesterday.
India 25% rice is quoted at around $360 - $370, about $45 per ton premium on
Pakistan 25% rice quoted at around $315 - $325 per ton, up about $5 per ton
from yesterday.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled
rice is quoted at around $400 - $410 per ton. India parboiled rice is quoted at
around $380 - $390 per ton, about $15 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled
rice quoted at around $395 - $405 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken
rice, A1 Super, is quoted at around $320 - $330per ton, down about $5 per ton
from yesterday and about $15 per ton premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown
at around $305 - $315 per ton, down about $5 per ton from
yesterday. India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $275 - $285 per
ton, about $15 per ton discount to Pakistan broken sortexed rice quoted
at around $290 - $300 per ton, up about $10 per ton from yesterday.
Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Slightly Lower Overnight
as US Dollar Continues to Surge
Mar 12, 2015
Chicago
rough rice futures for May delivery are currently listed 3.5 cents per cwt
(about $1 per ton) lower at $10.700 per cwt (about $236 per ton) ahead of early
floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen trading mixed this morning:
soybeans are currently seen unchanged, wheat is listed about 1.2% higher and
corn is currently noted about 0.1% lower.U.S. stock index futures indicated a
higher open on Thursday, as investors mulled the impact of the strong U.S.
dollar and economic data. Retail sales for February fell 0.6%, missing
expectations of a slight gain. Retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline,
building materials and food services were unchanged after a 0.1% decline in
January.
The
so-called core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending
component of gross domestic product. The second straight month of weakness
suggests a marked slowdown in consumer spending in the first quarter after the
fourth quarter's surge. Analysts were looking at retail sales for a
confirmation of consumer confidence that indicated a stronger economy on all
fronts, not just in employment numbers. Weekly jobless claims fell more than
expected to 289,000, below the prior week's 320,000. Gold is currently trading
about 0.6% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 0.8% higher, and the
U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.8% lower at 8:00am Chicago time.
Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Unchanged Market as Buyer/Seller Standoff
Continues
Mar
12, 2015
The
U.S. cash market was unchanged today with little to no significant news to
report that could move the market in one direction or the other.Farmers are
still holding out at these levels noting that most of the bids they are
receiving are at or below their cost of production while buyers contend that
they is no business to be had at the levels sellers hope to net.
In
the meantime, the USDA reported that cumulative net export sales for the week
ending on March 5th, totaled 82,500 tons, which was 19% higher than
last week but 15% lower than the prior 4-week average.
Increases
were reported for the following destinations including: 22,100 tons to Mexico,
20,500 tons to Haiti, 11,100 tons to Costa Rica, 7,100 tons to Colombia, and
4,600 tons to Guatemala.U.S. rice exporters shipped 53,100 tons, which was 59%
higher than last week and 24% higher than the prior 4-week average. The primary
destinations included: 35,600 tons to Colombia, 4,300 tons to Saudi Arabia,
3,600 tons to Canada, 3,500 tons to Mexico, and 1,500 tons to Haiti.
Government of India Urged to Reconsider Decision to End Levy Rice
Procurement from 2015-16 KMS
Mar 12, 2015
The Chief
Minister (CM) of the South Indian state Telangana has urged the government of
India to reconsider its decision to end the levy rice procurement system
starting from the 2015-16 (October - September) kharif marketing season
(KMS).In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Telangana CM reportedly requested
to at least continue with the 25% cap on levy rice procurement for safeguarding
the interests of farmers. He noted that the levy rice system was motivating
millers to pay remunerative prices over and above the minimum support price
(MSP) to farmers to procure paddy.
The
removal of the system may not encourage millers to pay remunerative prices, he
noted. The Telangana CM also noted that state governments usually pay only MSP
and not remunerative prices to farmers.Last month, the government of India has
announced its decision to end the levy rice system to ensure better prices to
farmers. The government sources noted that there was no proper supervision
system and the millers were often not paying MSP to the farmers and were
selling the better-quality grain in the open market. Therefore the Food
Ministry opined that the actual purpose of levy rice system to bridge the
capacity gap with government procurement agencies is not being fulfilled.
Before
that in August 2014, the government of India capped the levy rice procurement
by state governments from millers at 25% for the 2014-15 procurement
season.Under the levy rice procurement system, state governments procure a
percentage of milled rice needed for their public distribution (PDS) activities
from millers, who purchase paddy from farmers, instead of procuring paddy
directly from farmers and getting it custom milled. Before capping the levy
percentage at 25%, percentage of levy rice procurement used to differ from
state to state and varied between 30-75% of procurement in respective
states.The Indian government targets to procure 30.05 million tons of rice
during the 2014-15 Kharif Marketing Season (October 2014 - September 2015),
down about 12% from last year's target of around 34.3 million tons.
Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Pull Back from Recent
Highs as Selling Pressure Spills over from Corn and Beans; Wheat Continues to
Rally on Technical Buying
Mar 12, 2015
Chicago
rough rice futures for May delivery settled 5.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per
ton) lower at $10.680 per cwt (about $235 per ton). After getting off to a
strong start on what looked to be follow-through buying, after yesterday’s
double digit rally, rough rice futures gave back their gains and ultimately
slipped into negative territory by the end of the trading session. Today’s
action is seen as bearish as the market tested points of overhead resistance at
$10.750 and $10.800 per cwt (about $237 and $238 per ton), provided by the
20-day moving average and the upper boundary of the current trading range
respectively, but was unable to maintain these levels in late session trading.
The uptick in selling pressure late in the day
seems to indicate that speculative shorts are moving to protect their position
in an effort to dampen the momentum of yesterday’s rally. The other grains also
closed lower for the most part, with wheat the only market managing to pull off
a higher close as the market continues to attempt to recover from historically
low prices; Soybeans closed about 0.2% lower at $9.9050 per bushel; wheat
finished about 1.7% higher at $5.0725 per bushel, and corn finished the day
about 0.6% lower at $3.8850 per bushel.U.S. stocks traded higher on Thursday as
mixed economic data indicated to some investors that the Federal Reserve will
not raise interest rates as early as anticipated. The U.S. dollar fell about
half a percent, pausing its recent rally.
The euro edged higher to $1.06, up from
12-year lows hit on Wednesday. The Federal Reserve said on Thursday that
household net worth rose by $1.5 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2014 to a
record $83 trillion, with gains driven by real estate. U.S. business
inventories were unchanged in January and further declines in sales pushed the
number of months it would take to clear shelves to the highest since July 2009,
which suggests a stock drawdown in the months ahead. Retail sales for February
fell 0.6%, missing expectations of a slight gain. Retail sales excluding
automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services were unchanged
after a 0.1% decline in January. Weekly jobless claims fell more than expected
to 289,000, below the prior week's 320,000.
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 184 points, or 1.05%, at 17,820. The
S&P 500 traded up 19 points, or 0.92%, at 2,059, with utilities leading
gains as all sectors except energy advanced. The Nasdaq traded up 27 points, or
0.55%, at 4,877. Gold is trading about 0.1% higher, crude oil is seen trading
about 1.4% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.5% lower at
about 1:00pm Chicago time.Wednesday, there were 322 contracts traded, up
from 245 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of contracts
outstanding – on Wednesday decreased by 5 contracts to 8,961.
Oryza Global Weather Outlook
Mar 12, 2015
Rain is expected
across the Yangtze Valley, and central and eastern south China this week, which will benefit early double crop rice as
planting begins.
Rain is expected
across central and southern India this week.
Rain showers are
expected across northern and western Pakistan this week.
A few showers are
expected across central Thailand this week.
Light rain is
expected in northern Vietnam
and some parts in central Vietnam this week.
In Indonesia, rain is expected across western Malay Peninsula, Sumatra,
Kalimantan, East Malaysia, Sulawesi, and Java this week. Active rains in
Kalimantan, central East Malaysia, Java, and southern Sulawesi could slow early
harvesting of the main crop.
A few showers are
expected across south-eastern Philippines this week.
Rain is expected
across central and north-western portions of the centre-South Brazil
and north-western portions of the
Northeast Brazil this week.
Vietnam Exports About 421,202 Tons of Rice in First Two Months of 2015
Mar
12, 2015
Vietnam
exported around 421,202 tons of rice in the first two months (January –
February) of 2015, down about 34% from around 637,756 million tons of rice
exported in in first two months of 2014, according to data from the Vietnam
Food Association (VFA). Average rice export price so far in this year stands at
about $452 per ton (FOB), up about 5% per ton from same time last year.In Feb
2015, Vietnam exported about 200,814 tons of rice, down about 39% from about
330,501 tons rice exported in full month of February 2014, and down about 9%
from about 220,388 tons rice exported in full month of January 2015. Average
export prices in so far in February stands at about $456 per ton, up about 2.5%
from a year ago, and up about 2% per ton from a month ago.
China Sells 1.2% of Late Harvest Rice from Reserves
Mar 12, 2015
The
government of China has sold around 15,268 tons or 1.2% of around 1.4 million
tons of late-harvest rice from reserves, Bloomberg quoted a statement posted on
the National Grain and Oil Trade Center.The government sold the rice at an
average price of around 2,710 yuan (around $433) per ton.The government usually
procures rice from farmers at prescribed prices to stabilize market prices and
protect farmers' interests. This year, the government reportedly planned to
build more granaries to accommodate more stocks under its price intervention
programs.
Government of India to Sell Excess Rice Stocks in Open Market from April 1,
2015
Mar 12, 2015
The
government of India has decided to sell excess rice stocks in the open market
from the new fiscal year that begins on April 1, 2015, according to local
sources.The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been allowed to offload excess
rice stocks to the extent of around 2 million tons to bulk buyers such as
millers and traders. The stocks will be sold through a weekly e-auction under
the open market sale scheme (OMSS).According to the Food Ministry sources, the
FCI is planning to sell rice (Grade A quality) to private buyers and traders at
around Rs. 2,300 per quintal (around $368 per ton). The price level has been
fixed after considering the minimum support price (MSP) for procuring rice.
For
the 2014-15 kharif marketing season (KMS), the government the MSP for common
grade paddy is at around Rs.1,310 per quintal (around $218 per ton) and the MSP
for Grade 'A' paddy is around Rs.1,345 per quintal (around $223 per
ton).Sources pointed out that the minimum and maximum auction quantity would be
in the range of 50 - 3,500 tons. They also noted that the state governments
could also participate in the e-auction for OMSS.As of February 1, 2015,
India's rice stocks in the central pool stood at around 24.88 million tons
(including a milled equivalent of about 17.43 million tons of paddy). Current
rice stocks are about 84% more than the revised buffer and strategic reserve
norms of around 13.5 million tons prescribed for this part of the year.The FCI
has been selling excess wheat stocks through OMSS to bulk buyers since
2009-10.
European Paddy, Rice Quotes Show Mixed Trends
Mar 12, 2015
European
paddy quotes in the weeks between February 24 and March 3 show some slight
movement, both for Indica and for Japonica varieties.Below are European paddy
and rice quotations supplied by European Union on March 3:
SPAIN
- Japonica paddy quotes decreased to 301 euros (about $ 317) per ton on March
3, from 302 euros (about $ 318) per ton on February 24. On March 3 Indica paddy
was unchanged at 267 euros (about $ 281) per ton. Milled Japonica rice quoted
at 567 euros (about $ 597) per ton on March 3, from 561 euros (about $ 591) per
ton on February
24.
PORTUGAL
- Long A paddy indications increased to 325 euros (about $ 342) per ton on
March 3, up from 314 euros (about $ 331) per ton on February 24. Meanwhile,
Long B paddy did not receive quotations on March 3 but was shown at 280 euros
(about $ 295) per ton on February 24.
GREECE
– No quotes have been available in the last two weeks for medium and Indica
varieties. Long grain paddy is quoted at 440 euros (about $ 463) per ton on
both weeks.
ROMANIA
- On March 3 Japonica paddy prices dipped lower to 359 euros (about $ 378) per
ton, from 395 euros (about $ 416) per ton on February 24. Indica paddy
quotes softened to 306 euros (about $ 337) per ton on March 3 from 316 euros
(about $ 322) per ton on February 24. As for milled rice, Japonica quotes
advanced to 850 euros (about $ 896) per ton on March 3 from 719 euros (about $
758) per ton on February 24. Indica milled quotes advanced to 738 euros (about
$ 778) per ton on March 3, from 694 euros (about $ 731) per ton on February
24.
BULGARIA
- Japonica paddy quotations remained firm at 276 euros (about $ 291) per ton as
of March 3. Japonica milled rice quotations were unchanged in the previous
couple of weeks, at 814 euros (about $ 858) per ton.
FRANCE
- Round milled rice was shown at 570 euros (about $ 601) per ton on March 3.
Long A indications advanced to 650 euros (about $ 685) per ton as of March 3.
Long B was quoted at 550 euros (about $ 579) per ton on March 3. There
were no quotations available for French.
Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Pull Back from Recent
Highs as Selling Pressure Spills over from Corn and Beans; Wheat Continues to
Rally on Technical Buying
Mar 12, 2015
Chicago
rough rice futures for May delivery settled 5.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per
ton) lower at $10.680 per cwt (about $235 per ton). After getting off to a
strong start on what looked to be follow-through buying, after yesterday’s
double digit rally, rough rice futures gave back their gains and ultimately
slipped into negative territory by the end of the trading session. Today’s
action is seen as bearish as the market tested points of overhead resistance at
$10.750 and $10.800 per cwt (about $237 and $238 per ton), provided by the
20-day moving average and the upper boundary of the current trading range
respectively, but was unable to maintain these levels in late session trading.
The
uptick in selling pressure late in the day seems to indicate that speculative
shorts are moving to protect their position in an effort to dampen the momentum
of yesterday’s rally. The other grains also closed lower for the most part,
with wheat the only market managing to pull off a higher close as the market continues
to attempt to recover from historically low prices; Soybeans closed about 0.2%
lower at $9.9050 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.7% higher at $5.0725 per
bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.6% lower at $3.8850 per bushel.U.S.
stocks traded higher on Thursday as mixed economic data indicated to some
investors that the Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates as early as
anticipated. The U.S. dollar fell about half a percent, pausing its recent
rally.
The
euro edged higher to $1.06, up from 12-year lows hit on Wednesday. The Federal
Reserve said on Thursday that household net worth rose by $1.5 trillion in the
fourth quarter of 2014 to a record $83 trillion, with gains driven by real
estate. U.S. business inventories were unchanged in January and further
declines in sales pushed the number of months it would take to clear shelves to
the highest since July 2009, which suggests a stock drawdown in the months
ahead. Retail sales for February fell 0.6%, missing expectations of a slight
gain. Retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food
services were unchanged after a 0.1% decline in January. Weekly jobless claims
fell more than expected to 289,000, below the prior week's 320,000.
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 184 points, or 1.05%, at 17,820. The
S&P 500 traded up 19 points, or 0.92%, at 2,059, with utilities leading
gains as all sectors except energy advanced. The Nasdaq traded up 27 points, or
0.55%, at 4,877. Gold is trading about 0.1% higher, crude oil is seen trading
about 1.4% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.5% lower at
about 1:00pm Chicago time.Wednesday, there were 322 contracts traded, up
from 245 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of contracts
outstanding – on Wednesday decreased by 5 contracts to 8,961.
Global Rice Quotes
March 13th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 405-415
↔
Vietnam 5% broken 365-375
↔
India 5% broken 390-400
↔
Pakistan 5% broken 350-360
↔
Myanmar 5% broken 415-425
↔
Cambodia 5% broken 425-435
↔
U.S. 4% broken 480-490
↔
Uruguay 5% broken 580-590
↔
Argentina 5% broken 570-580
↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 370-380
↔
Vietnam 25% broken 340-350
↔
Pakistan 25% broken 315-325
↔
Cambodia 25% broken 410-420
↔
India 25% broken 360-370
↔
U.S. 15% broken 470-480
↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 400-410 ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd 395-405 ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 380-390 ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 555-565
↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 570-580 ↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ ↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 895-905
↔
Vietnam Jasmine 455-465
↔
India basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ ↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 790-800
↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 320-330
↔
Vietnam 100% broken 305-315
↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 290-300 ↔
Cambodia A1 Super 345-355
↔
India 100% broken stxd 275-285
↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ ↔
U.S. pet food 380-390
↔
Brazil half grain NQ
↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
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On-Line the above News in pdf format,just click the following link
"Each year, millions of dollars are lost
from damage to crops and ornamental plants caused by pathogens, which include a
bacteria known as Pseudomonas Syringae," said Antje Heese, assistant
professor of biochemistry at MU. "This bacteria directly affects tomatoes
and causes speck disease that permanently damages the fruit and leaves. In our
study, we used Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant that has the same immune response
as tomatoes but grows at a faster rate, to study the immune responses of
plants.
