Eating Fortified
Rice May Increase Risk of Hookworm Infections, Finds Study
Feb 04, 2016
A team of researchers
from the Cambodia-based French Research Institute for Development have found
that eating fortified rice can increase the risk of hookworm infections,
according to a study published in PLOS One in January 2016.
A study in Cambodian
school children showed that rice's added micro-nutrients inadvertently help parasites
grow. The researchers analyzed faecal samples of about 2,000 children at 16
primary schools. The schools were randomly split into four groups: children in
one group received plain rice while the other groups received fortified with
micro-nutrients such as iron, zinc, folate and different vitamins.
They measured levels
of intestinal infections in the four groups after three and seven months and
found that groups that consumed micro-nutrient fortified rice contracted with
hookworm infections. They view that "the merits of micro-nutrient
repletion should be weighed carefully against its possible risks.”
One of the authors of
the paper/study says: “There is absolutely an important role to play for
fortified rice, but it should be tailor-made to the local situation.” But, he
noted that deworming every six months would help reduce hookworm infections
likely to surface with fortified rice.
However,
the study received mixed reactions. A nutrition researcher at Mahidol
University in Thailand says the study's findings needed to be verifies because
parasite infections are more or less common in some seasons. So, conducting the
study in a season, when gut infections are common, may provide misleading
results
FAO Forecasts
2015-16 Global Rice Production at 491.8 Million Tons; Slightly Down from
Previous Year
Feb 04, 2016
In its January 2016
Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization
forecasts 2015-16 global
rice production at around 491.8 million tons, slightly down
from an estimated 494.3 million tons in 2014-15, and slightly up from its last
month's forecast of around 491.4 million tons. The FAO forecasts improved
production outlook in China, Vietnam and the U.S., while lower production
prospects in Japan and Nepal.
In general, the FAO
expects rice production along and south of the Equator to be dim, with
insufficient water insufficient water lowering plantings in Australia and
delaying them in Indonesia, while excessive rains and low returns are
negatively affecting sowings in South America.
The FAO estimates
2015-16 global rice
utilization at around 498.4 million tons, up about 1.1% from an
estimated 492.8 million tons in 2014-15. The FAO anticipates the average per
capita rice consumption in 2015-16 at around 54.7 kilograms.
The FAO estimates 2016
global rice stocks
at around 166.6 million tons, down about 3% from an estimated 172.1 million
tons in 2015, and up from its last month's forecast of around 165.6 million
tons. The FAO expects the world stocks-to-use ratio down to a four-year low of
32.8%.
The FAO estimates 2016
global rice trade
at around 45.4 million tons, up about 1.4% from an estimated 44.8 million tons
last year, and slightly up from its last month's forecast of around 45 million
tons. The FAO expects greater purchases by China and Indonesia in 2016.
FAO Global Rice
Price Index Declines Slightly in January 2016 After Increasing in Previous
Month
Feb 04, 2016
The FAO All Rice Price
Index declined by two points or 0.5% to around 195 points in January 2016 after
increasing slightly in December 2016. Before that, the index declined
continuously for fifteen months since September 2014.
According to the FAO,
prices of the Lower quality sub-index India remained stable at 181 points,
while those of the Higher Quality Indica sub-index declined by about 1 point to
179 points. Japonica and Aromatic sub-indices declined by 1% and 2%
respectively to 240 points and 149 points.
In January 2015 -
January 2016, the FAO All Rice Price Index averaged 195 points, down about 12%
from around 222 points during the same period last year. Sub-index for higher
quality Indica rice prices declined about 7.5% y/y and sub-index for lower
quality Indica rice prices declined about 4.4% y/y. Aromatic rice price
sub-index declined about 21.4% y/y, and the sub-index for Japonica rice prices
declined by about 14% y/y.
According to the FAO,
Thai rice prices firmed due to lower supplies and a likely lower output this
year. Pakistan rice prices increased on improved expectations for sales to
China, the Near East and Africa. India rice prices declined due to a weaker
rupee. Prices in Vietnam also declined ahead of the imminent harvest of the
winter/spring crop. Prices in the U.S. declined on limited buying, and declined
in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil by a depreciation of local currencies.
During January 2015,
average rice export quotations (on fob basis) of Thai 100% broken rice, Thai 5%
rice, Thai 25% rice, Thai parboiled rice and Thai Fragrant rice increased to
around $375 per ton, $369 per ton, $361 per ton, $377 per ton and $783 per ton
respectively. Average export prices of Thai A1 Super rice declined to around
$331 per ton.
Export prices of
Vietnam 25% broken rice declined to around $340 per ton. Quotations of India
25% broken rice declined to around $321 per ton and those of and Pakistan 25%
broken rice increased to around $303 per ton. While U.S. 4% broken rice variety
declined to around $474 per ton, U.S. California 4% rice declined to around
$775 per ton. Uruguay 5% rice remained declined to around $479 per ton.
EU Rice Imports
Increase Sharply in September 1, 2015 - January 26, 2016
Feb 04, 2016
According to the
latest data issued by the European Union (EU), rice imports by the EU increased
sharply since the beginning of the crop year 2015-16 (September 1, 2015 -
August 31, 2016).
The EU imported about
477,018 tons of rice during the period September 1, 2015 - January 26, 2016, up
about 30% from around 366,417 tons imported during the same period last year.
Japonica rice imports
increased about 10% to around 34,444 tons in September 1, 2015 - January 26,
2015 period from around 31,336 tons during the same period last year. Indica
rice imports increased about 32% to around 442,575 tons during the said period
from around 335,081 tons last year.
The UK remained the
largest importer in September 1, 2015 - January 26, 2016 period with around
115,066 tons followed by France (83,779 tons), The Netherlands (52,544 tons),
Germany (36,013 tons), Poland (34,932 tons) and Italy (32,782 tons). Other EU
countries imported 121,902 tons.
During the week ended
January 26, 2016, the EU imported around 26,035 tons of rice, up about 19% from
around 21,941 tons imported during the week ended January 19, 2015.
The EU imported around 1.143
million tons of rice in the crop year 2014-15, up about 12.7% from around 1.013
million tons imported in the crop year 2013-14
Indonesian
Agriculture Minister Rules Out Rice Imports in 2016 Due to Adequate Stocks
Feb 04, 2016
The Indonesian
Agriculture Minister has ruled out rice imports in 2016 citing the Agriculture
Ministry's reports that the current national stock of around 1.2 million tons
was sufficient, according to Antara News Agency.
He noted that another
3.5 million tons of rice would be added to stocks following the February 2016
harvest.
Speaking during a
grand rice harvest in East Java, he highlighted the need for increasing
production as Indonesia will not import rice. "We hope our rice production
would increase this year and will be higher than that of last year," he
said.
"We will also do
our best to keep the price of rice stable at the farmers' level during the
harvest seasons. To this end, the government is cooperating with the State
Logistics Board (Bulog) to purchase the farmers' rice," the minister was
quoted.
He also noted that the
current government purchase price of paddy at Rp 3,700 per kilogram (around
$273 per ton) and rice at Rp 7,300 per kilogram (around $538 per ton) were
lower than the market prices. Therefore, farmers are not selling their output
to Bulog, he said.
Meanwhile, the current
news may not be a good one for traders (in exporting nations) who were hopeful
that a new demand from Indonesia would increase rice prices.
Global Rice Quotes
February 5th, 2016
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 380-390
↔
Vietnam 5% broken 350-360
↔
India 5% broken 360-370
↔
Pakistan 5% broken 345-355
↔
Myanmar 5% broken 415-425
↔
Cambodia 5% broken 425-435
↔
U.S. 4% broken 460-470
↔
Uruguay 5% broken 440-450
↔
Argentina 5% broken 430-440
↔
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken 350-360
↔
Vietnam 25% broken 340-350
↔
Pakistan 25% broken 310-320
↔
Cambodia 25% broken 405-415
↔
India 25% broken 325-335
↔
U.S. 15% broken 440-450
↔
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 370-380 ↔
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd NQ ↔
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 350-360 ↔
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 480-490
↔
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 520-530
↔
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ
↔
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 690-700
↔
Vietnam Jasmine 425-435
↔
India basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ
↔
Cambodia Phka Mails 750-760
↔
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 325-335
↑
Vietnam 100% broken 320-330
↔
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 285-295
↔
Cambodia A1 Super 345-355
↔
India 100% broken stxd 260-270
↔
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ
↔
U.S. pet food 280-290
↔
Brazil half grain NQ ↔
All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com
India Rice Sellers
Increase Some of Their Quotes Today; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged
Feb 04, 2016
India rice sellers
increased their quotes for 5% broken rice and parboiled rice by about $5 per
ton each to around $360-$370 per ton and $350-$360 per ton respectively. Other
Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged today.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is
indicated at around $365 - $375 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Vietnam
5% rice shown at around $350 - $360 per ton. India 5% rice is indicated at
around $360 - $370 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 5% rice shown
at around $345 - $355 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is
indicated at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $10 per ton premium on Vietnam
25% rice shown at around $340 - $350 per ton. India 25% rice is indicated at
around $325 - $335 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan 25% rice
shown at around $310 - $320 per ton.
Parboiled
Rice
Thailand parboiled rice
is indicated at around $370 - $380 per ton. India parboiled rice is indicated
at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $55 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled
rice last shown at around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand
broken rice, A1 Super is indicated at around $320 - $330 per ton, on par with
Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $320 - $330 per ton. India's 100%
broken rice is shown at around $260 - $270 per ton, about $25 per ton discount
to Pakistan broken sortexed rice shown at around $285 - $295 per ton
USDA Post Estimates
South Africa MY 2015-16 Rice Consumption and Imports to Increase on Higher
Corn, Wheat Prices
Feb 04, 2016
The USDA Post
estimates South Africa's MY 2015-16 rice consumption to increase about 10% to
around 970,000 tons from around 880,000 tons in MY 2014-15 due to drought
reflected record corn and wheat prices. Consequently, the Post estimates South
Africa's rice imports to increase about 10% to around 1.1 million tons from
around 981,594 tons in MY 2014-15. India and Thailand, supply more than 92% of
South Africa's rice demand.
South Africa imported
622,893 tons of rice in May 1, 2015 to November, 2015.
The country exports a
small amount of rice to neighboring countries. The Post estimates South Africa
to export around 120,000 tons of rice in MY 2015-16, almost same as last year's
level of around 122,262 tons.
South Africa produces
no rice due to water scarcity, and is totally dependent on imports to meet
local demand. Rice imports in the country are duty-free.
South Africa is
majorly produces wheat and corn. However, since the country is undergoing worst
drought conditions, the Post is expecting production of wheat and corn to
decline about 14% and 25% respectively in MY 2015-16.
The Post reports that
yellow and white corn prices have increased about 96% y/y and 163% y/y
respectively reflecting the impact of the drought on local corn supplies and
the sharp depreciation in rand, which depreciated by about 25% in 2015 and by
another 6% in January 2016. In the last three months, white corn and yellow
corn prices increased, respectively, by 69% and 38%, according to the Post.
Similarly, the Post reports that local wheat prices increased by 26% y/y and by
16% in the last three months.
Oryza CBOT Recap –
Chicago Rough Rice Futures Trade Lower as Export Sales Report Fails to Spark
Buying Interest
Feb 05, 2016
Chicago rough rice
futures for Mar delivery settled 8.5 cents per cwt (about $2 per ton) lower at
$11.150 per cwt (about $244 per ton). The other grains finished the day lower;
Soybeans closed about 0.3% lower at $8.7450 per bushel; wheat finished about
1.5% lower at $4.7275 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.7% lower at
$3.6850 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded in
a moderate range Thursday, as investors digested weaker-than-expected economic
data while keeping an eye on oil prices. Oil prices whipsawed Thursday, with
West Texas Intermediate falling 1.5% in afternoon trading after rising more
than 3% at session highs. The U.S. dollar fell sharply Wednesday, with the
dollar index falling more than 1%. The greenback resumed its downward
trajectory Thursday, falling about 0.8%.Productivity declined 3% in the fourth
quarter, its biggest drop since the first quarter of 2014, the Labor Department
said Thursday. Meanwhile, U.S. jobless claims rose 8,000 to 285,000 last week,
while economists were expecting a total of 280,000. Despite the increase last
week, claims remained below 300,000, a level associated with strong labor
market conditions, for the 48th straight week. That is the longest run since
the early 1970s. Investors will dissect the January jobs report on Friday. In
Europe, stocks traded mildly lower with the pan-European STOXX 600 index
holding near the flatline. Asian equities were mixed overnight, with the
Shanghai composite gaining 1.5% and the Nikkei 225 dropping 0.85%.The Dow Jones
industrial average traded 20 points higher, or 0.1%, at 16,357. The S&P 500
fell 2 points to 1,909, with materials leading five sectors higher and consumer
discretionary the biggest laggard. The Nasdaq gained 16 points to 4,489. Gold
is seen trading about 1.3% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 1.9% lower,
and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.8% lower at about 1:00pm
Chicago time.
Wednesday, there were
291 contracts traded, down from 831 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest
– the number of contracts outstanding – on Wednesday decreased by 181 contracts
to 12,859.
Oryza U.S. Rough
Rice Recap – Prices Soften As Export Sales Continue Disappoint
Feb 05, 2016
The U.S. cash market
was slightly weaker again today as export sales continue to disappoint traders.
The USDA reported
that cumulative net export sales for the week that ended on January 28th,
totaled 39,000 tons, an increase of 72% from the previous week but 1% lower
than the prior 4-week average.
Increases were
reported for the following destinations including: 26,500 tons to Japan, 6,500
tons to El Salvador, 1,900 tons to Canada, 1,300 tons to Jordan, and 800 tons
to Yemen while reductions of 500 tons were reported for Israel.
U.S. rice exporters
shipped 39,700 tons, a decrease of 7% from than last week and 17% lower than
the prior 4-week average.
Increases were
reported for the following destinations including: 12,100 tons to Japan, 6,800 tons
to Haiti, 4,900 tons to South Korea, 4,800 tons to Canada, and 4,000 tons to
Mexico.
TPP Poses Threat to
U.S. Rough Rice Exports to Mexico, Says RPA President
Feb 04, 2016
The President of the
U.S. Rice Producers Association (RPA) has expressed concern over the future of
U.S. rough rice exports to Mexico if the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
agreement is successfully completed, according to Delta Farm Press.
He noted that the U.S.
had been exporting rough rice to Mexico under the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), and to Colombia under the Central America Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA) without hassles for a number of years. However, recently, the
U.S. is facing the threat of increasing Asian milled rice imports by both the
countries.
He notes that the
recently negotiated TPP is a "disaster for U.S. rough rice exports."
He has expressed concern that if Vietnam obtains duty free status as part of
the TPP, the U.S. would lose its lucrative market in Mexico.
Similarly, in
Colombia, the official says, the U.S. rough rice was the most preferred one by
the local mills some years ago, but the rules on rice diseases in the new FTA
has led to a halt in U.S. rough rice exports to the South American nation.
Recently, Colombia has been depending on imports from Thailand, he says.
The official noted
that the US RPA has many times in the past highlighted these issues to the
government. He added that they are planning to again address their concerns
with the USDA, USTR, APHIS and members of Congress next week.
