11th november,2015 daily global,regional & local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine latest rice

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November 11,2015 Vol 5, Issue XI

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Rice News Headlines...

DA seeks P9/kg rice production cost

Cross River, Thai Firm to Build First Rice City in Africa

SA considers support for climate change resolution


Easing trade restrictions

Hassad Food aims to supply 15% of rice in local market

Belarus values Pakistan as reliable partner in Asia Economy

10 Natural Ways To Sweeten Any Food

Rice price drops in global markets

Govt Begins Rice Imports as Stockpiles Decline

Rice investors groan, as smuggled produce flood market

Indonesia imports rice as El Nino hits country

Vietnam: Rice exports for year remain lackluster

Basmati rice exports to Iran via Dubai soar

11/11/2015 Farm Bureau Market Report

Everything you wanted to know about the benefits of rice

News Detail...

DA seeks P9/kg rice production cost November 11, 2015 3:15pm

Tags: riceproduction, philrice

The country must have a lower production cost of rice to be competitive for the ASEAN market,

the Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday.Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told

researchers, scientists, and other personnel of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to

sustain their efforts to achieve a production cost of P9 per kilogram before 2017. At P9/kg,

farmers are in the sweet spot to increase production and make the sector competitive within the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.

PhilRice is now running a “Palayabangan” project which to level up rice production at 10 tons

per hectare with an input cost of P5/kg of palay.“Kung mapapanatili natin ang halaga ng

produksyon ng palay sa P5 kada kilo, magiging mas mababa pa ito sa production cost ng

Vietnam na nasa P6.53 bawat kilo. Naniniwala ako na kung mailalagay natin sa P9 kada kilo

bago mag-2017 ay magiging competitive tayo,” Alcala noted.PhilRice produced 70 rice varieties

in the last 30 years, and developed 24 rice machines and 23 patents in rice research and

distribution. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News


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http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/543968/money/economy/da-seeks-p9-kg-rice-production-cost#sthash.dPYfeAuC.dpuf

Cross River, Thai Firm to Build First Rice City in Africa 10 Nov 2015

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade The Cross River State

Government and a Thai firm,

Thai-Africa Corporation have

signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) for the

development of what would be

the first Rice City in Africa, in

the south-south state.The

agreement was signed at a

ceremony in Bankok, the capital

of Thailand.Cross River State

Governor, Professor Ben Ayade

signed on behalf of his state

while Ms. Pantipa Dhangom, the

Executive Director of the Thai – Africa Corporation, signed on behalf of the organisation.

Since assuming office, Ayade, had on assumption of office, pledged to make Cross River State

the number one rice producing state in the country.According to the MoU, Thai-Africa, the core

investor, will develop the Rice City project in partnership with Cross River State

Government.Details of the project as highlighted in the MoU indicated that the Rice City will

have a solar mediated and automated rice seedling and nursery propagation centre, rice

plantation with irrigation infrastructure and mill including packaging and distribution.

The centre will also have an Agriculture Training Centre, which will oversee the development of

various economic crop projects including but not limited to oil palm, sugar cane, cassava, maize,

soya beans and more.It will also have a full mechanised site clearing, planting, weeding and

harvesting equipment.Thai-Africa Corporation is to facilitate international funding for the

execution of the various projects.The business relationship is expected to attract multi-billion

dollarsinvestment into Cross River State. Tags: Business, Featuered, Nigeria, Ben Ayade

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/cross-river-thai-firm-to-build-first-rice-city-in-africa/225265/

SA considers support for climate change resolution Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 9:41 pm

The Student Association will be voting on whether to add its name to the Resolution on Climate

Change, a petition put forth by the Texas Drought Project. The SA‟s endorsement would make it


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one of 120 organizations and groups who have signed the resolution, bringing the Texas Drought

Project closer to its 250 signature goal.

According to the Texas Drought Project‟s website, the resolution calls for the U.S. government

to take a stance against the emission of greenhouse gases and in support of the movement away

from fossil fuels at the 2015 United Nations Climate Conference, to be held this December in

Paris. he conference aims to arrive at a universal agreement on climate change, following a

similar conference in Copenhagen in 2012 that postponed the signing of an agreement until this

year, to go into effect in 2020.The SA legislation would also call upon the Faculty Senate and the

Graduate Student Association to join the SA in their support of the resolution, as well as for the

university as a whole to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The resolution would be in line with the 100-Year Sustainability Plan passed by the SA in its

2011-2012 session. According to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in

Higher Education, that plan led to a series of actions and resolutions aimed at improving campus

sustainability.

http://www.ricethresher.org/news/sa-considers-support-for-climate-change-resolution/article_224ec82c-

8826-11e5-ab76-4bd69ed44986.html


November 11, 2015 3:15pm

Tags: riceproduction, philrice

The country must have a lower production cost of rice to be competitive for the ASEAN market,

the Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday.Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told

researchers, scientists, and other personnel of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to

sustain their efforts to achieve a production cost of P9 per kilogram before 2017. At P9/kg,

farmers are in the sweet spot to increase production and make the sector competitive within the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.

PhilRice is now running a “Palayabangan” project which to level up rice production at 10 tons

per hectare with an input cost of P5/kg of palay.“Kung mapapanatili natin ang halaga ng

produksyon ng palay sa P5 kada kilo, magiging mas mababa pa ito sa production cost ng

Vietnam na nasa P6.53 bawat kilo. Naniniwala ako na kung mailalagay natin sa P9 kada kilo

bago mag-2017 ay magiging competitive tayo,” Alcala noted.PhilRice produced 70 rice varieties

in the last 30 years, and developed 24 rice machines and 23 patents in rice research and

distribution. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/543968/money/economy/da-seeks-p9-kg-rice-production-cost

Easing trade restrictions

11/9/2015 - by Arvin Donley


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Since December 2014, when the U.S. and Cuba announced the intention to restore diplomatic

ties for the first time in more than 50 years, the U.S. has taken steps to ease restrictions on trade,

remittances and travel to Cuba. The actions have generated a wave of enthusiasm about the

economic opportunities that a more normal relationship between the two countries could create.

A report released in June by the U.S. Department of Agriculture‟s Economic Research Service

(ERS) examines the potential impacts of more commercial ties between the two countries on

bilateral agricultural trade.The report, titled “U.S.-Cuba Agricultural Trade: Past, Present and

Possible Future,” said a more normal trade relationship would lead to an increase in U.S.

agricultural exports to Cuba through several channels.

First, U.S. exporters would be allowed to extend credit to their Cuban buyers, enhancing U.S.

competitiveness. Second, the U.S. would export a broader range of agricultural products –

products currently provided by other countries. Third, to the extent that relaxation of economic

restrictions on Cuba spurs economic growth there, demand for U.S. agricultural products is likely

to grow, including for higher-value commodities like meat and dairy products, and for

commodities traded during the 2000s but not recently, such as wheat, rice and dried beans.

Trading history Prior to the Cuban Revolution of 1959, bilateral agricultural trade featured large volumes of

sugar and smaller volumes of tobacco and pineapple from Cuba, and rice, dried beans, wheat and

wheat flour from the U.S. But after the revolution, U.S.-Cuba relations quickly deteriorated when

Cuba‟s new government took power. Cuba expropriated U.S. economic assets, including farms

and sugar mills, as part of its efforts to institute a socialist economic system, and the U.S.

imposed economic sanctions against Cuba and broke diplomatic relations. That is essentially

where things stood until October 2000, when the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export

Enhancement Act (TRSA), which authorized certain sales of food, medicines and medical

equipment to a number of countries, including Cuba, was signed into law.

TRSA‟s exemptions to the embargo quickly led to the reestablishment of U.S. agricultural

exports to Cuba. However, TRSA does not include a legal framework for the resumption of U.S.

agricultural imports from Cuba.The ERS report said U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba averaged

$365 million per year from 2012-14. Exports are heavily concentrated in four basic commodities,

with chicken meat, corn, soybean meal and soybeans accounting for 84% of total exports during

that period in terms of value. Corn, soybean meal and soybeans are all feedstuffs used in

livestock production in Cuba. In some years during the TRSA period, U.S. agricultural exports to

Cuba have included substantial quantities of rice, wheat, pork, dried beans and soybean oil. But

U.S. restrictions on extending credit to Cuban buyers have made it harder for U.S. agricultural

exporters to sell a larger volume and broader variety of commodities to Cuba, the report said.

From 2012-14, the U.S. was the second leading supplier of agricultural imports to Cuba behind

the European Union ($383 million), while Brazil was third ($348 million). Those three trade

partners supplied 61% of Cuba‟s agricultural imports during that three-year period, the report

said.The report noted that a major inhibitor of U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba is the TRSA‟s

restrictions on the terms of payment and financing. TRSA specifies that the only payment or


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financing terms that U.S. persons may provide for agricultural exports to Cuba are payment of

cash in advance or financing by third-country financial institutions.

The U.S. prohibition on extending credit to Cuba‟s agricultural importers continues to hamper

efforts to export agricultural products to Cuba, it said. From 2005-07, the U.S. exported an

average of 124,000 tonnes of rice, 275,000 tonnes of wheat, and 33,000 tonnes of soybean oil to

Cuba. From 2012-14, however, it noted that the U.S. exported hardly any rice, wheat or soybean

oil, even though Cuba purchased many thousands of tonnes of these products from Brazil and

European countries.

Cuba’s rice situation

Cuba‟s diversification away from U.S. rice imports represents a loss of lucrative export

opportunity for U.S. rice growers, since Cuba has the highest per capita rice consumption of any

country in the western hemisphere. Annual capita rice supply (milled equivalent) is about 61

kilograms in Cuba, compared with 7 kilograms in the U.S., according to the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.Cuba imports about half of its annual rice

consumption, with rice imports averaging about 435,000 tonnes per year from 2010-14. Vietnam

supplies 70% or more of Cuba‟s rice imports, while Brazil supplies most of the remainder, the

report said.In 2013-14, Cuba produced 423,000 tonnes of rice (milled basis), nearly unchanged

from the previous year but up 18% from 2000-01.

Cuba plants two rice crops a year. The main crop is planted in April-July and harvested August-

December. The second crop is planted in December-February and harvested in March-June.Since

2009-10, rice area has averaged 203,000 hectares per year, up from an average of 144,000

hectares during the previous five years. The ERS report said the Cuban government wants to

boost domestic rice production and reduce imports, especially after the 2007-08 price spike and

export bans by some rice exporting countries, and has received technical assistance dedicated to

the rice sector from several rice producing countries including Brazil, Japan and Vietnam.With

establishment of a more normal trading relationship, the U.S. rice industry might be able to

regain a large share of Cuba‟s import market, but only if U.S. suppliers are able to provide

competitive terms of credit, the report said.

It said several factors favor U.S. rice suppliers in the Cuban market. First, it is a consistent year-

round supplier of high quality rice. Second, the U.S. enjoys a distinct transportation advantage

over Cuba‟s current rice suppliers, with export time being only two days compared to as many as

30 days from Asia. However, the report notes that this advantage is offset to a degree by the

higher price of U.S. rice. Third, the U.S. has the potential to export rough rice to Cuba, which

could be fully milled there. The fourth and final factor is if Cuba opens up further as a tourist

destination, demand for high-quality rice would increase, supporting increased U.S. sales.

U.S.-Cuba possible future


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The report said the executive actions announced in December 2014 by the U.S. were a small step

toward establishing normal trade relations (NTR), formerly referred to as most-favored-nation

(MFN) status, between the two countries. For agricultural trade, NTR includes the application of

MFN tariffs to any imports originating in the other country.While the executive actions modify

the payment and financial restrictions governing U.S. exports to Cuba and provide for additional

exemptions to the U.S. economic embargo, they provide no opportunities for U.S. agricultural

imports from Cuba, except for the small purchases that licensed travelers to Cuba are allowed to

bring home, the report said.The ERS said the new U.S. approach to Cuba contains several key

elements that have the potential to affect U.S.-Cuba agricultural trade, albeit in small ways.

Several of these elements are intended to remove outright obstacles in bilateral trade, others are

designed to reduce transaction costs, and still others aim at fostering greater growth in the Cuban

economy.

The first element is the effort to reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba. In January 2015, a

U.S. delegation met with Cuban officials to discuss a wide range of issues and several

subsequent rounds of meetings have been held. While these efforts alone do not ensure increased

agricultural trade between the two countries, they portend a more favorable economic and policy

environment for bilateral agricultural trade over the medium and long term, the report said.The

second element is the relaxation of some U.S. restrictions on traveling to Cuba. The loosening of

travel restrictions could have a small, positive impact on U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba by

making it easier for people pursuing authorized export transactions to travel there, the ERS

noted. Increased travel involving private foundations, research or educational institutions, and

the dissemination of information might not immediately result in more U.S. agricultural sales to

Cuba, but could strengthen Cuban ties with the U.S. agribusiness and academic sectors, which

could help the further development of production agriculture in Cuba, the report said.The third

element consists of additional exemptions to the embargo on U.S. exports to Cuba.

New items authorized for export include certain building materials for private residential

constructions, goods for use by entrepreneurs in the Cuban private sector, and tools and

equipment for private-sector agricultural activity. The ERS said these new exemptions could also

stimulate additional agricultural trade between Cuba and the U.S. For instance, small-scale

poultry producers who import farm equipment may increase their feedstuff imports from the

U.S.The fourth element is the further relaxation of U.S. restrictions on remittances to Cuba.

Remittances are transfers of money sent by a migrant or immigrant to people in his or her

country of origin. Increased remittances to Cuba could increase consumer budgets, thereby

enabling additional foreign agricultural sales to Cuba. Also, some remittances could be used to

invest in agricultural production or retail establishments, the ERS said.

The fifth element is a set of policy changes intended to facilitate authorized transactions between

the U.S. and Cuba. The regulatory definition of the statutory term “cash in advance” was revised

to specify that it means “cash before transfer of title.” This regulatory change addresses the

concern that the revised definition of the term issued in February 2005 adversely affected U.S.

agricultural exports to Cuba. The U.S. Department of Treasury‟s interpretation in 2005 required

that cash payments be made before the goods left a U.S. port, whereas the revised interpretation


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more reflective of normal cash-in-advance arrangements. In addition, U.S. institutions will now

be permitted to open correspondent accounts at Cuban financial institutions to facilitate the

processing of authorized transactions, and U.S. credit and debit cards will be permitted for use by

travelers to Cuba. These changes will lower the transaction costs for U.S. exports by reducing the

liquidity constraint of the payment method and opening new avenues for cash flows, thereby

increasing the opportunities for trade, the ERS said.

The sixth element of concern is the intention of the U.S. government to assist with providing

Internet access to a greater share of the Cuban population. The commercial export of certain

consumer communications devices, related software, applications, hardware, services and items

for the establishment and update of communications-related systems will be permitted. These

changes are intended to improve telecommunications between Cuba and the rest of the world,

which may also facilitate U.S.-Cuba trade, said the ERS. In addition, wireless

telecommunications in the developing world is key to helping buyers and sellers of agricultural

products find better prices.

The seventh element updates the application of U.S. sanctions on Cuba in third countries. U.S.-

owned entities in third countries will be generally licensed to provide services to, and engage in,

financial transactions with Cuban individuals in third countries. In addition, general licenses will

unblock the accounts at U.S. banks of Cuban nationals who have relocated outside of Cuba,

permit U.S. persons to participate in third country professional meetings and conferences related

to Cuba, and allow foreign vessels to enter the U.S. after engaging in certain humanitarian trade

with Cuba. The ERS said the end of these restrictions may have unknown but positive

implications for U.S.-Cuba agricultural trade.

http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/Features/2015/11/Easing_trade_restrictions.aspx?ID=%7BDE4771B4-8D2F

Hassad Food aims to supply 15% of rice in local market HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud

visits Hassad Food’s stand at the Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition, accompanied by Nasser

Mohamed al-Hajri, chairman and managing director of Hassad Food.

By Joseph Varghese

Staff Reporter

Hassad Food will soon launch different varieties of rice in the local market from one of its

subsidiaries, „Senwan Pakistan‟, disclosed the chairman of the company.The company aims to

supply 15% of the total market demand for rice in the country.Speaking to Gulf Times, Nasser

Mohamed al-Hajri, chairman and managing director of Hassad Food, noted that the company has

a production unit in Lahore, Pakistan.He explained, “Senwan Pakistan will present several of its

rice brands in the market soon. We are a miller.


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We buy raw products from local companies and farmers in Pakistan. We process the products

into fine rice and sell it in the local market in Qatar.”He continued “In the local market, the total

demand for rice comes to 110,000 tonnes per year. We will provide 15% of the total demand in

the coming years. The company has already made arrangements with Al Meera Group of

hypermarkets and supermarkets to sell the products.

”Al-Hajri said that the whole process is in the beginning stage. “The production process has just

started. It is already made available but the formal launch will take place soon and the products

will be available through the Al Meera outlets,” he pointed out.The official also said that the

company will be supplying different varieties of rice. “At present, we are planning to supply two

varieties of rice. We will launch parboiled rice as well as basmati rice.

We will also be supplying the long grain rice from India. We will be supplying the 1121, the

longest rice grain available in the market from India,” he added.Hassad Food has a diverse set of

high quality products from several of its subsidiaries: Hassad Australia is chilled carcasses, and

live “Awassi” Syrian sheep, while Hassad Qatar is high quality fodder products. Premium dates

and olive oil are produced at Mahaseel, while Roza Hassad is an subsidiary with a selection of

finest flowers freshly harvested from its greenhouses in Shahaniya.

http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/462343/hassad-food-aims-to-supply-15%25-of-rice-in-local-

market

Belarus values Pakistan as reliable partner in Asia Economy

10.11.2015 | 17:47 fvkoktgm Andrei Kobyakov ISLAMABAD, 10 November

(BelTA) – Belarus values Pakistan as a reliable partner in the Asian region. Prime Minister of

Belarus Andrei Kobyakov made the statement during the 3rd Belarusian-Pakistani business and

investment forum on 10 November, BelTA has learned. Andrei Kobyakov noted that Belarus

views Pakistan as a reliable partner in the Asian region. The year 2015 was a real breakthrough

for expanding economic and political relations between the two countries. “We have created a

solid foundation for bringing the countries closer in various spheres: economy, politics, science,

education, and culture,” noted the Prime Minister of Belarus. In his words, there are real

prerequisites for full-value and promising development of trade, economic, and investment

cooperation between the countries.

“We have everything necessary to greatly increase the trade turnover and set up joint ventures.

In the medium term it is feasible to secure a trade turnover as large as $1 billion,” the Belarusian

head of government was convinced. Andrei Kobyakov stated that the Belarusian side is ready to

supply MTZ tractors, Gomselmash harvesters, MAZ trucks, Amkodor road construction

machines, Belshina tires, and products made by the light industry concern Bellegprom. Andrei

Kobyakov noted: “We traditionally import textile products from Pakistan as well as rice,

vegetables, and fruits. We are ready to buy more of those as well as raw materials and

components for the light industry, primarily cotton yarn, footwear top intermediates. Pakistan


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prides itself on growing excellent mango. The demand for the fruit is strong on the Belarusian

market.

” In his words, the Belarusian side is ready to regularly work to bring closer the countries' stance

on pricing for the sake of increasing mutual trade in various commodities. Prime Minister of

Belarus Andrei Kobyakov is in Pakistan on an official visit on 9-11 November. The Belarusian

head of government is expected to meet with the Pakistan president today. The opening of a

Belarusian culture center in the National Library of Pakistan is part of the visit's itinerary. After

visiting Pakistan Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov will go on a working visit to

Turkey on 11-12 November. Andrei Kobyakov is expected to meet with Turkey's leaders as well

as top managers of Turkish companies.

Read full text at: http://eng.belta.by/economics/view/belarus-values-pakistan-as-reliable-partner-

in-asia-86897-2015/

If you use BelTA‟s materials, you must credit us with a hyperlink to eng.belta.by.

http://eng.belta.by/economics/view/belarus-values-pakistan-as-reliable-partner-in-asia-86897-2015/

10 Natural Ways To Sweeten Any Food

Sugar and sweetening products are always blamed for everything from obesity to

hypertension. Due to which, most of us are looking for alternatives to traditional refined


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sugar. Hence, natural sweeteners are gaining more and more popularity; the selection of

sweeteners has multiplied from powders, syrups, and liquids. Here we give you 10 best natural sweeteners which are tastier, healthier, and even

environmentally-friendly.

Blackstrap molasses Blackstap molasses is what you get after sugarcane has been boiled three times. It has a strong

flavor, and can be a good sweetener for oatmeal and cereals.

Brown rice syrup It is made when cooked rice is refined with enzymes, which helps to break the starch present in

rice, which results in a thick syrup.It is not very sweet but has a distinct (but mild) butterscotch

flavor.

Fructose This is made from fruit sugars, this is sweeter than refined sugar. Mostly found in many food

stores in granulated form, in case you don‟t want to go the extra mile and just use the fruit itself.

Coconut sugar It is made from the juice of coconut flower buds. It is high in potassium, magnesium, zinc and

iron and due to lower-glycemic property it is a healthier alternative.

Date sugar It is a sweetener made of dried, crushed dates. It is rich in iron, potassium and vitamins.

Fruit juice concentrates Made from the juice of fruit. Available in many food stores, which is full of flavors and

nutritional value.

Fruit source Made from a natural blend of grape and rice carbohydrates. It is a new natural sweetening

product.

Turbinado sugar They are brown crystals, renowned as raw sugar, this is partly processed sugar that contains

some molasses.

Evaporated cane juice It is a lighter-colored version of turbinado sugar. It contains some nutrients and vitamin B12.

Xylitol A natural sweetener that occurs in fruits and some vegetables. Xylitol is stored in crystalline

form in many food stores and is very beneficial for diabetes patients.

http://pakistantribe.com/life-style/45163/10-natural-ways-to-sweeten-any-food

Rice price drops in global markets


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News ID: 2964458 - Wed 11 November 2015 - 15:23

Economy

TEHRAN, Nov. 11 (MNA) – Reporting on the decline in rice prices in October, Secretary of

Iran‟s Rice Association Jamil Alizadeh Shayegh said Iran had not experienced any change in rice

prices compared to the previous year.Jamil Alizadeh Shayegh said Indians have raised price due to

Iran's need to import rice.“According to the latest figures released by FAO, the global prices of

exported rice were experienced a decline in October while the cause of rise in price of Indian rice

remains a question,” he added.Pointing to the higher price of Iranian, Korean and Japanese rice

compared to other types, Shayegh said, “even in Iran, the price of rice has remained unchanged in

comparison to the privious year.

"We must move in line with the global marke," he underlined.Pointing to the controversies existing

among Rice Import Association, Ministry of Agriculture and the Rice Association over rice import,

the official underlined, “We have come to an agreement with the Ministry over the issue and they

have repeatedly announced their disagreement with the import of rice to Iran.”Iran was one of the

biggest export markets for Indian basmati in the last two years, with close to 40 percent of exports,

which totals around 2.2 million tons.

HA/2964263

http://en.mehrnews.com/news/111868/Rice-price-drops-in-global-markets


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Govt Begins Rice Imports as Stockpiles Decline WEDNESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER, 2015 | 16:42 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has allowed imported shipments of rice to be

distributed across several regions in Indonesia in order to ensure food security amidst the on-

going El-Nino cycle that has caused incidents of severe drought across several areas. "Imported

rice have begun to trickle in - not just in Jakarta, but also across regional ports," said Vice

President Jusuf Kalla at the Vice President's Palace on Wednesday, November 11. According to

Kalla, the decision was made to ensure that Indonesia's rural periphery has enough rice to go by,

since the current drought has delayed the harvest season.

"It is the government's duty to ensure that Indonesia has enough rice reserves through whatever

means necessary - including through imports," he said. Kalla went on to acknowledge that the

drought between August and November 2015 has negatively impacted Indonesia's rice stockpiles

for 2016. "We are doing this for the entire nation, so that rice prices would remain stable," said

Kalla. It is known that on Wednesday, November 4, 4,800 tons of rice imported from Vietnam

arrived in Manado, North Sulawesi. The Head of North Sulawesi Logistics Agency (BULOG),

Sabaruddin Amrulla said that the amount should be enough to keep rice shortages at bay.

Meanwhile on Sunday, November 8, Merauke's BULOG plans to import rice from Vietnam as

well - as the drought interferes with local farmer's ability to meet the area's demand. "We plan to

import some 3,000 tons of rice," said the Head of Merauke's BULOG, Zulkarnaen Nurdin.

http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/11/11/056717930/Govt-Begins-Rice-Imports-as-Stockpiles-Decline

Rice investors groan, as smuggled produce flood market

November 11, 2015 / in News 12:36 am

The National Rice Millers Association of Nigeria, NRMAN, has expressed worry over

smuggling of rice from across the Nigerian borders which it said has reached prohibitive levels,

with hundreds of trailers plying back and forth from neighbouring countries carrying illegal

shipments of the staple food.NRMAN stated that the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, erred in

its decision to lift the ban on importation of rice through the land borders. Chairman of the

association, Mohammed Abubakar, chided the NCS for allegedly overreaching its statutory

mandate as an enforcement agency in taking such a policy decision.

Mr. Abubakar said if the customs succeeded in its decision, it would destroy Nigeria‟s rice value

chain attained by the previous administration.He attributed the problem of hamstringing rice

investors to the Central Bank of Nigeria ban of foreign exchange for rice imports, among other

products, which he noted is choking the importation supply chain.The nation‟s supply gap was

estimated at around 3 million tonnes by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and

half that number by the FG earlier this year.t will be recalled that in 2013, the Federal

Government increased the importation tariff to 110 per cent as against zero duty regime

administered in Benin and Cameroon.However, legal importers paying full tariff of 70 per cent

have not been able to compete with smugglers who enjoy a free ride into the market, aided by


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negligible tariffs in neighbouring Cameroon and Republic of Benin, taking advantage of porous

borders. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/rice-investors-groan-as-smuggled-produce-flood-market/

Indonesia imports rice as El Nino hits country

JAKARTA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has shipped rice from Vietnam to safeguard the

country's rice reserves and stabilize rice price as El Nino hits the country.President Director of

the National Logistic Agency Djarot Kusumayakti on Wednesday confirmed the importation of

the staple food for most of the country's populations.He said that the importation could dismiss

concern of lacking of rice supply and hike on price as drought in some areas in the country may

lead to rice production decline."Yes, it is true, (import has been done). The most important thing

is that the stockpile is sufficient. Prices will not rise," Djarot said.

El Nino has struck Indonesia since August and may end in December with the peak in

September, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.Previously

Indonesian Vice President Kalla has said the country's rice outputs may not be sufficient for

meeting the demand.The prolonged dry season has caused over 200,000 hectares rice field across

the country lack of water and 30,000 hectares of which has failed in harvest, according to the

agriculture ministry.In 1998, El Nino hit Indonesia with severe impact, pushing the government

to import 5 million tons of food, according to Kalla.

http://www.globalpost.com/article/6685487/2015/11/11/indonesia-imports-rice-el-nino-hits-country

Vietnam: Rice exports for year remain lackluster 11/11/2015

Thai News Service Vietnam exporters shipped 5 million metric tons of rice to foreign markets grossing US$2.079

billion for the ten months leading up to November 2015, according to the Vietnam Food

Association (VFA).The VFA said the figures dropped 300,000 metric tons in volume and

US$300 million in value compared to the corresponding period in 2014.In just the month of

October, The VFA reported overseas consignments jumped by roughly 100,000 metric tons to

687,663 metric tons fetching total revenue of US$269.5 million.The price of 5% broken rice

hovered around VND8,000-8,100 per kg during the January-October period, 15% broken rice

ranged VND7,800-7,900 per kg and 25% broken rice varied VND7,600-7,700 per kg. - VOV http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2479798643

Basmati rice exports to Iran via Dubai soar

Iran had stopped issuing fresh licences for import of basmati rice since October 2014, citing reasons such

as high pesticide content and self-sufficiency in production


15

Indirect export of basmati rice from India to Iran, via the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is

helping India regain its basmati rice market. Four months after world leaders agreed to lift

sanctions on Iran, Dubai has emerged the new stopover for India's basmati rice exports to Iran.

There has been a sudden spurt in India's basmati rice export to the UAE, from an average of

15,000 tonnes a month in 2014 to nearly 80,000 tonnes at present, according to data from rice

traders.

The UAE is Iran's biggest non-oil trading partner. When

sanctions on Iran were on, there had been a 30 per cent

reduction in UAE's export to Iran, according to a 2012

consultation paper of the International Monetary Fund.

Since the sanctions were lifted, the trade between two

countries have returned to normalcy, which has given Indian

basmati rice exporters the opportunity to use ports in Dubai

to ship basmati rice to Iran. Direct exports of basmati rice to

Iran are subject to permits by Iran to India, which had

severely impacted Indian basmati rice exports. The rice exported to Iran via the UAE does not

require permit.

Iran had stopped issuing fresh licences for import of basmati rice since October 2014, citing

reasons such as high pesticide content and self-sufficiency in production. Iran has, however,

decided to open a direct route to import basmati rice from India. Permits for Iranian importers

are expected to be issued over the next two months.Between August and September, India

exported 81,000 tonnes of basmati rice to the UAE, compared to 18,000 tonnes in the year-ago

period. According to rice exporters, about 80 per cent of the exports are shipped to Iran. Iran's

annual demand for basmati rice is close to 2.4 million tonnes (mt), and its own production is 1.4

mt. This means, an annual import requirement of 1 mt. Thus, Iran needs to import about 100,000

mt of basmati rice every month to meet its demand.

"With a substantial amount of basmati rice export taking place via Dubai, the system of permits

for rice exports is gradually becoming redundant. Moreover, the demand for basmati rice in Iran

is gradually increasing. Earlier, in the wake of sanctions, Iran had built a substantial stock of rice.

As the sanctions are set to be removed, Iran has now resumed normal buying. The exports are

almost same as that in the pre-permit regime if taken both from the UAE route and India," said

Vijay Sethia, former president of All India Rice Exporters' Association.

Traditionally, basmati rice has been among India's top agri-export commodity, and Iran the

biggest buyer. Following Iran's reluctance to buy basmati rice from India, exports have taken a

major hit. In 2014-15, India exported 0.93 mt of basmati rice to Iran compared with 1.4 mt in

2013-14, according to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

The realisation from basmati rice exports to Iran in 2014-15 was Rs 6,759 crore, against Rs

10,976 crore in 2013-14 - a fall of 60 per cent.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/basmati-rice-exports-to-iran-via-dubai-soar-

115111001536_1.html


16

11/11/2015 Farm Bureau Market Report Rice

High Low

Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -

Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

Futures: ROUGH RICE

High Low Last Change

Nov '15

1163.5 0.0

Jan '16 1198.0 1185.0 1188.0 0.0

Mar '16 1224.5 1213.5 1215.0 0.0

May '16

1244.5 0.0

Jul '16 1270.0 1270.0 1270.0 -2.5

Sep '16

1245.5 -7.5

Nov '16

1245.5 -7.5

Rice Comment

Rice futures were mostly untested in today's trade. The USDA production report raised total US

production by 3 million cwt to 190.8 million cwt due entirely to higher yields. Total long grain

production was projected at 132.4 million cwt, with medium and short-grain production pegged

at 58.4 million. Ending stocks are projected at 39.8 million cwt, which is unchanged from last

month due to increased domestic use and export projections. The average long-grain price is

projected down $1.30 from last month to $11.50 to $12.50. Global ending stocks for 15/16 were

raised by 3 percent (2.7 million tons) due to an increase in beginning stocks and a decrease in

consumption.

Everything you wanted to know about the benefits of rice Mumbai Mirror | Nov 11, 2015, 02.11PM IST

Twice as rice (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Regular rice is much maligned and is fast being dropped in favour of its unpolished avatar. But

are the charges valid?Sports nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar separates the grain from the husk

The Chinese eat rice with every meal, breakfast included, and the average Chinese on the street

is thin, if not skinny. In our country, however, we are getting skeptical about rice and yes, we are

all getting fatter. We either give up rice or replace it with wheat or 'brown' rice. What is wrong

with this approach?


17

Replacing rice with wheat is not a good idea since it means reducing your intake of amino acids

(protein's building blocks) and Vitamin B. As for brown rice, it has the outer layer (husk and

bran) intact thereby making it high in fibre.

Now of course we want fibre but if

your rice has more fibre than you can

digest, brown rice will only cause

indigestion. On the other hand, rice

that emits blinding whiteness may not

be the best source of nutrients

either.Thus, to get the best of both

worlds, polish your rice to the extent

that helps it retain its nutrients

(proteins, Vitamin B and fibre) and

looks brownish or reddish. Remove

the outer bran but allow the rice grain

to show off its brown/red strains.

Don't worry, this won't compromise

the taste and yes, you can eat basmati

rice with the brown/red strains as

well.The protein in this rice (red-rice or hand-polished rice) is absorbed much better by your

body than in brown rice. It is also way easier to cook and digest as compared to brown rice. It is

easy to digest, easy to absorb, easy to assimilate proteins from and easier on your excretory

system too. This is exactly how the farming community of India eats its rice.

In fact, Ayurveda uses rice based diets in treating various imbalances in the body. Dal-chawal is

a nutritious meal, possessing the entire spectrum of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It also

accelerates fat burning. In fact, the essential amino acid methionine found pre-dominantly in rice

helps mobilize fat from the liver. As India is dominantly vegetarian, getting proteins from rice,

especially the essential amino acid methionine and the conditionally essential amino acid

(becomes essential under conditions of stress) tyrosine is crucial for us. Diabetics should also eat

rice since they need these proteins.Know that rice is not a bad thing.

The bad thing is when we mindlessly decide if one thing is good for us and that if we do it a lot,

it becomes only better. We do that with rice so often now. A humble dal-chawal meal is so

satiating that it makes you eat slower and improves your chances of eating the right amount (the

cornerstones of fat loss or accelerated metabolism, good digestion and health itself).Rice is

auspicious in both China and India: the dead are offered rice to wish them good health for life

outside their physical selves. It is sad then, that in India, even when we are still in our bodies, we

make fads out of rice.

Times of India

11th november,2015 daily global,regional & local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine latest rice

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