18th september ,2015 daily global regional local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Aug ,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIII

September 18,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIV

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

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News Headlines...

Shah for announcement of spot prices of cotton, rice & wheat

Farmer cornered

IRRI warns of higher rice price

Vietnam to export 450, 000 tons of rice to Philippines

U.S. Announces New Steps Towards Normalizing Relations with Cuba

Rice Traders on Japan's Kyushu Island Get a Taste of U.S. Rice

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

U.S./China rice trade deal not completed

Bulog raises issue of possible subsidized rice shortage

next year

Kharif plantings up 1.6%, late monsoon surge to help Rabi

Yingluck to be asked to pay for rice scheme

Rough rice: Prices are steady even as exports slip

Despite rain shortage, kharif holding up

For Arkansas rice farmer, hope for sales to Cuba even as exports drop

Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

News Detail...

Shah for announcement of spot prices of cotton, rice & wheat

September 18, 2015

NAVEED BUTT

Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that the federal government should

announce spot prices for cotton, rice, wheat and other crops of agriculture sector. "The Pakistan

Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N) government is not paying attention to the agriculture sector.

The government has totally ignored this sector even it has not any policy on agriculture sector,"

he added. The government should announce at least Rs 3500 per 40 kg spot price of cotton, the

opposition leader said here on Thursday.

He said that agriculture growth had contributed 7.9 percent to the Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) in 2011-12 and now it has reduced and reached at 0.3 % of GDP. He said that the food

basket of the country had been reduced. He said that the government should take bold steps to

enhance the food basket of the country. "We reject the recent package for farmers announced by

the prime minister without spot prices for various crops," he said. Khursheed Shah said that

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terrorism and corruption were major issues the country was confronting with. "The foundation of

corruption and terrorism was laid in the tenure of late General Zia-ul-Haq. The terrorism in his

tenure was flourished in the name of Mojahideen and Taliban," he said.

Answering to a question, he said that the Pakistan Peoples Party didn't support Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif but it supported the democracy, adding that they would support the democratic

system in the future too. Answering to another question, the opposition leader said that after

receiving the notice of Supreme Court regarding the resignations of Muttahida Qaumi Movement

(MQM) parliamentarians, he would discuss the matter as per law and Constitution.

http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/624:/1228241:shah-for-announcement-of-spot-prices-of-cotton-rice-a-

wheat/?date=2015-09-18

Farmer cornered

September 18, 2015

After the Prime Minister‘s speech about the agricultural package to small farmers, a ray of hope

is seen, as the government seems well aware of the economic hardships and problems farmers

are facing and felt a genuine effort from the government to reduce cost of production.Focus on

small farmers was well thought of. In short, the government tried whatever it could do on the

supply side, relief etc. Rs 5000 per acre package for small farmers. I feel the package will

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definitely help as the situation is rather bleak. The package will get the farmer to sow wheat on

time with hopefully proper dose of fertiliser.

The Government‘s total focus was on supply side of farmers; the market side of farmer was not

addressed. How will the market behave at harvest time of paddy, which is around the corner, the

initial reports are not encouraging.However after Federal Minister for Agriculture Mr. Bosan‘s

candid honest appraisal of the package I got worried. The government has accepted the fact that

commodity prices will be low in the coming years. The Rs 5000 per acre contribution, by the

government to the small farmer is to compensate, for not supporting the farmer, by buying his

present crop, and not for the previous year losses.The farmer is being treated as a sacrificial

animal. A soother or tranquiliser worth Rs 5000 per acre is being given so that he does not feel

the pain of market slaughter at harvest time.Mr. Bosan I know you are a well wisher of farmers.

Rice prices are down as Iran is not in the market. You and your government are trying to get it

open but I feel more is required.

The government can convince Iran to open market on urgent basis. It is not market forces but

political forces and political will that are keeping the prices down.Imran khan‘s speech at

Hafizabad, few days back at farmer‘s convention made lot of sense. Again, in short, it managed

to raise the hopes and spirits of the farming community.My suggestion, request, plea - call it

what you will - to Imran khan would be to join hands with the government in finding a solution

for paddy farmers‘ marketable produce. A joint political delegation of government and

opposition to Iran and China to open up market for rice on fast forward basis in order to get a fair

price for rice farmers in the coming crop that raises his spirits, income and safeguards his

livelihood.We have been losing export market share of basmati to India is our own fault. Iran,

our traditional market, was gifted to India on a silver platter. Their rice trade made a killing by

having a monopoly in the Iranian market. Last year, Iran stopped buying from India resulting in a

price crash in other markets as Indian rice trade off-loaded their produce destined for Iranian

market.

Government has given relief to rice millers very timely. Hopefully banks will give additional limits to the

rice millers that will definitely help the farmer. It seems government is not going to procure rice or paddy

so it becomes more urgent to focus on outside markets to open doors for Pakistani rice.My humble

request to all politicians, and movers and shakers, in the government, is to please focus on export

highways for rice to Iran and China for the next month and put farm to market roads, and other highways

on back burner.

Now, surprisingly, the smile on farmers‘ face can be brought by friendly neighbors. China is a big buyer

of non-basmati rice. The crop is going to be in the market soon in a big way. As a farmer, I would like to

ask for our share in the promised economic corridor. If China or Chinese traders buy now, farmers‘ paddy

price will get a boost. This entire issue is political, and, for the sake of the farmers, everyone needs get

together and ask China and Iran to be in the market now. Political delegation - not a trade delegation - is

the answer.

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Iran, for a fact, is going through a severe water crisis for the last decade. While climate change is

accelerating, lakes are turning into barren land in Iran. Iran is discouraging water intensive crops like

maize and rice. On the other hand, we are producing water guzzling crops and have no place to export

them. The government should respect grain grown from valuable water, and the long, hard toil of farmers,

which will end up being exported at bargain basement prices if the government does not intervene. Trade

with Iran, China, and Afghanistan will commence, but by that time, the farmer would already have sold

his crop at a total loss. This has to be avoided at all costs.Iran and china will both buy and so will

Afghanistan, for their local markets, as well as transit trade for Central Asian republics. The question is:

When? I, as a farmer, want it now as my paddy price will get a boost. Thus the issue is of timing when the

trade with our neighbors will begin.

It will require political will to find legal, diplomatic and banking solutions to trade with Iran; Legal: How

to trade with Iran with the sanctions, Diplomatic: Convince Iran to open their market for Pakistani rice

and reduce or waive duty, Banking: Banking channels to be opened for trade with Iran. I feel this crisis is

so grave that it calls for an All-Parties Conference on how to address farmers‘ issues.November should be

reserved for agriculture only.The other point I want to make is that agriculture needs to be the prime focus

in the next three months, and specifically, in November. During the next three months, harvest of paddy,

cotton, and sugarcane will be in full swing, and simultaneously, the sowing of wheat will be taking place.

This is absolutely critical for the farmer, agriculture, and obviously, for Pakistan.

I have been questioning the viability of holding elections in November since the 1980s. All these pleas

have so far fallen on deaf ears, the logic being that general elections do not have any significant impact on

agriculture as only a few people are involved in the electioneering process. The truth of the matter is

somewhat different: In local bodies, everyone is fully involved. The similarity to hand-to-hand combat

cannot be overstated: It becomes an ―Izzat kaa saawal‖ for individuals and Biradaris. I cannot stress this

enough: The elections HAVE to be postponed.We simply cannot afford another disaster at harvest time.

Our sovereignty is at stake. Wheat sowing is in full swing in November and even a single day‘s delay

affects the yield negatively. Timely sowing with farmer having inputs at his disposal is of the utmost

importance. I personally know of farmers who didn‘t have the resources to apply fertilizer to their rice

crop.

I would not be exaggerating to say that in my lifetime, I have never seen such a bad year for the rice

farmer in particular and farmers in general. Last year the Rice farmer was first hit by disease, followed by

hailstorm at harvest time. Then, to add insult to injury, he got an abysmal rate for his crop. As if that were

not enough, some farmers still have to get their dues of last year from the middlemen.To recoup his rice

losses, the farmer went all out for wheat sowing with full focus and vigor. Close to harvest time,

hailstorms, combined with unseasonal rains, played havoc with his yield. Despite all this, the farmer

persevered.

However, what really hurt was the short period and target of wheat procurement, where wheat prices

stayed low before and after government intervention.On this rice crop his body language said it all: this

was a reluctant rice plantation. To accurately judge the momentum of rice or wheat sowing, one can

simply listen to the sound of folk music coming from the tractors when farmers plough their land at night.

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This was the season of silence. And yet acreage under rice is no less. There was lesser rain, but crops

seem to be healthy and no disease issue has been found so far. Fingers crossed, I am hoping for a bumper

harvest.In summation, at all costs, we have to avoid distress sale of the farmer.

The farmers cannot take another shock, politicians cannot afford to look bad in front of the farmer, and,

most importantly, for an agrarian country such as Pakistan, the farmers cannot stand to economically lose

more. The entire livelihood of the farmers is at stake. In India, we hear of farmers‘ suicides. In Pakistan,

farmers are already under severe mental depression.It is not yet all doom and gloom - this is a healthy

problem to have: to export our surplus to neighbours. It does not take long for the tables to turn, with

Pakistan having to import wheat with additional threats of blockade.I will end with a quote from a famous

Nobel Prize winner:

―The only thing greater than the power of the mind is the courage of the heart.‖ http://nation.com.pk/columns/18-Sep-2015/farmer-cornered

IRRI warns of higher rice price

Thursday, September 17, 2015

A FOOD expert at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) sees rice prices soaring by as

much as 20 percent, if the El Niño persists.―If drought or flood hit India, Indonesia and the

Philippines, rice prices will go up by 10 percent to 20 percent,‖ said Dr. Samarendu Mohanty, IRRI‘s

chief economist in a briefing for agriculture ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN).―The extent of rainfall disruption in El Niño watch countries – India, Indonesia and the

Philippines – could disrupt the rice market in late 2015 as Thai rice stocks battle to keep the market

in check,‖ said Mohanty.

―So far, the market has been indifferent to the weather.‖Rice prices in the last two years from 2013

to 2015 had been stable even with the El Niño last year, he said. What‘s happening now is that most

rice areas have been planted, some 120 million hectares already ―on the ground,‖ he said.Dr.

Matthew Morell, IRRI deputy director general for research, said 89 percent of the 640 million metric

tons of rice produced each year is planted in Asia.Thai rough rice production was over 30 million

tons in 2014; it‘s about 4 million tons to 5 million tons less this year, Mohanty said. The harvest in

India is about the same as Thailand‘s.The Indian rice crop planting remains ―normal,‖ with 35

million hectares planted right now. The progress of the Indian monsoon showed surplus rain in June

but a deficit started in July. What happens in September, for which a deficit is also seen, ―will decide

what happens in the next few months,‖ Mohanty said.

Rice planting has started in Indonesia, but 90 percent of its 36 million tons of rice crop will

be planted in November-December, ―so we don‘t know yet what will happen,‖ he said. That means

Thailand and India ―will decide what happens in the market.‖A more serious concern, he said, is that

rice stocks in the five major exporters –Thailand, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and the United States –

have declined in recent years. ―This is more important to what‘s happening as there‘s a very tight rice

situation,‖ Monhanty pointed out. If the weather affects these countries, the stable rice price in the

last two years ―might go up in the next few months.

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‖The current situation, he said, shows ―tight global stocks,‖ a monsoon deficit in India and a drought

in Thailand that has caused 3 million tons to 4 million tons in production shortfalls.―India and

Thailand hold the trump card. The September rainfall will be crucial for India‘s rice production,‖ he

said. A good kharif or monsoon rice crop in India will keep the market stable but not if drought or

flood affects India, Indonesia and the Philippines. ―The market can go in any direction in next few

months, it‘s very hard to predict.‖ (SciencePhilippines)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on September 18, 2015.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2015/09/17/irri-warns-higher-rice-price-430919

Vietnam to export 450, 000 tons of rice to Philippines

Friday, Sep 18, 2015, Posted at: 13:21(GMT+7)

Vietnam Food Association (VFA) has just won a contract to supply 450,000 tons of rice to the National

Food Authority (NFA) of the Philippines.

(Photo:SGGP)

The NFA of the Philippines wants to purchase 750.000 tons of 25

percent broken long-grain white rice for delivery duty unpaid at US$

426, 6 per ton.Accordingly, the bidding for the importation of 750,000

tons of rice would be from Viet Nam and Thailand. Vietnam will

supply 450,000 tons, and Thailand will provide 300, 000 tons at the

same prices.The Philippines is one of the world's biggest rice importer

with a total of 650,000 tons of rice under government-to-government

contracts this year.Earlier, Vietnam won a 300,000 ton supply contract with the NFA, and delivered

150,000 tons to the Philippines in July.

By Cong Phien- Translated by Huyen Huong

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2015/9/115430/

U.S. Announces New Steps Towards Normalizing Relations

with Cuba

Loosening things up a little

WASHINGTON, DC-- Today the Obama Administration announced a set of new rules that will further

normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. These regulatory changes include easing

restrictions on authorized travel, and allowing U.S. companies to establish offices in Cuba.The

announcement builds upon moves made by the Departments of Treasury and Commerce earlier this year

to loosen U.S. restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba. The embargo remains in effect, however, and

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must be lifted by an act of Congress. USA Rice is actively involved in efforts to promote normalized

commercial relations with Cuba through membership and leadership in the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for

Cuba (USACC). These most recent announcements do not appear to directly impact U.S. agricultural

trade with Cuba.

Contact: Kristen Dayton (703) 236-1464

Rice Traders on Japan's Kyushu Island Get a Taste of U.S.

Rice

Rice, nut, and fruit salad

U.S. rice: the talk of the table

FUKUOKA, JAPAN -- U.S.-grown medium grain rice made its debut at a trade exhibition here last week

and was a big hit with attendees when served in two menu items, "Rice, Nut & Fruit Salad" and "Gumbo

Soup with Turmeric Rice.

The trade show, sponsored by Nishihara Shokai,

a national food wholesaler headquartered here,

featured 220 booths and attracted more than

3,000 people, mainly food service-related traders

located throughout Kyushu Island."There was

some initial concern that the U.S-grown rice

dishes offered up would be 'too creative' for the

Japanese market," said USA Rice Vice President

International Promotion Jim Guinn. "But based

on the volume of trade inquiries from hotels and

restaurants, I'd say consumers here are more than

ready for this product. And with a population of

more than five million, Fukuoka is an important

market for U.S. medium grain, not only because it is a hub of Kyushu Island, but also because national

foodservice chains are strengthening their sales nationwide."

Kyushu is the southernmost and third largest of Japan's main islands and is home to Mount Aso, Japan's

most active volcano that rumbled to life earlier this week.

Contact: Bill Farmer (832) 302-6710

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

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CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 18

Month Price Net Change

November 2015 $12.950 + $0.055

January 2016 $13.230 + $0.055

March 2016 $13.440 + $0.055

May 2016 $13.615 + $0.055

July 2016 $13.740 + $0.030

September 2016 $12.945 + $0.015

November 2016 $12.945 + $0.015

U.S./China rice trade deal not completed Protocol still in Chinese review process

Sep 17, 2015David Bennett | Delta Farm Press

Reports that a China/U.S. rice trade

pact had been struck were

premature. Hopes that a deal would

be signed next week were put to bed

during a Wednesday (September 16)

conference call between USDA‘s

APHIS and major U.S. rice

players.―There was conference call

yesterday with high-ranking APHIS

officials,‖ said Michael Klein, USA

Rice Federation spokesman. ―A lot

of USA Rice Federation people were

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on the call. The USRPA (Rice Producers Association) was on the call, as well.

―APHIS officials said they were doing the call to set the record straight because there are a lot of

rumors floating around. They wanted to confirm there is no confirmation that the Chinese have

agreed to the proposal APHIS sent them in early August. ―What they did confirm is their counterpart

in China, AQSIQ, has sent the U.S. draft protocol to an interagency review process. They‘ve sent it

to another Chinese agency for review.‖Klein was keen to make sure everyone understands ―that

doesn‘t mean AQSIQ hasn‘t made technical changes to what APHIS sent over in August. They may

have. We just don‘t know because AQSIQ hasn‘t gotten back to APHIS with their reaction to the

draft.―We‘re optimistic and think the U.S. rice industry is united behind that last draft.

That included a lot of concessions to the Chinese and asked them for some reasonable concessions,

as well. We are confident the Chinese could agree to it but there‘s been no confirmation they

have.―There will certainly be no signing next week, which was rumored. We asked APHIS officials

about that. ‗Are you sure there will be no signing next week?‘ They said, ‗that‘s correct.‘‖Klein said

the federation also ―asked point-blank, ‗The USRPA has a press release saying the Chinese have

requested the signing be in Beijing. True?‘ The response from APHIS was ‗that‘s speculative.

‘―There simply was no deal to be delayed. There was some wishful thinking that the signing would

take place next week. You know, ‗Hey, the right people are coming to D.C. next week. It would be

great to have a signing.‘ But without a deal, there‘s nothing to sign.‖Asked for a statement, Dwight

Roberts, USRPA president, said on the call, ―We were told by U.S. government sources today that

the protocol had not completed the Chinese ‗administrative clearance‘ that was to have been

completed in time for the Chinese delegation‘s visit to Washington, D.C. as APHIS previously had

expected.―In the meantime there is absolutely no indication that there is anything other than a green

light towards finalization of this process.‖ http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/uschina-rice-trade-deal-not-

completed?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+September+18%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+

December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

Bulog raises issue of possible subsidized rice shortage

next year

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Business | Fri, September 18 2015, 5:22 PM

The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) has said that the national stock of subsidized rice will be

close to running out by the year‘s end. This coincides with a government decision to distribute

more rice to the poor. Bulog‘s president director Djarot Kusumayakti said that by December, the

agency‘s stock for subsidized rice would reach 62,000 tons, while it needed around 1.5 to 2

million tons to meet next year‘s demand before harvest time. Djarot said Bulog initially expected

rice stocks at the end of this year to reach around 1.5 million tons. However, this expectation

came before President Joko ―Jokowi‖ Widodo instructed Bulog to disburse more subsidized rice

as part of his economic policy package to restore purchasing power and confidence in an

economy that has declined to a six-year low in growth.

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―We should anticipate this to prevent rice shortages next year,‖ he said Thursday during a

meeting with members of the House‘s Commission IV overseeing agriculture, food, forestry,

plantations, fisheries and maritime affairs. ―And we still do not know in what month next year

the harvest time will be. We are still waiting for rain to come.‖The subsidized rice program,

called beras sejahtera (prosperous rice), has been extended to 14 months of delivery instead of 12

months amid concerns over the impact of the El Niño-induced dry weather that has cut rice

production in some regions. When asked whether the shortage meant that the government would

import rice next year to fulfill national demand for the staple food, Djarot said his agency had no

authority to make such a decision.

―Bulog has no authority to calculate [how many more tons] we need to import,‖ he told reporters

after the meeting.The government could solve the shortage either by procuring more rice from

local farmers or by converting the existing premium rice into subsidized rice, according to

Djarot. Including premium non-subsidized rice, total rice stocks at Bulog stood at around

800,000 to 900,000 tons.―We are raising the issue [to members of Commission IV] because we

do not have the authority to decide [whether to convert or not],‖ he said.Meanwhile, Bulog

proposed to members of Commission IV during the meeting to approve its proposal to get an

extra Rp 3.4 trillion (US$234.7 million) in funding to finance two additional months of

subsidized rice distribution.

The ongoing drought, triggered by El Niño, has affected rice production in several regions across

Indonesia. The Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday said the government would not increase its

target for rice production next year because of the drought. In 2016, the government hopes to

produce 47 million tons rice, the same amount as total rice production predicted for this year by

the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).―The reason the target remains the same is because this year

we have experienced El Niño and that has severely affected our rice production,‖ Agriculture

Minister Amran Sulaiman said recently.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/18/bulog-raises-issue-possible-subsidized-rice-shortage-next-

year.html#sthash.wpbSAN8D.dpuf

Kharif plantings up 1.6%, late monsoon surge to help Rabi TOMOJIT BASU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 18:

Almost 97 per cent of Kharif crop sowing has been completed and acreage this year is 1.6 per

cent higher than at the same time last year. Area under crops such as rice, sugarcane, cotton,

soyabean and a range of pulses touched 1021.86 lakh hectares (lha) as of Friday, as per the latest

estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry.

Pulses, in particular, have recorded a higher area by nearly 12 per cent although yields are

unlikely to rise appreciably as per the Ministry‘s first advance estimates released earlier this

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week. Moong and urad areas are higher by 10 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively.However,

cotton and groundnut are exceptions, having recorded lower coverage as compared to last year

by 8.4 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively.According to the Ministry's early estimate,

production of foodgrains – which includes rice, pulses and coarse cereals – is expected to decline

by 1.8 per cent to 124.05 million tonnes (mt) this year from 126.31 mt last year due to a poor

monsoon.The production estimates will be revised three more times over the year. Rainfall has

been 15 per cent below normal at 705.8 mm between June 1 and September 18, according to the

India Meteorology Department (IMD).

Although in its withdrawal phase, the monsoon is

likely to bring much needed precipitation to

parched areas in Maharashtra, Karnataka, the

Konkan coast and Kerala through the week.The

southern peninsula has benefited from the rain

which has seen the deficit in the region narrowing

to 13 per cent as of Friday from almost 22 per

cent at the end of August.―The recovery has been

led by torrential systems forming in the Arabian

Sea and the Bay of Bengal and will likely converge over central India before drifting north,‖ said

an Met agency official.Out of 36 sub-stations, 17 have reported deficient rainfall through the

four-month monsoon.―There was initially a fear that a consecutive poor monsoon could also

impact the Rabi season but with these showers over the last few days, soil moisture will improve

and support better crop growth,‖ said a senior government official.The late surge is also likely to

improve water levels in reservoirs which as of this week was 92.63 billion cubic metres (bcm) or

59 per cent of total storage capacity, and 23 per cent lower than the average storage of the last 10

years. (This article was published on September 18, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kharif-plantings-up-16-late-monsoon-

surge-to-help-rabi/article7665531.ece

Yingluck to be asked to pay for rice scheme

18 Sep 2015 at 16:50

WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS

The Finance Ministry will by Sept 30 demand damages up to 510 billion baht

incurred by the rice-pledging programme from ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra and

some of her cabinet ministers, as well as officials involved in the scheme.The

officials and ministers who will have to pay are those accused by the National

Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) — Ms Yingluck, former commerce

minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, ex-deputy commerce minister Phoom Sarapol

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and Manas Soythong, former director general of the Foreign Trade Department.Deputy Prime Minister

Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Friday the two fact-finding committees — one each under the commerce and

finance ministries — will finish their work by the end of this month.

Their reports will then be sent to the prime minister, who will have the Civil Liabilities Committee

chaired by the comptroller general determine the damages for each of the accused persons and asked them

to pay."At this stage, the accused may file counter lawsuits with the Administrative Court within 30 days

to revoke the order."But if they don't, we'll seize their assets," he said.Mr Wissanu said the procedure was

not without precedent, citing two cases.In 2005, former Bank of Thailand governor Rerngchai

Marakanond was ordered to repay 186 billion baht the central bank had spent defending the reeling baht,

which led to the flotation of the local currency and culminated in the 1997 financial crisis.Mr Wissanu

also cited another case where this method of reclamation was used — the procurement of fire trucks and

boats by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration where the wife and children of the late ex-governor

Samak Sundaravej were ordered to repay 587 million baht in damages in 2014 on his behalf.The

procedure is based on Section 12 of the 1996 tort liability law for government officials.

The rice-pledging programme was one of the 2011 election campaign pledges of Ms Yingluck's Pheu

Thai party, which claimed it would help the majority of people and narrow the income gap.Under the

programme, the government bought all rice farmers could produce at more than double the market price

at the time and kept it in state warehouses across the country.As the losses of the programme widened, the

government tried to limit the damage by setting up a revolving fund and accelerating rice sales to pay

farmers.As world farm prices continued to plummet, criticism mounted. The opposition Democrat party

also pointed to corruption at both the operational level and government-to-government rice sales by the

Commerce Ministry.The NACC later found the case had ground and accused Ms Yingluck of dereliction

of duty because she had failed to stop the programme despite numerous warnings.She was impeached in

January this year by the National Legislative Assembly and banned from politics for five years.

The NACC accused Mr Boonsong and Mr Phoom of corruption in G-to-G rice sales. They too met the

same fate in January.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/698720/yingluck-to-be-asked-to-pay-for-rice-scheme

Rough rice: Prices are steady even as exports slip

Stephen Pope

Managing Partner / Spotlight Group

United Kingdom

The market for US rough rice was steady even though there were disappointing export sales as

the USDA reported that cumulative net exports for the week ending September 10 were

marked at 48,800 tonnes, a decline of 48% on the previous week. However, it was seen as a

positive that exports had increased to Canada, Honduras, Mexico and Panama as well as to Japan.

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It was frustrating to learn that the ―Phytosanitary Protocol‖ that would open the door for exports to China

is not any closer to being signed than it was at the start of the month. The word is that the agreement is

being held up by inter-agency administrative and regulatory considerations in China. Beijing has not been

willing to establish a timeline when the protocol will be approved and signed.

Source: www.investing.com, Spotlight Ideas

The chart above shows that the market for rough rice endured a decline from June 2014 through to May

29 this year. Since then the spot has tracked above the 50 day moving average and both have settled

comfortably inside the new impulsive channel. By December 14 one will see the 200 day moving average

start swinging into that channel as well.I expect that even with the typical channel rotation one should

look to see the gap between the flat-line around USD 15.50/100 pounds to close; that is what I am

banking on.

Rough Rice 5 Year Chart:

All About Rice News

Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

15

Source: www.investing.com

Management and risk:

Parameters: Rough Rice Nov 15 RRX5 USD/100 Pounds

Entry: Buy at 12.88 13:28 GMT

Targets: 13.35 … 13.78 … 13.98 … to 15.50

Stop: 11.72

Time horizon: Medium term (3 months)

— Edited by Clemens Bomsdorf

https://www.tradingfloor.com/posts/rough-rice-prices-are-steady-even-as-exports-slip-6242656

All About Rice News

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16

Despite rain shortage, kharif holding up

Govt's 1st advance estimate shows output might be only slightly down over last year's final one

for the season, due to early onset of monsoon and its relatively better distribution

BS Reporter | New Delhi September 16, 2015 Last Updated at 22:33 IST

Kharif area shows slight uptickKharif

sowing shows signs of revival, but still a

long way to goOdisha targets 10 mt food

grain output in kharif seasonKharif

sowing covers 89% of areaPaddy buying

up 21% in kharif.A less than normal

southwest monsoon over almost 30 per

cent of the country seems to have been

balanced by its timely onset and rather

uniform distribution, leaving little

impact on kharif farm

production.According to the first

advance estimate of foodgrain

production, issued by the ministry of

agriculture on Wednesday, output in the

2015-16 kharif season is expected to be 124.05 million tonnes, almost four mt more than the first estimate

of the 2014-15 kharif output.

This is despite cumulative rainfall in the current monsoon season being deficient by 15 per cent, higher

than the l deficit of 12 per cent in 2014-15. The statement attributed it to timely onset of the monsoon and

the government‘s interventions with contingency plans, timely advisories and monitoring of seed and

fertiliser availability.However, when compared to the final kharif production of 2014-15, this year's first

advance estimate is 2.26 mt less. The record so far is 131.27 mt foodgrain production in 2011-12.

Compared to the fourth advance estimate of 2014-15, close to the final figure for the year, kharif

production of rice, coarse cereals and pulses are likely to fall this year. The estimates are preliminary and

could undergo revision, the statement added.The first estimate shows rice output declining to 90.61 mt in

the 2015-16 kharif against 90.86 mt in the same season the previous year.

However, compared to the 2014-15 first estimate, production is expected to increase by 2.59

mt.Similarly, in relation to the fourth estimate of 2014-15, coarse cereals production is likely to drop to

27.88 mt this kharif, from 29.82 mt in the 2014-15 season. Output of pulses is projected to fall to 5.56 mt

from 5.63 mt in the said period.From the first advance estimate of 2014-15, coarse cereals production is

0.83 mt more, while pulses production in the season is expected to be 0.36 mt higher.Among pulses,

production of tur (pigeon pea) is estimated to decline to 2.61 mt in the 2015-16 kharif from the 2014-15

fourth estimate of 2.71 mt. Urad (black gram) production is projected to increase to 1.37 mt from 1.27 mt

in the period under review, using the same measure.

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17

―In the past few days, monsoon rains have revived in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and

Telangana that will improve the prospects of pulses production,‖ Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain told

PTI.It was mainly pulses which was an exception to the falling retail inflation and wholesale prices. Retail

prices rose 22.9 per cent in pulses, while wholesale prices surged 65.3 per cent. Interestingly, oilseeds

production is likely to increase to 19.89 mt this kharif, from 18.32 mt in the fourth estimate of the year-

ago period.Cotton, one of the main cash crops grown during kharif, is expected to be 33.5 million bales,

down from the 2014-15 first estimate of 34.62 mn (a bale is 170 kg).Experts say kharif output would be

slightly better this time than the previous year's but the deficient monsoon could hit rabi crops, which

depend on soil moisture.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/despite-rain-shortage-kharif-holding-up-

115091601474_1.html

For Arkansas rice farmer, hope for sales to Cuba even as

exports drop

Will sales come before Arkansas farmer Joe Mencer retires?

Buoyed by White House efforts, ag sector nationwide hopes for more Cuban sales

Experts: Battle in Congress seems headed to stalemate, at least in short term

Joe Mencer checks on his rice crop on his farm in southeastern Arkansas on Aug. 10, 2015. Mencer has

joined with farmers from across the country to push for expanded trade to Cuba, although efforts in

Congress to do so have so far been stalled. Chris Adams McClatchy

BY CHRIS ADAMS

[email protected]

LAKE VILLAGE, ARK. From the edge of his rice

fields in southeastern Arkansas, Joe Mencer can climb

a levee and lay eyes on a small Mississippi River port

that loads up grain for a trip to New Orleans. From

there, it could be on its way toward Cuba.Total time

from Mencer‘s rice fields to Havana would be about a

week – less than 1,000 miles down the Mississippi and

across the Gulf of Mexico.These days, however,

Cuba‘s rice generally comes from Vietnam – some

11,000 shipping miles, and six weeks, away.

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18

―I‘m 55 years old. This is my 34th rice crop,‖ Mencer said as he looked from atop the levee toward the

Mississippi. ―I keep hoping I‘ll be able to sell some of it to Cuba before I retire.‖Right now, the chance of

that happening is uncertain, despite the Obama administration‘s opening to Cuba.Announced last

December, the opening aims to undo a policy the White House considers outdated and ineffective. It

already has led to renewed diplomatic relations with the island nation just 90 miles from U.S. shores.For

American farmers, it could mean a thriving market with 11 million people but not the farms to feed them.

Rice farmers in Arkansas would love to get more of their product on Cubans‘ plates – as would citrus

growers in Florida and blueberry growers in Maine and wheat growers in Kansas.What‘s driving growers

and lawmakers in Arkansas is doing the same all across the U.S. agricultural sector.

―We‘re blessed in Arkansas – we grow about everything,‖ said Republican Sen. John Boozman.But

Boozman and his colleagues face significant headwinds in their efforts to partially or completely

dismantle the embargo and other restrictions that have governed trade with Cuba for decades.

I’M AFRAID IF WE LIFT THE TRAVEL BAN BUT THEN WAIT TOO LONG ON THE

EMBARGO, WITHIN A FEW YEARS AMERICAN TOURISTS WILL BE SLEEPING

IN SPANISH-FINANCED HOTELS AND EATING GERMAN FOOD.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, sponsor of a Cuba trade bill

Despite bipartisan support for pro-trade measures, the opposition to doing business with Cuba is

strong and entrenched; getting any measure through Congress this session will be difficult,

according to experts on both sides of the issue.Beyond that, Cuba hasn‘t recently burned up the

shipping lanes, despite the White House‘s celebrated – and controversial – opening.In July 2014,

food and agricultural exports from the U.S. to Cuba were $17.2 million; in July 2015, they were

$3.3 million, according to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.Through the first seven

months of 2015, the exports are on a slower pace than the total $291 million in 2014. They‘re

well off the $710 million in 2008, the high-water mark since a 2000 law let certain U.S.

producers make agricultural or food sales to Cuba, albeit only on a cash – no credit – basis.Tops

among agricultural exports to Cuba, according to the council: frozen chicken. Soybeans and

corn, and processed products such as whiskeys and soups, were represented as well.Nowhere to

be found was rice.

Mencer, who farms some 1,700 acres of rice here in the southeastern corner of Arkansas, said it

hasn‘t always been that way. He has traveled to Cuba as part of a trade show and testified before

a U.S. Senate committee on the issue.In 1951, Cuba was the destination for more than 250,000

metric tons of U.S. rice – a significant share of U.S. rice exports at the time, Mencer told

senators. Sales were steady in the 1950s but plummeted after the trade embargo took effect

starting in 1960.Even after agriculture trade rules were partially relaxed in 2000, sales didn‘t live

up to the hope – or the hype – of U.S. growers. After a brief run in the mid-2000s, U.S. rice sales

to Cuba have since dropped to zero.Rather than look across the Gulf of Mexico for its rice, Cuba

these days looks across the Pacific Ocean.

All About Rice News

Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

19

The turn in trade is frustrating for Mencer, whose vast delta land by the river also grows cotton

and corn and soybeans. In all, he has 6,700 acres under cultivation, and on a blistering, 100-

degree day in August he checked on his fields and the elaborate piping system that keeps rice

plants consistently wet.One fact driving his quest: Per-capita rice consumption in Cuba is

significantly higher than in the U.S. Cubans – at least a long time ago – liked American rice: The

U.S. Department of Agriculture noted in a June report that ―consumers in pre-revolutionary Cuba

generally liked the taste, appearance and cooking qualities of U.S. rice varieties and were willing

to pay a premium for them.‖One effort underway in Congress seeks to energize agriculture sales

by easing the rules against the use of credit. It‘s a tactic that has won the support of many farm-

state lawmakers, including Republicans generally opposed to the president‘s foreign policy.In

Arkansas, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson was once a congressman who supported the Cuban

trade embargo.

But later this month he‘ll travel to Cuba, seeking business for his state. He thinks credit sales

should be allowed.―You get out in the farmland of America and they say, ‗What we‘ve been

doing for the last 50 years has not been effective. Let‘s try something different,‘‖ he said in an

interview.That said, getting Cuba to boost its sales might not be so simple, said John S.

Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.―Vietnam provides Cuba

with two-plus years to pay for the rice,‖ he said. ―A U.S. company is not going to do that.‖And

while U.S. agricultural companies do want to ease the credit rules, it doesn‘t necessarily follow

that they‘ll line up to extend easy terms to Cuba.―It‘s unwise for anyone to support these

legislative efforts because of a belief that if it became law there will be a dramatic increase in

exports to Cuba,‖ Kavulich said. ―Because history doesn‘t show it. Right now, Cuba is being

oversold.‖

THE CUBAN ECONOMY IS RUN BY THE CUBAN MILITARY, AND SEN. RUBIO

BELIEVES WE SHOULD BE DENYING FUNDING TO THIS ANTI-AMERICAN

FORCE, WHICH WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE RUSSIAN, CHINESE AND NORTH

KOREAN GOVERNMENTS AGAINST AMERICA’S SECURITY INTERESTS.

Alex Burgos, spokesman for Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida

And getting anything through Congress this year will be tough.―Look at the congressional

calendar: There‘s a full plate as it is,‖ said Jason Poblete, a former Republican congressional

staffer who‘s an international regulatory lawyer with Poblete Tamargo LLP of Washington.

―There‘s Iran, FY 2016 appropriations, the Planned Parenthood debate. It will be difficult for

Cuba measures to move this year.‖That‘s not for lack of effort.In the Senate, at least three bills

have gotten a lot of attention. And while they are bipartisan, they still would need to get through

the considerable opposition from senators such as Marco Rubio, the Cuban-American

Republican from West Miami, Fla., who has become a leading voice against Obama‘s Cuba

opening.One bill, by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., goes the furthest to lift the trade embargo

and has the most number of co-sponsors: 21 as of Friday.―My bill just lifts the embargo,‖ she

said in an interview. ―At some point, you can do it piece by piece, or you can decide we‘re going

to lift the embargo.

‖Experts generally see the most support for legislation to lift restrictions on travel to Cuba – a

related but separate issue Klobuchar also supports. But, she added, ―I‘m afraid if we lift the

All About Rice News

Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

20

travel ban but then wait too long on the embargo, within a few years American tourists will be

sleeping in Spanish-financed hotels and eating German food.‖A measure from Sen. Jerry Moran,

R-Kan., would lift the embargo but maintain restrictions on the use of U.S.-funded trade-

assistance programs for exports to Cuba. Two senators have joined that bill.A measure from Sen.

Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D. – as well as Boozman from Arkansas – is targeted on the rules against

credit sales for agriculture exports. It has 13 co-sponsors and recently passed a committee as an

attachment to an appropriations bill.Sen.

Angus King, an independent from Maine, is on all three trade bills but acknowledges their stiff

odds this session. While he sees bipartisan support for the issue, a vote on a standalone bill –

particularly given the Senate‘s filibuster rules – would be tough.But he‘s hopeful for the long

term.―It‘s a policy that no longer makes any sense,‖ said King, who said an opening of trade

could help agriculture and other Maine industries – everything from potato and blueberry

growers to boat builders. ―At some point, even the Congress will wake up to that fact.‖

Chris Adams: 202-383-6071, @CAdamsMcClatchy

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article34935021.html

Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

A comprehensive daily commodity market report for Arkansas agricultural commodities with cash

markets, futures and insightful analysis and commentary from Arkansas Farm Bureau commodity

analysts.

Noteworthy benchmark price levels of interest to farmers and ranchers, as well as long-term

commodity market trends which are developing. Daily fundamental market influences and technical

factors are noted and discussed.

Soybeans

High Low

Cash Bids 920 830

New Crop 914 830

Riceland Foods

Cash Bids Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -

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New Crop Stuttgart: - - - Pendleton: - - -

Futures:

High Low Last Change

Nov '15 886.50 866.50 867.25 -17.25

Jan '16 890.50 871.25 871.50 -17.25

Mar '16 893.50 874.75 874.75 -17.25

May '16 896.00 877.50 878.00 -16.75

Jul '16 900.00 882.50 882.75 -16.00

Aug '16 897.75 883.50 882.00 -16.00

Sep '16 883.00 877.00 873.25 -14.25

Nov '16 884.00 869.50 869.75 -13.25

Jan '17 888.00 880.00 876.00 -13.00

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops

Soybean Comment

Soybeans closed sharply lower. Today's sharp losses led to beans being down 7-cents on the week

and more than 20-cents off of weekly highs. While new export sales continue to hit the wire, sales

continue to lag well behind usual. Prices will remain under pressure as the market awaits a new

estimate of U.S. production and its first look at South American production.

Wheat

High Low

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Cash Bids 394 394

New Crop 489 464

Futures:

High Low Last Change

Dec '15 488.75 480.00 486.75 +5.25

Mar '16 495.25 487.00 493.50 +5.00

May '16 499.75 492.00 498.25 +4.75

Jul '16 504.00 496.75 502.25 +4.75

Sep '16 512.00 505.50 511.00 +5.00

Dec '16 525.50 520.00 524.50 +4.25

Mar '17 535.25 535.25 535.00 +4.00

May '17 533.75 +3.75

Jul '17 524.75 +3.75

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops

Wheat Comment

Wheat prices surged higher today and managed to close higher in the week. While there remains

little fundamental support for gains, the market is technically oversold and due a correction.

Grain Sorghum

High Low

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Cash Bids 401 362

New Crop 400 374

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops

Corn

High Low

Cash Bids 390 335

New Crop 390 340

Futures:

High Low Last Change

Dec '15 382.50 376.50 377.25 -2.50

Mar '16 393.75 388.00 388.50 -2.50

May '16 401.00 395.50 396.00 -2.50

Jul '16 405.50 400.75 401.75 -2.00

Sep '16 399.25 394.75 396.25 -0.75

Dec '16 405.25 400.50 402.75 0.00

Mar '17 413.00 412.00 412.75 -0.25

May '17 419.00 0.00

Jul '17 422.50 422.50 423.00 +0.50

All About Rice News

Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

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Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops

Corn Comment

Corn prices ended the day lower for the fourth day in a row. Corn remains under pressure from

improving harvest. Production remains the main wild card in this market and will continue to keep

prices under pressure. For the week corn saw modest losses and is likely to have difficulty making

meaningful gains in the coming weeks.

Cotton

Futures:

High Low Last Change

Oct '15 61.8 59.53 59.85 -1.98

Dec '15 62.48 60.4 60.55 -1.85

Mar '16 62.24 60.4 60.52 -1.7

Memphis, TN Cotton and Tobacco Programs

Cotton Comment

Cotton futures plummeted today on concerns about the global economy after the Fed announced

their decision not to raise interest rates. With the ending stocks estimate continuing to climb thanks

to higher production, weaker demand will only make the balance sheet worse for cotton prices.

December set a new contract low today, falling below 61 cents.

Rice

High Low

Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -

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Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

Futures:

High Low Last Change

Nov '15 1299.0 1279.5 1295.0 +5.5

Jan '16 1325.5 1311.0 1323.0 +5.5

Mar '16 1344.0 1343.0 1344.0 +5.5

May '16 1361.5 +5.5

Jul '16 1374.0 +3.0

Sep '16 1294.5 +1.5

Nov '16 1294.5 +1.5

Rice Comment

Rice futures were higher across the board, but were capped by yesterday's highs. Carryover

weakness from other commodities and from outside markets limited the upside potential of the

market today. November continues to have resistance at $13, while January has resistance at

$13.34.

Cattle

Futures:

Live Cattle:

High Low Last Change

Oct '15 137.425 135.825 135.925 -0.925

Dec '15 139.825 138.025 138.375 -0.950

Feb '16 140.575 138.725 139.150 -0.900

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Apr '16 139.400 137.625 138.000 -1.000

Jun '16 131.075 129.300 129.875 -0.975

Aug '16 129.725 127.700 128.100 -1.375

Oct '16 132.475 130.600 131.000 -1.750

Dec '16 133.500 131.825 132.375 -1.750

Feb '17 134.000 133.500 133.475 -0.500

Feeders:

High Low Last Change

Sep '15 193.600 191.125 192.925 -0.275

Oct '15 188.350 184.625 185.300 -2.500

Nov '15 186.625 182.550 182.950 -3.075

Jan '16 181.250 177.000 177.400 -3.400

Mar '16 179.775 175.350 175.400 -3.925

Apr '16 180.125 175.775 176.100 -3.700

May '16 178.700 175.300 175.775 -3.425

Aug '16 179.550 176.350 176.850 -3.150

Arkansas Prices

Arkansas Weekly Livestock Summary

Cattle Comment

Cattle prices closed lower again today. As the market continues to worry about demand, cattle prices

have experienced sharp losses this week with live cattle down almost $10 on the week while feeders

were down more than $5.

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Hogs

Futures:

High Low Last Change

Oct '15 71.325 70.100 71.200 +0.625

Dec '15 64.550 63.275 64.000 -0.350

Feb '16 68.725 67.600 68.300 -0.400

Apr '16 72.275 71.350 72.025 -0.400

May '16 77.150 76.600 77.150 0.000

Jun '16 80.400 79.575 79.975 -0.525

Jul '16 79.575 79.000 79.450 -0.250

Aug '16 78.950 78.500 78.675 -0.575

Oct '16 67.600 67.150 67.300 -0.400

Hog Comment

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