21 m arch 2014 oryza by riceplus magazine

EU May Reconsider Zero-Duty Rice Imports, Enjoyed by Cambodia, Myanmar

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Mar 20, 2014

Italy is looking closely at the European Union’s (EU) zero-import duty status extended toward Least Developed Countries (LDCs) – such as Cambodia and Myanmar – under the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement designed to aid economic development in these Southeast Asian countries.  This is according to reputable local media.  Local sources tell Oryza that what makes the recent investigation into the zero-import duty status extended to LDC nations is the determination and solidarity of the Italian rice sector which feels it is under serious competition from duty-free rice imports.  This follows a previous request on December 16-17 when the Italian delegation expressed its dismay at a meeting on Agriculture and Fisheries held by the Council of the EU, and it was supported by Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, France, and Portugal. The Italian delegation said the EU rice sector is facing increased competition from rice imports, from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other countries with which the EU has trade agreements. The goal is to change zero duty import conditions, since these are deeply affecting European rice sector, from farmers to millers, according to local sources. The European regulation states, about “Safeguard measures”, claimed by European farmers and millers, that they may be taken "when quotations or prices on the world market reach a level that disrupts or threatens to disrupt the availability of supply on the Community market and where that situation is likely to continue and deteriorate, or if, due to imports or exports, the Community market is affected by, or is threatened with, serious disturbance.” The Italian rice growing sector is monitoring EU rice imports not only from Cambodia, but also from other LDC countries, particularly Myanmar, which has enjoyed zero-import duties since June 2013. The alarm comes from Ente Risi, the Italian agency for rice. In the month of February 2014 alone, Myanmar’s rice imports to the EU reached about 3,760 tons, nearly the total the EU imported from Myanmar in 2013 - 4,600 tons. Local sources tell Oryza that Ente Risi says the concern is how much bigger the zero-import duty tonnage could increase in the coming months in years; this especially likely if there remains a large gap between Italian rice prices and Asian rice export prices.  Ente Risi fears that an influx of cheaper Asian

rice imports will reduce rice production in Italy, Europe’s largest producer, endangering a piece of the nation’s heritage.  The rice imported from LDCs is Indica rice and Ente Risi data shows that indica rice stocks are up, while Italian deliveries to the EU are down and Italian Indica rice acreage is shrinking.  On 11 March, Indica paddy stocks reached 244,000 tons, up 73,000 tons from year ago. Deliveries of Italian rice in EU in the first four months of this trade year, starting in September, are down about 19,000 tons - 14,000 of which are Italian Indica rice. Italian acreage in 2014, as confirmed by a Ente Risi survey, is expected to shrink about 16,000 hecatares, resulting in a loss of local paddy availability and profit for millers. Ente Risi points out that the market is expecting more rice imports.  EU import licenses for milled rice in 2014 have so far reached 321,000 tons, 73,000 tons, up about 29% from this time a year ago. Almost 18,000 tons were issued in the past week alone.  For the whole year, EU rice import licenses for milled rice are expected to reach 610,000 tons, (up 25% from 487,000 tons last year). Ente Risi fears this could have for sure serious consequences for rice production in Italy and in the whole European Community.Tags: Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement, EU rice imports, Cambodia rice exports, myanmar rice exports

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enjoyed-cambodia-myanmar#sthash.xNmIKhNg.dpuf Celebrate First Day of Spring with Fresh Rice Dish

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Mar 20, 2014

Thursday, March 20, is not only the first day of spring; it’s also Nowruz (or Eid Norooz), or the Persian New Year.  The word is a combination of two

Persian words: now, meaning “new,” and roz, meaning “day” or “light.”  The celebration is not religious, although it may have roots in the Zoroastrian religion (which dominated ancient Persia before Islam in the 7th century), and it has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years. On the first day of spring it’s traditional to eat a dish called sabzi polo ba mahi on Nowruz.  Sabzi means green or greens (like veggies) and polo refers to the cooked rice (pilaf, in English); mahi refers to the fish used in the recipe (although you don’t have to use mahi fish!).  The herbs in the rice represent renewal or rebirth and the fish represents life.  The dish supposedly brings good luck to those who consume it! Why not whip up this dish to welcome spring?  (You can of course omit the fish for a vegetarian dish, or cook the fish differently to accommodate your preferences.) What You Need: 3 cups of rice, rinsed (basmati is typically used)1 cup chives, chopped1.5 cups cilantro, chopped1.5 cups parsley, chopped1 cup dill, chopped4 teaspoons garlic, chopped4 tablespoons butterGround saffron, optionalCanola oil3 large fish fillets2 eggs What You Do: 1. Cover the rice with warm water and a tablespoon of salt and let soak for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 2 hours.  Drain the water off.2. Fill a large non-stick pot ¾ full with water and a tablespoon of salt and bring it to a boil over high heat.  Add the previously soaked rice to the boiling water and reduce the heat to medium.  Boil it for six-seven minutes, stirring occasionally.3. Add the chopped herbs to the water and simmer for a couple of minutes before straining.4. Clean out and dry the pot you used to cook the rice.  Add enough canola oil to barely cover the bottom of the pot.5. Use a spatula to spread a layer of rice over the bottom of the pan and sprinkle some chopped garlic over top.6. Spread about ¼ of the chopped herb mixture over the rice layer.  Continue alternating rice and herb layers until you’ve used it all (probably 3-4 layers). 

You can top it with some ground saffron if you want.7. When you’ve used all the rice and herbs, top it with the butter and pour 1/3 cup of water over the top of the rice.8. Use the back of a wooden spoon to poke three holes in the rice.  Cover the dish and cook it for 10 minutes over medium-high heat before turning the heat down to medium low.9. Cover the lid of the pot with a dish towel and place it back on the pot, letting the rice steam for 30-40 minutes.10. To make the fish, cut 3 large fillets into 12 pieces.  Add ¼ teaspoon ground saffron to 2 tablespoons boiling water and stir until dissolved.  Beat two eggs into the saffron water and let the fish marinate in it for at least 30 minutes.11. Coat a large frying pan with ¼ inch layer of oil and heat it over medium heat.  Once the oil is hot, add the fish pieces, cooking only a few at a time. 12. Cook each side until golden and crispy, about 5-6 minutes on the first side and about 4 minutes on the other.  Drain on a paper towel before adding to the rice dish and serving.Tags: persian new year, Nowruz, Eid Norooz, Rice recipe, rice dish, celebrational rice dishes, tradiional rice dishes

- See more at: http://oryza.com/grain-interest/celebrate-first-day-spring-fresh-rice-

dish#sthash.CfGt73ze.dpuf Oryza Afternoon Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Log Fresh Multi-Week High as Technicals Continue to Point to Higher Prices; Soy Ekes Out a Gain; Wheat, Corn Chart Reversal

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Mar 20, 2014

Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery settled 3.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per ton) higher at $15.555 per cwt (about $343 per ton). Rough rice futures managed to break through nearby resistance at $15.545 per cwt (about $343 per ton), closing a level not seen since the massive sell-off suffered on the first trading day of the month. Today’s move has confirmed the bullish implication of yesterday’s move back above $15.500 per cwt (about $342 per ton) a level that is seen as technically and psychologically significant. Today’s action has confirmed that this point will act as nearby support ,as it was tested and confirmed during a mid-morning attempt by bears to drag prices back into negative territory. The market’s ability to chart out a fresh multi-week high as well as logging a higher low are both seen as sings that prices will continue higher tomorrow. The other grains finished the

day with mixed results; soybeans closed about 0.2% higher at $14.3375 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.7% lower at $7.0475 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 1.9% lower at $4.7850 per bushel. U.S. stocks climbed on Thursday, recouping much of the prior day's losses, as reports on U.S. leading indicators and regional manufacturing spurred optimism the nation's economy would strengthen after first-quarter weakness, helping offset concerns that interest rates could climb quicker than had been anticipated. Wall Street declined on Wednesday, halting a two-day climb that had the S&P 500 not far from its record close, after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said that the "considerable period" between the end of the central bank's quantitative-easing program and its first rate hike could be six months. Data released Thursday had the count of Americans filing for jobless benefits rising by 5,000 to 320,000 last week, less than the 325,000 estimated by economists polled by Reuters. The four-week moving average for new claims, viewed as a better gauge overall of labor conditions, dropped 3,500 to 327,000, the lowest since November. Clearing a 61-point drop, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose as much as 131 points, and was lately up 93.18 points, or 0.6%. The S&P 500 added 9.90 points, or 0.5%, to 1,870.67, with telecommunications and financials leading sector gains and utilities and health care the biggest laggards. The Nasdaq gained 13.09 points, or 0.3%, to 4,320.78. Gold is trading about 0.9% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 0.5% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.3% higher at about  1:00pm Chicago time. Wednesday, there were 331 contracts traded, up from 278 contracts traded on Tuesday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Wednesday increased by 21 contracts to 8,057.Tags: chicago rough rice futures, U.S. rice prices, U.S. rice market- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/cbot/oryza-afternoon-recap-%E2%80%93-chicago-rough-rice-futures-log-fresh-multi-week-high-technicals#sthash.5IwEaYPa.dpuf

Oryza Rice Currency Analysis for Today – Brazil Real Up 1%

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Mar 20, 2014

U.S. dollar index was up +0.26% from the open today, when it traded at 80.200 at the close. 

Euro was weaker -0.41% by the close, trading around 1.3777 by end of day, after trading between an intraday high of 1.3845 and low of 1.3749. Thai baht was weaker -0.22%, trading at 32.375 at the close of business. Indian rupee was weaker -0.62%, closing at 61.3325. Brazilian real was +0.95% stronger at the close of trading today, trading at 2.3274 reais per dollar. Pakistan rupee was +0.07% stronger at 98.1140. Vietnamese dong was unchanged at 21098. Mexican peso was stronger +0.10% today, when it traded at 13.2743 pesos per dollar by the close of business. Chinese yuan was weaker -0.55%, trading at 6.2286. Argentine peso was weaker -0.14% at 7.9634 pesos per dollar.Tags: foreign exchange rates- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/fx/oryza-rice-currency-analysis-today-%E2%80%93-brazil-real-1-0#sthash.Ydn3ediZ.dpuf

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap – Prices Hold Steady as Export Sales Surge

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Mar 20, 2014

As of today, old crop offers could still be found near $15.55-$16.11 fob farm (about $343-$355 per ton) for nearby shipment.  Bids from larger mills increased slightly today to around $15.30 per cwt (about $337 per ton) for March-April delivery while bids for exporters could still be found around $15.55 per cwt (about $343 per ton), for the same delivery period, and although there are still reports of smaller mills bidding around $16.00 per cwt (about $353 per ton) for prompt delivery, no trades were reported. In the meantime, today the USDA reported that cumulative net export sales for the week ending on March 13th, totaled 118,900 tons, which was considerably higher than last week and the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for the following destinations including: 47,400 tons to Mexico, 21,200 tons to Haiti, 18,200 tons to  Saudi Arabia, 13,600 tons to Japan, and 4,500 tons to unknown destination. There were also decreases of 300 tons reported for Jordan. Nets sales of 49,400 tons for 2014/2015 were reported for the following destinations: 68,000 tons to Mexico (including 19,000 tons switched from unknown destinations) and 400 tons to the United Kingdom.

 U.S. rice exporters shipped 78,500 tons, which was 44% lower than the previous week and 3% lower than the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations included: 29,700 tons to Iraq, 15,900 tons to Honduras, 14,300 tons to Haiti, 5,600 tons to Guatemala, and 4,100 tons Mexico.Tags: U.S. rice prices, U.S. rice market- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/us-rough-rice/oryza-us-rough-rice-recap-%E2%80%93-prices-hold-steady-export-sales-surge#sthash.s9HkZdnU.dpuf

West Africa Rice Production Surges 20% to 4.3 Million Tons in MY 2012-13

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Mar 20, 2014

Rice production in West Africa increased to around 4.3 million tons in MY 2012-13 (October – September), up about 20% from around 3.6 million tons produced in the previous year due to sharp increases in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Burkina Faso, according to the USDA Post and FAO/Global Information and Early Warning System (GWIEWS).West Africa includes mostly rice importing countries such as Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Mali, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Senegal and Togo. Rice imports by the region had surged to around 4.3 million tons in MY 2011-12 (up 43% from previous year) due to drought in the Sahel region. However, favorable weather conditions and government policies have led to higher production and lower imports in MY 2012-13.The USDA Post says that rice production in the region stood at around 4.3 million tons in MY 2012-13, against an estimated consumption of around 7.7 million tons, which is up around 10% from around 7 million tons in the previous year. Rice imports by the region are estimated at around 3.8 million tons in MY 2012-13, down around 12% from around 4.3 million tons in the previous year.

Rice production increased sharply in Cote d’Ivoire to around 984,000 tons in MY 2012-13, up about 79% from around 550,000 tons in the previous year. The Post says, “The implementation of the Revised National Rice Strategy covering 2012-2020, with the goal of producing 2.0 million tons of milled rice is making good progress.” Burkina Faso’s MY 2012-13 milled rice production stood at 210,000 tons, up 34% from the previous year.Post and FAO/GWIEWS estimate that rice production in West Africa will increase to around 4.8 million tons in MY 2013-14, up about 11% from MY 2012-13. Rice production is expected to increase 22% to 1.2 million tons in Cote d’Ivoire, and about 4-5% in Burkina Faso and Mali. However, Senegal’s rice production is expected to decline by 9% to around 290,000 tons due to late start of rainy season this year.Tags: West Africa rice production, West Africa rice imports, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Mali, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Senegal, Togo- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/rice-news/west-africa-rice-production-surges-20-43-million-tons-my-2012-13#sthash.EyuKKAAm.dpuf

Iraq Purchases 90,000 Tons of Argentina, Uruguay Rice in Tenders

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Mar 20, 2014

Iraq has purchased 60,000 tons of Argentina rice and 30,000 tons of Uruguay origin rice for prices of $717 per ton c&f free out (ciffo) in an international tender which closed this week, according to Reuters.Iraq had sought to buy at least 30,000 tons of rice from the U.S., Uruguay, Argentina, or Brazil. Brazil rice was offered the lowest but it is not mandatory for Iraq to accept the lowest offer.Tags: Iraq rice tender- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/tenders/iraq-purchases-90000-tons-argentina-uruguay-rice-tenders#sthash.PE3uCKA2.dpuf

USDA Post Forecasts Nigeria Rice Imports to Grow to 3.5 Million Tons in MY 2014-15; Up 17% from Previous Year

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Mar 20, 2014

The USDA Post in Lagos expects Nigeria to import around 3.5 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (October - September), up about 17% from an estimated 3 million tons in MY 2013-14 due to lower production and higher demand this year.The Post says that Nigeria is trying to attain self-sufficiency in rice by expanding production by up to 3 million tons by the end of 2015, but milled rice production is expected to decline by about 7% to 2.6 million tons in MY 2014-15, down from an estimated 2.8 million tons in MY 2013-14. The Post says that government actions to boost production remain inadequate and do not reach targeted farmers.However, rice consumption is expected to increase in Nigeria due to population growth, urbanization and rising incomes. The Post says that there is an important election in 2015 which is expected to increase rice demand and imports in Nigeria. The Post estimates Nigeria's consumption to increase by about 2% to 6.1 million tons in the MY 2014-15 from an estimated 6 million tons in the MY 2013-14.The Nigerian government introduced a 30% levy on imported brown rice and a 100% levy on imported polished/milled rice, since January 1, 2012 to encourage local production. Combined with the existing 10% tariff on each of the products, the effective duty rose to 40% and 110% on imported brown and polished/milled rice, respectively. However, informal cross-border trade in rice has risen dramatically since the levy increases and more than 90% of

rice exports to Nigeria are redirected through the neighboring countries such as Benin, Cameroon and Niger in 50-kilogram and 25-kilogram bags, says the Post.Tags: 

nigeria rice imports, Nigeria rice production

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USDA Post Projects Mexico Rice Imports to Grow to 775,000 Tons in MY 2014-15; Up 3% from Previous Year

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Mar 20, 2014

The USDA Post expects Mexico's MY 2014-15 (October - September) rice imports to increase by about 3% to 775,000 tons from an estimated 750,000 tons in MY 2013-14 mainly due to insufficient domestic production.The Post says that Mexico’s in MY 2014-15 paddy rice production is expected to remain at previous year’s level of around 194,000 tons (133,000 tons of milled rice) or drop below previous year’s level due to deteriorating agricultural infrastructure, land degradation, lack of financial support, and increased imports. The Post estimates average rice yield in Mexico at around 5.88 tons per hectare in MY 2014-15, slightly lower than the previous year.However, rice consumption is increasing in Mexico due to population growth and affordable prices. The Post estimates Mexico's MY 2014-15 rice consumption to increase by around 2% to 880,000 tons, from an estimated 860,000 tons in the previous year. Mexico’s MY 2014-15 ending stocks are expected to increase by about 14% to 215,000 tons based on expectations of higher imports, while rice stocks-to-use ratio for MY 2014-15 is estimated at 24.2%, up from previous year's 21.9%.The Post says that to encourage production of rice, the Mexico government plans to provide a flat rate of payment for rice growers for 2014 spring/summer crop and 2014-15 fall/winter crop based on the size of the production units. Subsistence growers (up to 5 hectares of non-irrigated land and 0.2 hectares of irrigated land) will receive 1,300 pesos (around $98) per hectare; transition growers (more than 5 hectares and up to 20 hectares

non-irrigated land, and more than 0.2 hectares and up to 5 hectares of irrigated land) and commercial growers (more than 20 hectares non-irrigated and more than 5 hectares irrigated land) will receive 963 pesos (around $73) per hectare each.The Post also says that Mexico’s rice imports from the U.S. are declining due to increased competition from rice from Uruguay, Pakistan and Vietnam. By the end of 2012, percentage of rice imports from the U.S. fell to 65% and by the end of 2013, it declined to 51%, says the Post.Tags: Mexico rice imports- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/rice-news/usda-post-projects-mexico-rice-imports-grow-775000-tons-my-2014-15-3-previous-year#sthash.VC5gPUcJ.dpuf

Thailand Government Sells Rice Through Secret Channels at Below Market Prices, Claims Media Report

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Mar 20, 2014

The Thailand caretaker government is selling rice from its stockpile at around 20-25% lower than market prices through secret channels to some exporters who have purchase orders to buy directly from the government, according to local media reports.Bangkok Post, citing trade sources, says that the government has sold about 800,000 tons of rice so far via secret channels this year at prices of around 9.60 baht per kilogram (around $298 per ton), which is down about 20-25% from the current market price of around 12-13 baht per kilogram (around $373 - $404 per ton). If true, the secret sales could be a contravention of WTO rules. In the past, several countries, including the U.S., have raised concerns about the possibility of Thailand dumping its rice in the international market.The Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET) President also says that the government is trying to sell rice hastily through several channels, and this was the reason for the poor participation in yesterday’s AFET auction for about 244,000 tons of rice, in which only seven bidders participated. Exporters say they are reluctant to buy rice from the government because prices are expected to decline by 10-15% in April - May 2014 when some rice from Vietnam’s winter-spring crop is likely to enter Thailand.The government is under pressure to sell its stocks to make payments to the farmers. Though the government has been allowed to use 20 billion baht

(around $621 million) from the central budget to clear payments, the government is obligated to return the money by May 31, 2014.Tags: Thailand rice auctions, Thailand rice mortgage program- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/rice-news/thailand-government-sells-rice-through-secret-channels-below-market-prices-claims#sthash.LQ1NhPJN.dpuf

Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures Seen Slightly Higher Overnight While Other Grains are Mixed Ahead of Export Sales Report

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Mar 20, 2014

Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery are currently paused 1.5 cent per cwt (about $0.33 per ton) higher at $15.535 per cwt (about $342 per ton) as of 8:00am Chicago time. The other grains are seen mixed this morning ahead of floor trading in Chicago: soybeans are currently seen about 1% higher, wheat was paused about 0.5% lower, and corn is noted about 0.5% lower.U.S. stock index futures indicated a second day of losses after jobless claims edged higher last week and investors looked to data on sales of previously-owned homes. Stock futures retained their declines after data had the government's count of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rising by 5,000 to 320,000 last week. The four-week moving average fell by 3,500 to 327,000. Still weighing on the market, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's suggestion on Wednesday that the Fed could start raising its target rate about six months after quantitative easing ends. Following Yellen's statement, U.S. stocks closed lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slumping 114.02 points to end at 16,222.17, initially tumbling nearly 200 points after Yellen's comments. Europe responded on Thursday with the Euro Stoxx 600 Index lower along with all major European bourses. Shares on both sides of the Atlantic had witnessed two days of gains at the start of the week, with investors focused on developments in Crimea, which seemed to show an easing of tensions between Russia and the West. Now however, investors' eyes are firmly fixed on the Fed. U.S. stock index futures are currently trading about 0.3% lower, gold is currently trading about 1.2% lower, crude oil is seen trading about 0.7% lower, and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about 0.3% higher at 8:00am Chicago time.Tags: chicago rough rice futures

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Thailand Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes Today; Vietnam Rice Sellers Increase Most of Their Quotes

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Mar 20, 2014

Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for Hommali rice by about $15 per ton to about $945 - $955 per ton today. Vietnam rice sellers increased their quotes for 25% broken rice and 100% broken rice by about $5 per ton each to about $360 - $370 per ton and $340 - $350 per ton respectively. India and Pakistan rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged today.5% Broken RiceThai 5% rice (of new crop) is quoted around $400 - $410 per ton, about a $10 per ton premium over Viet 5% rice shown around $390 - $400 per ton.Indian 5% rice is quoted around $420 - $430 per ton, about a $20 per ton premium over Pak 5% rice quoted around $400 - $410 per ton.25% Broken RiceThai 25% rice of the old crop is quoted about $350 - $360 per ton, about a $10 per ton discount to Viet 25% rice shown around $360 - $370 per ton, up about $5 per ton from yesterday.Indian 25% rice is quoted around $360 - $370 per ton, about a $5 per ton premium over Pak 25% rice quoted around $355 - $365 per ton.Parboiled RiceThai parboiled rice of the old crop is quoted around $405 - $415 per ton.Indian parboiled rice is quoted around $405 - $415 per ton, about $15 per ton discount to Pak parboiled rice quoted around $420 - $430 per ton.100% Broken RiceThai broken rice, A1 Super, of the old crop is quoted around $305 - $315 per ton, about a $35 per ton discount to Viet broken rice shown around $340 - $350 per ton, up about $5 per ton from yesterday.Indian broken sortexed rice is quoted around $300 - $310 per ton, about a $30 per ton discount to Pak broken sortexed rice quoted around $330 - $340 per ton.Tags: Asia rice quotes, Thailand rice quotes, Pakistan rice quotes, India rice quotes, Vietnam rice quotes- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/rice-news/thailand-rice-sellers-lower-some-their-quotes-today-vietnam-rice-sellers-increase#sthash.ZfGHqyx2.dpuf

Philippines Farmer Groups Oppose Rice Imports During Harvest Season

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Mar 20, 2014

Some farmer groups in the Philippines say that the government's plan to import about one million tons of rice during this year's harvest season of the second crop (January - April) could hurt farmer income and lead to lower production and higher import requirements later this year.According to Manila Standard, the farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has warned that rice imports could bring down farm gate prices, which are currently averaging around P14 per kilogram (around $312 per ton), and discourage farmers from planting for the new season. Farmer groups say that rice imports during the harvest season would also help commercial rice traders to flood the market with imported rice which will lead to lower prices of domestically grown rice.The Philippines government said recently that it plans to issue tenders to import around 800,000 tons of rice soon to control rice prices and boost stocks ahead of the lean season in July – September. The government is also likely to import 200,000 tons of rice, which is a part of the 500,000 tons imported under the emergency quota in 2013. The National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator says the imports would serve as buffer stocks for the July-September quarter.There two crop seasons in the Philippines for rice: main crop (April – December) and second crop (October – April), according to the FAO.Tags: Philippines rice imports, Philippines rice farmers- See more at: http://oryza.com/news/rice-news/philippine-farmer-groups-oppose-rice-imports-during-harvest-season#sthash.nPliZkkp.dpuf