28 may ,2016 daily global,regional & local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter 2016

www.ricepluss.com www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com For information : Mujahid Ali [email protected] 0321 369 2874

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www.ricepluss.com www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Vol 7,Issue V May 28 ,2016



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Editorial Board Chief Editor

Hamlik Managing Editor

Abdul Sattar Shah

Rahmat Ullah

Rozeen Shaukat English Editor

Maryam Editor

Legal Advisor

Advocate Zaheer Minhas

Editorial Associates

Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid

Javed Islam Agha

Ch.Hamid Malhi

Dr.Akhtar Hussain

Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui

Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)

Islam Akhtar Khan Editorial Advisory Board

Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim Assistant Professor, Gomal University DIK

Dr.Hasina Gul Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK

Dr.Hidayat Ullah Assistant Professor, University of Swabi

Dr.Abdul Basir Assistant Professor, University of Swabi

Zahid Mehmood PSO,NIFA Peshawar

Falak Naz Shah Head Food Science & Technology ART, Peshawar

Today Rice News Headlines...

Rice exporters seek zero-rated tax regime

Reap seeks zero rated regime for rice exporters

Uganda‘s expenditure on transportation of rice imports high

Brazil‘s rice exports to Saudi Arabia increased

As rice fields give way to suburban sprawl, farmers ponder what's

nextIndustry will meet in a region that's ideal for growing the grain

05/27/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Field Report: California

AP EDA Agri Exchange Newsletter - Volume 1482

Researchers, rice industries exchange information

Seme Customs Command impounds N23.9m rice

Rice importation to continue


Different methods considered to mitigate effects of lifting of trade

restrictions on rice

Climate-smart rice technologies seen to boost Philippine rice

production

Weathering El Niño with better preparations

News Detail...

Rice exporters seek zero-rated tax regime

PUBLISHED FEB 27, 2016 06:44AM

KARACHI: The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has urged the

government to declare rice as a separate industry and place it under zero-rating along

with five major export-oriented sectors.In a statement issued on Friday, Patron-in-

Chief of REAP Abdul Rahim Janoo said that apart from textiles, rice exports were

much ahead of other four export-oriented sectors. He feared that neglecting this

sector would discourage rice exports and the country would lose its traditional

markets.

Mr Janoo said the government would have to go for ―no payment no tax‖ policy to

ensure corruption-free export trade and encourage exporters. ―There is no logic in

first paying taxed and then getting refunds of the same. This results in corruption and

blocks huge working capital of export trade.‖As exporters funds are held back by the

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), they had to go for bank borrowing and pay extra

amount towards mark-up, he said



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Reap seeks zero rated regime for rice exporters

May 27, 2016

Lahore : The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has appealed to Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for the grant of zero rated regime, as granted to

other five export-oriented sectors.Abdur Raheem Janoo, Chief Patron of REAP, Ch Shafique,

Chairman REAP and Nauman Ahmad Sheikh, Senior Vice Chairman REAP, also welcomed the

statement of Javed Bilwani, Chief Coordinator for five Zero Rated Export Sectors, in which he

had called for also including the rice sector in the zero rated regime in the upcoming budget and

assured full cooperation in this regard.

REAP Chairman Ch Shafique said the rice sector was the second largest foreign exchange earner

for the country, surpassing more than $2 billion annually.He also demanded the government to

withdraw all duties on the import of all kinds of rice machinery in the upcoming budget.

―If rice sector is discouraged, the exporters will lose established markets and will get

disheartened,‖ he said, adding, ―If the government‘s intentions are good then ‗No Payment, No

Refund‘ policy would curb corruption.

―If the government wants to increase exports, then why to penalise the export sector by making it

to pay first and then get refunds,‖ he queried.Shafique said that the working capital of the

exporters had got blocked, as their refunds had been pending for many years.

Conveying gravity of the situation, he said, ―People have to borrow loans to run their units or

shut them down. He also called for merging other taxes/cess on all export items in one tax, to be

collected through banks at the time of negotiating documents or on receipt of payments.

―This will increase the government‘s revenues and eliminate corruption.

Besides that its calculation formula is very easy,‖ Shafique said.He also demanded exemption for

exporters from sales tax on packing material, local supply and electricity bills.

―It will give a peace of mind to them, and their exports will increase and once the exports

increase the government revenue increases,‖ he noted.―If all these demands are met on war

footing, REAP assures to increase rice exports to $4 billion by the end of 2018,‖ he concluded

http://nation.com.pk/business/27-May-2016/reap-seeks-zero-rated-regime-for-rice-exporters



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Uganda’s expenditure on transportation of rice imports high

ByCaroline Njoroge

May 27, 2016

Uganda spends about $105m (Shs367b) every month in transport costs to import rice from Pakistan.

Uganda spends about $105m (Shs367b) every month in transport costs to import rice from Pakistan.

While signing off a farming partnership between rice farmers in the country and Kingdom Rice – a new

rice milling factory – on Tuesday in Namanve Industrial Park, outgoing State minister for Investment

Gabriel Ajedra said Uganda has no reason to continue being ranked among poor countries of the world

because the money Uganda loses to purchase and transport food like rice that can be locally grown here,

explains the amount of money we waste as a country.

―Last week at the World Economic Forum, it was noted that in 2020, there is going to be a global food

crisis and interestingly, Uganda was mentioned among the six countries in the world which can avert it if

only they fixed their agricultural systems,‖ he said.

Cost of transport

http://exchange.co.tz/author/carol/



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Explaining the Shs367b bill, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner customs field services

Stephen Magera, who attended the meeting said every month, URA receives 300,000 metric tonnes of

rice imported from Pakistan and another 25,000 metric tonnes from Tanzania yet the cost of transporting

a metric tonne of rice together with other logistical arrangement is $350 (Shs1.2m) without the actual cost

of the rice.

On the same day, Uganda Development Bank and Kingdom Rice signed a Memorandum of

Understanding in which the bank is going to capitalise the rice company to help it raise rice production in

the country.

http://exchange.co.tz/ugandas-expenditure-on-rice-imports-high/

Brazil’s rice exports to Saudi Arabia increased

From January to April, the Arab country imported 6% more product than in the

comparable year-ago period. Total exports from Brazil grew 10.9%.

Marcos Carrieri*

[email protected]

São Paulo – Rice exports from Brazil to Saudi Arabia increased 6% from January to April 2016 from the

comparable year-ago period. Data from the Brazilian Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services

compiled by the Brazilian Rice Industry Association (Abiarroz) and the Arab Brazilian Chamber of

Commerce shows that in the first four months of this year, the country shipped USD 1.83 million worth

of rice to the Arab country. From January to April 2015, it had shipped USD 1.73 million. Volume

shipped was up 20.7% from 2,990 tons through April 2015 to 3,610 tons through April of this year.

Abiarroz and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) have partnered up for

the Brazilian Rice overseas promotion project. Project manager Gustavo Ludwig told ANBA that rice

exports to Saudi Arabia are going up as a result of Brazilian Rice‘s promotional actions, such as going to

Dubai‘s food industry expo Gulfood for the last four years.

―Prior to 2012, exports to Saudi Arabia were nil, we did not business at all with them. In 2012 we began

taking companies to Gulfood and having business matchmaking sessions. Since then, the orders started

coming in. This growth in sales is a result of the project, because all of the exports were made by

companies affiliated with Brazilian Rice,‖ he said.

Ludwig said sales to Arab countries will likely keep growing in the next few years because the region

holds great promise, especially in Saudi Arabia, a market that‘s deemed a priority for Abiarroz‘s and

Apex-Brasil‘s project. Priority markets are the primary targets of promotional actions. Other Brazilian

Rice target markets include the United States, Peru, Angola, South Africa and Panama.

mailto:[email protected]



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―This year we should visit Foodex Saudi (a food industry fair in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) and look into

going again next year, this time as exhibitors),‖ Ludwig said. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian

rice producers ship product to the UAE, Algeria, Oman and Jordan, but the amounts are still minor.

Total rice exports from Brazil reached USD 108.2 million through April, up 10.9% from a year ago.

Volume shipped was up 50.9% to 331,400 tons.

―These sales have grown as a consequence of the project‘s actions, but also due to the price of the dollar,

which reached BRL 4 early on in the year. Brazil is regarded more and more as a major global rice-

producing country,‖ Ludwig asserted.

http://www2.anba.com.br/noticia/21871492/agribusiness/brazils-rice-exports-to-saudi-arabia-increased/

As rice fields give way to suburban sprawl, farmers ponder

what's nextIndustry will meet in a region that's ideal for

growing the grain

By Emma Hinchliffe

May 26, 2016 Updated: May 26, 2016 9:45pm

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff

Rice farmer Wayne England has irrigation canals running through his fields near Brookshire.

"You make a living, but you don't have a pension," England said of his profession. "You have

what you make. It's hard ... more

As thousands of agriculture professionals descend on Houston next week for the rice industry's

annual conference, farmer Wayne England will be busy tending to his 325 acres.

England's family has grown long grain rice in Brookshire, just west of Katy, since 1940, when

his uncle bought the land and planted his first seeds. Now 65, England will be the last rice farmer

in his family line, in a region that was home to thousands more acres of the crop before

development turned Katy in a suburban residential direction.

His fields produce 14,000 pounds of rice per acre between planting in March and the last harvest

in August each year.

"I've never really had a summer vacation," he said.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/author/emma-hinchliffe/



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For those in the rice industry who aren't tired from back-breaking labor or encroaching suburban

sprawl, the business is still challenging. Many of those professionals will be in Houston next

week for the Rice Market Technology Convention.

The conference, scheduled to bring 500 attendees from 33 countries to Houston Tuesday through

Thursday, comes at a time when production costs are higher than the price of rice. Farmers are

getting $10.45 per 100 pounds of rough rice, compared to a peak of $16.60 in 2013. Some of that

deficit is offset by government subsidies, but farmers still typically need prices of about $14 to

break even.

Oil prices, too, are making it difficult for U.S. rice producers to find buyers. Countries like

Venezuela that rely on oil exports and typically import U.S. rice are buying less of the product

during the downturn. Meanwhile, the strength of the U.S. dollar is making American rice more

expensive for other countries.



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Half of all rice grown in the United States is expected to be exported. The upcoming conference

will cover niche topics like rice markets in Peru and Colombia, the role rice will play in feeding

India's booming population and U.S. agriculture policy.

Many in the U.S. rice industry are focused right now on opening up markets in Cuba and

increasing exports to onetime big buyers Iraq and Iran.

This will be the conference's first year in Houston.

Previously, it's been held in Miami, Mexico and Costa Rica. Many of the attendees, from Latin

America and Asia, are excited to gather on the Gulf Coast, with rice farms and rice mills just

outside the city.

England is the only farmer left in his family, though others still help out.

One cousin does the books, one works for the farm part-time and the rest of the family pitches in

during harvest and planting.

England discouraged his two children from entering the farming business.

"You make a living, but you don't have a pension," England said. "You have what you make. It's

hard work."

Long legacy

The work has a long legacy in the region.

Rice made its way to Houston from the East Coast in the mid-1800s. The crop really took off

after 1892, with the launch of the Beaumont Rice Mill, the oldest rice mill in Texas. It's still in

operation today, run by the great-grandson of its founder, Joe Broussard.



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"The soil, the weather, the landscape along the Gulf Coast was found to be ideal for farming

rice," said Dwight Roberts, president of the Houston-based U.S. Rice Producers Association,

which is hosting the conference.

"It's relatively flat, we have a lot of water, it's warm and there's plenty of sunshine. The heavy

clay subsoil is good for holding a flood. Things flood easily here, and rice likes to be flooded."

When rice prices were at their peak in the 1970s and '80s, Texas dedicated 500,000 acres to it

each year, all concentrated in the eastern part of the state. The crops started in Victoria,

southwest of Houston, and continued along U.S. 59 into Louisiana. The land is too wet for any

other grain.

Much has changed in recent decades.

Less rice from Katy

"Katy was one of the largest, most important rice-growing countries in the world at one point,"

Roberts said "Now it's mostly shopping malls."

The rest of the rice in the United States is grown in Arkansas, California, Mississippi and

Missouri. U.S. farmers, like those in Texas, mainly grow long grain rice, which is often used in

dry cooking, and doesn't stick.

At his Brookshire farm, England grows 723, a hybrid long-grain seed produced by RiceTec. (The

farm has always grown long-grain rice, except for a short-lived experiment with soybeans.)

This year has already seen Houston's heavy rains wipe out the fields' levees, and the rice needs

more water still."There's a lot of satisfaction in seeing rice grow," England said.

And he'll be making sure it does grow, while economists, scientists and agriculture professionals

discuss what lies ahead.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/As-rice-fields-give-way-to-suburban-sprawl-

7948114.php



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05/27/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Soybeans

High Low

Cash Bids 1083 1012

New Crop 1070 1021

Riceland Foods

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

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

Futures: SOYBEANS

High Low Last Change

Jul '16 1090.75 1071.75 1086.50 +6.75

Aug '16 1086.50 1070.00 1083.00 +5.75

Sep '16 1069.75 1056.00 1067.50 +5.75

Nov '16 1058.00 1045.00 1056.25 +5.75

Jan '17 1055.25 1041.50 1054.00 +7.00

Mar '17 1034.00 1022.25 1030.50 +4.75

May '17 1030.00 1018.25 1026.50 +5.50



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Jul '17 1030.00 1016.50 1027.25 +6.75

Aug '17 1009.50 1009.50 1018.25 +9.00

Soybean Comment

Soybeans closed higher today, as strength in the meal and oil markets continues to help soybeans

maintain recent gains. Last week and earlier this week it looked as though soybeans were headed back

below $9, but then sharp increases in meal prices pulled soybeans back within a few cents of highs. The

new crop market closed up 6 3/4-cents on the week, thanks to a 25-cent gain on Wednesday. The soybean

market needs meal demand to remain strong as the forecast of large supplies in 2016/17 will continue to

weigh on soybean prices.

Wheat

High Low

Cash Bids 491 446

New Crop 491 466

Futures: WHEAT


Jul '16 484.75 478.50 481.50 +0.25

Sep '16 495.00 489.00 491.75 0.00

Dec '16 511.25 505.00 508.25 -0.25

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4A6cUyI9d

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4Q6cQyM8d

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dQjIOZ



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Mar '17 526.00 520.00 523.50 -0.50

May '17 535.00 530.00 533.75 0.00

Jul '17 541.00 536.75 540.25 +0.50

Sep '17 545.00 543.75 546.50 0.00

Dec '17 557.00 553.00 556.75 +0.25

Mar '18 563.00 559.00 566.25 +0.75

Wheat Comment

Wheat prices ended higher again today as wet weather continues to threaten the wheat belt. For the week,

wheat saw sharp gains of 13 3/4-cents. Wheat began the week looking as though it may retest contract

lows, then rains across the wheat belt are expected to hurt the crop, the market will closely watch

Tuesday's crop condition report to see if wheat quality has been affected. Wheat is near resistance at

$4.84, and may need some help getting prices over the hump.

Grain Sorghum

High Low

Cash Bids 411 368

New Crop 350 320






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Corn

High Low

Cash Bids 413 386

New Crop 415 405

Futures: CORN


Jul '16 413.50 406.50 412.75 +4.50

Sep '16 414.75 408.50 414.25 +3.75

Dec '16 414.00 407.75 413.50 +3.75

Mar '17 420.50 414.75 420.00 +3.50

May '17 423.75 418.25 423.75 +4.00

Jul '17 427.00 421.25 427.00 +4.75

Sep '17 415.00 411.50 414.75 +2.75

Dec '17 415.00 408.50 413.75 +2.00

Mar '18 421.00 417.75 421.00 +1.75

Corn Comment

Corn prices closed higher today as prices resisted the urge for profit taking ahead of this long weekend,

thanks to the USDA reporting a 5.1 million bushels sale for 2015/16. This continues to add to the bullish

tone of the market thanks to strengthening demand. For the week, December corn ended up 13 3/4-cents.






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As we head into June prices could see additional volatility as the market anxiously awaits the acreage

report at the end of June.

Cotton

Futures: COTTON


Jul '16 64.59 63.58 64.28 -0.05

Oct '16 64.27 64.27 64.37 -0.26

Dec '16 63.98 63.3 63.85 -0.09

Memphis, TN Cotton and Tobacco Programs

Cotton Comment

Cotton futures retreated a bit to close lower after failing to generate any buying interest above Thursday's

highs. July is now testing resistance at the recent high of 64.75 cents. December shattered previous

resistance and set a new high for the move on Thursday. Above that, the next resistance for December is

the January chart gap between 64 cents and 64.08 cents. Export commitments reached 99% of USDA's

projection for the marketing year, and shipments now total 77%. Of course, USDA projects total exports

to be down 20% from the previous marketing year. Reports indicate that China's daily auctions are

slowing down. Cumulative sales are reportedly over 500,000 metric tons, or about 2.3 million bales.

Planting progress is now running behind the 5 year average at 46% planted. Arkansas farmers are ahead

of their usual pace, though, with 94% of the crop in the ground, compared with a 5 year average of 84%.

Rice

High Low

Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - -

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dQjM8Z



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Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

Futures: ROUGH RICE


Jul '16 1114.0 1075.5 1076.5 -29.5

Sep '16 1132.0 1100.0 1101.0 -29.0

Nov '16 1156.0 1122.0 1125.0 -30.0

Jan '17

1143.5 -31.5

Mar '17

1162.5 -28.5

May '17

1179.0 -29.0

Jul '17

1179.0 -29.0

Rice Comment

Rice futures continued lower today. Arkansas farmers have now planted 98% of their intended acres. The

question remains, though, will they stop there? The five year average for this date is 89%, so if conditions

remain favorable, the crop might get bigger, at least 1.6 million acres are likely. This large crop could

limit the upside potential of the market, however, dry conditions in other rice growing regions of the

world could provide support. The market needs to see better export movement, though. Weekly export

sales of 78,600 tons this week were not enough to inspire any buying interest. The chart has taken on a

negative appearance. The uptrend in July has been broken and futures closed right on previous support at

the recent low of $10.76.

Cattle






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Futures:

Live Cattle: LIVE CATTLE


Jun '16 120.075 119.125 119.700 +0.775

Aug '16 116.650 115.500 116.425 +1.075

Oct '16 116.125 114.875 115.825 +1.000

Dec '16 116.175 115.200 116.000 +0.875

Feb '17 115.400 114.675 115.325 +0.750

Apr '17 114.475 113.625 114.300 +0.475

Jun '17 107.900 107.350 107.850 +0.600

Aug '17 106.175 105.625 106.025 +0.450

Feeders: FEEDER CATTLE


Aug '16 146.850 145.550 146.700 +1.300

Sep '16 145.175 144.025 144.800 +0.850

Oct '16 143.550 142.500 143.225 +0.750

Nov '16 139.800 138.725 139.275 +0.500

Jan '17 135.050 134.075 134.425 +0.425

Mar '17 132.250 131.800 132.250 +0.850

Apr '17 133.325 133.325 133.050 +1.725






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May '17

132.975 +1.725

Arkansas Prices

Cattle Comment

Cattle prices closed higher again today as both the feeder and live cattle markets were able to close the

gap left following the cattle on feed report. Cattle futures continue to be supported by strong cash cattle

prices. With continued weakness in beef prices today, the market could have difficulty maintaining gains

longer term.

Hogs

Futures: LEAN HOGS


Jun '16 80.575 79.950 80.525 -0.025

Jul '16 81.250 80.400 81.075 -0.200

Aug '16 80.850 80.025 80.725 -0.025

Oct '16 68.650 67.950 68.525 +0.125

Dec '16 63.725 63.100 63.650 +0.075

Feb '17 66.825 66.400 66.775 +0.025

Apr '17 69.875 69.650 69.875 +0.125

May '17

74.475 +0.650

Jun '17 77.925 77.875 77.875 +0.525









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Field Report: California

By Colleen Klemczewski

WHEATLAND, CA -- Like many rice growers in

northern California and across the mid-South,

Michael Bosworth has spent the last couple weeks

flooding his rice fields and finishing up planting. And like fellow rice growers, Bosworth employs

strategic conservation practices during this crucial stage of rice production in an effort to use resources

responsibly and deliver the strongest crop for consumers.

"We use precision technology to help us grow quality crops while using minimal resources," said

Bosworth. "We utilize yield mapping and fertilizer prescriptions in order to put just the right amount of

fertilizer on every acre, which protects against over-fertilizing and ensures we have a more even

crop. We also utilize GPS drag scrapers on all of our farm acres to use less water and also have a more

uniform water depth across the field." (see the above video)

So far, these practices are paying off and things are looking good on Bosworth's farm. He finished

planting the last of his rice earlier this week and will start ground spraying herbicide application next

week to help the rice crop outcompete the surrounding weeds. After that he will begin preparing his farm

equipment for harvest the first week of September.

Bosworth shares the stages of rice production on his social media channels, (@rueandforsmanranch on

Instagram and @ruseandforsman on Twitter), with explanations of his sustainability practices to help

Drone footage of Bosworth using a

GPS scraper tractor to level his field

mailto:[email protected]

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001dxgxS7-zOkkbAKzHz8p0Ni9J-Ujq4VJj29q9AuHEEeojGioqRRISAEvJi-owmzDkNkIvmsc-csp1jXw0gbXZ1wkaXDiNSFrQWjQ21sdK0hUGxW4X97WXYB1eu7zzvBME1joWZTL1-miKCbNaT33S8cfwBRKcK1OyVEVW0gbXPLuvXHLpu2jsw7pByDy-73WEkSY_5W5lxrUqkCydjUmOUw==&c=-HbDvtOwuyGew-bBYrH3ETj18AHDPyEU26lmD6ZybzQrJVrNT_-Xzw==&ch=HapftZba5r-B0OrCDWfGbIwbGyErKSJm_QzyAv710ZG5-ObUfXoB-A==

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001dxgxS7-zOkkbAKzHz8p0Ni9J-Ujq4VJj29q9AuHEEeojGioqRRISAEvJi-owmzDknhwU49KSu54rhKg8ESIBSHBBDKhExxxQtBc_9xmrwKBgr1A8VJzZQDKgKUMFYrS3gFARk5TAb6Ax3nSRYvqdo3lgtD3MCJOVgX2ykxvKw3u5gbZAQB4UoA==&c=-HbDvtOwuyGew-bBYrH3ETj18AHDPyEU26lmD6ZybzQrJVrNT_-Xzw==&ch=HapftZba5r-B0OrCDWfGbIwbGyErKSJm_QzyAv710ZG5-ObUfXoB-A==



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consumers visualize and understand the process their rice goes through before ending up on their dinner

tables. "We have to be mindful of the public. There are other people you talk to that aren't farmers and

don't know the steps we take to engage in sustainable practices while still delivering a quality crop. I

think it can be a very impactful message."

Bosworth raises organic and traditional rice, walnuts, and cattle. He also serves as USA Rice's California

social media ambassador, helping to tell the story of rice to the public using the hashtag #thinkrice.

USA Rice Daily, Friday, May 27

AP EDA Agri Exchange Newsletter - Volume 1482

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 25-05-2016

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Honey

1 Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 2140



Guar Gum Powder

1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3700

2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1100

3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2220

White Sugar

1 CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t) 825

2 Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t) 582



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3 Thai VHP, FOB Thailand (USD/t) 505

Source: oryza, agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 25-05-2016

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Rice

1 Manjeri (Kerala) Other 2700 3700

2 Vadodara (Gujarat) Other 2800 3500

3 Samsi (West Bengal) Fine 2990 3020

Wheat

1 Haveri (Karnataka) Local 1600 1600

2 Alappuzha (Kerala) Other 1850 1975

3 Bonai (Orissa) Other 1525 1600

Mousambi

1 Bharuch (Gujarat) Other 2500 3000

2 Narnaul (Haryana) Other 2000 2500

3 Aroor (Kerala) Other 4000 4200

Onion

1 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 600 800

2 Angul (Orissa) Other 1400 1600

3 Jalore (Rajasthan) Other 800 1000

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

https://www.agra-net.com/

http://agmarknet.nic.in/

http://agmarknet.dac.gov.in/



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Price on 26-05-2016

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 405

2 Hyderabad 400

3 Nagapur 368

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 25-05-2016

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Onions Dry Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 17 18.50

2 Chicago California Russet 39.50 39.50

2 Detroit Idaho Russet 16.50 17.50

Cucumbers Package: cartons film wrapped

1 Atlanta Canada Long Seedless 13.50 15

2 Baltimore Netherlands Long Seedless 11.50 13

3 Detroit Canada Long Seedless 7 8.50

Grapes Package: 8.2 kg containers bagged

1 Baltimore Chile Red Globe 33 33

2 Dallas Chile Red Globe 29.50 30

3 San Francisco Chile Red Globe 31 33

Source:USDA

http://e2necc.com/



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By Fred Miller

FAYETTEVILLE — A new initiative to share scientific knowledge with rice processing industries was

announced during the annual Rice Processing Program Industry Alliance Meeting.

Hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in the nation‘s No. 1 rice producing

state, the meeting provides an arena for industry leaders and scientists to compare notes, research and

resources. More than 100 industry representatives, rice growers, equipment suppliers and consultants

attended this year‘s meeting, May 24-25.Ya-Jane Wang, professor of food science, and Rusty Bautista,

grain quality engineer at RiceTec, Inc., announced the development of short courses offered by the

Division of Agriculture‘s department of food science.

The courses will be designed to transfer research-based knowledge about rice chemistry, quality and

applications to industry employees and rice farmers. Development of the courses is sponsored by the

American Association of Cereal Chemists International.―The courses will offer knowledge to help

improve rice production and processing,‖ Wang said. She added that the courses will be a two-way street,

allowing the industry to provide feedback about how division research can help meet production and

processing challenges.Meeting participants were given a survey by which they could suggest priority

needs the short courses could address.

Research and industry presentations during the meeting covered advances in rice production, storage and

processing practices, as well as consumer studies.―This is a signature event for our program,‖ said Terry

Siebenmorgen, University Professor of food science and director of the University of Arkansas System

Division of Agriculture‘s Rice Processing Program. ―Not only does the industry support us with funding

and equipment, but they also provide us important end-user feedback.‖Siebenmorgen said the Rice

Processing Program team investigates a wide range of topics from kernel development to consumer

wants. The team‘s expertise includes plant physiology, carbohydrate chemistry, process engineering,

plant pathology and sensory analysis.With alliance support, program scientists are tackling some of the

biggest challenges in the rice industry. One of the best examples of this partnership, Siebenmorgen said,

has been the discovery and understanding of the role nighttime air temperatures play in determining rice

processing quality.

The entire Rice Processing Program team contributed to the many pieces of information that collectively

identified high nighttime air temperatures as the culprit, Siebenmorgen said, and the Division of

Agriculture‘s relationship with rice processing companies was a valuable asset during their

investigation.— Fred Miller is with the U of A System Division of Agriculture

http://pbcommercial.com/news/area-digest/researchers-rice-industries-exchange-

information#sthash.QNbkDEJV.dpuf

http://pbcommercial.com/news/area-digest/researchers-rice-industries-exchange-information#sthash.QNbkDEJV.dpuf

http://pbcommercial.com/news/area-digest/researchers-rice-industries-exchange-information#sthash.QNbkDEJV.dpuf



23

Seme Customs Command impounds N23.9m rice By Daily Post Staff on May 27, 2016@dailypostngr

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos State said on Friday it had seized 2,131

bags of smuggled rice with a duty paid value of N23.9 million.The Controller, Mr Victor Dimka, said in

statement at Seme, a border post between Nigeria and Benin Republic that the seizures were made

through intelligence gathering.―The bags of rice were smuggled into the country from Benin Republic

through the Ere creek in Ikoga and they were stored in an uncompleted building in the area.

―Officials of the command got wind of this and moved in to make the seizures; the seizures were

made without hitches.―They came in through the water because the road leading to Seme border

has been `fortified‘ against smuggling by officers of the command,‘‘ said the statement, a copy

of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry.―Investigation is

being carried out to ensure that the suspects are apprehended and brought to face trial.‘‘

The statement warned smugglers to desist from their nefarious activities and go through the land

borders to clear their goods to shore up the nation‘s revenue.It lauded the synergy between the

customs, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the fight against smuggling and

insecurity particularly at the borders. (NAN)

http://dailypost.ng/2016/05/27/seme-customs-command-impounds-n23-9m-rice/

Rice importation to continue

posted May 28, 2016 at 12:01 am by John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos- Araneta

http://dailypost.ng/author/daily-post-staff/

http://www.twitter.com/dailypostngr

http://thestandard.com.ph/search?q=John%20Paolo%20Bencito%20and%20Macon%20Ramos-%20Araneta



24

DAVAO CITY—The importation of rice will continue for the meantime to address the country‘s

impending rice self-sufficiency issues, former North Cotabato governor and incoming

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Friday.Piñol, who was appointed to his new post by

President-apparent Rodrigo Duterte, said they will look at overhauling policies and review

existing rice purchase plans by the state.―I cannot make projections on the country‘s efforts to

achieve rice sufficiency until I have fully reviewed the existing infrastructure. In the meantime,

importation is the only answer to the shortfall,‖ Piñol told The Standard Friday.

He made his statement even as Senator Cynthia Villar said the country now had a better shot at

curbing the perennial smuggling in the agriculture sector after President Benigno Aquino III

signed into law a measure imposing higher penalties on the crime that she sponsored.―Harsher

penalties are now imposed to serve as a deterrent to smuggling activities,‖ said Villar, the head

of the Senate‘s agriculture and food committee. Republic Act 10845, or the act declaring large-

scale agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage, was signed into law by Aquino on May 23.

The importation of rice is a politically charged issue in the world‘s third largest rice importer,

with the past administrations pushing to keep the tariffs high to protect local farmers but

sometimes needing to quickly import thousands of tons of rice to boost rice stocks.



25

Private traders are allowed to bring in annual shipments of up to 805,200 tons with a 35-

percent tariff. Rice importation is regulated by the NFA, which issues import permits and

allocations. In a radio interview, Piñol earlier said the new administration will bar private traders

from importing rice and put the task entirely in the hands of the National Food Authority.

―The directive of our president-elect is that there will be no more rice importation by the private

sector. It will only be the NFA,‖ Piñol said.While Duterte‘s initial directives continue to be in

effect, Piñol said, that they will have to review the administration‘s policy statements on banning

private rice importers. ―These will have to be reviewed in view of the impeding shortage

because of El Niño,‖ Piñol said.

While El Niño is now weakening, farm officials have warned of more crop damage later in the

year when La Niña brings intense rain. NFA spokesman Angel Imperial said there was no

urgent need to import rice at the moment given the ample stocks. The Philippines has been a

net rice importer for the last 50 years

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/206733/rice-importation-to-continue.html


By Fred Miller

FAYETTEVILLE — A new initiative to share scientific knowledge with rice processing industries was

announced during the annual Rice Processing Program Industry Alliance Meeting.

Hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture in the nation‘s No. 1 rice producing

state, the meeting provides an arena for industry leaders and scientists to compare notes, research and

resources. More than 100 industry representatives, rice growers, equipment suppliers and consultants

attended this year‘s meeting, May 24-25.a-Jane Wang, professor of food science, and Rusty Bautista,

grain quality engineer at RiceTec, Inc., announced the development of short courses offered by the

Division of Agriculture‘s department of food science.

The courses will be designed to transfer research-based knowledge about rice chemistry, quality and

applications to industry employees and rice farmers. Development of the courses is sponsored by the

American Association of Cereal Chemists International.―The courses will offer knowledge to help

improve rice production and processing,‖ Wang said. She added that the courses will be a two-way street,

allowing the industry to provide feedback about how division research can help meet production and

processing challenges.

Meeting participants were given a survey by which they could suggest priority needs the short courses

could address.Research and industry presentations during the meeting covered advances in rice

production, storage and processing practices, as well as consumer studies.―This is a signature event for

our program,‖ said Terry Siebenmorgen, University Professor of food science and director of the

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture‘s Rice Processing Program. ―Not only does the

industry support us with funding and equipment, but they also provide us important end-user feedback.‖



26

Siebenmorgen said the Rice Processing Program team investigates a wide range of topics from kernel

development to consumer wants. The team‘s expertise includes plant physiology, carbohydrate chemistry,

process engineering, plant pathology and sensory analysis.With alliance support, program scientists are

tackling some of the biggest challenges in the rice industry. One of the best examples of this partnership,

Siebenmorgen said, has been the discovery and understanding of the role nighttime air temperatures play

in determining rice processing quality.

The entire Rice Processing Program team contributed to the many pieces of information that collectively

identified high nighttime air temperatures as the culprit, Siebenmorgen said, and the Division of

Agriculture‘s relationship with rice processing companies was a valuable asset during their

investigation.— Fred Miller is with the U of A System Division of Agriculture

http://pbcommercial.com/news/area-digest/researchers-rice-industries-exchange-

information#sthash.Jzss4Xir.dpuf

Different methods considered to mitigate effects of lifting of

trade restrictions on rice

WITH the impending removal of trade restrictions on rice, different ways of cushioning the effects on

the local rice farmers’ livelihood are being considered.

―We have been discussing possible schemes together with the National Food Authority on what

mechanisms we can put in place,‖ said Fredelita C. Guiza, secretary of the Presidential Assistant for Food

Security and Agricultural Modernization, in a statement released by the International Rice Research

Institute (IRRI), on the possible situation of farmers when the quantitative restrictions (QRs) on rice

imports have been lifted.The Philippines maintains government trade quotas on rice with the aim of

protecting local producers against cheap imports. It currently limits the amount of rice allowed to enter

the country via the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme which is set at 805,200 metric tons at

reduced tariffs of 35%. Shipments outside the MAV are slapped with higher rates of 40%.

By June 2017, the country‘s QR on rice imports will be scrapped, with 35% levied on all imports.For his

part, IRRI‘s deputy director general for communication and partnerships, Dr. Bruce Tolentino, raised the

need to lower the country‘s cost of production so as to support farmers and boost their income

considering the World Trade Organization will not agree to another extension of the QR.―One of the

reasons why the country‘s rice is not as competitive as the commodity is in Vietnam, Thailand, and other

rice-producing countries is the high cost of production,‖ Mr. Tolentino said. ―This can mostly be

attributed to our high labor costs because food is expensive. Why is food expensive? Because rice prices

are high. Once we‘re able to manage rice production and make it less expensive and comparable to, say,

Vietnam, we will then be able to manage production costs,‖ he added.



27

Ms. Guiza also expressed interest in promoting a water-saving technology called alternate wetting and

drying (AWD) which may eliminate the traditional method of keeping farmers‘ rice fields continuously

flooded.In AWD, the water level in a rice paddy is allowed to drop to 10-15 cm below the soil surface

before reflooding the field. A perforated water tube, which could be either a polyvinyl chloride pipe or

bamboo, is used for farmers to monitor the water level below the soil.

―Most irrigation systems in the Philippines currently charge farmers a flat rate, regardless of the actual

amount of water they use. But, if the farmers are saving water then the cost should be reduced,‖ said

James Quilty head of IRRI‘s Zeigler Experiment Station. Adopting the AWD system on a large scale

should be done collectively and with incentives for irrigation. -- Janina C. Lim

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=different-methods-considered-to-

mitigate-effects-of-lifting-of-trade-restrictions-on-rice&id=128162

Climate-smart rice technologies seen to boost Philippine rice

production

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Northbound Philippines News Online

IRRI, Los Baños, Laguna — Cultivating climate-smart rice varieties in unfavorable

environments could boost local rice production on rainfed rice farming areas that often

experience low productivity, poverty, and hunger, according to Department of Agriculture (DA)

Assistant Secretary for Operations Edilberto de Luna.Assistant Secretary De Luna spoke on

Thursday before rice department heads and scientists from 10 Asian countries at the 15th Annual

Steering Committee Meeting of the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE) on

May 24-26 at the Bellevue Hotel in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), CURE, a ―network of

networks,‖ focuses on rice farming systems where low and unstable yields are common and

extensive poverty and food security prevail.De Luna said climate-smart rice can withstand the ill

effects of drought, flooding, and salinity that pose great threats to rainfed rice areas.

The DA official also assured that the government will ensure the availability of seeds of climate-

smart rice varieties and will promote their use in less favorable areas through informal seed

systems such as community seed banks.DA Secretary Proceso Alcala graced the international

gathering and lauded that ―indeed, CURE provides an integrated platform to help the poor

farmers in unfavorable rice areas in Asia by creating, validating, disseminating, and adopting

new rice technologies for adverse environments.‖

http://northboundasia.com/2016/05/28/climate-smart-rice-technologies-seen-boost-philippine-rice-production/

http://northboundasia.com/author/admin/



28

Secretary Alcala cited ―undeniably, the platform has become a beacon of hope for resolving key

problems in rice farming systems through strengthened partnership among the national

agricultural research and extension staff, IRRI researchers, farmers, and extension workers.

―The time, effort, and resources invested under CURE are now beginning to pay off with

bountiful gains and achievements,‖ he added.

The Agriculture Department Secretary said that ―significant victories we have gained in

technology research and development innovation should further inspire renewed commitments

by national governments to strengthen global and regional partnerships in creating better options

for resource-poor and climate change-vulnerable rice farmers in the region.‖Yoichiro Kato,

agronomist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) revealed that ―around 27 percent

of the Philippine land area is rainfed and this rainfed agriculture sustains many farmers in the

country and contributes about 26% of the Philippines‘ total rice production.‖

According to Dr. Calixto Protacio, executive director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute

(PhilRice) the contribution of these varieties to the country‘s food security is even more crucial

because the Philippines is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to climate change.

―To date, the Philippines, a member country of CURE, has released 19 drought-tolerant rice

varieties for the rainfed lowlands, four for the uplands, and 15 for saline-prone environments‖

Dr. Protacio disclosed.Dr. Aurora Corales, supervising science research specialist at PhilRice

added that aside from being more resilient, climate-smart rice varieties have other outstanding

qualities.―The recently released drought-tolerant rice variety, NSIC Rc282, yielded up to 7.9 tons

per hectare during the 2016 dry season in an on-farm trial in Cuyapon, Nueva Ecija,‖ explained

Corales noting ―farmers also liked NSIC Rc282 because it has more tillers, long panicles and less

grain shattering.‖

Lakbay Binhi (travelling seeds) is another way of making these climate-smart varieties more

accessible to farmers, according to Protacio.Lakbay Binhi project brings high-quality seeds to

Filipino farmers through mobile seed centers. It was pilot-tested at three sites affected by

Typhoon Lando (Koppu).―The adoption of technologies in the country is more of a bottom-up

approach,‖ said Dr. Digna Manzanilla, IRRI social scientist and CURE coordinator.Manzanilla

added that ―CURE involves potential or actual seed growers within the community to ensure

good seed supply. Agricultural technicians conduct village-level demonstration trials and

technologies are learned from one farmer to another.‖

CURE is also helping 100 million farm households dependent on rice in unfavorable

environments in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, India,

Bangladesh and Nepal. PNA/ northboundasia.com

- See more at: http://northboundasia.com/2016/05/28/climate-smart-rice-technologies-seen-boost-

philippine-rice-production/#sthash.ZdtAjtqj.dpuf



29

Weathering El Niño with better preparations

Our blog from on the road and behind the scenes at key science and development events

28/05/16

With the worst of El Niño now over, there is a general sense of relief that one of the strongest weather

events on record didn‘t lead to food shortages and spikes in food prices, particularly for rice. During the

2007-2008 food crisis when there was also an El Niño, albeit a milder one, rice prices on the world

market more than doubled. This time, prices went up by a more manageable 10-15 per cent despite rice

stocks dipping at their lowest in three years.

Everybody has apparently learned from the last food crisis, says Samarendu Mohanty, social sciences

division head of the International Rice Research Institute, on the sidelines of the 15th Review, Planning

and Steering Committee Meeting of the Consortium for Unfavourable Rice Environments held in Manila

(24 May).

Massive information and warnings about a strong El Niño since early last year prepared governments for

its onset. A number of countries increased their seed buffer stocking to ensure production normalises

immediately once favourable weather returns.

But Mohanty says that the most important lesson from the 2007-2008 food crisis is not to panic. At that

time, major rice-exporting countries such as India and Vietnam restricted rice exports, causing panic

buying among rice-importing countries like the Philippines. Some countries purchased more than

necessary, which drove up prices.

Advances in rice research and technology in the past decade have managed to save millions of farms

worldwide, which otherwise would have been rendered unproductive and useless. More countries have

now resorted to adopting salt-tolerant, drought- and heat-resistant rice varieties in unfavourable

environments.

Mohanty, however, warns of complacency as politics and successive disasters could easily sway policies

and affect supplies in the market. Moreover, he says research should continue to provide better varieties

and more profitable returns to encourage farmers to continue planting rice.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s South-East Asia & Pacific desk

http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/disasters/scidev-net-at-large/weathering-el-ni-o-with-better-

preparations.html#sthash.iyzN8nFw.dpuf

http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/environment/disasters/

http://www.scidev.net/%20asia-pacific/agriculture/food-security/

http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/communication/

http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/governance/

http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/enterprise/trade/

http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/governance/policy/

28 may ,2016 daily global,regional & local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

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