4th 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 04,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIII

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Declining prices: governments weigh up option to protect agriculture

sector September 03, 2015

ZAHEER ABBASI

The federal government and provinces on Wednesday weighed various options to protect the

agriculture sector from declining prices of agriculture products in the international market. An

official said that a consultative meeting on agriculture products and Basmati rice was held on

Wednesday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the chair and various options were discussed

during the meeting. The official said the issue of high costs of agricultural inputs was discussed.

He said the Prime Minister directed to devise proposals to bring down the cost of inputs to

improve per acre yield and profitability after he was given a detailed presentation on the present

situation as well as on future scenarios. Secretary Food Department of Sindh government

told Business Recorder that the meeting was a follow-up of a meeting held in August. He said

the meeting has not taken any decision and decided to hold another meeting in this regard to

further discuss the proposals.

He said the decline in agriculture products prices in the international market has created

problems of exports. He said that farmers are suffering due to high input prices at home and low

output prices. Secretary Agriculture Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said a committee was

constituted by the Prime Minister to suggest as to how to support small farmers. The meeting

discussed implications of the government interventions to manage the price fluctuations while

keeping in view the interests of both producers and consumers. A statement issued by the Prime

Minister''s office after the meeting says that the surplus stocks of agricultural products in

international and domestic markets have put pressure on the support price mechanism and

profitability of the agricultural production has been affected.

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed the meeting that in Pakistan

agriculture is mainly a small farmers'' business, living in rural areas and any price shock has

damaging effects on millions of small farmers earning their livelihood from agriculture sector.

The meeting agreed that the Pakistani agriculture is suffering from global phenomenon and a

strategy is required to come out of this economic situation. The Planning Commission organised

a forum on agriculture pricing trends and its possible implications on rural economy in August

2015. The forum presented a set of recommendations for consideration by the government on

Wednesday''s meeting. The meeting deliberated in detail on the recommendations of the forum

regarding problems faced by the producers of major crops like rice, sugarcane, cotton, wheat and

vegetables.

The Prime Minister directed that the Ministry of National Food Security may initiate measures to

attract investment in high-tech seed industry and asked if any legislation is required to do that.

The Prime Minister also directed to develop standards for use of agricultural machinery to

improve its efficiency. Provincial governments were directed to initiate a process for

implementation of the recommendations for the agriculture forum. The meeting was attended by

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Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Minister of Commerce, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance,

Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister for IPC; Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for National Food

Security; Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the PM, federal

secretary National Food security, Secretary agriculture from Punjab, Sindh, KPK and

Balochistan.

Business Recorder

Senate Summons CBN, NCS over Abuse of Import Waivers 05 Sep 2015

Font Size: a / A

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Senate ad-hoc Committee on Waivers has

summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), over alleged sharp

practices on the application of waivers' policy on rice

and other food items.The summons followed the upper

legislative chamber's mandate to the committee in July

to thoroughly review federal government's policy on

waivers with the intention to determine federal

government's losses to indiscriminate granting of waivers to unscrupulous importers.In another

development, the Senate yesterday appealed to the international community to throw its weight

behind Nigeria's efforts to reposition and grow the economy.

This appeal was made by a Senate delegation led by the senate president, Bukola Saraki, to

separate bilateral meetings with German and French delegates at the just concluded Fourth

United Nations (UN) International Conference for Heads of Parliaments in New York.After its

meeting in Abuja yesterday, the committee said it found that the policy was being used by

importers and relevant government agencies to defraud the country of billions of naira.

According to the committee chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), details of rots

uncovered by the committee would be made public during forthcoming public hearing and in the

final report of the committee.

"We have sent letters of invitation to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) like the

Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria and of course, the Nigeria Customs

Service (NCS) to give us relevant information that will help us to carry out the assignment given

us very effectively and in fact, unearth the rots waivers have caused in the system.

"We are very happy with the responses we have gotten so far from the MDAs. What we are

doing now is to start compiling the reports and make our recommendations before which a public

hearing will be held where the abuse of the policy either by importers or relevant government

agencies will be made open to Nigerians," he said

He also said the decision of the committee on public hearing would be taken at its meeting next

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Tuesday.

The Senate had in July asked the committee to investigate the allegation of abuse of waiver's

policy on rice importation and other food items which it said had robbed the nation of whopping

N585 billion between 2011 and 2014.According to the motion entitled: "Indiscriminate Use and

Abuse of Waivers for Rice Importation and Others," abuse of waiver's scheme has had adverse

effects on federal government's policy on rice production, resulting in the importation of large

quantities of rice in excess of the policy's requirement.

The CBN had recently also revealed that importers had overshot their quota on rice importation

and consequently owing the federal government import duties amounting to billions of naira.

It also revealed that importers, under the guise of the policy, have defrauded the federal

government of 70 per cent duties and levies adding that instead of punishing defaulting

importers, the immediate past administration opted to grant them fresh waivers to import more in its

twilight.The senators also alleged that the federal government had lost as much as N71 billion to duty waivers to importers of

rice, palm oil, energy equipment, steel and vegetable oil annually adding that the federal government gave import duty waivers to

rice and palm oil importers amounting to N150 billion in 2011.

Tags: News, Nigeria, Featuered, Abuse of Import Waivers

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/senate-summons-cbn-ncs-over-abuse-of-import-waivers/219396/

APEDA Commodty News from India

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 03-09-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Garlic

1 Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 2100

2 Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 2000

3 Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 1800

Ginger

1 Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4600

2 Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 5100

3 Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3000

Guar Gum Powder

1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 4280

2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1700

3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2800

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 03-09-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Maize

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1 Himatnagar (Gujarat) Other 1250 1450

2 Kishanganj (Bihar) Other 1350 1550

3 Senjeri (Tamil Nadu) Other 1500 1700

Paddy(Dhan)

1 Bonai (Orissa) Other 1410 1410

2 Pulpally (Kerala) Other 1500 1700

3 Manapparai (Tamil Nadu) Other 1450 1550

Mousambi

1 Malout (Punjab) Other 1500 2500

Brinjal

1 Surat (Gujarat) Other 1000 2250

2 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 2000

3 Malout (Punjab) Other 1000 1200

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 31-08-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 305

2 Nagapur 270

3 Hyderabad 295

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 03-09-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 21 23.50

2 Baltimore Canada Russet 14 14

3 Detroit Idaho Russet 16 19.50

Cucumbers Package: cartons film wrapped

1 Atlanta Canada Long Seedless 9 10

2 Dallas California Long Seedless 12 14

3 Miami Honduras Long Seedless 10 10

Grapefruit Package: 7/10 bushel cartons

1 Atlanta California Red 26 27.50

2 Dallas California Red 24 24

3 Chicago California Red 20 21

Source:USDA

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Fisher Delta Center Field Day Attracts a Crowd

PORTAGEVILLE, MO - USA Rice was a sponsor of the University of Missouri Fisher Delta

Research Center's 54th

annual field day held here Wednesday. More than 500 people, including

producers, agribusiness representatives, and local, state, and national elected officials attended an

appreciation breakfast before the field day tours.

Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) were keynote speakers at the

event. Each addressed the growing importance of agricultural research with today's growing

global population and highlighted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overreach, which

they said is hurting American farmers.

USA Rice's Chuck Wilson and Kristen Dayton participated in the event and also met with

Missouri rice producers from around the region, including Cape Girardeau's Blake Gerard, the

newly elected chairman of USA Rice Farmers.

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 4

Month Price Net Change

September 2015 $11.850 + $0.055

November 2015 $12.110 + $0.050

January 2016 $12.400 + $0.050

March 2016 $12.650 + $0.060

May 2016 $12.880 + $0.065

July 2016 $13.045 + $0.065

September 2016 $12.220 + $0.125

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Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains

By G Krishna Prasad

Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice

at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the

government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are

havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel

charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have

technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity

of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month.

The traders in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased

the prices on the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice. The millers deny the charge

however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But the fact remains that this is

the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last four months in the region. The

minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished) which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs

28 now. The fine quality rice ‗Old Sona Masuri‘ which was Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48.

There are reports that the government‘s subsidised Rs 1 a kg rice is purchased by middlemen and

sold to the millers.

The millers polish the same rice and sell it in the open market as ‗Sannalu‘. The prices of all the

Masuri varieties have increased in all markets, including hyper and super markets.The price of a

25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July, now sells at

Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs 1,200. What is

worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G Venkatramudu,

opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon. The millers expect

low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in paddy.Though essential

commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the officials concerned are least

bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about the price rise.

Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and

millers. ―Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification

to sell rice at a high price,‖ Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari

districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety

cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported

from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer

Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control

the prices of rice.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-Poor-

Rains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece

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Gov’t urges millers to pay paddy farmers

The Guyana Government yesterday said that it empathises with the frustrations of rice farmers and hopes

that the rice millers can make arrangements to have outstanding amounts to rice farmers remitted to them

at the earliest possible time.

A release from GINA said that consultations with the …to continue

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/09/04/govt-urges-millers-to-pay-paddy-farmers/

Govt advisor cautions against irrational resistance to GM

crops R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 3:

A senior Government advisor on Thursday pitched for ―no irrational resistance‖ to genetically-

modified (GM) crops and believed that nanotechnology could help Indian agriculture overcome

problems of declining landholdings, increasing numbers of marginal cultivators and land

degradation.

―There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops once

careful research has been done, field trials have been

completed and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee

(GEAC) approval has been obtained,‖ said R

Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the

Centre, at the ‗4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit‘ hosted

Assocham here on Thursday.Chidambaram had been

talking about the need for climate-resilient agriculture

and mitigation and adaptation strategies had to include

development of new crop varieties, including GM

crops, alongside soil health restoration.―Agriculture

contributes less than 20 per cent of India‘s GDP (gross

domestic product), accounts for over 10 per cent of India‘s

exports and employs over half of our workforce, the latter

number is three per cent for the US,‖ he said.He

highlighted the need for more techniques to improve

domestic irrigation facilities to save water with farmers

consuming ―about 80 per cent of State water supply‖

and also suggested the need for a grid for basmati rice

research and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles such as indigenously-built

NETRA in agriculture.Chidambaram also pushed for technologies to prevent food wastage and

pest attacks on crops. ―While ensuring food and nutritional security, we have to provide

mechanism for ensuring increased farm incomes,‖ he said. (This article was published on September 3, 2015)

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BUSINESS LINE

There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops:

Principal Scientific Advisor

Alka Sirohi

03 September, 2015

Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Dr R. Chidambaram, while speaking at

an event organised by industry body, Assocham in New Delhi said that there should be no

irrational resistance to GM crops, after the completion of careful research, field trials and

approval of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).Whilestressing on the need for

climate resilient agriculture he said that mitigation and adaptation strategies must include soil

health restoration and development of new crop varieties including genetically modified (GM)

crops.

In Focus

Hestressed on the need for more widespread techniques to improve irrigation facilities in India.

While saying highlighting that farmers in India consume about 80 per cent of state water supply,

he said there was a need to make a saving there.On the need for developing high-yielding

basmati rice varieties, R. Chidambaram said that he would love to have a Grid for basmati rice

research.While inaugurating the '4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit' the Principal Scientific Advisor to

the Government, according to a press release by the Assocham,also pitched for using

'agricultural drone with appropriate sensors' while citing an example of NETRA, an unmanned

aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

that was used to track damage and marooned people.

He said that nanoscience based viable advanced technologies (that are both economic and

scientific) must be developed to counter negative effects of declining landholdings, increasing

number of marginal farmers and land degradation."Agriculture contributes less than 20 per cent

of India's GDP, accounts for over 10 per cent of India's exports and employs over half of our

workforce, the latter number is three per cent for the USA," said R. Chidambaram.

http://www.merinews.com/article/there-should-be-no-irrational-resistance-to-gm-crops-

principal-scientific-advisor/15909323.shtml#sthash.GTPlo67N.dpuf

Corruption in the distribution of bardana will not be

tolerated:Bilal Yasin in Business, Latest news Leave a comment

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has said that Punjab government has fixed

wheat procurement target of 40 lakh metric ton in the province. He said that district

administration and Food Department will extend complete cooperation to the farmers for

transparent purchase of wheat. He said that corruption and irregularities in the distribution of

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bardana will not be tolerated. He said that strict disciplinary action will be taken against

government machinery if found negligent in this regard.

He was addressing a high level meeting

held in connection with wheat procurement

arrangements at Conference Hall, in the

office of Commissioner Sargodha Division.

Secretary Food Punjab Dr. Pervaiz Ahmed

Khan, Commissioner Sargodha Division

Capt. (R) Muhammad Asif, Director Food

Asif Bilal besides DCOs of four districts, Deputy Directors Food, DFCs and representatives of

farmers all over the division attended the meeting. Bilal Yasin stressed upon the Food

Department to pay attention to the labour arrangements for loading and unloading of wheat. He

said that Punjab province is the biggest stockist of Asia with regard to wheat procurement.

He said that the aim of wheat procurement is not to fill the godowns of wheat but the real

objective is to give due return to the farmers to their hard work so that we should remain self-

sufficient in food. The Provincial Minister said that the administration and Food Department

should take vigorous steps for providing facilities to the farmers including tent for sitting, cold

water for drinking, chairs and keeping the revenue matters transparent.

Earlier, Secretary Food Pervaiz Ahmed Khan stressed upon Food Department and district

administration to hold meetings with farmers for knowing their problems and proposals. He said

that the record of distribution of bardana is available in Punjab Information Technology Board

and Chief Minister Punjab is personally monitoring it. He said that Chief Minister can get

information about any procurement center by contacting the farmers on telephone at any time.

He said that the wheat procurement target is a big target for which administration and Food

Department will utilize all their resources.

The meeting was told that government has fixed the price of wheat 1300 rupees per maund, 10

percent moisture ratio whereas weight 101.100 kg. Delivery charges will be Rs. 7.5 per 100 kg

bag. It was told that control rooms and committees have been constituted for monitoring of

procurement and redressal of complaints of farmers.

http://lahoreworld.com/2015/04/20/corruption-in-the-distribution-of-bardana-will-not-be-toleratedbilal-

yasin/

Global agricultural research network is overhauled again By Dennis Normile

3 September 2015 5:16 am

A key guardian of global food security is looking shaky. Funding for the Consultative Group on

International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world's premier group of agricultural research

centers, is sagging in the global economic downturn. Its flagship backer—the World Bank—

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threatened to pull the plug on its contributions. And now CGIAR is

about to undergo internal convulsions: It's reorganizing for the second

time in just 5 years. Backers say the move will give CGIAR a more

coherent strategy and make the most of available funding. Critics argue

that greater effort should go into securing stable funding and

prioritizing research. Read the Full Text. (Login may be required.)

Posted in Environment, Policy, People & Events http://news.sciencemag.org/environment/2015/09/global-agricultural-research-network-overhauled-again

NFA rice imports slammed

PNASep. 05, 2015 at 12:01am

THE announced importation of 2.1-million metric tons of rice by the National Food Authority

may pose serious repercussions to local farmers, a non-government organization said on

Friday.―[This over importation of rice] is caused by the incoherent direction in addressing the

rice problem with two different agencies running the rice commodity,‖ said Au Regalado, lead

convenor of Rice Watch and Action Network (R1).According to R1, the Department of

Agriculture is focused more on raising productivity and incomes of farmers, whereas the Office

of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agriculture Modernization currently linked to

NFA is just looking at the market side of the equation.―We raised in the Food Staples Committee

in the Department of Agriculture our concern for the very high target for importation set by the

NFA,‖ Regalado said.R1 noted that such rice importation is alarming, considering the increase in

rice output in the last season as reported by Philippine Statistics Authority.

Their alarm is doubled by the fact that the NFA‘s target importation does not even include the

target for Minimum Access Volume for the year.―This over importation of rice would set major

drawbacks to local farmers,‖ Regalado said.―We all know that oversupply of imported rice will

spell the death of livelihood for our local rice farmers. The traders will exploit this situation to

drive the farm gate prices of palay (unmilled rice) at its lowest possible rate,‖ he said.Regalado

further justified R1‘s claims by citing reports that ―traders cornered the procurement of palay in

the last season because NFA focused on rice importation.‖Aside from farmers, the consuming

public would also suffer from possible price hikes of rice and other related commodities.Despite

the overstock, prices of rice in the market remain at P37 to P45 a kilo. Hence, R1 poses a

challenge to the NFA to flood the market to press the prices down so that the consumers will

benefit from the oversupply during the lean season.

―A major leap in rice production is [still] possible especially if the government will seriously

implement its programs designed to achieve rice self-sufficiency,‖ said Regalado.Recently, the

NFA was also under scrutiny by lawmakers for excessive rice importation, arguing that it was

―highly irregular and doubtful‖ given the rice self-sufficiency figures.Last June 1, 2015, DA

officials claimed that the country has attained a self-sufficient total rice stock inventory of 3.02-

million MT; hence, the need for imported rice this year was questionable, the lawmakers said.

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Bayan Muna Party-list Representatives Neri J. Colmenares, Carlos and Isagani T. Zarate have

already sought a congressional investigation through House Resolution 2231.Zarate said officials

of NFA, the Bureau of Customs, and the Food Security Council should be summoned to clarify

issues relative to the importation and the country‘s rice self-sufficiency.―Overstocking [of rice]

results not only in expiration of these stocks but in potential abuse and supply manipulation as

well,‖ Colmenares said.Rice Watch and Action Network is a non-government organization that

focuses on the welfare of small farmers and the improvement of their living conditions. It also

promotes a sustainable agriculture aimed at fostering an economically and environmentally

viable rice industry.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/mobile/2015/09/05/nfa-rice-imports-slammed/

Rice Fields at Risk in Western Cambodia With Lack of Rainfall 2015-09-03

The drought has dried up a reservoir in central Cambodia's Kampong Thom province, June 14, 2015.

RFA

Rice crops in western Cambodia will die from drought if the region does not receive rain within

the next month, officials said Thursday, as a development organization urged the government to

do more to assist farmers with irrigation.A delay to the beginning of the rainy season, which

typically lasts from the end of May through the first half of October, has devastated provinces

that are home to the country‘s largest area of rice fields and plantations, vice president of the

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National Committee for Disaster Management Nhim Vanda told RFA‘s Khmer Service.―In my

experience, if there is no rain in September, the rice in Pursat and Battambang provinces will be

destroyed,‖ he said.

According to Nhim Vanda, several thousand hectares (one hectare = 2.5 acres) of rice fields

across Pursat and Battambang—as well as in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Takeo,

Kampot, Kampong Speu and Siem Reap—are at risk of failure if the rains do not come.The

government can only assist certain areas suffering from reduced seasonal rainfall with crop

mitigation, he said, but can do little to help in regions where there is no rain.

Chhun Chhorn, governor of central Cambodia‘s Kampong Thom province, told RFA that the

little rain his region had received was insufficient to sustain farmers‘ rice crops.He said

provincial authorities were devising a plan to help pump water into farmers‘ fields in order to

save their seasonal harvest.―

There is not enough rain—we only receive rain every once in a while,‖ he said.But Yang Saing,

president of the Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), said

the government must do more to help farmers prepare for problems such as the current

drought—one of the country‘s worst in years.He called on authorities to dig more reservoirs and

irrigation systems that would help counteract a lack of rainfall ahead of the rainy season.―And if

the authorities don‘t have any plans to dig more reservoirs, they should provide other methods to

reserve water at the end of the rainy season,‖ he said. Yang Saing also suggested farmers seek

crops that don‘t rely on much water to grow.

Ongoing drought

In July, Sivann Botum, secretary of state for Cambodia‘s Ministry of Women‘s Affairs and a

member of the National Committee for Disaster Management, told RFA that the severe drought

would deepen poverty in the developing country.At the time, Heng Kim Sreang, the agriculture

director of Kampong Chhnang province, told RFA it was beyond her department to help farmers

obtain enough water to plant rice. Because many fields lie on higher land, they are difficult to

get water to, she said, and no other farmers had volunteered to allow their plantations to be used

as a reservoir.The rainy season provides about three-quarters of Cambodia‘s annual rainfall, and

daily rain is common during its peak between July and September.Parts of Vietnam, Laos and

Thailand also are experiencing a severe lack of rain and higher-than-normal temperatures that

have resulted in lower rice production than usual because of the El Niño effect, in which changes

in weather patterns can produce droughts and floods in the Mekong region.

Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/rice-09032015171451.html

CAMBODIA PRESS-Rice millers request exemption from

VAT - Phnom Penh Post

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By REUTERS

PUBLISHED: 22:45 EST, 3 September 2015 | UPDATED: 22:45 EST, 3 September 2015

As Cambodia continues to struggle with its cost competitiveness in the rice sector, rice millers

and exporters met the General Department of Taxation on Wednesday asking for an exemption

from paying the 10 percent value added tax (VAT), the Phnom Penh Post reported.The

exemption will help ease prices in the sector, the newspaper reported, citing Kim Savuth, vice

president of the Cambodia Rice Federation. (http://bit.ly/1OfjiJf)

----

NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouch for its accuracy. (Phnom Penh

Newsroom; Editing by Anand Basu)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3221957/CAMBODIA-PRESS-Rice-millers-

request-exemption-VAT--Phnom-Penh-Post.html#ixzz3lqeygEhc

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sept 04

Fri Sep 4, 2015 2:41pm IST

Nagpur, Sept 4 Gram prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and

Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor demand from local millers amid high moisture

content

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arrival. Downward trend in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and release of stock from stockists also

pulled down prices, according to sources.

* * * *

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM

* Desi gram raw firmed up in open market here on good festival season demand from

local traders amid tight supply from producing belts.

TUAR

* Tuar Karnataka reported strong in open market here on good seasonal buying support

from local traders amid thin arrival from producing regions.

* Wheat Mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid

weak supply from Punjab and Haryana.

* In Akola, Tuar - 9,700-10,100, Tuar dal - 13,800-14,100, Udid at 9,100-9,300,

Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,400, Moong - 7,600-7,800, Moong Mogar

(clean) 9,200-9,800, Gram - 4,600-4,900, Gram Super best bold - 6,100-6,300

for 100 kg.

* Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market

in thin trading activity, according to sources.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close

Gram Auction 4,000-4,840 4,000-4,930

Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600

Tuar Auction n.a. 8,000-9,200

Moong Auction n.a. 6,000-6,400

Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500

Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800

Gram Super Best Bold 6,500-6,800 6,500-6,800

Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,900-6,100 5,900-6,100

Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 5,800-5,900 5,800-5,900

Desi gram Raw 5,100-5,180 5,000-5,100

Gram Filter new 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400

Gram Kabuli 6,400-7,500 6,400-7,500

Gram Pink 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000

Tuar Fataka Best 14,000-14,500 14,000-14,500

Tuar Fataka Medium 13,500-13,800 13,500-13,800

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16

Tuar Dal Best Phod 12,500-13,000 12,500-13,000

Tuar Dal Medium phod 12,000-12,300 12,000-12,300

Tuar Gavarani New 10,100-10,300 10,100-10,300

Tuar Karnataka 10,400-10,700 10,300-10,600

Tuar Black 12,100-12,400 12,200-12,400

Masoor dal best 8,200-8,700 8,200-8,700

Masoor dal medium 7,900-8,300 7,900-8,300

Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 9,600-9,900 9,600-9,900

Moong Mogar Medium best 8,200-8,800 8,200-8,800

Moong dal Chilka 8,700-8,900 8,700-8,900

Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 8,400-9,200 8,400-9,200

Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,800 11,200-11,800

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 10,400-10,800 10,400-10,800

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 9,100-9,600 9,100-9,600

Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,600 5,200-5,600

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,500 3,250-3,500

Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,300 3,100-3,300

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,600 3,200-3,600

Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500

Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,650-1,750 1,600-1,700

Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,350-1,550 1,350-1,550

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,400 2,250-2,400

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,100 1,950-2,100

Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,700 3,400-3,700

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,750-2,900 2,750-2,900

Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000

Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,100 2,900-3,100

Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,900 1,700-1,900

Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,450 2,300-2,450

Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,800 2,700-2,800

Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,800 3,400-3,800

Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 3,900-4,300 3,900-4,300

Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500 4,200-4,500

Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,100 4,600-5,100

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,000-10,000 8,000-10,000

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500

Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,900 4,500-4,900

Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,400-5,700 5,400-5,700

Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,350 2,100-2,350

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500

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17

WEATHER (NAGPUR)

Maximum temp. 34.0 degree Celsius (93.2 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

23.2 degree Celsius (73.7 degree Fahrenheit)

Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : nil

FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely. Maximum and minimum

temperature

would be around and 34 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

ATTN : Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain market of Nagpur APMC and oil market in

Vidarbha willbe closed tomorrow, Saturday, on the occasion of Janmashthami

Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains

By G Krishna Prasad

Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice

at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the

government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are

havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel

charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have

technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity

of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month. The traders

in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased the prices on

the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice.

The millers deny the charge however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But

the fact remains that this is the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last

four months in the region. The minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished)

which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs 28 now. The fine quality rice ‗Old Sona Masuri‘ which was

Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48. There are reports that the government‘s subsidised Rs 1 a kg

rice is purchased by middlemen and sold to the millers. The millers polish the same rice and sell

it in the open market as ‗Sannalu‘. The prices of all the Masuri varieties have increased in all

markets, including hyper and super markets.

The price of a 25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July,

now sells at Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs

1,200. What is worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G

Venkatramudu, opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon.

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18

The millers expect low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in

paddy.Though essential commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the

officials concerned are least bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about

the price rise.

Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and

millers. ―Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification

to sell rice at a high price,‖ Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari

districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety

cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported

from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer

Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control

the prices of rice.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-Poor-

Rains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece

Rice-pledging: Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process

BY EDITORON 2015-09-04THAILAND

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME

Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process The Nation

BANGKOK: — The fact-finding process of the rice-pledging scheme’s legal process will be

completed by the beginning of next year at the latest, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu

Krea-ngam.

The process will determine if a civil case is mounted. Wissanu explained that the case was divided into three

parts.The first part, the impeachment process, has already

been completed by the Office of the National Anti-

Corruption Commission and the National Legislative

Assembly.The second part is the criminal case, which has

been submitted to the Supreme Court‘s Criminal Division

for Political Officer Holders.The third part is the civil

trial.Wissanu said that the authorities placed great emphasis on treating the case with fairness in

accordance with the rule of law.He said that ministerial regulations contained in the Act covering

offences by state officials would be applied.

Everyone would be afforded a proper defence, he said.Wissanu said that two fact-finding

committees had been established.This first committee is investigating former Prime Minister

Yingluck Shinawatra – the chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee – and the second

committee is probing six Ministry of Commerce officials.The investigation process would be

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19

completed by the end of September, Wissanu said, adding that the investigation report would be

submitted to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.He said the case file would be submitted to the

committee on civil liability and compensation, which had until February 2017 to work on it

before the statute of limitations on the case expired.He believed, however, that the entire process

would be completed early next year.He added that those found guilty would have to pay

compensation, but would not face prosecution.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Wissanu-breaks-down-scheme-legal-process-

30268103.html

Focus on Iran

9/1/2005 - by Melissa Alexander

Agricultural production increase fueled by country‘s motivation to achieve self-sufficiency and

diversification

by Mario Sequeira

In the 25 years since the Iranian revolution, agricultural production has increased significantly.

This has been primarily due to strong government support of agriculture as part of its policy to

achieve self-sufficiency and, more recently, diversification in an economy heavily reliant on

oil.Iran‘s economy is essentially centrally controlled. Government measures that support

agriculture have resulted in production largely maintaining a growth of 4 to 6% annually through

the past 25 years.Action directly affecting farmers includes guaranteed purchase prices, access to

foreign currency to buy imported machinery, low-interest loans and subsidies for inputs. The

government has also improved the economic environment by phasing in liberalization and

encouraging privatization.

In 2004-05, the country declared self-sufficiency in wheat. In March, the government announced

a one-year, 15 billion Iranian rials (U.S.$1.5 million) pilot plan called the "rice production

development scheme," aimed at achieving rice self-sufficiency.Wheat and rice are two staples

that are considered strategic commodities and are targeted for self-sufficiency. Iran‘s diverse

terrain and climatic conditions enables production of tropical and cool climate commodities,

from grains such as wheat, rice, barley, maize, pulses and oilseeds to fruits, nuts and vegetables,

including dates, pistachios, sugarcane, rice, apples, cherries and walnuts. Iran is the world‘s

largest pistachio producer.The country‘s terrain and climate are diverse. Much of it is arid to

semi-arid. About 20% of Iran‘s land area of 165 million hectares, or about 32 million hectares, is

arable. Only about 15 million hectares are farmed, with more than half depending on irrigation

and the rest on rainfall.

In fact, one of the biggest constraints to agricultural expansion is not a lack of available land but

rather a lack of irrigation. Most dryland farming is carried out in the west and northwest. In

central and southern Iran, farming survives on irrigation.Agriculture remains a strategic sector in

Iran‘s economy because of the desire to achieve self-sufficiency. The other major sectors —

industry and services — have grown at a much faster pace than agriculture.Today, agriculture

accounts for 19% of Iran‘s gross domestic product, while industry and services account for 26%

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Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

20

and 55% respectively. Agriculture employs 30% of the workforce, while industry employs 25%

and services 45%.Since 1990, Iran‘s economy has been managed under five-year plans that have

aimed for a gradual move towards a market-orientated economy and development of the private

sector.

One of the plans involved the formation of rural production cooperatives to enable farmers to

avail themselves of economies of scale. Progress has been slow, but one international report

estimated that by 2022 nearly all of Iran‘s farms would be part of a cooperative.The third plan

(2000-05) committed the government to an ambitious program of liberalization, diversification

and privatization. Major third-plan goals for agriculture included the allocation of 25% of bank

loans to water and other agricultural projects, building new water pumps using new technology

and upgrading farm machinery. Current mechanization rates in the farm sector are very low.

The latest plan (2005-2010) sets goals of creating 700,000 new jobs and increasing oil output and

exports through foreign direct investment.Some of Iranian agriculture‘s most important hurdles

are the shortage of water and inefficient irrigation.Because the water cost to farmers is so heavily

subsidized, it is debated that there is not the incentive for farmers to be efficient. According to

one newspaper report, only half of irrigated farms run efficient irrigation systems with full or

partial control.Other issues debated in the country‘s newspapers include obsolescence of farm

machinery, the lack of raw materials, the practice of subsistence farming, waste in the production

and distribution cycle, inadequate scientific and technical support to farmers, inadequate capital

formation and infrastructure, and degradation of natural resources due to inefficient cropping

patterns.

WHEAT AND FLOUR MILLING

Wheat is the dominant crop in the grains sector, owing to strong government support in the form

of input subsidies and guaranteed purchase prices.Wheat accounted for 6.4 million hectares of

land in the 2004-05 crop year. Of this, 2.5 million hectares are under irrigated farming. The cost

of production is high, but the government has opted to promote and protect the industry at all

costs in the drive to reach self-sufficiency.Production has increased by 75% in the past 15 years,

more through productivity gains than increased planted area.

For 62 years, Iran imported wheat. But this year, with a harvest of 14 million tonnes, the

government declared self-sufficiency and has even approved exports of a small parcel of 200,000

tonnes to Iraq.Production has increased to meet high consumption, as wheat bread is a staple in

the Iranian diet. Per capita wheat consumption was 170 kilograms per year in 2001. Bread is

heavily subsidized by the government, second only to fuel.Demand is expected to increase as the

economy grows and gives Iran‘s population, 68% of which is between 15 and 64 years of age,

higher disposable income.

The milling sector comprises a mix of modern and traditional stone mills and continues to

become more sophisticated. According to a 2003 report, the milling industry has a (collective)

daily capacity of 50,000 tonnes. Four types of flour are produced in the 284 mills in Iran. The

most popular type is used to make Sangak bread, a mild sourdough type of bread. Sangak flour

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Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

21

accounts for 45% of production.The next most common use of flour is for European style breads

and other manufactured products, accounting for 25 to 30% of production. The other two flour

types are used in the baking of confectioneries and pasta and the traditional flat bread, which is

ground at stone mills at close to whole wheat extraction rates.The industry‘s apex body, the

Federation of Iranian Associations of Flour Milling, was formed in November 1999 to

communicate industry issues.Iran has two other milling organizations. Research and Engineering

Services Inc. is charged with importing wheat and milling machinery and exporting flour. The

Self-Sufficiency and Research Center carries out research on milling and baking, production

technology and equipment, marketing and flour quality.

LIVESTOCK AND FEED

The livestock industry accounts for about 25% of total agricultural production. The main

commodities are chicken, red meat and dairy products.Generally, migratory tribes run large

herds of sheep and goats, but demand has pushed the growth of large commercial farms. The

number of animals (sheep, goats and cattle) in Iran has been reported at about 120 million, of

which 8 million cattle and 81 million sheep and goats are grazed on Iran‘s 90 million hectares of

rangelands by nomadic tribes.Production has increased significantly in the past 25 years. In

1979, chicken production was 195,000 tonnes annually and per capita consumption was 5.1 kg a

year. By March 2005, the figures were 1.1 million tonnes and 17.3 kg, respectively.Red meat

production has increased to 784,000 tonnes annually this year from 375,000 tonnes in 1980. Per

capita consumption has increased to 11.6 kg a year from 9.8 kg in 1980.

Milk production has jumped to 6.7 million tonnes this year, a tenfold increase from the 1980

production of 620,000 tonnes. Annual per capita consumption has increased from 69 kg to 99.6

kgPer capita consumption of animal protein in the country is 22 grams daily. The fourth five-

year plan (2005-10) has set a target of increasing that figure to 29 grams daily by the end of the

plan. The plan notes that to reach that goal, livestock production would have to increase by an

average 6.5% annually over the next five years.

The plan has set production growth targets of 6.5% for chicken meat, 3% for red meat and 7%

for dairy production. Barley and maize are the two major components of the feed industry. Feed

wheat use has averaged about 300,000 tonnes annually in the past five years. Barley and maize

production has not been enough to meet domestic consumption, so the country has been

importing these coarse grains. Feed barley demand has been averaging slightly above 2 million

tonnes in the past five years while production has been slightly under that, forcing imports. The

production of maize, which is the major feed for the poultry industry, has been targeted for

expansion by the government. The 2004-05 harvest came in at 1.95 million tonnes, compared to

25,000 tonnes in 1979.

http://www.world-grain.com/departments/country%20focus/iran/focus%20on%20iran.aspx?cck=1

Monsoon begins withdrawal process, confirms Met Office VINSON KURIAN

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22

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPTEMBER 4:

The India Met Department has confirmed on Friday that the South-West monsoon has started

withdrawing from the western parts of Rajasthan in what is a month-long process.This came on a

day when the all-India rain deficit shot up for the first time beyond the 12 per cent forecast by

the Met for the entire season this year.

Deficit worsens

The gradual drying of the North-West and adjoining Central India is expected to worsen the

overall deficit figure over the next three to four days, according to indications.An anti-cyclonic

circulation that heralds the dry weather was present at the lower levels of the atmosphere over

north-west India on Friday.The anti-cyclone has clock-wise winds around it, has high-pressure,

and sits heavy over the ground, suppressing the formation of clouds and precipitation.This is the

exact anti-thesis of the monsoon feature of lower pressure, ascending motion of air into higher

levels of atmosphere where it cools, and condenses the vapour mopped up by winds from the

ocean. This is what precipitates as rain.

Bay humming? Wind profile projections that a western disturbance (low-pressure system) coming in from across

the border will dig south into North Arabian Sea and emerge with moisture to be rained down

over Gujarat/Rajasthan.This may unsettle the anti-cyclone during the next week but it will come

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23

back into shape by the weekend, according to these projections.Meanwhile, global models also

suggest the possibility of the East Bay of Bengal springing a surprise by hosting a likely low-

pressure area by middle of the month.A couple of cyclonic circulations trackers featured by the

US Climate Prediction Centre suggested that the ‗low‘ may pick up in strength and hit the East

Coast.But they seemed to differ as to which part of the coast might take the hit.One model

suggested the southern tip of peninsula and adjoining Sri Lanka while another pointed to the Andhra Pradesh-

Odisha coast.

(This article was published on September 4, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-begins-withdrawal-process-

confirms-met-office/article7616244.ece

Productivity worries plague Kharif crop prospects on

rainfall deficit

TOMOJIT BASU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 4:

With the start of withdrawal of the South-West monsoon from parts of western Rajasthan, doubts

are being raised with regard to crop productivity and the possible impact on the Rabi season even

if Kharif acreage is just about two per cent higher vis-à-vis last year.The four-month long South-

West monsoon, which provides 75 per cent of India‘s annual rainfall and waters more than half

of India‘s crop land, has recorded a 13 per cent shortfall between June 1 and September 4,

according to the data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

―Various areas in central, southern and western India are currently facing water stress. Rain is

required and needs to be well distributed if sown crops are to be saved,‖ said a senior

Agricultural Ministry official.The amount of rainfall recorded during the period is 645.7

millimetres (mm) against a normal of 742.5 mm due to a strong El Nino. The peninsula has

registered a 22 per cent shortfall, while central and north-west India has had deficiencies of 17

per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.

Driest year The IMD had predicted precipitation at 88 per cent of the Long Period Average of 89 cm this

year. However, a 16 per cent and 22 per cent deficit in July and August, which account for a bulk

of monsoon rainfall, threaten to make this the driest year since 2009 and a second straight

drought year.Out of 36 sub-divisions, 18 have received deficient rainfall this year and only two

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Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

24

have recorded an excess. The situation is most dire in Marathwada and central Maharashtra,

north interior Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and the Konkan coast, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

―An early withdrawal is not an issue since the monsoon arrived 15 days early, particularly in

north-west India. That‘s why there is no adverse effect on area. But this long dry spell and

overall deficiency is a matter of serious concern and will impact productivity,‖ said Ramesh

Chand, Director, National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research.

Rain-fed crops such as pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds were particularly at risk, said Chand,

adding that rice was not likely to be hit due to cultivation in areas which either received

sufficient rain or were well irrigated.

Water storage levels Importantly, water levels across 91 major reservoirs have also dipped by 16 per cent below the

normal and a poor monsoon will affect replenishment – particularly across Maharashtra, Andhra

Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, among others.―September rains

crucial since moisture levels in the soil need to be higher not just for good yield with regard to

the Kharif crop but also for the Rabi season which accounts for a bulk of pulses production,‖ said

Pravin Dongre, Chairman, Indian Pulses and Grains Association.

(This article was published on September 4, 2015) http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/productivity-worries-plague-kharif-crop-

prospects-on-rainfall-deficit/article7616247.ece

Rice exports resumed with annual 1m tonne limit FEI says rice exports generate $600m for Egypt every year Doaa Farid September 3, 2015

The Egyptian government has resumed rice exports of 1m tonnes per year, the Federation of Egyptian

Industries (FEI) announced on Thursday.

In an statement to thank the government for responding to their demand, the FEI explained that Egypt

produces 4m tonnes of rice per year, with the market consuming 3m tonnes.However, Ministry of

Agriculture figures said that Egypt‘s rice production this year was 2.7m tonnes, with rice consumption at

3.6m tonnes.Last Thursday, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour issued a

decision to stop exporting rice beginning in September. He explained in a statement that the decision

came to meet the domestic requirements for rice.

The FEI pointed out that exporting rice generates $600m for Egypt every year, adding that it will help

reduce the budget deficit by EGP 2bn.In 2013, the decision to export rice was a cause of disagreement.

On the one hand, A

bdel Nour had issued a decision in November 2013, announcing that the government planned to export

100,000 tonnes of rice between mid-November 2013 and January 2014.Meanwhile, former minister of

supply Mohamed Abu Shady made a contradictory announcement to Abdel Nour‘s, saying that rice

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Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

25

exports would be halted ―until all ration needs of the grain are met‖.The Rice Division at the (FEI) had at

that time wanted to export rice to make profits.

http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/09/03/rice-exports-resumed-with-annual-1m-tonne-limit-

%E2%80%A8/

Myanmar rice exports to resume 4 Sep 2015 at 15:59

WRITER: DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA

A Myanmar woman walks pass through the paddy field at outskirt area of Yangon on Friday.

(EPA photo)

The Myanmar Commerce Ministry plans to lift a temporary ban on rice exports, which was

imposed due to shortages and inflation during last month‘s flood disaster across the country, a

senior official said.Permanent secretary to the ministry Toe Aung Myint said the government

was moving ahead with the measure following a proposal by the Myanmar Rice Federation. The

ban on rice exports was originally set until Sept 15.―The ban was introduced due to the

nationwide flood disaster. However, the government also wishes to maintain its strength in the

export market, so we are weighing these factors and coordinating procedures with the concerned

departments and organisations,‖ theDemocratic Voice of Burma on Friday quoted him as saying.

―More importantly, we do not want to disrupt our existing market, especially in Europe, and to

capitalise on the rising popularity of parboiled rice, which is actually in low demand

domestically.

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26

will prioritise the types of rice that are in low demand domestically, and then gradually lift the

ban on each variety.‖The Myanmar government imposed the ban on rice exports on Aug 7 as

monsoonal floods devastated much of the country, including Myanmar‘s major ―rice bowl‖

regions of Sagaing and the Irrawaddy delta. Landslides destroyed many roads and bridges and

made transportation impossible. A subsequent hike in the price of commodities sent the market

price of a sack of rice in remote areas, such as Chin state, from around 20,000 kyat (558 baht) to

as much as 80,000 kyat.The federation set Sept 15 as the anticipated time that the ban could be

lifted, due to expectations that harvested rice would reach markets by mid-September. According

to local media, the government was also mulling the possibility of importing rice to make up for

the shortfall.

The ministry, however, raised the possibility of the ban being extended to November, after it

announced that some 1 million acres (about 4,000 square kilometres) of paddy fields, accounting

for 10-15% of the total rice fields in the country, were damaged by the floods. It added that

Myanmar needs around 34.8 million tonnes of paddy rice for domestic consumption

yearly.Myanmar‘s rice exports have been rising consistently for the past few years. The country

sent abroad around 1.8 million tonnes of rice in 2014. The federation said it expects a paddy

output of around 14 million tonnes in 2015.The government has been targeting exports of around

2 million tonnes of rice this year.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/681384/myanmar-rice-exports-to-resume