7th june ,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 VI June 7 ,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 traders disappointed over budget

Pakistan's exports unlikely to reach 2018 target

India‟s exports dip in value, but volumes up; hope floats on demand

Monsoon will hit Kerala in 48 hours: Met

Golden rice: The malnutrition fighting crop

FEATURE: Rice straw proven effective to lengthen tomatoes‟

freshness

2016 Riverina Rice Harvest: Stronger Yields Results

Thailand observes "Rice and Farmers' Day"

N. Korea's rice production to rise in 2016: U.N. report

Global rice output still down due to El Niño

In Memory, Gary

U.S. Medium Grain Breaks into Hong Kong Fast Food Market

Farm Bureau Market Report

Tin Can port handled N4m rice in nine months

News Detail...

Rice traders disappointed over budget June 05, 2016

KARACHI: Rice traders on Saturday expressed disappointment

over the budget 2016/17 for not proposing measures to increase

exports.Chief Patron Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan

(REAP) Abdul Rahim Janoo, in a statement, said the exporters

urged the government to declare rice sector as separate industry

and place it under zero-rate regime. “However, the government

didn‟t include our recommendations into the finance bill,” Janoo

said. He also said rice export is the second largest earner of more

than $2.2 billion foreign exchange per annum. But, the

government has completely neglected this sector in the budget.



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“REAP has sent several recommendations for the betterment of rice export trade, which were

not considered by the government; even one very important suggestion of one window operation

for the collection of all taxes is ignored,” he added. The statement said the sales tax refund

claims of rice exporters have been pending since long.“We also request the government to pay

back exporter refunds at the earliest,” Janoo said. “We request the Prime Minister and Finance

Minister to take urgent steps for the survival of this very import sector and include this sector

into zero rate regime, so that our dream of achieving $4 billion up to the end of 2018 may come

true,” said the statement

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/125299-Rice-traders-disappointed-over-budget

Pakistan's exports unlikely to reach 2018 target By Peer Muhammad

Published: June 6, 2016

Govt expects only 10.7% rise in exports, way short of the required pace. PHOTO: REUTERS

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1116825/trade-policy-framework-exports-unlikely-reach-2018-target/

http://tribune.com.pk/author/1409/peer-muhammad/



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ISLAMABAD: A projected 10.7% growth in exports for fiscal year 2016-17 runs contrary to the

government‟s ambitious plan to take export earnings to $35 billion by the end of 2017-18 under

the three-year Strategic Trade Policy Framework.The $35-billion target, which was set just two

months ago, needs a much more rapid rise in annual earnings and a meager 10.7% growth will

not be sufficient to meet the goal, say experts. Under the annual development plan released by

the federal government with the budget for 2016-17, exports in the new fiscal year are projected

to rise 10.7% to $24.8 billion from an estimated $22.4 billion in 2015-16.

Imports are forecast to grow 14.7% to $45.2 billion in the upcoming fiscal year 2016-17

compared to an estimated $39.4 billion in the outgoing year 2015-16. Consequently, the trade

deficit will be $20.4 billion in 2016-17 as opposed to a projected $17 billion in 2015-

16.However, experts point out that the government wasted an entire year in framing the Strategic

Trade Policy Framework 2015-18 and now it has set only a 10.7% export growth target for the

second year of the framework. In this scenario, the country will find it extremely difficult to hit

$35 billion in export earnings by the end of fiscal year 2017-18.“The $35-billion export target is

unlikely to be achieved by June 2018; there must be at least 30% growth each year to meet this

goal,” commented an official of the Ministry of Commerce.

Trade-boosting steps

In the annual plan, however, the government has outlined a number of initiatives to forge

regional connectivity in an effort to boost bilateral and multilateral trade with countries in the

region.

The key measures include the resolution of outstanding issues in the Afghanistan-Pakistan

Transit Trade Agreement and initiation of negotiations and early conclusion of the Afghanistan,

Pakistan and Tajikistan Transit Trade Agreement.

Effective implementation of the International Road Transport (TIR) convention and reactivation

of the Quadrilateral Transit Trade Agreement among Pakistan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic and

Kazakhstan are also in the priority list of government initiatives.Apart from these, formulation of

the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia regional economic integration framework through a



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regional trade office in the Ministry of Commerce is also part of the priority list. The government

claims that the initiatives have been planned by taking all the stakeholders and relevant

ministries on board.

For a short-term boost to exports, basmati rice, horticulture goods, meat products and jewellery

will be given preference with focus on the markets of Iran, Afghanistan, China and the European

Union.To market Pakistan‟s high-quality rice, the government will facilitate the import of

parboiling machinery and provide incentives for branding and certification. Assistance will also

be ensured for developing warehousing facilities in Iran and Saudi Arabia.Basmati rice, kinnow

and meat products can capture Iran‟s market following the lifting of international sanctions from

Tehran. Under a strategy, infrastructure will be developed for access to the Iranian market

through the land route.

On the other hand, rice, cotton yarn, fabrics and garments could be exported to China through

strategic interventions. The government will update the stakeholders on concessions under the

China-Pakistan free trade agreement (FTA) and will put talks on second phase of the FTA on a

fast track.

Agri-exports

Under the annual plan, the government will provide 50% support for the import of new plant and

machinery for specified under-developed regions. Besides, it will offer 100% mark-up support

on the import cost of new plant and machinery for industrial units across the country.

A matching grant up to a maximum of Rs5 million will be provided for specified plant and

machinery or other specified items to encourage innovation in the small and medium enterprises

and export sectors.A common facility centre for the surgical instrument industry will also be

established to push export of its products.

the writer is a staff correspondent

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2016

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/125299-Rice-traders-disappointed-over-budget

India’s exports dip in value, but volumes up; hope floats

on demand

India‟s merchandise exports may have suffered for a second straight year in 2015-16 in value

terms, but volumes of outbound shipments rose in most cases



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By: Banikinkar Pattanayak | Published: June 6, 2016 7:28 AM

So while the country‟s overall exports plunged almost 16% in dollar term and 10% in rupee

term, excluding oil, the exports dropped just 8.7% in dollar terms and just 2.1% in rupee

terms.(Reuters)

India‟s merchandise exports may have suffered for a second straight year in 2015-16 in value

terms, but volumes of outbound shipments rose in most cases, suggesting the contraction in

export value was driven more by a global commodity price crash than by a slowdown in overseas

demand, showed a report by the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT).Commodities —

including organic and inorganic chemicals, cotton yarn, basmati rice, base metals, dyes, paint,

varnish and allied products — recorded growth in volume terms in 2015-16 (in the range of 3.8%

to over 47%) even though their export value contracted from a year before (See the chart).

The DGFT report is based on an analysis of 168 principal commodities — excluding petroleum

and bullion products — for which data are available in both value and volume terms. The value

analysis in the report is in rupee terms.

This mirrored the phenomenon after the global financial crisis, when exports value suffered to a

lower extent but volume growth remained almost stable (in 2009-10). In good years, though (for

instance, 2010-11, when export grew nearly 40% in dollar terms), the rise in export value was

http://www.financialexpress.com/author/banikinkar-pattanayak/



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driven by a broad-based and an even

sharper rise in volumes, a senior

commerce ministry official told FE.

Interestingly, certain items — value-

added ones such as drug formulations,

biologicals, bulk drugs, drug

intermediaries and also items like

spices, coffee, unmanufactured tobacco

— managed to beat the global crash in

commodity prices, as export value of

these products rose in the last fiscal even

when volumes shrank (in the range of

1.2-44.8%).Global commodity prices

plunged 28% in 2015-16 from a year

before, driven by a sharp 40% crash in

prices of oil, 20% in industrial metals

and 7.5% in gold, according to a report

by Yes Bank.So, the maximum impact

of the commodity crash was reflected in

oil export value, which makes up for

roughly 20% of the country‟s total

outbound shipments.Consequently,

roughly 55% of the $48-billion fall in

India‟s exports in the last fiscal was

caused by lower petroleum exports.

So while the country‟s overall exports

plunged almost 16% in dollar term and 10% in rupee term, excluding oil, the exports dropped

just 8.7% in dollar terms and just 2.1% in rupee terms.Export of both goods and services, in real

term, dropped 5.2% in 2015-16, compared with a 1.7% rise in the previous year, showed the

latest GDP data.

According to the DGFT report, yet another category of items showed a rise in exports in both

value and volume terms, defying a demand slowdown. These commodities include plastic raw

materials, agro chemicals, cotton (including waste), sugar, tea, cereal preparations and ayush &

herbal products.



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Taking note of a slowdown in China and

financial market volatility, the World

Trade Organization in April trimmed its

2016 global trade growth forecast by 1.1

percentage points. It predicted that

global trade would rise 2.8% in 2016,

lower than its previous forecast of 3.9%

announced in September last year. This

will be the fifth straight year of trade

growth below 3%, which is also much

lower than the average annual expansion

of 5% since 1990, according to the

WTO data.

Monsoon will hit Kerala in 48 hours: Met Vinson Kurian



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Heavy rain likely for two weeks along West Coast region

Thiruvananthapuram, June 6:

The India Meteorology Department has extended to Friday the outlook for heavy (7-11 cm) to

very heavy (12-20 cm) rainfall at one or two places in Kerala as the countdown for the monsoon

onset continues.

Conditions continue to be favourable for the onset of the South-West monsoon over the Kerala

coast during the next 48 hours, it said in a bulletin.

The 24 hours ending Monday morning witnessed rain at most places in the State and at many

places in Lakshadweep.

Stations reporting heavy rain included Vaikom (8 cm) and Piravom (7 cm). Other chief amounts

of rainfall (in cm) are: Mancompu-6; Taliparamba and Kurudamannil-5 each; and Kayamkulam

and Aluva - 4 each.

The Met has retained the outlook for strong westerly winds with speeds occasionally reaching up

to 55 km/hr along and off the Kerala coast and over the Lakshadweep archipelago for the next 24

hours.

There is an emerging model consensus on the probability of heavy-to-very heavy rain along the

West Coast for the first two weeks after the onset of the monsoon.

A cyclonic circulation over East-central Arabian Sea off Karnataka should keep the pot boiling

here as it breathes in moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and pumps rain along the coast.

Heading north

Projections by most models suggest that the circulation will carry with it the „leading edge‟ of

the monsoon further into the north into Goa, Konkan-Mumbai, and adjoining Gujarat.

On the other side, a persisting cyclonic circulation over the West-central Bay of Bengal off the

Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coast will keep the monsoon in good stead over the East

Coast.

The presence of a cyclonic circulation on each side of the peninsula will ensure that most parts of

the interior peninsula too will stay wet, with heavy rain forecast over Central Maharashtra and its

neighbourhood.

Storm watch

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts is of the opinion that the cyclonic



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circulation off the Andhra Pradesh coast may intensify as it moves north-east towards the

Gangetic West Bengal coast.

The agency has put a watch for intensification of the system into a minor storm by Saturday

before it washes ashore over the Bangladesh coast the next day.

A storm tracker of the US Climate Prediction Centre agrees with this scenario but indicates a

„splash-over‟ at the Gangetic West Bengal coast instead of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, ideal conditions for the onset and advance of the monsoon are evolving elsewhere

with seasonal heat-wave conditions getting anchored over North-West India. A severe heat wave

has been reported from isolated places over Rajasthan, while it was only slightly cooler over

Gujarat and West and East Madhya Pradesh during the 24 hours ending on Monday morning.

The extent to which the North-West heats up will determine how low atmospheric pressure can

get so that the monsoon winds can blow in from a high-pressure area in the Arabian Sea/Bay of

Bengal.

(This article was published on June 6, 2016)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-will-hit-kerala-in-48-hours-

met/article8697198.ece

Golden rice: The malnutrition fighting crop

Golden Opportunity?

Dr. Bjorn Lomborg

Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has remarkably managed to feed an increasing population

better - the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization estimates that in 1993, the average

Bangladeshi had access to just 2,000 calories per day, whereas today that number has increased

to 2,450 calories per day. To a large extent, this success comes on the back of ever-higher rice

production - rice makes up 70 percent of the average daily calorie intake.

Unfortunately, rice may make an empty stomach feel full, but it lacks many vital micronutrients.

The latest survey shows three-quarters of all children deficient in vitamin A. This matters

because studies show that every day an estimated 88 children in the country go blind due to

vitamin A deficiency. And each year, the condition is responsible for 28,000 deaths of children

under age 6. Furthermore, chronic undernourishment leads to stunting, which hinders cognitive

and physical development and affects about six million Bangladeshi children.

One solution is to provide vitamin A in capsules, which reach about 63 percent of children. It

would also be good to get more children to eat other foods rich in vitamin A, but this is a

http://www.thedailystar.net/author/dr-bjorn-lomborg



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challenge of both education and income, bounded by the 70 percent of rice intake. But what if

there was a cheap and effective way to exploit that rice to get more vitamin A to everyone?

New research by Uttam Deb, an economist at the International Crops Research Institute for the

Semi-Arid Tropics, suggests that investment in the development and dissemination of golden

rice can help Bangladesh overcome vitamin A deficiency and its related blindness and deaths.

Each taka spent on golden rice could do up to 329 takas of good.

Research on golden rice began in the 1990s as an effort to develop a type of rice that could

counter malnutrition. The rice is fortified with beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A

inside the body, and also gives the strain of rice it its colour. Because the rice is enhanced with

micronutrients, widespread adoption of it holds the potential to combat the critical vitamin A

deficiency in Bangladesh, which would be incredibly valuable for the country.

Not only would the beta-carotene-fortified rice combat malnutrition, golden rice also has higher

crop yields than many improved varieties. So benefits from its cultivation would arise both from

increased crop productivity as well as the positive health effects. Furthermore, golden rice is a

Boro rice, so the geographic areas where it is most likely to succeed in the field overlap

considerably with the areas where nutrition deficiencies are highest in Bangladesh.

The costs to release golden rice for cultivation by 2018 include funding for research and

development to continue to adapt it to the Bangladesh environment. It would also require paying

costs for crop trials, extension services, seeds, marketing, and education. In total, the costs would

be more than Tk. 800 million.



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When it comes to benefits, golden rice is not a panacea for fighting vitamin A deficiency in

Bangladesh, it should rather be seen as a complement to existing initiatives that provide

nutritional supplements to unreached people. Deb's analysis estimates that this strategy holds the

potential to reduce vitamin A deficiency nationwide by roughly 3 percent, assuming that 30

percent of the population would adopt the rice as part of their regular diet.

In reviewing Deb's research, Saul Morris of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation and Sue

Horton of the University of Waterloo separately noted the lack of significant causal relationship

between vitamin A deficiency and the greater risk of stunting. However, Deb points out that

most studies show that fighting vitamin A deficiency can have a positive, if small, impact on

stunting. He concludes that the cultivation and dissemination of golden rice could decrease

stunting by up to 3 percent nationwide, perhaps preventing approximately 165,000 children from

becoming stunted. When added together, the value of these health benefits is more than Tk. 175

billion.

In addition, golden rice stands to increase rice yields by up to 10 percent. This estimated

productivity gain should be taken as optimistic, given that scientists are also breeding other new,

higher-yielding rice varieties that could benefit farmers in the absence of golden rice. But even if

the average yield increases by just 5 percent when compared to the existing BRRI dhan29 rice

variety, Bangladeshi farmers would still benefit by nearly Tk. 110 billion.

Overall, the health and productivity benefits combined could equal up to Tk. 285 billion. Each

taka spent toward adoption of golden rice in Bangladesh could do up to 329 takas in benefits.

The eminent panel of local and international experts, who reviewed all Bangladesh Priorities

research, concluded that Deb's analysis may be on the optimistic side. However, they also noted

that most of the costs to develop golden rice have already been incurred, that the variety holds

potential to improve upon the status quo, and farmers can choose to use it or not. For those

reasons, they found it a worthwhile strategy that could provide net benefits regarding both farmer

productivity and health measures.

Is golden rice one of the smartest solutions for Bangladesh? Let us hear from you at

https://copenhagen. fbapp.io/malnutritionpriorities. We want to continue the conversation about

how to do the most good for every taka spent.

The writer is president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, ranking the smartest

solutions to the world's biggest problems by cost-benefit. He was named one of the world's

100 most influential people by Time magazine.

FEATURE: Rice straw proven effective to lengthen

tomatoes’ freshness

June 05, 2016

Freddie G. Lazaro and Lord Ian R. Galano

https://copenhagen/



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BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte, June 5 (PIA) - - A group of researchers of the Mariano Marcos

State University (MMSU) has proven the dried rice hays are effective stuff to lengthen the

freshness of tomato fruits.

Professor Maura S. Gabriel, the research team leader, said her group realized the conduct of the

study in 2013 to address the perennial problem on large volume of wasted tomato due to fast

rotting.

“There is usually an oversupply of tomatoes in the locality from January to April. This

compelled us to conduct a research on the best way to store tomatoes with the use of dried rice

straws and paper storage box,” said Gabriel.

During the period of study, the data gathering was done periodically to know the status of the

quality of fruits: weight loss, rotting and shrivelling.

Through the use of rice straws in the improved storage technology research, the freshness of the

tomato can now last for at most, 60 days.

The result of the study showed the improved storage practice will help the farmers to lengthen

the shelf life of the tomatoes to reach its off-season months ready for sale at a cost of Php60- P80

per kilo - much higher than its market price of Php20.00 per kilo during regular season.

The improved tomato storage technology involves appropriate and sequential procedures in all

activities done from harvesting, selection of fruits, containers for packing, materials for

incorporation, and the place of storage.

Gabriel cited the improved tomato storage technology is convenient, easy to follow; cost-

effective, top store tomatoes within two months; and is effective for eliminating if not reducing

tomato fruit rotting.

The procedures for this technology started with: harvest of the green mature tomato in the

morning; selection of fruits wherein fruits must be selected free from insect damage and bruises;

and storing tomatoes into containers with dried rice straw with 2-3 centimeters thick placed in

between layers of tomatoes.

A box must contain 8-10 kilograms. The packed tomatoes are then stored in an open area,

elevated using bamboo rack or “papag” to provide good ventilation.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/381464597877/feature-rice-straw-proven-effective-to-

lengthen-tomatoes-freshness#sthash.lwe3rEGR.dpuf06/06/2016

2016 Riverina Rice Harvest: Stronger Yields Results



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06/05/2016 | 07:14pm EDT

SunRice advises that the 2016 Riverina rice crop harvest is almost complete. At a forecast of

245,000 tonnes, it is smaller than last year's harvest of 690,215 tonnes, with the reduction due

mainly to lower water allocations.

The 2016 harvest yields have outperformed five year averages across the Riverina, with yields

for all regions and varieties averaging 11.0 tonnes per hectare compared to the five year average

of 10.0 tonnes per hectare. This is the highest national average yield result achieved for the

industry and reaffirms Australian rice growers as the most productive and efficient in the world:

the average yield for countries that grow comparative temperate varieties is around seven tonnes

per hectare.

Growers in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) achieved standout increases, with some

realising medium grain Reiziq yields exceeding 15 tonnes per hectare.

Yields are a critical element in generating gross profit margins for rice growers. SunRice

estimates that, for growers who planted medium grain Reiziq in the MIA using the dry broadcast

sowing method, this year's harvest generated an average gross margin of approximately $3,400

per hectare and $280 per megalitre. Please refer to the assumption and calculations at the end of

this release*.

SunRice attributes the increased yields to favourable growing conditions, such as warmer

weather and the use of more efficient farming techniques. The farming techniques have been

developed by SunRice's research and development subsidiary, Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd

(RRAPL), in close collaboration with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Rural

Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and Rice Extension services.

Commenting on the 2016 harvest and outstanding yields, SunRice's Chairman, Mr Laurie Arthur,

said:

'For rice growers who persevered with planting rice this year, despite low water allocations, the

strong yields and subsequent returns represent a much needed and well deserved reward.

'The strong yields mean that overall harvest levels will exceed our initial expectations.

'These improved yields serve to reinforce independent research that demonstrates, on an overall

farm system basis, return on capital and cash flow levels from planting rice are superior to other

crop combinations. This is especially the case when comparing rice with other commodities such

as cotton, wheat, canola and maize in the Riverina, some of which have experienced significant

price volatility in recent times.

'SunRice is committed to facilitating our growers' profitability and to cementing rice's position as

the leading summer crop in the Riverina.



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'In addition to our focus on research and development, SunRice continues to introduce

programmes to assist our farmers, including the recently announced fixed price / fixed volume

contract for the 2017 crop, the GrowRice input finance scheme and greater payment flexibility.

'SunRice is experiencing significant demand for Australian rice across premium international

markets. While SunRice has the flexibility to source rice internationally in lower Riverina crop

years to meet this demand, which now exceeds 1.25 million tonnes per annum, Australian grown

rice remains the cornerstone of our business and the foundation on which our brand and

reputation is built.'

* This calculation assumes that an MIA rice grower using the dry broadcast sowing method:

achieved an average yield of 12.52 tonnes per hectare; received a price of $415/tonne; incurred

variable costs of $1,740/hectare; and used 12.25 ML of water per hectare. The dry broadcast

sowing method accounted for the majority of the MIA crop harvested in 2016.

Yield (tonnes per hectare) 12.41

Price (A$) $415

Revenue (A$) $5,150

Total Variable Costs (A$) $1,740

Gross Margin (per hectare) $3,410

Water Use (ML) 12.25

Gross Margin (per ML) $278

Media inquiries: Sally Edgar

Sauce Communications

02 9640 8050 / 0425 247 133

[email protected]

http://www.4-traders.com/RICEGROWERS-LIMITED-20703509/news/2016-Riverina-Rice-Harvest-

Stronger-Yields-Results-22475430/

Thailand observes "Rice and Farmers' Day"

Date : 6 มิถุนายน 2559



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BANGKOK, 6 June 2016, (NNT) - Thailand on Sunday observed "Rice and Farmers' Day", by staging a

seminar to assist those on the way to professional farming.

The Rice Department held the gathering at its headquarters in the Chatuchak district in Bangkok.

The seminar exemplified Mr. Nopadol Sawangyati, a rice farmer from Ayutthaya province who

is a former engineer. The farmer said his success came from applying his knowledge in rice, soil,

water, business management, and rational thinking.

Another agriculturalist from Surin, Kraiyoot Sawangsuk who is a law graduate from Thammasat

University, said that he acquired his basic agricultural knowledge from a farmer who rented his

land. Mr. Kraiyoot is now a facilitator in agricultural marketing who promotes organic crop

cultivation among farmers. He said organic crops are specialist products that generate more

income compared to crops from farms that utilize pesticides.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNEVN590606001

0002#sthash.mrK7jZHd.dpuf



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N. Korea's rice production to rise in 2016: U.N. report

2016/06/04 20:17

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's rice production this year is expected to rise to 1.6

million tons, a news media report said Saturday, apparently due to favorable weather conditions.

Rice production this year is estimated at 1.6 million tons, an increase from 1.3 million tons from

a year earlier, U.S.-based media Voice of America (VOA) said, after quoting a report by the

U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

"The North's rice output is expected to be more than 1.6 million tons this year," Kwon Tae-jin,

an expert on the North's agriculture at the GS&J Institute, was quoted by the VOA as saying.

"Weather, water and fertilizers were all well prepared."

FAO forecast the country will additionally import 100,000 tons of rice this year to secure a

total of 1.7 million tons, VOA said.

The agency further estimated the North to produce 2.5 million tons of corn this year, about the

same level as last year, it said.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2016/06/04/0401000000AEN20160604003600320.h

tml

Global rice output still down due to El Niño Ronnel W. Domingo | Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN | Manila

Mon, June 6 2016 | 06:36 pm

Cows drink water at a pond during the dry season on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 26.

(AP/Heng Sinith)

The prices of rice in the global market are still rising as lingering El Niño-related droughts

continued to affect negatively the outlook for rice production in 2016, according to a United

Nations-supervised monitoring system.

Based on the latest monthly market report of the Agricultural Market Information System ( Amis

), the rice production forecast for 2016 was lowered by one million tons to 494 million tons.

Still, the latest forecast is 1 per cent higher than the previous year‟s estimated output of 490

million tons.

“Prospects for Bangladesh, Brazil and China deteriorate. Exporting countries are to account for

much of the 1-per cent upturn in global output,” the Amis said.



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On the other hand, the forecast trade volume was raised by 100,000 tons to 44.1 million tons.

The new figure is still short of the estimated 44.7 million tons traded the previous year.

“[Trade is] still seen falling by 2 per cent year-on-year, on weaker import demand in Asia,” the

Amis said.

The monitoring body noted overall conditions for the new season are favorable in Southeast

Asia.

In the Philippines, rice growers have begun planting the wet-season crop, which usually accounts

for about three-fifths of yearly output.

“Planting and field preparations are ongoing in Thailand, the Philippines and the US under

favorable conditions,” the Amis said. “End of season conditions for [major exporter] Thailand‟s

dry season crop were poor due to the impacts of El Niño witnessed throughout the season.”

Last week, the Food and Agricultural Organization ( FAO ) said global food prices rose for the

fourth straight month in May, this time including rice prices, but commodity markets are

expected to be stable in the year ahead.

In a monthly update of its Food Price Index, the FAO said solid production prospects and

abundant stocks pointed to “broadly stable” prices and supplies. In May, the FAO‟s Food Price

Index averaged 155.8 points, rising by 2.1 per cent from the 152.5 points in April.



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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/06/global-rice-output-still-down-due-to-el-nio.html

In Memory, Gary DiGiuseppe

USA Rice was saddened to learn of the passing of Gary DiGiuseppe, a

longtime Arkansas journalist and newscaster, who was killed in a car

accident last week on his way to work from his home in Maumelle,

Arkansas. DiGiuseppe, 60, was the morning newscaster on KARN, a

Little Rock radio station, and also provided daily newscasts for the

Arkansas Radio Network, where he was once farm

director.DiGiuseppe was a graduate of Eastern Michigan University

and a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting since

1983. He worked at stations and networks in Fort Dodge, Iowa;

Jefferson City, Missouri; and Milan, Michigan.Funeral services were

held this past weekend in Michigan, but a memorial service is

scheduled for 1:00 pm Friday, June 10 in Little Rock at the Roller-

Chenal Funeral Home Chapel, 13801 Chenal Parkeway. USA Rice

extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Gary

DiGiuseppe

U.S. Medium Grain Breaks into Hong Kong Fast Food Market

By Bill Farmer

HONG KONG, CHINA -- Chewy International Foods Ltd, a leading

food supplier here that began importing U.S. medium grain rice four

years ago, has developed a special brand name tailored for both the

retail and food service markets, and has begun a promotion campaign

featuring the U.S. rice. Chewy is promoting the new brand, "Kumai", at

Fairwood, the second largest fast food chain in Hong Kong with more

than 140 outlets offering a wide variety of local Chinese and Western

dishes.

The promotion started last month and will run through

September with three medium grain rice dishes to choose

from including "Thick-cut Pork Cutlet with Calrose rice" at

both lunch and dinner, and includes free samples of U.S. rice being distributed to customers in the

restaurants.

Get it while it's hot

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/06/global-rice-output-still-down-due-to-el-nio.html

mailto:[email protected]



20

"Chewy has helped us displace the Thai rice with U.S. medium grain at Fairwood restaurants for the

duration of this promotion at least," said USA Rice Vice President of International Promotion Jim Guinn.

"Fairwood serves more than 100,000 customers each day making this the largest fast food promotion for

U.S. rice by far. Chewy is also promoting U.S. rice to a local sushi chain here with more than 60 outlets,

making them a truly valued partner and ambassador for U.S.-grown rice."

Thai rice has dominated the Hong Kong market for years, but that may be changing. Guinn said Chewy is

also promoting U.S. rice in mainstream supermarkets here because "they believe in the quality of our rice,

wanted consumers to have more choices, and believe our rice will be accepted as a premium grade rice."

Farm Bureau Market Report

Soybeans

High Low

Cash Bids 1143 1071



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New Crop 1109 1055

Riceland Foods

Cash Bids Stuttgart: Pendleton:

New Crop Stuttgart: Pendleton:

Futures: SOYBEANS

High Low Last Change

Jul '16 1162.00 1136.50 1139.25 +7.25

Aug '16 1154.25 1130.75 1133.75 +11.75

Sep '16 1134.25 1110.25 1117.75 +16.50

Nov '16 1118.50 1093.25 1105.00 +19.75

Jan '17 1113.75 1089.50 1100.75 +18.25

Mar '17 1081.00 1057.00 1071.75 +16.25

May '17 1066.00 1044.00 1057.50 +11.50

Jul '17 1061.25 1045.50 1055.50 +11.75

Aug '17

1030.00 +4.50

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

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http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4A6cU-I9l

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG4Q6cQ-M8l

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dQlIOh



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FOB Memphis Elevator Crops

Soybean Comment

Soybeans surged again today, though prices closed well off the intraday highs. New crop soybeans closed

back above resistance at $11 and continue to surge on improved demand particularly in the meal market.

The current uptrend in soybeans continues to push prices into overbought territory. The market will

remain volatile as we approach this next USDA supply and demand report and the final acreage report

which will be released at the end of the month.

Wheat

High Low

Cash Bids 510 459

New Crop 507 482

Futures: WHEAT


Jul '16 514.75 496.00 507.50 +10.25

Sep '16 524.50 505.50 517.75 +11.00

Dec '16 540.00 521.50 535.50 +12.50

Mar '17 556.00 540.25 552.50 +12.50

May '17 566.00 551.75 563.00 +11.75

Jul '17 573.00 559.00 570.50 +11.25

Sep '17 575.75 564.00 573.00 +7.50

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dQlIPh



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Dec '17 586.75 574.00 584.25 +9.25

Mar '18 591.75 584.50 591.75 +8.50



Wheat Comment

Wheat prices closed higher as prices continue to find support in outside markets and recent wet weather

across major growing regions. The condition report released after the close of the market failed to show a

significant decline in the good to excellent rating on wheat which could be bearish for prices later this

week. For now wheat now has support at $5 as prices continue to surge to their highest level since April

20.

Grain Sorghum

High Low

Cash Bids 383 383

New Crop 350 340



Corn










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High Low

Cash Bids 430 411

New Crop 425 414

Futures: CORN


Jul '16 427.50 419.25 426.00 +7.75

Sep '16 429.50 420.25 428.00 +8.25

Dec '16 429.75 421.00 429.00 +9.25

Mar '17 435.00 426.00 434.75 +8.75

May '17 437.50 429.00 437.50 +8.25

Jul '17 440.50 432.00 440.50 +8.25

Sep '17 419.25 414.50 417.00 +1.50

Dec '17 419.50 415.00 418.00 +1.00

Mar '18 425.00 424.75 425.00 +1.50

Corn Comment

Corn prices continued their rally today as prices surged to new highs with new crop corn up another dime.

The market co tune us to surge despite being technically overbought due to recent strength in demand and

strong gains in other markets particularly soybeans. While some long term forecast point toward drier

weather this summer the USDA current estimate is that 73% of the crop is in good to excellent condition.

This is near last year and ahead of the 5-year average. While this is bearish for prices, corn shown little

slowing of gains recently as it continues to offer producers a more profitable level than was expected

earlier this season.






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Cotton

Futures: COTTON


Jul '16 65.90 63.81 65.55 +1.63

Oct '16 66.48 64.11 66.26 +1.95

Dec '16 65.75 63.81 65.54 +1.63

Memphis, TN Cotton and Tobacco Programs

Cotton Comment

Cotton futures posted gains again today. Heavy rains in Texas have resulted in the need for replants and

further delayed the crop, which was already 10% behind the 5 year average for this week. Exports for the

week came in at the top end of expectations at 124,900 running bales. A weaker dollar was also

supportive. The market continues to have resistance at recent highs, 64.75 cents for July, and 64 cents for

December.

Rice

High Low

Long Grain Cash Bids

Long Grain New Crop

Futures: ROUGH RICE

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dQlM8h



26


Jul '16 1172.0 1124.0 1170.0 +33.0

Sep '16 1198.5 1157.0 1192.0 +29.0

Nov '16 1220.0 1190.5 1210.0 +22.0

Jan '17

1206.5 -1.5

Mar '17

1224.0 -2.0

May '17

1241.0 -1.0

Jul '17

1241.0 -1.0

Rice Comment

Rice futures were posting gains today. July bounced off support at $10.76 last week, which has provided

support for the market for about 5 weeks. 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 65,100 tons were down from 78,600

tons last week.

Cattle

Futures:

Live Cattle: LIVE CATTLE


Jun '16 123.750 119.250 120.950 -1.050

Aug '16 119.425 115.150 116.675 -1.125






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Oct '16 118.750 114.425 116.125 -1.225

Dec '16 118.775 115.200 116.650 -0.950

Feb '17 118.125 114.900 116.150 -0.875

Apr '17 117.325 114.175 115.825 -0.475

Jun '17 109.850 107.325 108.700 -0.925

Aug '17 108.000 106.025 107.275 -0.400

Feeders: FEEDER CATTLE


Aug '16 148.525 143.025 145.100 -1.575

Sep '16 146.750 141.275 143.250 -1.925

Oct '16 145.250 140.000 142.150 -1.600

Nov '16 141.600 137.000 138.625 -1.800

Jan '17 137.025 132.700 134.600 -1.300

Mar '17 134.150 131.900 131.900 -1.650

Apr '17 133.000 132.900 132.975 -0.450

May '17

132.900 -0.450

Arkansas Prices

Ash Flat Livestock Auction

Ola Livestock Auction

Springdale Livestock Auction

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Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City - Feeder Cattle Auction Weighted Average Report

Cattle Comment

Cattle price saw sharp losses today as the market continues to have difficulty maintaining gains in the

face of strong grain prices. While cash prices remain at a significant premium to futures, weak beef prices

and strengthening feed prices remain a negative for cattle prices.

Hogs

Futures: LEAN HOGS


Jun '16 82.950 82.150 82.400 +0.100

Jul '16 87.400 85.725 86.900 +0.925

Aug '16 87.225 85.875 86.400 +0.525

Oct '16 71.000 70.550 70.925 +0.350

Dec '16 65.250 64.950 65.225 +0.175

Feb '17 68.250 68.050 68.200 +0.075

Apr '17 71.125 70.950 70.975 -0.025

May '17

75.825 +0.225

Jun '17 78.600 78.550 78.600 0.000

Hog Comment

http://click.aristotle.net/click.aspx?lid=CG0B2dUkM9l






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Tin Can port handled N4m rice in nine months June 6, 2016

The volume of imported rice coming in through one of the nation‟s seaports has

drastically declined due to dollar scarcity, with government revenue in form of duty

falling sharply in the process, IFE ADEDAPO writes

The importation of rice, a major staple in Nigeria, has declined in volume due to the

scarcity of foreign exchange occasioned by falling oil prices globally.Statistics obtained

from the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos indicated that in the past nine months, the country

imported 13.4 metric tonnes of the product.There are 1,000 kilogrammes in a metric

tonne, while there are 20 bags of 50kg each in a metric tonne. On the average, each bag

of rice costs N15,000. Therefore, each metric tonne of rice has a market value of

N300,000.Therefore, 13.4 metric tonnes of rice have a market value of N4.02m at

N300,000 per metric tonne.

This quantity of rice in its various forms only fetched the country N336,337 in tax

payment from September 2015 to May 2016.In September 2015, the volume of rice

imports was five metric tonnes; it declined to one metric tonne in October and peaked at

five metric tonnes in November of the same year.In December, when rice import was

http://d1phczbdxyh8yo.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/06041332/rice-and-co.jpg



30

expected to be high due to the festivities, only one metric tonne was imported through the

Tin Can port. The volume further dipped to 0.5MT in February 2016, but rose slightly to

0.8MT in March, while 0.1MT was recorded for May 2016.There was no importation of

the commodity through the port in January and April 2016.

The value of rice imports through the seaports has been on a steady decline since the first

quarter of 2015.According to the foreign trade report released by the National Bureau of

Statistics, semi-milled or wholly milled rice secured the fourth position of all imported

commodities in the fourth quarter of 2014 based on its worth of N49.34bn.However, in

the first three months of 2015, rice occupied the third position in the list of imported

products with a value of N33.44bn, and dropped to the fifth position with a value of

N25.38bn in the second quarter of the year.

The value of rice imports between July and September 2015 declined by 61.8 per cent to

N9.69bn, occupying the 15th position, the lowest for all the commodities imported

through the seaports in the third quarter of last year.By the fourth quarter of the same

year, rice had completely fallen out from the list of high value imported commodities into

Nigeria.Rice was among the 41 items that the Central Bank of Nigeria excluded from

official foreign exchange window in August 2015, leading to difficulties in accessing

foreign exchange by importers and high cost of importation when forex is sourced from

the black market at over N300 to a dollar.

Investigation showed that the price of the commodity had doubled between September

2015 and May 2016 from N7,500 per 50kg bag to an average of N15,000.When our

correspondent visited Daleko, a major rice market in Lagos State, the traders explained

that most of the rice being offered for sale were brought in from Cotonou, Benin

Republic due to the ease of importation and payment of duty.A trader in the market,

Alhaja Tawa Kasali, said the price of the commodity brought in from Cotonou was

N5,000 per bag but the duty rate and high cost of transportation had made it expensive,

adding that those who smuggled the product only risked their investments and lives.She

said the price would have been more competitive if locally grown and milled varieties of

the produce were available for sale at lower prices.However, due to the reduced rice

imports, millers in the country are enjoying huge patronage due to rising demand.

The Personnel Manager, Umza International Limited, a rice mill, Mr. Ali Aliyu, admitted

that business was booming and the company has had to turn down orders due to its

inability to meet traders‟ request.He said, “It gets to a point that we had to call some

people that we wouldn‟t be able to get them the quantity of rice they wanted. The demand



31

is much more than expected but at the same time, we are not very happy for not being

able to fulfil our customers‟ demand.“But there is nothing we can do. We cannot force

our machines to work beyond their capacities.”According to him, the changing trend of

the business as well as the high cost of input has made it necessary to increase the price

of the locally milled produce.Presently, he explained that the major factors contributing

to the increase in price were poor electricity supply and high cost of paddy, a major raw

material for the millers.

Aliyu explained, “We are presently selling for N10,700 per bag instead of the N9,000 we

were selling a couple of days ago. A lot of factors contributed to the price increase.

Sometimes we will stay for two or three days without having electricity.“And that means

buying more diesel and the price of diesel is not as low as we expect. It sells for N150 per

litre and the minimum price is N135; but before now, we were getting electricity for

about 10 hours a day. The cost of production has doubled and the paddy rice is very

difficult to get.”He added, “The farmers producing paddy rice are not producing much

and there are so many people demanding for it now more than before. Due to the Federal

Government‟s forex policy, a lot of people will prefer to buy paddy, process and

sell.“The price of the paddy has skyrocketed. It is now N8,000 per bag compared with

N4,000 that we used to buy before. Therefore, we have to increase our price.

”As a form of intervention in the rice value chain, the knowledge management and

communications specialist, GEMS4, a project of the United Kingdom‟s Department for

International Development, Ms. Enene Ejembi, explained that smallholder paddy farmers

and large scale ones in Kano State were educated on the quality standards of paddy and

supported to supply paddy in sufficient quantity to commercial millers.

So far, she said the intervention, which began in 2015, had mobilised 1,199 rice farmers,

and earned about £1,195,245 for them.“Activities to develop the rice value chain began

with the mobilisation of farmers and aggregators through community engagement, rice

fairs, communication campaigns and farm demonstrations by the Brent Group,” Ejembi

added.

Contact: [email protected]

http://punchng.com/tin-can-port-handled-n4m-rice-nine-months/

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7th june ,2016 daily global,regional & local rice enewsletter by riceplus magazine

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