9th April,2015 Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

8/9/2019 9th April,2015 Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter

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Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice Newsletter

Volume 5, Issue I

April 9, 2015


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USDA Post Estimates Turkey MY 2014-15

Rice Imports at 300,000 Tons, Down 12%

from Last Year

Apr 08, 2015

USDA Post has estimated Turkey's rice imports at around 300,000 tons in MY 2014-15

(September - August), down about 12% from an estimated 341,000 tons imported in the previous

year. According to data from the Turkish Grain Board (TMO), Turkey imported around 196,687

tons of rice between September 2014 and January 2015, with Russia being the top exporter with

around 87,854 tons so far. Turkey imported 37,000 tons of paddy rice from the U.S. so far in

2014-15.

The Post reports that recently, Turkish importers had faced severe import restrictions and

penalties due to Turkey's implementation of the 2010 Biosafety Law. Therefore the Post expects

rice importers to be more cautious in accepting shipments that are contaminated with corn or


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India parboiled 5% broken stxd 360-370 ↔U.S. parboiled 4% broken 555-565 ↔Brazil parboiled 5% broken 570-580 ↔Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ ↔

Long grain fragrant rice

Thailand Hommali 92% 890-900 ↔Vietnam Jasmine 470-480 ↔India basmati 2% broken NQ ↔Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ ↔Cambodia Phka Mails 810-820 ↔

Brokens

Thailand A1 Super 320-330 ↔Vietnam 100% broken 310-320 ↔

Pakistan 100% broken stxd 285-295 ↔Cambodia A1 Super 340-350 ↔India 100% broken stxd 275-285 ↔Egypt medium grain brokens NQ ↔U.S. pet food 370-380 ↔Brazil half grain NQ ↔

All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Italy Supports Senegal to Boost Rice

Production

Apr 08, 2015

An Italian rice cooperative project "Support project to National Program for Investment in

Agriculture" along with three other cooperatives trained by the Italian National Research Center

(CNR) and a group of Italian farmers have taken up a project to help and support the Senegalese

farmers to boost rice production, according to local sources.The project, which is funded by theItalian Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as the Senegalese Institute of Research in

Agriculture, and Regional Director of Rural Development of Sedhiou, aims at training

Senegalese farmers about good farming practices and local seeding rules. It also aims at

developing about 4,000 hectares of rural land to improve rice production around the Casamance

river. Farmers from various Senegalese cooperatives, including Assolucer, Diendé, Pakao Est,

had participated in the training sessions.


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Apr 08, 2015

The Oryza White Rice Index (WRI), a weighted average of global white rice export quotes,

ended the month of March at about $413 per ton, down about $7 per ton from a month ago and

down about $41 per ton from a year ago. Global rice prices trends were mostly lower across the

board in March. Thailand rice prices were weak in March, due to sluggish import demand and of

the auctioning of government stock supplies. Rice prices in India were also weak ahead of the

Rabi harvest. In the U.S. and South American countries, prices in March were stable to lower.

South American rice prices were pressured by the arrival of the new crop. Prices were steadierin Vietnam, supported in part by the launching of the official one million ton paddy procurement

program.

Separately, FAO has forecasted 2014-15 global rice production at about 494.4 million tons,

slightly down from an estimated 496.6 million tons in 2013-14 and slightly down from its last

month's forecast of about 495.9 million tons. It estimates 2014-15 global rice utilization at about


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499.4 million tons, up about 1.7% from an estimated 491.2 million tons in 2013-14, and slightly

down from last month's estimates of about 500 million tons. The global rice trade in 2014-15 is

expected to reach at about 41.3 million tons, down about 2.5% from an estimated 42.4 million

tons last year and slightly down from last month's forecast of about 41.4 million tons.

Thailand

Thailand 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $390 per ton, down about 4% per

ton from a month ago and up about 1% per ton from a year ago.The government of Thailand

received bids for about 780,000 tons from 40 firms for the one million tons it auctioned on

March 6. All the bids were above the floor price set by the government and the government is

hoping to raise more than 8 billion baht (about $247 million) from this auction. The military

government already sold about 1.18 million tons of rice from five auctions raising about 17.21

billion baht (about $528 million) since it seized power in May 2014. The Thailand government plans to sell about 10 million tons this year and about 7 million tons next year from government

stocks. Meanwhile, the government is planning to sell the degenerated rice after August 2015

when the investigation against those involved in the sales of low-grade rice is expected to be

over.

Separately, the Thai Commerce Ministry has decided to delay the third auction of rice from the

government stockpiles to avoid further decline of rice prices, which have already started

declining due to increasing supplies from the second crop harvest. The Commerce Minister told

reporters that the government would issue next tender when prices recover. He added that

markets may pick up at the end of April 2015.

Thailand exported about 610,504 tons of rice in January 2015, down about 59% from about 1.47

million tons exported in December 2014, and down about 12% from about 696,558 tons exported

in January 2014, according to data from Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA). Thailand

exported about 732,151 tons in February 2015, up about 3.1% from the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the TREA forecasts Thailand to export about 800,000 tons in March 2015. The

USDA estimates Thailand to export about 11 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January -

December 2015), slightly above 10.97 million tons exported in 2014 as the government is keen

on selling rice from its stockpiles this year. TREA also expects low export demand for Thai rice

to continue in the second quarter of 2015 due to tougher competition but is estimating a year-end

export figure of around 10-11 million tons.

Separately, Brunei is likely to increase its rice imports from Thailand this year as 90% of the

Southeast Asian nation's population prefer Thai rice for its taste and healthy properties, Bangkok

post quoted Brunei's government spokesman as saying. Brunei produces only 2% of the annual


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consumption of about 40,000 tons. Brunei’s rice production has remained at about 1,000 tons

since 2002, and the country imports most of rice required for domestic consumption.

The government of Thailand has decided to set up two investigative panels to probe for allegedcorruption in government-to-government (G2G) deals as part of the rice pledging scheme

introduced by the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, according to local sources.

Separately, the TREA President has expressed pessimism that Thailand may not be able to regain

its lost market share for fragrant rice in Hong Kong this year due to the higher prices. Currently,

Thai fragrant rice is quoted at about $900 per ton compared to about $585 per ton of Vietnam's

fragrant rice and about $600 per ton of Cambodia's fragrant rice.

The USDA estimates January 2015 - December 2015 milled rice production to decline to about

19.404 million tons, down about 4% from about 20.46 million tons last year due to an expecteddecline in off-season rice planting following drought forecasts.

The Rice Policy Committee in Thailand has approved a budget of about 582 million baht (about

$18 million) to subsidize interest costs of millers, Bloomberg quoted the Permanent Secretary for

Commerce as saying. The military government is encouraging millers to store rice during the

harvest season in order to curb price falls due to increased supplies by providing low interest

loans.

Vietnam

Vietnam 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $370 per ton, unchanged from a

month ago and down about 5% per ton from a year ago.Vietnam exported about 904,954 tons of

rice in first three months of calendar year 2015, down about 26% from about 1.22 million tons of

rice exported during same time last year, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association

(VFA). In March 2015, Vietnam rice export increased sharply from last month. Vietnam

exported about 480,490 tons of rice in March 2015, up about 139% from about 200,814 tons rice

exported in February 2015, but down about 18% from about 583,294 tons rice exported in March

2014. The FAO says that Vietnam is expected to export about 6.9 million tons rice in 2015, up

about 7% from last year. FAO estimates total paddy rice production in Vietnam is expected to

reach a record level of 45 million tons in 2014, up about 2% from about 44.04 million tons produced in 2013, due to higher yields amid favorable weather conditions. Separately, the

Vietnamese Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade has expressed optimism that Vietnam's rice

exports, which declined about 4% y/y to about 6.4 million tons in 2014, to rebound in 2015

backed by increased demand from China and lower export prices. Meanwhile, the VFA noted

that Vietnam's rice exports in 2015 would be affected by rice oversupplies in Thailand and other

rice exporting nations. According to data from the VFA, Vietnam businesses signed contracts for


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Thailand and price competition with other exporting nations such as Vietnam and Pakistan.

India's rice exports to Nigeria, Africa's largest importer of rice, have been affected because it is

facing foreign exchange problems due to oil price decline and depreciation of its local currency

against dollar. Earlier, in August 2014, India’s rice exports to African countries were impacteddue to the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The Commerce Ministry of India has

decided to formulate a new and specific strategy to boost rice exports, including basmati and

non-basmati, to Africa, according to local sources.

Separately, Indian basmati rice could not find its way into the world's largest consumer of rice,

China, due to concerns of it being infested with 'khapra beetle' and lack of proper phyto-sanitary

regulations between the two countries. Now, the government of India is preparing ground to

begin exporting basmati rice to China. India's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) is

likely to declare some of the country's rice-shelling and exporting units registered with it as free

from 'khapra beetle' infestation, according to local sources. The government of India is expectedto send a list of credited Indian rice mills with the infestation-free certification from the NPPO to

the Chinese authorities by the end of June this year, according to the President of Punjab Rice

Exporters' Association. Meanwhile, India's Commerce Secretary and a high level delegation are

visiting Iran this week to discuss ways to boost trade, including revival of rice trade, between the

two nations, according to local sources.

The government of India has decided to sell excess rice stocks in the open market from the new

fiscal year that begins on April 1, 2015, according to local sources. Separately, the Chief

Minister (CM) of the South Indian state Telangana has urged the government of India to

reconsider its decision to end the levy rice procurement system starting from the 2015-16(October - September) kharif marketing season (KMS). Under the levy rice procurement system,

state governments procure a percentage of milled rice needed for their public distribution (PDS)

activities from millers, who purchase paddy from farmers, instead of procuring paddy directly

from farmers and getting it custom milled.

India's hybrid rice acreage has reached about 2.5 million hectares in 2014, about 250 times from

a mere 10,000 hectares in 1995, according to the Minister of State for Agriculture Minister.

Currently, the hybrid rice acreage accounts for about 5.6% of the total rice area of about 45

million hectares in the country.

Planting for India 2014-15 rabi (secondary) rice crop (November - May) has reached about 3.943

million hectares as of March 27, 2015; down about 9.5% from about 4.355 million hectares

planted during the same period last year, according to preliminary data released by the Indian

Agriculture Ministry.

Bangladesh


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FAO forecasts Bangladesh rice imports to decline to about 700,000 Tons in 2014-15 (July -

June), down about 36% from an estimated 1.1 million tons in the previous year due to an

expected increase in production in during the year. The agency estimates Bangladesh 2014 paddy

production from all three crops - Aman (April - December), Aus (February - August) and Boro(October - May) - at about 52.2 million tons (about 34.97 million tons, basis milled), up about

1.3% from an estimated 51.539 million tons (about 34.531 million tons, basis milled).

Bangladesh's private sector imported about 1.07 million tons of rice in July 1, 2014 - March 22,

2015, nearly three times more than 374,560 tons of rice imported in the entire 2013-14 fiscal

year (July - June), according to data from the Ministry of Food. Separately, increasing rice

imports have been severely hurting the Bangladesh rice sector, according to local sources. Rice

millers across the country are facing huge losses as they bought paddy from farmers at higher

prices but now they holding huge stocks of locally produced coarse and medium rice because of

the cheap imported rice.

Separately, The government of Bangladesh has decided to lower the open market rice price

under the OMS program to about Tk22 per kilogram (about $282.5 per ton) from about Tk26 per

kilogram (about $334 per ton) as part of efforts to curb rice imports by the private sector,

according to local sources. Meanwhile, the government of Bangladesh is planning to procure one

million tons of 2015 Boro paddy and 100,000 tons of Boro rice between May 1, 2015 and

August 31, 2015. It has fixed the procurement price for paddy at Tk 22 per kilogram (about $283

per ton) and that for rice at Tk 32 per kilogram (about $412 per ton). The government of

Bangladesh has estimated the total output from 2014-15 Aman rice crop (April - December) at

about 13.189 million tons, up about 1.3% from about 13.023 million tons produced in 2013-14.Meanwhile, Bangladesh's 2015 Boro (January - May) rice acreage has reached about 4.822

million hectares, surpassing the government target of about 4.78 million hectares by about

42,000 hectares, local sources quoted data from the Field Service Wing of the Department of

Agricultural Extension (DAE).

Pakistan

Pakistan 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $355 per ton, up about 4% per ton

from a month ago and down about 13% per ton from a year ago. Pakistan basmati rice prices,

which have been declining since September 2014, have reversed and increased sharply in

February 2015, according to the FAO. In February 2015, Pakistan's basmati rice export prices

have increased about 12% to about $978 per ton from about $876 per ton in January 2014, and

down about 27% from their year-ago levels of about $1,348 per ton. In terms of local currency,

average Pakistan basmati rice prices in February 2015 increased to about PKR 99,512 per ton


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(using historical exchange rates), up about 13% from about PKR 88,305 per ton in January 2015,

and down about 29% from about PKR 140,731 per ton in February 2014.

The FAO has estimated Pakistan will export about 3.8 million tons of rice in 2015, slightly upfrom 2014 due to expected increased production this year. The FAO estimates Pakistan's 2014

paddy rice production at about 10.1 million tons (about 6.85 million tons, basis milled), down

about 1% from about 10.19 million tons (about 6.93 million tons, basis milled) produced in

2013, due to localized crop damages in some eastern parts of Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad

Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), following floods in September and drought in south-eastern parts of

Sindh province.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has forecasted

that the country would not be able to meet its rice export target of about 3.8 million tons in FY

2014-15 (July - June) as demand from China and Malaysia has been falling. The REAPChairman noted that Pakistan's rice exports may reach about 3.5 million tons in 2014-15, of

which 600,000 tons are expected to be basmati. The National Space Agency of Pakistan

(SUPARCO) estimated Pakistan FY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production to decline

about 19% to about 8.437 million tons (about 5.65 million tons, basis milled) from about 10.04

million tons (about 6.72 million tons, basis milled) produced last year.

Pakistan's total exports, including basmati and non-basmati, continued to decline for second

consecutive month in February 2015 after they declined sharply in January. Pakistan exported

about 355,747 tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in February 2015, down about

15% from about 419,153 tons exported in January 2015, according to provisional data from thePakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Separately, the Basmati Growers Association (BGA) of Pakistan has challenged the application

filed by India's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority

(APEDA) with the Intellectual Properties Appellate Board (IPAB), which has accepted its

petition last month. However, the IPAB has reportedly adjourned the hearing on the application

filed by the BGA challenging the grant of geographical indication (GI) tag for basmati rice

grown in India, which came for hearing in the last week of February 2015. The IPAB had

adjourned the hearing to July 8, 2015.

The Chairman of the REAP has also urged the government of Pakistan to consider establishing a

Rice Technical Institute to help famers use technology in rice cultivation.

Cambodia


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Cambodia 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $440 per ton, up about 1% per ton

from a month ago and down about 3% per ton from a year ago.

Cambodia exported about 149,464 tons of rice in the first three months of 2015, up about 77%from about 84,331 tons exported during the same period in 2014, according to data from the

Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice export Formality (SOWS-REF). Cambodia exported

387,061 tons of rice in 2014. In March 2015, Cambodia exported about 75,867 tons of rice, up

about 101% from about 37,676 tons of rice exported in February 2015 and up about 112% from

about 35,758 tons of rice exported in March 2014.

The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) has urged the government to strictly implement the Code

of Conduct, which was devised in February 2014, to prohibit local trading firms export cheap

rice from neighboring countries under the Cambodian brand. The Code of Conduct was basically

meant to reassure the European Union (EU) that Cambodia was not violating the Everything ButArms Agreement, under which the EU imported rice from Least Developed Nations (LDCs) at

zero-percent duty to support their economies and farmers.

Meanwhile, an EU delegation met with the members of the CRF to discuss the concerns raised

by Italian rice producers that increasing rice imports from Asian LDCs such as Cambodia are

impacting Italian rice prices and consecutively farmers' incomes. The CRF told the EU

delegation that Cambodia has been focusing on exporting more of fragrant and jasmine rice to

the EU and does not compete with the locally produced white rice. The CRF added that

Cambodia's rice exports to EU so far in 2015 have declined by about 30% compared to same

period last year. However, Italy's Ente Nazionale Risi, the National Agency for rice noted thatthe figures provided by Cambodia on 2015 rice exports are wrong as the EU data shows that the

decline during the stated period has been only 10%.

Separately, Cambodia is planning to increase its official rice exports to one million tons this

year, but there are concerns over the government achieving this target due to lack of sufficient

milling capacity and funding. Recently, the CRF agreed to levy a fee of $1 per ton of fragrant

rice and 40.5 per ton of long-grain white rice towards collection of requisite fund for rice sector

development. The government of Cambodia is also planning to double rice exports to China in

2015-16 (May - April) to about 200,000 tons.

Central & South America

Brazil 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $550 per ton, unchanged from a

month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago. Brazil has exported about 119,828 tons

of rice in the first two months of 2015, according to data released by the Rice Institute of Rio

Grande do Sul (IRGA). In February 2015, Brazil exported about 49,915 tons of rice, down about


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29% from about 69,913 tons exported in January 2014. Meanwhile, Brazil’s National Grains

Supply Company (Conab) has forecasted the country's 2014-15 paddy rice production at about

12.152 million tons (about 8.26 million tons, basis milled), slightly up from about 12.122 million

tons (about 8.24 million tons, basis milled) in 2013-14. Brazil rice stocks have declined sharplyto about 135,717 tons in February 2015, down about 44% from about 240,544 tons in January

2015 and down about 77% from about 582,298 tons in February 2014, according to the Conab.

Five percent broken rice from Uruguay and Argentina ended the month of March at about $575

per ton, down about 4% per ton from a month ago and down about 8% per ton from a year ago.

Argentina has exported about 510,707 tons of rice in 2014 (January – December), down about

5% from about 535,722 tons exported during the same period in 2013, according to data from the

Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. The USDA estimates Argentina's milled rice production at

about 975,000 tons in MY 2014-15 (April – March), against consumption of about 500,000 tons.

It estimates Argentina to export about 580,000 tons of rice in MY 2014-15.

The USDA has forecasted Peru's MY 2014-15 (April - March) rice imports at about 220,000

tons, up about 22% from an estimated 180,000 tons imported in 2013-14, and down about 8%

from USDA's official estimates of about 240,000 tons. Based on data from the Peru Customs

Authority (SUNAT), the agency reports that Peru imported about 208,077 tons of rice in 2014

(January - December). Currently, there are no restrictions on rice imports in Peru and rice enters

duty-free into the country. It estimates Peru to produce 2.15 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15,

slightly down from an estimate 2.156 million tons in 2013-14 and down about 2% from USDA's

official estimates of about 2.1 million tons. Meanwhile, the FAO estimates Peru's 2015 paddy

rice production to increase about 2% to about 2.93 million tons (about 2.05 million tons, basismilled) from about 2.875 million tons (about 2.01 million tons, basis milled) last year. The FAO

estimates Peru's 2014 rice imports at a slightly higher level compared to last year due to reduced

output in 2014. It estimates Peru's total cereal imports in 2014, including rice, to increase about

8% y/y to about 4.5 million tons.

The government of Guyana has secured the deal to export over 200,000 tons of paddy and rice

to Venezuela in 2015, according to local sources. The first shipment to Venezuela would take

place just before the harvesting of the first crop of 2015 begins, Guyana's Agriculture Minister

said. Meanwhile, the Guyana government is planning to secure export contract for another

10,000 tons to Venezuela due to lack of lucrative export markets for its rice. Guyana produced

about 633,000 tons of rice in 2014, up about 18% from about 535,212 tons from 2013; and

exported about 501,208 tons of rice in 2014, up about 27% from about 394,000 tons exported in

2013, according to the Agriculture Minister. The Caribbean nation aims to produce about

618,000 tons of milled rice and export about 521,000 tons in 2015.


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The FAO forecasts Colombia's 2014-15 (July - June) rice imports to double from their relatively

low level in 2014 due to a reduction in 2014 paddy rice production. Assuming favorable weather

conditions, the FAO forecasts 2015 paddy rice production at about 1.91 million tons, up about

8% from about 1.77 million tons in 2014. Separately, the government of Colombia hadnegotiated subsidies to the rice milling industry if they paid a price of $40 per ton to rice

growers. However, the government is planning to end the subsidies to rice milling industry in

2015 due to high rice prices and its budget constraints, according to the USDA. The agency

estimates Colombia to import about 350,000 tons of rice in 2014-15 (April - March), up about

8% from about 325,000 tons in 2013-14. It estimates rice imports to decline to about 300,000

tons in 2015-16. It estimates Colombia's 2014-15 milled rice production to decline about 7% to

about 1.22 million tons from about 1.31 million tons in 2013-14. However, the agency estimates

the country's production to increase to 1.35 million tons in 2015-16 due to an increase in acreage

to about 450,000 hectares from an estimated 390,000 hectares in 2013-14. The Colombian

government does not maintain rice stocks but offers financial storage incentives for producersand millers to hold inventories. Meanwhile, the agency estimates Colombia's rice stocks in 2014-

15 to decline by 25% to about 90,000 tons from about 120,000 tons in 2013-14. However, it

expects stocks to increase to about 140,000 tons in 2015-16.

The government of Costa Rica has decided to continue with its longstanding policy of fixing

producer and consumer prices for rice for increasing rice production in the country as well as to

ensure that the government does not violate WTO commitments, according to the USDA.

U.S.

U.S. 4% broken rice ended the month of March at about $485 per ton, up about 1% per ton from

a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.

The USDA has forecasted U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice exports at about 4.72 million tons, up about

11% from last year and up about 1% from its February forecasts. The USDA lowered its

estimates for U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice ending stocks by about 2% to about 1.86 million tons

from its last month's estimates of about 1.9 million tons. However, it estimates U.S. all rice

ending stocks to increase about 25% y/y in MY 2014-15. The USDA estimates U.S. all rice farm

prices to increase to about $308.64 - $321.82 per ton from last month's estimates of about

$302.03 - $315.26. It increased estimates for long-grain rice farm prices to about $268.96 -

$282.19 per ton and estimates for combined medium and short-grain farm prices to about

$399.03 - $416.67.

Separately, California's ongoing drought is expected to hold on the medium-grain rice prices

firm and prevent them from falling, according to the CEO of an Australian rice processing

company. He noted that drought conditions in the U.S. state have led to drying up of reservoirs


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and Californians are relying on snowpack, as it melts and flows into reservoirs. However, the

flow from snowpack also fell about 24% from last year. In this situation, Californians are

resorting to purchasing water for both domestic and agricultural purposes. The state's paddy rice

acreage in 2014 had declined to about 420,000 hectares, down about 25% from about 525,000hectares planted in 2013 due to prolonged dry conditions and water shortages.

Africa

The USDA has forecasted South Africa's MY 2014-15 (May 2014 - April 2015) rice imports at

about 1.15 million tons, slightly up from about 1.144 million tons in MY 2013-14 and up 4.5%

from USDA's official forecasts of about 1.1 million tons. The increase is likely to be catered to

increased export demand from the neighboring countries. The agency forecasts South Africa's

MY 2015-16 rice imports to increase 10% y/y to about 1.3 million tons to meet increasing

consumption. South Africa does not produce any rice and totally depends on imports to meet itsconsumption demand. It also exports a small amount of rice to neighboring countries after

meeting its needs.

The FAO has forecasted mixed prospects for Madagascar's 2015 paddy rice production due to

heavy rains caused by cyclone Chedza in western, central and eastern parts as well as ongoing

dry conditions in the southern regions. The agency has forecasted mixed prospects for

Madagascar's 2015 paddy rice production due to heavy rains caused by cyclone Chedza in

western, central and eastern parts as well as ongoing dry conditions in the southern regions.

Agricultural experts meeting in a forum in the capital city of Senegal warned the governmentthat self-sufficiency in rice production cannot be achieved without qualified and trained farmers,

according to local sources. Senegal is a net importer of rice and imports about 80% of about 1.4

million tons of rice needed for its domestic consumption. The government has been keen on

reducing dependence on imports by increasing rice production. In this direction, the government

had launched an ambitious $148 million program to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production

by 2017. Separately, the government of Senegal is planning to limit annual rice imports at

500,000 tons as part of its efforts to boost domestic production and achieve rice self-sufficiency.

The government of Ghana is likely to shortly announce total ban on inland rice imports, local

sources quoted the Deputy Minister of Trade as saying. The government imposed ban on inlandrice importation in November 2013 and said it would allow rice imports only through the Kotoka

International Airport (KIA), and Tema and Takoradi ports to restrict rice smuggling and ensure

that imported rice is levied with the proper import duties and taxes. Ghana's annual rice import

bill stood at $306 million in 2013 and the government is planning to increase rice production by

about 20% per annum over the next four years to make Ghana self-sufficient in rice.


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China

China has imported about 189,700 tons of rice in first two months (January - February) of 2015,

down about 44% from about 338,700 tons imported during the same period in 2014, according todata from China Customs General Administration. Meanwhile, China has exported about 34,400

tons of rice in January - February 2015, up about 42% from about 24,182 tons exported during

the same period last year, according to the Customs data.

The government of China has sold about 15,268 tons or 1.2% of about 1.4 million tons of late-

harvest rice from reserves. The government sold the rice at an average price of about 2,710 yuan

(about $433) per ton.

Meanwhile, China's Agriculture Ministry has predicted the country's early rice planting area to

slightly increase to about 5.8 million hectares in 2015 from about 5.78 million hectares in 2014.The government of China has procured about 28.07 million tons of 2014-15 middle to late-

season rice for reserves as of March 31, 2015, up about 4.6% from about 26.84 million tons

procured last year.

Separately, China's Guangdong Grain Association has signed an agreement with the Rice

Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) for the import of about 1,500 tons of rice this year,

according to local sources.

Philippines

The USDA has forecasted the Philippines MY 2014-15 (July 2014 - June 2015) rice import at

about 1.6 million tons, up about 33% from an estimated 1.2 million tons in MY 2013-14. The

Philippines imported about 1.4 million tons of rice as of October 2014 and the agency estimates

total CY 2014 rice imports at about 1.8 million tons. Meanwhile, the agency estimated MY

2015-16 rice imports at about 1.305 million tons (including 805,000 tons of legitimate imports

and 500,000 tons of unofficial imports.

Based on the data from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippines produced a

record 19 million tons of paddy in 2014, up 2.87% from about 18.4 million tons in 2013 despite

marginally lower rice acreage. The USDA estimates the Philippines MY 2015-16 paddy rice production at about 19.68 million tons (about 12.4 million tons, basis milled), up about 3% from

an estimated 19.14 million tons (about 12 million tons, basis milled). Separately, The Bureau of

Agricultural Statistics (BAS) has estimated the Philippines paddy production in FY 2014 at

about 18.97 million tons, up about 2.87% from about 18.44 million tons in FY 2013 despite a

decline in the paddy rice acreage by about 6,419 hectares y/y, according to local sources. The


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government aims to produce about 20 million tons of rice each year from 2014 until 2016

through expanding the cultivation areas and the yield per hectare.

Separately, the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) has advised rice farmers to preparefor early harvesting of the ongoing rice crop to avoid potential losses expected from an El Nino-

induced drought, according to a news release on the government website. Conditions were dry

last September and are expected to remain dry until July this year. The DA is also planning to

plant seeds of high-yielding rice varieties, including hybrid rice, certified inbred seeds and Green

Super Rice (GSR), in over 560,000 hectares of rice area in 2015, according to news release on

the government website. The High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) program is part of

the government's efforts to increase paddy rice production to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the

country, according to the DA sources.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of Philippines has decided toreview the government's agriculture policy especially with regard to rice imports and the

quantitative restriction (QR) regulations, local sources quoted the NEDA Director General (DG)

as saying.

Separately, The National Food Authority (NFA) has decided to import 200,000 tons of rice from

Thailand and 300,000 tons of rice from Vietnam under government-to-government (G2G) deals

to ensure adequate stocks ahead of the lean season as well as to curb price hikes. The NFA

imported over 1.4 million tons of rice last year.

Japan

The FAO estimated Japan's 2014-15 (April-March) rice imports at about 700,000 tons. The

agency estimates Japan's 2014 aggregate paddy production at about 10.6 million tons (about 7.74

million tons, basis milled), down about 1% from about 10.76 million tons (about 7.85 million

tons, basis milled) in 2013 due to a slight decline in planting area. Meanwhile, the USDA

estimated Japan to import about 700,000 tons of rice in 2015, up about 7% from an estimated

650,000 tons in 2014 due to an expected decline in production. The USDA said that Japan’s

2014 rice production declined about 1.2% to about 7.583 million tons from about 7.676 million

tons in 2013. The agency said that per capita consumption of table rice in Japan has been

declining but that for feed has been increasing.

The Japan Rice Industry Export Promotion Association has launched the "This is Japan Quality"

initiative jointly with the Agriculture Ministry to boost rice exports by highlighting the merits of

Japanese rice, according to local sources.


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Separately, the Chief of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Japan has urged the

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to retain high tariffs on the economy's "sensitive"

products, including rice, wheat, barley, pork, beef, dairy products and sugar, as part of the Trans-

Pacific Partnership talks with the U.S., according to the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA).

Europe

The European Union (EU) has imported about 522,634 tons of milled rice from non-EU nations

in September 1, 2014 - March 10, 2015 period of the crop year 2014-15 (September - August),

up about 5% from about 495,908 tons imported during the same period last year, according to the

EU data. The U.K remained the biggest buyer of non-EU rice with 104,349 tons (accounting for

about 20% of EU's total imports from the non-EU nations during the period. Meanwhile, the EU

has exported about 141,087 tons of milled rice in the first six months of 2014-15 (September -

August), up about 45% from about 100,791 tons exported during the same period in 2013-14,according to data released by the European Commission (EC).

Meanwhile, a report titled "Prospects for EU agricultural markets and income 2014-2024”,

released in December 2014, predicts that EU's rice production will remain stable over the next

decade through 2024 on a slightly decreased area but the region's rice consumption will increase

slightly to about 5.5 kilograms per person per year during the period. According to the report,

though the EU rice market seems to be highly fragmented, Japonica and Indica rice varieties

occupy a major share. The report says, the EU has limited capacity to expand production with

only few countries engaged in production, the EU has to continue its dependence on imports to

meet the rising consumption demand. Italy and Spain contribute to nearly 80% of EU rice production.

Separately, the French Rice Growers Union slammed the government for depriving the rice

sector of coupled contribution of about 3 million euros (about $3.26 million) in addition to the

funds provided under the new European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Indonesia

The FAO estimates Indonesia's rice imports to return to more normal quantities and reach about

1.2 million tons in 2014-15 (April - March) due to a reduction in 2014 aggregate rice production.The agency estimates Indonesia's 2014 aggregate paddy rice production at about 70.61 million

tons (about 45 million tons of rice, basis milled), slightly down from an estimated 71.28 million

tons (about 45.3 million tons of rice, basis milled) in 2013 due to a slight contraction in paddy

acreage. It estimates aggregate paddy rice production in 2015 at about 73.4 million tons (about

46.6 million tons of rice, basis milled), up about 4% from an estimated 70.6 million tons (about

45 million tons of rice, basis milled) in 2014. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates Indonesia to


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import about 1.25 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January 2015 - December 2015), slightly

up from an estimated 1.225 million tons in MY 2013-14. The agency estimates Indonesia's 2014-

15 milled rice production at about 36.3 million tons (about 57.165 million tons, basis paddy),

unchanged from last year and down about 0.5% from USDA's official estimates of about 36.5million tons (about 57.48 million tons, basis paddy). Indonesia's Agriculture Ministry has

estimated the country's paddy rice output in the first four months (January - April) of 2015 at

about 32.9 million tons, up about 4.1% from about 31.6 million tons produced during the same

period last year.

The government of Indonesia is expecting to procure between 2.5 - 2.75 million tons of rice from

local farmers, down about 14 - 22% from its target of 3.2 million tons, according to local

sources. However, this year, the President is keen on avoiding imports and increasing 2015

paddy rice production by about 4% to about 73.4 million tons (about 48.44 million tons, basis

milled) from an estimated 70.61 million tons (about 46.65 million tons, basis milled) in 2014.Meanwhile, the government of Indonesia is most likely to achieve the self-sufficiency in rice

production in 2015 itself, much ahead of the 2018 target set by the President, the south-east

Asian nation's Vice-President said.

Separately, the government of Indonesia is planning to design a cycle of rice plant of harvesting

covering the entire nation to maintain continuous stocks in the country.

South Korea

The USDA estimates South Korea to import about 560,000 tons of rice in MY 2014-15(November - October), including 408,000 tons of rice imports under the WTO's Minimum

Market Agreement (MMA) quota in the 2015 calendar year. South Korea plans to complete its

2015 rice imports under the 2015 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) purchasing plan between January -

October 2015 through public open tenders. The delivery is expected to be done by December 31,

2015. The agency estimates South Korea to produce about 4.24 million tons of milled rice in MY

2014-15, slightly up from an estimated 4.23 million tons in MY 2013-14. It estimates South

Korea's milled rice production to decline about 6% y/y to about 4 million tons in MY 2015-16

due to an expected 1.8% y/y decline in area planted to about 801,000 hectares.

Research and Scientific Development:

Researchers are working towards developing a perennial rice variety, which need not be planted

every year, and will yield good amount of rice for many years.

http://oryza.com/22044/perennial-rice-revolution-rice-cultivation

http://oryza.com/22044/perennial-rice-revolution-rice-cultivationhttp://oryza.com/22044/perennial-rice-revolution-rice-cultivationhttp://oryza.com/22044/perennial-rice-revolution-rice-cultivation


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A farmer in India's northern state Uttar Pradesh has developed a new variety of basmati rice

through organic farming using seeds brought by his ancestors from Pakistan.

http://oryza.com/22104/jhumka-basmati-indias-new-rain-and-pest-tolerant-basmati-rice-variety

The European Union (EU) funded project ERMES is developing new models for monitoring rice

crops through advanced information, including early warnings of possible threats, and there by

boost rice yields.

http://oryza.com/22091/eu-project-uses-space-and-sensory-technology-boost-rice-yields

Agriculture Ministers of Thailand and Vietnam, who met in Hanoi on March 12, 2015, have

decided to work closely to develop sustainable rice markets in order to increase the quality and

value of rice production in the long-run.

http://oryza.com/22088/vietnam-thailand-plan-jointly-develop-sustainable-rice-markets

Thailand's Pathum Thani Rice Research Center has developed a new rice variety - called Thani

200 or Kor, Khor.57 - that can withstand colder climates as well as resistant to pests.

http://oryza.com/22230/thailand-develops-pest-and-cold-resistant-rice-variety

March Tenders:

South Korea issued a tender to buy about 58,897 tons of rice but bought about 33,897 tons of

rice.

http://oryza.com/22034/south-korea-seeks-buy-58897-tons-non-glutinous-rice-international-

tenders

http://oryza.com/22177/south-korea-buys-33897-tons-rice-china-tender

http://oryza.com/22263/south-korea-passes-tenders-buy-25000-tons-rice-due-high-prices

The government of Morocco issued a tender to bought small short and round rice in tender.

http://oryza.com/22106/morocco-seeks-purchase-small-short-and-round-rice-tender

http://oryza.com/22104/jhumka-basmati-indias-new-rain-and-pest-tolerant-basmati-rice-varietyhttp://oryza.com/22104/jhumka-basmati-indias-new-rain-and-pest-tolerant-basmati-rice-varietyhttp://oryza.com/22091/eu-project-uses-space-and-sensory-technology-boost-rice-yieldshttp://oryza.com/22091/eu-project-uses-space-and-sensory-technology-boost-rice-yieldshttp://oryza.com/22088/vietnam-thailand-plan-jointly-develop-sustainable-rice-marketshttp://oryza.com/22088/vietnam-thailand-plan-jointly-develop-sustainable-rice-marketshttp://oryza.com/22230/thailand-develops-pest-and-cold-resistant-rice-varietyhttp://oryza.com/22230/thailand-develops-pest-and-cold-resistant-rice-varietyhttp://oryza.com/22034/south-korea-seeks-buy-58897-tons-non-glutinous-rice-international-tendershttp://oryza.com/22034/south-korea-seeks-buy-58897-tons-non-glutinous-rice-international-tendershttp://oryza.com/22034/south-korea-seeks-buy-58897-tons-non-glutinous-rice-international-tendershttp://oryza.com/22177/south-korea-buys-33897-tons-rice-china-tenderhttp://oryza.com/22177/south-korea-buys-33897-tons-rice-china-tenderhttp://oryza.com/22263/south-korea-passes-tenders-buy-25000-tons-rice-due-high-priceshttp://oryza.com/22263/south-korea-passes-tenders-buy-25000-tons-rice-due-high-priceshttp://oryza.com/22106/morocco-seeks-purchase-small-short-and-round-rice-tenderhttp://oryza.com/22106/morocco-seeks-purchase-small-short-and-round-rice-tenderhttp://oryza.com/22106/morocco-seeks-purchase-small-short-and-round-rice-tenderhttp://oryza.com/22263/south-korea-passes-tenders-buy-25000-tons-rice-due-high-priceshttp://oryza.com/22177/south-korea-buys-33897-tons-rice-china-tenderhttp://oryza.com/22034/south-korea-seeks-buy-58897-tons-non-glutinous-rice-international-tendershttp://oryza.com/22034/south-korea-seeks-buy-58897-tons-non-glutinous-rice-international-tendershttp://oryza.com/22230/thailand-develops-pest-and-cold-resistant-rice-varietyhttp://oryza.com/22088/vietnam-thailand-plan-jointly-develop-sustainable-rice-marketshttp://oryza.com/22091/eu-project-uses-space-and-sensory-technology-boost-rice-yieldshttp://oryza.com/22104/jhumka-basmati-indias-new-rain-and-pest-tolerant-basmati-rice-variety


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Precision Agriculture Models Can

Supplement EU CAP to Boost Rice Yields

While Conserving Natural Resources, Says

EC Report

Apr 08, 2015

A recent report by the Italy-based Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission

(EC) has identified Precision Agriculture (PA) as a potential means to increase rice production in

the EU member states while reducing the environmental ill effects associated with various rice

production systems. The report recommends that PA can be integrated into the EU Common

Agriculture Policy (CAP) 2014-2020 to achieve the desired results.


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PA is a whole-farm management approach using information technology, satellite positioning

(GNSS) data, remote sensing and proximal data gathering, according to the report. The EC JRC

undertook a study to analyze the effect of PA on agriculture in the European context as well as

economic benefits associated with it.Applications of PA include auto-guiding systems andvariable-rate technology that allow for precise tillage, seeding, fertilisation, irrigation, herbicide

and pesticide application as well as harvesting. The report also says these systems can be

customized depending on specific requirements.

The report confirms that PA can play a substantial role in the EU in meeting the increasing

demand for food, feed, and raw materials while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources and

the environment. However, it says adoption of PA in the EU faces specific challenges due to the

sizes and diversity of farm structures. Therefore, the report recommends appropriate guidelines

related to PA and implementation assistance to EU member states, including a 'precision farming

calculator' tool for differing farming systems. It also recommends the implementation ofinformation campaigns among farmers and the adoption of appropriate tools to support them and

agri-consultants in their decisions taking processes.These data related to the rice growing sector

in EU member nations, can be supplied also by the EU-funded Ermes project, according to the

report. The data can be integrated into innovative Remote Sensing and Crop Modelling

techniques to assist farmers and regional authorities in rice cultivation and monitoring activities.

Brazil Paddy Rice Index Almost unchanged


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from Last Week

Apr 08, 2015

The Brazilian paddy rice index maintained by the CEPEA reached around 35.86 real per 50

kilograms as of April 7, 2015, down about 0.03% from around 35.87 real per 50 kilograms

recorded on March 31, 2015.

In terms of USD per ton, the index reached around $232 per ton on April 7, 2015, up about 3.5%

from around $224 per ton recorded on March 31, 2015.

Myanmar Exports 1.7 Million Tons of rice in2014-15, Up 40% from Last Year

Apr 08, 2015


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Myanmar has exported around 1.7 million tons of rice in the fiscal year 2014-15 (April - March),

up about 40% from around 1.2 million tons exported in 2013-14, local sources quoted data fromthe Ministry of Commerce.China accounted for more than 1.1 million tons exports from

Myanmar and most of the exports were through northern borders. Myanmar exported rice to

about 64 countries in ASEAN, Europe and Africa.The government of Myanmar has been trying

to legalize rice trade with China for a long time and early this year both the countries'

representatives met to discuss legalizing Myanmar’s rice exports. According to the chairman of

the Myanmar Farmers Association and joint secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation, China

has agreed to import one million tons of rice from Myanmar this year. He added that legal

exports to China are likely to begin in May.

The government is keen on increasing rice exports to around 3 million tons over the next fewyears and has prioritized rice in its National Export Strategy.USDA estimates Myanmar to

produce 18.98 million tons of paddy rice (around 12.15 million tons, milled basis) and export

around 1.6 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January - December 2015).

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Bids Fall

with Futures as Sellers Continue to Hold

Firm

Apr 08, 2015

The U.S. cash market was mostly unchanged today as bids dropped with the futures; however,

most sellers remain on the sidelines hoping for demand to show up and prices to

increase.Analysts note that most farmers are anxious to get into the fields this week; however,

wet is in the forecast for the next 10 days and will likely keep many of them out their fields for at

least another week.

Thailand 2014-15 Paddy Rice Output toDecline 11% y/y Due to 43% y/y Decline in

Secondary Crop Output, Says OAE

Apr 08, 2015


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Thailand's Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has estimated the country's paddy rice

output for 2014-15 at around 32.6 million tons (around 21.5 million tons, basis milled), down

about 11% from around 36.77 million tons (around 24.2 million tons, basis milled) last year,

according to a notice on its website.The OAE estimates output from the 2014-15 main crop at

around 27.1 million tons (around 17.89 million tons, basis milled), slightly up from around 27.09

million tons (around 17.88 million tons, basis milled) in 2013-14.

It estimated output from the 2014-15 secondary/off-season crop at around 5.5 million tons

(around 3.63 million tons, basis milled), down about 43% from around 9.67 million tons (around6.4 million tons, basis milled) last year and down about 18% from its previous forecast of around

6.7 million tons.The decline is attributed to an expected decline in paddy rice acreage of the

secondary crop. The OAE estimates paddy rice acreage of 2014-15 main crop to decline slightly

to around 9.88 million hectares from around 9.93 million hectares last year. It estimates paddy

rice acreage of 2014-15 secondary crop to decline about 42% to around 1.4 million hectares from

around 2.4 million hectares last year.The OAE estimates per hectare yield from the 2014-15

main crop to increase slightly to 2.74 tons from 2.73 tons last year; and per hectare yield from

the 2014-15 secondary crop to decline 3% to 3.89 tons from around 4.02 tons last year.The Thai

government had discouraged rice farmers from planting for off-season crop due to drought and

water shortages in reservoirs. The government is also planning to reduce acreage by about 4.44

million hectares (or about 39% of the total rice area of around 11.34 million hectares) under an

agricultural zoning system to grow other cash crops, such as sugarcane, in 3-4 years.USDA

estimates Thailand to produce around 29 million tons of paddy rice (around 19.15 million tons,

basis paddy) and export around 11 million tons in MY 2014-15.

9th April,2015 Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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