August 17 ,2015

All About Rice News

Daily

Vol 5,Issue XIII

Global Rice E-Newsletter

For Blog & News Letter Advertisment contact to write : Mujahid Ali mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
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Vietnam joins race to sell rice to Philippines

VietNamNet Bridge - With the current balance of power, Vietnam and Thailand will participate in a duel to obtain the right to
sell 250,000 tons of rice to the Philippines.

Race for quota-based rice sale

The Filipino National Food Authority (NFA) has bought 750,000 tons of rice so far this year through
three bids, while leaving open another 250,000 tons that can still be purchased.The Philippines will also
buy 805,200 tons of rice more under the WTOs MAV (minimum access volume) mode. However, the
purchase
will
be
undertaken
by
private
businesses,
not
the
government.
Of the 750,000 tons of rice, 550,000 tons will be provided by Vietnamese enterprises, and the remaining
200,000 tons by Thai exporters.As for the package of 805,200 tons of rice under the MAV, Vietnam has
been assigned to provide 293,100 tons.
The same volume has been allocated to Thailand. Each of the three other Asian countries including China,
India and Pakistan will provide 50,000 tons. Nevertheless, the Filipino private businesses may be unlikely
to import enough 805,200 tons of rice.Analysts believe that only Vietnamese and Thai rice can be
competitive, thanks to the low prices, and therefore, Vietnam and Thailand would be the top choices for
Filipino businessmen.
Meanwhile, made in China rice will not likely enter the Filipino market because of its high price. Indian
rice is now sold in some Chinese provinces at $625-635 per ton. If counting the 35 import tariff, the

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selling price would be no less than $840-860 per ton, higher than the Filipino market price, hovering
around $770 per ton.Analysts also think that Filipino private importers are not likely to import 100,000
tons of rice from India and Pakistan, because the two countries have offered the export price which is
$18-33 per ton higher than Vietnam.The big disadvantage of the two rice exporters India and Pakistan in
the competition to sell rice to the Philippines is that they are relatively far from the country.Statistics
show that since 2011, when Indias rice exports exploded, it exported only 105,000 tons to the Philippines
in the 2012-2013 season. It sold 60,000 tons in total in the other three seasons.
NFA and Vietnam-Thailand duel

If Filipino private importers cannot import enough 805,200 tons of rice as predicted, it is highly possible
that NFA would be assigned to import 250,000 tons out of 805,200 tons.Analysts believe that with the
current balance of power, Vietnam and Thailand would have to join a duel to obtain the right to sell rice
to the Philippines. Myanmar will unlikely be able to compete with Vietnam and Thailand in prices.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/138316/vietnam-joins-race-to-sell-rice-to-philippines.html

Government urged to help farmers affected

by El Nio
By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) | Updated August 17, 2015 - 12:00am

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The weather bureau has warned that El Nio conditions could become stronger starting October and peak
by November or December when the sea surface temperature in the tropical Pacific will become much
hotter than average. Philstar.com/File

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis Escudero is calling on government agencies to prepare

alternative employment and emergency assistance for farmers who will be affected by El Nio
this year.Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources,
lamented that the Department of Agriculture (DA) failed to use its budget to prepare farmers for
the impact of El Nio.The Senate finance committee has made available around P5 billion for
2015 to the DA to address the problem of El Nio through interventions such as the Small Water
Impounding Project, which is meant to improve irrigation facilities in preparation for the dry
months. But Escudero said the DA failed to do its job.The Department of Agriculture should be
in the forefront of this, but based on our analysis, the DA has been very slow in responding to
this issue as manifested by its underspending. Its very slow in releasing funds for this purpose,
he added.
For this reason, Escudero is calling on the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to be
more proactive in addressing problems that may be caused by the phenomenon.Our farmers are
going to need all the help they can get in the coming months, and national agencies should be
ready to work with local governments to pull our farmers through this difficult season,
Escudero said in a media briefing in Daet, Camarines Norte, one of the provinces bracing for an
extended dry spell.
Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Escudero urged TESDA to provide farmers with agriculture-related technical and vocational skills
training so that they can find other sources of income when working at the farm proves to be
unproductive.As for the DSWD, the senator said the agency should ensure that families of farmers
affected by the drought will receive financial assistance through the governments conditional cash
transfer (CCT) program.
The government has to be proactive and prepare for the worst-case scenario. Our farmers have to be
given all kinds of assistance to make up for the projected crop losses because of the drying up of
farmlands, he added.The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) has warned that the present moderate El Nio conditions could intensify by
the end of the year and even surpass the strength of the El Nio in 1997 to 1998, which was the worst dry
spell in the Philippines.The 1997-1998 episode caused severe drought in 70 percent of the country and
damaged 292,000 hectares of rice and corn plantations. It cost the agriculture sector at least P3 billion in
damage, according to PAGASA and the South Australian Research and Development Institute.

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The weather bureau has warned that El Nio conditions could become stronger starting October and peak
by November or December when the sea surface temperature in the tropical Pacific will become much
hotter than average.Sen. Grace Poe said the impacts of climate change are putting a bigger burden on the
governments resources as extreme weather events continue to create a new demographic of poor
Filipinos.Poe said at least 12 million Filipinos are at risk for the hazards brought about by storms and
floods, the second biggest population of at-risk people in the Asia Pacific region.
From 1998 to 2009, the country has lost at least $24 billion in GDP value due to the impact of climate
change, the senator said, citing a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.Extreme
weather conditions destroy not just peoples homes but also their sources of food and livelihood. With
every storm that passes, more people are displaced, more people go hungry, more lose their livelihood,
Poe said.Climate change just keeps creating a new set of poor Filipinos, so we have to mitigate its
impact, she added.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/08/17/1488983/government-urged-help-farmers-affected-elnino#sthash.AOjT0hL3.dpuf

2nd quarter farm outputbares El Nios

scourge

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INTENSE HEAT took its toll on the countrys agriculture production, which shrank last
quarter and pulled down first-semester growth, in turn putting gross domestic product (GDP)
expansion further at risk.
The Philippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (PSA-BAS) reported on Friday that
volume of farm production contracted by 0.37% in the second quarter, slower than the 1.78% logged in
January-March and the 2.73% seen a year ago.That led to a 0.73% crawl last semester against the
governments 3.3-4.3% full-year growth target.The downturn was traced to the intense heat during the
quarter, which negatively affected the performance of crops and fisheries subsectors, the report read,
adding that these were not offset by increases in the livestock and poultry sub-sectors.Value of production
last quarter likewise fell 5.21% to P372.4 billion from 2014s comparable three months.
The report on the countrys agriculture performance was released two weeks ahead of the scheduled
announcement of second-quarter and first-half gross GDP data on Aug. 27. The agriculture sector
accounts for about a tenth of the GDP, which in turn is targeted to expand 7-8% this year.Asked on his
reading on second-quarter GDP growth, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan had
said in a congressional hearing earlier this week on the proposed P3.002-trillion 2016 national budget that
the successive drop in merchandise export receipts across all three months of last quarter was worrisome
and that farm damage from the El Nio-spawned dry spell bears watching.

CROP SUB-SECTOR
Output of the crops sub-sector -- which accounted for 49.8% of total production -- dropped by 3.05% in
the second quarter, compared to the 5.87% growth recorded in 2014s comparable three months.Last
semester
saw
this
sub-sector
slip
by
0.54%.
The intense heat that prevailed during the period pulled down production of palay and corn by 2.88%
and 15.76%, respectively, the PSA-BAS said.The hot weather condition, however, enhanced the
performance of other crops: pineapple, mango, abaca, mongo, camote, cassava, cabbage and garlic.
PALAY AND CORN
The PSA-BAS last Wednesday reported that actual production of palay -- or unmilled rice -- fell 2.9% to
3.96 million metric tons (MT) last quarter from 4.07 million MT in 2014s comparable three months.The
second-quarter harvest led to a 0.7% contraction to 8.32 million MT last semester from 8.38 million MT
in 2014s comparable six months.Corn production, meanwhile, fell 15.8% to 1.01 million MT last quarter
from 1.20 million MT the past year, causing last semesters output of this grain to drop 2.8% to 3.38
million MT from 3.48 million MT year on year.The PSA-BAS had said in that earlier report that
probable production of both staples this semester similarly may suffer.Unrealized plantings of palay
for the third-quarter harvest due to the late onset of the rainy season and insufficient supply of irrigation
water may bring down the second semester output, it explained, adding that probable corn output is also
expected
to
be
lower.
As a result, total output for the entire 2015 may decline by 0.6% for palay and 1.6% for corn.In particular,

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production of palay may slip by to 18.86 million MT this year from the 18.97 million MT actually
harvested last year.Corn output, on the other hand, is seen to hit only 7.64 million MT this year, compared
to 7.77 million MT actually harvested last year.The Agriculture department had set production targets of
20
million
MT
for
palay
and
8.4
million
MT
for
corn
this
year.
OTHER SUB-SECTORS

Last quarter saw two other sub-sectors -- livestock and poultry -- improve production.Contributing
16.24% to total farm output was livestock, which registered a 5.2% growth from only 0.68% the past
year. This was driven primarily by the 5.6% increase in hog production. Other livestock segments, save
for carabao, also improved output. Second-quarter growth spurred this sub-sector to expand by 4.25% last
semester.The poultry sub-sector -- which had a 15.18% share -- produced 4.71% more, a significant
improvement from only 0.12% as all components increased output. Chicken boosted the subsectors
performance in the second quarter of the year by posting a 5.08% growth in production, the report read.
For the first half, this sub-sector grew 5.03%.
Fisheries, which accounted for 18.79%, produced 1.53% less last quarter, although this performance was
marginally better than the 1.59% decline a year ago. Affected by the intense heat during the quarter and
posting reductions were milkfish, tilapia, round scad and skipjack. This sub-sector produced 2.12% less
than a year ago last semester.Farmgate prices -- particularly for crops, livestock and poultry -- fell 4.86%
last quarter, leading to a 4.14% drop last semester.
www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory...el...

Clouds and rain make for lower rice yields in Louisiana

Posted: Aug 16, 2015 4:18 AM PDTUpdated: Aug 16, 2015 7:27 AM PDT

CROWLEY, La. (AP) - LSU agriculture experts estimate that the yield from this year's rice
harvest in south Louisiana will be down 10 to 15 percent from last year.A news release on the
rice crop from the LSU AgCenter says the harvest is just getting under way in north Louisiana
but hot, dry weather could affect grain quality in that part of the state.Steve Linscombe, director
of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station and Dustin Harrell, an AgCenter rice specialist, both
listed heavy rainfall from March until May, and frequent overcast skies as major reasons for
lower yields.
Linscombe said less sunshine made for fewer and smaller grains per plant. Harrell said excess
rainfall meant farmers were unable to make fertilizer applications on time. Disease was also a
factor in lower yields.Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.ksla.com/story/29797033/clouds-and-rain-make-for-lower-rice-yields-in-louisiana

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Rice harvesting progressing in Louisiana, but yields are

down
But yields are down
ADVOCATE NEWS SERVICES
Aug. 17, 2015

South Louisiana rice farmers have had

excellent weather to get the 2015 crop
out of the field, but the yield is a
decline from the two exceptional
harvests over the past two years,
according
to
LSU
AgCenter
experts.This is not going to be one of
the harvests for the record books, said
Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU
AgCenter
Rice
Research
Station.Linscombe estimated this years
harvest in south Louisiana is down 1015 percent from last year.The north
Louisiana rice crop has endured unusually hot, dry weather that could affect grain quality, he
said.
Harvest in that part of the state is just starting.This has been one of the most difficult years for
rice producers that theyve seen in a long time, AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell
said.Both listed heavy rainfall from March until May and frequent overcast skies as major
reasons for lower yields.More clouds mean less sunshine for photosynthesis, and that resulted in
fewer and smaller grains per plant, Linscombe said.Harrell said the excess rainfall complicated
the season because farmers were not able to make fertilizer applications on time. In addition,
small rice plants were submerged for a long time, he said.Plant disease also was a factor in the
harvest, Linscombe said.
Quality seems to be OK, especially on our earlier-planted rice, Linscombe said. But laterplanted rice that matured during the hotter temperatures probably will have quality problems, he
said.Even though planting was delayed by weather, harvest went smoothly with few rain
interruptions, and dry weather prevented farm equipment from rutting the fields, Linscombe said.
That means a good start for farmers growing a second crop of rice.Linscombe said he is noticing
more farmers manipulating rice stubble, either by rolling or mowing the remaining stalks, to
increase second-crop yields as shown in studies conducted by Harrell.
AgCenter county agent Keith Fontenot said Evangeline Parish rice farmers were reporting mixed
results, with yields from 40 to 55 barrels. He said one farmer only managed 26 barrels in a field
suddenly hit with a disease.AgCenter county agent Barrett Courville said yields are off by about
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four barrels an acre from last year. But he said the second crop looks promising.A barrel of rice
weighs 162 pounds.Fontenot said hes seeing many farmers preparing fields for a second
crop.Im amazed at the amount of work I see happening, he said. Everybody looks like
theyre going to have a second crop.
http://theadvocate.com/news/business/13180180-123/rice-harvesting-progressing-in-louisiana

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Aug 17

India | Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:57pm IST

Nagpur, Aug 17 Gram prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on increased festival season demand from local traders amid
weak arrival from producing belts. Upward trend on NCDEX, notable hike in Madhya Pradesh
gram prices and repeated enquiries from South-based traders also pushed up prices, according to
sources.
*

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM
* Desi gram recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid
tight supply from producing regions.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties skyrocketed in open market here on increased festival season demand
from local traders amid weak supply from producing regions. Delay in this season's
tuar arrival, damaged of crop because of unseasonal rains and weak monsoon also
activated stockists.
* Masoor and Udid varieties zoomed up in open market on renewed festival season demand
from local traders amid thin arrival from producing belts.
* In Akola, Tuar - 8,800-9,100, Tuar dal - 12,800-13,000, Udid at 9,400-9,700,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 11,300-11,700, Moong - 7,600-7,800, Moong Mogar
(clean) 9,200-9,800, Gram - 4,200-4,400, Gram Super best bold - 5,800-6,000
for 100 kg.
* Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market
in thin trading activity because of heavy rains, according to sources.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Gram Auction
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Available prices Previous close

3,700-4,720
3,700-4,610

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Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
n.a.
7,300-8,150
Moong Auction
n.a.
6,000-6,400
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold
6,000-6,200
6,000-6,200
Gram Super Best
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
5,600-5,800
5,600-5,800
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Mill Quality
5,500-5,700
5,400-5,700
Desi gram Raw
4,800-4,850
4,750-4,850
Gram Filter new
6,000-6,200
6,000-6,200
Gram Kabuli
6,200-7,500
6,200-7,500
Gram Pink
6,800-7,000
6,800-7,000
Tuar Fataka Best
13,000-13,500
12,500-13,000
Tuar Fataka Medium
12,000-12,500
11,500-12,000
Tuar Dal Best Phod
11,500-11,800
11,000-11,200
Tuar Dal Medium phod
11,000-11,400
10,600-10,800
Tuar Gavarani New
9,600-9,700
9,300-9,500
Tuar Karnataka
10,200-10,500
9,700-9,900
Tuar Black
12,400-12,800
11,900-12,200
Masoor dal best
8,600-8,800
8,300-8,500
Masoor dal medium
8,150-8,450
7,900-8,200
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
9,600-9,800
9,600-9,800
Moong Mogar Medium best
8,200-8,800
8,200-8,800
Moong dal Chilka
8,500-8,800
8,500-8,800
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
9,700-10,000
9,700-10,000
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,700-12,000
11,500-11,900
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 10,600-11,000
10,500-11,000
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
9,400-9,800
9,300-9,700
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
4,400-4,900
4,400-4,900
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
3,300-3,400
3,300-3,400
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
4,500-5,000
4,300-4,700
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,100-3,200
3,100-3,200
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,900
3,300-3,900
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,500
1,400-1,500
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,550-1,700
1,550-1,700
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,300-1,500
1,300-1,500
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400
2,200-2,400
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100
1,900-2,100
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,700
3,300-3,700
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,650-2,850
2,650-2,850
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Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)
2,800-3,000
2,800-3,000
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)
3,050-3,300
3,050-3,300
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,900
1,700-1,900
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,300-2,500
2,300-2,500
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800
2,600-2,800
Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)
3,400-3,800
3,400-3,800
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)
3,900-4,300
3,900-4,300
Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,300-4,500
4,300-4,500
Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,100
4,600-5,100
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,000-10,000
8,000-10,000
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,000-7,500
7,000-7,500
Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,800
4,500-4,800
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,200-5,600
5,200-5,600
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,350
2,100-2,350
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,500
2,400-2,500
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 32.5 degree Celsius (90.5 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
24.8 degree Celsius (76.6 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely. Maximum and minimum
temperature would be around and 33 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but
included in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/08/17/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N10S36220150817

Myanmar may resume rice export in November

News Desk
Myanmar Eleven
Publication Date : 17 -08-2015
Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce announced yesterday that it would reconsider resuming rice export in
November, as the country has imposed a temporary ban following the severe inundation of farmlands.In
an announcement, the ministry revealed that Myanmar should need 34.8 million tonnes of paddy rice for
domestic consumption. As over 1 million acres of farmlands or nearly 10 per cent of total 15 million acres
are damaged by recent floods, rice stocks should be kept for domestic consumption. It also noted that
Chin States stockpile was zero and it should soon demand rice from elsewhere, as well as the
states/regions of Rakhine, Magway, Mon and Kayah.

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According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, there are currently around 15 million acres of rice
farmland, 1 million of which was damaged by recent floods. Between 200 and 300 thousand acres have
been rendered useless; those areas require urgent attention and timely plantations. Similarly, 1.2 million
acres of farmlands for other crops were flooded, though 890,544 acres of that land has resurfaced so far.
Among those resurfaced lands, a total of 641,222 acres were damaged, with 407,924 acres totally
destroyed and only 3,648 acres maintaining the capacity to be reused.
The Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) announced last week that the export would be suspended until midSeptember. Myanmar plans to export four million tonnes of rice by 2020 but the actual annual rice export
has reached only 1.3 million tonnes over the past years.State-media Global New Light of Myanmar
reported that yesterday, local authorities in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region, helped local farmers
regrow rice on 745 acres of farmlands with seeding machines and tractors. Aside from causing over 100
fatalities, Cyclone Komen also affected nearly one million people.According to the World Bank, rice
accounts for 25 per cent of the consumption of richer households and 50 per cent of the consumption of
poorer households.
Paddy accounts for 30 per cent of total planted area and 40 per cent of gross agricultural output. It is
estimated to account for 13 per cent of the countrys GDP. In a related development, residents of Matupi
Township, Chin State, are reportedly facing food shortage as the city has been cut off from the plains
region of Myanmar for about 20 days.The recent heavy downpours have caused landslides in the region,
causing people to leave their homes. As of July 23, the incessant rains damaged sections of roads and
swept away bridges in the south of Chin State. Bus lines services from Pakokku to Matupi stopped until
August 10.
Currently, no trucks can reach Matupi. Rice, edible oil and salt are in short supply here. The distance
between Matupi and Pakokku is about 30 miles by foot. We have to go there by foot or by motorcycle,
which could take us about three days to go there. We can go to Pakokku by car via Mindat. It may take
about one month to complete the restoration of the damaged road, said Sali Napolyan, a resident of
Matupi. The 88 Generation (Peace and Open Society) is seeking possible ways to send rice to Matupi as
road access is blocked. The road linking Pakokku and Matupi is about 200 miles long. Normally, bus fare
for the Pakokku-Matupi trip is 15,000 kyats. Landslides along the Pakokku-Matupi road are common in
the rainy season. But due to Cyclone Komen, the situation is more severe this year.
http://www.asianewsnet.net/Myanmar-may-resume-rice-export-in-November--79552.html

Myanmar farmers need help replanting rice after floods:

U.N.
Green Business | Sat Aug 15, 2015 8:24am EDT
YANGON | BY TIMOTHY MCLAUGHLIN

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An aerial view of a part of Sittwe city at Sittwe, Rakhine state, Myanmar, August 5, 2015.
REUTERS/SOE ZEYA TUN

Farmers in flood-hit Myanmar face a scramble to replant damaged paddy fields in the next two weeks to
avoid food shortages, and aid efforts in some of the country's hardest hit areas remain a challenge, the
United Nations said on Saturday.More than 1.3 million people have been critically affected and at least
106 people have died since heavy monsoon rains coupled with a cyclone last month caused floods across
the country, according to the government.Water has receded in many areas, allowing farmers to assess the
damage to their crops and also to seed stocks as the end of planting season nears.
"If farmers aren't able to get rice seeds and plant in the next two weeks the window for the next season is
pretty much over," said Pierre Peron, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA) in Myanmar."If they are not able to replant they will miss out completely
on this season and the impact on food security will be much larger than if we can provide them with
support to replant."Myanmar is a rice exporter, but has halted exports to stabilize prices.The U.N. and
NGOs have supplied emergency food assistance to 386,000 people impacted by the floods, OCHA said in
its latest situation report on the flooding.

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Over 1.4 million acres of paddy was flooded, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. The
crops in over 500,000 acres have been destroyed in what has been the worst natural disaster in Myanmar
since Cyclone Nargis killed nearly 140,000 people in May 2008.
The government has provided $1.2 million for paddy seeds in Rakhine State, one of the hardest hit areas,
but, "further support will be needed to help farmers and rural communities rebuild", OCHA said.
In Chin State, a mountainous region bordering Bangladesh and India, where heavy rains caused major
landslides, aid workers were still struggling to access some of the state's more remote regions."Access to
areas in Chin State has been difficult and continues to be difficult," Peron said on Saturday.In the capital
of Hakh five out of six townships experienced landslides that damaged hundreds of homes.Zung Hlei
Thang, an MP representing Chin State, said the prices of rice and other commodities had risen sharply
since the landslides made many state roads largely impassable, stemming imports."The living conditions
are difficult," he said.
(Additional reporting by Aung Hla Tun; Editing by Simon Webb and Susan Thomas)

India's foodgrain output fell 4.66% in 2014-15

New Delhi, Aug 17, 2015, (PTI)

India's foodgrain production is estimated to have declined 4.66 per cent to 252.68 million
tonnes (MT) in 201415 crop year due to poor monsoon and unseasonal rains in
February-March.
The country had registered a record foodgrain production of 265.04
MT in 201314 crop year (JulyJune). Wheat, rice, coarse cereals
and pulses are part of the foodgrain basket."Total foodgrain
production in the country is estimated at 252.68 MT, which is lower
by 12.36 MT than the last year's record foodgrain production of
265.04 MT," an official statement said.While releasing the fourth
advance estimates for 2014 15, the Agriculture Ministry today said
the production of most of the crops fell because of a bad monsoon in 2014 and unseasonal
rains/hailstorms during February-March 2015, which affected kharif (summersown) and rabi
(wintersown) crops.
Rice production is estimated to have fallen to 104.80 million tonnes (MT) in 201415 against
the record output of 106.65 MT in the previous year.Wheat output is estimated to have declined
to 88.94 MT in 201415 as against a record 95.85 MT achieved in the previous year.The
Ministry has revised downwards the production of wheat, pulses and oilseeds from its earlier
estimates released on May 13. Wheat output was then pegged at 90.78 MT, pulses at 17.38 MT
and oilseeds at 27.38 MT."It may be noted that production of kharif crops during 2014-15
suffered due to bad monsoon. Unseasonal rains and hailstorm during February-March 2015 had a
significant impact on production of rabi crops."As a result of setback in kharif as well as rabi
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seasons, the production of most of the crops in the country declined during 2014-15," the
statement read.

India had received 12 per cent deficient rains from the South-West monsoon in 2014.As per the
fourth estimate, production of coarse cereals is estimated to have declined to 41.75 MT in 201415 from 43.29 MT in the year-ago period.Pulses and oilseeds production in the country, which is
dependent on imports for lentils and edible oils, is also estimated to have dropped to 17.20 MT
and 26.68 MT, respectively, in 2014-15.In the previous year, pulses output stood at 19.25 MT
and that of oilseeds at 32.74 MT.Cotton production is estimated to have declined marginally to
35.48 million bales (of 170 kgs each) from 35.80 million bales while jute and mesta output too
fell to 11.45 million bales (of 180 kg each) from 11.69 million bales in the period under the
review.Sugarcane output is estimated to have risen to 359.33 MT from 352.21 MT in the said
period.The government releases four advance estimates followed by a final estimate of foodgrain
production.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/495681/indias-foodgrain-output-fell-466.html

Rice and noodle sales surge: Soaring demand for Asian-style

cuisine means Britons have eaten an extra 9,000 tons of rice
over the past year
Brits have tucked into extra 12m tonnes of rice and noodles in past year
Pouched rice has become the bestselling format in the market
The Grocer says much of the growth is being driven by Japanese brands
By IAN FLETCHER FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 23:23 GMT, 16 August 2015 | UPDATED: 11:51 GMT, 17 August 2015
Britain is turning Japanese -- at least when it comes to our soaring appetite for exotic foods like
rice and noodles
Britain is turning Japanese -- at least when it
comes to our soaring appetite for exotic foods
like rice and noodles, according to the latest
research yesterday.For a report published on
the 70th anniversary of victory in the war
against Japan highlighted a massive growth in
demand by Brits for the favourite cuisine of the
Japanese people.And it showed that Brits have
tucked into an extra 12 million tonnes of rice
and noodles in the past year.But the study also
shows that pouched rice has become the
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bestselling format in the market overtaking plain packaged rice for the first time as Brits look for
convenient carbs.Under the headline ' Why Britain is turning Japanese ', trade magazine The
Grocer said: 'Britain is turning Japanese, as 80s new wave popsters The Vapors might have put
it.'Brits are slurping up record volumes of those famous Japanese staples, rice and noodles.'Data
from market analysts Kantar Worldpanel showed that value sales of rice and noodles were up
5.3per cent to 504.9 million in the year to April 2015.Volume sales were up 6.5per cent with UK
families forking out an extra 24.5 million on products in the past year.The Grocer says that much
of the growth is being driven by Japanese brands or those taking cues from the country's cuisine such as Kabuto, Nissin and Itsu.
Itsu creative director Julian Metcalfe told the magazine: 'From our conversations with key
buyers, it appears the rise of noodles is coming from the premium, authentic sector.'The research
shows that adventurous Brits are also eating more South Asian and other far-flung cuisines with
Ramadan now crucial for High Street retailers.
Kantar Worldpanel said that the growth in rice and noodles has been largely driven by more
shopping trips and bigger baskets at the store. In addition, the average prices across rice and
noodles have fallen this year with more promotions by brands and own-label products.

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+1
Data from market analysts Kantar Worldpanel showed that value sales of rice and noodles were
up 5.3per cent to 504.9 million in the year to April 2015
But the study shows that pouched rice has become the bestselling format in the market
overtaking plain packaged rice for the first time as Brits look for convenient carbs.It says that
volume sales of pouched rice have grown by a sixth year-on-year -- to 45 milion kg --while value
is up 10per cent to 171.9 million.Plain packaged rice is up 2.7per cent to 161.8 million with
volumes up 2.2per cent to 99.4 million kg.The Grocer said: 'The growth of pouches has come on
the back of continued new product development fuelled by shoppers' growing appetite for
wholegrain rice products.
'Last September, Uncle Ben's introduced pouched wholegrain versions of four of its flavours
which owner Mars said was in response to wholegrain rice sales growing by 82per cent over
three years.'At the same time, number two brand Tilda rolled out a Brown Basmati & Quinoa
pouch and followed this with Brown Basmati & Wild Rice in March. In April, Uncle Ben's
introduced a range of five Rice & Grains products made with wholegrain rice, quinoa and other
grains.'Tilda head of marketing Anna Beheshti told the magazine: 'Wholegrain rice is a key
category driver as consumers' dietary needs are becoming more complex.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3200374/Rice-noodle-sales-surge-Soaring-demand-Asian-style-cuisine-means-Britons-eaten-extra-9-000-tonsrice-past-year.html#ixzz3ivbwMAf7

Promote National Rice Month and Earn Scholarship Money

ARLINGTON, VA -- USA Rice encourages high school seniors throughout rice country to invest the
waning days of summer vacation in planning an innovative promotion campaign for September, National
Rice Month (NRM). Three scholarship prizes, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, totaling $8,500 are
available. The grand prize is a $4,000 scholarship and a trip to the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference
in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the scholarship presentation. The second-place winner will receive $3,000
and third-place, $1,500.

High school graduating students in

the 2015-16 school year who live in
rice-growing states -- Arkansas,
California, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Missouri, and Texas -- can qualify to
enter by conducting a promotion
campaign in their local communities
during September with U.S.-grown

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rice as the central theme. Scholarship entries will be judged on their creativity and impact in promoting
U.S.-grown rice, NRM, and the importance of rice in their state.
Entries are due October 15. Applicants can submit a synopsis of their promotion in a variety of ways,
including in video format. For more information about the scholarship, visit the contest web page.
Contact: Amy Doane (703) 236-1454

Crop Progress: 2015 Crop 88 Percent Headed

WASHINGTON, DC -- Eighty-eight percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is headed, according to today's U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.

Rice Headed, Selected States

Week Ending

State

August 16,
2014

August 9,
2015

August 16,
2015

2010-2014
average

Percent
Arkansas

80

76

88

86

California

85

79

80

55

Louisiana

98

96

98

98

Mississippi

91

88

95

90

Missouri

77

70

78

72

Texas

97

95

97

97

Six States

86

81

88

82

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

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CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for August 17

Month

Price

Net Change

September 2015

$11.995

+ $0.175

November 2015

$12.275

+ $0.180

January 2016

$12.570

+ $0.180

March 2016

$12.775

+ $0.150

May 2016

$13.005

+ $0.140

July 2016

$13.005

+ $0.140

September 2016

$11.950

+ $0.065

Genome sleuths fight threats to Vietnam rice crop

17 August, 2015 - 11:42 By Tony Quested
An experiment in Vietnam for testing salinity tolerance rice varieties
East of England genomics experts are fighting to maintain a healthy Vietnamese rice crop in the face of a
number of threats to productivity.The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) in Norwich is leading the
development of advanced bioinformatics capabilities for next-generation rice genomics in Vietnam to aid
precision breeding to improve this staple crop. The international project aims to maintain crop
productivity in the face of climate change, disease resistance and salt tolerance and to potentially
develop higher-value rice varieties for the global market.
As part of the Newton Fund, TGAC has been awarded over 50,000 by The British Council to develop
the bioinformatics capabilities. These will inform next-generation rice genomics in Vietnam to aid
precision breeding for improvement of crops by exploring 48 local rice varieties.

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As the second-largest global rice exporter, Vietnam relies on its most important agricultural commodity.
A dramatic increase in rice production has taken place since the 1980s, due to the expansion of arable
land and a shift in the crops varieties from producing a single annual yield to two-three yields per year.
With an impressive 3.3 per cent annual yield increase from 1987, Vietnamese rice production has
benefited from the uptake of new rice varieties and improvements in genetics applied to advance crop
breeding. However, there is an increasing threat to this vital crop from factors associated with climate
change such as emerging pathogens and rising sea levels, where Vietnam's major rice growing areas are
predominantly coastal, as well as the environmental pressures of rapid urban development.
Developing the bioinformatics capacity in Vietnam will allow research Institutes to benefit from
advancements in next generation genomics, applying their computational skills to rice breeding to help
maintain productivity in the face of changing climates, and potentially develop new higher value rice
varieties for the global market.
In collaboration with the Agriculture Genetics Institute (AGI) in Hanoi, TGAC is working to characterise
the genetic diversity of traditional rice varieties from Vietnam, aiming to develop genomic markers
associated with traits of interest such as disease resistance and salt tolerance.
With the initial research phase of this project exploring the genetic diversity of 36 local varieties, this
project will provide funding for a further 48 varieties to be analysed with the aim to increase this
number to 600 in the future. The generation of such large genomic datasets requires expertise in
bioinformatics in order to analyse the data and develop molecular tools to aid precision breeding for
improving rice.
The international collaboration between TGAC and AGI will extend out to a wider group of researchers
in Vietnam through training workshops to build bioinformatics capacity, using rice as a model.
The programme involves the exchange of scientists from Vietnam to gain expertise in bioinformatics
analysis, and from UK to learn about the field phenotyping activities in Vietnam. Scientists from TGAC,
AGI and other participating Institutes will host Train the Trainer' workshops in Norwich to train
Vietnamese researchers in bioinformatics and genomic analysis to equip them with the skills to sustain
training for researchers in Vietnam for the future.
To make the data accessible, TGAC will set up a public database to host the variant data within the
context of the latest genome assemblies and annotation. Project lead, Sarah Ayling, crop genomics and
diversity group leader at TGAC, said: The Institutional Links funding provides an opportunity for us to
train Vietnamese scientists in bioinformatics, and equip them with the skills to train others to help
advance their understanding of next generation genomics.
These Train the Trainer activities will enable the flow of knowledge to other researchers in the region,
providing more scientists with the skill-set required to make use of genomic data for rice breeding and
improve the crop yield for current and future generations in Vietnam.

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Our partnership will enable TGAC and the UK to provide guidance on best practices and, in
collaboration with our Vietnamese colleagues, lead the development of innovative ways to share data and
enhance the training and up-skilling of scientists in the areas of bioinformatics and genomics globally.

PHOTOGRAPH: An experiment in Vietnam for testing salinity tolerance rice varieties

http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/agriculture/genome-sleuths-fight-threats-vietnam-ricecrop#sthash.N7VmvYcW.dpuf

Lifting obstacles to rice sales could improve Cuban diets

Ration books don't always mean enough rice to go around
Aug 14, 2015Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press

U.S. farmers and their commodity organizations see improving relations with Cuba as a golden
opportunity to increase sales of their crops and ag products to a country that literally is located at
their back door.But those groups may be, in fact, missing the boat because of a lack of
understanding about actual conditions in Cuba. Increased trade would do more than provide another
market for U.S. ag; it could be a means of insuring the Cuban people get enough to eat.

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According to government rules, each person of a certain age in Cuba is supposed to receive 7 pounds
of rice per month. All Cubans have a ration book, which allows them to buy a certain amount of rice,
beans, oil, sugar, salt and some other products they need on a daily basis at subsidized prices.Until
about 2003 or 2004 that ration amount was 5 pounds per person, says Terry Harris, senior vice
president for marketing and risk management at Riceland Foods in Stuttgart, Ark. It was actually
raised to 7 pounds in 2004, but rice is still not always available for the people of Cuba.

Harris, a speaker for the University of Arkansas Division of Aricultures Aug. 13 Food and
Agribusiness Webinar titled Rice Marketing with a Cuban Flavor, has been traveling to Cuba for
Riceland Foods since 1999.He negotiated the first shipment of U.S. rice that went to Cuba after
Congress relaxed trade restrictions under the embargo put in place by President Kennedy in 1962.
The sale was concluded the day before Thanksgiving in 2001, and the first vessel arrived in Havana
in February 2002.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/lifting-obstacles-rice-sales-could-improve-cuban-diets

Exposing agro-trade to higher risks

If one scans through agro-policy profiles of various governments across the globe, they are
generally irrational, full of rhetoric for political agenda and lack pragmatism.
By: Tejinder Narang | August 17, 2015 1:07 AM
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If one scans through agro-policy profiles of various governments across the globe, they are
generally irrational, full of rhetoric for political agenda and lack pragmatism. Thus, trading
entities fear increased risks from governments than odd developments in the market triggered
by supply-demand mismatch, weather, speculation or going wrong on trading positions.A few
illustrations support the assertion in the foreign trade policies of some governments. The Indian
government is talking about 4 million tonnes of sugar exports via barter trade. Prime destinations
of Indian sugar include Sudan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, etc.
Barter with whom and in what time-frame? Is it practical to structure barter in a highly volatile
commodity and in such countries?
Sugar is largely traded amongst private parties based on criticality of international parities.
Induction of two governments, their official agencies, banks with escrow accounts, etc, to
facilitate barter in export process and involving non-sugar related private/public entitiesbe it of
pulses, edible oil, crude oil or any engineering projectis the best way to abort sugar export.
The talk (that cannot be walked) projects an illusion to farmers that the government is serious in
remedying the glut of sugar stocksthough trade fully understands the passivity of the policy.
The upgraded version of barter is called counter tradewhich in this case implies counter to
the trade and therefore is mere rhetoric.
Is the Indian action to impose 10% duty on wheat import in public interest? Flour millers in
South India are affected by destabilisation of a steady duty-free policy of last 7-8 years. The
government is attempting in vain to protect its turf for disposing of FCI-owned low quality wheat
at higher prices, while restricting import of good quality cheaper grain from abroad, thus
inducing inflationary pressures. The right way would be to discount its official prices at which
the low quality grain is tradeable, otherwise the short life of this grain will render it inedible for
human and feed consumption. All cost will be then sunk cost.
The Thai government, in 2011-12 and 2012-13, in order to generate political populism of
farmers, introduced procurement of paddy at $500/mt versus market price of $280-330/mt. Good
and bad paddy was procured not only from Thailand but even through illegal entry from
Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Thai traders lost their primacy in the worlds rice market due
to non-competitiveness. Today, the new Thai regime is struggling to dispose of 18 million tonnes
of accumulated rice, of which 6 million tonnes is unfit for human consumption and 10 million
tonnes require reprocessing. The estimate of unverified loss is about $16 billion.
Iran, though it prohibited import of Indian basmati rice in 2014-15, imported about 0.9 million
tonnes in the same yearbasmati rice is banned officially but select parties are given quotas and
licences to import from nominated Indian suppliers. This amounts to state-sponsored canalised
import via private importers. Official ban represents crony nexus between the powers that be.
China imports soy seeds (74 million tonnes), and corn (4-5 million tonnes) is imported from the
US, Argentina and Brazil. Such cargo is exposed to rejections by citing phyto or GM-related
issues, which rattle world markets. By such negative actions, Chinese buyers hammer down
world prices or enter into renegotiated contracts at lower values. Foreign suppliers sustain losses
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silently. Indeed, such actions would have the tacit support of the Chinese government. Traders
fear to go legal for the fear of reprisal in future Chinese businesses.
China does not buy Indian non-basmati rice, but it sources the same from Pakistan. The denial by
China is irrational and is pro-Pakistan. Right now, annual rice import from Pakistan is limited
(0.5 million tonnes), but considering the appetite of the Chinese market, India will be at a
disadvantage if this issue remains ignored. The ambiguity in Chinas decision is inexplicableit
continues to acquire all shades of rice from Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand,
totalling 5-6 million tonnes annually.
Nigeria is another example of distorted rice import policy for political patronage. Rice imports
are 3-4 million tonnes. Indian exports to Nigeria are 1-1.5 million tonnes. Nigerian importers
who have a stake in domestic production can import rice at 30% duty, while standalone/pure
traders pay 70% import tax. Effectively, anyone having a rice mill can import with 30% duty, but
others are denied equitable treatment. Licensed tonnage depends upon proximity with the ruling
elite. Neighbouring Benin also imports huge volumes of rice, which is smuggled into Nigeria.
Rice traders have earned, and lost too, substantial money by applying the Benin route to Nigeria.
Russia exports 20-25 million tonnes of wheat annually, against the production of 53-60 million
tonnes. Its government is known for abrupt bans/export duties. None can decipher when an
intervention will take place. Since Russian grains are one of the lowest priced commodities, the
world has to live with the antics of the Russian government.There are other factors such as
monthly estimation provided by governments of sowing, yields, production, demand, exports
and importsall of which influence the markets. Estimates are only guesstimates or, at best,
some reasoned conclusion based on assumptions and weather reports. For example, the Indian
official forecast of the monsoon has gone wrong so far, while there have been contrary private
forecasts. The monsoon news heightens speculation and volatility all the more.
Governments are seldom right. Since they wield authority to act arbitrarily and without
accountability, nations, people and trade suffer mutely.
The author is a grains trade expert.

Rice and noodles sales soar as Brits opt for Japanese

meals
New research reveals that Brits have slurped up an extra 12 million tonnes of rice and
noodles, as demand for Japanese cuisine soars

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We ate 12 million tonnes of extra rice and noodles last year Photo: Alamy

By Saffron Alexander
12:57PM BST 17 Aug 2015

British demand for Japanese food is soaring, according to a new report.Research from market
analysts Kantar Worldpanel found that, in the past year, Brits ate an extra 12 million tonnes of
rice and noodles.Sales of rice and noodles were up 5.3 per cent, bringing sales up to 504.9
million tonnes and volume sales were up 6.5 per cent, meaning families spent an extra 24
million on products last year.The rise in sales is thought to be driven by authentic Japanese
brands, or companies who take cues from Japanese cuisine, such as Wagamama or
Itsu.Speaking to The Grocer, Itsu creative director Julian Metcalfe said: "From our
conversations with key buyers, it appears the rise of noodles is coming from the premium,
authentic sector."
Kantar Worldpanel added that the growth can also be attributed to an increase in shopping trips,
bigger baskets in store and the reduction of average prices of rice and noodles.

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Instant rice has overtaken plain packaged rice Photo: Alamy

The study also found that the volume sales of pouched rice have grown by a sixth, causing it to
overtake plain packaged rice for the first time as Brits opt for quicker, more convenient,
meals.
The Grocer said: "The growth of pouches has come on the back of continued new product
development fuelled by shoppers' growing appetite for wholegrain rice products. Last
September, Uncle Ben's introduced pouched wholegrain versions of four of its flavours which
owner Mars said was in response to wholegrain rice sales growing by 82per cent over three
years.
"At the same time, number two brand Tilda rolled out a Brown Basmati & Quinoa pouch and
followed this with Brown Basmati & Wild Rice in March. In April, Uncle Ben's introduced a
range of five Rice & Grains products made with wholegrain rice, quinoa and other grains.

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