Daily Global

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by Riceplus Magazine
November 30,2015
Vol 5, Issue XI

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Daily Global

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Rice News Headlines...

1. Saudi Arabia consumes more Indian rice these days than Iran
2. Rice exports post 10.78pc growth in July-October
3. Thailand, Iran target bilateral trade of $1.2 bn within 3 years
4. Asia rice prices high in Vietnam on tight supply
5. Additional rice imports now expected to be much lower than first estimated
6. Govt claims surplus in rice production in 2015
7. Trade Ministry Orders Bulog to Stabilise Rice Prices
8. 227,000 Tons of Rice Imported from Vietnam
9. Japan, VN developing new rice resistant to disease, bugs
10. El Nino Shrinking Rice Crop Worldwide to Spur Vietnamese Sales
11. Over 1 million rai of off-season rice farming in Chao Phraya River Basin
12. In rice-exporting Vietnam, consumers growing fond of Cambodian grain
13. Paddy growers await payment from procurement agencies
14. Seoul seeks ways to deal with huge rice stockpile
15. Venezuela supports rice production in Guinea-Bissau
16. Price of rice declines in Ghanaian markets
17. New Abu Dhabi rice mill to start operations next year
18. Apeda Rice Commodity News
19. CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
20. El Nino Shrinking Rice Crop Worldwide to Spur Vietnamese Sales
21. Drought-hit India's quest for water hampered by thirsty crops

News Detail...
Saudi Arabia consumes more Indian rice these days than Iran
By S V Krishnamachari
| Updated: November 30, 2015 17:48 IST
Labourers work at a rice mill on the outskirts of Agartala, capital of TripuraReuters file

Saudi Arabia continues to be the largest importer of rice from India, importing more than Iran
during the first six months of 2015-16, a trend that was first set last fiscal.Saudi Arabia imported
598,001 tonnes of rice valued at $527.16 million during the April-September period, as against
Iran which imported 361,474 tonnes of rice valued at $319.71 million.Till 2013-14, Iran was the
largest importer of rice from India, buying 15.32 lakh tonnes valued at $1.98 billion, but slipped
to second position, importing 10.04 lakh tonnes valued at $1.16 billion next year. Saudi Arabia
bought 11.48 lakh tonnes valued at $1.29 billion.In terms of overall rice exports, India exported
55.26 lakh tonnes valued at $ 3.17 billion, during the first six months of the current financial
year, with basmati accounting for $1.91 billion.Besides Saudi Arabia and Iran, other rice

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importers include the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait.The details were given by Nirmala Sitharaman,
minister of state for commerce and industry, in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/saudi-arabia-consumes-more-indian-rice-these-days-iran-657363

Rice exports post 10.78pc growth in July-October

Friday, November 27, 2015 - From Print Edition

ISLAMABAD: Rice exports from the country during the first four months of the current financial
year posted 10.78 percent growth as compared to the exports of the corresponding period last year,
as per Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data published Thursday.
During the period from July-October 2015, about 898,603 metric tons of rice worth $339.92 million
exported as against exports of 657,420 metric tons valuing $306.89 million in the same period last
year.According to the PBS data, rice exports on month basis also grew by 24 percent during the month of
October as compared to the same month of last year. During October, about 347,685 metric tons of rice
worth $121.66 million was exported as compared to 22,948 metric tons valuing $9.493 million of the
same month last year.However, the data revealed that exports of basmati rice decreased by 31.22 percent
in the first four months of the current financial year and reached at 131,160 metric tons from 174,191
metric tons in the same period of the last financial year.

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During the period under review, the country managed to earn $145.43 million by exporting the basmati
rice as against $11.319 million in the same period last year, the PBS data adds.Meanwhile, wheat exports
registered 100 percent increase, as about 1,061 metric tons of wheat was exported during the period from
July-October 2015 and earned $0.220 million.The data revealed that vegetable exports during the last four
months also witnessed an increase of 89 percent, as the country was able to export 195,659 metric tons of
vegetables of different kinds and fetched $56.779 million for the country.The vegetable exports during the
first four months of the last financial year were recorded at 85,420 metric tons, valuing $28.689 million,
the data revealed.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-3-353576-Rice-exports-post-10.78pc-growth-in-July-October

Thailand, Iran target bilateral trade of $1.2 bn within 3

years
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation November 27, 2015 1:00 am
Thailand and Iran are aiming at boosting two-way trade to US$1.2 billion in three years, up from $300
million in 2014, after the Thai government sent its first mission there to form closer economic ties now
that trade sanctions on that country have been lifted.After meeting with key economic ministries - Trade,
Petroleum, Roads and Urban Development, and Industry - in Tehran, Deputy Commerce Minister Suvit
Maesincee said the two countries had great opportunities to strengthen trade and investment, and
cooperate in the tourism industry.
"Thailand is being considered as a source of food for Iran and a gateway to Asean markets, particularly
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, while Iran could be a gateway for Thailand to penetrate the
Middle East market," he said.
The two countries agreed to reorganise the meetings of the Joint Commission between the two sides to
drive closer cooperation on various issues starting next February.Deputy Prime Ministers Pravit
Wongsuwan and Somkid Jatusripitak will lead Thai delegations to Iran again in early February.Bilateral
trade averaged about $600 million a year in the past, but fell to about $300 million last year on lower oil
prices. During the first 10 months of this year, Thailand's exports to Iran were worth $181 million. With
strong demand from Iran for many products and many investment projects, Thailand will also have
greater opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties in promoting business-to-business, government-togovernment and government-to-private cooperation in investment and in service businesses.Iran has
shown strong interest in drawing more investment from Thailand in infrastructure development projects.
The Thai government led by the National Housing Authority and ItalThai has good potential to join G2G
and G2P projects launched by Iran's new town-development corporation.Iran also would like to form a
closer relationship with Thailand in promoting and developing its tourism industry, as its sees that
Thailand has high expertise in this field.Thailand could invest in building hotels and shopping malls. It
could set up a hotel-management school.It will also encourage more Iranians to visit the Kingdom, which
is one of the desired destinations for Iranian tourists for entertainment and medical services.

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Each year, about 100,000 Iranians travel to Thailand. The Thai government will also speed up approval of
visas for Iranians. Visa applications run about 300-400 each day.To facilitate trade for both sides, the
Central Bank of Iran and the Bank of Thailand are developing banking and financial-transaction systems.
Payments should be easier to make in the near future.Thailand will have a greater possibility of exporting
rice to Iran. Iran demands about 1 million to 1.5 million tonnes of imported rice each year.Initially,
Thailand through both government and private exporters should be able to ship about 200,000 tonnes of
rice to Iran next year. Iran has been buying rice from India and Pakistan.After 53 Thai companies
participated in a business-matching function with Iran, $7.2 million (Bt260 million) worth of immediate
purchase contracts were clinched.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thailand-Iran-target-bilateral-trade-of-$1-2-bn-wi30273770.html

Asia rice prices high in Vietnam on tight supply

Thursday, November-26-2015

Asian rice markets saw little movement over the

past week due to thin demand, while tight supply
kept prices high in Vietnam and purchases by
China and some Middle East clients failed to
move up Thai prices, traders said on
Wednesday.The rice export markets in Thailand
and Vietnam, the world's second and third
biggest exporters of the grain after India, could
stay quiet until early 2016 as most demand has been met before the holidays, traders said.
"Vietnamese prices are high and they won't decrease as supply is tight," said a trader in Ho Chi Minh
City.Vietnam's 5-percent broken grain has been idle over the past month at $375-$380 a tonne, free-onboard (FOB) Saigon Port, while the 25-percent broken grain fell to $360-$365 a tonne from $362-$365 a
tonne a week ago.The next harvest is due to start in late February 2016 in the southern Mekong Delta
food basket.Prices have been firm due to tight supply, especially of the 15-percent broken rice bought by
Indonesia in a deal involving 1 million tonnes, traders said.

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Rising rice prices following Vietnam's sales to the Philippines and Indonesia have contributed to a 0.31
percent gain in the country's November food prices, the first month-on-month rise since February 2015,
the government said.China, the biggest buyer of Vietnamese rice, imported 199,350 tonnes from its
southern neighbour in October, up 81 percent from a year ago, Chinese customs data shows.This brought
China's total purchases from Vietnam in the first 10 months of 2015 to nearly 1.6 million tonnes, up 42
percent from a year ago.Overall, Vietnam's rice exports in January-November rose 3.6 percent from a
year ago to 6.24 million tonnes, the Agriculture Ministry said on Wednesday.
China and several buyers in the Middle East have also been buying small lots of Thai rice, traders
said.Thai 5-percent broken grain was unchanged at $360-$365 on Wednesday, FOB basis."All the rice
needed for holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day has already been bought months earlier," said a
trader in Bangkok, adding that the sale slump was expected to last until early January 2016.In another
development, Indonesia was expected to sign a memorandum of understanding soon with Pakistan on rice
imports, the Jakarta Post reported last Thursday without giving any details on price or volume.

http://pakissan.com/english/news/newsDetail.php?newsid=30248

Additional rice imports now expected to be much lower

than first estimated
THE PHILIPPINES imports of additional volumes of rice in 2016 will be much lower than the
initial estimate of 1.3 million tons due to better-than-expected domestic output, the countrys economic
planning chief said on Thursday.
Lesser purchases by the Philippines, one of the worlds biggest rice buyers, could dent export prices in
Vietnam and Thailand, the countrys main suppliers.The forecast for Philippines paddy output in the
coming months is better than what we initially estimated, said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio
M.
Balisacan,
who
heads
the
governments
food
security
council.
Earlier this month, Mr. Balisacan said he was recommending an additional 1.3 million tons of rice
imports following crop losses from recent typhoons and dryness linked to an El Nio weather event.he
government expects paddy output this quarter to hit 7.42 million tons based on standing crop, some
1.84% lower versus the harvest in the same period last year.
But unmilled rice output should recover slightly in the first quarter of 2016 and grow a modest 0.31
percent from a year earlier to 4.38 million tons.The National Food Authority, the state agency overseeing
imports, has yet to approve any additional rice purchase on top of the 500,000 tons that the Philippines
has already bought from Vietnam and Thailand for shipment in the first quarter, Mr. Balisacan said.What
we will have to worry about is the second quarter, he told reporters after announcing third-quarter
economic growth data. -- Reuters

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http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Additional-rice-importsnow-expected-to-be-&145much-lower&8217-than-first-estimated&id=119321

Govt claims surplus in rice production in 2015

Jumat, 27 November 2015 10:46 WIB |
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Agriculture claimed that Indonesia had achieved a rice
production surplus in the October 2014 - October 2015 period because it did not import rice for public
consumption during the period."Rice production was surplus. This is the best achievement over the past
five years," Director General for Food Crops Plantation Hasil Sembiring said here on Thursday
evening.In October 2014, state logistics board Bulogs rice stock was 1.7 million tons which was reached
with imports of 800 thousand tons. But in October 2015, without optimal absorption during grand harvest
peak in the January - May 2015 period, Bulogs rice stock remained at 1.7 million tons, he said.
He said that the achievement was made even with an increase in the number of population by 3.7 million
which consumed 460 thousand tons of rice. "Although Indonesia was hit by strong El Nino, rice increased
to 1.26 million tons from that in 2014," he said. In 1998, with strong El Nino (1.9 percent intensity),
Indonesia was forced to import 7.1 million tons of rice. At that time the number of Indonesia population
was only 202 million. But in 2015, the number of population reached 252 million with an El Nino
intensity of 2.4 percent. In such a condition, Indonesia should have imported 9.0 million tons of rice but
instead it had a stock of 1.3 million tons, the director general said.(*)
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/101741/govt-claims-surplus-in-rice-production-in-2015

Trade Ministry Orders Bulog to Stabilise Rice Prices

MONDAY, 30 NOVEMBER, 2015 | 19:28 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Trade Minister Thomas Lembong has instructed state logistics agency,
BULOG, to intervene in the rice market by using the government's rice reserves to bring rice
prices under control. The instruction was contained in Trade Ministry's Decree No. 944/MDAG/SD/11/2015, which instructs BULOG to sell off its' rice reserves at Rp7,500 per kilogram
in Java, or Rp7,600 per kilogram outside Java. The letter - dated November 13, 2015 - also puts a
cap on retail prices in the market. The instruction stated that prices cannot exceed Rp8000 per
kilogram over BULOG's prices, and that the cap will be effective until prices have gone down.
That said, the Decree does not specify how much rice reserves have been set aside for the
interventions, which will be done across the archipelago - with priorities given to areas where
rice prices have fluctuated way above the average.
Through the Decree, government asks BULOG's deputies to work together with provincial and
district heads to coordinate the intervention, and to report the result of the intervention to the
Trade Ministry,the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, as well as the Agricultural Minister
as the Head of the Food Security Council. According to the Trade Ministry's Basic Goods Price

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Surveillance System on Monday, November 30, rice prices have reached around Rp10,602.21
per kilogram - up from last month's average that stood at Rp10,436.76 per kilogram.
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/11/30/056723533/Trade-Ministry-Orders-Bulog-to-Stabilise-RicePrices

227,000 Tons of Rice Imported from Vietnam

SUNDAY, 29 NOVEMBER, 2015 | 16:38 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta Djarot

Kusumayakti, president director of the
State Logistics Agency (Bulog), said on
Sunday, November 29, 2015 that his
institution had imported 227 tons of
Vietnamese rice since November 7,
2015. Earlier, the state logistics
company gained a license to import 1
million tons of medium-quality rice
from Vietnam to anticipate famine that
was predicted to occur in early
2016.Djarot revealed that the rice was
distributed in several regions based on their demands.In total, there are 16 ports handling the
arrival of the rice, Djarot said.However, the distribution was hampered by infrastructure
limitations and capacities at the ports. For instance, rice that arrived in Tanjung Perak, Surabaya,
was unable to be distributed to East Nusa Tenggara since the port in the province could only
accommodate small vessels.

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According to Djarot, such a condition would not occur if the decision to import rice was made
earlier. Therefore, Bulog would have more time to plan the distribution.Djarot revealed that the
rice imports had increased Bulogs stock to 1.3 million tons. However, the government was still
concern with crop failures caused by this years El Nino. Djarot added that the government had
considered importing more rice from other countries.Rice imports from Pakistan have been
considered, but no agreement has been reached yet, Djarot explained.
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/11/29/056723214/227000-Tons-of-Rice-Imported-from-Vietnam

Japan, VN developing new rice resistant to disease, bugs

HCM CITY (VNS) Vietnamese and Japanese researchers have completed an international project to
develop a new rice variety that is disease- and insect-resistant with a high-yield, short-growth
duration.The rice variety was developed by using certain genes and the most advanced molecular biotechnology.The project, called the "Development of Crop Genotypes for the Midlands and Mountain
Areas of North Viet Nam" was implemented from December 2010 to November this year.
Financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project was carried out by Viet Nam
National University of Agriculture (VNUA), Kyushu University and Nagoya University of Japan.Dr.
Pham Van Cuong, vice president of VNUA, said: "Plant breeding in Viet Nam has for years not been
based on rigorous science. It has had a lack of scientific proof. But with the new technology transferred
by Japan, we can make long-selling products with authentic proof based on science, and we can guarantee
stable production and profit for producers."The improved rice line has been well received because of its
short-growth duration as it can help farmers avoid the flood season, minimise damages caused by annual
typhoons and lead to more diverse cash crops during the winter crop season.More than 50 promising rice
lines, which have been genetically guaranteed to have good performances, have been developed.

The ecological adaptability

of the selected lines was
proven in Thai Nguyen and
Lao Cai provinces. The
rice
varieties
showed
adaptability to not only the
northern
mountainous
region but also to other
environments
in
Viet
Nam.The
enthusiastic
investment
by
the
provincial government and
Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development of Nghe An (DARD Nghe An) has led to sustainable production of such
improved lines and provided a prototype for other provinces in the country for development from

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promising rice lines from VNUA.The technology, which can be applied to other crops such as soybeans,
sorghum and maize as well as vegetables, helps to improve the quality of agricultural products. VNS
Scientists visit a new rice variety field in Nam Dan District, Nghe An Province. Vietnamese and Japanese
researchers have completed an international project to develop a new rice variety that is disease- and
insect-resistant with a high-yield, short-growth duration. Photodangcongsan.vn
http://vietnamnews.vn/society/279221/japan-vn-developing-new-rice-resistant-to-disease-bugs.html

El Nino Shrinking Rice Crop Worldwide to Spur Vietnamese

Sales
Diep Pham diepngocpham
November 27, 2015 11:14 AM PKT
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
First quarter shipments seen jumping 14% to 1.3 million tons

Global rice output forecast to drop in 2015-16 on El Nino

Rice exports from Vietnam may increase 14 percent in the first quarter as the strongest El Nino
in almost two decades shrivels crops in some countries, spurring importers to build
reserves.Shipments will jump to 1.3 million metric tons in the three months ending March from
1.14 million tons a year earlier, said Tran Tuan Anh, Vietnams deputy minister of industry and
trade. The worlds third-biggest exporter is already seeing a spurt in demand, he said in an e-mail
on Nov. 25. October rice shipments surged 43 percent to 859,000 tons from a year earlier, the
highest level since July 2012, government data show.
Indonesia and the Philippines are among nations importing rice after dry weather induced by the
strongest El Nino since the record event in 1997-98 hurts crops. Prospects for the event to further
strengthen may prompt buyers to secure supplies before prices run up as the United Nations
Food & Agriculture Organization predicts a decline in global rice output in the 2015-16 season
with consumption surpassing production.Rice supply and stockpiles will decline, and demand
for imports will rise because of unfavorable weather conditions, Anh said. The El Nino event
occurring this year and prolonging into 2016 will affect production in many countries, especially
Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.Rough-rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade
have rallied 29 percent from the lowest level in more than eight years in May on concern that the
El Nino will shrink global harvest. The contract for delivery in January closed at $12.13 per 100
pounds on Wednesday.
Output Decline

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Production in Thailand may decline to the lowest in 19 years as dry weather may prompt the
worlds top exporter to further restrict plantings to preserve water supply. The Philippines is
monitoring rice production closely to see whether theres need to import more on El Nino after
purchasing 750,000 tons from Vietnam and Thailand for delivery from November to March
2016. Indonesia this month agreed to import 1.5 million tons from Vietnam and Thailand and is
in talks with Cambodia and Myanmar for additional supplies, according to state-run food
company Bulog.
Vietnams paddy rice output may increase 0.3 percent to 45.1 million tons this year,
VietnamPlus reported in September, citing the Agriculture Ministry. Exports may climb to 7
million tons in 2016 from 6.2 million tons this year, according to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.Boosting rice exports will still be a challenge for Vietnam as Thailand is looking to
draw down the stockpiles it accumulated under a state purchase plan, Anh said. Major importers,
especially in Southeast Asia, are also diversifying supply sources and boosting domestic
production, he said.Thailand has about 13.7 million tons of rice in state stockpiles after the
military government sold 5 million tons, Chutima Bunyapraphasara, permanent secretary for
commerce, said Nov. 16.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-27/el-nino-shrinking-rice-crop-worldwide-to-spurvietnamese-sales

Over 1 million rai of off-season rice farming in Chao

Phraya River Basin
BY EDITORON 2015-11-30THAILAND

Over 1 million rai of off-season rice farming in Chao Phraya River Basin
BANGKOK, 30 November 2015 (NNT) Water management for the Chao Praya River
Basin continues to be challenging with decreasing water inflows, while all sides have been
urged to conserve water consumption during this drought season.
The four major dams in the Chao Phraya River Basin currently contain an accumulated water reserves at
10,891 million cubic meters. The amount of water flowing into these dams has continued to decline, with
7.35 million cubic meters inbound, against a consumption rate of 15 million cubic meters per day.Water
reserves available for usage are reported to be at 4,195 million cubic meters.From 1 November 2015 until
now, 419 million cubic meters of water has been used, with 13 percent allocated to the Chao Phraya River
Basin. This drought seasons water allocation plan dictates that 2880 million cubic meters can still be
allocated for usage for the remainder of the season.
Although the water consumption has proceeded according to plan, farmers have cultivated a total of 1
million rais of off-season rice, and are at risk of suffering water shortages in the near future if off-season
rice farming continues to expand.However, the Royal Irrigation Department and related agencies have
continued their task in providing knowledge and understanding to the farmers and water users, so that the
limited supply of water is sufficient for consumption and ecosystem conservation throughout the dry

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season; until the early rainy season next year.All sectors have been asked to use water as sparingly as
possible so that this years drought crisis can be overcome.

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/over-1-million-rai-of-off-season-rice-farming-in-chao-phraya-riverbasin/122907/

In rice-exporting Vietnam, consumers growing fond of

Cambodian grain
TUOI TRE NEWS
Updated : 11/26/2015 14:13 GMT + 7

While Vietnam is among the worlds top rice exporters, many consumers in some southern
markets now prefer several types of Cambodian rice to the domestically grown produce.
Some rice businesses in the southern province of Tien Giang have begun sourcing rice from
Cambodia to distribute to Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring localities, instead of that grown in
Vietnams Mekong Delta, known as the countrys granary.Trung, who runs a major rice firm in
the province, said he sells an average of 500 metric tons of Cambodian rice on a monthly
basis.He always comes to Cambodia to directly buy paddy there, and the rice processing and
packaging are done at his own facility.So I can ensure competitive prices and good quality for
the produce, he said.
Many Tien Giang-based rice businesses say consumers in southern Vietnam are fond of four
types of Cambodian rice, namely Sa Mo, Sa Ri, Mong Chim and Soc Mien, even though there is
nothing special about their flavor and aroma.Cambodian rice fetches stable prices, so you do not
have to worry about suffering losses, Nguyen Thi Tim, a Tien Giang rice seller, said.The
demand for Cambodian rice is also growing so it sells easier than the domestic grain.Kiet, who
runs a rice-husking plant in Tien Giang, explains that the four most popular types of Cambodian
rice in Vietnam are winter rice, which requires longer growing duration than the summer grain so
there are only two crops per year.The short-grain Cambodian rice is less sticky when cooked,
so those who do not like sticky and aromatic rice will prefer it, he added.
His explanation is supported by Do Thi Mui, who runs two rice stores in Phan Thiet, the capital
of the south-central province of Binh Thuan.The cooked Cambodian rice is soft and not sticky,
which is easy to eat and digest, therefore largely enjoyed by local eateries and those doing heavy
physical work, Mui said.Many eateries that sell cooked rice in Long An Province and Tien
Giang admit that they can reap bigger profits by selling Cambodian rice over Vietnamese grain,
as most consumers prefer soft to sticky rice.Nguyen Thi Kieu Nga, a rice seller in Long An, also
located in the Mekong Delta, said farmers usually do not use pesticide on the winter rice crops,
which helps the Cambodian grain to win new customers.Professor Vo Tong Xuan, a seasoned
rice expert, confirmed that many Vietnamese consumers are eating Cambodian rice as the grain
is cleaner than that grown in Vietnam, thanks to the sparse use of insecticides.

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Many officials in the Vietnamese provinces bordering Cambodia have told me that they choose
Cambodian or Thai rice for safety reasons, he said.This illustrates the importance of growing
rice under best practice methods such as VietGAP or GlobalGAP.People now eat for their
health, not for a full stomach.Last year Vietnam exported 7.5 million metric tons, but the figure
this year is expected to be only 6.7 million metric tons, according to the Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development.In the Jan-Oct period, the countrys rice export reached 5.03 million
metric tons, according to the Vietnam Food Administration.
tuoitrenews.vn/.../in-riceexporting-vietnam-consumers-growing-fond-of

Paddy growers await payment from procurement agencies

Govt yet to clear Rs 70-crore dues, arhtiyas face problems

Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, November 27
The farmers have been waiting for the payment in respect of their paddy crop which they had sold to
government procurement agencies about 15 days ago in local grain market and nearby procurement
centres.It is learnt that the state governments procurement agencies could not make the payments to the
arhtiyas during the past about 15 days as the Central government has not released the funds for the
purpose.As per information, all five government procurement agencies, namely Pungrain, Markfed,
Punsup, Warehouse and Punjab Agro, have yet to make the payment to the tune of Rs 70 crore to the
arhtiyas of the Sangrur district so far. During this paddy season, these agencies had procured paddy worth
over Rs 2,350 crore in Sangrur district while the agencies had already made payments to the tune of over
Rs 2,280 crore to the arhtiyas.
Pardeep Singla, an arhtiya of Sangrur grain market, said he was yet to receive the payment, worth Rs 95
lakh, from three procurement agencies Punjab Agro, Pungrain and Markfed though his Rupay
Card had been swiped about 15 days ago by these agencies to make the payment. He said due to the nonpayment of dues, the arhtiyas had been facing problems as the farmers were demanding money from
them.The accountant of an arhtiya of Sangrur grain market said their firm was yet to receive about Rs 2
crore from the procurement agencies for the paddy crop of farmers, sold to agencies more than a fortnight
ago. He said the procurement agencies had swiped their Rupay card but amounts had not been credited
into their bank accounts so far.The District Food Supply Controller (DFSC), Sangrur, Manish Narula,
said the payments would be credited into the accounts of arhtiyas by Monday or Tuesday as the Central
government had released funds for the purpose. He said in Sangrur district, the government procurement
agencies had already made 97% payment of the procured paddy to the arhtiyas.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/paddy-growers-await-payment-from-procurementagencies/163864.html

Seoul seeks ways to deal with huge rice stockpile

PUBLISHED

NOV 28, 2015, 5:00 AM SGT

Falling local demand amid bumper crop = 1.36m tonne surplus

Chang May Choon South Korea Correspondent In Seoul

Rice, which used to be a Korean staple eaten three times a day, has lost so much of its appeal that
South Korea is now stuck with a huge rice surplus of 1.36 million tonnes after a record bumper
crop this year.With South Koreans eating less and less rice - only 9.6 times a week according to a
recent study - the government is now trying to create new rice-based products in a bid to increase
consumption.The latest is rice-based penne pasta, after rice bread and rice noodles. But habits
may be hard to change as people have become used to eating such products made from wheat.
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/seoul-seeks-ways-to-deal-with-huge-rice-stockpile

Venezuela supports rice production in Guinea-Bissau

NOVEMBER 27TH, 2015

Venezuela will support the production of rice

and other grains in Guinea-Bissau, said
Wednesday in Bissau the Venezuelan
ambassador to Guinea-Bissau, at the end of an
audience granted by President Jos Mrio
Vaz.Ambassador Eddy Jos Cordova Corcega
gave assurances that Venezuela would find
mechanisms, which he did not detail, to support
the production of rice, maize and sorghum as
well as other agricultural products, to improve
the diet of the Guinean population.Corcega said the issue of support to Guinea-Bissau would be
discussed further at the next Africa/South America summit, to be held in May 2016 in Quito, the
capital of Ecuador, which the Guinea-Bissau head of state will attend. (macauhub/GW)
http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/2015/11/27/venezuela-supports-rice-production-in-guinea-bissau/

Price of rice declines in Ghanaian markets

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The price of rice has declined in Ghanaian markets within the last week of November.It dropped
by 9 percent to close the week at an average price of GHS 25.00 for one small bag of 5kg
(imported-Unclesam). This was followed by Maize which made a 5 percent drop to close the
week at GHS 4.00 per olunka. Yam (Pona) also followed with 4 percent drop to close the week
at GHS 3.60 and Soya bean dropped by 2 percent to close the week at GHS 6.40 per olunka.

Cassava (Gari) and Groundnut dropped by a percentage point each to close at GHS 4.40 and 12
.90 per olunka respectively. Esoko Ghana reported that tomato gained 4 percent to close the
week at GHS 11.70 per medium size tomato tin. Cowpea followed with 2 percent gained to
close the week at GHS 7.80 per olunka and Cassava (fresh tubers) also gained a percentage point
to close the week at 3.60 per 3-4 tubers. The other commodity prices remained the same.On the
various markets, the price for an olunka of maize dropped by 20 percent in Dambai to close the
week at GHS 4.00, by 16 percent in Bawku to close the week at GHS 3.00 and by 2 percent in
Kumasi to close the week at GHS 5.00; in the other markets the price remained the same.
Techiman
A medium size tomato tin, full of fresh tomatoes lost 11 percent in Techiman to close the week
at GHS 11.50. The commodity however made some gains in Kumasi and Dambai.
Kumasi
In Kumasi, it gained 14 percent to close at GHS 9.10 and in Dambai by 76 percentage to close
the week at GHS 7.90. In the other markets prices remained the same.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Price-of-rice-declines-in-Ghanaian-markets396883

New Abu Dhabi rice mill to start operations next year

Reuters
November 29, 2015 Updated: November 29, 2015 05:17 PM
A rice mill with a production capacity of 80,000 tonnes a year will start operations in Abu Dhabi
in the second quarter of 2016, a senior executive said on Sunday.The Al Dahra Kohinoor facility,
a joint venture between Abu Dhabis agribusiness firm Al Dahra Holding and Indias Kohinoor
Foods, will be located in the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).Al Dahra Kohinoor
facility will ensure the sustainable and undisrupted supply of essential food commodities into the
Emirate (Abu Dhabi) and we are eager to launch operations by the second quarter of 2016,
Khadim Al Darei, vice chairman and managing director of Al Dahra Holding said in a
statement.Al Dahra is the governments strategic partner on food security matters. The UAE
relies on imports for 85 per cent of its food consumption.The facility will handle the full
production cycle from milling, storing, packing and distributing the rice within the UAE and
exporting to foreign markets via Khalifa Port.

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The Dh140 million facility will have a storage capacity of 50,000 tonnes of rice, the statement
said.
business@thenational.ae
http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/new-abu-dhabi-rice-mill-to-start-operations-next-year

Apeda Rice Commodity News

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 30-11-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

4875

Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

4375

Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)

3625

Californian Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)

2514

South African Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)

2440

CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)

887

Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)

691

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

518

Apricots

Raisins

White Sugar

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 30-11-2015
Domestic Prices
Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Maize

16

Min Price

Max Price

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by Riceplus Magazine

Kottur (Karnataka)

Local

1295

1526

Dahod (Gujarat)

Yellow

1525

1580

Palthan (Maharashtra)

Yellow

1325

1600

Dehgam (Gujarat)

Other

1165

1330

Jajpur (Orissa)

Other

1410

1500

Bareta (Punjab)

Other

1700

2450

Batala (Punjab)

Other

1600

2200

Kolhapur (Maharashtra)

Other

600

1400

Kangra (Himachal Pradesh)

Other

2500

3000

Palayam (Kerala)

Other

3000

3300

Nagpur (Maharashtra)

Other

600

900

Shillong (Meghalaya)

Other

1600

1800

Paddy(Dhan)

Guava

Cauliflower

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No

Price on 30-11-2015
Product

Market Center

Price

Ahmedabad

397

Mysore

375

Namakkal

357

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package

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Price on 30-11-2015

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Onions Dry

High
Package: 40 lb cartons

Atlanta

Peru

Yellow

24

26

Chicago

Nevada

Yellow

22

25

Dallas

Washington

Yellow

27.50

27.50

Carrots

Package: 20 1-lb film bags

Atlanta

California

Baby Peeled

20

20.75

Dallas

Arizona

Baby Peeled

17

18.50

Philadelphia

California

Baby Peeled

15

16

Apples

Package: cartons tray pack

Atlanta

Washington

Red Delicious

24

26.50

Dallas

Washington

Red Delicious

25.75

26.25

Miami

Washington

Red Delicious

22

23

Source:USDA

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 27-11-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

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

2100

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

2000

Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

1800

Garlic

Ginger

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Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

4600

Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

5100

Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

3000

Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t)

2905

South African Orange River, CIF UK (USD/t)

2598

Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t)

2075

Sultanas

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 28-11-2015
Domestic Prices
Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

Manjeri (Kerala)

Other

2800

3800

Srirampur (Assam)

Common

2950

3200

Gajol (West Bengal)

Fine

2600

2800

Rajkot (Gujarat)

Other

1690

2250

Sangli (Maharashtra)

Other

1700

3500

Bolpur (West Bengal)

Other

1590

1730

Manjeri (Kerala)

Other

2700

2900

Barnala (Punjab)

Other

3500

4000

Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

Other

2000

2500

Rice

Wheat

Mousambi

Carrot

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Chala (Kerala)

Other

3700

3750

Jalgaon (Maharashtra)

Other

1800

2200

Ahmedabad (Gujarat)

Other

1000

1500

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No

Price on 28-11-2015
Product

Market Center

Price

Pune

390

Chittoor

373

Hyderabad

353

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 25-11-2015
Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Potatoes

High
Package: 50 lb sacks

Atlanta

Idaho

Russet

15.50

15.50

Chicago

Idaho

Russet

11

Miami

Washington

Russet

13

14

Cucumbers

Package: cartons film wrapped

Atlanta

Mexico

Long Seedless

14

14

Dallas

California

Long Seedless

17

18.50

Detroit

Canada

Long Seedless

10

12

Grapefruit
1

Package: 4/5 bushel cartons

Atlanta

Florida

Red

20

24

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Detroit

Florida

Red

20

21

Philadelphia

Florida

Red

14

16

Source:USDA

Skyrocketing Support for RCPP in Missouri

Blake Gerard
COLUMBIA, MO -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Regional Conservation Partnership Program
(RCPP) project, Sustaining the Future of Rice, recently received further affirmation of its popularity
among growers when the November 20 EQIP application deadline for Louisiana and Missouri saw more
than 260 applications submitted across 63,800 acres for Missouri alone!
The project is sponsored by USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited through their
Rice Stewardship Partnership, along with more than forty supporting
partners. Covering the six major rice-growing states, the project has been
dubbed the "National Rice RCPP project," funding approximately $10
million worth of conservation improvements on ricelands using the Natural
Resources Conservation Service's Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).Project
implementation began earlier this fall with more than 300 EQIP applications
collected in Arkansas and Mississippi. The tremendous turnout in Missouri
applications comes following the first Rice Conservation Field Day in
Portageville earlier this month.
Blake Gerard, Missouri rice farmer and chairman of USA Rice Farmers, said, "The application numbers
are overwhelming. Although everything can't be funded, I think it speaks volumes about the demand for
conservation funding to see hundreds of applications come out of only seven counties in our state."
Gerard added, "Rice farmers in Missouri are looking forward to working with USA Rice and Ducks
Unlimited throughout the coming years to continue funding these environmentally and economically
beneficial projects on their operations."
An EQIP application period for California and Texas will be announced later this winter. The planning
process is currently underway and applications for CSP will be announced in late 2016.
Contact: Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

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CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for November 30

Month

Price

Net Change

January 2016

$11.905

- $0.050

March 2016

$12.170

- $0.055

May 2016

$12.465

- $0.050

July 2016

$12.725

- $0.045

September 2016

$12.560

- $0.090

November 2016

$12.560

- $0.090

January 2017

$12.560

- $0.090

El Nino Shrinking Rice Crop Worldwide to Spur Vietnamese

Sales
Diep Pham diepngocpham
November 27, 2015 11:14 AM PKT
Global rice output forecast to drop in 2015-16 on El Nino

Rice exports from Vietnam may increase 14 percent in the first quarter as the strongest El Nino
in almost two decades shrivels crops in some countries, spurring importers to build reserves.
Shipments will jump to 1.3 million metric tons in the three months ending March from 1.14
million tons a year earlier, said Tran Tuan Anh, Vietnams deputy minister of industry and trade.
The worlds third-biggest exporter is already seeing a spurt in demand, he said in an e-mail on
Nov. 25. October rice shipments surged 43 percent to 859,000 tons from a year earlier, the
highest level since July 2012, government data show.
Indonesia and the Philippines are among nations importing rice after dry weather induced by the
strongest El Nino since the record event in 1997-98 hurts crops. Prospects for the event to further
strengthen may prompt buyers to secure supplies before prices run up as the United Nations
Food & Agriculture Organization predicts a decline in global rice output in the 2015-16 season

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with consumption surpassing production.Rice supply and stockpiles will decline, and demand
for imports will rise because of unfavorable weather conditions, Anh said. The El Nino event
occurring this year and prolonging into 2016 will affect production in many countries, especially
Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.Rough-rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade
have rallied 29 percent from the lowest level in more than eight years in May on concern that the
El Nino will shrink global harvest. The contract for delivery in January closed at $12.13 per 100
pounds on Wednesday.
Output Decline

Production in Thailand may decline to the lowest in 19 years as dry weather may prompt the
worlds top exporter to further restrict plantings to preserve water supply. The Philippines is
monitoring rice production closely to see whether theres need to import more on El Nino after
purchasing 750,000 tons from Vietnam and Thailand for delivery from November to March
2016. Indonesia this month agreed to import 1.5 million tons from Vietnam and Thailand and is
in talks with Cambodia and Myanmar for additional supplies, according to state-run food
company Bulog.Vietnams paddy rice output may increase 0.3 percent to 45.1 million tons this
year, VietnamPlus reported in September, citing the Agriculture Ministry. Exports may climb to
7 million tons in 2016 from 6.2 million tons this year, according to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.Boosting rice exports will still be a challenge for Vietnam as Thailand is looking to
draw down the stockpiles it accumulated under a state purchase plan, Anh said. Major importers,
especially in Southeast Asia, are also diversifying supply sources and boosting domestic
production, he said.
Thailand has about 13.7 million tons of rice in state stockpiles after the military government sold
5 million tons, Chutima Bunyapraphasara, permanent secretary for commerce, said Nov. 16.

Drought-hit India's quest for water hampered by thirsty crops

RAMPUR, INDIA | BY KRISHNA N. DAS AND MAYANK BHARDWAJ

A women uses a hand-pump to fill drinking water on the outskirts of Amritsar in Punjab, India,
November 15, 2015.
REUTERS/MUNISH SHARMA

Pleas by local officials for farmers to switch from rice to

oilseeds and pulses and protect dangerously low water
levels are falling on deaf ears, and may be further
undermined by government policies encouraging cultivation
of thirsty crops.Back-to-back droughts for the first time in
nearly 30 years mean some rural areas in the north are
running out of water for human consumption and
agriculture, prompting warnings of serious consequences if
urgent action is not taken.
"It is unlikely that India will have another drought next year; three years in a row has never
happened before," said Ashok Gulati, a farm economist who advised the last government."But
with extreme events increasing due to climate change, you never know. If we don't wake up now

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then, God forbid, people will leave farming to become labourers at railways stations."With more
than two-thirds of the 1.25 billion population living off the land, water scarcity could affect the
majority and hit long term food supplies.
As world leaders meet in Paris next week to agree a deal on cutting greenhouse gas emissions,
India says climate change is already hurting the agriculture and water sectors, and the impact is
amplified by poverty and a heavy reliance on farming.Locally, officials are trying to change
farming habits and enforce stricter rules on water usage."We are encouraging crop
diversification; we are going for pulses," said Amit Kishore, chief development officer in
Rampur, a farm belt city in Uttar Pradesh."We have been trying to convince farmers to shift to
horticulture as well, but the uptake has not been satisfactory."Four out of Rampur's six
administrative areas are so-called "dark zones", with 80 percent or more of groundwater
exhausted. In those zones, the practice of boring wells has been banned this fiscal year.Without
urgent action, the region risks going the way of Punjab and Haryana, two parched states where
the groundwater has sunk even further.Some farmers in those states now need to dig 300 feet (91
metres) for water, compared to five feet (1.5 metres) in the 1960s, according to research by a
local government scientist.
"RICE SELLS"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged farmers to use water wisely, advocating a "per drop,
more crop" approach that includes water-saving methods like drip irrigation.Yet his 18-monthold government has also boosted incentives to grow water-intensive rice, wheat and sugarcane
that India exports, at the expense of crops like oilseeds or pulses that it has to import.Little
wonder some farmers in the northern farming belt are ignoring the advice of local officials."We
grow rice because that is what sells," said Babu Ram Saini, standing by a pond in Jiwai Jadid
village in Rampur.
"Productivity for lentils is so low that we'll not be able to sustain ourselves without massive
government support," he said.Some experts are advocating tougher measures to force more
efficient use of water. Wastage is encouraged by the supply of free or subsidized power which
boosts politicians' popularity."We have been trying to tell farmers that if you continue growing
rice, more places are going to become dark zones," said V.K. Mishra, a regional head of the
Central Soil Salinity Research Institute in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow."We should make a
law that you can't grow rice in areas where the water table is very low."Rice covers 62 percent of
Punjab's area under cultivation, up from 10 percent in 1970.
The expansion of rice has been similar in neighbouring Haryana.Though the droughts have hit
crops, India still produces more rice, wheat and sugar than it consumes, drawing accusations
from the World Trade Organization that stockpiling to provide cheap grain to the poor unfairly
distorts trade."It is quite natural for our farmers to go for rice and cane when both power and
water are almost free," said economist Gulati, adding that selling such produce abroad is like
exporting "precious water for free".
(Additional reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj in NEW DELHI; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/11/28/india-water-crops-rice-pulses-idINKBN0TG10S20151128

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