19th may(tuesday),2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

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May 19 ,2015

Vol 5,Issue V

Rice stakeholders in turmoil

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME ) has invited the attention of the

Ministry of Commerce (MOC) to the adverse situation faced by the rice growers, processors,

exporters and merchants due to the lack of demand, high cost of production and above all no

support from the government. In India there are subsidies on farm inputs and Pakistan is facing

tough competition from India. This year India beat us and Pakistan remained behind due to lower

Indian prices and open policy of allowing free hand to its exporters.President UNISAME

Zulfikar Thaver said the prices of superior varieties of rice fell by half and other varieties by

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter www.ricepluss.com

www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com



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about 20% causing huge losses to the growers and this affected the processors and exporters as

well as foreign buyers fearing further fall did not build their inventory.

He lamented that the MOC should have planned for seeing the situation. Our main competitor

India allowed it's shippers to export blended varieties as basmati rice and our MOC hung on to

protecting the basmati label by letting Quality Review Committee continue its hindering activity.

It is pertinent to note that the buyers concept of basmati has changed and rice like 1121 and 386

have caught on.1121 is more expensive than basmati , The question is the non comprehensive

attitude of the MOC which failed to act in good time and say good bye to QRC which is

protecting a variety senselessly and losing orders. The Rice exporters know their business and

need to be left alone to promote their own brands according to the demands of their buyers who

need skillfully blended rice. Unfortunately the SME exporters to Yemen also landed in trouble as

the banks in Yemen closed and the bills of the exporters are stuck and the cargo was off loaded

by the vessels in Djibouti.

Here again instead of coming to the help of the exporters and facilitating them to find remedies

the banks are following the rules as per their manuals which have no provision for such

situations and unfortunately lack the ability to think out of box and resolve the

problems.UNISAME has appealed to the MOC to recommend to the ministry of finance to give

relief to the rice growers, processors, exporters and merchants who have suffered losses and not

to burden them with additional taxes and in fact wave taxes for them in the budget. This is very

important as other wise it is apprehended that the farmers may switch over to other crops. UNISAME

Scientists prove a plant point

Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, May 19: Government scientists have asserted that India has provided tens of

thousands of samples of key foodcrops to global gene repositories, refuting allegations by

sections of foreign researchers that India has been reluctant to share its plant resources.The

scientists with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have said India ranks first in

the list of contributors of plant germplasm in 11 gene banks maintained by the Consultative

Group (CG) of International Agricultural Centres held "in-trust" for the global community.India

has over the past three decades submitted over 66,800 plant germplasm varieties - or 9.2 per cent

- to more than 720,600 accessions maintained by the network of CG repositories, emerging at the

top of its list of contributors, the ICAR scientists said in a report that analysed the flow of plant

varieties from India. Crop scientists view such transfer of key plant material as critical for crop

breeding and improvement programmes aimed at food security.

"This analysis should dispel notions that India hasn't been sharing its plant resources," said Rishi

Kumar Tyagi, a principal scientist at the ICAR's National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources,

New Delhi, who led the study of plant germ flow from India over the past four decades.Plant

gene repositories in the US, Russia, Taiwan, Germany and the UK also have several thousands of



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accessions of Indian origin. At a gene bank maintained by the US department of agriculture, over

22,000 among its total of more than 625,000 accessions are of Indian origin.Crop researchers

based in Europe had two years ago raised concerns that access to Indian plant germplasm was

limited. Scientists from Norway had pointed out that the world's largest global seed vault

maintained by Norway in Svalbard had very few samples from India.Tyagi and his colleagues

have challenged that claim.

The Svalbard gene vault has over 824,000 germplasm accessions from over 60 gene banks,

among which over 66,000 accessions - or over 8 per cent - deposited by 24 gene banks are of

Indian origin, the ICAR scientists said in their analysis just published in the journal PLOS

One.Although India has directly submitted only 25 samples to Svalbard, over 66,000 samples are

of Indian origin, having been deposited there by the CG crop research centres or by other

national gene banks. The International Rice Research Institute in Manila, Philippines, has

deposited its entire rice germplasm collection of 116,600 at Svalbard, among which over 16,220

accessions belonging to 18 species of rice have their origin in India, the ICAR scientists wrote in

their report.

The ICAR scientists have listed 16 crops, including rice, wheat, maize, chickpea, eggplant,

groundnut and pigeon pea, among others, that have been deposited by India into gene

repositories across the world. Among over 2,800,000 samples held by 446 organisations

worldwide, 106,000 are from India."India is also a big beneficiary of such germplasm exchange,"

said Kailash Bansal, head of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, who was not

involved in the analysis. "One recent example is kiwifruit - it's import of germplasm that brought

kiwifruit to India," he said.Crop scientists also point out that several varieties of foodcrops,

including vegetables, currently cultivated across the country owe their origin to foreign

germplasm.

The analysis has revealed that the flow of plant germplasm from India has indeed slowed down

over the past decade owing to national biodiversity laws that India enacted in 2002. The national

biodiversity regulations lay down strict rules on the transfer of plant genetic material from

India.From the mid-1970s through the early 1990s, India used to supply more than 4,000

germplasm samples each year. But over the past five years, the number has been less than 1,000

per year."Over the past decade, the number of requests India has received for germplasm has also

declined," Tyagi said.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150520/jsp/nation/story_21087.jsp#.VVxZOvlViko

Update on U.S. and world rice market scheduled for 1:30

p.m. Friday



5

Nathan Childs to provide latest analysis of rice market outlook May 18, 2015Farm Press Staff | Delta Farm Press

Dr. Nathan Childs needs no introduction to rice farmers. He’s been a featured speaker at the

USA Rice Outlook Conference almost since its inception in 1994 and has been providing

detailed analysis of the rice markets to the rice industry for more than 23 years. Delta Farm Press

It’s been a struggle, but most of the

U.S. rice crop that was going to be

planted in 2015 has gone in the

ground. Now farmers can turn their

attention toward what they may be able

to get for their crop when harvest rolls

around.To that end, Nathan Childs,

senior economist with USDA’s

Economic Research Service, will

provide an update on the U.S. and

world rice markets during a University

of Arkansas’ Food and Agribusiness

Webinar Series event at 1:30 p.m.

Friday (May 22).Dr. Childs needs no introduction to rice farmers.

He’s been a featured speaker at the USA Rice Outlook Conference

almost since its inception in 1994 and has been providing detailed

analysis of the rice markets to the rice industry for more than 23

years.The Webinar, ―2015-16 U.S. and Global Rice Outlook with

Nathan Childs, Agricultural Economist, USDA Economic Research

Service,‖ will be hosted by Dr. Bobby Coats, professor, University of

Arkansas. Joining him will be Tony Franco and Anita Wilson of USDA’s Farm Service Agency;

Brandy Carroll, Arkansas Farm Bureau; and Forrest Laws, Farm Press.Dr. Childs has been analyzing

the domestic and international rice markets for USDA's Economic Research Service since 1996.Prior

to that appointment, he was associate editor and economic editor for ERS’ monthlyAgricultural

Outlook magazine for more than five years. He has also worked as a food grain economist with ERS.

He has published reports on global trade liberalization, U.S. farm policy, domestic rice consumption,

the U.S. rice export market, Southeast Asia’s rice surplus, the structure of the U.S. rice market, and

the 2008 global rice price surge. Dr. Childs participates in all rice-related monthly interagency

meetings and writes the monthly Rice Outlook Report. He also updates the Rice Yearbook Tables and

develops domestic and international rice forecasts for USDA’s 10-year Baseline project. Over the

years, he has been involved three Emerging Market Projects—Taiwan (1992, 1993), China (1997),

and Vietnam (2007); and he’s traveled to Haiti several times to assist the Haitian Government in

increasing rice capacity.

To register for Friday’s webinar.

http://deltafarmpress.com/author/farm-press-staff

https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/register/ac6873eb5e9c440ddc2040ba88984b7b

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/wet-cool-start-results-issues-2015-arkansas-rice



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http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/update-us-and-world-rice-market-scheduled-130-pm-friday

2 keys to weed control success in 2015 Photo © Delta Farm Press

I believe the success or failure of this

year’s weed control programs will be

determined by (1) how you

coordinate residual herbicides with

rainfall events and (2) how you time

postemergence herbicide

applications.Early May ushered in a

week or so of dry weather, which

was great. In a lot of areas —

especially in north Arkansas — the

entire rice crop and a lot of other

crops were planted in this window.

This is a good thing, because we

can’t make a crop until we get a crop planted.

On the other hand we had residual herbicides out a week with no activation along with warm

temperatures ideal for weed emergence. This means a flush of weeds will come through a lot of the

residual applications, and the timing of the first postemergence treatment is going to be critical. In

fields that fit this example, success or failure will likely be determined right there — especially for

pigweed control in Roundup Ready or conventional soybeans.As I write this, we have an excellent

forecast of rain following the seven- to 10-day dry period. I am begging everyone who will listen to

get a residual herbicide out ahead of the rain — regardless of the crop. Some are saying, ―I’m clean

and already have one or more residual out.‖ Great, put another one out.Every year we are having

more difficulty controlling weeds postemergence.

Every year we are having more difficulty getting postemergence herbicides applied because of the

increasing diversity in our crop mix. I believe this year will be even worse. All crops are being

planted at the same time in north Arkansas. There is also a big increase in grain sorghum acres, and

grain sorghum is a crop that you must be careful about with any herbicide application.The acreages

of Clearfield and conventional rice seem to be about equal again this year. There is also a big

increase in interest in conventional soybeans. All of these factors will result in a lot of postemergence

treatments being ―on the books‖ for long periods.The best way to avoid being hung out on getting a

post herbicide applied is to keep residual herbicides working.It is strange to hear folks talking about

needing to flush rice when we were too wet for six weeks trying to get the crop in. However, that is

classic Arkansas weather. Once we get to May, we are seldom more than a week away from a

drought.

If rice has to be flushed, use the flush to activate another residual herbicide. Hopefully this rainfall

forecast will not be our last for the summer. As the good forecasts pop up, take advantage of them.If

we miss this rainfall event being predicted now, a lot of folks are going to find out that pigweed

control the past couple of years has been way too easy! In the days before Roundup Ready, we were



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always in the situation if we missed one rain and missed the timing of the first postemergence

herbicide a couple of days, the result was a grown-up mess.We are in better shape for residual

herbicides now than we were then.

However, it still takes moisture to make them work. The past two years have provided fantastic

conditions for making them work, and I hope our streak continues. By now you will know whether it

has or has not.My philosophy is always assume the residual is going to fail to some extent and have

the sprayer ready. In Roundup Ready or conventional soybeans, spray as soon as the ground turns red

with emerging pigweeds.In LibertyLink soybeans you have some more leeway, but the first

application of Liberty still needs to go out seven to 10 days after emergence. I am getting quite a few

calls on LibertyLink soybeans, and in general the weed control answers come much easier in this

technology.

[email protected]

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/2-keys-weed-control-success-2015

APEDA India News

International Benchmark Price Price on: 18-05-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Garlic

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

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

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

Ginger

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

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

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

Guar Gum Powder

1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 4880

2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2300

3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3400

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 18-05-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Jowar(Sorgham)

1 Amreli (Gujarat) Other 1205 2775

2 Vasai (Maharashtra) Other 1600 2200

3 Vellore (Tamil Nadu) Other 1550 1550

Maize

mailto:[email protected]



8

1 Dhansura (Gujarat) Other 1050 1200

2 Honnali (Karnataka ) Local 1220 1330

3 Koraput(Orissa) Other 1310 1330

Mousambi

1 Aroor (Kerala) Other 3500 3700

2 Sitapur(Punjab) Other 3000 4000

3 Mechua(West Bengal) Other 2600 3100

Carrot

1 Bolangir (Orissa) Other 2800 3000

2 Solan (Himachal Pradesh) Other 1000 1700

3 Haldwani(Uttrakhand) Other 900 1000

Source:agra-net For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 18-05-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 290

2 Nagapur 278

3 Namakkal 311

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 18-05-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Onions Dry Package: 50 lb sacks

1 Atlanta Mexico Yellow 20.20 22

2 Baltimore California Yellow 21 21

3 Chicago Texas Yellow 15 15

Cabbage Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Florida Round Green Type 10 11

2 Detroit Georgia Round Green Type 13.50 14

3 Miami Canada Round Green Type 11 12

Grapes Package: 18 lb containers bagged

1 Atlanta Chile Red Globe 20.50 21.50

2 Baltimore Peru Red Globe 20 22

3 Miami Chile Red Globe 21 23

Source:USDA

DOLLAR, EURO DEPRECIATION AGAINST PKR

CONTRIBUTES TO EXPORT DECLINE

Mian Arshad Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Islamabad—Decreased international prices of commodities, increased

cost of production,depreciation of dollar and Euro against Pak rupee (PKR) and lack

http://e2necc.com/



9

of research and development are the dominant factors for the decline of exports in first nine

months of the current fiscal year. Resultantly, the import bill during July-March 2014-15 soared

up to $ 34 billion and trade deficit during said period was S 16.1 billion. There has been a rise

of 21% in Pakistan’s exports to the European Union in 2014, which translates into an additional

export of $ 1.3 billion. According to a written reply submitted before the Lower House of the

Parliament by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), there has been a global trend of decrease

in prices of cotton and rice.

These commodities have seminal importance in Pakistan’s exports and the decrease in prices has

adversely affected Pakistan’s exports. The average unit price (AUP) of non-basmati rice, which

constitutes 70% of Pakistan’s rice exports by value, declined by 2%; similarly, the AUP of

cotton and yarn have declined by 78% and 10% respectively. While the prices

of agricultural commodities have declined, the cost of production in Pakistan has increased due

to increased energy and other input costs. Pakistan’s ranking in Global Competitiveness Index

decreased from 128th in 2013-14 to 129th in 2014-15. Moreover, the appreciation of Pak Rupee

during the period Jul-Jan of the current financial year as compared to the corresponding period of

previous year, made Pakistan’s exports less competitive.

The average exchange rate of USD vis-à-vis PKR, during the period July 2014 to January 2015

remained 100.183 as compared to 104.076 during the corresponding period of the previous year.

Consequently, the 3.73% decrease in exports in dollar terms during the first 7

months translates into 7.3% decline in rupee terms. The impact of PKR appreciation was

compounded by 6% depreciation of Euro vis-à-vis international currencies during the period July

2014 to January 2015 compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. It further

affected competitiveness of Pakistan’s exports in the Euro zone thus offsetting a part of

advantage of GSP Plus. Similarly, research and development has traditionally been a

low priority both in the public and private sectors.

For instance, there is near absence of development of new high yielding varieties of cotton and

rice. India has developed many basmati and basmati-look-alike (non-basmati) varieties during

the last few years whereas Pakistan has failed to develop any basmati variety during the last 30

years. Consequently, the traditional markets of basmati rice are being gradually grabbed by India

with high yielding basmati varieties. Though lack of R&D is a long term issue, its adverse

impact is becoming increasingly pronounced. However, the MoC observed that under the multi-

lateral trading arrangement of World Trade Organization (WTO), importsubstitution policies

erodes the competitiveness; therefore, Pakistan does not follow any import substitution policy

since last two decades. Pakistan trade policies are geared toward export enhancement and

creating a decent trade balance. http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=264225

Wet, cool start results in issues for 2015 Arkansas rice An early-season rice report May 18, 2015David Bennett | Delta Farm Press

A stop-and-go start to the growing season has impacted all Delta crops. So, how is rice doing?

http://deltafarmpress.com/author/david-bennett



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The week of May 11, the USDA has Arkansas at 86 percent planted.―That should put us at just over

1.25 million planted rice acres right now working off of the March prospective plantings says Jarrod

Hardke, Arkansas Extension rice agronomist.

―I think that assessment is pretty

accurate.‖At the moment, the state

is largely at a standstill following

rains from May 8 through 10.

―That’s kept us from actively

planting much this week. But that

slowdown comes after our planted

percentage jumped from 37

percent to, two weeks later, 86

percent. We put in half the crop in

14 days and that’s impressive.

‖There have been a lot of early-season issues with the rice crop, says Hardke. ―A lot of them have to

do with general stand establishment problems. Seedling disease is part of that, but so is the recent wet

weather and cool temperatures. There was also a very rapid dry down – it suddenly turned warm and

windy – and we lost moisture in the top layer.―This season is turning out kind of erratic. After the

most recent rains, it turns out there was still viable seed planted. It just hadn’t come up yet. So, we’re

seeing a number of fields with three- and four-leaf rice with new rice emerging right beside it."Of

course, that will make things interesting going forward in terms of in-season management. Certainly,

the rice that’s furthest along is what you have to make your primary management decisions on –

that’s your main crop.

"That late-emerging rice can actually act as sort of a weed in some cases, a drag on the main crop.

Hopefully, it will catch up and produce some grain at the end.‖Those that were fortunate to get their

rice planted in early April ―are leaning toward the back end of when we prefer to put out our nitrogen

fertilizer and go to flood. It just isn’t dry enough to go now and the 10-day forecast doesn’t look

good. That’ll force us to again make the best of a bad situation.‖It’s better to put nitrogen on slightly

wet ground as opposed to being really late, says Hardke. ―I know some producers are flying nitrogen

on today and moving forward although they’d like the ground to be drier in order to get better

incorporation.―It’s not efficient to put nitrogen into water or mud. We don’t like asking people to do

that. But for those enrolled in the DD50 program, once you are at, or moving past, the final

recommended time to apply nitrogen pre-flood, you have to get it out somehow. The plant simply has

to have the nitrogen and if you don’t provide it, the crop can face serious harm and a lack of recovery

time. Time is the enemy.‖ http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/wet-cool-start-results-issues-2015-arkansas-rice

Cheaper oil soothes sting of rising rice prices Kang Mi Jin | 2015-05-19 16:29

With farming season in full swing in the border areas of North Korea, rice prices in the

marketplace have seen a small rise, but oil prices have dipped, providing a little relief in people’s

livelihoods. The recent tightening of regulations on borders has made illegal imports more

difficult, driving up rice prices, while the steady supply of imported oil from Russia has

https://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-2124.pdf



11

contributed to the decline in the cost of it, Daily NK has learned. ―The ongoing crackdown on

the borders has driven up the price of rice and other grains, but the price of diesel oil and

gasoline has dropped,‖ a source from Yangkang Province said. ―Along with warming ties

between North Korea and Russia, we saw rice coming into the country at the end of last year, but

recently, we’re seeing gasoline and diesel.‖

―It cost roughly 4,000 KPW [0.49 USD] for 1kg of rice until the end of last month, but that price

has spiked by 1,000 KPW [0.12 USD], so you now have to pay 5,000 KPW [0.62 USD] at the

Hyesan Market,‖ he added. ―The supply of rice to markets near the borders has been unsteady

because of the strengthened crackdown on smugglers, causing an increase in prices.‖ He cited

gasoline and other oil imports from Russia as cause for the noticeable decline in oil prices,

noting that people are relieved that the cost of fuel did not rise along with that of rice as

predicted. As of last month, gasoline traded for 11,000 KPW [1.36 USD] per kilogram, while

diesel fetched 9,000 KPW [1.11 USD], but prices now stand at 8,450 KPW [1.04 USD] and

5,200 KPW [0.64 USD], respectively, according to the source. The rise in rice prices had become

a source of concern, but the cheaper oil has provided much relief to many including wholesale

vendors and truck operators, explained the source.

―Before the price of rice begun to crawl up in mid-April, the cost was relatively stable, making

things much more manageable for people,‖ the source said. However, the recent tightening of

surveillance on the borders has not surprised many, with people complaining about the routine

crackdowns that pose challenges to their everyday lives.―Many of the smugglers have gone

under these days or have been caught. The result has been an increase in the price of rice,‖ the

source said, going on to point out how the recent hike highlighted the pronounced influence

smuggled rice has on market prices.

―People have been showing mixed feelings about the officials who are pushing ahead with the

crackdowns. Some say these officials are only interested in safeguarding their own interests

while taking advantage of the citizens. While others say they have no choice since they have to

fulfill mandates from authorities above them, even if they are fully aware that people cannot

survive without the jangmadang (market),‖ the source added.In regard to the crackdown on

borders, a source in Dandong said, ―The recent clampdown was implemented by North Korean

authorities in order to prevent information from outside the country trickling in and that from

within getting out,‖ adding that traders selling rice to North Korean smugglers have ―taken a

pounding‖ as a result of the crackdown. http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=13200&cataId=nk01500

Queensland rice growers join national association with

hopes to build export market

ABC Rural

By Eliza Rogers

Posted Mon at 9:39pm

PHOTO: Cane grower Andrew Barfield checking soil moisture content of his trial rice crops in the Mackay region. (David

Sparkes)

MAP: Townsville 4810

http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=13200&cataId=nk01500

http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/eliza-rogers/4519484

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-19/andrew-barfield-checking-moisture-of-his-trial-rice-crops/6480688


http://maps.google.com/?q=-19.2643,146.8118(Townsville%204810)&z=5



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After seven years of trials, rice growers in North Queensland could soon develop a strong

export market.

About 13 cane farmers, mostly from the Burdekin, are growing rice as a rotational crop, and now

have their own interim branch of the Ricegrowers' Association of Australia.The branch hopes to

fuel expansions, to help fill international demand, but rice is also giving growers another option

as the sugar marketing battle continues to rage.

Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.

00:00 00:00 AUDIO: Rice growers' rep and farmer discuss expansion plans(ABC Rural)

This year, cane farmers in the Burdekin

region are expected to produce about

2,500 tonnes of rice, which is fed into

their own local rice mill.Most of the rice

in Australia is sold to Ricegrowers

Limited and marketed under SunRice, and

the majority is exported to 60

countries.Dean Logan, executive director

of the Ricegrowers' Association of

Australia, said Queensland could soon

play a major role."We know that

SunRice's export potential is in and

around 1.1 million tonnes a year, and in

the Riverina at the moment, we're projected to grow 720,000 metric tonnes this year," he said.

"So SunRice needs to find that 300,000 or 400,000 tonnes of rice grown in Australia, and their

commitment is to find that rice in Australia as Australian-grown rice, so Queensland holds huge

potential."He said the new interim branch, which is expected to become fully-fledged in six

months, was already attracting interest from potential members, and helping allay concerns that

rice was a threat to the cane industry."Cane has been a part of the community for decades, and so

whenever you do bring in a crop that the scale that could potentially be achieved... there's always

going to be some level of scepticism," Mr Logan said.The rice in Queensland is cultivated

through aerobic growing, meaning it is grown on well-drained beds, and does not rely on flood

irrigation.But any extra irrigation costs spell big bills for farmers.Mr Logan said bringing

Queensland into the national association would help farmers access water efficiency methods.

"The Ricegrowers' Association has delivered between $50 million and $60 million worth of on-

farm irrigation efficiency programs. Rice farmers in the Riverina are using 50 per cent less water

than any other rice farmers in the world," he said."It's just a matter of now of transferring some

of those skills and that intellectual capital and that research to Queensland."Burdekin cane

grower Philip Marano is planning to plant 14 hectares of rice late next month for the first time,

and expects to sign a contract with SunRice is the next couple of weeks.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-19/queensland-rice-industry-strengthens/6480656




13

He said irrigation costs were making the cane industry unviable, but said the figures "still make

sense" to water and grow rice as a secondary income."I think the fact that you can earn extra

income from what is usually fallow ground, that for six months of the year is non-productive...

just gives you that extra income on top of your cane," he said.Mr Marano said there were about

six local growers who had produced rice commercially, and they appeared to be doing well."It

seems to be easy to grow; it will be a learning experience for me," he said.Mr Marano disputed

the idea that rice was a threat to cane, but said, however, it could be a fallback crop if issues with

sugar marketing were not resolved."We are going through a pretty bitter dispute with Wilmar

about marketing, and it (rice) certainly does give growers another option if our negotiations with

Wilmar don't pan out they way we would hope," he said.

Topics: rice, trade, sugar, townsville-4810

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-19/queensland-rice-growth/6480682

Local palay output seen declining

Local production of palay might decrease by 1.3 percent year-on-year in the first semester as hot

weather is driving a contraction in harvest area, according to the Philippine Statistics

Authority.PSA data show that as of the first quarter, the Philippines produced 4.27 million tons

of paddy rice, an increase of 1.4 percent.But in the first three months of 2015, the harvest area

decreased by almost 1 percent to 1.15 million hectares although yield increased by 2.3 percent to

3.8 tons per hectare.―Significant increments in [first-quarter] production were noted in

Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Ilocos Region,‖ the PSA reported.This was

attributed mainly to the availability of seeds, both from the government and from commercial

suppliers, as well as the sufficiency of water supply in those regions.For the six months to June,

the PSA said the volume is expected at 8.27 million tons.During the first half, the harvest area is

expected to contract by 1.5 percent to 2.07 million hectares, while the yield is seen inching up by

0.2 percent to 4 tons per hectare.For the second quarter alone, the PSA forecasts a 4.2-percent

drop in output, which is expected at 3.9 million tons.

From April to June, harvest areas may shrink by 2.3 percent to 939,000 hectares while yield may

decrease by 2 percent to 4.25 tons per hectare.―In Soccsksargen, some palay areas at vegetative

stages were damaged by the dry spell felt throughout the region,‖ the PSA said, ―There were

delayed planting activities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat due to temporary closure of

some NIA (National Irrigation Administration) irrigation facilities.‖Also, the PSA expects

cutbacks in the harvest area in Mimaropa, Central Luzon and Bicol due to insufficient water

supply and intense heat in most of the provinces.Further, a contraction in harvest area in Western

Visayas is anticipated due to insufficient water supply and shifting to other crops such as mongo

and watermelon.―In Northern Mindanao, the ongoing rehabilitation of irrigation canals and dry

spell may reduce plantings in irrigated and rain-fed areas, respectively,‖ the PSA said.―Yield of

standing crops in Caraga may be affected by insufficient soil moisture and incidence of black

bugs and leaf blight,‖ the agency added.

http://business.inquirer.net/192103/local-palay-output-seen-declining#ixzz3af9jkyQs

http://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/rice

http://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/trade

http://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/sugar

http://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/townsville-4810

http://business.inquirer.net/192103/local-palay-output-seen-declining#ixzz3af9jkyQs



14

Mekong faces drought, salinity VietNamNet Bridge – The ongoing drought has seriously affected farms and households in the Mekong Delta, causing water

shortages for thousands of families in the provinces of Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Ben Tre and Tien Giang.

Farmland in Ca Mau Province is drying up and cracking due to the long-lasting drought

that has seriously affected farms and households in the Mekong Delta, causing water

shortages for thousands of families.

About 400,000 ha of land under agricultural production in the provinces have been affected by

the prolonged drought and salt water infiltration, according to figures from the Sai Gon Giai

Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper.The salinity in the early dry season at estuaries in the

Mekong Delta was one to 10g per litre (0.1 to 1 per cent) higher than the same period last year.In

Ben Tre Province, water with 0.4 per cent salinity has infiltrated 50 km deep inland, raising

salinity levels to 0.2 per cent in canals in fields along estuaries and the coast.The acute drought

has damaged thousands of hectares of rice fields and other crops in the province.If the saltwater

enters Ba Lai River, which serves as a reservoir for freshwater for thousands of families, it could

seriously affect residents of Ben Tre City and Chau Thanh District in the province.

As a precautionary measure, authorities in the province have closed 64 culverts and reinforced

embankments along rivers.They are also monitoring the salinity of water in the river and

irrigated rice fields.Saltwater has also entered the provinces of Soc Trang and Hau Giang, raising



15

salinity levels in rivers.To protect rice fields, the Division of Agriculture and Rural Development

of Long Phu District in Soc Trang Province has closed all culverts along rivers and canals in the

district.The district authority has urged farmers to speed up harvests to avoid further losses as the

drought will peak at the end of this month.More than 5,000 ha of the 13,000 ha of the spring-

summer rice crop in Long Phu District have already been harvested. However, 30,000 ha of rice

fields in Hau Giang Province could be affected by the drought and saltwater intrusion.

Nguyen Van Dong, director of Hau Giang's Agricultural and Rural Development, said farmers

had sowed 40,000 ha of the 75,000 ha under the summer-autumn crop.Dong said authorities of

commune and district levels have been urged to take measures to combat drought and saltwater

intrusion.The director of Tra Vinh Province's Department of Agricultural and Rural

Development, Tran Trung Hien, said the drought and salinity intrusion could affect nearly

9,200ha of summer-autumn rice crop, causing a 20-30 per cent loss.The provincial authorities of

Vinh Long have asked authorities at the district level to identify the areas damaged by the

drought and salinity and map out plans to respond to the crisis.

They were also asked to focus on supply of clean water for daily activities of residents in the

districts of Tra On and Vung Liem.Le Van Hai, the head of forest management in Ca Mau

Province, said recent rain showers at cajeput forests were insufficient to increase moisture in the

soil. Instead, the rains make alum, which is needed in cajeput forests, to leak from the soil,

further raising the risk of fire.He said nearly 38,500 ha of forests in Ca Mau Province had been

affected by drought and were at risk of fire. VNS

Tags:Mekong Delta,drought,salinity,freshwater,water shortages,

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/environment/130896/mekong-faces-drought--salinity.html

SunRice’s Tully Rice Field Day hailed a success distributed by noodls on 19/05/2015 01:16

SunRice's Tully Rice Field Day was held on Friday 8th May and was a resounding success.

More than 85 people were in attendance at the Tully Country Club to take in a day of

presentations followed by a field visit to a rice farm and a research and development trial

site.The Tully Rice Field Day provided a unique opportunity for local growers, suppliers and

people from the agribusiness industry to learn about SunRice's plans for growth in North

Queensland and how to add rice into their farming system as a complementary crop.

Attendees heard from SunRice's General Manager, Grower Services, Mike Hedditch about the

company's plans for the development of a sustainable rice industry in Queensland. Mr Hedditch's

presentation was very well received and included an introduction to SunRice, its capabilities and

operations infrastructure, its innovative marketing, its range of products, and why the company

has chosen to invest in Blue Ribbon and in North Queensland. SunRice's Brandon Mill Manager

Steve Rogers also presented on aerobic rice production, including rain-fed systems, as well as

fitting rice rotations into the farming system.As well the presentations from SunRice, attendees

heard from Rice Research Australia's Antony Vagg, who gave an interesting overview of the

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/tags/Mekong%20Delta/index.html

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/tags/drought/index.html

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/tags/salinity/index.html

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/tags/freshwater/index.html

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/tags/water%20shortages/index.html



16

latest in rice research and development and alternative methods for stubble management. Antony

was also able to shed light on grower questions about suitable rice varieties for Queensland

conditions and spoke about variety development underway for Northern Australia.Following the

formal presentations, 50 attendees visited a local rice farm and a trial site to see first-hand some

of the rice varieties being tested and developed and the farming systems in place. http://www.noodls.com/view/C12B38A90C713B4164A761A87BE630202CB92B61?2225xxx1432004111#sthash.6IPbG27W.dpuf

Thai govt to sell 2 million tons of rice in two months BY EDITORON 2015-05-19THAILAND

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) – The government is preparing to release another 2 million

tons of rice within the next two months, in order to minimize effects on the new rice crop due

this month.Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Commerce,

disclosed after Monday’s meeting of the rice management and policy committee that the meeting

had discussed the release of 16 million tons of rice in the government’s stockpile. Of the figure,

5 million tons are high-quality rice. Two million tons have already been sold, and another two

million will be sold within two months.Meanwhile, more than 10 million tons of rice in the

stockpile are of low quality.

The Ministry of Commerce will have surveyor companies inspect this portion of rice to

determine whether the rice can be used as human or animal food. If not, this portion of rice will

be sold to ethanol or alcohol factories.The Ministry of Commerce expects to fetch about 200

billion baht from the sale of all 16 million tons of rice in stock, which was acquired at a cost of

about 600 billion baht during the past government. The government has been able to sell 3.4 million tons of rice since the start of the year. The commerce ministry

expects to sell the rice at between 8,200-8,500 baht per ton

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thai-govt-to-sell-2-million-tons-of-rice-in-two-months/87083/

Saudi rice imports from India rise 58% to SR4.5bn in 2014 Freight News 19/05/2015

The value of Saudi rice imports to the Kingdom from India grew by 58

percent, reaching $1.19 billion (SR4.46 billion) by the end of 2014,

compared to $752.67 million (SR2.82 billion) in 2013, according to Indian

Consul General Bawa Syed Mubarak.Speaking to local media, the Indian

diplomat said that Saudi rice imports from India dropped by 1 percent in

2013, due to the emergence of certain obstacles but jumped to record levels

in the following year (2014).―At the global level, Indian rice exports fetched $7.78 billion

(SR29.17 billion) in 2014, comprising a growth rate of more than 25 percent in one year, of

which the Saudi share exceeded 15.35 percent,‖ Mubarak said.

http://news.thaivisa.com/author/editor/

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/category/commodities/freight-news/



17

The diplomat stressed that the Saudi market is considered a key importer of Indian rice

worldwide. He noted that rice represented nearly 10 percent of the overall Indian exports to the

Kingdom.The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached more than $48.62

billion, where Indian exports to the Kingdom amounted to $12.21 billion by the end of 2014 in

total, an increase of 12 percent, whereas Saudi exports to India reached $36.40 billion, an

increase of 8 percent relative to previous years. http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/saudi-rice-imports-from-india-rise-58-to-sr4-5bn-in-2014/

Govt to release 2m tonnes of rice

The Nation May 18, 2015 4:48 pm

The Commerce Ministry plans to auction 2 million tonnes of rice from the 16-million tonne

stockpiles within the next two months.Commerce Permanent Secretary Chutima

Bunyapraphasara said that the release was approved today by the National Rice Policy

Committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. She is convinced that

the auction would not further pressure rice prices, as the second crop will be in the market this

month. Paddy rice price is expected to remain at Bt8,200-Bt8,500 a tonne.She is confident that

Thailand’s rice exports this year would reach the 10 million-tonne target, following the 3.4

million-tonne shipments in the first five months. She said that over 10 million tonnes in the

stockpiles have degraded. Surveyors will be invited to a discussion soon, to find ways that will

minimise the government’s losses.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Govt-to-release-2m-tonnes-of-rice-30260374.html

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 18

Nagpur, May 18 Gram and tuar prices reported higher in Nagpur Agriculture Produce

and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on good seasonal buying support from local millers

amid weak

supply from producing regions. Healthy hike on NCDEX in gram prices, fresh rise in Madhya

Pradesh pulses and repeated enquiries from South-based millers also boosted prices, according to

sources.

* * * *

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM

* Gram varieties showed weak tendency in open market here on lack of demand from local

traders amid good supply from producing regions.

TUAR



18

* Tuar varieties declined in open market here in absence of buyers amid ample stock in

ready position. Reports about good overseas arrival also affected prices.

* Masoor and moong varieties reported strong in open market on increased marriage

season demand from local traders amid thin supply from producing belts.

* In Akola, Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 9,900-10,300, Udid at 9,100-9,600,

Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,700-11,100, Moong - 9,000-9,200, Moong Mogar

(clean) 10,700-11,100, Gram - 4,100-4,400, Gram Super best bold - 6,000-6,200

for 100 kg.

* Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market

in poor trading activity, according to sources.

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

FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close

Gram Auction 3,500-4,490 3,500-4,410

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

Tuar Auction 5,700-7,400 5,630-7,320

Moong Auction n.a. 6,000-6,300

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

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

Gram Super Best Bold 6,300-6,500 6,500-6,700

Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 6,000-6,200 6,300-6,400

Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 5,300-5,500 5,500-5,700

Desi gram Raw 4,500-4,650 4,600-4,750

Gram Filter new 6,000-6,100 6,100-6,200

Gram Kabuli 5,000-6,800 5,000-6,800

Gram Pink 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500

Tuar Fataka Best 10,500-10,800 10,600-10,900

Tuar Fataka Medium 10,000-10,300 10,100-10,400

Tuar Dal Best Phod 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,900

Tuar Dal Medium phod 9,000-9,350 9,000-9,400

Tuar Gavarani New 7,700-7,800 7,800-7,900

Tuar Karnataka 7,900-8,000 8,000-8,100

Tuar Black 10,700-11,000 10,700-11,000

Masoor dal best 8,100-8,300 7,900-8,100

Masoor dal medium 7,500-7,800 7,200-7,500

Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 11,000-11,500 11,000-11,400

Moong Mogar Medium best 10,200-10,600 10,200-10,500

Moong dal Chilka 9,200-9,750 9,200-9,700



19

Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 9,600-9,900 9,500-9,800

Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,600 11,200-11,600

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 9,900-10,600 9,900-10,600

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 8,500-8,900 8,500-8,900

Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,600 4,400-4,600

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,200-3,350 3,200-3,350

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,450 3,200-3,450

Watana White (100 INR/KG) 2,450-2,625 2,450-2,625

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,800 3,600-4,800

Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,800 1,500-1,800

Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,050 1,950-2,050

Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,700 1,500-1,700

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,550 2,250-2,550

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,350 2,100-2,350

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

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,750 3,200-3,750

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,000 2,700-3,000

Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500

Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,200

Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800

Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,300 3,000-3,300

Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,800 1,600-1,800

Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,400 2,100-2,400

Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700

Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,700 3,300-3,700

Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400

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

Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200

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

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,000-7,500 6,000-7,500

Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200

Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,000 5,600-6,000

Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,300 2,100-2,200

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,550 2,300-2,450

WEATHER (NAGPUR)

Maximum temp. 42.1 degree Celsius (107.8 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

26.2 degree Celsius (79.2 degree Fahrenheit)

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

Rainfall : nil

FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 43

and 27 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available



20

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

USA Rice Cooks Up Contacts at Restaurant Convention

Katie Maher talks with a specialty food manufacturer.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- USA Rice staff were among the more than 65,000 foodservice

professionals at the National Restaurant Association 2015 Show here this year. More than 2,000

exhibitors showed off all manner of foods, drinks, equipment, and gadgets for the restaurant

industry. USA Rice members Riceland and Riviana exhibited, performed cooking

demonstrations, and handed out samples to the crowds. In addition to these members, USA Rice

staff visited with representatives of several major rice customers and potential customers

including Sysco, Taco Bell, Kellogg's, and several rice flour end users. Staff also attended

learning sessions on topics including food trends, consumer perceptions of authentic cuisines,

and using social media effectively to communicate with "foodies."

With the touch of a button

One of the technical highlights of the show were automated sushi machines that produced and

packaged individual pieces of sushi. When asked if the machine was using California rice the

exhibitor replied, "of course we are." "As we look to expand our foodservice programs, attending

this show was invaluable," said Katie Maher, manager of domestic promotion for USA Rice who

attended the conference. "We were able to get a good handle on the foodservice universe, to see

what's possible, what we should pursue, and what we can skip given the resources available to

us." Maher said the gluten free section of the trade show continues to expand, with most of the

exhibitors using some sort of rice flour. Many had food safety questions and were happy to make

connections with USA Rice to serve as a resource for good, scientific information.

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458



21

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 19

Month Price Net Change

July 2015 $9.650 - $0.145

September 2015 $9.915 - $0.145

November 2015 $10.165 - $0.145

January 2016 $10.425 - $0.135

March 2016 $10.490 - $0.135

May 2016 $10.490 - $0.135

July 2016 $10.490 - $0.135

Tanzania’s rice export potential underutilised

Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2015 01:15

Written by STAFF WRITER

TANZANIA’S great potential to feed the entire East African region with rice is largely

underutilized, says the Secretary General of the East African Community, Dr Richard

Sezibera.Speaking in Dar es Salaam last week, Dr Sezibera said Tanzania’s rice was the most

sought product in the region but their imports were being blocked in Kenya and Uganda due to

doubts on genuineness as there were cases of some dishonest traders mixing it with low quality

imports from Pakistan.―Tanzania’s rice is the most sought product in the region but when people

find it is mixed with Pakistan rice they cause uproar,‖ he said at a consultative meeting with the

business community members organised by Tanzania Private Sector Foundation.

He said the traders themselves were to blame for the problem they were facing in accessing the

huge market in Kenya and Uganda as some had betrayed the trust they enjoyed due to

cheating.This is a self imposing... self created problem,‖ he said noting however that he would

take up the matter for addressing it with relevant authorities.Dr Sezibera said however despite

the problem, the business community had not yet utilized the potential to supply the region with

rice.―This is one product that Tanzania should be dominant in the region,‖ he said at a

consultative meeting with the business community members in Dar es Salaam last week.He said

the private sector in Tanzania should make optimal use of the potential by increasing

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0013z5iBAaSyqjQw33qmp5NTuaonQZ7ZN3TdMjt2pnXsrgAFoCGa2t525Yvf-5McfVi8RUDg66D3RxetraaneOfA-ZGBxqahAqnuM0eMpvKKNZOOw-Uj6WDLJGrU2muR6gyWl9T1sWqNkV4-pz_qDG42xxfo_yWQNRTBu2aag61imNjlixRAuj68rLsYN7IDOj48vLwb0HBPWrrkGAx0pQlFbem_y8HVvz9pzv10IYbWF2en0GI-vPWtIUvB3--fekqx8dWFXBufDHNbs_wK1OdRbKUDryiSxX8J8WeUIyvsakbJguMxRg5Y_fuOHDnEzoZobv9izBn-BXtoux88qRKdV5WcMi4EdZ0W8vaBubtYmkvzq0CdklgMQlIuRWDnLsbvaRkdMNEVIfGjfIIXXUjFmzNOcUTZWfRZcQLnwQ8nOjOSyXp0git-JD5uz2WgIZGhhGJQ1vr86k9WJkD7JzSepYcFiF25Bnc&c=5is2Q9KwVAvXw8D1XLIuxgHlKFO0U_w_L-FAAD7glJLtELgiwLQY9A==&ch=c58IufzUTs2obg6CbsjjfbS7B0JCanluGuXKwWM0xABc_t7lYE_oeQ==

http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/biz/45017-tanzania-s-rice-export-potential-underutilised



22

productivity as there was no area in the region that could produce rice to match that produced in

Tanzania in terms of quality.

There is no one product that have demand in the region as rice from Tanzania,‖ he said.Rice is

the second most important food and commercial crop in Tanzania after maize. It is among the

major sources of employment, income and food security for Tanzania it is among the major

sources of employment, income and food security for Tanzania farming households.Tanzania at

the moment, tops the entire East African Region in rice production. It produces over one million

tonnes of rice per annum and is second only to Madagascar which leads with an astounding 4.3

tonnes of yearly rice production, according to available statistics.

However, rice production mainly done by small and medium size rice farmers, is characterised

with low productivity with the average yield per hectare from 2003- 2012 at 1.8 tonnes per

hectare, according to information by Private Agricultural Sector Support Trust.The potential rice

area is estimated at 2-3 million hectares, but at present only 720,000 Ha is under production.Rice

is mostly grown in Mwanza, Shinyanga (Bariadi & Maswa), Morogoro (Kilombero, Wami -

Dakawa), Tabora (Igunga), Kilimajaro (lower Moshi), Coast (Rufiji, Lindi), Mbeya (Mbarali,

Kyela, Kapunga) and Rukwa Regions.However there have been a number of large scale

mechanized rice schemes in the country which are mainly for export. About 25 per cent of the

national rice production comes from Mbeya and Morogoro regions

http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/biz/45017-tanzania-s-rice-export-potential-underutilised

Exports to EU up 21 percent in 2014: Dastgir

May 19, 2015

RECORDER REPORT

Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir on Monday said that imports stood at $34 billion during

July-March 2014-15 and there has been a 21 percent rise in exports to the European Union in

2014, which translates into an additional export of $1.3 billion, the minister told the National

Assembly in a written reply. The minister said that average mill consumption of last five years

(2010-14) is 14.27 million bales of 170-kg (2426000 MT) while average imports of cotton

during 2010-14 are 1.77 million bales of 170-kg (302000 MT). He said average exports during

2010-14 were recorded at 0.903 million bales, 154000 MT of cotton. However, the minister said

there are many reasons behind the decline in exports during the said period.

He said there has been a global trend of decrease in prices of cotton and rice. These commodities

have seminal importance in Pakistan's exports and decrease in prices has adversely affected

Pakistan's exports, he added. He said that the average unit price (AUP) of non-basmati rice,

which constitutes 70 percent of Pakistan's rice exports by value, declined by 2 percent; similarly,

the AUP of cotton and yarn has declined by 78 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The minister

said the price of agricultural commodities declined and the cost of production in Pakistan

increased due to rise in energy and other input costs. Pakistan's ranking in Global

Competitiveness Index decreased from 128th in 2013-14 to 129th in 2014-15. Khurram Dastgir

said the appreciation of Pak Rupee during the period July-January of the current financial year as



23

compared to the corresponding period of previous year has made Pakistan's exports less

competitive.

The average exchange rate of USD vs PKR, during the period July 2014 to January 2015

remained 100.183 as compared to 104.076 during the corresponding period of the previous

year. He said the reason behind decline of export is also lack of research and development. India

has developed many basmati and basmati-look-alike (non-basmati) varieties during last few

years whereas Pakistan has failed to develop any basmati variety during last 30 years.

Consequently, the traditional markets of basmati rice are being gradually grabbed by India with

high-yielding basmati varieties, he said.

The House was also informed that an amount of Rs 80 billion will be incurred for the

rehabilitation of the Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) over a period of three years.

Answering a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat Raja Javed Ikhlas said

that Rs 20 billion have so far been released in this regard and the remaining amount will be

released accordingly. He said that 191,183 TDPs have been repatriated to FATA so far. He said

the work is also under way for the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure. Responding to a

question, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said an invitation has been sent to the Russian

President Vladimir Putin for visit to Pakistan. He has accepted the invitation in principle but a

mutual convenient date for the visit has not yet been decided. He said during the visit co-

operation projects in the field of energy, defence and commerce will materialize

http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/1187895/

Pakistan to continue assisting quake-hit Nepal: NDMA May 19, 2015

ISLAMABAD - Besides establishing a 30-bed field hospital, Pakistan has so far dispatched 12

sorties of C-130 aircraft to the quake-hit Nepal with a sizeable quantity of relief goods and

medical assistance.The National

Disaster Management Authority

(NDMA) in a report to Prime Minister

Mohammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday

said that the air effort should continue

till completion of the assigned task by

the government.

The report mentioned the relief

measures including a 30-bed field

hospital with 50-members team

comprising of doctors including child

specialists, orthopaedic surgeons,

gynaecologists, anaesthetists,

radiologists, paramedics and technicians.

The medical team worked round the clock and treated over 2700 patients and conducted 32

operations.The Nepalese Army Chief also appreciated the work during his visit to the hospital,



24

the report said.A 38-members Urban Search and Rescue Team with latest equipment, ground

penetrating radars, concrete cutters and other rescue equipment were immediately sent and

worked at five sites and rescued trapped people.Out of 3,000 tents, 1849 have been transported

along with 15 shelters, 1000 blankets, three tons of food, 0.5 tons of lentils, 12.

5 tons of medicines, 3024 litres of water, besides rice and tarpaulin shelters.

The NDMA plans to transport the remaining 1151 tents, 29,250 tarpaulin shelters and 18 tons of

rice with the assistance of Pakistan Air force in the coming days.An earthquake of 7.8 magnitude

devastated Nepal on April 25 that was followed by a series of after-shocks including a major one

of 7.3 magnitudes on May 12.Around 8,462 deaths have been reported while 20,000 reported

injured, 489,000 homes destroyed and another 260,000 damaged.

On the directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, a very proactive stance was

adopted by Pakistan from day one.

Pakistan responded within 19 hours of the incident by sending two aircraft of Pakistan Air Force

carrying a field hospital and an Urban Search and Rescue Team with latest rescue

equipment.Pakistan was amongst the first few countries to have sent a 30-bed field hospital to

the earthquake-affected areas.The Chairman NDMA, on the direction of the Prime Minister also

accompanied one of the relief flights to Nepal and met the Nepalese Army Chief and Foreign

Minister to express solidarity with the people of Nepal.

He assured them of Pakistan’s continued support in these difficult times.The Nepalese

government officials were very appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts and expressed their gratitude,

the report adds.The Pakistan Air Force also ferried to Nepal seven Nepalese doctors studying at

King Edward University free of charge as a goodwill gesture.The NDMA also acknowledged the

excellent joint collaboration between the National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force. http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/19-May-2015/pakistan-to-continue-assisting-quake-hit-nepal-ndma

Ousted Thai PM Yingluck defends rice program at start of

criminal trial

Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets journalists as she arrives at the Supreme

Court in Bangkok on Tuesday. She is on trial for criminal negligence and potentially faces a

decade in jail if convicted. | AFP-JIJI

ASIA PACIFIC / CRIME & LEGAL

AFP-JIJI

MAY 19, 2015

BANGKOK – Thailand’s ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted on her innocence

Tuesday at the start of a trial that could see her jailed for a decade, part of what some observers

say is a vendetta against her family.It is the latest legal move against Yingluck — sister of

fugitive billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra — whose administration was toppled in a

military coup nearly a year ago.A guilty conviction could deliver a hammer blow to the political



25

dominance of her family, but it also risks stirring up their grass-roots ―Red Shirt‖ supporters who

have remained largely inactive since the military took over.Around 50 supporters gathered

outside Thailand’s Supreme Court on the northern outskirts of

Bangkok including more than a dozen members of Yingluck’s

Pheu Thai Party, a highly unusual sight in a country where

political gatherings of more than five people remain banned by

the junta.Many burst into applause and shouts of ―Yingluck,

fight, fight!‖ when her convoy pulled up outside the

courthouse for the trial, which is expected to last months.―I am

confident that I am innocent and I hope the court will give me

justice and allow everything to proceed in accordance with the

law,‖ Yingluck told reporters.The ousted premier is accused of criminal negligence over a

populist rice subsidy scheme, which paid farmers in the rural Shinawatra heartland twice the

market rate for their crop.She is not accused of personal corruption but of failing to prevent

alleged graft within the programme, which cost Thailand billions of dollars and galvanised

protests against her elected government prior to last May’s coup. The charge carries up to 10

years in jail.

During the brief hearing, Yingluck spoke only to plead not guilty. The court granted 30 million

baht ($900,000) bail on condition that she will not leave Thailand without written permission,

and the next hearing was scheduled for July 21.Thailand’s military-appointed parliament

impeached Yingluck in January over the scheme, a move which banned her from politics for five

years.―I believe a hawkish faction in the old powers . . . wants to punish the Shinawatras as much

as they can,‖ said Puangthong Pawakapan, a Thai politics expert at Chulalongkorn University.

―But keepi

ng her in prison will definitely anger the Red Shirts even more,‖ she added.Other analysts say the

mere threat of jail may be used to discourage the Shinawatras from re-engaging in

politics.Yingluck herself has said the rice scheme ―lifted the quality of life for rice farmers‖ in

the poor northeast of a country where subsidies to farmers have long been a cornerstone of Thai

politics.The army takeover last year was the latest twist in a decade of political turbulence that

broadly pits a Bangkok-based elite, backed by parts of the military and judiciary, against poor

urban and rural voters, particularly in the country’s north, who are fiercely loyal to the

Shinawatras.

Thaksin was himself toppled by a previous coup in 2006 and now lives in self-exile to avoid jail

on a corruption charge.As Yingluck went into court, Thaksin made rare public comments at a

conference in South Korea calling on Asian nations to embrace the ―rule of law.‖―The key to

good governance and democracy is you have to strike a balance‖ between the judicial, legislative

and executive branches, he said at the Asian Leadership Conference.―And also you have to

observe the rule of law, which is a very important asset for each country to be credible,‖ he

added.His comments did not specifically refer to Thailand but are nonetheless likely to chime

with his so-called ―Red Shirt‖ supporters who have long accused Thailand’s judiciary of unfairly

targeting their movement.The Shinawatras, or parties allied to them, have won every Thai

election since 2001.

But their opponents accuse them of cronyism, corruption and financially ruinous populist

policies.As a result, the Shinawatra family have faced two coups and the removal of three of



26

their premiers by the Thai courts, while several deadly rounds of protest have rocked Bangkok

and weighed on the Thai economy.Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law

to Yingluck and Thaksin, is also due to enter a plea on Thursday to criminal charges over a

crackdown against anti-Shinawatra protesters in 2008.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/19/asia-pacific/crime-legal-asia-pacific/ousted-thai-pm-

yingluck-defends-rice-program-start-criminal-trial/#.VVxEFvlVikp

11 million tonnes of govt rice stockpile 'substandard'

19 May 2015 at 17:32

WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS

Grain in some of the sacks stored at a warehouse in Phitsanulok's Wat Bot was rotten and had

turned to powder when tested in February 2014. (Bangkok Post file photo)

The Commerce Ministry has found 11 million

tonnes of substandard rice in its stockpile

accumulated during the previous government,

and estimated the total worth at 400 billion

baht in lost sales.Commerce permanent

secretary Chutima Bunyapraphasara said the

Rice Policy and Management Committee

meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut

Chan-o-cha, agreed the government

should sell 16 million tonnes of the rice in the

stockpile.It wanted to release the grain as

soon as possible as the storage cost was

high at 30 million baht a day, or 60 baht a tonne.

She said of the total stock, five million tonnes were quality rice, of which 2.9 million tonnes had

already been sold so there was about two million tonnes of the quality rice left. Another 11

million tonnes did not meet the quality standard of the stated grades. The government expected

to earn 200 billion baht from releasing the overall stockpile, so the loss would be around 400

billion baht as the cost was about 600 billion baht.

The implementation of the rice pledging scheme under the previous government, which offered

payment well over the market rate, resulted in an enormous stockpile of unsold rice.Then-prime

minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been charged with dereliction of duty and abuse of authority in

failing to stop graft and losses in the rice scheme under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and

Section 123/1 of the 1999 Counter Corruption Act.Ms Yingluck appeared in the Supreme Court's

Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Tuesday and entered pleas of not guilty.

She was allowed bail and the hearing was adjourned Bangkok Post

http://search.bangkokpost.com/search/result_advanced?category=news&columnistName=Online+Reporters



27

Government Not Planning To Stop ST15 Rice Subsidy

Programme - Tajuddin Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2015 17:31

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government is not

planning to stop the ST15 rice subsidy

programme yet so as to protect the interest of

various parties, including 15,000 grocers

nationwide. Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based

Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul

Rahman said the ministry appreciated views and

recommendations on the rice subsidy

programme, but also took into account the

impact on related parties if the programme was

stopped."Firstly 15,000 grocery stores

nationwide, secondly 2,400 wholesale workers,

865 rice wholesalers including 607 Bumiputera

small traders, 43 Bumiputera rice millers and 35,000 farmers who receive direct supply of ST15

under the 20kg quota per month," he said when replying Gooi Hsiao Leung (PKR-Alor Setar) in

the Dewan Rakyat Teusday.Gooi asked whether the government would review the subsidy

programme following recommendation from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to suspend

the subsidy programme for failing to benefit the poor.

Tajuddin said the ministry, however, would continue to monitor and scrutinise the programme

from time to time through the establishment of the Paddy and Rice Industries Affairs Main

Committee, which comprise the ministry's permanent representatives, its agencies and Farmers'

Organisation Authority."The committee is responsible to consider the ST15 rice quota to

wholesalers. A technical committee will also be set up to inspect and evaluate the wholesalers

from time to time," he said.On alleged distribution leakages, Tajuddin said 60,000 tonnes of

ST15 rice produced would be distributed to wholesalers for onward distribution to retailers

nationwide, every month."We don't think there are leakages because the wholesalers cannot keep

the rice, if 60,000 tonnes for a month, how much for two or three months? They will not want to

keep such a big amount of rice," he said.

Tajuddin said that if any elected representatives had evidence of fraud in the sale of ST15, they

can directly lodge a complaint to the ministry or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission

(MACC).However, Tajuddin admitted that there were some weaknesses in the delivery system,

especially in Sabah and Sarawak, with limited access problem to rural areas as well as the lack of

personnel to carry out enforcement and monitoring activities.In addressing the smuggling

problem of ST15 rice to neighboring countries, especially Indonesia, Tajuddin has asked leaders

at the grassroots to play a proactive role to assist the ministry to curb such problems.

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/554313-government-not-planning-to-stop-st15-rice-subsidy-

programme-tajuddin.html

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/554313-government-not-planning-to-stop-st15-rice-subsidy-programme-tajuddin.html

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/554313-government-not-planning-to-stop-st15-rice-subsidy-programme-tajuddin.html

Documents

19th may(tuesday),2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine