2oth January, 2014

Global Rice News

Rice exporters suffer losses
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our correspondent Sunday, January 19, 2014 From Print Edition

Exporters of rice are suffering significant losses due to appreciation in the value of the rupee against the dollar, a trader said on Saturday.We are bearing a loss of up to Rs100,000 per container on export due to depreciation in the value of dollar against the rupee in recent weeks, Jawed Ali Ghori, former chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, said. He said that exporters had booked orders, considering dollar at Rs108 in Pakistan. However, the price of the dollar has gone down to Rs105, which is causing colossal losses to the rice exporters.He said that exporters were incurring a loss of Rs75,000 to Rs100,000 per container of basmati, while they were booking loss of Rs30,000 per container of Irri-6.A standard container may carry two to 2.2 million tons of rice on an average, he said.He said that rice milling-cum-exporting companies have also purchased paddy at much higher price in November-December than the prevailing prices. This factor is also playing its part in giving losses to the rice exporters.

Climate and food security

Sunday, January 19, 2014 From Print Edition

According to media reports, the State Bank of Pakistan has stated that climate change is a major threat to agriculture production and food security in Pakistan. The expected increase in the level of temperature may lower production of wheat by 1.5-2.5 percent and rice by two to four percent by 2020. It is expected that temperature might rise by another 0.6 to one C by 2030. Studies have found that a rise in temperature in the range of 1-5 Celsius could bring down the wheat yield in sub-mountains, arid and semi-arid regions. Higher temperature may improve the wheat in the mountainous region. The national wheat production by the end of 2020 would still be 1.5-2.5 percent lower than the potential. Rice is more responsive to climate change. Rice production would decline by two to four percent due to climate change by 2020. Also, vegetables and livestock are also vulnerable to the impact of climate change. In order to address this, the country needs a strategy that would require expansion in water storage capacity, improvement in the efficiency of water usage, and introduction of high yielding crop varieties that are suitable for the changing climate conditions. Khan Faraz Peshawar

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Rice price to rise due to service tax

DC | Amar Tejaswi | 18th Jan 2014 Hyderabad: Rice prices that are already touching Rs 50 a kg could go up further with the additional burden of 12.36 per cent service tax that might be levied on storage and transport.Union finance minister P. Chidambaram, in a recent letter to Union minister of state for consumer affairs K.V. Thomas, had indicated that rice was not an agricultural produce.Sources in the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) say that they will go after the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and warehousing corporations to collect service tax after the government clarifies. No effect of service tax on PDS rice

While the price of rice available through the PDS system might not be affected by the rising price, it is bound to increase in the general market.Services related to agriculture produce are in the negative list of service tax according to section 66D(d) of the Finance Act. However, when Thomas sought a clarification regarding the levy of service tax on rice, Chidambaram wrote back saying, Certain specified services relating to agriculture or agricultural produce are kept in the negative list. Rice and ginned/baled cotton are not covered by the definition of agricultural produce found in section 65B(5). He further wrote, It is not feasible at this stage, to further extend the scope of the existing exemptions.The governments explanation is that paddy is an agricultural produce but rice is not since it is processed and de husked in a mill.This means that tax officials can levy the 12.36 per cent service tax on services offered by the FCI and the AP State Warehousing Corporation for storage and transport of rice grains. This will put a huge burden on the warehousing corporations and if they dont absorb the tax, it will be transferred to the consumer.The government is playing with the definition but if they say that services to rice are not exempted from service tax then we have no choice but to go after them, CBEC sources here said, adding, We are evaluating the amount they are liable to pay.A senior official of the FCI said, The price of rice through PDS is fixed so we will absorb the service tax component ourselves. Its like transferring money from one department to another. But I cant say anything about prices in the general market.Rice millers say that prices will definitely be affected. Mr S. Hanumantha Rao, general secretary, Rice Millers Association of Andhra Pradesh, said, There will be burdens on both farmers and the consumer. Already VAT is being transferred but an additional service tax will be a huge burden. Prices will definitely rise in the market. The AP State Warehousing Corporation said that it was now liable to pay service tax but it would be reimbursed by the FCI since the stocks belonged to the latter.The corporation has been asked to pay from July 2007 to December 2012 in two installments. Mr B. Peda Swamy, general manager (finance), said, We have written letters on this issue but the government is stern and rice has been classified as a non-agricultural

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produce. But since the stocks in our warehouses and those leased to us belong to FCI, we will claim the service tax from them.

PH expected to import rice anew to beef up stock

By Ronnel W. Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
8:46 pm | Sunday, January 19th, 2014

The Philippines is expected to import more rice in 2014 than previously estimated as the government moves to beef up its buffer stocks.The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which keeps tabs on the global market, has raised its projection on Philippines importation by 200,000 tons to 1.4 million tons. The United States is among the worlds top exporters of milled rice while the Philippines is one of the worlds top rice importers.The USDAs Economic Research Service (ERS) said in its latest outlook report that the revised forecast was based on data from the US Agricultural Office in Manila, which indicates that Malacaang wants to increase its stockpile.The USDA-ERS, in a report issued in December, had also revised upward its projection for the Philippines importation by 100,000 tons.Back then, the revision was based on early estimates of losses caused by Supertyphoon Yolanda and government announcements regarding additional imports.Shipments of a 500,000-metric-ton purchase from Vietnam that was arranged following a bidding last December have started to arrive. The latest batch was a cargo of some 500,000 bags that landed last week at the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales.Officials at the National Food Authority said full delivery of the 10-million-bag totalat 50 kilos eachis expected not later than February, to ensure that shipments would not distort prices when harvest comes in March and April.The NFA had explained that the purchase was needed because of the release of supplies for relief efforts following destructive typhoons as well as man-made crises like the siege in Zamboanga, which led to the depletion of its buffer stocks.In the days leading to the auction last month, officials said the stockpile had dwindled to just about 10 days worth of consumption.The NFA is mandated to keep at least 15 days worth.Further, the increase in the Philippines forecast importation partl y caused a similar revision in the projection for global trade volume this year.Total volume is now pegged at 40.2 million tons, which is 400,000 tons higher than the previous months forecast and 1.9 million tons more than the 2013 volume. On Friday, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics reported that domestic palay output reached a new record of 18.44 million metric tons, up 2.3 percent from the 2012 level.

cartel throws SME rice exporters out of business

January 20, 2014 OUR STAFF REPORTER

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KARACHI - The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has invited the attention of the Competitive Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to the non-competitiveness of the small to medium sized (SME) rice exporters due to control of rice export business by the big players. The SME rice exporters are disabled due to non-financing by the commercial banks and hoarding and speculation by the big exporters.In a statement, Unisame President Zulfikar Thaver said the SME rice exporters are thrown out of business by the big exporters who are operating a cartel from the farms till the exports by obtaining huge pre-shipment finances from the banks and controlling and manipulating the supply chain. The big exporters have their purchase points in the rural rice growing areas and have contractual arrangements with the millers and start lifting the grains from the millers. The big rice exporters, millers and processors have formed a cartel and have their own brokerage houses and financiers. They even have their own delegations going abroad for selling their brands.He said it is becoming increasingly difficult for the SME to run rice export business and the rice export business has gradually slipped into the hands of the big exporters. The SME rice exporters have been thrown out of the mainstream with well-planned maneuverings of the big players. The rice exports are in the hands of only about 25 big exporters out of which 5 or so are exporting ship loads and the other 20 who are exporting huge quantities of different varieties of basmati and non basmati rice to global destinations.The SME rice exporters are unable to stock the rice as they are not enjoying the export refinance facilities from the commercial banks and secondly they are not in a position to procure the goods as they first sell and then buy and by the time they book the order and receive the letter of credit the prices tend to rise and they suffer losses.

Who facilitated NFA overpriced rice deal?

GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 20, 2014 - 12:00am Nail the facilitator in the National Food Authoritys overpriced rice import from Vietnam last year. That person a certain Buddy R. would know who the recipients are of the alleged P457-million kickback.Concerned finance department officials are suggesting the strategy for the Ombudsman to unravel details of the anomaly. Private lawyer Argee Guevara, in a plunder suit against the two highest NFA men, gives

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numerous leads for investigators to track down Buddy R.The import, P4.1 billion for 205,700 tons of rice, was a government-to-government transaction between the Philippines and Vietnam. Thus, the finance officials say, there was no need for Buddy R. as consultant. The negotiators from both sides are supposed to be experts in grains agriculture, trading, and shipping. Yet in this deal a private businessman was hired as broker for the NFA with its counterpart Vietnam Southern Food Corp. (Vinafood-2).Buddy R.s presence alone should ring alarm bells, the officials add while requesting anonymity. Facilitators in G2G deals serve as conduits for kickbacks, disguised as sales commissions, they explain. Guevara calls Buddy R. the palusot-ator who traveled with NFA men to Vietnam and Singapore.Guevara has accused NFA chairman (Agriculture Secretary) Proceso Alcala and administrator Orlan Calayag as masterminds. In the complaint, deputy administrators Dennis Guerrero and Ludovico Jarina are implicated in cloak-and-dagger trysts: On Apr. 1, 2013, Calayag, Guerrero, and Buddy R. went to the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, where officials of Vinafood happened to be billeted.Opinion ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Weeks later Guerrero and Buddy R. flew to Vietnam, without official clearances to travel on government time and expense. There they secretly met with Vinafood general director Truong Thanh Phong. Guerrero and Buddy R. proceeded to Singapore, where they billeted themselves at the Hyatt Hotel. Phong and other Vinafood officials also flew to the island-state and checked in at the same hotel. On May 8, 2013, Guerrero and Buddy R. again flew to Vietnam, there to be joined three days later by Jarina. The Filipinos made their Vietnamese counterparts recognize the NFA as the sole authorized importer of rice in the Philippines. This was for them an important document, to skirt the rules of the World Trade Organization, to which both countries are signatories. The international body forbade governments, starting 2004, from monopolizing food trading. The Philippines twice was granted extensions of the NFA monopoly, which expired in June 2012.Guevara says the NFAs G2G with Vietnam was a convenient cover for corruption. It would seem there was no hanky-panky between state officials, he says, but Buddy R.s role shows otherwise.The NFA paid $459.75 per ton of the Vietnam rice at a time when the going rate was only $360-$365 per ton freight-on-board. The accused officials claim to have incurred added costs for trucking and shipping. Guevara retorts that such items already are included in website price quotes. Besides, in real G2Gs between neighboring states, the bureaucrats transact on lower import rates and softer terms. In this case the higher rate was used, to insert the P457-million kickback, Guevara says.The finance officials lament that the government should have earned P2 billion in taxes from the P4.1-billion deal. This, had the NFA let private traders do the importing, for which they would have had to pay 50-percent duty.Guevara says the NFA brass also kept the true figures from Malacaang. This was why President Noynoy Aquino said in his State of the Nation last July that the government imported only 187,000 tons of rice. Yet there was an additional 18,700 tons unauthorized.In a related development, the Federation of Philippine Industries has given the NBI evidence that alleged rice smuggler David Tan and businessman Davidson T. Bangayan are one and the same.

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Documents from a court case, in which a Singaporean firm sued Bangayan for fraudulent shipments to India, show that David Tan was his alias. FPI chairman Jesus Arranza gave the papers to the NBI, which last week hesitated to arrest Bangayan because of uncertain identity.Tan is said to have bribed Customs officials P6 billion in the past two years to accept the smuggled rice. Bangayan popped up at the office of Justice Sec. Leila de Lima to deny being Tan.In a subsequent television interview Bangayan disavowed any link to rice importing. Yet in the same event his lawyer strived to justify his recent shipment of rice that the Customs bureau has seized. Oddly Bangayans name does not appear in the records of the importing firm.Customs insiders claim that accusations against Tan are diversionary. Supposedly a cartel in Southern Tagalog-Bicol regions is using him as decoy while muscling into Central Luzon-Cagayan.Rice traders, meanwhile, say there can be no smuggling because the commodity is too visible to slip into the piers. Importers purportedly are willing to pay the 50-percent tariff, but the Customs confiscates their cargo on the NFAs insistence on its monopoly.

Govt links rice smuggling to high cost of production

Print Email Details Category: Agri-Commodities 19 Jan 2014 Written by Alladin S. Diega / Correspondent A LOWER cost in rice production can be a more effective tool to deter rice smuggling, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the governments lead agency in rice science and development.PhilRice economists Flordeliza Bordey and Aileen Litonjua said eliminating the opportunity to smuggle can reduce, if not stop, rice smuggling.The prospect of raking in high profits owing to large differences between the world and domestic prices of rice drives the rampant smuggling in the country, Bordey and Litonjua said in a statement issued on January 17.An attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), PhilRice economists said that since 2000, domestic prices of rice had been higher by as much as 75 percent compared to world prices. Although the gap closed in 2008, price differential widened again to 30 percent in 2012. The huge price difference can be attributed mainly to rice trade policies of the government and higher cost of producing rice in the Philippines relative to exporting countries.According to PhilRice, the country had applied quantitative restriction on rice as its international trade policy since 1995, which involves a Minimum Access Volume, or the amount of rice that may be imported at 40-percent in-quota tariff, or the tariff applied on imports within a quota.A higher tariff of 50 percent is imposed to imported rice beyond this quota. This policy was crafted to limit the inflow of cheap imported rice, thereby, protecting farmers and market players, the DA agency said.Rice smuggling is only a symptom of a worse diseasethe inability to compete, Bordey and Litonjua were quoted in the statement as saying. However, PhilRice studies show that smuggling tends to be more rampant in markets with high import duties and quantitative trade restrictions.The countrys commitment to integrate with the Asean Economic Community by 2015 will eventually force the government to reduce these trade barriers. And with this, the

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price of domestic rice will be seen to adjust and follow the world market, and consequently minimize the incentive to smuggle.But doing so without enhancing the ability of farmers and other domestic market players to produce and market rice efficiently could only mean harm to the local rice industry, the economists said.According to them, farmers, to be competitive, must implement strategies to reduce the cost of producing rice, such as mechanizing farm activities, particularly harvesting and threshing.The adoption of high-quality inbred and hybrid seeds, and PalayCheck, a crop-management system, can also further increase the rice output per unit of input and reduce production cost per unit, the economists added.

ORYZA Exclusive Rice News

Thailand Rice Quotes Mixed Today; Pakistan Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes
Jan 17, 2014

Thailand rice sellers lowered their quotes for 5% broken rice (for new crop) by about $5 per ton to about $435 $445 per ton and increased their quotes for 25% broken rice and parboiled rice by about $5 per ton each to about $390 - $400 per ton and $455 - $465 per ton respectively today. Pakistan rice sellers lowered their quotes for parboiled rice by about $15 per ton to about $410 - $420 per ton. Vietnam and India rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged. 5% Broken Rice Thai 5% rice (of new crop) is quoted around $435 - $445 per ton, down about $5 per ton from yesterday and about a $35 per ton premium over Viet 5% rice shown around $400 - $410 per ton. Thai 5% rice of the old crop is shown around $370 - $380 per ton. Indian 5% rice is quoted around $405 - $415 per ton, about a $10 per ton premium over Pak 5% rice quoted around $395 - $405 per ton. 25% Broken Rice Thai 25% rice (of new crop) is quoted about $390 - $400 per ton, up about $5 per ton from yesterday and about a $15 per ton premium over Viet 25% rice shown around $375 - $385 per ton. Thai 25% rice of the old crop is shown around $345 - $355 per ton. Indian 25% rice is quoted about $360 - $370 per ton, about a $15 per ton premium over Pak 25% rice quoted around $345 - $355 per ton. Parboiled Rice Thai parboiled rice of the old crop is quoted around $455 - $465 per ton, up about $5 per ton from yesterday. Indian parboiled rice is quoted around $395 - $405 per ton, about a $15 per ton discount to Pak parboiled rice quoted around $410 - $420 per ton, down about $15 per ton from yesterday. 100% Broken Rice

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Thai broken rice, A1 Super, of the old crop is quoted around $305 - $315 per ton, about a $50 per ton discount to Viet broken rice shown around $355 - $365 per ton. Indian broken sortexed rice is quoted about $295 - $305 per ton, about a $20 per ton discount to Pak broken sortexed rice quoted around $315 - $325 per ton.
Tags: Thailand rice quotes, Vietnam rice quotes, India rice quotes, Pakistan rice quotes, Asia rice quotes

Chile 2012-13 Paddy Rice Production Declines to 130,307 Tons; Down 13% from Previous Year
Jan 17, 2014

Chiles paddy rice production declined to around 130,307 tons (about 83,000 tons, basis milled) in 2012-13 (calendar year 2013), down about 13% from around 149,788 tons of paddy (about 96,000 tons, basis milled) produced in 2011-12, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).While average rice yield continues to remain at record high levels reached in 2011-12, rice acreage in Chile continues its sharp decline.

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According to the INE, rice acreage in 2012-13 stood at around 21,000 hectares, down about 12.5% from almost 24,000 hectares in 2011-12 and down about 16% from around 25,000 hectares in 2010-11.Chile is a net importer of rice. According to the USDA, rice consumption in Chile stands at about 233,000 tons in 2012-13, against a domestic production of around 83,000 tons of rice (milled basis). Chiles rice imports in 2012-13 are estimated at around 143,000 tons, up about 4% from an estimated 137,000 tons of rice imports in the previous year, according to the USDA.
Tags: Chile rice production

Russia 2013 Paddy Rice Production Declines to 926,000 Tons; Down 12% from Previous Year
Jan 17, 2014

Paddy rice production in Russia declined to around 926,000 tons (about 600,000 tons, basis milled) in 2013, down about 12% from around 1.05 million tons of paddy (about 684,000 tons, basis milled) produced in 2012, due to

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lower rice acreage and yield.According to preliminary data from the Russian State Statistical Service (Rosstat), average rice yield in Russia stood at around 4.96 tons per hectare in 2013, down about 10% from about 5.49 tons per hectare recorded in 2012, while rice area declined to around 190,000 hectares in 2013, down about 5.5% from about 201,000 hectares recorded in 2012.Russia is a net importer of rice. According to the USDA, Russias 2013 rice consumption is estimated at around 725,000 tons (basis millled). Russias rice exports in 2013 are estimated at around 100,000 tons, while Russias rice imports in 2013 are estimated at around 220,000 tons.
Tags: Russia rice production

India Winter Rice Crop Planting Area Reaches 1.05 Million Hectares; Up 37% From Last Year
Jan 17, 2014

India's rabi (winter) rice crop planting area has reached about 1.05 million hectares as of January 17, 2014, which is up about 37% from around 767,000 hectares recorded during same time in 2013, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.Indias total rabi planting area (including rice and other grains) stands at about 62.6 million hectares, up about 5% from about 59.6 million hectares recorded during this time last year.
Tags: India rice planting area

EU Finds No Contravention in Cambodia Rice Imports

Jan 17, 2014

The EU trade commission denies that it made any allegations of contamination in rice imports from Cambodia and says that no Customs circumvention has been identified so far in rice imports from Cambodia.

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Earlier trade sources had told Oryza that on the sidelines of the WTO meeting in Bali in December, 2013, the EU trade Commissioner had expressed concerns about the surge in Cambodia rice exports to the EU in recent years and had alleged that up to 30% of rice imports from Cambodia was of Vietnam origin (EU Alleges Up to 30% of Cambodia Rice Imports Mixed With Vietnam Rice).However, the EU Commission's Trade Department denies making such an allegation. It says the Commissioner mentioned just the fact that Cambodia's exports to the EU had been increasing considerably over the past years. According to the Commission, this implies close monitoring of origin of the produce coming to Europe. Cambodia should ensure that the rice it exports is actually Cambodian, and not produced elsewhere, the Commissioner said.Rice exports from Cambodia to the EU have been rising sharply in recent years. According to the EU, Cambodia exported around 195,544 tons of rice to the EU in Marketing Year (MY) 2012-13 (October - September), up about 79% from previous year. Cambodia accounted for about 16% of around 1.23 million tons of rice imported by the EU in MY 2012-13.
Tags: EU rice imports, Cambodia rice exports

Philippines 2013 Paddy Rice Production Falls 1.56 Million Tons Short of SelfSufficiency Target
Jan 17, 2014

The Philippines paddy rice production in the calendar year 2013 stood at around 18.44 million tons, down about 1.56 million tons or 8% from the targeted 20 million tons under the government's Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP). However, paddy rice production in 2013 is up about 2% compared to around 18.03 million tons produced in 2012.Rice production in 2013 was affected by a series of typhoons in the second half of the year. However, overall

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production increased year-on-year due to expansion in harvest area and improvement in yield, especially in Central Luzon, Caraga, SOCCSKSARGEN, Bicol Region and ARMM, the BAS says. According to the BAS, rice harvest area in 2013 increased to around 4.75 million hectares, up about 1% from around 4.69 million hectares in 2012, while average yield per hectare increased to 3.89 tons, up about 1% from 3.84 tons in the previous year. The BAS says that higher use of hybrid and high-yield seeds, sufficient water supply, increased fertilizer application and lesser occurrence of pests and diseases helped increase rice production in 2013.The Philippines paddy rice production in July - December 2013 stood at 10.44 million tons, up about 3% compared to 10.14 million tons produced during the same period in 2012. Paddy rice production in October - December 2013 stood at 7.08 million tons, up about 8% compared to 6.54 million tons in the fourth quarter of 2012.The Philippines paddy rice production in January-June 2014 is forecast to increase to 8.43 million tons (4.53 million tons in January March, and 3.9 million tons in April June), up about 5.4% from an estimated 7.99 million tons produced during the same period in 2013. Total paddy rice production has to grow to around 21 million tons in 2014 under the FSSP, up about 14% from total paddy rice production in 2013. According to the USDA, the Philippines milled rice production in 2013 is estimated at around 11.4 million tons (about 18.14 million tons, unmilled rice), against a consumption of around 12.8 million tons. Rice imports in 2013 are estimated at around 1.4 million tons.
Tags: Philippines rice production 2013, Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP)

Thailand Rice Farmers Turn to Open Market Due to Delay in Government Payments; Prices Drop
Jan 17, 2014

Rice farmers in Thailand are increasingly selling their paddy rice in the open market due to delay in payments under the government rice mortgage program.With elections in February, 2014, the caretaker government lacks authority to sign any government-to-government deals and is struggling to generate funds to pay rice farmers. Fresh protests against the caretaker Prime Minister this week have made things worse and the auction of government rice stocks via futures exchange scheduled for January 15 stands postponed to January 22, 2014.It is estimated that around 50,000 farmers who sold paddy rice to the government under the rice mortgage program 2013-14 have still not been paid for rice with a combined worth of 4.17 billion baht (about $127 million). While farmers have begun protests in different parts of the country, local sources say that some farmers started selling their rice in the open market this week. The Thai Farmers Association chief says farmers get a much lower price than what the government pays, but at least farmers get the money promptly in the open market. Analysts say such rice sales in the open market is likely to increase this year as the government plans to buy only 16.5 million tons of paddy in 2013-14, which is around 40% of annual production of 38 million tons.Meanwhile, Thai rice prices are expected to dip due to huge stocks of around 15 million tons lying in governments stockpile. Official sources say the government is planning to offer rice at reduced prices in the export market, while analysts expect prices to drop because Vietnam rice exporters are already lowering their rice-export quotations. According to local sources, Thai 5% broken grade rice is now quoted at around $415 per ton in the open market, much lower than Wednesdays $455 per ton and $5 lower than last week's $420 per ton.
Tags: Thailand rice mortgage program

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India Winter Rice Crop Planting Area Reaches 1.05 Million Hectares; Up 37% From Last Year
Jan 17, 2014

India's rabi (winter) rice crop planting area has reached about 1.05 million hectares as of January 17, 2014, which is up about 37% from around 767,000 hectares recorded during same time in 2013, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.India s total rabi planting area (including rice and other grains) stands at about 62.6 million hectares, up about 5% from about 59.6 million hectares recorded during this time last year.
Tags: India rice planting area

EU Finds No Contravention in Cambodia Rice Imports

Jan 17, 2014

The EU trade commission denies that it made any allegations of contamination in rice imports from Cambodia and says that no Customs circumvention has been identified so far in rice imports from Cambodia.Earlier trade sources had told Oryza that on the sidelines of the WTO meeting in Bali in December, 2013, the EU trade Commissioner had expressed concerns about the surge in Cambodia rice exports to the EU in recent years and

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had alleged that up to 30% of rice imports from Cambodia was of Vietnam origin (EU Alleges Up to 30% of Cambodia Rice Imports Mixed With Vietnam Rice). However, the EU Commission's Trade Department denies making such an allegation. It says the Commissioner mentioned just the fact that Cambodia's exports to the EU had been increasing considerably over the past years. According to the Commission, this implies close monitoring of origin of the produce coming to Europe. Cambodia should ensure that the rice it exports is actually Cambodian, and not produced elsewhere, the Commissioner said.Rice exports from Cambodia to the EU have been rising sharply in recent years. According to the EU, Cambodia exported around 195,544 tons of rice to the EU in Marketing Year (MY) 2012-13 (October - September), up about 79% from previous year. Cambodia accounted for about 16% of around 1.23 million tons of rice imported by the EU in MY 2012-13.
Tags: EU rice imports, Cambodia rice exports

Philippines 2013 Paddy Rice Production Falls 1.56 Million Tons Short of SelfSufficiency Target
Jan 17, 2014

The Philippines paddy rice production in the calendar year 2013 stood at around 18.44 million tons, down about 1.56 million tons or 8% from the targeted 20 million tons under the government' s Food Staples Sufficiency Program

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(FSSP). However, paddy rice production in 2013 is up about 2% compared to around 18.03 million tons produced in 2012.Rice production in 2013 was affected by a series of typhoons in the second half of the year. However, overall production increased year-on-year due to expansion in harvest area and improvement in yield, especially in Central Luzon, Caraga, SOCCSKSARGEN, Bicol Region and ARMM, the BAS says.According to the BAS, rice harvest area in 2013 increased to around 4.75 million hectares, up about 1% from around 4.69 million hectares in 2012, while average yield per hectare increased to 3.89 tons, up about 1% from 3.84 tons in the previous year. The BAS says that higher use of hybrid and high-yield seeds, sufficient water supply, increased fertilizer application and lesser occurrence of pests and diseases helped increase rice production in 2013.The Philippines paddy rice production in July - December 2013 stood at 10.44 million tons, up about 3% compared to 10.14 million tons produced during the same period in 2012. Paddy rice production in October December 2013 stood at 7.08 million tons, up about 8% compared to 6.54 million tons in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Philippines paddy rice production in January-June 2014 is forecast to increase to 8.43 million tons (4.53 million tons in January March, and 3.9 million tons in April June), up about 5.4% from an estimated 7.99 million tons produced during the same period in 2013. Total paddy rice production has to grow to around 21 million tons in 2014 under the FSSP, up about 14% from total paddy rice production in 2013.According to the USDA, the Philippines milled rice production in 2013 is estimated at around 11.4 million tons (about 18.14 million tons, unmilled rice), against a consumption of around 12.8 million tons. Rice imports in 2013 are estimated at around 1.4 million tons.
Tags: Philippines rice production 2013, Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP)

Thailand Rice Farmers Turn to Open Market Due to Delay in Government Payments; Prices Drop
Jan 17, 2014

Rice farmers in Thailand are increasingly selling their paddy rice in the open market due to delay in payments under the government rice mortgage program.With elections in February, 2014, the caretaker government lacks authority to sign any government-to-government deals and is struggling to generate funds to pay rice farmers. Fresh protests against the caretaker Prime Minister this week have made things worse and the auction of government rice stocks via futures exchange scheduled for January 15 stands postponed to January 22, 2014.It is estimated that around 50,000 farmers who sold paddy rice to the government under the rice mortgage program 2013-14 have still not been paid for rice with a combined worth of 4.17 billion baht (about $127 million). While farmers have begun protests in different parts of the country, local sources say that some farmers started selling their rice in the open market this week. The Thai Farmers Association chief says farmers get a much lower price than what the government pays, but at least farmers get the money promptly in the open market. Analysts say such rice sales in the open market is likely to increase this year as the government plans to buy only 16.5 million tons of paddy in 2013-14, which is around 40% of annual production of 38 million tons.Meanwhile, Thai rice prices are expected to dip due to huge stocks of around 15 million tons lying in

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governments stockpile. Official sources say the government is planning to offer rice at reduced prices in the export market, while analysts expect prices to drop because Vietnam rice exporters are already lowering their rice-export quotations. According to local sources, Thai 5% broken grade rice is now quoted at around $415 per ton in the open market, much lower than Wednesdays $455 per ton and $5 lower than last week's $420 per ton.
Tags: Thailand rice mortgage program

Quelea-Quelea Birds Damage 600 Hectares of Rice Land in Gambia

Jan 17, 2014

Quelea-quelea birds have damaged approximately 600 hectares of rice fields in the Jarra West region of Gambia's Lower River Region (LRR) district.Quelea-quelea birds are the world's most abundant wild bird species and also the most hated birds in Africa, according to bird experts. It is estimated that a flock of two million can consume about 20 tons of grains in a single day.Local sources in Gambia say that the Quelea-quelea birds attack rice fields in large groups in the nights. The Deputy Director of Agriculture of the LRR district says the birds flock in large numbers and have migrated from the northern part of Africa. He added that these birds have damaged rice in about 600 hectares in the Sankuwia Pakalinding, Soma, Si-kunda and Jenior villages. Farmers there say prospects of a bumper harvest have dimmed this year due to these bird attacks and rice imports may increase.According to the USDA, Gambia rice production in 2013-14 is expected to reach around 30,000 tons against a consumption of 165,000 tons. Rice imports by Gambia are forecast to reach around 125,000 tons in 2013-14.
Tags: Gambia rice production

USDA Increases U.S. 2013-14 Rice Crop Estimate by 6% to 8.61 Million Tons
Jan 17, 2014

The USDA has increased its estimates for the US 2013-14 rice crop to about 8.61 million tons, up about 6% from its December estimate of about 8.56 million tons. The agency has also increased its estimates for yield to about 8.7 tons per hectare, and for area harvested to about 998,766 hectares.Long grain production estimate is up 2% from last months 5.85 million tons to about 5.98 million tons. However, the USDA lowered its estimates for medium-and-short grain production by 2.6% from about 2.7 million tons to 2.63 million tons.The agency also lowered the long-grain export projection from about 4.49 million tons to about 4.53 million tons because the pace of long-grain exports has been slow to markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. While the USDA retained the 2013-14 rough rice export projection at about 1.6 million tons, it lowered the exports of milled and brown rice (on rough-equivalent basis) from about 2.95 million tons to about 2.9 million tons.The USDA projected all rice ending stocks in 2013-14 to decrease by 22% in 2013-14 to about 1.28 million tons from about 1.37 million tons in 2012-13. The USDA estimates this years long-grain ending stocks to decrease by 21% to about 784,723 tons from last years 949,379 million tons. The agency estimated the combined medium-and-short-grain ending stocks in 2013-14 to decrease by 29% to 394,629 tons from 509,072 tons in 2012-13.The agency retained its last months projection for the long-grain season-average farm price range at $326.28 - $348.33 per ton. It lowered its projections for combined medium- and short-grain farm price range to $359.35 - $381.40 per ton from its last months $370.37 - $392.42 per ton. It also lowered all rice and

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season-average farm price range to $337.30 - $359.35 per ton from its last months $339.51 - $361.55 per ton.The USDA increased its estimation for global rice production for 2013-14 by 500,000 tons from its last month's projection to 471.2 million tons mainly due to increased forecasts for Brazil, Pakistan and the US. It projects the global rice consumption for 2013-14 at 473.1 million tons due to increases in Brazil and the U.S. The USDA raised its 2013-14 export projections for Argentina and Pakistan but lowered export projections slightly for the U.S. The USDA raised 2013-14 import projections for the Philippines from 1.2 million tons to 1.4 million tons.
Tags: U.S. rice crop

Philippines May Buy Rice from Thailand; Seeks Rice Supply Agreement Renewal
Jan 17, 2014

The Philippines may consider buying rice from Thailand if the Thai government renews its rice supply agreement with the Philippines, according to the National Food Authority (NFA) spokesperson.Thailand's rice supply agreement expired last year and it was not renewed. The Philippines is required to import at least 350,000 tons of rice to meet its minimum access volume (MAV) as part of the WTO agreement, but cannot buy rice without the rice supply agreement as per the rules under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).In November 2013, the Philippines struck a deal with Vietnam for imports of 500,000 million tons of rice at $462.25 per ton. At that time Vietnam won the government tender against Thailand's $475 per ton. Now, with the caretaker government in Thailand facing difficulties to fund the rice mortgage program, the Thai government plans to sell rice at lower prices. Local sources say that Thailand has offered the Philippines rice at $462 per ton, 25 cents less than the Vietnam offer, but the Philippines rejected the offer as it cannot violate the WTO and ASEAN rules.According to the USDA, rice imports by the Philippines in 2012-13 are estimated at around 1.4 million tons, and are expected to remain at around 1.4 million tons in 2013-14.

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap Millers Eye New Iraq Tender As Sellers Hold Firm
Jan 17, 2014

As of today, offers could still be seen around $15.55-$16.66 per fob farm (about $343-$367 per ton), depending on where they are located in the U.S. mid-South, for January through March shipment.Bids from larger mills and exporters were unchanged near $15.15 per cwt (about $334-$345 per ton), for January through March delivery, although there are still reports of smaller paying more than $16.00 per cwt (about $353 per ton) for delivery before AprilIn the meantime, the Iraqi Grain Board issued another tender for at least 30,000 tons of rice of either U.S., Uruguayan, Argentine, or Brazilian origin. Bids need to be submitted no later than February 2 and must remain valid through February 6.
Tags: U.S. rice prices, U.S. rice market

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Oryza Rice Currency Analysis for Today Brazil Real Up 0.8%

Jan 17, 2014

U.S. dollar index was up +0.42% from the open today, when it traded at 81.255 at the close. Euro was weaker -0.68% today by the close, trading around 1.3527 by end of day, after trading between an intraday high of 1.3621 and low of 1.3517. Thai baht was weaker -0.11%, trading at 32.805 at the close of business. Indian rupee was weaker -0.01% at 61.5500. Brazilian real was +0.81% stronger than the open at todays close, when it ended at 2.3425 reais per dollar. Pakistan rupee was +0.09% stronger at 105.4000. Vietnamese dong was -0.05% weaker, trading at 21090. Mexican peso was +0.21% stronger today, when it traded at 13.2480 pesos per dollar by the close of business today. Chinese yuan was stronger +0.10%, trading at 6.0498. Argentine peso was -0.33% weaker, trading

Oryza White Rice Index Higher as Asian Rice Quotes Firm

Jan 17, 2014

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The Oryza White Rice Index, a weighted average of global white rice export quotes, ended the week at $440 per ton, up $20 per ton from a week ago, up $50 per ton from a month ago, and down $115 per ton from a year ago. The biggest event this week has been the volatile and rising political instability across Southeast Asia and especially Thailand with the nations rice mortgage scheme reaching a disastrous point. Farmers are not getting paid and government promises to pay them are falling short of time and money. The February 2 election

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is likely to hold more uncertainty than resolution to the nations governance crisis. In the meantime, farmers are pushing to sell what paddy they havent already sold to the government to the open market. Thailand Thailand 5% broken rice today shown around $440 per ton, up about $20 per ton from a week ago, up about $50 per ton from a month ago and down about $115 per ton from a year ago.Yingluck, the PM of the current caretaker government, continues to ignore requests that she step down as protests escalate throughout the country. Yingluck is also under investigation for corruption related to the rice mortgage scheme; Thailand may be on its way to finally ridding the government of the influence of self-exiled billionaire Thaksin, the brother and puppetmaster of Yingluck. The Thaksin/Yinglucks regime of buying votes with the rice mortgage scheme will likely fail in the next election as simply put, the regime cant pay paddy farmers. The government has not been able to sell rice at its target price of $700-$800 per ton with Vietnam and India so easily able to deliver tonnage and undercut Thailands price hopes. Local sources estimate the government hasnt paid farmers for about 10 million tons of paddy, leaving both the rice market and the political climate in Thailand uncertain and volatile. The government missed the January 15 deadline it had set to pay paddy farmers and the next deadline is now the end of January but farmers are running low on patience. The caretaker government delayed the sale of one million tons of rice to China due to an unclear response from the Election Commission (EC), which appears to indicate that the current government is prohibited from making long-term commitments that would affect the soon-to-be-elected government. This delay further fuels farmer protests since the country needs money from rice sales to pay the farmers for their rice.The Philippines may consider buying rice from Thailand if the Thai government renews its rice supply agreement with the Philippines, according to the Philippines National Food Authority (NFA) spokesperson. The Philippines paddy rice production in the calendar year 2013 stood at around 18.44 million tons, down about 1.56 million tons or 8% from the targeted 20 million tons under the government's Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP). Total rice stocks in the Philippines stood at around 2.49 million tons as of December 1, 2013, down about 5% from around 2.61 million tons recorded during the same time in 2012, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). India India 5% broken rice is shown around $410 per ton today, up about $5 per ton from a week ago, unchanged from a month ago and down about $15 per ton from a year ago.Besides Thailands political breakdown, the rice market is carefully watching Indias duration on the non-basmati rice market. Indias surplus rice stocks and robust rice exports show that India is unlikely to import rice in the coming years, according to Indias Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI). Oryza had earlier reported that India may have to import about 4 12 million tons of rice by 2016-17 if the nation's rice production target of an additional 10 million tons by 2016-17 is not met, citing a report by the Planning Commission of India (India May Import Rice by 2016-17, Says Government Report). However, rice experts say that there is only a faint chance of India importing rice by 2016-17. CRRI Director Dr. Trilochan

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Mohapatra says that India is unlikely to become an importer by 2016-17, unless recurrent extreme weather conditions lead to famine situation in large parts of the country in the coming three years. As of January 1, 2014, India has about 29.85 million tons of rice stocks in the central pool, according to the Food Corporation of India (FCI). This is about 7% less than on January 1, 2013. Despite this decrease, monthto-month Indias rice stocks are up about 6% from the 28.19 million tons reported on December 1, 2013. India's rabi (winter) rice crop planting area has reached about 1.05 million hectares as of January 17, 2014, which is up about 37% from around 767,000 hectares recorded during same time in 2013, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Indias total rabi planting area (including rice and other grains) stands at about 62.6 million hectares, up about 5% from about 59.6 million hectares recorded during this time last year. Vietnam Vietnam 5% broken rice ended the week at $405 per ton, unchanged from last week, but down about $15 per ton from a month ago and up about $10 per ton from a year ago.The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) warns that Vietnam rice exporters may face fierce competition in 2014 due to higher supplies in the global market and reduced prices in India and Thailand. The USDA projects Vietnam exports to reach about 7.5 million tons in 2013-14, but the VFA predicts only 6.5-7 million tons will be exported. Pakistan Pakistan 5% broken rice ended the week at $400 per ton, up about $5 per ton from a week ago, up about $15 per ton from a month ago and down about $20 per ton from a year ago.Representatives from the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) visited China in efforts to boost rice exports to the country. During FY 201213 Pakistan originated about 19% of Chinas total exports, or about 600,000 tons out of a total of 3.1 million tons of rice imported by China. Brazil Brazil 5% broken rice is shown around $665 per ton today, unchanged from a week ago, but down about $20 per ton from a month ago.On January 22, Conab will auction 100,234.829 tons of paddy from previous years (including 2008-09) in four separate auctions.Conab sold about 85,185.766 tons (about 90%) of the paddy it offered in its January 14, 2014 auctions. About 37,000 tons sold for about 697 reals (about $295) per ton; about 570 tons sold for about 698 reals (about $266) per ton; about 36,000 tons sold for about 684 reals (about $290)per ton; and about 11,000 tons sold for about 683 reals (about $289) per ton.Conab projects paddy production in 2013-14 to reach about 12.35 million tons, an increase of 1.1% from Decembers forecast and 5% higher than last years production (11.75 million tons). The higher rates are due to anticipated increases in acreage and yield. US U.S. 4% broken rice today shown around $590 per ton today, unchanged from a week ago and unchanged from a month ago, but down about $22 per ton from a year ago.The USDA reports that in the week ending January 9, U.S. exporters sold only 7,100 tons of rice from the 2013-14 crop, down 92% from the previous week and down

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91% from the prior 4-week average. They shipped 50,300 tons of rice, a decrease of 39% from the previous week and a decrease of 40% from the prior 4-week average. U.S. producers are having a difficult time planning their 2014 crops due to the delay of the U.S. Farm Bill. Politicians are hoping for a deal to be reached by the end of the month. Iraq announced it will tender to buy 30,000 tons of rice. Bids for long grain from the U.S., Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil and medium grain from Spain, the U.S. and Australia will be accepted and must be submitted by February 2. Cambodia Cambodia 5% broken rice today shown around $455 per ton, down about $5 per ton from a week and a month ago.he EU trade commission denies that it made any allegations of contamination in rice imports from Cambodia and says that no Customs circumvention has been identified so far in rice imports from Cambodia. Earlier trade sources had told Oryza that on the sidelines of the WTO meeting in Bali in December, 2013, the EU trade Commissioner had expressed concerns about the surge in Cambodia rice exports to the EU in recent years and had alleged that up to 30% of rice imports from Cambodia was of Vietnam origin (EU Alleges Up to 30% of Cambodia Rice Imports Mixed With Vietnam Rice). Nunzia De Girolamo, Italys Minister of Agriculture, has been accused of improperly exerting influence over the choice of public healthcare managers in 2012 and may be forced to resign from office. This has potential to impact the EU rice industrys efforts to restrict Least Developed Countries (LDC) duty-free rice imports to the EU, something De Girolamo openly spoke out against when representing the Italian rice industry last month. Other Markets The Ricegrowers Association of Australia is seeking recognition of the rice sector as a critical industry cluster (CIS) in efforts to protect rice-producing land from the negative effects associated with the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) activities in the area. The Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) in Taiwan has found that companies are deceiving consumers by intentionally mislabeling rice packages. The AFA announced plans to begin inspecting 80-90 packaged rice on store shelves this year.The State Council Duty Committee (SCDC) in China released its 2014 tariff rates for rice and other commodities; rice tariff rates appear unchanged from 2013. Paddy rice production in Russia declined to around 926,000 tons (about 600,000 tons, basis milled) in 2013, down about 12% from around 1.05 million tons of paddy (about 684,000 tons, basis milled) produced in 2012, due to lower rice acreage and yield.
Tags: Oryza White Rice Index (WRI)

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Oryza Quick Glance at World News

Jan 17, 2014

Financial Times *IBM has laid out plans for a rapid expansion of its data centers around the world as it races to make up for lost time and prevent internet companies such as Amazon from cornering the fast-growing cloud computing market. IBM said that it would spend $1.2 billion in 2014 to add 13 new data centers, taking the total to 40. *The Obama administration will redouble its efforts to crack down on smoking and explore end game policies that could thwart tobacco companies and bring the elimination of traditional cigarettes in the U.S. closer. *Canberra has apologized to Indonesia for breaching its territorial waters during navy operations to turn back boats carrying asylum seekers from Australian waters amid increasing tensions with Jakarta over its tough new sovereign borders policy. *The U.S. Federal Reserve was being complacent by planning for years of below-target inflation, warned Minneapolis Fed President in a clarion call for more economic stimulus. *Mariana Campeanu, Romanias labour minister, warned that the mass exodus of young qualified workers suffered by the eastern European country since it joined the EU in 2007 will have a disastrous impact on its economy unless reversed. *Syrias main exiled opposition umbrella organization on Thursday called on its western and Arab backers to expand the arming of moderate elements fighting the regime so that they can take on both Bashar al-Assad and al-Qaeda. *The Chinese government has opened an investigation into allegations that Nu Skin Enterprises, the U.S. direct sale skincare and dietary supplement company, operates an illegal pyramid scheme in China. *Japanese consumer confidence survey slipped to a reading of 41.3, against forecasts of 43 and compared to 42.5 in the prior month, piling pressure on the nation's government to convince companies to raise wages. Wall Street Journal*China and Japan boosted their holdings of Treasury bonds to a record high in November, a sign two of the biggest foreign investors in the U.S. government debt market have not fretted about the rise in long-term interest rates. China added $12.2 billion in Treasury debt in November to $1.3167 trillion and Japan increased its holdings by $12 billion in November to $1.1864 trillion, according to the latest monthly capital flows release from the Treasury Department. *Former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who faces criminal charges related to his years in power, on Thursday, asked a court to be allowed to leave the country for treatment in the U.S. of a heart condition. *A small group of European industries, from insurance to precious metals, stand to benefit from the loosening of EU sanctions against Iran on Monday, according to details provided by EU officials. *Thailand's anticorruption panel said it would investigate Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's role in the government's controversial rice subsidy program, putting more pressure on the embattled leader amid a campaign to force her out of office. *If Britain's Labour Party wins the 2015 general election, it will increase competition in the financial sector by limiting the market share of retail banks and force branch sales with a view to bringing at least two new banks into the market, the opposition party's leader Ed Miliband will say Friday.

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*India's ruling Congress party announced Thursday that Rahul Gandhi, its vice president and the fourthgeneration scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family, will lead its campaign for national elections but he won't be declared as the party's candidate for prime minister. *The White House made public a summary of the technical details of the recent nuclear pact with Iran and disclosed an implementation plan to U.S. lawmakers, amid a clash with some members of Congress over Washington's outreach to Tehran. *India's finance ministry is targeting the country's top iron ore mining company, NMDC Ltd, as the next government company it plans to push into a big, one-time dividend payout to help the country deflate its ballooning budget deficit. New York Times*The price that some of the world's biggest oil producers charge for their oil fell last year for the first time since 2010, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said Thursday. The value of OPEC's so-called reference basket, a measure of the prices of various grades of oil, fell 3% from the level in 2012, when it rose to a record $109.45 a barrel, the producer group said in a monthly oil-market report. *Indonesia said that it would increase naval patrols after territorial violations by Australia as it tried to turn back asylum seekers and urged its southern neighbor to halt operations that risked further incursions. *As the Syrian opposition neared a decision on whether to attend an international peace conference next week, Secretary of State John Kerry offered a public assurance on Thursday that the Obama administration had not pulled back from its goal of establishing a transitional government that would not include President Bashar alAssad. *The U.S. Senate on Thursday gave final approval to a $1.1 trillion spending bill for the current fiscal year, leaving behind what might have been the Obama administrations best chance to overhaul the IMF and meet its obligations to the worlds other economic powers. *More than 20 people were wounded in Thailand's capital Friday when an explosion hit anti-government demonstrators marching through the capital, the city's emergency services center said. *Nations have so dragged their feet in battling climate change that the situation has grown critical and the risk of severe economic disruption is rising, according to a draft U.N. report. Another 15 years of failure to limit carbon emissions could make the problem virtually impossible to solve with current technologies, experts found. *Japan raised its assessment on the overall economy for the first time in four months, reflecting strong private consumption and improving capital expenditure, suggesting Tokyo's aggressive stimulus is solidifying an economic recovery. *China's central bank will use various tools to adjust liquidity in a flexible way to help maintain appropriate growth in credit and social financing, a senior central bank official said in remarks published on Friday.
Tags: World news

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