Daily

Global

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice E-Newsletter
March 16 , 2015
V o l u m e 5, Issue I

www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 1

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Red Yeast Rice as Alternative to DiabetesCausing Statins?

Mar 13, 2015

A new study by researchers in Finland shows that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may
significantly increase a persons risk of developing type 2 diabetes in fact, it may increase a
persons risk by as much as 50%!
Whats a person to do when faced with a choice between high cholesterol or increased risk of
type 2 diabetes?
Rice to the rescue once again! Red yeast rice has been a controversial product especially in the
West. In fact, Switzerland doesnt even allow its sale in the country. However, its popularly
used in Asia for a variety of health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and improving blood
circulation.On the back of a study showing that statins, which millions of people around the
world (and especially in the West) take daily, can increase the risk of another chronic disease,
perhaps scientists should consider investing research into red yeast rice so that we can finally
reach a conclusion about its efficacy in treating cholesterol. If it is found to be scientifically
effective, it could prevent millions of people from developing type 2 diabetes every year.

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough

Rice Futures Unable to Resist Pressure as
Surging US Dollar Weighs on US Grain
Prices
Mar 13, 2015

Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery settled 10 cents per cwt (about $2 per ton) lower at
$10.580 per cwt (about $233 per ton). The other grains also closed lower; Soybeans closed about
1.7% lower at $9.7400 per bushel; wheat finished about 1% lower at $5.0200 per bushel, and
corn finished the day about 2.1% lower at $3.8050 per bushel.
U.S. stocks traded 1% lower on Friday as investors eyed weak inflation data amid renewed dollar
strength and sharply lower oil prices. The U.S. dollar rose more than half a percent to a new 52week high, on track for its first close above 100 since April 2003. The euro extended losses to
fall below $1.05. The Dow fell more than 250 points before recovering slightly as the major
www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 2

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

indices extended losses, with nearly all blue chips declining and all S&P 500 sectors in the red.
The U.S. Producer Price index for February showed a decline of 0.5%, missing estimates of a
0.3% gain. Consumer sentiment data showed a preliminary read of 91.2 in March versus 95.4 in
February.
The Federal Open Market Committee meets next week, with all eyes on whether or not "patient"
remains in the statement. Quarterly options also expire. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
traded down 240 points, or 1.34%, at 17,654. The S&P 500 traded down 22 points, or 1.08%, at
2,043, with industrials leading all ten sectors lower. The Nasdaq traded down 46 points, or
0.94%, at 4,847. Gold is trading about 0.2% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 4.2% lower,
and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.9% higher at about 1:00pm Chicago time.Thursday,
there were 610 contracts traded, up from 322 contracts traded on Wednesday. Open interest the
number of contracts outstanding on Thursday increased by 18 contracts to 8,979.

New Board Game Teaches Historical Rice

Trading
Mar 13, 2015

Ever wondered what it was like to be a rice trader 400 years ago? A new game on Kickstarter
called Fujian Trader can show you (well, kind of). Fujian Trader is a trading game based on an
actual 17th century map used by an actual Chinese trading family. The game appears to be
similar to the popular Settlers of Catan but is historically factual. Players work trade routes on
the gameboard to move their ships from port to port, fighting for control of ports and
negotiating trades along the way.
And rice is one of the resources players can trade! The game mimics reality, where ports
farther from the Chinese mainland see higher prices for rice than ports closer to the
mainland. It would be a good way to teach older children about history and trade at the same
time.If youre interested in the game, a donation through Kickstarter can get you a printable
game board but youll have to wait until December to get your hands on the real thing,
complete with carved wooden game pieces to maintain its historical accuracy.So what are you
waiting for? Now you can trade rice for fun, not just for work!

www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 3

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Weekly Recap: Rice Exports Quotes

Continue Lower on Supply Pressure

Mar 13, 2015

The Oryza White Rice Index (WRI), a weighted average of global white rice export quotes,
ended the week at about $419 per ton, down about $3 per ton from a week ago, down about $1
per ton from a month ago and down about $35 per ton from a year ago.
The USDA forecasts all rice exports in MY 2014-15 to reach 4.72 million tons, up about 11%
from last year.
Thailand
Thailand 5% broken rice is today shown at about $400 per ton, down about $5 per ton from a
week and a month ago and down about $15 per ton from a year ago.
In January 2015, Thailand exported about 610,504 tons of rice, down about 59% from December
2014 and down about 12% from January 2014.

www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 4

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Thailand received bids for about 780,000 tons of rice on March 6. The government had hoped to
auction off one million tons.
Thailand and China have sorted out the details of a deal signed between the two countries in
December. Under this deal, China agreed to buy about 2 million tons of rice and 200,000 tons of
rubber from Thailand.
India
India 5% broken rice is today shown at about $395 per ton, unchanged from a week ago, down
about $5 per ton from a month ago and down about $30 per ton from a year ago.
The government has decided to sell excess rice stocks in the open market starting April 1.
The Federation of Indian Exports Organization (FIEO) and the Agricultural & Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) expect Iran to resume basmati rice imports
from India once the new financial year begins in April.
The Chief Minister of the South Indian state of Telangana is urging the government to reconsider
its decision to end the levy rice procurement system starting from the 2015-16 (OctoberSeptember) kharif marketing season.
Chinese plastic rice, made of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and Chinese polymer, is turning up in
consumer rice products in India. The plastic rice can cause gastritis and other digestive problems
and is causing the Indian government to consider instituting a system to check imports of rice
into the country.
The rice sector in Bangladesh is facing severe trouble amidst continuing political unrest and
rising imports.
Vietnam
Vietnam 5% broken rice is today shown at about $370 per ton, down about $5 per ton from a
week ago, up about $10 per ton from a month ago and down about $5 per ton from a year ago.
Vietnam exported about 421,202 tons of rice in the first two months of 2015, a decrease of about
34% from the first two months of 2014. Average rice export price so far this year is about $452
per ton (FOB), up about 5% from the same time last year.
The Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade is optimistic that rice exports, which declined about
4% y/y to 6.4 million tons in 2014, will rebound in 2015 as a result of increased demand from
China and lower export prices.
www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 5

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam plans to develop specialized
large-scale rice growing areas in the Mekong River Delta region to cater to the growing needs of
local and international market.
Pakistan
Pakistan 5% broken rice is today shown at about $355 per ton, up about $5 per ton from a week
and a month ago and down about $50 per ton from a year ago.
Basmati rice prices have seen a reversal and increased sharply in February 2015 after declining
consistently since September. The increase is likely due to concerns over an anticipated
reduction in 2014-15 production.
The Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan forecasts that Pakistan may miss the
rice export target of 3.8 million tons in FY 2014-15 due to falling demand.
Central & South America
Brazil 5% broken rice is today shown at about $550 per ton, unchanged from a week ago, up
about $10 per ton from a month ago and down about $115 per ton from a year ago.
Brazils National Grains Supply Company (Conab) estimates 2014-15 paddy rice production will
be about 12.152 million tons, slightly up from 2013-14.
The Brazilian paddy rice index maintained by the Center for Advanced Studies on Applied
Economics (CEPEA) reached around 36.02 real per 50 kilograms as of March 09, 2015, down
about 0.3% from around 36.13 real per 50 kilograms recorded on March 02, 2015. In terms of
USD per ton, the index reached around $232 per ton on March 09, 2015, down about 8% from
around $252 per ton recorded on March 2, 2015.
Five percent broken rice from Uruguay and Argentina is today shown at about $580 per ton,
down about $20 per ton from a month ago and down about $45 per ton from a year ago.
In 2014, Argentina exported around 510,707 tons of rice, down about 5% from the same period
in 2013, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The government of Guyana has secured a deal with Venezuela to export about 260,000 tons of
paddy and rice in 2015, according to the Agriculture Minister.
U.S.

www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 6

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

U.S. 4% broken rice is today shown at about $485 per ton, unchanged from a week and a month
ago and down about $100 per ton from a year ago.
The ongoing drought in California is leading some experts to anticipate global medium-grain rice
prices will stay firm for the near future.
After staying flat early in the week, Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery saw a spike in
prices Wednesday, when they reached a high of $10.740 per cwt (about $237 per ton). Futures
then dropped slightly to finish the week at $10.615 per cwt (about $234 per ton).
The U.S. cash market for rough rice was quiet and mostly unchanged this week, despite a
relatively bullish WASDE report that projected a 1 million cwt (45,359 tons) increase in U.S.
long grain exports.
Other Markets
Cambodia 5% broken rice is today shown at about $430 per ton, down about $5 per ton from a
week and a month ago and down about $25 per ton from a year ago.
The UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates 2014-15 rice imports for Japan
to reach around 700,000 tons.
The UNs FAO estimates Indonesias rice imports will reach about 1.2 million tons in 2014-15
(April-March), due to a reduction in 2014 aggregate rice production. Meanwhile, the Indonesian
President has ruled out rice imports, despite continuing price hikes.
For the third consecutive month, rice stocks in the Philippines continue to decline, according to
the Bureau of Statistics. As of February 1, stocks were around 2.35 million tons, down about
12% from last month, but up about 17.5% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the
Philippines Chief Economist is urging the government to remove quantitative restrictions on rice
imports in order to stabilize rice prices in the country. Separately, the National Food Authority
Council of the Philippines has approved the government-to-government deals of Vietnam and
Thailand, with Vietnam supplying about 300,000 tons of rice and Thailand supplying about
200,000 tons of rice by May 31.
South Koreas state-run Agro Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation is looking to buy about
58,897 tons of non-glutinous rice in international tenders for delivery between June 30 and
September 30, with bidding occurring on March 24.
About 631,058 tons of Italian paddy crop has been sold as of March 3. This represents about
64.82% of total Italian 2014-15 (September-August) paddy crop, and is about 11% more sold
than during the same period last year, according to the Ente Nazionale Risi.
www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 7

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

China has sold about 15,268 tons or 1.2% of 1.4 million tons of late-harvest rice from reserves.

Oryza Overnight Recap Chicago Rough

Rice Futures Higher Overnight as Market
Continues to Trade in Sideways Range
Mar 13, 2015

Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery are currently listed 6.5 cents per cwt (about $1 per
ton) higher at $10.700 per cwt (about $237 per ton) ahead of floor trading in Chicago. The other
grains are seen trading mostly lower this morning: soybeans are currently seen about 0.7% lower,
wheat is listed about 0.7% higher and corn is currently noted about 0.1% lower.
U.S. stock index futures indicated a slightly lower open on Friday as uncertainty over the timing
of an interest rate rise lingers after a bumpy week. Stocks ended in the green on Thursday
following a rough few days, as mixed economic data indicated to some investors that the Federal
Reserve will not raise interest rates as early as anticipated. Friday looks set to be a quiet day on
the earnings front, with retailers Ann and The Buckle among the companies due to report before
the bell. The U.S. Producer Price index for February showed a decline of 0.5%, missing
estimates of a 0.3% gain. Consumer sentiment data comes at 10 a.m. ET. Gold is currently
trading about 0.5% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 1.8% lower, and the U.S. dollar is
currently trading about 0.2% higher at 8:00am Chicago time.

Rice: It's Not for Goats!

Mar 13, 2015

Go ahead and eat all the rice you want, but please keep it away from any goats you
have. Recently, five goats distributed in India under the welfare scheme all died mysterious
deaths. Post-mortem autopsies showed the goats had eaten significant amounts of rice, a food
staple thats not typically part of a goats diet. Animal Husbandry officials speculate the rice
caused abnormal secretion of gastric fluids like acid which led to the animals sudden
deaths.However, veterinarians maintain that white rice can be a good food substitute for other
pets, like cats and dogs, when they have upset stomachs. Just dont let your goats near it!

Drought Might 'Make It Rain' for California

Rice Farmers
www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 8

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Mar 13, 2015

Rice farmers in drought-stricken California might finally have something to look forward to: the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has offered up to $71 million for farmers to
ship their water to the Los Angeles area in southern California. As much as 115,000 acre-feet of
water, or more than 37 billion gallons, could be sold.According to the Sacramento Bee, some
farmers may actually make more cash from selling their water than they would from selling their
rice! Last year, when Sacramento Valley water districts shipped their water down south they
were getting $500 an acre-foot. This year prices are around $700 an acre-foot. (An acre foot is
326,000 gallons and will supply roughly two Southern California households for about a year.)
So far, nine irrigation districts have made tentative deals with the Water District to ship some of
their water.This news might decrease rice acreage in California even further; in 2014 rice acres
in California decreased by 140,000 acres due to drought, and about one-fourth of the crop didnt
get planted. Most rice farmers in the Sacramento Valley region make around $1,000 to $1,500
an acre profit when they plant rice. Idling an acre of rice would save about 3 acre-feet of water,
or more than $2,100 at this years rates. However, many growers take a long-term approach and
recognize the importance of supporting the rice industry as a whole; most farmers will likely still
grow some rice the question is how much?

FAO Says Vietnam Main Season Rice

Planting Delayed, but Overall Prospects Are
Favorable
Mar 13, 2015

Rice harvesting of the 2014-15 main crop (winterspring) is currently going on in Vietnam and will
continue until the end of July. Below average rains
from mid-January to late February, delayed planting
in main rice producing area, according to FAO. In
the organizations latest official estimates planting
has been completed on about 2.39 million hectares
as of mid - February, down about 8% from last year.
However, FAO notes that overall prospects for
current paddy crop is expected to remain favorable
due to near average rainfall and adequate irrigation water supply for the remainder of the season.

www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page 9

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Meanwhile, FAO says that Vietnam is expected to export about 6.9 million tons rice in 2015, up
about 7% from last year. Vietnam exported about 515,000 tons of rice in first two months of
2015, down about 30% from same period last year, according to the General Statistic Office of
Viet Nam (GSO).For 2014, FAO estimates total paddy rice production in Vietnam is expected to
reach a record level of 45 million tons in 2014, up about 2% from about 44.04 million tons
produced in 2013, due to higher yields amid favorable weather conditions.
In Vietnam, wholesale prices of rice decreased in February due to ample existing supplies and
new crop harvest. Meanwhile, the Vietnam's Government has approved the purchase of 1 million
tons of rice from the winter-spring crop to support domestic prices. The procurement program
began on 1 March, 2015 and will continue until 15 April, 2015.

Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today

Mar 13, 2015

Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged today.

5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is indicated at around $395 - $405 per ton, about a $30 per ton premium on
Vietnam 5% rice shown at around $365 - $375 per ton.
India 5% rice is quoted at around $390 - $400 per ton, about a $40 per ton premium on Pakistan
5% rice quoted at around $350 - $360 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice is shown at around $370 - $380 per ton, about a $30 per ton premium on
Vietnam 25% rice shown at around $340- $350 per
ton.
India 25% rice is quoted at around $360 - $370, about a $45 per ton premium on Pakistan 25%
rice quoted at around $315 - $325 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is indicated at around $400 - $410 per ton.
India parboiled rice is quoted at around $380 - $390 per ton, about $15 per ton discount to
Pakistan parboiled rice quoted at around $395 - $405 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, is quoted at around $320 - $330per ton, about a $15 per ton
premium on Vietnam 100% broken rice shown at around $305 - $315per ton.
India's 100% broken rice is shown at around $275 - $285 per ton, about a $15 per ton discount
to Pakistan broken sortexed rice quoted at around $290 - $300 per ton.

www.ricepluss.com
R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

Page
10

Contact for Newsletter Advertisement

mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell : +92 321 3692774