April 9, 2015

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Volume 5, Issue I
Daily Exclusive

ORYZA Rice
Newsletter

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USDA Post Estimates Turkey MY 2014-15

Rice Imports at 300,000 Tons, Down 12%
from Last Year
Apr 08, 2015

USDA Post has estimated Turkey's rice imports at around 300,000 tons in MY 2014-15
(September - August), down about 12% from an estimated 341,000 tons imported in the previous
year. According to data from the Turkish Grain Board (TMO), Turkey imported around 196,687
tons of rice between September 2014 and January 2015, with Russia being the top exporter with
around 87,854 tons so far. Turkey imported 37,000 tons of paddy rice from the U.S. so far in
2014-15.
The Post reports that recently, Turkish importers had faced severe import restrictions and
penalties due to Turkey's implementation of the 2010 Biosafety Law. Therefore the Post expects
rice importers to be more cautious in accepting shipments that are contaminated with corn or

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soybean traits that are meant for animal feed. They are particularly cautious in importing paddy
rice as they are more prone to a biotech detection and quarantine regulations.
The Turkish government authorized the Turkish Grain Board to import 4.2 million tons of
cereals, including rice, at a zero customs duty through a Cabinet of Ministers' decision published
in the Official Gazette on April 19, 2014.Turkey imported around 413,932 tons of rice in MY
2013-14. The U.S. was the top exporter to Turkey with around 172,872 tons followed by India
with 67,338 tons. The Post estimates Turkey's rice imports to increase to 350,000 tons in MY
2015-16 with around 25,000 tons coming from the U.S.
The government increased the agricultural support budget from 9.7 billion Turkish Lira (TL) in
2014 ($4.49 billion) to 10.1 billion TL ($4.1 billion) in 2015.The Post estimates Turkey's milled
rice production to decline about 8% to around 460,000 tons in MY 2014-15 due to a slight
reduction in planting area. It estimates Turkey's paddy rice acreage to decline about 3% to
around 95 million hectares.

Global Rice Quotes

April 9th, 2015
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade
395-405
Vietnam 5% broken 360-370

India 5% broken
375-385

Pakistan 5% broken 360-370

Myanmar 5% broken 410-420

Cambodia 5% broken 435-445

U.S. 4% broken
480-490

Uruguay 5% broken 575-585

Argentina 5% broken 565-575

Long grain white rice - low quality

Thailand 25% broken 355-365

Vietnam 25% broken 340-350

Pakistan 25% broken 335-345

Cambodia 25% broken

410-420
India 25% broken
345-355

U.S. 15% broken

470-480

Long grain parboiled rice

Thailand parboiled 100% stxd
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd

385-395
395-405
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India parboiled 5% broken stxd

360-370
U.S. parboiled 4% broken
555-565

Brazil parboiled 5% broken 570-580

Uruguay parboiled 5% broken

NQ

Long grain fragrant rice

Thailand Hommali 92%
890-900
Vietnam Jasmine
470-480

India basmati 2% broken

NQ

Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ

Cambodia Phka Mails

810-820
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super 320-330

Vietnam 100% broken

310-320
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 285-295
Cambodia A1 Super 340-350

India 100% broken stxd

275-285
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ

U.S. pet food 370-380

Brazil half grain

NQ

All prices USD per ton, FOB vessel, oryza.com

Italy Supports Senegal to Boost Rice

Production
Apr 08, 2015

An Italian rice cooperative project "Support project to National Program for Investment in
Agriculture" along with three other cooperatives trained by the Italian National Research Center
(CNR) and a group of Italian farmers have taken up a project to help and support the Senegalese
farmers to boost rice production, according to local sources.The project, which is funded by the
Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as the Senegalese Institute of Research in
Agriculture, and Regional Director of Rural Development of Sedhiou, aims at training
Senegalese farmers about good farming practices and local seeding rules. It also aims at
developing about 4,000 hectares of rural land to improve rice production around the Casamance
river. Farmers from various Senegalese cooperatives, including Assolucer, Diend, Pakao Est,
had participated in the training sessions.
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Senegal is a net importer of rice and imports over one million tons of rice or about 80% of
around 1.4 million tons of rice needed for its domestic consumption. The government has been
keen on reducing dependence on imports by increasing rice production. In this direction, the
President had recently launched an ambitious $148 million program to achieve self-sufficiency in
rice production by 2017. The Prime Minister also hinted at imposing taxes and duties on rice
imports to protect local rice sector.USDA estimates Senegal to produce about 289,000 tons of
rice and import around 1.15 million tons in MY 2014-15 (October - September) to meet a
consumption demand of around 1.45 million tons.

Oryza March 2015 Rice Market Review

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Apr 08, 2015

The Oryza White Rice Index (WRI), a weighted average of global white rice export quotes,
ended the month of March at about $413 per ton, down about $7 per ton from a month ago and
down about $41 per ton from a year ago. Global rice prices trends were mostly lower across the
board in March. Thailand rice prices were weak in March, due to sluggish import demand and of
the auctioning of government stock supplies. Rice prices in India were also weak ahead of the
Rabi harvest. In the U.S. and South American countries, prices in March were stable to lower.
South American rice prices were pressured by the arrival of the new crop. Prices were steadier
in Vietnam, supported in part by the launching of the official one million ton paddy procurement
program.
Separately, FAO has forecasted 2014-15 global rice production at about 494.4 million tons,
slightly down from an estimated 496.6 million tons in 2013-14 and slightly down from its last
month's forecast of about 495.9 million tons. It estimates 2014-15 global rice utilization at about
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499.4 million tons, up about 1.7% from an estimated 491.2 million tons in 2013-14, and slightly
down from last month's estimates of about 500 million tons. The global rice trade in 2014-15 is
expected to reach at about 41.3 million tons, down about 2.5% from an estimated 42.4 million
tons last year and slightly down from last month's forecast of about 41.4 million tons.
Thailand
Thailand 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $390 per ton, down about 4% per
ton from a month ago and up about 1% per ton from a year ago.The government of Thailand
received bids for about 780,000 tons from 40 firms for the one million tons it auctioned on
March 6. All the bids were above the floor price set by the government and the government is
hoping to raise more than 8 billion baht (about $247 million) from this auction. The military
government already sold about 1.18 million tons of rice from five auctions raising about 17.21
billion baht (about $528 million) since it seized power in May 2014. The Thailand government
plans to sell about 10 million tons this year and about 7 million tons next year from government
stocks. Meanwhile, the government is planning to sell the degenerated rice after August 2015
when the investigation against those involved in the sales of low-grade rice is expected to be
over.
Separately, the Thai Commerce Ministry has decided to delay the third auction of rice from the
government stockpiles to avoid further decline of rice prices, which have already started
declining due to increasing supplies from the second crop harvest. The Commerce Minister told
reporters that the government would issue next tender when prices recover. He added that
markets may pick up at the end of April 2015.
Thailand exported about 610,504 tons of rice in January 2015, down about 59% from about 1.47
million tons exported in December 2014, and down about 12% from about 696,558 tons exported
in January 2014, according to data from Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA). Thailand
exported about 732,151 tons in February 2015, up about 3.1% from the same month last year.
Meanwhile, the TREA forecasts Thailand to export about 800,000 tons in March 2015. The
USDA estimates Thailand to export about 11 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January December 2015), slightly above 10.97 million tons exported in 2014 as the government is keen
on selling rice from its stockpiles this year. TREA also expects low export demand for Thai rice
to continue in the second quarter of 2015 due to tougher competition but is estimating a year-end
export figure of around 10-11 million tons.
Separately, Brunei is likely to increase its rice imports from Thailand this year as 90% of the
Southeast Asian nation's population prefer Thai rice for its taste and healthy properties, Bangkok
post quoted Brunei's government spokesman as saying. Brunei produces only 2% of the annual

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consumption of about 40,000 tons. Bruneis rice production has remained at about 1,000 tons
since 2002, and the country imports most of rice required for domestic consumption.
The government of Thailand has decided to set up two investigative panels to probe for alleged
corruption in government-to-government (G2G) deals as part of the rice pledging scheme
introduced by the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, according to local sources.
Separately, the TREA President has expressed pessimism that Thailand may not be able to regain
its lost market share for fragrant rice in Hong Kong this year due to the higher prices. Currently,
Thai fragrant rice is quoted at about $900 per ton compared to about $585 per ton of Vietnam's
fragrant rice and about $600 per ton of Cambodia's fragrant rice.
The USDA estimates January 2015 - December 2015 milled rice production to decline to about
19.404 million tons, down about 4% from about 20.46 million tons last year due to an expected
decline in off-season rice planting following drought forecasts.
The Rice Policy Committee in Thailand has approved a budget of about 582 million baht (about
$18 million) to subsidize interest costs of millers, Bloomberg quoted the Permanent Secretary for
Commerce as saying. The military government is encouraging millers to store rice during the
harvest season in order to curb price falls due to increased supplies by providing low interest
loans.
Vietnam
Vietnam 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $370 per ton, unchanged from a
month ago and down about 5% per ton from a year ago.Vietnam exported about 904,954 tons of
rice in first three months of calendar year 2015, down about 26% from about 1.22 million tons of
rice exported during same time last year, according to data from the Vietnam Food Association
(VFA). In March 2015, Vietnam rice export increased sharply from last month. Vietnam
exported about 480,490 tons of rice in March 2015, up about 139% from about 200,814 tons rice
exported in February 2015, but down about 18% from about 583,294 tons rice exported in March
2014. The FAO says that Vietnam is expected to export about 6.9 million tons rice in 2015, up
about 7% from last year. 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. Separately, the
Vietnamese Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade has expressed optimism that Vietnam's rice
exports, which declined about 4% y/y to about 6.4 million tons in 2014, to rebound in 2015
backed by increased demand from China and lower export prices. Meanwhile, the VFA noted
that Vietnam's rice exports in 2015 would be affected by rice oversupplies in Thailand and other
rice exporting nations. According to data from the VFA, Vietnam businesses signed contracts for
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export of about 1.94 million tons as of March 19, 2015, up about 7% from last year. But 1.4
million tons are yet to be delivered.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Vietnam is planning to develop
specialized large-scale rice growing areas in the Mekong River Delta (MRD) region to cater to
the growing needs of local and international markets, according to local sources. Separately,
Agriculture Ministers of Thailand and Vietnam have also decided to work closely to develop
sustainable rice markets in order to increase the quality and value of rice production in the longrun. Separately, the MARD has proposed to develop a national brand name to the Vietnamese
rice by 2020 in order to increase its reach into higher quality-conscious markets such as the EU,
U.S., and Japan; as well as retain traditional markets by addressing the existing loopholes in
international marketing and distribution channels, according to local sources.
Vietnam enterprises have bought about 71% or about 700,000 tons of targeted one-million tons
of winter-spring rice under the government-approved stock piling plan so far from March 1,
2015 when the scheme began. The scheme will continue till April 15, 2015. The government
approved the stockpiling plan to prevent prices from falling during the harvest of the winterspring crop.
Vietnam's policy to increase rice production has paid off in terms of increased exports and
foreign exchange but has not been very beneficial to rice farmers or environment, according to
experts. Farmers have been used to grow three crops a year to maintain pace of production and
exports but their incomes have not risen proportionately due to increased costs for fertilizers and
land preparation for each crop. Also the quality of rice grown is said to be of low quality
compared to the quality of rice grown by other exporting nations such as Thailand, India and
Pakistan. On the other hand too much of rice growing has been degrading soil efficiency, say
experts. Experts are suggesting that the government of Vietnam encourage only two rice crops a
year and support farmers to shift to a more diverse range of crops, from coconuts to prawns, and
use the most suitable and fertile land to grow rice.
India
India 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $380 per ton, down about 4% per ton
from a month ago and down about 12% per ton from a year ago.
India exported about 9.57 million tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in the first ten
months of FY 2014-15 (April - March), up about 7% from about 8.96 million tons exported
during the same period in FY 2013-14, according to provisional data released by the Agricultural
and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Meanwhile, India's rice
exports to African destinations have been reportedly impacted by increased supplies from
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Thailand and price competition with other exporting nations such as Vietnam and Pakistan.
India's rice exports to Nigeria, Africa's largest importer of rice, have been affected because it is
facing foreign exchange problems due to oil price decline and depreciation of its local currency
against dollar. Earlier, in August 2014, Indias rice exports to African countries were impacted
due to the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The Commerce Ministry of India has
decided to formulate a new and specific strategy to boost rice exports, including basmati and
non-basmati, to Africa, according to local sources.
Separately, Indian basmati rice could not find its way into the world's largest consumer of rice,
China, due to concerns of it being infested with 'khapra beetle' and lack of proper phyto-sanitary
regulations between the two countries. Now, the government of India is preparing ground to
begin exporting basmati rice to China. India's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) is
likely to declare some of the country's rice-shelling and exporting units registered with it as free
from 'khapra beetle' infestation, according to local sources. The government of India is expected
to send a list of credited Indian rice mills with the infestation-free certification from the NPPO to
the Chinese authorities by the end of June this year, according to the President of Punjab Rice
Exporters' Association. Meanwhile, India's Commerce Secretary and a high level delegation are
visiting Iran this week to discuss ways to boost trade, including revival of rice trade, between the
two nations, according to local sources.
The government of India has decided to sell excess rice stocks in the open market from the new
fiscal year that begins on April 1, 2015, according to local sources. Separately, the Chief
Minister (CM) of the South Indian state Telangana has urged the government of India to
reconsider its decision to end the levy rice procurement system starting from the 2015-16
(October - September) kharif marketing season (KMS). Under the levy rice procurement system,
state governments procure a percentage of milled rice needed for their public distribution (PDS)
activities from millers, who purchase paddy from farmers, instead of procuring paddy directly
from farmers and getting it custom milled.
India's hybrid rice acreage has reached about 2.5 million hectares in 2014, about 250 times from
a mere 10,000 hectares in 1995, according to the Minister of State for Agriculture Minister.
Currently, the hybrid rice acreage accounts for about 5.6% of the total rice area of about 45
million hectares in the country.
Planting for India 2014-15 rabi (secondary) rice crop (November - May) has reached about 3.943
million hectares as of March 27, 2015; down about 9.5% from about 4.355 million hectares
planted during the same period last year, according to preliminary data released by the Indian
Agriculture Ministry.
Bangladesh
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FAO forecasts Bangladesh rice imports to decline to about 700,000 Tons in 2014-15 (July June), down about 36% from an estimated 1.1 million tons in the previous year due to an
expected increase in production in during the year. The agency estimates Bangladesh 2014 paddy
production from all three crops - Aman (April - December), Aus (February - August) and Boro
(October - May) - at about 52.2 million tons (about 34.97 million tons, basis milled), up about
1.3% from an estimated 51.539 million tons (about 34.531 million tons, basis milled).
Bangladesh's private sector imported about 1.07 million tons of rice in July 1, 2014 - March 22,
2015, nearly three times more than 374,560 tons of rice imported in the entire 2013-14 fiscal
year (July - June), according to data from the Ministry of Food. Separately, increasing rice
imports have been severely hurting the Bangladesh rice sector, according to local sources. Rice
millers across the country are facing huge losses as they bought paddy from farmers at higher
prices but now they holding huge stocks of locally produced coarse and medium rice because of
the cheap imported rice.
Separately, The government of Bangladesh has decided to lower the open market rice price
under the OMS program to about Tk22 per kilogram (about $282.5 per ton) from about Tk26 per
kilogram (about $334 per ton) as part of efforts to curb rice imports by the private sector,
according to local sources. Meanwhile, the government of Bangladesh is planning to procure one
million tons of 2015 Boro paddy and 100,000 tons of Boro rice between May 1, 2015 and
August 31, 2015. It has fixed the procurement price for paddy at Tk 22 per kilogram (about $283
per ton) and that for rice at Tk 32 per kilogram (about $412 per ton). The government of
Bangladesh has estimated the total output from 2014-15 Aman rice crop (April - December) at
about 13.189 million tons, up about 1.3% from about 13.023 million tons produced in 2013-14.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's 2015 Boro (January - May) rice acreage has reached about 4.822
million hectares, surpassing the government target of about 4.78 million hectares by about
42,000 hectares, local sources quoted data from the Field Service Wing of the Department of
Agricultural Extension (DAE).
Pakistan
Pakistan 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $355 per ton, up about 4% per ton
from a month ago and down about 13% per ton from a year ago. Pakistan basmati rice prices,
which have been declining since September 2014, have reversed and increased sharply in
February 2015, according to the FAO. In February 2015, Pakistan's basmati rice export prices
have increased about 12% to about $978 per ton from about $876 per ton in January 2014, and
down about 27% from their year-ago levels of about $1,348 per ton. In terms of local currency,
average Pakistan basmati rice prices in February 2015 increased to about PKR 99,512 per ton

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(using historical exchange rates), up about 13% from about PKR 88,305 per ton in January 2015,
and down about 29% from about PKR 140,731 per ton in February 2014.
The FAO has estimated Pakistan will export about 3.8 million tons of rice in 2015, slightly up
from 2014 due to expected increased production this year. The FAO estimates Pakistan's 2014
paddy rice production at about 10.1 million tons (about 6.85 million tons, basis milled), down
about 1% from about 10.19 million tons (about 6.93 million tons, basis milled) produced in
2013, due to localized crop damages in some eastern parts of Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad
Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), following floods in September and drought in south-eastern parts of
Sindh province.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has forecasted
that the country would not be able to meet its rice export target of about 3.8 million tons in FY
2014-15 (July - June) as demand from China and Malaysia has been falling. The REAP
Chairman noted that Pakistan's rice exports may reach about 3.5 million tons in 2014-15, of
which 600,000 tons are expected to be basmati. The National Space Agency of Pakistan
(SUPARCO) estimated Pakistan FY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production to decline
about 19% to about 8.437 million tons (about 5.65 million tons, basis milled) from about 10.04
million tons (about 6.72 million tons, basis milled) produced last year.
Pakistan's total exports, including basmati and non-basmati, continued to decline for second
consecutive month in February 2015 after they declined sharply in January. Pakistan exported
about 355,747 tons of rice (including basmati and non-basmati) in February 2015, down about
15% from about 419,153 tons exported in January 2015, according to provisional data from the
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Separately, the Basmati Growers Association (BGA) of Pakistan has challenged the application
filed by India's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority
(APEDA) with the Intellectual Properties Appellate Board (IPAB), which has accepted its
petition last month. However, the IPAB has reportedly adjourned the hearing on the application
filed by the BGA challenging the grant of geographical indication (GI) tag for basmati rice
grown in India, which came for hearing in the last week of February 2015. The IPAB had
adjourned the hearing to July 8, 2015.
The Chairman of the REAP has also urged the government of Pakistan to consider establishing a
Rice Technical Institute to help famers use technology in rice cultivation.
Cambodia

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Cambodia 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $440 per ton, up about 1% per ton
from a month ago and down about 3% per ton from a year ago.
Cambodia exported about 149,464 tons of rice in the first three months of 2015, up about 77%
from about 84,331 tons exported during the same period in 2014, according to data from the
Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice export Formality (SOWS-REF). Cambodia exported
387,061 tons of rice in 2014. In March 2015, Cambodia exported about 75,867 tons of rice, up
about 101% from about 37,676 tons of rice exported in February 2015 and up about 112% from
about 35,758 tons of rice exported in March 2014.
The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) has urged the government to strictly implement the Code
of Conduct, which was devised in February 2014, to prohibit local trading firms export cheap
rice from neighboring countries under the Cambodian brand. The Code of Conduct was basically
meant to reassure the European Union (EU) that Cambodia was not violating the Everything But
Arms Agreement, under which the EU imported rice from Least Developed Nations (LDCs) at
zero-percent duty to support their economies and farmers.
Meanwhile, an EU delegation met with the members of the CRF to discuss the concerns raised
by Italian rice producers that increasing rice imports from Asian LDCs such as Cambodia are
impacting Italian rice prices and consecutively farmers' incomes. The CRF told the EU
delegation that Cambodia has been focusing on exporting more of fragrant and jasmine rice to
the EU and does not compete with the locally produced white rice. The CRF added that
Cambodia's rice exports to EU so far in 2015 have declined by about 30% compared to same
period last year. However, Italy's Ente Nazionale Risi, the National Agency for rice noted that
the figures provided by Cambodia on 2015 rice exports are wrong as the EU data shows that the
decline during the stated period has been only 10%.
Separately, Cambodia is planning to increase its official rice exports to one million tons this
year, but there are concerns over the government achieving this target due to lack of sufficient
milling capacity and funding. Recently, the CRF agreed to levy a fee of $1 per ton of fragrant
rice and 40.5 per ton of long-grain white rice towards collection of requisite fund for rice sector
development. The government of Cambodia is also planning to double rice exports to China in
2015-16 (May - April) to about 200,000 tons.
Central & South America
Brazil 5% broken rice ended the month of March at about $550 per ton, unchanged from a
month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago. Brazil has exported about 119,828 tons
of rice in the first two months of 2015, according to data released by the Rice Institute of Rio
Grande do Sul (IRGA). In February 2015, Brazil exported about 49,915 tons of rice, down about
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29% from about 69,913 tons exported in January 2014. Meanwhile, Brazils National Grains
Supply Company (Conab) has forecasted the country's 2014-15 paddy rice production at about
12.152 million tons (about 8.26 million tons, basis milled), slightly up from about 12.122 million
tons (about 8.24 million tons, basis milled) in 2013-14. Brazil rice stocks have declined sharply
to about 135,717 tons in February 2015, down about 44% from about 240,544 tons in January
2015 and down about 77% from about 582,298 tons in February 2014, according to the Conab.
Five percent broken rice from Uruguay and Argentina ended the month of March at about $575
per ton, down about 4% per ton from a month ago and down about 8% per ton from a year ago.
Argentina has exported about 510,707 tons of rice in 2014 (January December), down about
5% from about 535,722 tons exported during the same period in 2013, according to data from the
Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. The USDA estimates Argentina's milled rice production at
about 975,000 tons in MY 2014-15 (April March), against consumption of about 500,000 tons.
It estimates Argentina to export about 580,000 tons of rice in MY 2014-15.
The USDA has forecasted Peru's MY 2014-15 (April - March) rice imports at about 220,000
tons, up about 22% from an estimated 180,000 tons imported in 2013-14, and down about 8%
from USDA's official estimates of about 240,000 tons. Based on data from the Peru Customs
Authority (SUNAT), the agency reports that Peru imported about 208,077 tons of rice in 2014
(January - December). Currently, there are no restrictions on rice imports in Peru and rice enters
duty-free into the country. It estimates Peru to produce 2.15 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15,
slightly down from an estimate 2.156 million tons in 2013-14 and down about 2% from USDA's
official estimates of about 2.1 million tons. Meanwhile, the FAO estimates Peru's 2015 paddy
rice production to increase about 2% to about 2.93 million tons (about 2.05 million tons, basis
milled) from about 2.875 million tons (about 2.01 million tons, basis milled) last year. The FAO
estimates Peru's 2014 rice imports at a slightly higher level compared to last year due to reduced
output in 2014. It estimates Peru's total cereal imports in 2014, including rice, to increase about
8% y/y to about 4.5 million tons.
The government of Guyana has secured the deal to export over 200,000 tons of paddy and rice
to Venezuela in 2015, according to local sources. The first shipment to Venezuela would take
place just before the harvesting of the first crop of 2015 begins, Guyana's Agriculture Minister
said. Meanwhile, the Guyana government is planning to secure export contract for another
10,000 tons to Venezuela due to lack of lucrative export markets for its rice. Guyana produced
about 633,000 tons of rice in 2014, up about 18% from about 535,212 tons from 2013; and
exported about 501,208 tons of rice in 2014, up about 27% from about 394,000 tons exported in
2013, according to the Agriculture Minister. The Caribbean nation aims to produce about
618,000 tons of milled rice and export about 521,000 tons in 2015.

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The FAO forecasts Colombia's 2014-15 (July - June) rice imports to double from their relatively
low level in 2014 due to a reduction in 2014 paddy rice production. Assuming favorable weather
conditions, the FAO forecasts 2015 paddy rice production at about 1.91 million tons, up about
8% from about 1.77 million tons in 2014. Separately, the government of Colombia had
negotiated subsidies to the rice milling industry if they paid a price of $40 per ton to rice
growers. However, the government is planning to end the subsidies to rice milling industry in
2015 due to high rice prices and its budget constraints, according to the USDA. The agency
estimates Colombia to import about 350,000 tons of rice in 2014-15 (April - March), up about
8% from about 325,000 tons in 2013-14. It estimates rice imports to decline to about 300,000
tons in 2015-16. It estimates Colombia's 2014-15 milled rice production to decline about 7% to
about 1.22 million tons from about 1.31 million tons in 2013-14. However, the agency estimates
the country's production to increase to 1.35 million tons in 2015-16 due to an increase in acreage
to about 450,000 hectares from an estimated 390,000 hectares in 2013-14. The Colombian
government does not maintain rice stocks but offers financial storage incentives for producers
and millers to hold inventories. Meanwhile, the agency estimates Colombia's rice stocks in 201415 to decline by 25% to about 90,000 tons from about 120,000 tons in 2013-14. However, it
expects stocks to increase to about 140,000 tons in 2015-16.
The government of Costa Rica has decided to continue with its longstanding policy of fixing
producer and consumer prices for rice for increasing rice production in the country as well as to
ensure that the government does not violate WTO commitments, according to the USDA.
U.S.
U.S. 4% broken rice ended the month of March at about $485 per ton, up about 1% per ton from
a month ago and down about 17% per ton from a year ago.
The USDA has forecasted U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice exports at about 4.72 million tons, up about
11% from last year and up about 1% from its February forecasts. The USDA lowered its
estimates for U.S. MY 2014-15 all rice ending stocks by about 2% to about 1.86 million tons
from its last month's estimates of about 1.9 million tons. However, it estimates U.S. all rice
ending stocks to increase about 25% y/y in MY 2014-15. The USDA estimates U.S. all rice farm
prices to increase to about $308.64 - $321.82 per ton from last month's estimates of about
$302.03 - $315.26. It increased estimates for long-grain rice farm prices to about $268.96 $282.19 per ton and estimates for combined medium and short-grain farm prices to about
$399.03 - $416.67.
Separately, California's ongoing drought is expected to hold on the medium-grain rice prices
firm and prevent them from falling, according to the CEO of an Australian rice processing
company. He noted that drought conditions in the U.S. state have led to drying up of reservoirs
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and Californians are relying on snowpack, as it melts and flows into reservoirs. However, the
flow from snowpack also fell about 24% from last year. In this situation, Californians are
resorting to purchasing water for both domestic and agricultural purposes. The state's paddy rice
acreage in 2014 had declined to about 420,000 hectares, down about 25% from about 525,000
hectares planted in 2013 due to prolonged dry conditions and water shortages.
Africa
The USDA has forecasted South Africa's MY 2014-15 (May 2014 - April 2015) rice imports at
about 1.15 million tons, slightly up from about 1.144 million tons in MY 2013-14 and up 4.5%
from USDA's official forecasts of about 1.1 million tons. The increase is likely to be catered to
increased export demand from the neighboring countries. The agency forecasts South Africa's
MY 2015-16 rice imports to increase 10% y/y to about 1.3 million tons to meet increasing
consumption. South Africa does not produce any rice and totally depends on imports to meet its
consumption demand. It also exports a small amount of rice to neighboring countries after
meeting its needs.
The FAO has forecasted mixed prospects for Madagascar's 2015 paddy rice production due to
heavy rains caused by cyclone Chedza in western, central and eastern parts as well as ongoing
dry conditions in the southern regions. The agency has forecasted mixed prospects for
Madagascar's 2015 paddy rice production due to heavy rains caused by cyclone Chedza in
western, central and eastern parts as well as ongoing dry conditions in the southern regions.
Agricultural experts meeting in a forum in the capital city of Senegal warned the government
that self-sufficiency in rice production cannot be achieved without qualified and trained farmers,
according to local sources. Senegal is a net importer of rice and imports about 80% of about 1.4
million tons of rice needed for its domestic consumption. The government has been keen on
reducing dependence on imports by increasing rice production. In this direction, the government
had launched an ambitious $148 million program to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production
by 2017. Separately, the government of Senegal is planning to limit annual rice imports at
500,000 tons as part of its efforts to boost domestic production and achieve rice self-sufficiency.
The government of Ghana is likely to shortly announce total ban on inland rice imports, local
sources quoted the Deputy Minister of Trade as saying. The government imposed ban on inland
rice importation in November 2013 and said it would allow rice imports only through the Kotoka
International Airport (KIA), and Tema and Takoradi ports to restrict rice smuggling and ensure
that imported rice is levied with the proper import duties and taxes. Ghana's annual rice import
bill stood at $306 million in 2013 and the government is planning to increase rice production by
about 20% per annum over the next four years to make Ghana self-sufficient in rice.

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China
China has imported about 189,700 tons of rice in first two months (January - February) of 2015,
down about 44% from about 338,700 tons imported during the same period in 2014, according to
data from China Customs General Administration. Meanwhile, China has exported about 34,400
tons of rice in January - February 2015, up about 42% from about 24,182 tons exported during
the same period last year, according to the Customs data.
The government of China has sold about 15,268 tons or 1.2% of about 1.4 million tons of lateharvest rice from reserves. The government sold the rice at an average price of about 2,710 yuan
(about $433) per ton.
Meanwhile, China's Agriculture Ministry has predicted the country's early rice planting area to
slightly increase to about 5.8 million hectares in 2015 from about 5.78 million hectares in 2014.
The government of China has procured about 28.07 million tons of 2014-15 middle to lateseason rice for reserves as of March 31, 2015, up about 4.6% from about 26.84 million tons
procured last year.
Separately, China's Guangdong Grain Association has signed an agreement with the Rice
Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) for the import of about 1,500 tons of rice this year,
according to local sources.
Philippines
The USDA has forecasted the Philippines MY 2014-15 (July 2014 - June 2015) rice import at
about 1.6 million tons, up about 33% from an estimated 1.2 million tons in MY 2013-14. The
Philippines imported about 1.4 million tons of rice as of October 2014 and the agency estimates
total CY 2014 rice imports at about 1.8 million tons. Meanwhile, the agency estimated MY
2015-16 rice imports at about 1.305 million tons (including 805,000 tons of legitimate imports
and 500,000 tons of unofficial imports.
Based on the data from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippines produced a
record 19 million tons of paddy in 2014, up 2.87% from about 18.4 million tons in 2013 despite
marginally lower rice acreage. The USDA estimates the Philippines MY 2015-16 paddy rice
production at about 19.68 million tons (about 12.4 million tons, basis milled), up about 3% from
an estimated 19.14 million tons (about 12 million tons, basis milled). Separately, The Bureau of
Agricultural Statistics (BAS) has estimated the Philippines paddy production in FY 2014 at
about 18.97 million tons, up about 2.87% from about 18.44 million tons in FY 2013 despite a
decline in the paddy rice acreage by about 6,419 hectares y/y, according to local sources. The

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government aims to produce about 20 million tons of rice each year from 2014 until 2016
through expanding the cultivation areas and the yield per hectare.
Separately, the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) has advised rice farmers to prepare
for early harvesting of the ongoing rice crop to avoid potential losses expected from an El Ninoinduced drought, according to a news release on the government website. Conditions were dry
last September and are expected to remain dry until July this year. The DA is also planning to
plant seeds of high-yielding rice varieties, including hybrid rice, certified inbred seeds and Green
Super Rice (GSR), in over 560,000 hectares of rice area in 2015, according to news release on
the government website. The High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) program is part of
the government's efforts to increase paddy rice production to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the
country, according to the DA sources.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of Philippines has decided to
review the government's agriculture policy especially with regard to rice imports and the
quantitative restriction (QR) regulations, local sources quoted the NEDA Director General (DG)
as saying.
Separately, The National Food Authority (NFA) has decided to import 200,000 tons of rice from
Thailand and 300,000 tons of rice from Vietnam under government-to-government (G2G) deals
to ensure adequate stocks ahead of the lean season as well as to curb price hikes. The NFA
imported over 1.4 million tons of rice last year.
Japan
The FAO estimated Japan's 2014-15 (April-March) rice imports at about 700,000 tons. The
agency estimates Japan's 2014 aggregate paddy production at about 10.6 million tons (about 7.74
million tons, basis milled), down about 1% from about 10.76 million tons (about 7.85 million
tons, basis milled) in 2013 due to a slight decline in planting area. Meanwhile, the USDA
estimated Japan to import about 700,000 tons of rice in 2015, up about 7% from an estimated
650,000 tons in 2014 due to an expected decline in production. The USDA said that Japans
2014 rice production declined about 1.2% to about 7.583 million tons from about 7.676 million
tons in 2013. The agency said that per capita consumption of table rice in Japan has been
declining but that for feed has been increasing.
The Japan Rice Industry Export Promotion Association has launched the "This is Japan Quality"
initiative jointly with the Agriculture Ministry to boost rice exports by highlighting the merits of
Japanese rice, according to local sources.

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Separately, the Chief of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Japan has urged the
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to retain high tariffs on the economy's "sensitive"
products, including rice, wheat, barley, pork, beef, dairy products and sugar, as part of the TransPacific Partnership talks with the U.S., according to the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA).
Europe
The European Union (EU) has imported about 522,634 tons of milled rice from non-EU nations
in September 1, 2014 - March 10, 2015 period of the crop year 2014-15 (September - August),
up about 5% from about 495,908 tons imported during the same period last year, according to the
EU data. The U.K remained the biggest buyer of non-EU rice with 104,349 tons (accounting for
about 20% of EU's total imports from the non-EU nations during the period. Meanwhile, the EU
has exported about 141,087 tons of milled rice in the first six months of 2014-15 (September August), up about 45% from about 100,791 tons exported during the same period in 2013-14,
according to data released by the European Commission (EC).
Meanwhile, a report titled "Prospects for EU agricultural markets and income 2014-2024,
released in December 2014, predicts that EU's rice production will remain stable over the next
decade through 2024 on a slightly decreased area but the region's rice consumption will increase
slightly to about 5.5 kilograms per person per year during the period. According to the report,
though the EU rice market seems to be highly fragmented, Japonica and Indica rice varieties
occupy a major share. The report says, the EU has limited capacity to expand production with
only few countries engaged in production, the EU has to continue its dependence on imports to
meet the rising consumption demand. Italy and Spain contribute to nearly 80% of EU rice
production.
Separately, the French Rice Growers Union slammed the government for depriving the rice
sector of coupled contribution of about 3 million euros (about $3.26 million) in addition to the
funds provided under the new European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Indonesia
The FAO estimates Indonesia's rice imports to return to more normal quantities and reach about
1.2 million tons in 2014-15 (April - March) due to a reduction in 2014 aggregate rice production.
The agency estimates Indonesia's 2014 aggregate paddy rice production at about 70.61 million
tons (about 45 million tons of rice, basis milled), slightly down from an estimated 71.28 million
tons (about 45.3 million tons of rice, basis milled) in 2013 due to a slight contraction in paddy
acreage. It estimates aggregate paddy rice production in 2015 at about 73.4 million tons (about
46.6 million tons of rice, basis milled), up about 4% from an estimated 70.6 million tons (about
45 million tons of rice, basis milled) in 2014. Meanwhile, the USDA estimates Indonesia to
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import about 1.25 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January 2015 - December 2015), slightly
up from an estimated 1.225 million tons in MY 2013-14. The agency estimates Indonesia's 201415 milled rice production at about 36.3 million tons (about 57.165 million tons, basis paddy),
unchanged from last year and down about 0.5% from USDA's official estimates of about 36.5
million tons (about 57.48 million tons, basis paddy). Indonesia's Agriculture Ministry has
estimated the country's paddy rice output in the first four months (January - April) of 2015 at
about 32.9 million tons, up about 4.1% from about 31.6 million tons produced during the same
period last year.
The government of Indonesia is expecting to procure between 2.5 - 2.75 million tons of rice from
local farmers, down about 14 - 22% from its target of 3.2 million tons, according to local
sources. However, this year, the President is keen on avoiding imports and increasing 2015
paddy rice production by about 4% to about 73.4 million tons (about 48.44 million tons, basis
milled) from an estimated 70.61 million tons (about 46.65 million tons, basis milled) in 2014.
Meanwhile, the government of Indonesia is most likely to achieve the self-sufficiency in rice
production in 2015 itself, much ahead of the 2018 target set by the President, the south-east
Asian nation's Vice-President said.
Separately, the government of Indonesia is planning to design a cycle of rice plant of harvesting
covering the entire nation to maintain continuous stocks in the country.
South Korea
The USDA estimates South Korea to import about 560,000 tons of rice in MY 2014-15
(November - October), including 408,000 tons of rice imports under the WTO's Minimum
Market Agreement (MMA) quota in the 2015 calendar year. South Korea plans to complete its
2015 rice imports under the 2015 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) purchasing plan between January October 2015 through public open tenders. The delivery is expected to be done by December 31,
2015. The agency estimates South Korea to produce about 4.24 million tons of milled rice in MY
2014-15, slightly up from an estimated 4.23 million tons in MY 2013-14. It estimates South
Korea's milled rice production to decline about 6% y/y to about 4 million tons in MY 2015-16
due to an expected 1.8% y/y decline in area planted to about 801,000 hectares.
Research and Scientific Development:
Researchers are working towards developing a perennial rice variety, which need not be planted
every year, and will yield good amount of rice for many years.
http://oryza.com/22044/perennial-rice-revolution-rice-cultivation

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A farmer in India's northern state Uttar Pradesh has developed a new variety of basmati rice
through organic farming using seeds brought by his ancestors from Pakistan.
http://oryza.com/22104/jhumka-basmati-indias-new-rain-and-pest-tolerant-basmati-rice-variety
The European Union (EU) funded project ERMES is developing new models for monitoring rice
crops through advanced information, including early warnings of possible threats, and there by
boost rice yields.
http://oryza.com/22091/eu-project-uses-space-and-sensory-technology-boost-rice-yields
Agriculture Ministers of Thailand and Vietnam, who met in Hanoi on March 12, 2015, have
decided to work closely to develop sustainable rice markets in order to increase the quality and
value of rice production in the long-run.
http://oryza.com/22088/vietnam-thailand-plan-jointly-develop-sustainable-rice-markets
Thailand's Pathum Thani Rice Research Center has developed a new rice variety - called Thani
200 or Kor, Khor.57 - that can withstand colder climates as well as resistant to pests.
http://oryza.com/22230/thailand-develops-pest-and-cold-resistant-rice-variety
March Tenders:
South Korea issued a tender to buy about 58,897 tons of rice but bought about 33,897 tons of
rice.
http://oryza.com/22034/south-korea-seeks-buy-58897-tons-non-glutinous-rice-internationaltenders
http://oryza.com/22177/south-korea-buys-33897-tons-rice-china-tender
http://oryza.com/22263/south-korea-passes-tenders-buy-25000-tons-rice-due-high-prices
The government of Morocco issued a tender to bought small short and round rice in tender.
http://oryza.com/22106/morocco-seeks-purchase-small-short-and-round-rice-tender

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Precision Agriculture Models Can

Supplement EU CAP to Boost Rice Yields
While Conserving Natural Resources, Says
EC Report
Apr 08, 2015

A recent report by the Italy-based Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission
(EC) has identified Precision Agriculture (PA) as a potential means to increase rice production in
the EU member states while reducing the environmental ill effects associated with various rice
production systems. The report recommends that PA can be integrated into the EU Common
Agriculture Policy (CAP) 2014-2020 to achieve the desired results.

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PA is a whole-farm management approach using information technology, satellite positioning
(GNSS) data, remote sensing and proximal data gathering, according to the report. The EC JRC
undertook a study to analyze the effect of PA on agriculture in the European context as well as
economic benefits associated with it.Applications of PA include auto-guiding systems and
variable-rate technology that allow for precise tillage, seeding, fertilisation, irrigation, herbicide
and pesticide application as well as harvesting. The report also says these systems can be
customized depending on specific requirements.
The report confirms that PA can play a substantial role in the EU in meeting the increasing
demand for food, feed, and raw materials while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources and
the environment. However, it says adoption of PA in the EU faces specific challenges due to the
sizes and diversity of farm structures. Therefore, the report recommends appropriate guidelines
related to PA and implementation assistance to EU member states, including a 'precision farming
calculator' tool for differing farming systems. It also recommends the implementation of
information campaigns among farmers and the adoption of appropriate tools to support them and
agri-consultants in their decisions taking processes.These data related to the rice growing sector
in EU member nations, can be supplied also by the EU-funded Ermes project, according to the
report. The data can be integrated into innovative Remote Sensing and Crop Modelling
techniques to assist farmers and regional authorities in rice cultivation and monitoring activities.

Brazil Paddy Rice Index Almost unchanged

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from Last Week

Apr 08, 2015

The Brazilian paddy rice index maintained by the CEPEA reached around 35.86 real per 50
kilograms as of April 7, 2015, down about 0.03% from around 35.87 real per 50 kilograms
recorded on March 31, 2015.
In terms of USD per ton, the index reached around $232 per ton on April 7, 2015, up about 3.5%
from around $224 per ton recorded on March 31, 2015.

Myanmar Exports 1.7 Million Tons of rice in

2014-15, Up 40% from Last Year
Apr 08, 2015

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Myanmar has exported around 1.7 million tons of rice in the fiscal year 2014-15 (April - March),
up about 40% from around 1.2 million tons exported in 2013-14, local sources quoted data from
the Ministry of Commerce.China accounted for more than 1.1 million tons exports from
Myanmar and most of the exports were through northern borders. Myanmar exported rice to
about 64 countries in ASEAN, Europe and Africa.The government of Myanmar has been trying
to legalize rice trade with China for a long time and early this year both the countries'
representatives met to discuss legalizing Myanmars rice exports. According to the chairman of
the Myanmar Farmers Association and joint secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation, China
has agreed to import one million tons of rice from Myanmar this year. He added that legal
exports to China are likely to begin in May.
The government is keen on increasing rice exports to around 3 million tons over the next few
years and has prioritized rice in its National Export Strategy.USDA estimates Myanmar to
produce 18.98 million tons of paddy rice (around 12.15 million tons, milled basis) and export
around 1.6 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (January - December 2015).

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Bids Fall

with Futures as Sellers Continue to Hold
Firm
Apr 08, 2015

The U.S. cash market was mostly unchanged today as bids dropped with the futures; however,
most sellers remain on the sidelines hoping for demand to show up and prices to
increase.Analysts note that most farmers are anxious to get into the fields this week; however,
wet is in the forecast for the next 10 days and will likely keep many of them out their fields for at
least another week.

Thailand 2014-15 Paddy Rice Output to

Decline 11% y/y Due to 43% y/y Decline in
Secondary Crop Output, Says OAE
Apr 08, 2015

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Thailand's Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has estimated the country's paddy rice
output for 2014-15 at around 32.6 million tons (around 21.5 million tons, basis milled), down
about 11% from around 36.77 million tons (around 24.2 million tons, basis milled) last year,
according to a notice on its website.The OAE estimates output from the 2014-15 main crop at
around 27.1 million tons (around 17.89 million tons, basis milled), slightly up from around 27.09
million tons (around 17.88 million tons, basis milled) in 2013-14.
It estimated output from the 2014-15 secondary/off-season crop at around 5.5 million tons
(around 3.63 million tons, basis milled), down about 43% from around 9.67 million tons (around
6.4 million tons, basis milled) last year and down about 18% from its previous forecast of around
6.7 million tons.The decline is attributed to an expected decline in paddy rice acreage of the
secondary crop. The OAE estimates paddy rice acreage of 2014-15 main crop to decline slightly
to around 9.88 million hectares from around 9.93 million hectares last year. It estimates paddy
rice acreage of 2014-15 secondary crop to decline about 42% to around 1.4 million hectares from
around 2.4 million hectares last year.The OAE estimates per hectare yield from the 2014-15
main crop to increase slightly to 2.74 tons from 2.73 tons last year; and per hectare yield from
the 2014-15 secondary crop to decline 3% to 3.89 tons from around 4.02 tons last year.The Thai
government had discouraged rice farmers from planting for off-season crop due to drought and
water shortages in reservoirs. The government is also planning to reduce acreage by about 4.44
million hectares (or about 39% of the total rice area of around 11.34 million hectares) under an
agricultural zoning system to grow other cash crops, such as sugarcane, in 3-4 years.USDA
estimates Thailand to produce around 29 million tons of paddy rice (around 19.15 million tons,
basis paddy) and export around 11 million tons in MY 2014-15.

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