3rd September, 2014 Daily Exclusive ORYZA E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.
com
News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874

3
rd
September, 2014

TOP Contents - Tailored for YOU
Latest News Headlines
Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today
Ghana Seeks Technical Support from Turkey to Boost
Rice Production
Experts Criticize Vietnam Policy to Import 70% of
Hybrid Rice Seeds from China
Thailand to Sell 175,000 Tons of Rice to Indonesia in
G-2-G Deal
Oryza.com Staffer Receives UN's Karmaveer Chakra
Award and Karmaveer Global Fellowship for Rice Bucket
Challenge movement
Rice Board Free of Political and Government
Interference is Pertinent to Revive Thai Rice Sector, Says
TREA President
South Korea Considers 500% Tariff on Rice Imports
Thai Rice Exports to Africa Likely to Hit by Ebola
Pandemic
Oryza Global Rice Quotes

NEWS DETAILS:

Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com

Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today
Sep 02, 2014

Asia sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged today .
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is quoted at around $425 - $435 per ton, about $20 per ton discount to Vietnam 5% rice
quoted at around $445 - $455 per ton. India 5% rice is quoted at around $435 - $445 per ton, on par with
Pakistan 5% rice quoted at around $435 - $445 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice was last quoted at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $50 per ton discount to Vietnam 25%
rice quoted at around $400 - $410 per ton. India 25% rice is quoted at around $390 - $400 per ton, on par with
Pakistan 25% rice quoted at around $390 - $400 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is quoted at around $430 - $440 per ton. India parboiled rice is quoted at around $425 -
$435 per ton, about $15 per ton discount to Pakistan parboiled rice quoted at around $440 - $450 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, was last quoted at around $310 - $320 per ton, about $30 per ton discount to
Vietnam broken rice quoted at around $340 - $350 per ton.
India broken sortexed rice is quoted at around $345 - $355 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on Pakistan
broken sortexed rice quoted at around $330 - $340 per ton.

Tags: Vietnam rice prices, India rice prices, pakistan rice prices, Thailand rice prices
Ghana Seeks Technical Support from Turkey to
Boost Rice Production


Sep 02, 2014

The Ghanaian government has sought technical
support from Turkey to help it expand paddy rice
production in the country and eventually reduce
dependence on imports, according to local
sources.Ghana's Director of Exports under the
Ministry of Trade and Industry, who is attending
the 83rd Izmir International Fair in Turkey, note
that the European country's support in transferring
requisite technology in rice farming would help
Ghana's rice sector to increase rice production in
the country while maintaining its quality. He also
noted that Turkey's technological support would
help increase jobs in the country and encourage
farmers to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production soon. He urged all the stakeholders to focus on adding
value to rice produced in the country.
Earlier this year, the Ghanaian government also sought assistance of India and the Dutch to increase rice
production in the country. It also developed a national rice seed map (NRSRM) to ensure self-sufficiency in
quality rice seed production by 2018.
Ghana produces only 35% of the required demand of around 975,000 tons and imports the rest. 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. It is targeting at least 13%
surplus rice production by 2018.
According to the USDA, Ghanas rice production is estimated at about 352,000 tons (milled basis) in MY 2013-
14 (October - September). The U.S. agency expects Ghana to import 600,000 tons of rice during the year to
meet consumption needs of around 975,000 tons of rice. It estimates Ghana to produce about 330,000 tons and
import about 620,000 tons of rice in MY 2014-15.
Tags: Ghana rice production, Ghana rice imports
Experts Criticize Vietnam Policy to Import 70% of
Hybrid Rice Seeds from China
Sep 02, 2014


Agricultural experts have criticized Vietnam's policy to import nearly
70% of hybrid rice seeds from China even after more than a decade of
initiating and operating project on developing hybrid rice varieties in the
country, according to local sources.A renowned agricultural expert says
that the government does not provide requisite support to agriculture
researchers to develop new rice varieties. He noted that the country lacks
adequate facilities to conduct scientific research to create and promote
newer rice varieties. He added that businesses also view importing seeds
cheaper than producing them in-house.
The agri-expert called on the government machinery to invest more in rice research to create necessary
ambience to researchers as well as reduce import bill on rice seeds. He says Vietnam researchers are very much
competent to develop world class rice seeds and all they need is government support.
The MARD data shows that Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), a has spent
around $500 million to import more than 8,000 seeds of different agricultural products, including rice, in 2013.
The agri-expert noted that Vietnam is in fact running a big national seed production and variety development
program with unlimited capital but is not efficiently utilizing the capital provided under the program. It has been
reported that nearly VND 20 trillion (around $928 million) towards the program.
USDA estimates Vietnam to produce around 28 million tons of milled rice and export around 6.5 million tons
of rice in 2014.
Tags: Vietnam seed policy, Vietnam rice exports, Vietnam hybrid seed production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
Thailand to Sell 175,000 Tons of Rice to Indonesia in
G-2-G Deal
Sep 02, 2014

Thailand's Commerce Ministry and the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) have agreed to supply around
175,000 tons of 5% and 15% white rice to Indonesia under a government-to-government contract, according to
Reuters.One of the Honorary Presidents of the TREA told local sources that the exports would be mainly from
new harvests and that the private sector would handle the requisite supplies. "This is a very good sign after
Indonesia had halted rice purchases from Thailand since 2012, citing the substandard quality of the rice
delivered," he was quoted as saying.


Last month, Indonesia's state buying agency BULOG said it was authorized to import about 250,000 - 500,000
tons of rice this year, but imports will depend on domestic production and prices. It has already imported 50,000
tons of rice - around 20,000 tons of 5% broken rice and 30,000 tons of 25% broken rice - from Vietnam to make
up for an increase in domestic consumption as well as ensure adequate supplies and curb price hikes.
The government instructed BULOG to import rice after the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has estimated
Indonesia's paddy rice production in 2014 to decline to around 69.8 million tons, down about 2% from an
estimated 71.28 million tons in the previous year. The decline in production is mainly due to an expected
decline in rice acreage by 26,530 hectares compared to last year.
USDA estimates Indonesia to produce around 37.36 million tons of rice, basis milled, and import around 1.5
million tons of rice in 2014. It estimates 2014 Indonesia's rice imports to more than double from around
650,000 tons in 2013, while 2014 production is expected to increase by just 2% from 36.55 million tons in
2013. Consumption in 2014 is expected to increase by 1% to around 38.65 million tons from 38.13 million tons
in 2013.
Tags: Thai rice exports, Indonesia rice imports, TREA, Bulog

Oryza.com Staffer Receives UN's Karmaveer
Chakra Award and Karmaveer Global Fellowship
for Rice Bucket Challenge movement
Sep 01, 2014

Manju Latha Kalanidhi, senior editor with Oryza.com who is the founder
of the global movement called 'Rice Bucket Challenge' and is based in
Hyderabad, India, will be honoured with the Karmaveer Chakra Award
and the Rex Karmaveer Global Fellowship by iCONGO, an international
confederation of NGOs, and the United Nations. The awards are given
for doing something small, yet significant, to make a difference in the
world.She has been with Orzya.com since June and has put up her first
post/story on the Oryza website. She will receive the award on March,
23, 2015 at an august gathering in New Delhi, where she shall be
felicitated and recognised as a Karmaveer Hero, Jeroninio Almeida,
founder of iCONGO said.Manju's initiative will be promoted by agencies
in a global scale. Apart from this, she will be featured in the second


edition of iCONGOs book Karma Kurry. The organisation is slated to sign a deal to sell 12 crore copies.
Currently, the Rice Bucket Challenge page has reached 546,000 people and has garnered about 60,000 likes and
several thousands of rice distribution.
As part of the challenge, people should donate rice (whatever they can afford to) to someone deserving and post
the picture of their act on www.facebook/ricebucketchallenge and motivate three others to do the same. Lakhs
of people in India and abroad have connected with the concept and it has started spreading across the globe. Air
Asia's staffers took up the challenge and BITS students of Goa, India, are the latest to join the
campaign.Oryza.com wishes her all the best in her endeavours.
Tags: Oryza, manju latha kalanidhi rice bucket challenge india hyderabad rice donation facebook
Rice Board Free of Political and Government
Interference is Pertinent to Revive Thai Rice Sector,
Says TREA President
Sep 01, 2014

In an exclusive interview to Oryza, Pol.Lt.Chareon Laothamatas,
President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) has shared a
number of issues relating to the Thai rice sector starting from the damage
caused by the so-called populist rice paddy pledging scheme introduced
by the previous government to the impact of recent reforms initiated by
the present military government.
Oryza: A lot of happenings in the Thai rice sector since the previous
government introduced the so-called populist rice pledging scheme.
What is your comment on the scheme?
Chareon Laothamatas: Populist (rice paddy) pledging scheme did
extensive damages to Thai rice industry. Our export dropped 40% and 18
million tons of milled rice left idle in the warehouses. Financial loss is
estimated to be $20 billion.
Oryza: The military government has abandoned the rice pleading
scheme and declared that no price support would be provided to farmers. What has been the farmers, traders
and exporters reaction to this stance?


Chareon Laothamatas: With new military government abandoning the (rice) pledging scheme, we returned to
market mechanism again. (Rice) farmers will have to endure short term effect on lower paddy price, until the
government can dispose the current inventory. As traders, we are grateful for the change, and will work hard to
take back our market shares.
Oryza: The military government listed a number of measures to help rice farmers reduce production costs.
Are the farmers really enjoying those benefits? Do you think these measures would ensure better incomes to
farmers?
Chareon Laothamatas: The measures such as lower costs for fertilizers, insecticides and seeds are in place to
help (rice) farmers reduce their production costs. All these are short-term measures to relieve farmers from their
immediate plight. In a long run, we are planning to work on land reform, better irrigation system, and
mechanization of farming, which will help reduce production cost and provide better income for farmers.
Oryza: Coming to exports, Thailand has lost its world's number one rice exporter status to India for the last
two years. How is the government planning to reclaim its status in the international market? How well do the
TREA and the government coordinate with each other in framing export strategies?
Chareon Laothamatas: Actually we are back to No. 1 again in the first 6 months of 2014. Our strategy now is
for TREA to work closely with our government to try to take back some of the G-2-G contracts. We already
successfully secured some amounts from COFCO and BULOG.
Oryza: The military government has resumed the rice sales but the first auction ended with several
confusions on pricing. In order to avoid such confusions, what kind of strategies (for pricing) do you think
the government should adopt? How can the government arrive at the realistic selling price?
Chareon Laothamatas: The first auction sold around 75,000 tons of various kind of rice. The reason that they
did not sell the whole amount was due to quality concerned. Auction rice that did not meet Thai government
standards will not be sold to ensure good quality. Also we are not in urgent need to sell our inventory, our main
objective now is to sell new rice which will begin harvesting next month onward.
Oryza: The government sold nearly 700,000 - 800,000 tons of rice in different auctions before the military
government took over. Do you think many exporters garnered huge quantities of rice at low prices?
Chareon Laothamatas: Yes, but I think they mostly sold out already.
Oryza: Thai export prices have certainly improved after the government halted sales from its stockpiles. Do
you think the necessary correction has taken place or are you expecting a further correction?
Chareon Laothamatas: I think Thai rice price(s) are at the bottom. We are not in a hurry to sell our inventory at
the moment and we have the holding power now and can wait for a better time to sell if need to.


Oryza: How do you perceive competition from I ndia and Vietnam as import demand from the Philippines,
Malaysia, I ndonesia, Sri Lanka and China is increasing? Are you confident that Thai rice exporters would
be capable of attracting maximum number of orders?
Chareon Laothamatas: Yes, we will try to compete and secure as much quantity as possible.
Oryza: I s the government's decision to sell around 500,000 tons of rice a month and complete the sales of
around 18 million tons in the next three years too ambitious? Do you think the prices would head
southwards again due to such sales? Are you convinced with the government's assurance about the quality
of the stockpiled rice?
Chareon Laothamatas: The new directive is to sell our inventory as need (arises), no quantity and time frame
have been fixed. We will put all our our effort to sell new rice first, and wait for opportunity to release our
inventory in the world market. Besides, old rice can consume in domestic market, and we are not too worried
about it now.
Oryza: The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has suggested a number of other measures such
as setting up a Rice Board etc to strengthen the Thai rice sector. Do you think this will yield the desired
results? What measures are needed according to you to reinstate the lost charm of the Thai rice sector?
Chareon Laothamatas: For long term solution, we suggested the NCPO to set up Rice Broad which comprises
farmers, millers and exporters representatives. This Board will frame long term strategies which will benefit
Thai rice industry as a whole. We want this Board to be free of political influence and protected by the
constitution. If successful, we can remain as world No. 1 rice exporter for a long time.
Oryza: There are no signals of elections happening in the country in the near future. Do you think a
prolonged military rule in the country would affect Thai rice exports?
Chareon Laothamatas: It will really depend on the NCPO performance. Everything looks promising now. I
hope it will remain this way for some time, so that a lot of mistakes from previous governments can be
remediable.
Tags: TREA, Rice Board, Thai rice sector, Thai rice exports, Chareon Laothamatas
South Korea Considers 500% Tariff on Rice
Imports
Sep 02, 2014


The South Korean government is planning to impose tariffs as high as 500% on rice imports beginning next
year when it will liberalize its rice sector, according to local sources.An official from the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Affairs told local sources that the high tariffs are meant to protect the local rice sector.
The government has to substantiate its stance of setting high tariffs at the WTO, he told. The official also noted
that the government is working on a logic-based tariff in line with international laws, which would be easily
approved by the WTO.
But, sources at the Ministry say tariffs above 400% would be sufficient to protect the local rice sector. They say
imposing very high tariffs has its own advantages and disadvantages. How the government would justify its
high tariffs is a big question.
The South Korean government announced its decision to open its rice market from January 2015 as its import
quotas under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement end this year. The government has to confirm to
the WTO whether it would seek another waiver and continue import quotas or liberalize its rice market with
tariffs before the end of September. Since the government has decided to liberalize its rice market, it is likely to
notify the WTO about the tariff rate before the end of this month, say local sources.
According to the WTO quota agreement, South Korea was allowed to import 4% of its annual rice consumption
for ten years under a mandatory rice import quota in 1993. The agreement was extended for another ten years in
2004 obligating the country to import about 7.96% of its annual rice consumption. Currently, South Korea has
an obligation to import around 409,000 tons of rice, or 9% of total consumption, under the WTO minimum
market access (MMA) volume at a 5% tariff. The MMA import quota remains applicable even after a country
liberalizes its import market as per the WTO rules.
The government decided to open its rice import market as it is keen on protecting its own production in the light
of declining rice consumption by cutting down on imports.
Farmers and civic groups opposed the move saying it would hurt their livelihoods and the local rice sector.
Tags: South Korea rice imports, South Korea rice market liberalization, WTO, import tariffs
Thai Rice Exports to Africa Likely to Hit by Ebola
Pandemic
Sep 02, 2014

Thailand's rice exports to African nations, including Benin Republic, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mozambique,
Nigeria and South Africa, are likely to be affected by the outbreak of Ebola virus, according to local


sources.The Honorary President of the Thai Rice
Exporters Association (TREA) told local sources that
most of the shipping companies are hesitant to send
their shipping vessels to Africa with the fear of their
crews catching the virus.Thailand exported around
3.29 million tons of rice to Africa in the first six
months of 2014, up about 140% from around 2.8
million tons exported during the same time in 2013.
In January-June 2014, Thailand exported around
620,000 tons of rice to Benin Republic, around
420,000 tons to Ivory Coast, around 357,000 to
Cameroon. around 240,000 tons to Mozambique, around 228,000 tons to Nigeria and around 248,000 tons to
South Africa. Thailand exported a total of 3.75 million tons of rice to Africa in 2013.
Exporters are concerned that the development would put a downward pressure on prices. The Honorary
President of the TREA told local sources that already prices of Thai 5% white rice have started to decline from
around 13,000 baht (around $406) per ton to around 12,300 baht (around $384) per ton despite increasing
demand from China and Indonesia.
The Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) also cut down Thailand's export growth to about 1% from 1.6%
due to Ebola virus outbreak as well as a host of other factors such as cyber attacks and lack of adequate
infrastructure investment.
Meanwhile, Thailand's Commerce Ministry is planning to hold a rice auction in the second week of September,
according to local sources. This is the second auction conducted by the Commerce Ministry after the military
government took over in May 2014. The first auction (to sell about 167,000 tons of rice) on August 7 was not so
successful as the Ministry received bids lower than the floor price. It managed to sell around 73,000 tons of rice
to 11 bidders generating around 740 million baht (around $23 million). Nationwide inspection of government
rice warehouses has been complete last week.
The TREA is expecting Thailand to export over 9 million tons of rice in 2014, up about 35% from around 6.6
million tons exported last year. According to TREA data, Thailand exported around 941,000 tons of rice in July
2014, up about 10% from around 854,583 tons exported in June 2014 and about 39% from around 675,063 tons
exported in July 2013. TREA expects August exports at around 900,000 tons.
Tags: Thai rice exports to Africa, Thai rice exports, TREA, Ebola

Oryza Global Rice Quotes


September 2nd, 2014
Long grain white rice - high quality
Thailand 100% B grade 440-450
Vietnam 5% broken 445-455
India 5% broken 435-445
Pakistan 5% broken 435-445
Cambodia 5% broken 465-475
U.S. 4% broken 535-545
Uruguay 5% broken 610-620
Argentina 5% broken 610-620
Long grain white rice - low quality
Thailand 25% broken NQ
Pakistan 25% broken 390-400
Cambodia 25% broken 450-460
India 25% broken 390-400
U.S. 15% broken 525-535
Long grain parboiled rice
Thailand parboiled 100% stxd 430-440
Pakistan parboiled 5% broken stxd 440-450
India parboiled 5% broken stxd 425-435
U.S. parboiled 4% broken 630-640
Brazil parboiled 5% broken 595-605
Uruguay parboiled 5% broken NQ
Long grain fragrant rice
Thailand Hommali 92% 1050-1060
Vietnam Jasmine 575-585
India basmati 2% broken NQ
Pakistan basmati 2% broken NQ
Cambodia Phka Malis 880-890
Brokens
Thailand A1 Super NQ
Pakistan 100% broken stxd 330-340
Cambodia A1 Super 360-370
India 100% Broken stxd 345-355
Egypt medium grain brokens NQ
U.S. pet food 470-480
Brazil half grain NQ

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

3rd September, 2014 Daily Exclusive ORYZA E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

3rd September, 2014 Daily Exclusive ORYZA E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.

You might also like