26th may (tuesday),2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

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2

May 26 ,2015

Vol 5,Issue V

5-Year Import Ban on Rice Could Earn Nigeria $2.6bn

Annually’

24 May 2015

Former minister of commerce and industry, Charles Ugwuh

By Chineme Okafor in Abuja

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter www.ricepluss.com

www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com



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Former minister of commerce and industry, Charles Ugwuh at the weekend called on Nigeria to

place a five-year import embargo on rice, saying within such timeframe, the country could

concentrate efforts on in-country production, displace imports and save $2.6 billion spent

annually on rice imports.Ugwuh who served under late President Musa Yar‘Adua and was once

president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) stated that during the five-year

period of ban, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) should also be mandated to protect the

nation‘s indigenous rice industry against smuggling.

―All hands should be on deck by the financial sector, local distributive trade, all agencies of

government, and all stakeholders to support the national initiative on rice. If we drive this to

success, it would encourage even greater success and confidence to tackle other products and

programmes that are relevant to prosperity and well-being,‖ he said in an interview in

Abuja.―We can grow rice and save over $2.6 billion per year we currently spend on rice

imports,‖ Ugwuh stated while insisting that Nigeria could be self-sufficient in rice production.In

his words: ―We call for a total ban on rice imports for at least five years to enable Nigeria to

bend down and produce its own food with the enormous natural resources and endowments we

have. The nation can be self-sufficient in rice.

We can eliminate food imports and save $9 billion annually on wheat, rice, sugar, and fish.

Nigeria cannot afford to waste such a huge amount and export vital jobs overseas, when massive

unemployment is such a great challenge threatening our national survival.‖He stated further on

the nation‘s unique potential for rice production: ―Nigeria has suitable ecology to grow rice

paddy virtually all over the country. With dedication, perseverance and national commitment,

Nigeria can grow and process rice to meet its domestic needs, and indeed, export to other African

countries at least, where a ready market exists for over 15 million tonnes from West through

Central and Southern Africa.‖―Nigeria has been striving hard to grow its capacity in paddy

production and processing through massive investments in production infrastructure: power,

water, irrigation facilities, dams and processing industries and technology

.―At this moment, Nigeria has made serious start, but she is yet uncompetitive and needs even

greater investments to compete with other countries in South-east Asia, which have been

producing rice for decades and have evolved a culture of rice at low cost and high yields that are

difficult to match,‖ Ugwuh added.He alleged that: ―Unfortunately, each time we make earnest

efforts to grow our rice capacity to displace imports, our traditional rice suppliers from South



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East Asia (India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, among others) double up their

efforts through Diaspora merchants to beat us down‖.

Speaking on the overall impact of this on the Nigerian economy, Ugwuh said: ―Overall, we bleed

from our economy $4 billion to $5 billion per year on a product that we can well produce with

little effort and determination. From 2008/2009, we embarked on another cycle of investments in

integrated new rice mills, farms, seeds production, infrastructure, and technology and rice

agronomy christened import substitution strategy a component of the Agricultural

Transformation Agenda (ATA).―Suddenly, we reversed our policies in May 2014 and allowed

rice merchants parading as investors to dump over two million tonnes of rice on Nigeria between

June 2014 and January 2015. The consequence is a total collapse of the rice market. This was

through legitimate import quota, smuggling and discretional waivers granted by ‗higher

authorities.‖

Tags: Featured, News, Nigeria, Charles Ugwuh

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/5-year-import-ban-on-rice-could-earn-nigeria-2-6bn-annually-

/210134/

NFA sees price spike for commercial rice in July ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 05/26/2015 2:26 PM

MANILA – The National Food Authority (NFA) said commercial rice prices may likely increase

by P1-P2 per kilo in the lean months starting July.NFA administrator Renan Dalisay said the

agency is implementing strategies to prevent this traditional upward price adjustment by boosting

rice stock or supply through the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice.Dalisay said he does

not expect prices to go up once there is enough buffer supply.

The NFA is also getting ready for the potential delay in the harvest for the last quarter ―palay‖

stock by utilizing the minimum access volume importation by the private sector.Dalisay said

even if only half of the 805,000 metric ton allocation under the minimum access volume is met,

the country will have more than enough rice supply to temper the projected price spikes due to

the delay in harvest.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/05/26/15/nfa-sees-price-spike-commercial-rice-july

http://www.thisdaylive.com/go/search/?search=Featured

http://www.thisdaylive.com/go/search/?search=News

http://www.thisdaylive.com/go/search/?search=Nigeria

http://www.thisdaylive.com/go/search/?search=Charles+Ugwuh



5

PH sets June 5 for 250,000 T rice import tender

Reuters

Posted at 05/25/2015 11:14 AM

MANILA - The Philippines' National Food Authority (NFA) has invited Vietnam, Thailand and

Cambodia to a June 5 tender for the supply of 250,000 tonnes of rice, a spokesman for the state

grains procurement agency said on Monday.The country is seeking offers from the governments

of its three neighbours for the supply of the 25-percent broken variety of rice to boost its buffer

stocks ahead of the lean harvest season that begins in July.President Benigno Aquino has also

given the NFA permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later this year should the drought-

inducing El Nino weather phenomenon intensify and damage more crops.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/05/25/15/ph-sets-june-5-250000-t-rice-import-tender

PH rice imports may hit 2.1M MT this year May 24, 2015 9:17 pm

by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ

THE Philippines‘ rice imports could reach as much as 2.1 million metric tons (MT) this year, the

biggest volume under the Aquino Administration and roughly the same level as in the 2008

global rice crisis, once the government approves the terms of a new trade concession with the

World Trade Organization (WTO).But Presidential Assistant on Food Security and

Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Francis Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the

National Food Authority (NFA) Council, said that the government has yet to finalize the terms of

the new trade concession.

The new concession under the so-called minimum access volume (MAV) gives other rice

producing nations market access to about 805,200 MT of rice that the Philippines imports

annually.The new trade commitment was supposed to take effect last year.With the approved

rice imports by the government now hitting 1.3 million MT, the additional volume under the so-

called MAV could send the total Philippines‘ rice imports to 2.1 million MT this year.―The

MAV decision is still being finalized,‖ Pangilinan said when asked if the NFA had already

adopted the approved MAV on rice.

Special treatment in WTO

Rice is a commodity that has direct linkages to food security, livelihood security and the rural

development needs of millions in developing countries like the Philippines.At present, rice is the

only commodity in the Philippines that enjoys special treatment in the WTO, which excluded the

same from agriculture liberalization.



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Unlike other agricultural products, rice, which is the basic staple grain of the Philippines, was not

tariffied. Instead, rice farmers were protected through the imposition of a quantitative restriction,

which allows only a limited volume of the grain to enter the country.

MAV refers to the minimum volume of farm produce allowed to enter the Philippines at a

reduced tariff of 35 percent, while shipments outside MAV pay higher rates of 50 percent and

would need approval by the NFA.Of the total MAV volume, some 755,000MT will be country-

specific- quota or CSQ (with Vietnam and Thailand getting the bulk), while the remaining

50,000 MT will be omnibus volume.Before, the Philippines only allowed 350,000 MT of rice

imports, of which 163,000 MT were allotted for CSQ and 187,000 MT for omnibus volume that

can be accessed from any country.Manila has historically allowed private sector importation for

rice requirement under MAV.

G2G rice imports

But there will be no private sector participation in the procurement of Manila‘s buffer rice

requirement as the NFA has opted to conduct a government-to-government bidding.In a

statement issued Friday, the NFA Said that only countries with existing executive agreements

with the Philippines would be allowed to join the G2G tender for the supply of the initial volume

of 250,000 metric tons of rice, which will serve as buffer stocks during the lean months.―The

governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia will be invited to participate in the G2G

procurement,‖ the agency said.

The NFA also said that it plans to buy well-milled long grain white rice at 25 percent

brokens.The interagency Food Security Committee earlier approved the importation of another

500,000 metric tons of rice this year on expectations that local palay (paddy rice) production will

fall short of target.It also arrived at the decision as rice stocks at government depositors also fell

below the required volume of at least 15-days‘ buffer stock at any given time, and 30-days‘

buffer stock during lean months.

The NFA said that the importation of 250,000 MT is part of the preparation for the lean months

beginning June and to stabilize rice prices, while the remaining 250,000 MT is on standby in

case there will be significant effects on production brought by El Niño.The Food Security

Committee is chaired by the National Economic Development Authority, with the Department of

Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and

Astronomic Services Administration, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agriculture, and the NFA as its

members.

http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rice-imports-may-hit-2-1m-mt-this-year/186165/



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Asian countries told to build up rice stocks soon

Linda Yulisman, The Jakarta Post, Bangkok, Thailand | Business | Mon, May 25 2015, 7:49 AM

Asian countries need to build up rice stocks as global supply may shrink due to growing demand

from major buyers like China and India, which will eventually push up prices, according to

global research house The Rice Trader.―China is still not on the pace to meet [annual purchase

of] 4.5 million tons this year, but they will make it. The fact that they now only have 2.2 million

tons suggests that they will buy aggressively,‖ said Jeremy Zwinger, the president and CEO of

the California-based research institute.China, now the world‘s-biggest rice buyer, imported 4

million tons of rice last year, up from 3.2 million tons in 2013, according to data from United

States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The country‘s rice imports in 2014 set a new record for a fourth consecutive year. The dramatic

increase rice demand from the world‘s most populous nation began in 2007, when imports

increased to more than seven times the average of the previous five years.The Rice Trader also

expects Indian rice stocks to jump to nearly 10 million tons this year. As of early May, India‘s

rice stocks had plunged by 22 percent to 22.23 million tons from the previous year, according to

statistics from Food Corporation of India (FCI) issued recently.

Rice Trader data from five rice exporting countries — Thailand, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and

the US — shows that overseas shipment sin 2014 reached historically high levels at 34.67

million tons, up 12.4 percent from 2013.The potential of a long drought caused by El Niño

would be another factor to watch, as it might pose a significant threat to production, Zwinger

noted.Scientists have warned that the world is on track for another year of record-setting heat,

with temperatures having hit a new high in the first four months of this year. Australia‘s weather

bureau has already declared the major event of El Niño, which is caused by a reversal of trade

winds in the Pacific, causing ocean temperatures to rise.

Apart from bringing unseasonably dry conditions to Australia and India over the next several

months, forecasters have also said El Niño could trigger famine in West Africa. Zwinger said

that over the next several months rice prices would stay at a low level on abundant supplies from

rice-producing countries, particularly Thailand.In the first two months of this year, Thai rice

exports totaled 1.34 million tons, and if the trend is maintained, the country‘s rice exports will

reach 8.04 million tons, still much lower than 10.97 million tons exported in 2014, according to

The Rice Trader.Within such a buyer‘s market, Zwinger recommended Asian countries,

including China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to buy overseas, as the situation might change

into a seller‘s market immediately, describing the current situation as a―transition‖ moment.



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―The price now is very acceptable, especially with the risk that the oil price will go back [up, the

risks of weather we keep seeing and the fact we had many years of lower production,‖ he said

during Thai Rice Convention recently.As of May 15, rice prices from key suppliers followed a

downward trend from the past year. Thai‘s 100 percent grade B rice price, for example, dipped

by 3.75 percent to US$385 per ton, and India‘s 5 percent broken rice price declined by 12.05

percent to $365 per ton, according to data compiled by The Rice Trader.

Indonesia‘s state-owned logistics firm Bulog finance director Iryanto Hutagaol, however, said

the government had no immediate plan to import rice, as at present, rice stocks at Bulog

warehouses was sufficient, while production was good. Indonesia, the world‘s third-largest rice

consumer, has delayed the planting season, which will extend the harvest season into June from

the normal end period in April. - See more at:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/asian-countries-told-build-rice-stocks-

soon.html#sthash.unNcchHq.dpuf

VN to develop own rice brand

Viet Nam News May 26, 2015 12:03 pm

HANOI - Vietnam is aiming to develop a Vietnamese rice brand that would become the world's

leading rice by 2030, according to a project approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last

week.The project, to develop a Vietnamese rice brand by 2020 with vision to 2030, seeks to

improve the image recognition of Vietnamese rice and its competitiveness, as well as expanding

market share in the world market and developing a national rice brand, in line with Vietnam‘s

history, culture and tradition.

The strategy to develop a national brand for rice would focus on two issues: identifying quality-

conscious markets, such as the US, EU and Japan to export high-quality varieties, and retaining

traditional markets with medium-quality rice.Specifically, by 2030, 50 per cent of the nation‘s

rice is to be exported under Vietnamese brands.The national rice brand would be protected in

Vietnam and at least 50 other countries by 2020. Also, regional rice brand names would be

developed and protected, based upon distributing products that are typical to a region.

Five key sub-projects to be implemented within the framework includes building and managing a

national rice brand name; developing a national rice brand name for major rice products of Cuu

Long (Mekong) Delta region; protecting brand and supporting firms in registering for brand

protection; promoting Vietnamese rice brands, and boosting exports and expanding markets.The

project highlighted the role of enterprises in building and developing Vietnamese rice brand



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names through developing their own brands and rice products and participating in the global

value chain.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/VN-to-develop-own-rice-brand-30260937.html

Vietnam's key rice harvest seen flat at 13.5 mln T -govt Tue May 26, 2015 1:47am GMT

HANOI May 26 (Reuters) - Vietnam has harvested an estimated 13.5 million tonnes of winter-

spring paddy from its southern region, incorporating the Mekong Delta food basket, nearly

unchanged from last year, the Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday.Production eased slightly

from 13.56 million tonnes harvested in a similar crop in 2014 due to lower yields, the ministry

said in a monthly report. The Mekong Delta produces 90 percent of Vietnam's rice exports.Stable

output while rice shipments from Vietnam, the world's third-largest exporter of the grain after

India and Thailand, have dropped around 11 percent so far this year could keep downward

pressure on export prices in coming months. (Reporting by Ho Binh Minh; Editing by Joseph

Radford)

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N0YH18R20150526

Thailand/Vietnam: Vietnam's rice exports drop as Thailand

offloads overstocks 5/26/2015

Thai News Service

Vietnam's rice exports have struggled to compete with cheaper shipments from Thailand in the

first four months of 2015 as the Thai government has sought to offload inventories at highly

discounted prices.As a result, a representative of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) said the

country's exports to highly price sensitive markets such as those in Africa could fall by as much

as 60% from the figures in 2014.Lower exports are resulting in more rice remaining in

Vietnamese miller's and farmers inventories, piling pressure on already-bulging storage and

raising the spectre of grainspoiling in temporary silos.

The Thai government began executing a subsidized scheme earlier this year in which it plans to

sell 10 million tonnes of broken rice in 2015 and an additional seven million tonnes in 2016 at

prices substantially below market prices.As one example, the Thai government in March sold 5%



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broken rice from its inventories at around US$236 to US$378 per tonne compared to the global

market price of US$405 per tonne.

A representative of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, who declined to be identified, in turn

justified the programme by saying that the government's rice is old and has been stored for a long

time so its value has depreciated (Reuters).There is always a large price gap between new rice

and old rice, the official said.The nation's rice industry can compete with private Thai traders, but

not with the Thai government as it slashes prices to bolster demand for old low quality stock,

said a VFA representative.In the four months leading up to May, Vietnam's riceexports dipped

12.73% in volume and 16.37% in value on-year to 1.686 million tonnes valued at US$707

million according to VFA statistics.

In addition to lower export prices and fierce competition with Thailand, in 2015,

Vietnam exporters are at risk of shrinking markets in other countries, particularly the Chinese

market.China has been the largest importer of Vietnam's rice for the past three years. In 2014

alone, Vietnam exported 2.1 million tonnes of rice to China, accounting for 30% of the

nation's export market.However, Vietnam's rice exports to China during 2015 are likely to see a

substantial decline as the Chinese government diversifies its import strategy to increase

riceimport quota from multiple sources.

To address the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Hai has asked the VFA in collaboration with

relevant government offices and those in the private sector to develop specific marketing plans

for each foreign market.In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the parties to lay out a

scheme to restructure production and shift rice cultivation areas to planting crops with higher

profit margins.

Hai said for 2014 Vietnam rice cultivation area stood at around 7.6 million hectares with an

estimated production of around 43.4 million tonnes of paddy rice. Rice production exceeds

consumption, but the country importstonnes of soybeans and corn annually.The government will

guide farmers to shift to crops to soybeans, corn or other crops that will help them improve their

overall profits, Hai stressed. - VOV

http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2371497495



11

Vietnamese rice brand name to be popularized in global

market

The Prime Minister has just approved the project to develop Vietnamese rice brand name by

2020 with a vision to 2030.The project is targeted to boost Vietnamese rice‘s added value,

market share and competition to the world‘s markets.Vietnam will strive to popularize the

national rice brand name by 2020 and introduce Vietnamese brand name for rice to at least 20

export markets.By 2030, the country will bring the national rice brand name to be the leading

one across over the world about its quality and food safety.

In order to reach its target, the government will implement programs to develop local rice brand

names and launch preferential policies to support enterprises using the national rice brand

name.Besides, the government will select three high quality rice products in the Mekong delta

region to improve to be local rice brand names which toward becoming the leading national rice

brand name.

Lam Nguyen –Translated by M.Quyen

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2015/5/113849/

Cambodia invited for Philippine rice tender Mon, 25 May 2015

May Kunmakara

Cambodia has been invited by the Philippines to bid for a 250,000 tonne rice tender in June to

boost the latter‘s rice buffer stock during the lean months of July to September.Philippines‘

National Food Authority has been tasked with issuing a tender in June for the import of 25 per

cent broken rice via a government-to-government deal, with delivery expected to be betweenJuly

and August. Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia are eligible for this tender as they already have

import contracts with the Philippines.Song Saran, chairman of Amru Rice (Cambodia),

confirmed the invitation to bid for the Filipino rice tender but said that the Kingdom was not

ready to partake in the bidding currently.

―In my opinion, Cambodia cannot join the tender this year. Cambodia needs at least two years to

have enough capacity to compete and supply to the Philippines,‖ he said.He said several pressing

issues, like the lack of paddy rice stock, high production costs and transportation fees, need to be

addressed before Cambodia can make a competitive bid.―The Philippines‘ demand is for supply

of a big volume in a short period,‖ he said. ―Cambodia does not have enough paddy rice to mill

and export to the Philippines.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/author/may-kunmakara/17732



12

‖David Van, adviser to the Cambodia Rice

Federation, told the Post in early April that

Cambodian agricultural products had good

potential in the Philippines. However, he added

that there were challenges to increasing

exports.―Cambodia could eventually succeed in

bidding for future Filipino rice tenders, should

the tenders be segregated into smaller orders

tonnage wise. But we still need to improve our

shipping costs and services [directly] to Filipino

ports or via transshipment in Vietnam,‖ Van said.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/cambodia-invited-phlippine-rice-tender

Belarus, Pakistan sign contracts worth $42m 25 May 2015 12:06 | Economy

Mikhail Myatlikov

ISLAMABAD, 25 May (BelTA) - Belarus and Pakistan signed contracts worth $42 million on

the first day of a visit of a Belarusian business delegation to Islamabad, BelTA has learned. On

25 May the Pakistani capital is hosting the Pakistan-Belarusian business and investment forum.

On behalf of Belarus the forum is attended by representatives of 25 companies working in the

field of oil refining, agriculture, engineering, medicine, chemicals, light industry, and also

commercial enterprises. On behalf of Pakistan the forum is attended by representatives of 60

companies.The Belarusian President's upcoming visit to Pakistan has already given an impetus to

the development of bilateral relations, as can be seen by the documents which have been signed

already, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mikhail Myatlikov

told reporters.

―We wanted to bring business, introduce Belarusian companies who are here for the first time to

partners in Pakistan,‖ Mikhail Myatlikov said.For the past eight years, the volume of Belarus-

Pakistan trade has hovered around $50-120 million per year. Pakistan is one of the key markets

for Belarusian tractors outside the CIS. Annual supplies make up 3,000-4,000 units.Mikhail

Myatlikov expressed confidence that the range of engineering products in Pakistan will be

expanded because the Belarusian delegation in Islamabad includes heads of the companies

producing the full range of attachments for tractors and agricultural machinery, which can be in

demand in the local market.In addition to tractors Belarus' major exports to Pakistan also include

potash fertilizers, synthetic fibers, and tires. From Pakistan Belarus imports rice, fruit, food,

leather and textile.Talks between representatives of the business communities of Belarus and

Pakistan will continue on 26 May at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ―Tomorrow will

bring new results,‖ Mikhail Myatlikov said. http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/Belarus-Pakistan-sign-contracts-worth-42m_i_82006.html

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/cambodia-invited-phlippine-rice-tender

http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics



13

Phytosanitary Deal with China Still Not Complete

Chinese Border Guard

"No U.S. rice past this point...yet."

WASHINGTON, DC - A phytosanitary agreement

between the United States and China that would clear the

way for U.S.-grown rice to start flowing into China has

been in the works for almost a decade, but a final

agreement continues to elude negotiators. Earlier this

year, after lengthy negotiations on a technical level, the

U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sent their Chinese

counterparts, the General Administration of Quality

Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), what

many thought would be a final - or close to final - agreement.

However, AQSIQ sent back a modified agreement that includes provisions not seen in any such

agreement entered into between the U.S. and any other country. APHIS has sent AQSIQ a

request for clarification on some of these requirements in the hopes of moving the final

agreement along."Some think the U.S. should just sign the agreement and work out problems

later, but our past experience tells us APHIS is right to get answers from the Chinese now, rather

than to try to correct a bad deal after the fact," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice's vice president of

international promotion.

"This market is big enough and potentially important enough that the agreement needs to be

done right the first time around."Guinn says USA Rice will remain engaged with APHIS as they

attempt to open the rice trade between the U.S. and China, continue the regular consultation with

rice industry growers and the exporters who will do the business once the market opens, and

direct promotion efforts and relationship-building in China for the time when an agreement is

finally reached.

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

Crop Progress: 2015 Crop 93 Percent Planted

WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-three percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is planted, according to today's U.S.



14

Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.

Rice Planted, Selected States

Week Ending

State May

24, 2014

May 17,

2015

May 24,

2015

2010-2014

average

Percent

Arkansas 94 89 92 92

California 88 90 98 84

Louisiana 99 98 99 99

Mississippi 90 93 94 90

Missouri 94 75 78 90

Texas 98 79 84 98

Six States 94 89 93 92

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 26

Month Price Net Change

July 2015 $9.420 - $0.010

September 2015 $9.695 - $0.010

November 2015 $9.950 - $0.010

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001sRVmfVvvtG_KA3X7MealMaKKKpBpkaYVtYjLMwhjKuqXgJIFRe61hrWnPwSp8l8ojDtk-ceMhrn69d8cu4DfKOfaPMpgT33qKNJWmP53bOE7IrZVvenlRMJ984n1zC7KXMjQfIcpmgsnpkU_5DDS8_KMiefuPPiDSM170WBgWkeCa8mkY3HrtFbepq2yCwwpQwMbjH5a4EFdPSHi2RwyddggB5lQypxLCWc4CfpaNnq6Ii6rV0gwikx_Y6yVE-uf&c=QWvNYkUgtZC9U0GFt7h-yOJISAH4ARovYvW_isRbQi71qMS1uvvklw==&ch=T4Qw0AhLSX0eZZyZKgzdmES_3INB6zHrJTGEWIoVAZhw7WKitEfwWQ==

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001sRVmfVvvtG_KA3X7MealMaKKKpBpkaYVtYjLMwhjKuqXgJIFRe61hjYnPXugEWh8VxhT4ZLvQYIaK1XtfoevYRPfyIDo7Vy74sGjK8vX8fgGxvcg2nBp6jBQbqqOjlRqtSh5FbuOlaTpfvMGQAYbJCTi12oS78oE7P9Oryt-ZH88MGl-akQwAA78DjhU6hh8_TcGmgtYLFXgkjkFHFuW5kDyK-0WCGnx4Af3ex9obAt1mckEObSu0p3ia4-IZS83qdwPE46-KXmpcKcpL1nRIj2RV7wsQAa_&c=QWvNYkUgtZC9U0GFt7h-yOJISAH4ARovYvW_isRbQi71qMS1uvvklw==&ch=T4Qw0AhLSX0eZZyZKgzdmES_3INB6zHrJTGEWIoVAZhw7WKitEfwWQ==



15

January 2016 $10.210 - $0.010

March 2016 $10.275 - $0.010

May 2016 $10.275 - $0.010

July 2016 $10.275 - $0.010

USA Rice Federation

Louisiana corn, soybeans hampered by rains

Some young rice struggling

May 22, 2015Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter | Delta Farm Press

WATER REMAINS on portions of a soybean field at the South Farm of the LSU AgCenter Rice

Research Station in Crowley. Frequent heavy rains have created potential problems for some

areas of soybean production in Louisiana, and saturated ground over much of the state is creating

drainage problems for row crops. (LSU AgCenter photo by Bruce Schultz)



16

Heavy rains have caused problems for some Louisiana soybean

and corn farmers, especially in the north part of the state where a

storm system brought as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas in

the one week, but sugarcane and rice are not as affected by the

weather, according to LSU AgCenter experts.Ron Levy, LSU

AgCenter soybean specialist, said some fields of young soybeans

have been too wet.

―We may have some losses and have to replant.‖He said he talked with a north Louisiana farmer

who had 7 inches of rain. ―With that much rain, it fills up all the ditches and drainage areas, so it

takes longer for the water to run off.‖Levy said some farmers have been waiting to plant, but the

excess moisture makes that difficult.Delayed planting will probably mean yields will be affected,

he said. ―We‘re already to a point where we‘ll see yields drop off.‖A late-planted soybean crop

faces more stress from intense summer heat and more disease and insect pressure, Levy said.In

southwest Louisiana, as much as a third of the soybean crop may have to be replanted, said

Barrett Courville, LSU AgCenter county agent in Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes.

Saturated soil

Many fields where beans are up have excess moisture. ―The soil is so saturated that they‘re not

growing,‖ Courville said.The wet ground is delaying farmers from getting into the fields to spray

herbicides, Courville said. But some areas haven‘t received much rain, and the fields are ready to

be planted.Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist, said the corn benefits from the rain as

long as the fields are not flooded.

―We‘re in the rapid growth stage right now.‖Some fields hit by high winds had lodged corn, he

said. Corn will suffer from a lack of oxygen in fields with waterlogged soil. Corn farmers had to

deal with excess moisture during planting in March and April.Cotton in Louisiana is 80 to 90

percent planted, but flooding for that commodity is not good for the crop, he said.Donna Lee,

LSU AgCenter county agent in East Carroll Parish, and Keith Collins, county agent in Richland

Parish, said water from recent heavy rains appear to have drained, but low-lying areas have

standing water. Additional rain this week resulted in wetter fields.―We were needing rain, but we

didn‘t need 4 and 5 inches,‖ Lee said. ―Now we need sunny weather.‖

http://deltafarmpress.com/corn/how-manage-nitrogen-wet-corn-fields



17

Cool weather

She said the cotton, corn, soybeans and milo she has seen in northeast Louisiana look good so

far. But cool weather that came on May 21 could slow plant growth.―The most susceptible crops

were those that are small,‖ said Collins.He said some fields of young soybeans were underwater

and that could affect those crops. Some fields may need to be replanted, he said.Sugarcane is not

as affected by heavy rains now, said Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist. ―At

this stage, cane is pretty resilient.‖He said sugarcane farmers have made herbicide and fertilizer

applications.

―It would be better if it were a bit drier, but going into the summer with good moisture is good.

Overall prospects for the crop continue to look good,‖ Gravois said.Even though rice thrives in a

wet environment, the frequent rainfall has caused problems for rice farmers.―In a lot of places,

farmers are struggling to get done what‘s needed in the fields,‖ said Dustin Harrell, LSU

AgCenter rice specialist.He said landing strips for airplanes have been too wet to use for

midseason nitrogen fertilizer applications. Flying services are using hard-surfaced runways,

which are often several miles from a field, and the extra distance is resulting in higher fees, he

said.

Rice struggling

He said young rice is struggling, and an early outbreak of leaf blast disease has been found.Don

Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist, said frequent rains have made ideal conditions for

blast.―The rain has increased the probability of each spore being successful in infecting a plant

that it lands on. Then the lesions that form can produce more spores due to the moisture,‖ Groth

said.The heavy rainfall also is affecting pastures. Grazing conditions are good, but fields for hay

production have been too wet, according to Vince Deshotel, LSU AgCenter county agent and

Central Region beef cattle coordinator.―We certainly need a break to get things done in the

field,‖ Deshotel said.

Even if hay producers are able to get into their fields for cutting grass, the wet conditions won‘t

allow hay to dry for baling.―Probably everybody is a month behind,‖ he said. ―As a hay producer

myself, I typically have a cutting done by now.‖The wet conditions are also setting the stage for

potential cattle health problems. Deshotel said the high mosquito population will stress cattle,

and muddy ground could cause hoof problems and an increase in parasites.



18

http://deltafarmpress.com/soybeans/louisiana-corn-soybeans-hampered-rains

Rice update: planting progress, armyworms, DD50 sign-up

Wet weather slows planting

May 22, 2015Arkansas Extension Service | Delta Farm Press

Arkansas Extension's Jarrod

Hardke, rice agronomist, and

Scott Stiles, economist, have

written a report on the current

condition of the state's rice.

Among their findings:"Progress

slowed over the past week with

the return of wet weather. Private

estimates now peg Arkansas rice

acres at 1.425 million, down from

1.441 forecast by USDA in March (and 1.45 by me at the same point). Given conditions and the

current outlook – somewhere at 1.3-1.4 million acres looks about right for a final planted

acreage. There are no certainties at this point and those final reported acreage estimates are still a

long way off."

Read the full report.

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/rice-update-planting-progress-armyworms-dd50-sign

4-H program deepens students’ understanding of science in

ag

Nancy Madsen/The Free Press

Science in ag

Brian Prchal, left, describes how the biodiesel engine he created compares to regular diesel in a

one-cylinder engine April 24 in Montgomery, Minn., as Anna Prchal and Tyler Fromm watch.

The students are participating in 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge through the University of

Minnesota Extension Service.

Posted: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 1:00 am

By NANCY MADSEN, The Free Press

http://www.arkansas-crops.com/2015/05/21/arkansas-rice-update-21/



19

NEW PRAGUE, Minn. — Brian and Anna Prchal and Tyler Fromm are teenagers making and

using biodiesel. They‘re also part of a possible solution for a growing need for employees in

agriculture.There are 25,700 new jobs for management and business in agriculture and 14,600

new jobs in agriculture and science engineering each year, according to a U.S. Department of

Agriculture analysis of job figures. The gap between expected job openings and agriculture and

related fields graduates is roughly 1,000 each year.For junior high and high school students, ―4-

H involvement could lead to college, university or even trade school and an ag-related job,‖ said

Josh Rice, who runs the science of agriculture programming at University of Minnesota

Extension.

―Agricultural awareness is a very important piece of this. There are ag jobs out there and it‘s not

just production agriculture. It can be marketing, processing, distribution and even social

science.‖Minnesota is the first state to start a 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge, which is a

team competition showing science and engineering understanding. The teams have three or four

members between grades six and 12 who share a common interest. A coach guides them through

the scientific or engineering process. The teams also meet with a mentor from the industry, who

gives guidance and an inside view of an agricultural career.Brian and Anna Prchal of

Montgomery and their cousin Tyler Fromm of New Hope teamed up to work on biodiesel. Jodi

Prchal, Brian and Anna‘s mother and a fifth-grade teacher, is their coach.Brian created biodiesel

from used fryer oil at a local restaurant. He describes the process in detail on how to transform

that oil into fuel.―You can burn straight filtered vegetable oil in a diesel engine, but it gums up

the engine,‖ Brian said.

After filtering it, the major step in the process was carefully combining the oil with methanol and

potassium hydroxide, which separates the fatty acids from the glycerin, which settles to the

bottom. The fatty acids bond with methanol to transform the molecules into biodiesel. That is

followed by ―washing‖ the biodiesel with water to cause even more separation, leaving a

transparent light orange liquid.Jodi Prchal says the critical moment came when they tried it in an

engine. Brian had bought a single-cylinder, nine horsepower diesel engine and it ran smoothly on

the biodiesel.Brian‘s goal, he said, is to be able to have a diesel truck and run it on his own

biodiesel.―I‘ve always been really interested in renewable energy,‖ he said.He made 1 liter of

biodiesel for this project but wants a setup that will allow him to make 30 gallons at a time with

less intervention.

―It would cost 70 cents a gallon if you do it right versus $4 per gallon of diesel, when diesel was

high,‖ Brian said. He tested the efficiency and the acidity of the biodiesel against

diesel.―Biodiesel is not as efficient as conventional diesel,‖ he said. ―But the pollutants were far

less. The pH didn‘t go up a lot. Diesel has some sulfur in the exhaust, so biodiesel is better for

the environment.‖Anna‘s and Tyler‘s projects branch off of Brian‘s. Anna tested his biodiesel

against kerosene and ethanol for pollutants and energy. She created a calorimeter by suspending

a pop can with some water over burners of biodiesel, ethanol and kerosene. She judged

pollutants by burning the fuels inside a cylinder with a coffee filter covering the top end.―The

kerosene had the most soot, I was in the basement and there was soot all over,‖ Anna said.



20

―Ethanol had nothing and biodiesel had some

spots. Kerosene had the highest temperatures,

then ethanol and biodiesel. The better option

would be ethanol than biodiesel.‖Tyler

researched fuels and talked to professionals.

After sharing the research with Brian and Anna,

he tested the wear of engines when using regular

diesel and biodiesel.―The biodiesel was better

for wear,‖ he said.The three have all been

around farms their whole lives and have been

involved in 4-H, frequently competing at the

Minnesota State Fair.

The team has been working on the project since October. In June, they‘ll give a presentation to a

panel of judges. Questions from the judges will follow the presentations.―That‘s what highlights

the deeper learning that‘s taken place,‖ Rice said. ―There has been a lot of time that the youth

have been engaged in active learning.‖There are 14 teams competing for scholarships — $1,000

for each teammate for first, $750 for second and $500 for third.The scholarships can be used at

any accredited trade school, college or university, for any major because, Rice said, ―Any college

major that we talk about, we can make a connection to agriculture.

‖Students are also eligible to participate each year from sixth grade to high school graduation,

even if they have already won one or multiple scholarships.After getting the feedback from the

trial year, Rice said he hopes to more than double the number of teams next year.―Over the next

five years, we‘re hoping for a national program,‖ Rice said. ―Once other states offer the same

program, there may be a national contest.‖But, at the basic level, the program may attract young

people to science and engineering fields, deepen their understanding, allow them to take more

advanced science classes in high school, and eventually lead to the qualified employees that

agricultural businesses know they‘re going to need.

―This could potentially change what agriculture looks like,‖ Rice said. ―This can help students

know they have the capability of being scientists and engineers.‖On Team Prchal-Fromm, that‘s

already understood.Brian knows he‘s going to double major in mechanical and agricultural

engineering at college in the fall. His sister, in eighth grade, knows she wants to work with

animals or the environment. And Tyler, also in eighth grade, wants to work for the Department

of Natural Resources.Brian joked, ―That‘s just because you want to fish and get paid for it.‖Tyler

shrugged and said, ―That would be great.‖

http://www.trivalleycentral.com/trivalley_dispatch/farm_and_ranch/h-program-deepens-

students-understanding-of-science-in-ag/article_961edf5a-03db-11e5-93a0-87ae4d3a7166.html

http://www.trivalleycentral.com/trivalley_dispatch/farm_and_ranch/h-program-deepens-students-understanding-of-science-in-ag/article_961edf5a-03db-11e5-93a0-87ae4d3a7166.html?mode=image&photo=0



21

APEDA India (News)

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 25-05-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Rice

1 Bargarh (Orissa) Other 2100 2300

2 Dhing (Assam) Fine 2800 3100

3 Taliamura (Tripura) Other 2500 2700

Wheat

1 Amirgadh (Gujarat) Other 1250 1755

2 Bonai (Orissa) Other 1450 1600

3 Rudrapur(Uttrakhand) Other 1450 1511

Mousambi

1 Aroor (Kerala) Other 3400 3600

2 Sirhind(Punjab) Other 3000 4200

3 Mechua(West Bengal) Other 2500 3100

Cabbage

1 Aroor (Kerala) Other 2600 2800

2 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 2000

3 Shillong(Maharashtra) Other 1000 1300

Source:agra-net For more info



22

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 25-05-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 306

2 Mysore 345

3 Hyderabad 281

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 22-05-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Potatoes Package: 40 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Georgia Yellow 19 20

2 Chicago Mexico Yellow 23 26

3 Dallas Peru Yellow 25 25

Cucumbers Package: cartons film wrapped

1 Atlanta Canada Long Seedless 8.50 9.50

2 Dallas California Long Seedless 12.50 13

3 Detroit Canada Long Seedless 9 10

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Virginia Red Delicious 16 16

2 Chicago Washington Red Delicious 12 14

3 Detroit Washington Red Delicious 19 20.50

Source:USDA

http://e2necc.com/

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26th may (tuesday),2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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