15th july ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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July 15,2017 Vol 8 Issue VII

Today Rice News Headlines...  Sri Lanka secures immediate rice stock from Pakistan, Myanmar  Dark clouds over Pakistans external trade what is actually wrong with our exports  Govt blacklists 16,000 rice millers  NFA Council says 11 express interest in July rice auction  Rice prices still retailing over Tk 40 a kg despite wholesale price drop  Rice millers to speed up milling  GST impact: 5% rate to squeeze margins of basmati rice exporters  SUSHMA’S INTERVENTION SOUGHT ON NIGERIA BAN ON INDIAN RICE IMPORT  USA Rice Celebrates Thousands Serving Billions of School Lunches  Vietnamese private rice exporters can bid for Philippines shipments  Paddy sowing area up 4.5%; pulses rises 24% in kharif season  NAGPUR FOODGRAIN PRICES OPEN- JUL 14, 2017  17 bidders for government rice  Vietnam, Pakistan, Burma expected to drive 2018 global rice exports

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News Detail...

Sri Lanka secures immediate rice stock from Pakistan, Myanmar Author LBO Posted on July 14, 2017 | Agriculture, In Pictures

The four man Lankan team of officials that flew to Pakistan and Myanmar to select rice tranche, has returned to Colombo today July 14 morning-and reports tale of a government to government level success.

No less than 55000 MT rice has been made available to Sri Lanka immediately by both Pakistan and Myanmar.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, whose team of officials took of on July 7 to Pakistan and Myanmar, praised the team‘s win on 14 July. ―After this successful tour, it is clear that there will be no more rice shortages in the domestic markets-or even any likelihood of it. Some elements in the market are trying to create an artificial shortage‖ Minister Bathiudeen said.

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The team of officials that flew out on July 7 was led by Secretary of Ministry of Industry and Commerce Chinthaka Lokuhetti, and two officials from the Finance Ministry and a food technologist from ITI. According to an official who returned, Pakistan has agreed to supply 25000 MT immediately. No final price has been quoted yet but once the final price is agreed, will be shipped from Pakistan in early August. Pakistan is also ready to supply some more rice quantity by September.

Myanmar is ready to supply another 30000 MT immediately and its final price too, to be agreed.

According to the officials who returned, the Sri Lankan team was given a very warm welcome at both destinations, was promptly attended and samples were then given. The rice samples tested in Pakistan were already milled and in good quality. Myanmar rice too is of good quality –only that it requires to be re-milled and Myanmar is ever ready to mill them before shipping to Colombo. Lankan officials and food technologist also performed their own cooking tests on the samples given to them at both destinations and say that the quality and taste to be ‗very good‘.

Sri Lankan officials also bargained for lower prices than the prices first quoted by both Pakistan and Myanmar officials. Officials of both countries agreed that such bargaining is acceptable and said shall submit Sri Lanka‘s bargained price quotes to their respective Cabinets (of Ministers) for approval, to complete the government to government sales.

Previously on 22 June, Minister Bathiudeen met HE Ambassador Designate of Thailand to Sri Lanka Mrs Chulamanee Chartsuwan, HE Ambassador of Indonesia to Sri Lanka Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa and Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad Khan Sipra at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to call for government to government rice supplies to Sri Lanka. All the HE Ambassadors present pledged immediate support to Sri Lanka‘s efforts to procure the needed rice tranche.

The Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) under Minister Bathiudeen has been roped in for the local distribution work of imported rice.

2nd News... w Sri Lanka secures rice stocks from Pakistan and Myanmar Industry and Commerce Minister meets Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad Khan Sipra (centre) on June 22 for ‗rice talks‘ at the ministry The four-man Lankan team of officials that flew to Pakistan and Myanmar to select rice tranche, returned to Colombo yesterday. It was reported that no less than 55000 MT rice has been made available to Sri Lanka immediately by both Pakistan and Myanmar. Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, whose team of officials took off on July 7 to Pakistan and Myanmar, praised the team‘s success.

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―After this successful tour, it is clear that there will be no more rice shortages in the domestic markets-or even any likelihood of it. Some elements in the market are trying to create an artificial shortage,‖ Minister Bathiudeen said. According to an official who returned, Pakistan has agreed to supply 25000 MT immediately. No final price has been quoted yet but once the final price is agreed, will be shipped from Pakistan in early August.

Pakistan is also ready to supply some more rice quantity by September. Myanmar is ready to supply another 30000 MT immediately and its final price too, is yet to be agreed. Previously on June 22, Minister Bathiudeen met Ambassador Designate of Thailand to Sri Lanka Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Ambassador of Indonesia to Sri Lanka Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa and Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad Khan Sipra at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to call for government-to-government rice supplies to Sri Lanka. All the ambassadors present pledged immediate support to Sri Lanka‘s efforts to procure the needed rice tranche. http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Sri-Lanka-secures-rice-stocks-from-Pakistan-and-Myanmar-132861.html

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Dark clouds over Pakistans external trade what is actually wrong with our exports Analysis Published on July 14, 2017 s actually

wrong with our exports?

by Irfan Takalvi

While in itself is quite alarming that Pakistan‘s overall trade deficit – the difference between total exports and imports – is reaching the $ 30 billion mark, for the first time in the history, in the just concluding financial year; that is not all and there much more to worry about our trade with rest of the world.

The persistent downward trajectory of the exports, which were already considerably short of imports, is something needing urgent attention. Pakistan‘s exports are on a decline, continuously for last three fiscal years. After achieving the record figure of $ 25.1 billion in 2013-14, overall exports declined to $ 23.7 bn. in 2014-15 and further to $ 20.9 in 2015-16. The declining trend continued in the first 11 months of 2016-17 as well, totalling $ 18.5 bn. and recording a further decline of 3.1%.

Thus, because of this continuous decline in exports, in addition to around 20% increase in imports, the country this year is faced with a mammoth record trade deficit of around $ 30 billion for 2016-17.

Pakistani exports are heavily concentrated in textiles. Out of $ 18.5 bn. total exports in first 11 months of 2016-17, some $ 11.2 bn. are textile products/items. This is more than 60 % of the total. The remaining 40% is also concentrated heavily in three categories/items: rice, leather, and sports goods. It indicates that country‘s export base is quite narrow, not broad-based enough.

As far as the direction of exports is concerned, we see a concentration here as well. More than 17% of Pakistani exports are destined for a single market, the US. This is followed by some 78% to China. Five European nations – UK, Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium – absorbs some 24% of Pakistani exports, put together. Afghanistan gets between 6 to 7% annually.

Several other European nations are also among Pakistan‘s top 20 export destinations. The figures tell us that more than half of Pakistan‘s total exports are destined to the US and Europe alone, and if we include China and Afghanistan – this goes up to more than two-thirds of the total.

The argument of the policy makers on this decline is that the absorbing capacity and buying power in the main export destinations has decreased after the US / European financial crisis – 2008-09 to 2013-14. Nonetheless, Pakistani exports during past three fiscal years have declined at a faster pace than the overall decline in exports to the US and EU, from rest of the world. Our exports to China are also on the decline in net worth, which is not a result of the global financial crisis.

Institutions such as Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) are entrusted to serve the purpose of increasing Pakistan‘s exports. However, the concerned institutions (we are not

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singling TDAP out here) are hardly seen by independent experts as inefficient- and competentenough. A large number of exhibitions are arranged and attended all around the world but positive, meaningful and tangible results are invisible for past three years.

In the budgets for last three fiscal years, incentives for exports such as softer export refinance facility, R&D financing, faster rebates and quarantine facilities have been announced, but export has not shown signs of positive come back. A major drawback in government policies is that the attention is overwhelmingly on further incentivizing the textile industry – which indeed provides the bulk of exports but at the same time, some of the experts argue, is already over-pampered and is touching the limits of its potential.

Pakistan‘s exports can be increased by focusing on non-traditional items, value addition in products such as rice, leather, sports goods, and developing special programs for gems and other precious stones, processing and packaging of food and herbs, etc. Tourism and health services can increase Pakistan‘s services exports, which is not getting the due attention of policy makers.

Exporters on their part complain that Pakistani industry has been rendered uncompetitive because of shortages of energy and its high rates, and also because of an unprecedented flow of imports (what many label as dumping) from China. They also say that government functionaries especially the tax administration creates hurdles in the way of growth of exports.

Coming to what and how much we buy from the rest of the world, figures tell that Pakistan‘s total imports during July 2016 to May 2017 stand at $48.5 billion dollars. Official data also indicates that imports from China account for 30.2% of total imports during July 2016 to January 2017 period. At this percentage, some $ 14.6 billion of imports from China alone have reached Pakistan – which are not much less than our commutative exports to the entire world, in the same period.

Nothing but a pity that country known as an agrarian economy imports food items above $ 3 billion, much of that edible oil and tea. Yes, it needs to be acknowledged that spike in imports in recent months is also due to increased import of capital goods and machinery, for CPEC and related projects – a bulk of that for power projects – which may be positive in the long run.

Unless some drastic, out-of-the-box measures are taken, there is no major upward trend visible in Pakistani exports for next foreseeable fiscal years, only a slight improvement is on the horizon.

Irfan Takalvi Irfan Takalvi is a policy analyst and academic focusing on economic & socio-economic issues and International Political Economy. He is a keen observer of China-led connectivity and development initiatives. Email: irfanzad@gmail.com https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/opinion/dark-clouds-over-pakistans-external-trade-what-is-actuallywrong-with-our-exports/

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Govt blacklists 16,000 rice millers 14 Jul 2017, 01:10:54 ‗Stockpiling by them one of the reasons behind price hike‘ Some 16,000 rice millers have been blacklisted for illegally hoarding rice, said Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Thursday, reports UNB."The government won't procure rice from these millers for the next three years," the minister told a press briefing at the secretariat.

Replying to a question, he said stockpiling the staple food by the vested millers is one of the main reasons behind the rice price hike."The prices of different varieties of rice are decreasing after the lifting of tariff on rice import to encourage the private sector," he added.Dismissing the allegation of shortfall in government stock behind the rice price hike, Qamrul Islam said the government has enough rice in its stock.

Describing the government efforts to ensure adequate rice supply to meet the demand, he said the government's rice stock will reach 0.8-1.0 million tonnes in August next, while 1.2 million tonnes in September.At present, the government is allocating rice for relief for the flood-affected people, he said.BSS adds: The country's rice stock will be increased to 1.0 million (10 lakh) tonnes by August to ensure supply of the staple food-grain and meet any emergency demand, Food Minister Qamrul Islam said.

"There is no food crisis in the country", the minister asserted at the press conference.According to the minister, 110 thousand tonnes of rice would reach Chittagong Port from Vietnam by July when another 180 thousand tonnes would come in August."The government is procuring a total of 2.5 lakh tonnes (250 thousand tones) of rice from Vietnam on G2G (government to government) contract basis, of which 20 thousand tonnes arrived in the outer anchorage of the Chittagong Port," the minister said. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/07/14/76853/Govt-blacklists-16,000-rice-millers

NFA Council says 11 express interest in July rice auction July 14, 2017 ELEVEN exporters, mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, have expressed interest to participate in the government auction for the tax-free importation of 250,000 tons of rice, with the National Food Authority (NFA) still inviting more potential bidders.

Workers unload sacks of rice at a warehouse of the National Food Authority. -- AFP ―The intention of the NFA Council is for more private sector participation, not to allow shipments to be cornered by one supplier,‖ NFA Deputy Administrator and Special Bids and

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Awards Committee Chairman Tomas R. Escarez said during the agency‘s pre-bidding conference on Thursday in Quezon City.

The NFA Council, the governing body that has the final say on the guidelines for rice importation, has divided the shipments into eight lots -- six with a volume of 25,000 tons and two of 50,000 tons. The specification is for well-milled long-grain white rice with a broken rate of 25%.Prospective bidders may bid for any of the lots as long as the maximum quantity to be awarded per supplier cannot be higher than 50,000 metric tons. ―Eleven are interested. But we want more. From now, until the bid day, we can still accept applications,‖ Special Assistant to the NFA Administrator Rachel Miguel, a lawyer, said during the briefing.The exporters that have so far expressed interest in the auction are Olam International Ltd., Ponglarp Co. Ltd., Thai Hua Co. Ltd., Vietnam Southern Food Corp. II, Gentraco Corp., Gia International Corp., Louis Dreyfus Company, Vietnam Northern Food Corp.

(Vinafood I), Capital Cereals Co. Ltd., Asia Golden Rice Co. Ltd., and Thai Granlux International, Inc. The bid deadline is 10 a.m. on the day of the auction, July 25.The government has a budget of P5.6 billion for the procurement exercise, which is intended to reinforce rice inventories during the lean months.However, Mr. Escarez said the grains agency will be paying an additional cost of 35% of the landed price.The shipments are expected to arrive in tranches during the lean months; 120,000 tons until August and the remaining 130,000 tons in September.

On the issue of private sector-led importation which was approved earlier by the NFA Council, Mr. Escarez said the council has not approved a timetable but the arrival of the shipments under the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme is proposed to arrive between December and

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February.―We have a regular council meeting every third week of the month. We haven‘t received a notice yet. Probably next week.‖ Mr. Escarez added.

The Philippines has an 805,200 ton MAV commitment for rice to the World Trade Organization with a 35% tariff within the quota, corresponding to the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement, and 40% out-of-quota. -- Janina C. Lim http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=nfa-council-says-11express-interest-in-july-rice-auction&id=148249

Rice prices still retailing over Tk 40 a kg despite wholesale price drop Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2017-07-14 23:38:06.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-15 00:00:37.0 BdST

Amid huge imports following a government initiative, a lower wholesale price has led to a drop in the price of the staple at retail, but that is still over Tk 40 per kg.It has been nearly three weeks after the Eid-ul-Fitr since the announcement of imports had come to control the price hike and the first shipment of 20,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam arrived at the Chittagong Port on Thursday.By this time, the price of coarse rice in the retail market has dropped only Tk 5-6 to Tk 46 per kg. One year ago, this variety of rice cost Tk 30-34.

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On Friday, visits to several retail markets in capital Dhaka revealed that no varieties of rice were being sold under Tk 42.According to Department of Agriculture Marketing data, coarse rice was sold at Tk 40-42.5 per kg on Thursday in the wholesale market. At the retail level, Guti and Swarna were sold at Tk 42 and Tk 43, respectively. But the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh or TCB data said the rate for these were between Tk 43 and 46 in Dhaka on Thursday, which a week ago was Tk 46-48 per kg.

Wholesaler Bashundhara Rice Agency's seller Salauddin at Babubazar told bdnews24.com, "After the imported rice arrived, the syndicate dissolved and millers started to drop the prices slowly."On Friday, he said Miniket was being sold at Tk 51-52 per kg, BR-28 at Tk 45-46, BR29 at Tk 45, and coarse rice at Tk 39 per kg in their market.Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Thursday claimed that the only reason behind the spiralling rice prices was stockpiling by rogue traders following the flash floods in the Haor areas.

He also announced that 16,000 rice millers have been blacklisted for hoarding in an effort to manipulate the prices.North Badda's Sheikh Helal Uddin at Shikdar Rice Agency said they were selling a 50-kg sack of Miniket rice at Tk 2,600-2,620 and Najirshail at Tk 2,440-2,450.A 50-kg sack of Indian coarse rice was being sold at Tk 2,160-2,180 and BR-28 at Tk 2,300, he added.The same sacks of these types of rice had cost up to Tk 80 more during the Ramadan.Helal Uddin, however, added the 'price drop in wholesale market did not impact the retail prices much'. "Because retailers are not even taking that drop into account."On Friday, in Mohakhali kitchen market, traders were selling Miniket at Tk 55-56 per kg, Najirshail at Tk 5260 and coarse rice (India's Swarna) at Tk 44-45 – a fall of up to Tk 6 in two weeks.

At Mohammadpur kitchen market, Miniket was being sold at Tk 55, Najirshail at Tk 55-62 and BR-28 at Tk 49-52 per kg, said Harun Rice Agency's salesperson Mizanur Rahman.Coarse rice (Guti) was selling at Tk 42, he added. The price for this variety of rice was Tk 46 per kg at the most last month."There is no variety of rice that is being sold under Tk 42 a kg," Rahman said.A retail trader at Karwan Bazar, Belal Hossain said prices of their fine grain rice have not gone down since the wholesale prices have not dropped much.

But he agreed over the fall on prices of coarse rice. "We think the prices would go down more if more rice is imported." Flooding in the Haor or backswamp areas of the north and northeast earlier in the year and the resulting destruction of Boro crops had led to fluctuations in the rice market.In response, the government later lowered import duties on rice from 28 percent to 10 percent before the Eid to encourage private traders to purchase more from abroad. It would seem that plan has started to work.After the stock in government warehouses went horridly down recently, it was decided to import rice and take the stock up to 1.2 million metric tonnes by September. http://bdnews24.com/business/2017/07/14/rice-prices-still-retailing-over-tk-40-a-kg

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Rice millers to speed up milling THE HANS INDIA | Jul 15,2017 , 05:05 AM IST

Siddipet: Joint Collector Ravinder held a meeting with members of Rice Millers Association regarding Custom Milling of Rice at his office here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Ravinder asked the millers to complete the Custom Milling Rice(CMR) within stipulated time.

He urged the members to speed up the process, in view of due date September 30th. He said four special teams were constituted for inspection of CMR. http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2017-07-15/Rice-millers-to-speed-upmilling/312516

GST impact: 5% rate to squeeze margins of basmati rice exporters Earlier, Basmati rice was subject to VAT in some states and nil duty in others Dilip Kumar Jha | Mumbai July 14, 2017 Last Updated at 18:43 IST 20

The profits of branded basmati rice manufacturers and exporters are likely to be squeezed due to the five per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) effective July 1.Earlier, the aromatic rice was either subject to value added tax or was tax-free, from state to state.At present, the impact of a five per cent GST would be nullified due to a sharp increase in prices abroad. Official data shows India's per-unit average realisation from basmati rice exports at $995 a tonne for April-May, compared to $790 a tonne for the corresponding period last year.

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"Prices have risen 25 per cent over the past few months on the building of a pipeline inventory in Iran, the largest importer, comprising over a quarter of India's annual basmati rice export, and the Middle East. There is fear in the market that Iran might stop issuing licenses for basmati rice import. Hence, importers there are building inventory to avoid any shortage," said Gurnam Arora, joint managing director, Kohinoor Foods.

Despite reduced Iranian demand, India recorded four million tonnes of basmati rice shipment during 2016-17, almost similar to the previous year. With China opening its door by registering 14 Indian companies for basmati rice export, these shipments are likely to rise in the coming years.

"Imposition of GST is likely to put branded players in a somewhat disadvantageous position, compared to the unbranded rice segment. More likely, the branded players will witness some erosion of profitability, as they'd look to absorb the GST impact and maintain pricing parity with the unbranded segment," said Deepak Jotwani, assistant vice-president at ratings agency ICRA.

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Another issue if that the GST applies to only brands registered under the Trade Mark Act. Those with established but non-registered brands are likely to benefit and many in the sector have petitioned the Union finance ministry to resolve this.

The basmati rice industry was primarily export-oriented. However, over recent years, the domestic market has expanded significantly. There have been concerted efforts by large companies to establish their brands in the domestic market. Coupled with the increased penetration of modern retail stores, and increasing purchasing power of consumers, this has aided the growth of basmati consumption in the domestic market. There has also been a shift from unbranded to branded basmati. The domestic market has now become as strong as the export market for most basmati companies in the organised sector.

Financial year

Quantity (million tonnes)

2009-10

2.02

2010-11

2.37

2011-12

3.18

2012-13

3.50

2013-14

3.76

2014-15

3.70

2015-16

4.04

2016-17

4.00

2017-18*

0.79

Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Apeda; * April May 2017

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/gst-impact-5-rate-to-squeeze-margins-ofbasmati-rice-exporters-117071400470_1.html

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SUSHMA’S INTERVENTION SOUGHT ON NIGERIA BAN ON INDIAN RICE IMPORT Saturday, 15 July 2017 | Rajesh Kumar | New Delhi5 The apex body of Indian importers has sought External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's intervention after Nigeria suddenly banned the import of rice leaving 317 containers of an Indian exporter stuck at the Nigerian port there. In a letter to Sushma, the Indian Importers Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IICCI) pointed out that the consignment of rice had landed at Tinapa free zone, Calabar Cross river state, Nigeria, on March 18, 2017 while the circular banning import of rice by the custom authority of the African nation was issued on March 30.

IICCI president AK Saxena told The Pioneer that the exporter and his representative have tried their best to get the containers released but they could not succeed. "Now, the Nigerian authorities are pressurizing him to ship back the consignment to India. The businessman who sent the consignment has no money to pay for the freight. The voyage time and time taken in documentation at the Nigerian and Indian ports will ensure the rice will be worthless," Saxena said.

"The shipment had reached much before and held up illegally by the customs. The importer in Nigeria ran here and there to all Government offices to find out the reason for stoppage of clearance. Then the High Commissioner sent a letter on June 12, 2017 to Minister of Finance.

Unfortunately there is no minister of finance in Nigeria and his charge is being looked after by the President. Despite repeated emails and telephonic communication to the Indian High Commission, they have not yielded any results, he said adding the importer has all valid licence and permission.

"Joint Secretary West Africa is also not available for resolving and assisting in this matter," the letter said. Saxena said that the importer has also approached the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja but nothing has happened. http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/sushmas-intervention-sought-on-nigeria-ban-on-indian-riceimport.html

USA Rice Celebrates Thousands Serving Billions of School Lunches

By Cameron Jacobs ATLANTA, GA -- More than five billion lunches are served each year in U.S. schools and nearly 6,000 of the men and women responsible for those nutritious meals gathered here this week for the School Nutrition Association's (SNA) Annual National Conference. As U.S.-grown rice is a staple on those lunch menus, so too is USA Rice a staple at the conference with a popular interactive booth where staff celebrates the nation's dedicated school foodservice providers and distributes rice information, recipes, and prizes.

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Conference-goers crowded around the booth to spin USA Rice's famous prize wheel and test their knowledge on everything U.S. rice. Every contestant walked away with USA Rice prizes and information about the many benefits that rice brings to the lunchroom. Attendees also picked up packets of kidfriendly rice recipes that included last year's recipe contest winner, the Greek Rice Bowl, new cafeteria posters, and a Rice 101 Cooking Guide with rice preparation information for different types of cooking equipment typically found in schools.

Following the success of last year's recipe contest, USA Rice partnered with the Cranberry Marketing Committee to host a joint cranberry-rice recipe contest during the tradeshow. Hundreds of attendees entered the contest for a chance to win a cash prize and serve as a consultant during the development of their winning recipe.

"We are really excited about the level of interest and engagement our booth received from attendees again this year," said Katie Maher, USA Rice's director of domestic promotion who served as a Quizmaster at the booth. "The prize wheel and recipe contest components helped attract attendees to our booth and encouraged them to think of rice as a versatile ingredient that can be paired with many other nutritious foods."

In addition to exhibiting at the show, USA Rice staff met with key school nutrition influencers

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from Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia to discuss new opportunities for incorporating rice onto school menus and to learn how USA Rice can continue providing useful resources to schools.

"It's crucial for us to take time to make these connections with people who are responsible for menu planning and food purchasing decisions," said Maher. "These meetings allow us the opportunity to hear from school districts on what they need, share USA Rice's resources with them, and to reiterate our message that rice is a central component of a healthy, well-balanced diet in school lunchrooms and at home."

Vietnamese private rice exporters can bid for Philippines shipments July, 14/2017 - 13:20

Rice packs are loaded for export at the Hậu Giang Food Joint Stock Company. — VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khương

Viet Nam News

HCM CITY — Vietnamese private rice exporters will be allowed to participate in the bidding for the supply contract of 250,000 tonnes of rice to Philippines on July 25.The announcement was made by the Việt Nam Food Association (VFA) while raising concerns over strict regulations for the participants.According to the VFA, it is the first time that the Philippines‘ National Food

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Authority (NFA) will open bidding for private suppliers from participating countries, instead of limiting the bidders to government counterparts.

In previous years, NFA‘s auctions for rice were done through a government-to-government importation regime, where state-run suppliers from Việt Nam, Thailand and Cambodia were invited to participate.However, requirements for private enterprises to be invited in the bidding are quite strict and Vietnamese rice exporters do not have much experience in executing procedures for the bidding, VFA said.

Those satisfying the requirements would be allowed to bid and take full responsibility of the shipment. The Vietnamese Government‘s Decree 109/2010/NĐ-CP on rice trading and the Ministry of Industry and Trade‘s Circular 44 on guiding the implementation of the decree will not be applied in these cases.The total volume of 25 per cent broken long grain well-milled white rice is expected to arrive between August and September as requested by the NFA. The imported volume is divided to eight lots -- six lots with 25,000 tonnes each and two lots with 50,000 tonnes each.Prospective bidders may bid for any of the lots, provided that the bid must be the minimum or maximum of the imported rice allocated per lot, but the maximum quantity to be awarded per supplier must not be higher than 50,000 tonnes.Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed that Philippines was the second largest importer of Vietnamese rice in the first five months of the year with 8.6 per cent of the market share.

Rice export to the market in the period reached 237,400 tonnes in volume and US$90.4 million in value, representing a year-on-year increase of 23.4 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively. — VNS

http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/380139/vietnamese-private-rice-exporters-can-bid-for-philippinesshipments.html#uyiIQSEcXx2xZTGm.97

Paddy sowing area up 4.5%; pulses rises 24% in kharif season Jul 14, 2017 08:01 PM IST | Source: PTI

Sowing area under paddy has gone up by 4.5 percent to 126 lakh hectares, while pulses acreage has risen 24 percent to 74.61 lakh hectares so far in the kharif season.

Sowing area under paddy has gone up by 4.5 percent to 126 lakh hectares, while pulses acreage has risen 24 percent to 74.61 lakh hectares so far in the kharif season, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday.

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Sowing in the kharif season normally begins with the onset of southwest monsoon and picks up pace from July. Paddy, tur, moong, urad, soyabean, sunflower seed and cotton are the main crops grown in this season."The total sown area as on July 14, 2017, as per reports received from states, stands at 563.17 lakh hectare as compared to 521.80 lakh hectare at this time last year," the ministry said in a statement.

Rice has been sown in 125.77 lakh hectares so far this kharif season against 120.32 lakh hectares in the same period last year.Pulses acreage rose to 74.61 lakh hectares so far from 60.28 lakh hectares in the year-ago period.Area under coverage for coarse cereals stood at 113.06 lakh hectares as against 98.79 lakh hectares.

Oilseeds area is down at 103.92 lakh hectares from 115.75 lakh hectares.In case of cash crops, sugarcane has been sown in 47.94 lakh hectares so far this season as against 45.22 lakh hectares in the year-ago period.Cotton acreage has risen to 90.88 lakh hectares as against 73.93 lakh hectares. Jute area is down to 6.98 lakh hectares from 7.51 lakh hectares.

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With monsoon rains expected to be normal this year, the government is targeting yet another bumper foodgrain and horticulture production in the new crop year 2017-18. However, bumper production has resulted in fall in prices in the local markets, causing distress to farmers http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/paddy-sowing-area-up-4-5-pulses-rises-24-inkharif-season-2326485.html

NAGPUR FOODGRAIN PRI CES OPEN - JUL 14, 2017 JULY 14, 2017 / 1:40 PM NAGPUR FOODGRAIN PRICES – APMC/OPEN MARKET -JULY 14 NAGPUR, JULY 14 (REU TERS) – GRAM AND TUAR PRICES REPORTED STRONG IN N AGPUR AGRICULTURE PR ODUCE AND MARKETING COMMITTEE ( APMC) ON INCREASED B UY ING SUPPORT FROM LOCAL M ILLERS AMID WEAK SUP PLY FROM PRODUCING REGIONS. GOOD RECOVERY ON NCDEX, FRESH HIKE IN MADHYA PRADESH GRAM PRICES AND ENQUIRIES FROM SOUTH-BASED MILLERS ALSO J ACKED UP PRICES. ABOUT 1,200 OF GRAM AND 650 BAGS OF TUAR WERE AVAILABLE FOR AUCTIONS, ACCORDING TO SOU RCES. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * GRAM VARIETIES RULED STEADY IN OPEN MA RKET HERE ON SUBDUED DEMAND FROM LOCAL TRADERS AMID AMPLE STOCK IN READY POSITION. TUAR * TUAR GAVARANI REPORTED HIGHER IN OPEN MARKET ON RENEWED SEASONAL DEM AND FROM LOCAL TRADERS. * RICE BPT AND RICE SWARNA SHOWED WEAK T EDNECNY IN OPEN MARKET ON POOR DEMAND FROM LOCAL TRADERS AMID G OOD SUPPLY FROM PROD UCING REGIONS.

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* IN AKOLA, TUAR NEW – 3,900-4,000, TUAR DAL (CLEAN) – 5,500-5,700, UDID MOGAR (CLEAN) – 7,200-8,200, MOONG MOGAR (CLEAN) 6,300-7,000, GRAM – 5,100-5,350, GRAM SUPER BEST – 7,200-8,000 * WHEAT, OTHER VARIE T IES OF RICE AND OTH ER COMMODITIES MOVED IN A NARROW RANGE IN SCATTERED DEALS AND SETTLED AT LAST LEVE LS IN THIN TRADING ACTIVITY. NAGPUR FOODGRAINS AP MC AUCTION/OPEN-MARKET PRICES IN RUPEES FOR 100 KG FOODGRAINS AVAILABLE PRICES PREVIOUS CLOSE GRAM AUCTION 4,700-5,240 4,600-5,100 GRAM PINK AUCTION N.A. 2,100-2,600 TUAR AUCTION 3,500-3,850 3,500-3,725 MOONG AUCTION N.A. 3,900-4,200 UDID AUCTION N.A. 4,300-4,500 MASOOR AUCTION N.A. 2,600-2,800 WHEAT MILL QUALITY AUCTION 1,550-1,650 1,5501,650 GRAM SUPER BEST BOLD 7,600-8,100 7,600-8,100 GRAM SUPER BEST N.A. N.A. GRAM MEDIUM BEST 6,700-7,100 6,700-7,100 GRAM DAL MEDIUM N.A. N.A GRAM MILL QUALITY 5,100-5,200 5,100-5,200 DESI GRAM RAW 5,500-5,600 5,500-5,600 GRAM YELLOW 7,100-8,100 7,100-8,100 GRAM KABULI 12,300-13,400 12,300-13,400 TUAR FATAKA BEST-NEW 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 TUAR FATAKA MEDIUM-NEW 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 TUAR DAL BEST PHOD-NEW 5,200-5,400 5,200-5,400 TUAR DAL MEDIUM PHOD-NEW 4,800-5,000 4,8005,000 TUAR GAVARANI NEW 3,950-4,050 3,900-4,000 TUAR KARNATAKA 4,000-4,100 4,000-4,100 MASOOR DAL BEST 5,000-5,200 5,000-5,200 MASOOR DAL MEDIUM 4,600-4,900 4,700-4,900 MASOOR N.A. N.A. MOONG MOGAR BOLD (NEW) 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 MOONG MOGAR MEDIUM 6,000-6,500 6,000-6,500 MOONG DAL CHILKA 5,000-5,900 5,000-5,900 MOONG MILL QUALITY N.A. N.A.

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MOONG CHAMKI BEST 6,500-7,500 6,500-7,500 UDID MOGAR BEST (100 INR/KG) (NEW) 7,500-8,500 7,5008,500 UDID MOGAR MEDIUM (100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,200 6,8007,200 UDID DAL BLACK (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,900 4,4004,900 BATRI DAL (100 INR/KG) 4,500-5,000 4,500-5,000 LAKHOD I DAL (100 INR /KG) 2,850-3,000 2,8503,000 WATANA DAL (100 INR/KG) 2,800-2,900 2,8002,900 WATANA WHITE (100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,700 3,5003,700 WATANA GREEN BEST (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,600 4,1004,600 WHEAT 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 WHEAT MILL QUALITY (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,7001,800 WHEAT FILTER (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,1002,300 WHEAT LOKWAN NEW (10 0 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,9002,100 WHEAT LOKWAN BEST (1 00 INR/KG) 2,100-2,350 2,1002,350 WHEAT LOKWAN MEDIUM (100 INR/KG) 1,900 -2,050 1,900-2,050 LOKWAN HATH BINAR (1 00 INR/KG) N.A. N.A. MP SHARBATI BEST (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,0003,600 MP SHARBATI MEDIUM (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,700 2,2002,700 RICE BPT NEW (100 IN R/KG) 2,700-3,300 2,800-3,400 RICE BPT BEST (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,500 3,500-3,700 RICE BPT MEDIUM (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,100 3,0003,200 RICE LUCHA I (100 INR /KG) 2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800 RICE SWARNA NEW (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,3002,500 RICE SWARNA BEST (10 0 INR/KG) 2,500-2,650 2,6002,800 RICE SWARNA MEDIUM ( 100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,400-2,500 RICE HMT NEW (100 IN R/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 RICE HMT BEST (100 INR/KG) 4,500-5,000 4,5005,000

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RICE HMT MEDIUM (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,300 4,1004,300 RICE SHRIRAM NEW(100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,500 4,800-5,500 RICE SHRIRAM BEST 10 0 INR/KG) 6,500-6,800 6,5006,800 RICE SHRIRAM MED (10 0 INR/KG) 5,800-6,200 5,8006,200 RICE BASMATI BEST (1 00 INR/KG) 10,000-13,500 10,000-13,500 RICE BASMATI MEDIUM (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 RICE CHINNOR NEW(100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,000 4,6005,000 RICE CHINNOR BEST 10 0 INR/KG) 5,800-6,000 5,8006,000 RICE CHINNOR MEDIUM (100 INR/KG) 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 JOWAR GAVARANI (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,200 1,9002,200 JOWAR CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,900 1,800-1,900 WEATHER (NAGPUR) MAXIMUM TEMP. 29.2 D EGREE CELSIUS, MIN IM UM TEMP. 24.5 DEGREE CELSIUS RAINFALL : 1.4 MM FORECAST: GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY W ITH ONE OR TWO SPELLS OF RAINS OR THUNDER -SHOWERS. MAXIMUM AND MIN IMUM TEMPERATURE WOULD BE AROUND AND 29 AND 24 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. NOTE: N.A.--NOT AVAILABLE (FOR OILS, TRANSPORT COSTS ARE EXCLUDED FROM PLANT DELIVERY PRICES, BUT INCLUDED IN MARKET P RICES) http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL4N1K535Q

17 bidders for government rice July 14, 2017 09:54

By The Nation Seventeen bidders have submitted their offers for 0.16 million tonnes of rice in government storage on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

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Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general at Department of Foreign Trade at the MOC, said that next steps are the inspection of documents and preliminary qualifications of the bidders according to the terms of reference.

The department will announce a list of qualified bidders through its website www.dft.go.th on July 18. They can submit their bid documents in the morning of the same day, she said.

The opening of the bids will take place in front of the general public and media at the department.

The bidding result will then be sent to the working group and committee for rice sales for consideration before forwarding it to chairman of the rice management and policy committee. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30320727

Vietnam, Pakistan, Burma expected to drive 2018 global rice exports These seven countries account for more than 85% of global rice exports. Milled basis preferred to rice after husk and bran layers are removed. Note: F = forecast. Chart courtesy of the USDA.WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. – Global rice trade is projected to increase 1% to 42.3

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million tonnes in 2018, the third highest on record and the second consecutive year of expanded trade. The U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) noted that a major factor behind the expanded trade in 2018 is increased exports from three of the top six exporters—Vietnam, Pakistan, and Burma.

Vietnam‘s 2018 exports are expected to increase 400,000 tonnes, to 6 million tonnes, due to increased demand from Southeast Asia, especially from the Philippines. China is again forecasted to be the largest export market for Vietnam‘s rice. Pakistan is projected to export 4.1 million tonnes of rice in 2018, up 100,000 tonnes from a year earlier, a result of a slightly larger crop, the USDA said. Burma is expected to export 1.7 million tonnes of rice in 2018, up 100,000 tonnes from 2017, primarily due to stronger demand from regional buyers and the E.U. In contrast, India‘s exports are projected to drop 500,000 tonnes in 2018 due to a smaller crop and stronger domestic use. According to the USDA, Thailand‘s exports are expected to be flat in 2018, while U.S. rice exports are projected to decline 50,000 tonnes as a result of higher prices and tighter supplies.

http://www.worldgrain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2017/07/Vietnam_Pakistan_Burma_expecte.aspx?ID =%7BF5D0A983-7F41-4958-9C0E-F114C5702997%7D

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