23rd mayl ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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May 18,2017 Vol 8 Issue V

Today Rice News Headlines...          

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Corn, rice top list of Iran imports 'Foodgrain output likely to touch new record in next crop year‘ Rice import quota extended for 3 yrs Versatile grain to star in Rice Expo recipe contest Concessionary rates for certain imports extended Exports to UK at Ten Year All-Time High PhilRice, group to promote water-saving technology Senate wants to amend NFA charter on rice importation Philippines extends rice import quota for 3 years Rice wars: Dismissed Usec blasts alleged 'tinkering', favors for rice importers NFA to issue import tender for 250,000 tons of rice in June Thai, Vietnam rice prices hit multi-month peak PHILIPPINES EXTENDS RICE IMPORT RESTRICTION BY THREE MORE YEARS Bangladesh gets lowest offer of $427.85/T in rice import tender Bago included in PRISM project Minister Pocharam inaugurates seed mela in Rajendranagar Vietnam Expands Rice Export To Europe Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 22, 2017 Philippines to import 250,000 tonnes of rice in June .

Rice farmers eyeing good prices Vietnam looks to put rice on Europe‘s plate 4.448m acres to be brought under paddy cultivation in Punjab

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News Detail...

Corn, rice top list of Iran imports

Financial Tribune – Corn and rice had the largest share of non-oil imports into Iran in terms of tonnage in the first month of the current Iranian year (started March 21.During the period, 662,000 tons of corn worth $144 million were imported, accounting for 6.12% of the total weight of all imports, ISNA reported.

A total of 85,000 tons of rice worth $74 million were imported, accounting for 4.08% of the total import tonnage. All in all, 2.091 million tons of non-oil commodities worth $2.34 billion were imported during the month ending April 20.

Of all the imports, intermediate goods had an 87.8% and 67.14% share in volume and value respectively, as 1,835 tons of these commodities worth $1.577 million were imported during the one-month period.Consumer goods with 219,000 tons worth $410 million had a 10.49% share in volume and a 17.46% share in value. http://theiranproject.com/blog/2017/05/22/corn-rice-top-list-iran-imports/

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'Foodgrain output likely to touch new record in next crop year’ PTI

NEW DELHI, MAY 22: Foodgrain output is likely to touch a new record in the 2017-18 crop year to begin from July, on hopes of a normal monsoon for the second straight year, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.

Foodgrain production is estimated to be at an all-time high at 273.38 million tonnes (mt) in the current 2016-17 crop year (July-June) on account of good rains after two years of drought, as against 251.57 mt last year. The previous record was 265.04 mt in 2013-14.

The foodgrain basket comprises rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses. ―The Met department has forecast a normal monsoon for this year. If the monsoon is good, I am confident that foodgrain output will be at a record again and boost the growth rate to more than

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the 4.4 per cent achieved in 2016-17,‖ Singh said while sharing the government‘s achievements in the farm sector in the last three years.

The Met department forecast was accurate last year and ―we hope it will be accurate this year as well,‖ he said.

The Southwest monsoon, vital for farm output and economic growth in India, hit the Andaman and Nicobar islands three days early on May 14 and it remains to be seen if it will reach Kerala ahead of schedule, he added.

The Agriculture Ministry has set the foodgrain output target at a record 273 mt for the 2017-18 crop year and expects to achieve 4 per cent farm sector growth following the prediction of a normal monsoon.

About 50 per cent of the foodgrain output comes from both kharif (summer) and rabi (winter) seasons. The sowing of kharif crops such as paddy and pulses will begin with the onset of the Soutwest monsoon.

(This article was published on May 22, 2017) http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/foodgrain-output-likely-totouch-new-record-in-next-crop-year/article9709694.ece

Rice import quota extended for 3 yrs

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT MAY 23, 2017

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed an order extending the quota on imported rice for three more years, heeding the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority and the Agriculture department despite longstanding calls to remove quantitative restrictions (QR) on the staple.

Executive Order 23, signed by Duterte on April 27 but released by the Palace only on Monday, also extended the effectivity of tariffs on a number of agricultural products.

The Philippines had secured permission from the World Trade Organization (WTO) to impose quotas on rice imports, to protect Filipino farmers, only until June 30.

Under the new EO, the quota under the Minimum Access Volume scheme remains at 805,200 metric tons. The in-quota tariff was also kept at 35 percent. Outside the quota, the tariff is 40 percent.

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Economists, including those from the state-run Philippine Institute for Development Studies, have long called for the removal of rice quotas to comply with WTO rules, and also to remove corruption at the National Food Authority, the state monopoly on grains importation.

But Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol in December called for at least a two-year extension, saying Filipino farmers were not prepared for an influx of cheap rice imports.

Usually, however, negotiations with affected rice-exporting countries take place before the rice quota is extended.

The Philippines had earlier granted greater market access – not limited to rice – to countries affected by the previous extension of the special treatment on rice. In exchange for the QR extension, Manila offered other rice-producing countries certain trade concessions, such as greater access to the Philippine market for other products.

Without the extension, tariff rates will revert to higher levels and the MAV for rice will revert to the original 350,000 MT. Duterte also signed EO 20 modifying the nomenclature and rates of import duty on various products under Section 1611 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. ―There is a need to ensure that the high economic growth currently being enjoyed by the country is sustainable and inclusive, and will benefit future generations of Filipinos,‖ Duterte said in the EO. ―It is the policy of government to create an enabling environment for the growth and international competitiveness of Philippine industries that will create and preserved employment opportunities and increase incomes,‖ he added.

The new EO states that a new multi-year tariff schedule will promote transparency and stability, facilitate trade and enhance consumer welfare. http://www.manilatimes.net/rice-import-quota-extended-3-yrs/328761/

Versatile grain to star in Rice Expo recipe contest Arkansas Rice Expo Recipe Contest entry deadline June 16

Mary Hightower | May 19, 2017 One of the most widely eaten grains in the world will have the starring role in the sixth annual Rice Expo Recipe Contest, whose entry deadline is June 16.The contest is open to everyone in

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Arkansas.The contest judges will select the top three winners for prizes of $200, $150 and $100 during the Arkansas Rice Expo on Aug. 4 at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart, Ark. The expo is an annual event of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.There are a few prerequisites. ―Of course, rice — in any form — has to be the chief ingredient in the recipe,‖ said Dianna Bowen, Lonoke County Extension agent who chairs the rice contest committee. ―And its ingredients should be easily obtained in any local grocery store.‖ Complete rules are available at www.uaex.edu/rice-expo. Participants may enter by completing the electronic entry form available at the rules webpage and email it, along with a copy of their recipe to Bowen at dbowen@uaex.edu.The recipe must be in a standard format including ingredients and measurements in order of use, step-by-step preparation and cooking methods, the number of servings and cost per serving (determined by dividing the total cost of the dish by the number of servings).

Only one entry per person is allowed.

The top 10 finalists will be notified by July 10.

The top three winners must be present to receive their awards, which will be announced during the expo‘s closing activities. The first-place winner‘s recipe will be highlighted in the 2017 Rice Expo Cookbook.

http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/versatile-grain-star-rice-expo-recipe-contest

Concessionary rates for certain imports extended

By Elijah Felice Rosales MAY 22, 2017

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President Duterte has shunned protectionism in favor of trade-policy continuity after he issued three consecutive executive orders (EO) mandating concessionary tariff rates for certain products.

Duterte issued EO 23, extending for another three years the reduced rates of duty on agricultural goods covered by the Philippines‘s tariff commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

A month before the expiry of the country‘s rice-import cap, the President signed EO 23 to prolong the validity of most-favored nation (MFN) tariff rates on agricultural products under Republic Act (RA) 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The Philippines‘s waiver on the special treatment of rice is set to expire on June 30.

One of the concessions approved by EO 23 was the lowered tariff on mechanically deboned meat, which would remain at 5 percent until 2020 before reverting to its original rate of 40 percent in 2021.

Tariff on butter was kept at 5 percent for another three years. Buttermilk, along with grated and powdered cheese, is slapped a mere 1-percent duty. Exporters of potato, on the other hand, will enjoy tariff-free privilege in the Philippines before a 10-percent rate of duty is imposed in 2021.

The Philippines will also continue to comply with its minimum access volume commitments of 805,200 metric tons on rice per year, with a lower tariff of 35 percent. In 2021 rice imports will be slapped with a higher tariff of 40 percent, as stated by EO 23.

The temporary modification of MFN tariff rates is effective until June 30, 2020, or until such time a law amending certain provisions relating to rice in RA 8178, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, is enacted, whichever comes first.

The Philippines in April has informed the WTO it was not able to convert its quantitative restriction (QR) on rice into tariff, citing delay in the amendment of RA 8178. Agriculture

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Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo R. Serrano said there are bills already filed in Congress to amend RA 8178, but lawmakers are not poised to pass it into legislation before the QR on rice lapses on June 30. ―As a gesture of goodwill and to avoid disputes, the Philippines would maintain the concessions, while RA 8178 has not yet been amended,‖ Serrano said.

According to Serrano, amending RA 8178 is necessary to allow the conversion of the QR on rice into tariff. He noted that under the law, rice is the only agricultural commodity with an import cap and it did not specify a termination date for it.

In 2014 the Philippines was granted by the WTO a waiver on the special treatment on rice, allowing the country to keep its QR on rice until June 30.

EO 23 repeals EO 190, Series of 2015, which listed the concessions the Philippines have to honor for it to continue implementing its rice-import cap. Concessions charted under EO 190 will expire on July 1.

Capital equipment To support enterprises in their start-up operations and expansion, Duterte has adhered to the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority to extend the zeropercent duty on principal assets imported by firms registered with the Board of Investments (BOI).

Through EO 22, ―any importation of capital equipment, spare parts and accessories by BOIregistered enterprises shall be subjected to zero-percent duty‖. The President approved the extension of the tariff-free importation to enhance competitiveness within the business industry, in line with one of the goals of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022.

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The zero-percent duty is applied to importations made by new and expanding firms under the BOI of principal assets indicated in RA 10863. Upon issuance by the BOI of a certificate of authority, the business enterprise can already import tariff-free capital equipment, spare parts and accessories. This is as long as the items ―are not manufactured domestically in sufficient quantity, of comparable quality and at reasonable prices; and are reasonably needed and will be used exclusively by the enterprise in its registered activity‖.

On the other hand, the BOI-registered enterprise cannot sell, transfer or dispose of the principal assets, without prior approval from the BOI, within five years from the date of its purchase.

Should it pursue to do so, the firm will be sanctioned twice the amount of the duty forgone, or P500,000, whichever is higher, without prejudice to other applicable penalties under the law.

The BOI is tasked to draft and publicize the implementing rules and regulations of EO 22. ―The grant of duty-free importation of capital equipment remains to be an important fiscal incentive in promoting investments into the Philippines considering the global competition for foreign direct investments,‖ EO 22 read. It added that PDP 2017-2022 clearly stated the administration‘s goal of reaching an efficient national competition policy.

IT products The President also issued EO 21 modifying the ―nomenclature and the rates of import duty on certain information-technology [IT] products under Section 1611 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in order to implement the Philippines‘s tariff commitments under the WTO‖.

Malacañang has yet to release the annex on the covered IT products. https://www.google.com.pk/search?q=Taskforce+Committee+on+the+International+Network+fo r+Water+and+Ecosystem+in+Paddy+Fields+(INWEPF&oq=Taskforce+Committee+on+the+Int ernational+Network+for+Water+and+Ecosystem+in+Paddy+Fields+(INWEPF&aqs=chrome..69 i57.378983j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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Exports to UK at Ten Year All-Time High

By Sarah Moran LONDON, ENGLAND -- The UK, the largest market for U.S. rice in the EU, has experienced an impressive 207 percent increase in all types of U.S. rice imports during the first 3 months of 2017 (over 10,000 MT valued at $5.4 million). This has been driven by a staggering 5,877 percent increase in parboiled long grain rice imports and a 515 percent increase in long grain imports.

"Long a mainstay of ethnic markets here, we're now seeing an overwhelming response from USA Rice promotions aimed at getting U.S. rice back onto mainstream UK retail shelves," said Terry Harris, of Riceland Foods and chairman of the USA Rice Europe, Middle East, Africa Promotion Subcommittee. "Following the initial success with retail promotions in 2014, we are seeing exports here increase significantly this year."

UK marketing activities have been further strengthened by a broader strategy encompassing ethnic wholesale and retail, a traditionally important market for U.S. long grain rice. Key relationships have been forged in the Chinese and Afro-Caribbean sectors and, in 2016, a highly successful trading partnership began with Wanis, the UK's leading Afro-Caribbean wholesaler.

"Our focus, patience, and hard work has been rewarded and now U.S. rice is returning more

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broadly to the market," added Hartwig Schmidt, USA Rice Regional Director.

"In addition to the retail and ethnic sectors, U.S. rice is also experiencing demand from the UK foodservice and manufacturing sectors. A spokesperson for a leading UK manufacturer recently remarked that 'the premium quality and consistency of US rice is seen as a benefit to both manufacturers and consumers alike,'" Schmidt said

PhilRice, group to promote water-saving technology

By Jasper Y. Arcalas MAY 21, 2017 The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said it is keen on promoting a climate-smart technology, which could help farmers cut their water consumption and reduce greenhouse emission.

PhilRice said the Taskforce Committee on the International Network for Water and Ecosystem in Paddy Fields (INWEPF), together with the National Irrigation Administration, will promote alternate wetting drying method (AWD).

The AWD is a management option to help reduce water consumption and greenhouse-gas emission in rice production, without yield penalty. ―With AWD, rice farmers can save up to 30 percent in their water consumption. This climatesmart technology is valuable given the country‘s problem on water scarcity,‖ PhilRice Engineer Evangeline Sibayan said in a statement.

INWEPF Taskforce member and NIA Bicol Regional Manager Vicente Vicmudo said farmers could ensure the health of their rice lands by adopting AWD. ―When farmers use this technology, there is a big chance for them to increase their yield while they maintain the good structure of their soil. Also, when the water consumption is substantially

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reduced by 20 percent, they are actually promoting area expansion by 20 percent,‖ Vicmudo said.

NIA Spokesman Pilipina Bermudez said the dialogue with INWEPF is a venue to identify and further develop good practices and technologies for innovative policy in the field of sustainable water use in paddy fields, while conserving the environment.

The 15-member INWEPF is in the country to discuss plans in preparation for the 14th INWEPF Steering Committee Meeting and Symposium, which will be hosted by the Philippines.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/philrice-group-to-promote-water-savingtechnology/

Senate wants to amend NFA charter on rice importation ABS-CBN News

Posted at May 20 2017 02:23 AM The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food wants to amend the charter of the National Food Authority, specifically its provisions on rice importation.The amendment might include increasing the agency's buying powers.

- The World Tonight, ANC, May 19, 2017

http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/business/05/19/17/senate-wants-to-amend-nfa-charter-on-riceimportation

Philippines extends rice import quota for 3 years Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News MANILA – The Philippines has decided to extend for three more years its quantitative restriction (QR) for rice, a measure that can benefit local farmers, according to a government document released Monday. President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 23, which adopts the recommendation of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to extend the reduction of duties on certain agricultural products.

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This as the June 30 deadline for the Philippines to lift its quantitative restriction on rice as part of its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) loomed. Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol supports the extension of quantitative restriction as this aims to protect Filipino farmers from cheap agricultural imports.

In exchange for the extension of reduced tariffs on rice, the government has agreed to allow rice imports with lower tariffs at a restricted amount, called the Minimum Access Volume (MAV).

MAV is currently set at 805,200 metric tons. The EO said this amount would remain in force.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in a presentation to Congress, has said one of the options for the Philippines was to request for another waiver to extend the reduced tariffs.

The Philippines can also maintain the QR regardless of the decision of the WTO, but this will subject the country to a possible lawsuit from another WTO member.

Rice wars: Dismissed Usec blasts alleged 'tinkering', favors for rice importers Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News Posted at Apr 10 2017 06:58 PM | Updated as of Apr 10 2017 08:14 PM MANILA - Sacked undersecretary Halmen Valdez scored Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol for 'tinkering' with the functions of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary instead of focusing on his job.

In her first live interview since she was dismissed from her post, Valdez said it is "unfortunate" that Piñol is "tinkering" with agencies under Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco, such as the National Food Authority (NFA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

"If you observe, he‘s the one making pronouncements and announcements when it comes to those agencies. He doesn‘t know how to observe interdepartmental courtesy," she said in an interview with ANC's Headstart.

"It‘s very unfortunate that you have a Department of Agriculture Secretary who has been tinkering and is not just focusing on what he is trying to do," she added.

She noted Piñol "prematurely" announced that the President is transferring the three aforementioned agencies to his department, but there was no executive order signed to say so.

Valdez said she is not certain if the two Cabinet secretaries are on good terms.

She said Evasco, her former boss, would calm her down whenever she would flag Piñol's actuations.

"Sinasabi ko sa kaniya, ‗Sir, meron na namang pronouncement itong si Piñol.‘ Ang sinasabi lang ng CabSec, ‗Let him do his worst.‘ Ganun lang ang sinasabi ng Cabinet Secretary," she said.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week said he would be firing an unnamed female undersecretary and three other government officials as he continues to let go of personnel at the ―first whiff‖ of irregularities.

It was Piñol who later dropped Valdez's name, but Valdez asserted, "he had no authority to do it."

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NOT BECAUSE OF PIÑOL Valdez noted there is now a "bumper harvest" where the target for the harvest has been exceeded. But she insisted that Piñol's agency is not the one to be credited for it.

"Is it because DA is doing a good job? No. It‘s because NIA is doing a good job and NIA is under the Office of the Cabinet Secretary," she said.

She also cited that at the onset of the Duterte administration, areas in Mindanao and Luzon were infested with 'cocolisap' that damaged coconut plantations and the PCA had to step in.

"Tapos, si Secretary Piñol, nakialam na naman doon—but it‘s also under the Office of the Cabinet Secretary...To tell you, with the Cabinet Secretary‘s leadership naayos yun, na-treat yung lahat, nasa income replacement stage na ang PCA in Basilan," she said.

"As you see, my boss works quietly. He works quietly and with integrity," she added.

NO ARTIFICIAL RICE SHORTAGE In a Facebook post on Sunday, Piñol hit Valdez for accusing him and NFA Administrator Jason Aquino "conniving" to create an artificial rice shortage to justify additional rice information.

"For the information of everybody, the days when greedy businessmen were able to manipulate the data on rice production to justify importation are over," he said.

He insisted data from the Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM) project of DA and its partners would bear him out that the rice production data could not be manipulated to make it appear that there is a rice shortage and justify rice importation.

"Based on the satellite data, a ground validation is conducted and a projection is made on the expected harvest based on the data," he said.

"That means that even before harvest, the Satellite data could already be used to determine how much harvest there would be in the current cropping season.The data are very accurate as the satellite could even identify the rice crops which are not growing well," he added.

"The Eye in the Sky will prove that you are lying."

In a separate post, Piñol clarified his stand on the issue of rice importation, saying he is against any form of rice importation, whether government to government or importation through the private sector.

FAVORED IMPORTERS? In the ANC interview, Valdez said a broadsheet had reported that Aquino signed three import permits from private importers, and though she did not get the names, she presented a different document.

"This is so strange because the NFA Council approved the extension of the MAV (minimum access volume) coming from all territories…However, based on the data and this has been published in the NFA website, he (Aquino) approved Pakistan and India," she said while the document was flashed onscreen.

Valdez believes Aquino is being selective and this means corruption.

"I think that him being selective about the extension of certain permits, it only shows that merong mga pabor-pabor happening," she said.

"We have the equal protection clause so bakit mayroon special treatment yung ibang importers, bakit may special treatment yung ibang countries?" she added.

She said the embassy of Vietnam had written to them requesting to extend their importation permit, "and he ignored it."

"But he gave extension to Pakistan and India, which we did not receive letters from those countries," she said.

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Valdez said the country has government-to-government importation memorandum of agreement with Vietnam and Thailand, and this is the relationship that should have been given importance.

"That‘s precisely the evil sought to be avoided by the NFA Council—that you give the administrator an unbridled discretion to select certain importers that he likes or he knows, he‘s friends with perhaps," she said.

MALIGNED TO DUTERTE Valdez also accused Aquino of writing to Duterte to malign her and her family.

"In a nutshell, he said that I received P2.5-million to have the private sector-led importation extended or to have it calendared," she said.

"Then next is that I‘m close to Jojo Soliman and I‘m expected to receive P300-million the moment that the whole private sector-led importation gets extended," she added.

But she insisted she had never met Soliman, a rice importer, and that it's "very unfair" to accuse long-time importers of being a cartel.

In the letter, she said, Aquino told Duterte that her mom, a retired NFA employee, is in a relationship with a man who is linked to the cartel.

"For the record, my parents are in a good, loving relationship. We live together in our family home. My mom has suffered a stroke three years ago, so she‘s now our patient and we‘re taking good care of her," said Valdez.

"These things can easily be checked. He can go to our family home in Quezon City and check that my mom and dad are in our home. That‘s how crazy that letter is," she added.

ANC tried to get Aquino's side in response to Valdez's claims during the show but was informed that he was in a meeting.

On Monday afternoon, before Duterte left for his state visits to three Middle Eastern countries, he twitted Valdez anew, stressing that it was not her place to sign any document to overturn Aquino's rejection of the permits. http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/22/17/philippines-extends-rice-import-quota-for-3-years

NFA to issue import tender for 250,000 tons of rice in June Posted at May 22 2017 11:51 AM

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16 A rice vendor tends to his stall at the Quinta Market in Quiapo area in Manila. Jonathan Cellona, ABSCBN News

MANILA - The Philippines' state grains buyer said on Monday it was looking to issue a tender to import 250,000 tons of rice from private traders, including those in Vietnam and Thailand.

The National Food Authority will announce the bidding immediately after securing approval from the NFA Council, which may meet this week, NFA spokesman Marietta Ablaza told Reuters.

The cargoes should arrive later in June or early July to boost the NFA's stockpile ahead of the lean harvest season and the typhoon months in the second half of the year, she said. http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/22/17/nfa-to-issue-import-tender-for-250000-tons-of-rice-in-june

Thai, Vietnam rice prices hit multi-month peak Published : 21 May 2017, 22:36:32

BANGKOK/HANOI, May 21 (Reuters): Rice prices hit multi-month peak in Thailand and Vietnam this week on export prospects, while high rates in India kept buyers at bay, traders said recently.Thai benchmark 5.0-per cent broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 rose this week to $385-$411 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, from $387-$392 last week. At a mean of $398 per tonne, Thai rice prices hit their highest in nine months, Reuters data showed.

Traders said as Thai exporters are still buying stocks to fill shipments, heightened expectations of more demand from some of the world's top importers also helped

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prices to surge.Last week, Bangladesh's state grains buyer said they will import 600,000 tonnes of rice. It has already issued two tenders for a total of 100,000 tonnes of rice."Exporters continue to sell, ships are still being loaded, and big buyers are now coming in," said a Bangkok-based trader."If buyers keep purchasing, prices will keep increasing," said another trader from Bangkok.

Vietnam's 5-per cent broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 was quoted at $365-370 a tonne, FOB Saigon, up from $355-$360 last week, following the trend in Thailand.

Averaging $367.50 per tonne, Vietnamese rice prices are at an 11-month high, according to Reuters data.Anticipating more demand from leading importing countries, Vietnam traders are storing rice in order to sell later as prices advance."People expect demand to jump further so they are not rushing to sell now," said a Ho Chi Minh-based trader.Vietnam shipped an estimated 1.84 million tonnes of the grain between January and April, down 8.8 per cent from the same period last year.

Thailand and Vietnam are the world's second- and third-biggest rice exporters.

In India, the world's biggest rice exporter, 5-per cent broken parboiled rice prices RIINBKN5-P1 eased by $3 per tonne to $391-$396 a tonne this week on sluggish export demand.

In the past two months, there has been a sharp rise in Indian rates on government buying and as appreciation in the rupee caused a rally in local paddy prices.

The rupee has risen more than 5 per cent so far this year and is trading near its highest level in 21 months. A strong rupee trims returns of exporters, who cannot afford to cut prices."African buyers are shifting to Vietnam. Indian rice is not competitive at the current price level," said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.India mainly exports non-basmati rice to African countries and premier basmati rice to the Middle East. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/05/21/71150/Thai,-Vietnam-rice-prices-hit-multi-monthpeak/print

PHILIPPINES EXTENDS RICE IMPORT RESTRICTION

BY THREE MORE YEARS 5/22/2017 MANILA, May 22 (Reuters) - The Philippines is keeping the quantitative restriction on rice purchases in place for three

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more years, limiting supplies from major sellers like Thailand and Vietnam, according to an executive order released on Monday.

The maximum volume of rice that private traders can ship in annually will remain at 805,200 tonnes until 2020, with the tariff also kept at 35 percent, the order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 27 showed.

The Philippines, one of the world's top rice importers, is supposed to lift the import restriction by July 1 under an agreement with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It was not immediately clear if Manila needs to seek another waiver from the trade body from its obligation to open up the domestic rice market.

In 2014, Manila won WTO approval for a waiver but, as part of the agreement, it pledged to increase the annual import volume from 350,000 tonnes and reduce the rice tariff from 40 percent.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol, who believes the Philippines could be self-sufficient in rice production by 2020, had been pushing for a two-year extension of the restriction, saying local farmers are not ready to compete with cheap imports.

The Philippines imports more than 1 million tonnes of rice every year, with Thailand and Vietnam its key suppliers.

Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia had pushed for the lifting of the restriction, arguing that introducing competition in the domestic market would encourage local farmers to improve efficiency and bring down local prices.

Both PiĂąol and Pernia did not respond to Reuters' requests for comments on the executive order.

The Southeast Asian nation has kept the restriction in place since 1995 when it acceded to the WTO treaty. It has won three extensions since then http://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/philippines-extends-rice-import-restriction-by-three-moreyears

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Bangladesh gets lowest offer of $427.85/T in rice import tender May 22 Bangladesh received the lowest offer of $427.85 a tonne from Dubai-based Sukhbir Agro Energy Ltd in a tender to import 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, officials at the state grains buyer said on Monday.The state agency, Directorate General of Food, came up with its first tender for rice since 2011 as local rice prices hit a record high, and state reserves are at a six-year low. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) http://in.reuters.com/article/bangladesh-rice-tender-idINL4N1IO259

Bago included in PRISM project Bago City, Negros Occidental will be the first area in the Negros Island Region to be included in the satellite rice area locator, mapping and imagery of the Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) project of the Department of Agriculture.PRISM is a project in coordination with DA and the Philippine Rice Research Institute that aims to create satellite imagery and map for rice areas in the country to easily identify calamities that may affect them, Patrick Sta. Romana, Assistant Chief for Research of DA-NIR, said.

The areas will have monitoring on-ground and by satellite to give information on mapping, crop assessments and pest and disease infestations through the Synthetic Aperture Radar systems map (SARMAP).―Through this, we can have better rice area monitoring as it will be validated through satellite and geo-referencing,‖ Sta. Romana said.Bago City will have 20 monitoring fields on an area of at least 200 square meters and 500 meter distance between them.

Trainings for DA researchers and partner LGUs will be are conducted this week and are tackling about Field Protocol and Online Data Management to educate them on the technology the PRISM has to offer, he added.After Bago City, Sta. Romana said, PRISM monitoring fields will also expand toKabankalan City next year until they achieve 120 point areas needed per region.

The DA-NIR research division has already done identified rice and non-rice areas in the region on March 7-11 and crop assessment and pest monitoring will follow when the crop season starts. ―Through the information fed by PRISM, we can inform the prevalence of fest infestations or calamities surrounding the point areas,‖ Sta. Romana said, adding, ―The DA can validate it and address the problem immediately.‖ *MLG

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1358101

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Minister Pocharam inaugurates seed mela in Rajendranagar Popular Rice varieties like Telangana sona (RNR 15408), Kunaram Sannalu (KNM 118) JGL 18047, WGL 347 were made available for sale at the counter in Rice Research Station in the university campus.

By TelanganaToday | Published: 22nd May 2017 7:40 pm Updated: 22nd May 2017 9:55 pm

RICE VARIETIES: Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy at the launch of the seed mela at the agriculture university in Rajendranagar

Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy on Monday inaugurated the first ‗Seed Mela‘ at the Rice Research Station of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University in Rajendranagar.

He also formally inaugurated the sale of seeds of various crop varieties produced and developed by the university. Popular Rice varieties like Telangana sona (RNR 15408), Kunaram Sannalu (KNM 118) JGL 18047, WGL 347 were made available for sale at the counter in Rice Research Station in the university campus.

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Vice-Chancellor, PJTSAU, Dr V Praveen Rao, Principal Scientist (Rice) Dr Surender Raju and Rajendranagar Corporator Srilatha, besides a large number of farmers from all over the State, participated in the function. https://telanganatoday.com/minister-pocharam-inaugurates-seed-mela-rajendranagar

Vietnam Expands Rice Export To Europe HANOI, May 22 (Bernama) -- Up to 100,000 tonnes of Vietnamese rice will be shipped to the European Union each year tax-free in 2018 following the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, helping local rice exporters penetrate the market, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

However, it remains to be seen if Vietnamese businesses can take advantage of this opportunity as the EU has strict technical barriers, according to Lam Tuan Anh, Director of Thinh Phat Ltd Co. Only firms which have their own material areas and could control the quality of rice from cultivation to processing can access the market, Tuan Anh said, explaining that rice is a sensitive staple that is not included in many other free trade agreements.....

Bernama

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 22, 2017 | Mon May 22, 2017 | 2:16pm IST Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-May 22 Nagpur, May 22 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices firmed up in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) auction on good buying support from local millers amid weak supply from producing belts. Fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and enquiries from South-based millers also jacked up prices.

About 1,300 bags of gram and 2,000 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.

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TUAR * Tuar varieties moved down in open market on poor demand from local traders amid good supply from millers. * Masoor and Moong varieties reported fresh fall in open market on lack of buying support from local traders amid good supply from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,000-4,100, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,300-6,600, Udid Mogar (clean) – 9,500-10,900, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,800-7,200, Gram – 5,800-6,100, Gram Super best * Wheat, other varieties of rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 5,100-5,500 5,000-5,400 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,500-3,890 3,400-3,870 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 1,500-1,620 1,500-1,610 Gram Super Best Bold 8,200-8,500 8,200-8,500 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 7,600-7,900 7,600-7,900 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 5,600-5,700 5,600-5,700 Desi gram Raw 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500 Gram Yellow 8,000-8,200 8,000-8,200 Gram Kabuli 12,300-13,400 12,300-13,400 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,200-6,400 6,500-6,700 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,800-6,000 6,000-6,200 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,700-6,000 5,800-6,300 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,000-5,500 5,200-5,600 Tuar Gavarani New 4,100-4,200 4,150-4,250 Tuar Karnataka 4,200-4,300 4,250-4,350 Masoor dal best 5,500-5,700 5,600-5,800 Masoor dal medium 5,200-5,400 5,200-5,500 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,000-7,500 7,200-7,500 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-6,800 6,600-7,000 Moong dal Chilka 5,500-6,300 5,750-6,550 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 7,000-8,000 7,000-8,000 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 10,500-11,500 10,500-11,500

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Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 8,500-9,500 8,500-9,500 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 6,200-6,700 6,200-6,700 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,400-3,700 3,400-3,700 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,850-3,050 2,850-3,050 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,600 3,400-3,600 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,500 4,000-4,500 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,050 1,950-2,050 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,750-1,850 1,750-1,850 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,350 2,150-2,350 Wheat Lokwan new (100 INR/KG) 1,850-2,050 1,850-2,050 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,350 2,200-2,350 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,150 2,000-2,150 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,600 3,300-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,400 3,100-3,400 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,450 2,300-2,450 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,800 4,500-4,800 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200 Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,650-4,850 4,650-4,850 Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 11,000-15,000 11,000-15,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,500-8,000 6,500-8,000 Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,300 5,800-6,300 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,400-5,600 5,100-5,300 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,200 1,900-2,200 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,900 1,800-1,900 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 45.5 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 29.6 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 45 and 30degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices) http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL4N1IO31F

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Philippines to import 250,000 tonnes of rice in June 22 May 2017 at 13:27 WRITER: REUTERS A worker climbs on a pile of rice stock inside a warehouse of the government National Food Authority in Bicutan, Philippines, September 28, 2010. (Reuters file photo) MANILA -- The Philippines, one of the world's top rice buyers, will issue a tender to import 250,000 tonnes of the grain next month, to boost low stockpiles before the lean harvest season and to offset potential crop damage during the typhoon season.

The tender is open to private traders in major exporters Thailand and Vietnam as well as other countries including top supplier India and Pakistan, the National Food Authority (NFA), the state grains buyer, said on Monday.

Expectations of fresh rice demand from some of the world's top importers such as the Philippines and Bangladesh have pushed up prices in Thailand and Vietnam.The NFA will announce the bidding immediately after securing approval from the NFA Council, which may meet this week, NFA spokeswoman Marietta Ablaza told Reuters.The cargoes should arrive later in June or early July, she said.

Government stockpiles have shrunk to the lowest in more than three years, just enough to cover eight days of national requirements.The NFA is mandated to maintain a 15-day buffer stock at any given time and a minimum of 30 days during the lean harvest season from July to September.The council will also finalise the import terms for up to 805,000 tonnes of rice that

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local private traders will bring in under an annual quota scheme, which should ensure supply even during the typhoon season, Ms Ablaza said.

The Philippines' typhoon season typically peaks in October to December with the strongest storms landing then, damaging the country's rice crops.Manila is shifting away from buying rice under government-to-government deals to ensure competitiveness and transparency following accusations that some NFA officials were making money from such deals. The agency has denied any wrongdoing.

Rice farmers eyeing good prices

Small scale rice farmers in Nkhotakota district are optimistic that this year prices of rice will be good despite high production of the cash crop. The farmers are expected to harvest more rice this year due to good rains during the last growing season. Malawi24 caught up with small scale farmers in the district and they revealed that demand for the crop on the market is high leading to good prices.

Malawi rice farmers hoping for a change. (Image credit- The Scotsman)

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One of the famers, Stambuli Chisunzi said this year prices of rice are promising to be good because currently a 50Kg bag of rice is being sold at a minimum of K12,000. According to Chisuzi, the farmers expected the prices to be lower than K240/Kg bag due to high supply of rice on the market but this has not been the case so far. ―There is high demand of the crop on the market, this is what is making the prices better. We are sure that when the selling season of rice will be at peak, we will be selling at higher price and realise more profits from our crop,‖ Chisuzi said. He further told Malawi24 that farmers are hoping that they will eventually sell their rice at as high as K400/Kg. In a separate interview, one of the buyers Goodwin Chisisili said that the high demand of the crop is really a driving factor for the better minimum price of the crop. ―There are many people who are demanding for rice this year and this is making small scale famers to sell their crop at higher prices. ―For instance, so far we are competing with mega rice buyers like Muli Brothers company and Nzeru Za Abambo that are making bargaining process too stiff and making farmers winners at the end,‖ he told Malawi24. According to Chisisili, this is just the beginning of selling season and more buyers are expected to come in the market hence prices of rice are expected to rise. http://ricenewstoday.com/?p=116755

Vietnam looks to put rice on Europe’s plate 23 May,2017

Up to 100,000 tonnes of Vietnamese rice will be shipped to the EU each year tax-free in 2018 following the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, helping local rice exporters penetrate the market.

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However, it remains to be seen if Vietnamese businesses can take advantage of this opportunity as the EU has strict technical barriers which most may struggle to satisfy, according to Lam Tuan Anh, Director of Thinh Phat Ltd., Co. Only firms which have their own material areas and can control rice quality from cultivation to processing can access the market, Tuan Anh said, explaining that rice is a sensitive staple that is not included in many other free trade agreements.

Despite being the world‘s third largest rice exporter, Vietnam is still in the early stages of building an image in the EU. Experts said the EU is a promising market because of local consumers‘ high living standards.

Although only a few rice exporting countries compete in the market such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand, they all have good quality rice, experts said, urging Vietnam to create a brand name for its rice. Vietnam‘s Commercial Affairs Office in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Latvia, suggested Vietnamese businesses pay more heed to food safety to deliver their rice to Sweden and other Northern European countries. Vietnam‘s rice exports to the region have remained limited in turnover and varieties, according to the office. Although demand for rice in Northern Europe is not huge, the region could be a promising market for Vietnamese rice if the country receives trade incentives and satisfys locals‘ taste, a representative from the office said. Vietnam has a huge opportunity to export farm produce like rice, vegetable, fruit and honey to the EU. The Netherlands, Vietnam‘s third largest rice importer in the EU, just behind Germany and the UK, is expected to serve as a gateway helping Vietnamese products go in other EU countries.

Many experts said that the Vietnamese Government should look to policy support and trade promotion to boost rice exports to the EU and Northern Europe in particular. Vietnam exported 1.1 million tonnes of rice in the first quarter of this year, down 23 percent in volume and 18 percent in value compared to the same period last year. China remained the largest rice importer in the period at 448,000 tonnes, 41 percent of total rice exports, followed by the Philippines and Africa with 20 percent and 13 percent, respectively. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/178830/vietnam-looks-to-put-rice-on-europe-s-plate.html

4.448m acres to be brought under paddy cultivation in Punjab SIALKOT (APP): Over 4.448 million acres of land will be brought under paddy cultivation during the Kharif season in Punjab. Agriculture department sources told APP on Sunday that paddy would be sown over 1.66 million acres in Gujranwala division while 342,000 acres land would be brought under paddy crop in Sialkot district.

The department has deputed training teams which are visiting village to village for providing proper guidance and assistance to rice growers about the use of inputs, nursery sowing and

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transfer of plants into fields in Punjab. In Sialkot, the agriculture department has also initiated a well-knitted training programme for the paddy growers on the preparation of nurseries and cultivation of paddy crop to achieve the target.

The local agriculture department had also launched farmers training programme in 1442 villages of Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and Sambrial tehsils of Sialkot district. As many as 29 teams were busy in imparting training to the rice growers for enhancing per acre yield, sources added. http://nation.com.pk/business/22-May-2017/newsbrief

‫ محمد‬:‫پنجاب میں چاول کی فصل لگانے کا ایک خوبصورت انداز۔ ویڈیو‬ ‫عمر۔ فیصل آباد‬ 23 07:21( 7102 ‫)مئی‬ ‫رپورٹر پاکستان‬

Click the following link to watch video/Download

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbQdOkpDas

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