2015
Daily Exclusive ORYZA Rice E-Newsletter
www.ricepluss.com
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
May 19 ,2015
Vol 5,Issue V
Page 1
Dr.Xuhua Zhong, crop physiologist at the Rice Research Institute of the Guangdong Academy of
Agricultural Sciences (GDRRI) says the "three controls technology (3CT)" can enhance rice
yields by about 10%, according to a news release in the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) website.He says 3Cs means controlling the amount of fertilizer, unproductive tillers, and
diseases and insects. He noted that by using 3CT, farmers can decrease their nitrogen fertilizer
and pesticide use by about 20%. He recommends the "4-2-3-1" principle, under which 40% of
nitrogen should be applied at the basal stage, 20% at mid-tillering stage, 30% at panicle initiation
and 10% at heading stage He says by applying fertilizer at different stages, rice plants are less
prone to diseases such as sheath blight and use of fertilizer can be reduced in every subsequent
stage. It helps farmers to save on the costs of fertilizer, pesticide and labor.
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Page 2
A new study published in the Nature Communications Journal last week finds that there is a
link between the El Nino Southern Oscillation and global food harvests of cereals such as rice,
wheat, corn and soybeans, according to Breitbart News.The study finds that El Nino years have
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Page 3
Vietnam 5% broken
350-360
India 5% broken
370-380
Pakistan 5% broken
395-405
Myanmar 5% broken
415-425
Cambodia 5% broken
430-440
U.S. 4% broken
470-480
Uruguay 5% broken
565-575
Argentina 5% broken
555-565
350-360
330-340
355-365
345-355
Page 4
460-470
370-380
405-415
555-565
570-580
865-875
480-490
NQ
NQ
Brokens
315-325
Thailand A1 Super
300-310
350-360
270-280
NQ
365-375
NQ
Page 5
The European Union's (EU) rice imports, including milled and semi-milled, from the Least Developed
Countries (LDCs) of Asia such as Cambodia and Myanmar under the Everything But Arms (EBA)
Agreement have reached around 204,512 tons in the first eight months of the crop year 2014-15
(September 2014 - August 2015), up about 12% from around 182,600 tons imported during the same
period last year, according to data from the European Commission (EC).The EC data shows that imports
from Cambodia (which account for about 76% of total imports from Asian LDCs in September 2014
April 2015) declined about 2% to around 155,501 tons from around 158,674 tons during the same period
last year. On the other hand, rice imports from Myanmar (which account for about 22% of total imports
from Asian LDCs in September 2014 April 2015) have more than doubled to around 45,240 tons from
around 20,848 tons during the same period last year.
Page 6
The government of Thailand has decided to sell 2 million tons of rice from the government
Page 7
Page 8
Nearly 400,000 hectares of agricultural land is understood to be affected by the ongoing drought
and salinity intrusion in Vietnam's Mekong River Delta, according to local sources.The salinity
in the early dry season in most of the Mekong Delta's provinces was about 1 - 10 g (0.1-1%)
higher than the same period last year. On the other hand acute drought is also severely impacting
the yields of the summer-autumn crop.Authorities are taking measures to protect rivers from salt
water intrusion by building culverts along the rivers and canals. They are also urging rice growes
to speed up harvesting process before the drought casts impact on the yields. Authorities are also
encouraging concerned departments to identify potential areas to be affected by drought and
salinity and prepare action plans to respond to crisis.According to USDA Post, 2015 summer
autumn crop is estimated to be planted in about 7.7 million tons and is expected to produce
around 15.95 million tons, basis paddy (around 9.98 million tons, basis milled).USDA estimates
Vietnam to produce around 28 million tons of rice, basis milled (around 44.88 million tons, basis
paddy) and export around 6.7 million tons in 2014-15 (January 2015 - December 2015).
Page 9
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery settled 22 cents per cwt (about $5 per ton) higher at
$9.795 per cwt (about $216 per ton). The other grains finished the day higher, led by continued
strength in the wheat market as traders continue to weigh weather issues in the US and abroad;
Soybeans closed about 0.1% higher at $9.5750 per bushel; wheat finished about 2.1% higher at
$5.2175 per bushel, and corn finished the day about 0.7% higher at $3.6800 per bushel.U.S.
stocks traded higher on Monday after closing near highs last week, as investors awaited the bulk
of the week's housing data and mostly shook off earlier concerns about Greece's ability to pay
back its creditors.
The major indices held higher in afternoon trade after earlier fluctuating around the flat-line. The
Dow Jones industrial average mostly traded above its previous closing and intraday high of
18,288.63, while the S&P 500 topped its intraday high of 2,125.92. Speaking early Monday at
the Swedish capital, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said the U.S. Federal Reserve could
look at a rate hike in June if the economy is strong enough, Reuters said. His speech argued for
rates to start rising in early 2016. Evans told reporters if the Federal Open Market Committee
had confidence that inflation was going to move up and that first quarter economic softness was
temporary, "you could imagine a case being made for a rate increase in June.
" Most of the second-quarter data reports have showed a slower-than-expected rebound from a
weak first quarter. The only data out Monday was the National Association of Home Builders'
survey, which showed builder confidence slipped two points in May, missing expectations of a
slight gain. Housing starts and existing home sales come out later in the week, along with the
Federal Open Market Committee's meeting minutes. In Europe, stocks closed higher amid
abating fears that Greece is on the verge of bankruptcy. Earlier, U.S. stocks opened mildly lower
as European equities dipped on news a Greece government spokesman said on Monday that
authorities will pay public-sector wages and pensions in May, but needs a deal with creditors by
the end of the month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 14 points, or 0.07%, at
18,286. The S&P 500 traded up 5 points, or 0.22%, at 2,127, with telecommunications leading
seven sectors higher and materials the greatest laggard.
The Nasdaq traded up 23 points, or 0.46%, at 5,071. Gold is trading about 0.1% higher, crude oil
is seen trading about 0.5% lower, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.9% higher at
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Page 10
Chicago rough rice futures for Jul delivery are currently seen trading 15.5 cents per cwt (about
$3 per ton) higher at $9.730 per cwt (about $211 per ton) during early floor trading in
Chicago. The other grains are seen trading higher; soybeans are currently seen about 0.6%
higher, wheat is listed about 1.3% higher and corn is currently noted about 0.6% higher.U.S.
stocks traded in a narrow range on Monday after closing near highs last week, as investors
digested housing data and weighed renewed concerns about Greece's ability to pay back its
creditors.
The major indices fluctuated around the flat-line, attempting to hold slight gains. The Dow Jones
industrial average briefly traded above its previous closing and intraday high of 18,288.63. The
S&P traded above its closing high hit on Friday but held below its intraday high of 2,125.92. In
Europe, stocks turned to trade mostly lower on growing fears that Greece is on the verge of
bankruptcy. A government spokesman said on Monday that authorities will pay public-sector
wageNational officials in Athens also sent a letter to the International Monetary Fund that
showed Greece came close to defaulting on a 750 million euro ($860 million) repayment last
week, local newspaper Kathimerini and the Financial Times reported.
However, analysts noted that U.S. losses remained muted despite the renewed concerns about
Greeces and pensions in May, but needs a deal with creditors by the end of the month. The Dow
Jones Industrial Average traded down 7 points, or 0.04%, at 18,265. The S&P 500 traded down 2
points, or 0.10%, at 2,120, with energy the greatest of six laggards and financials leading gainers.
The Nasdaq traded down 9 points, or 0.19%, at 5,038. Gold is currently trading about 0.2%
lower, crude oil is seen trading about 0.1% higher, and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about
0.9% higher at 8:15am Chicago time.
Page 11
Vietnam exported about 1.686 million tons of rice in January 1 - May 14, 2015, down about 28% from
about 2.34 million tons of rice exported in first five months of 2014, according to data from the Vietnam
Food Association (VFA). Average rice export price so far in this year stands at around $419 per ton
(FOB), down about 3% per ton from around $433 per ton recorded during same last year.During May 114, 2015, Vietnam exported around 130,782 tons of rice, down about 78% from around 585,536 tons of
rice exported in full month of May 2014, and down about 80% from around 650,507 tons rice exported in
full month of April 2015. Average export prices so far in May stands at around $422 per ton, up about 1%
per ton from a year ago, and up about 2% per ton from a month ago.
Page 12
The U.S. cash market was unchanged today despite a firmer futures market as buy interest
remains limited and stocks remain ample.With persistent wet weather in the U.S. Mid-South over
the last week some analysts expect farmers to plant less acreage than the USDA had estimated in
last weeks WASDE report.In the meantime, the USDA estimates that as of May 17th, 89% of the
US rice crop had been planted which is 4% ahead of this time last year and 7% ahead of the
previous 5-year average. As of now, the USDA estimates that farmers have planted at 89% of
their rice crop in Arkansas, 90% in California, 98% in Louisiana, 93% in Mississippi, 75% in
Missouri, and 79% in Texas.
The USDA estimates that 70% of the crop has emerged which was 3% ahead of this time last
year and 4% ahead of the previous 5-year average. As of now, the USDA estimates that 73% of
the rice crop in Arkansas has emerged compared to , 50% in California, 92% in Louisiana, 72%
in Mississippi, 53% in Missouri, and 75% in Texas.The USDA estimates that 66% percent of the
crop in good to excellent condition compared to 63% in Arkansas, 80% in California, 65% in
Louisiana, 79% in Mississippi, 45% in Missouri, and 52% in Texas.
Page 13
Italian rice growers are urged to shift to dry seeding technique of rice transplantation in this crop
season due to fears of lower irrigation water this year due to dry weather conditions.Dry seeding
involves the sowing of rice seeds (without pre-germination) directly into a dry or moist field and
has several advantages associated with it. It is relatively cheaper though it needs more seeds
more tractor ploughing compared to traditional transplantation method. It mainly requires lesser
fertilizer as well as lesser water.
Authorities are planning to convince rice growers in major rice growing provinces to adopt dry
seeding technique as they fear that at the end of May there may not be enough water for all the
irrigation purposes. They are especially worried that planting of other crops such as corn may
also require increased quantities of water and consequently volume of water for rice may be
impacted significantly. They are of the view that an expanding dry seeded area may bring a
different balance in the use of water in the country in this rice growing season.Rice growers in
Pavia province and Novara province have already started adopting this technique extensively.
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Page 15
Antica Riseria San Giovanni (Ancient Saint John rice mill) in Italy's Fontanetto Po showcases
the eighteenth century rice milling equipment including an ancient rice and husk separator, a
wooden mortar, an ancient grindstone, an ancient rice sifter, and ancient rice sewing machine,
ancient rice weighingstones and a turbine that was used to generate electricity to run the
mill.This mill was built in 1878 by rebuilding a mill that dated back to 1465. A visit to the mill
shows how water-force was used to run all the machines before the electricity was used for the
purpose. Even today the turbine "Francis", which derived power to run the rice machinery from
the waters of the Dora Baltea river, is in the working condition.
Other machinery such as the 18th century grindstone, which was used until 1970 to crumble and
recycle rice husk, is also still working.The mill is currently under the possession of an
association called "Macchine da riso" (Rice machinery), which collects, restores and exhibits the
ancient agricultural machinery. It also has a restoration workshop with a blacksmith and a
carpenter.The mill is in heart of Italy's rice growing region.
Page 16