September 04,2015

All About Rice News

Daily

Vol 5,Issue XIII

Global Rice E-Newsletter

For Blog & News Letter Advertisment contact to write : Mujahid Ali mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
www.ricepluss.com & www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
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Declining prices: governments weigh up option to protect agriculture

sector
September 03, 2015
ZAHEER ABBASI
The federal government and provinces on Wednesday weighed various options to protect the
agriculture sector from declining prices of agriculture products in the international market. An
official said that a consultative meeting on agriculture products and Basmati rice was held on
Wednesday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the chair and various options were discussed
during the meeting. The official said the issue of high costs of agricultural inputs was discussed.
He said the Prime Minister directed to devise proposals to bring down the cost of inputs to
improve per acre yield and profitability after he was given a detailed presentation on the present
situation as well as on future scenarios. Secretary Food Department of Sindh government
told Business Recorder that the meeting was a follow-up of a meeting held in August. He said
the meeting has not taken any decision and decided to hold another meeting in this regard to
further discuss the proposals.
He said the decline in agriculture products prices in the international market has created
problems of exports. He said that farmers are suffering due to high input prices at home and low
output prices. Secretary Agriculture Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said a committee was
constituted by the Prime Minister to suggest as to how to support small farmers. The meeting
discussed implications of the government interventions to manage the price fluctuations while
keeping in view the interests of both producers and consumers. A statement issued by the Prime
Minister''s office after the meeting says that the surplus stocks of agricultural products in
international and domestic markets have put pressure on the support price mechanism and
profitability of the agricultural production has been affected.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed the meeting that in Pakistan
agriculture is mainly a small farmers'' business, living in rural areas and any price shock has
damaging effects on millions of small farmers earning their livelihood from agriculture sector.
The meeting agreed that the Pakistani agriculture is suffering from global phenomenon and a
strategy is required to come out of this economic situation. The Planning Commission organised
a forum on agriculture pricing trends and its possible implications on rural economy in August
2015. The forum presented a set of recommendations for consideration by the government on
Wednesday''s meeting. The meeting deliberated in detail on the recommendations of the forum
regarding problems faced by the producers of major crops like rice, sugarcane, cotton, wheat and
vegetables.
The Prime Minister directed that the Ministry of National Food Security may initiate measures to
attract investment in high-tech seed industry and asked if any legislation is required to do that.
The Prime Minister also directed to develop standards for use of agricultural machinery to
improve its efficiency. Provincial governments were directed to initiate a process for
implementation of the recommendations for the agriculture forum. The meeting was attended by
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Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Minister of Commerce, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance,
Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister for IPC; Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for National Food
Security; Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the PM, federal
secretary National Food security, Secretary agriculture from Punjab, Sindh, KPK and
Balochistan.
Business Recorder

Senate Summons CBN, NCS over Abuse of Import Waivers

05 Sep 2015

Font Size: a / A

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Senate ad-hoc Committee on Waivers has
summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), over alleged sharp
practices on the application of waivers' policy on rice
and other food items.The summons followed the upper
legislative chamber's mandate to the committee in July
to thoroughly review federal government's policy on
waivers with the intention to determine federal
government's losses to indiscriminate granting of waivers to unscrupulous importers.In another
development, the Senate yesterday appealed to the international community to throw its weight
behind Nigeria's efforts to reposition and grow the economy.
This appeal was made by a Senate delegation led by the senate president, Bukola Saraki, to
separate bilateral meetings with German and French delegates at the just concluded Fourth
United Nations (UN) International Conference for Heads of Parliaments in New York.After its
meeting in Abuja yesterday, the committee said it found that the policy was being used by
importers and relevant government agencies to defraud the country of billions of naira.
According to the committee chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), details of rots
uncovered by the committee would be made public during forthcoming public hearing and in the
final report of the committee.
"We have sent letters of invitation to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) like the
Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria and of course, the Nigeria Customs
Service (NCS) to give us relevant information that will help us to carry out the assignment given
us very effectively and in fact, unearth the rots waivers have caused in the system.
"We are very happy with the responses we have gotten so far from the MDAs. What we are
doing now is to start compiling the reports and make our recommendations before which a public
hearing will be held where the abuse of the policy either by importers or relevant government
agencies
will
be
made
open
to
Nigerians,"
he
said
He also said the decision of the committee on public hearing would be taken at its meeting next
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Tuesday.
The Senate had in July asked the committee to investigate the allegation of abuse of waiver's
policy on rice importation and other food items which it said had robbed the nation of whopping
N585 billion between 2011 and 2014.According to the motion entitled: "Indiscriminate Use and
Abuse of Waivers for Rice Importation and Others," abuse of waiver's scheme has had adverse
effects on federal government's policy on rice production, resulting in the importation of large
quantities of rice in excess of the policy's requirement.
The CBN had recently also revealed that importers had overshot their quota on rice importation
and consequently owing the federal government import duties amounting to billions of naira.
It also revealed that importers, under the guise of the policy, have defrauded the federal
government of 70 per cent duties and levies adding that instead of punishing defaulting
importers, the immediate past administration opted to grant them fresh waivers to import more in its
twilight.The senators also alleged that the federal government had lost as much as N71 billion to duty waivers to importers of
rice, palm oil, energy equipment, steel and vegetable oil annually adding that the federal government gave import duty waivers to
rice and palm oil importers amounting to N150 billion in 2011.
Tags: News, Nigeria, Featuered, Abuse of Import Waivers

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/senate-summons-cbn-ncs-over-abuse-of-import-waivers/219396/

APEDA Commodty News from India

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 03-09-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

2100

Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

2000

Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

1800

Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

4600

Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

5100

Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

3000

Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

4280

Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

1700

Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

2800

Garlic

Ginger

Guar Gum Powder

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 03-09-2015
Domestic Prices
Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Maize

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Min Price

Max Price

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Himatnagar (Gujarat)

Other

1250

1450

Kishanganj (Bihar)

Other

1350

1550

Senjeri (Tamil Nadu)

Other

1500

1700

Bonai (Orissa)

Other

1410

1410

Pulpally (Kerala)

Other

1500

1700

Manapparai (Tamil Nadu)

Other

1450

1550

Malout (Punjab)

Other

1500

2500

Surat (Gujarat)

Other

1000

2250

Bonai (Orissa)

Other

2000

2000

Malout (Punjab)

Other

1000

1200

Paddy(Dhan)

Mousambi
Brinjal

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No
Price on 31-08-2015
Product

Market Center

Price

Pune

305

Nagapur

270

Hyderabad

295

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 03-09-2015

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Potatoes

High
Package: 50 lb cartons

Atlanta

Baltimore

Colorado

Russet

21

Canada

Russet

14

14

Detroit

Idaho

Russet

16

19.50

Atlanta

Canada

Long Seedless

10

Dallas

California

Long Seedless

12

14

Miami

Honduras

Long Seedless

10

Cucumbers

23.50

Package: cartons film wrapped

Grapefruit

10
Package: 7/10 bushel cartons

Atlanta

California

Red

26

27.50

Dallas

California

Red

24

24

Chicago

California

Red

20

21

Source:USDA

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Fisher Delta Center Field Day Attracts a Crowd

PORTAGEVILLE, MO - USA Rice was a sponsor of the University of Missouri Fisher Delta
Research Center's 54th annual field day held here Wednesday. More than 500 people, including
producers, agribusiness representatives, and local, state, and national elected officials attended an
appreciation breakfast before the field day tours.
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) were keynote speakers at the
event. Each addressed the growing importance of agricultural research with today's growing
global population and highlighted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overreach, which
they said is hurting American farmers.
USA Rice's Chuck Wilson and Kristen Dayton participated in the event and also met with
Missouri rice producers from around the region, including Cape Girardeau's Blake Gerard, the
newly elected chairman of USA Rice Farmers.
Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 4

Daily Global

Month

Price

Net Change

September 2015

$11.850

+ $0.055

November 2015

$12.110

+ $0.050

January 2016

$12.400

+ $0.050

March 2016

$12.650

+ $0.060

May 2016

$12.880

+ $0.065

July 2016

$13.045

+ $0.065

September 2016

$12.220

+ $0.125

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Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains

By G Krishna Prasad
Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM
Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM
SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice
at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the
government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are
havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel
charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have
technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity
of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month.
The traders in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased
the prices on the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice. The millers deny the charge
however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But the fact remains that this is
the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last four months in the region. The
minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished) which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs
28 now. The fine quality rice Old Sona Masuri which was Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48.
There are reports that the governments subsidised Rs 1 a kg rice is purchased by middlemen and
sold to the millers.
The millers polish the same rice and sell it in the open market as Sannalu. The prices of all the
Masuri varieties have increased in all markets, including hyper and super markets.The price of a
25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July, now sells at
Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs 1,200. What is
worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G Venkatramudu,
opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon. The millers expect
low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in paddy.Though essential
commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the officials concerned are least
bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about the price rise.
Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and
millers. Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification
to sell rice at a high price, Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari
districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety
cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported
from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer
Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control
the prices of rice.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-PoorRains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece

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Govt urges millers to pay paddy farmers

The Guyana Government yesterday said that it empathises with the frustrations of rice farmers and hopes
that the rice millers can make arrangements to have outstanding amounts to rice farmers remitted to them
at the earliest possible time.
A release from GINA said that consultations with the to continue
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/news/stories/09/04/govt-urges-millers-to-pay-paddy-farmers/

Govt advisor cautions against irrational resistance to GM

crops
R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 3:
A senior Government advisor on Thursday pitched for no irrational resistance to geneticallymodified (GM) crops and believed that nanotechnology could help Indian agriculture overcome
problems of declining landholdings, increasing numbers of marginal cultivators and land
degradation.
There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops once
careful research has been done, field trials have been
completed and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
(GEAC) approval has been obtained, said R
Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the
Centre, at the 4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit hosted
Assocham here on Thursday.Chidambaram had been
talking about the need for climate-resilient agriculture
and mitigation and adaptation strategies had to include
development of new crop varieties, including GM
crops, alongside soil health restoration.Agriculture
contributes less than 20 per cent of Indias GDP (gross
domestic product), accounts for over 10 per cent of Indias
exports and employs over half of our workforce, the latter
number is three per cent for the US, he said.He
highlighted the need for more techniques to improve
domestic irrigation facilities to save water with farmers
consuming about 80 per cent of State water supply
and also suggested the need for a grid for basmati rice
research
and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles such as indigenously-built
NETRA in agriculture.Chidambaram also pushed for technologies to prevent food wastage and
pest attacks on crops. While ensuring food and nutritional security, we have to provide
mechanism for ensuring increased farm incomes, he said.
(This article was published on September 3, 2015)

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BUSINESS LINE

There should be no irrational resistance to GM crops:

Principal Scientific Advisor
Alka Sirohi

03 September, 2015
Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Dr R. Chidambaram, while speaking at
an event organised by industry body, Assocham in New Delhi said that there should be no
irrational resistance to GM crops, after the completion of careful research, field trials and
approval of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).Whilestressing on the need for
climate resilient agriculture he said that mitigation and adaptation strategies must include soil
health restoration and development of new crop varieties including genetically modified (GM)
crops.
In Focus
Hestressed on the need for more widespread techniques to improve irrigation facilities in India.
While saying highlighting that farmers in India consume about 80 per cent of state water supply,
he said there was a need to make a saving there.On the need for developing high-yielding
basmati rice varieties, R. Chidambaram said that he would love to have a Grid for basmati rice
research.While inaugurating the '4th Bio-Nano Agri Summit' the Principal Scientific Advisor to
the Government, according to a press release by the Assocham,also pitched for using
'agricultural drone with appropriate sensors' while citing an example of NETRA, an unmanned
aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
that was used to track damage and marooned people.
He said that nanoscience based viable advanced technologies (that are both economic and
scientific) must be developed to counter negative effects of declining landholdings, increasing
number of marginal farmers and land degradation."Agriculture contributes less than 20 per cent
of India's GDP, accounts for over 10 per cent of India's exports and employs over half of our
workforce, the latter number is three per cent for the USA," said R. Chidambaram.
http://www.merinews.com/article/there-should-be-no-irrational-resistance-to-gm-cropsprincipal-scientific-advisor/15909323.shtml#sthash.GTPlo67N.dpuf

Corruption in the distribution of bardana will not be

tolerated:Bilal Yasin
in Business, Latest news Leave a comment

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has said that Punjab government has fixed
wheat procurement target of 40 lakh metric ton in the province. He said that district
administration and Food Department will extend complete cooperation to the farmers for
transparent purchase of wheat. He said that corruption and irregularities in the distribution of
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bardana will not be tolerated. He said that strict disciplinary action will be taken against
government machinery if found negligent in this regard.
He was addressing a high level meeting
held in connection with wheat procurement
arrangements at Conference Hall, in the
office of Commissioner Sargodha Division.
Secretary Food Punjab Dr. Pervaiz Ahmed
Khan, Commissioner Sargodha Division
Capt. (R) Muhammad Asif, Director Food
Asif Bilal besides DCOs of four districts, Deputy Directors Food, DFCs and representatives of
farmers all over the division attended the meeting. Bilal Yasin stressed upon the Food
Department to pay attention to the labour arrangements for loading and unloading of wheat. He
said that Punjab province is the biggest stockist of Asia with regard to wheat procurement.
He said that the aim of wheat procurement is not to fill the godowns of wheat but the real
objective is to give due return to the farmers to their hard work so that we should remain selfsufficient in food. The Provincial Minister said that the administration and Food Department
should take vigorous steps for providing facilities to the farmers including tent for sitting, cold
water for drinking, chairs and keeping the revenue matters transparent.
Earlier, Secretary Food Pervaiz Ahmed Khan stressed upon Food Department and district
administration to hold meetings with farmers for knowing their problems and proposals. He said
that the record of distribution of bardana is available in Punjab Information Technology Board
and Chief Minister Punjab is personally monitoring it. He said that Chief Minister can get
information about any procurement center by contacting the farmers on telephone at any time.
He said that the wheat procurement target is a big target for which administration and Food
Department will utilize all their resources.
The meeting was told that government has fixed the price of wheat 1300 rupees per maund, 10
percent moisture ratio whereas weight 101.100 kg. Delivery charges will be Rs. 7.5 per 100 kg
bag. It was told that control rooms and committees have been constituted for monitoring of
procurement and redressal of complaints of farmers.
http://lahoreworld.com/2015/04/20/corruption-in-the-distribution-of-bardana-will-not-be-toleratedbilalyasin/

Global agricultural research network is overhauled again

By Dennis Normile
3 September 2015 5:16 am

A key guardian of global food security is looking shaky. Funding for the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the world's premier group of agricultural research
centers, is sagging in the global economic downturn. Its flagship backerthe World Bank
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threatened to pull the plug on its contributions. And now CGIAR is
about to undergo internal convulsions: It's reorganizing for the second
time in just 5 years. Backers say the move will give CGIAR a more
coherent strategy and make the most of available funding. Critics argue
that greater effort should go into securing stable funding and
prioritizing research.
Read the Full Text. (Login may be required.)

Posted in Environment, Policy, People & Events

http://news.sciencemag.org/environment/2015/09/global-agricultural-research-network-overhauled-again

NFA rice imports slammed

PNASep. 05, 2015 at 12:01am
THE announced importation of 2.1-million metric tons of rice by the National Food Authority
may pose serious repercussions to local farmers, a non-government organization said on
Friday.[This over importation of rice] is caused by the incoherent direction in addressing the
rice problem with two different agencies running the rice commodity, said Au Regalado, lead
convenor of Rice Watch and Action Network (R1).According to R1, the Department of
Agriculture is focused more on raising productivity and incomes of farmers, whereas the Office
of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agriculture Modernization currently linked to
NFA is just looking at the market side of the equation.We raised in the Food Staples Committee
in the Department of Agriculture our concern for the very high target for importation set by the
NFA, Regalado said.R1 noted that such rice importation is alarming, considering the increase in
rice output in the last season as reported by Philippine Statistics Authority.
Their alarm is doubled by the fact that the NFAs target importation does not even include the
target for Minimum Access Volume for the year.This over importation of rice would set major
drawbacks to local farmers, Regalado said.We all know that oversupply of imported rice will
spell the death of livelihood for our local rice farmers. The traders will exploit this situation to
drive the farm gate prices of palay (unmilled rice) at its lowest possible rate, he said.Regalado
further justified R1s claims by citing reports that traders cornered the procurement of palay in
the last season because NFA focused on rice importation.Aside from farmers, the consuming
public would also suffer from possible price hikes of rice and other related commodities.Despite
the overstock, prices of rice in the market remain at P37 to P45 a kilo. Hence, R1 poses a
challenge to the NFA to flood the market to press the prices down so that the consumers will
benefit from the oversupply during the lean season.
A major leap in rice production is [still] possible especially if the government will seriously
implement its programs designed to achieve rice self-sufficiency, said Regalado.Recently, the
NFA was also under scrutiny by lawmakers for excessive rice importation, arguing that it was
highly irregular and doubtful given the rice self-sufficiency figures.Last June 1, 2015, DA
officials claimed that the country has attained a self-sufficient total rice stock inventory of 3.02million MT; hence, the need for imported rice this year was questionable, the lawmakers said.
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Bayan Muna Party-list Representatives Neri J. Colmenares, Carlos and Isagani T. Zarate have
already sought a congressional investigation through House Resolution 2231.Zarate said officials
of NFA, the Bureau of Customs, and the Food Security Council should be summoned to clarify
issues relative to the importation and the countrys rice self-sufficiency.Overstocking [of rice]
results not only in expiration of these stocks but in potential abuse and supply manipulation as
well, Colmenares said.Rice Watch and Action Network is a non-government organization that
focuses on the welfare of small farmers and the improvement of their living conditions. It also
promotes a sustainable agriculture aimed at fostering an economically and environmentally
viable rice industry.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/mobile/2015/09/05/nfa-rice-imports-slammed/

Rice Fields at Risk in Western Cambodia With Lack of Rainfall

2015-09-03

The drought has dried up a reservoir in central Cambodia's Kampong Thom province, June 14, 2015.
RFA

Rice crops in western Cambodia will die from drought if the region does not receive rain within
the next month, officials said Thursday, as a development organization urged the government to
do more to assist farmers with irrigation.A delay to the beginning of the rainy season, which
typically lasts from the end of May through the first half of October, has devastated provinces
that are home to the countrys largest area of rice fields and plantations, vice president of the
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National Committee for Disaster Management Nhim Vanda told RFAs Khmer Service.In my
experience, if there is no rain in September, the rice in Pursat and Battambang provinces will be
destroyed, he said.
According to Nhim Vanda, several thousand hectares (one hectare = 2.5 acres) of rice fields
across Pursat and Battambangas well as in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Takeo,
Kampot, Kampong Speu and Siem Reapare at risk of failure if the rains do not come.The
government can only assist certain areas suffering from reduced seasonal rainfall with crop
mitigation, he said, but can do little to help in regions where there is no rain.
Chhun Chhorn, governor of central Cambodias Kampong Thom province, told RFA that the
little rain his region had received was insufficient to sustain farmers rice crops.He said
provincial authorities were devising a plan to help pump water into farmers fields in order to
save their seasonal harvest.
There is not enough rainwe only receive rain every once in a while, he said.But Yang Saing,
president of the Cambodian Centre for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC), said
the government must do more to help farmers prepare for problems such as the current
droughtone of the countrys worst in years.He called on authorities to dig more reservoirs and
irrigation systems that would help counteract a lack of rainfall ahead of the rainy season.And if
the authorities dont have any plans to dig more reservoirs, they should provide other methods to
reserve water at the end of the rainy season, he said. Yang Saing also suggested farmers seek
crops
that
dont
rely
on
much
water
to
grow.
Ongoing drought
In July, Sivann Botum, secretary of state for Cambodias Ministry of Womens Affairs and a
member of the National Committee for Disaster Management, told RFA that the severe drought
would deepen poverty in the developing country.At the time, Heng Kim Sreang, the agriculture
director of Kampong Chhnang province, told RFA it was beyond her department to help farmers
obtain enough water to plant rice. Because many fields lie on higher land, they are difficult to
get water to, she said, and no other farmers had volunteered to allow their plantations to be used
as a reservoir.The rainy season provides about three-quarters of Cambodias annual rainfall, and
daily rain is common during its peak between July and September.Parts of Vietnam, Laos and
Thailand also are experiencing a severe lack of rain and higher-than-normal temperatures that
have resulted in lower rice production than usual because of the El Nio effect, in which changes
in weather patterns can produce droughts and floods in the Mekong region.
Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/rice-09032015171451.html

CAMBODIA PRESS-Rice millers request exemption from

VAT - Phnom Penh Post
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By REUTERS

PUBLISHED: 22:45 EST, 3 September 2015 | UPDATED: 22:45 EST, 3 September 2015

As Cambodia continues to struggle with its cost competitiveness in the rice sector, rice millers
and exporters met the General Department of Taxation on Wednesday asking for an exemption
from paying the 10 percent value added tax (VAT), the Phnom Penh Post reported.The
exemption will help ease prices in the sector, the newspaper reported, citing Kim Savuth, vice
president of the Cambodia Rice Federation. (http://bit.ly/1OfjiJf)
---NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouch for its accuracy. (Phnom Penh
Newsroom; Editing by Anand Basu)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3221957/CAMBODIA-PRESS-Rice-millersrequest-exemption-VAT--Phnom-Penh-Post.html#ixzz3lqeygEhc

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sept 04

Fri Sep 4, 2015 2:41pm IST
Nagpur, Sept 4 Gram prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor demand from local millers amid high moisture
content
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arrival. Downward trend in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and release of stock from stockists also
pulled down prices, according to sources.
*

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM
* Desi gram raw firmed up in open market here on good festival season demand from
local traders amid tight supply from producing belts.
TUAR
* Tuar Karnataka reported strong in open market here on good seasonal buying support
from local traders amid thin arrival from producing regions.
* Wheat Mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid
weak supply from Punjab and Haryana.
* In Akola, Tuar - 9,700-10,100, Tuar dal - 13,800-14,100, Udid at 9,100-9,300,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,400, Moong - 7,600-7,800, Moong Mogar
(clean) 9,200-9,800, Gram - 4,600-4,900, Gram Super best bold - 6,100-6,300
for 100 kg.
* Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market
in thin trading activity, according to sources.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction
4,000-4,840
4,000-4,930
Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
n.a.
8,000-9,200
Moong Auction
n.a.
6,000-6,400
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold
6,500-6,800
6,500-6,800
Gram Super Best
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
5,900-6,100
5,900-6,100
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Mill Quality
5,800-5,900
5,800-5,900
Desi gram Raw
5,100-5,180
5,000-5,100
Gram Filter new
6,200-6,400
6,200-6,400
Gram Kabuli
6,400-7,500
6,400-7,500
Gram Pink
6,800-7,000
6,800-7,000
Tuar Fataka Best
14,000-14,500
14,000-14,500
Tuar Fataka Medium
13,500-13,800
13,500-13,800
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Tuar Dal Best Phod
12,500-13,000
12,500-13,000
Tuar Dal Medium phod
12,000-12,300
12,000-12,300
Tuar Gavarani New
10,100-10,300
10,100-10,300
Tuar Karnataka
10,400-10,700
10,300-10,600
Tuar Black
12,100-12,400
12,200-12,400
Masoor dal best
8,200-8,700
8,200-8,700
Masoor dal medium
7,900-8,300
7,900-8,300
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
9,600-9,900
9,600-9,900
Moong Mogar Medium best
8,200-8,800
8,200-8,800
Moong dal Chilka
8,700-8,900
8,700-8,900
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
8,400-9,200
8,400-9,200
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,800
11,200-11,800
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 10,400-10,800
10,400-10,800
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
9,100-9,600
9,100-9,600
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
5,200-5,600
5,200-5,600
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
4,000-4,200
4,000-4,200
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
3,250-3,500
3,250-3,500
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,100-3,300
3,100-3,300
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,600
3,200-3,600
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,500
1,400-1,500
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,650-1,750
1,600-1,700
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,350-1,550
1,350-1,550
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,400
2,250-2,400
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,100
1,950-2,100
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,700
3,400-3,700
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,750-2,900
2,750-2,900
Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)
2,800-3,000
2,800-3,000
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)
2,900-3,100
2,900-3,100
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,900
1,700-1,900
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,300-2,450
2,300-2,450
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,800
2,700-2,800
Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)
3,400-3,800
3,400-3,800
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)
3,900-4,300
3,900-4,300
Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500
4,200-4,500
Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,100
4,600-5,100
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,000-10,000
8,000-10,000
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,000-7,500
7,000-7,500
Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,900
4,500-4,900
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,400-5,700
5,400-5,700
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,350
2,100-2,350
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,500
2,400-2,500
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WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 34.0 degree Celsius (93.2 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
23.2 degree Celsius (73.7 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely. Maximum and minimum
temperature
would be around and 34 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)
ATTN : Soyabean mandi, wholesale foodgrain market of Nagpur APMC and oil market in
Vidarbha willbe closed tomorrow, Saturday, on the occasion of Janmashthami

Rice Prices Soar Due to Poor Rains

By G Krishna Prasad
Published: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM
Last Updated: 04th September 2015 04:50 AM

SRIKAKULAM/VISAKHAPATNAM:People have been facing a tough time getting quality rice

at affordable price as the prices of all rice varieties have zoomed in the open market. As the
government is not taking any measures to control the prices, the wholesalers and millers are
havinh a field day by increasing the rate by Rs 5 to 6 a kg on all rice varieties.What with the fuel
charges having come down thrice during the past six months, the cost of rice also should have
technically reduced. However, the opposite is happening right now. Though there is no scarcity
of stocks, the price in the open market increased abnormally over the past one month. The traders
in the region alleged that the millers in East and West Godavari districts increased the prices on
the pretext that there is less stock of polished rice.
The millers deny the charge however, stating that they did not increase the price at their end.But
the fact remains that this is the second time that the price of the staple grain shot up in the last
four months in the region. The minimum price of rice per kg (lowest variety-semi polished)
which was Rs 22 in June/July, is Rs 28 now. The fine quality rice Old Sona Masuri which was
Rs 42 a kg, is now selling at Rs 48. There are reports that the governments subsidised Rs 1 a kg
rice is purchased by middlemen and sold to the millers. The millers polish the same rice and sell
it in the open market as Sannalu. The prices of all the Masuri varieties have increased in all
markets, including hyper and super markets.
The price of a 25-kg bag quality rice ranged from Rs 550 to 650 in the retail market in June/July,
now sells at Rs 650 to 700. Fine quality branded rice, which was Rs 1,050 in June, is now Rs
1,200. What is worse is, the traders forecast further hike in prices.A leading wholesaler, G
Venkatramudu, opined that the millers might resort to hoarding because of the poor monsoon.
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The millers expect low yields in the current kharif because of drought, leading to a crisis in
paddy.Though essential commodities and rice have gone out of reach of the commoners, the
officials concerned are least bothered. No Civil Supplies or Revenue official has enquired about
the price rise.
Visakhapatnam, joint collector J Nivas said that he would convene a meeting of wholesalers and
millers. Though the millers offer their share of levy rice to the government, it is no justification
to sell rice at a high price, Nivas Said.Sources say that because of the millers in Godavari
districts, traders increased the prices. In fact, the price of Srikakulam Sannalu, a local variety
cultivated in Srikakulam district, has not increased much, while the rice varieties being imported
from Kurnool, Nellore and Godavari districts shot up abnormally.District civil supplies officer
Anandakumar said that he would convene a meeting with the wholesalers and millers and control
the prices of rice.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Rice-Prices-Soar-Due-to-PoorRains/2015/09/04/article3009621.ece

Rice-pledging: Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process

BY EDITORON 2015-09-04THAILAND
RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Wissanu breaks down scheme legal process
The Nation
BANGKOK: The fact-finding process of the rice-pledging schemes legal process will be
completed by the beginning of next year at the latest, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu
Krea-ngam.
The process will determine if a civil case is mounted.
Wissanu explained that the case was divided into three
parts.The first part, the impeachment process, has already
been completed by the Office of the National AntiCorruption Commission and the National Legislative
Assembly.The second part is the criminal case, which has
been submitted to the Supreme Courts Criminal Division
for Political Officer Holders.The third part is the civil
trial.Wissanu said that the authorities placed great emphasis on treating the case with fairness in
accordance with the rule of law.He said that ministerial regulations contained in the Act covering
offences by state officials would be applied.
Everyone would be afforded a proper defence, he said.Wissanu said that two fact-finding
committees had been established.This first committee is investigating former Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra the chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee and the second
committee is probing six Ministry of Commerce officials.The investigation process would be
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completed by the end of September, Wissanu said, adding that the investigation report would be
submitted to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.He said the case file would be submitted to the
committee on civil liability and compensation, which had until February 2017 to work on it
before the statute of limitations on the case expired.He believed, however, that the entire process
would be completed early next year.He added that those found guilty would have to pay
compensation, but would not face prosecution.
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Wissanu-breaks-down-scheme-legal-process30268103.html

Focus on Iran
9/1/2005 - by Melissa Alexander
Agricultural production increase fueled by countrys motivation to achieve self-sufficiency and
diversification
by Mario Sequeira
In the 25 years since the Iranian revolution, agricultural production has increased significantly.
This has been primarily due to strong government support of agriculture as part of its policy to
achieve self-sufficiency and, more recently, diversification in an economy heavily reliant on
oil.Irans economy is essentially centrally controlled. Government measures that support
agriculture have resulted in production largely maintaining a growth of 4 to 6% annually through
the past 25 years.Action directly affecting farmers includes guaranteed purchase prices, access to
foreign currency to buy imported machinery, low-interest loans and subsidies for inputs. The
government has also improved the economic environment by phasing in liberalization and
encouraging privatization.
In 2004-05, the country declared self-sufficiency in wheat. In March, the government announced
a one-year, 15 billion Iranian rials (U.S.$1.5 million) pilot plan called the "rice production
development scheme," aimed at achieving rice self-sufficiency.Wheat and rice are two staples
that are considered strategic commodities and are targeted for self-sufficiency. Irans diverse
terrain and climatic conditions enables production of tropical and cool climate commodities,
from grains such as wheat, rice, barley, maize, pulses and oilseeds to fruits, nuts and vegetables,
including dates, pistachios, sugarcane, rice, apples, cherries and walnuts. Iran is the worlds
largest pistachio producer.The countrys terrain and climate are diverse. Much of it is arid to
semi-arid. About 20% of Irans land area of 165 million hectares, or about 32 million hectares, is
arable. Only about 15 million hectares are farmed, with more than half depending on irrigation
and the rest on rainfall.
In fact, one of the biggest constraints to agricultural expansion is not a lack of available land but
rather a lack of irrigation. Most dryland farming is carried out in the west and northwest. In
central and southern Iran, farming survives on irrigation.Agriculture remains a strategic sector in
Irans economy because of the desire to achieve self-sufficiency. The other major sectors
industry and services have grown at a much faster pace than agriculture.Today, agriculture
accounts for 19% of Irans gross domestic product, while industry and services account for 26%
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and 55% respectively. Agriculture employs 30% of the workforce, while industry employs 25%
and services 45%.Since 1990, Irans economy has been managed under five-year plans that have
aimed for a gradual move towards a market-orientated economy and development of the private
sector.
One of the plans involved the formation of rural production cooperatives to enable farmers to
avail themselves of economies of scale. Progress has been slow, but one international report
estimated that by 2022 nearly all of Irans farms would be part of a cooperative.The third plan
(2000-05) committed the government to an ambitious program of liberalization, diversification
and privatization. Major third-plan goals for agriculture included the allocation of 25% of bank
loans to water and other agricultural projects, building new water pumps using new technology
and upgrading farm machinery. Current mechanization rates in the farm sector are very low.
The latest plan (2005-2010) sets goals of creating 700,000 new jobs and increasing oil output and
exports through foreign direct investment.Some of Iranian agricultures most important hurdles
are the shortage of water and inefficient irrigation.Because the water cost to farmers is so heavily
subsidized, it is debated that there is not the incentive for farmers to be efficient. According to
one newspaper report, only half of irrigated farms run efficient irrigation systems with full or
partial control.Other issues debated in the countrys newspapers include obsolescence of farm
machinery, the lack of raw materials, the practice of subsistence farming, waste in the production
and distribution cycle, inadequate scientific and technical support to farmers, inadequate capital
formation and infrastructure, and degradation of natural resources due to inefficient cropping
patterns.
WHEAT AND FLOUR MILLING
Wheat is the dominant crop in the grains sector, owing to strong government support in the form
of input subsidies and guaranteed purchase prices.Wheat accounted for 6.4 million hectares of
land in the 2004-05 crop year. Of this, 2.5 million hectares are under irrigated farming. The cost
of production is high, but the government has opted to promote and protect the industry at all
costs in the drive to reach self-sufficiency.Production has increased by 75% in the past 15 years,
more through productivity gains than increased planted area.
For 62 years, Iran imported wheat. But this year, with a harvest of 14 million tonnes, the
government declared self-sufficiency and has even approved exports of a small parcel of 200,000
tonnes to Iraq.Production has increased to meet high consumption, as wheat bread is a staple in
the Iranian diet. Per capita wheat consumption was 170 kilograms per year in 2001. Bread is
heavily subsidized by the government, second only to fuel.Demand is expected to increase as the
economy grows and gives Irans population, 68% of which is between 15 and 64 years of age,
higher disposable income.
The milling sector comprises a mix of modern and traditional stone mills and continues to
become more sophisticated. According to a 2003 report, the milling industry has a (collective)
daily capacity of 50,000 tonnes. Four types of flour are produced in the 284 mills in Iran. The
most popular type is used to make Sangak bread, a mild sourdough type of bread. Sangak flour
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accounts for 45% of production.The next most common use of flour is for European style breads
and other manufactured products, accounting for 25 to 30% of production. The other two flour
types are used in the baking of confectioneries and pasta and the traditional flat bread, which is
ground at stone mills at close to whole wheat extraction rates.The industrys apex body, the
Federation of Iranian Associations of Flour Milling, was formed in November 1999 to
communicate industry issues.Iran has two other milling organizations. Research and Engineering
Services Inc. is charged with importing wheat and milling machinery and exporting flour. The
Self-Sufficiency and Research Center carries out research on milling and baking, production
technology and equipment, marketing and flour quality.
LIVESTOCK AND FEED
The livestock industry accounts for about 25% of total agricultural production. The main
commodities are chicken, red meat and dairy products.Generally, migratory tribes run large
herds of sheep and goats, but demand has pushed the growth of large commercial farms. The
number of animals (sheep, goats and cattle) in Iran has been reported at about 120 million, of
which 8 million cattle and 81 million sheep and goats are grazed on Irans 90 million hectares of
rangelands by nomadic tribes.Production has increased significantly in the past 25 years. In
1979, chicken production was 195,000 tonnes annually and per capita consumption was 5.1 kg a
year. By March 2005, the figures were 1.1 million tonnes and 17.3 kg, respectively.Red meat
production has increased to 784,000 tonnes annually this year from 375,000 tonnes in 1980. Per
capita consumption has increased to 11.6 kg a year from 9.8 kg in 1980.
Milk production has jumped to 6.7 million tonnes this year, a tenfold increase from the 1980
production of 620,000 tonnes. Annual per capita consumption has increased from 69 kg to 99.6
kgPer capita consumption of animal protein in the country is 22 grams daily. The fourth fiveyear plan (2005-10) has set a target of increasing that figure to 29 grams daily by the end of the
plan. The plan notes that to reach that goal, livestock production would have to increase by an
average 6.5% annually over the next five years.
The plan has set production growth targets of 6.5% for chicken meat, 3% for red meat and 7%
for dairy production. Barley and maize are the two major components of the feed industry. Feed
wheat use has averaged about 300,000 tonnes annually in the past five years. Barley and maize
production has not been enough to meet domestic consumption, so the country has been
importing these coarse grains. Feed barley demand has been averaging slightly above 2 million
tonnes in the past five years while production has been slightly under that, forcing imports. The
production of maize, which is the major feed for the poultry industry, has been targeted for
expansion by the government. The 2004-05 harvest came in at 1.95 million tonnes, compared to
25,000 tonnes in 1979.
http://www.world-grain.com/departments/country%20focus/iran/focus%20on%20iran.aspx?cck=1

Monsoon begins withdrawal process, confirms Met Office

VINSON KURIAN
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPTEMBER 4:

The India Met Department has confirmed on Friday that the South-West monsoon has started
withdrawing from the western parts of Rajasthan in what is a month-long process.This came on a
day when the all-India rain deficit shot up for the first time beyond the 12 per cent forecast by
the Met for the entire season this year.
Deficit worsens
The gradual drying of the North-West and adjoining Central India is expected to worsen the
overall deficit figure over the next three to four days, according to indications.An anti-cyclonic
circulation that heralds the dry weather was present at the lower levels of the atmosphere over
north-west India on Friday.The anti-cyclone has clock-wise winds around it, has high-pressure,
and sits heavy over the ground, suppressing the formation of clouds and precipitation.This is the
exact anti-thesis of the monsoon feature of lower pressure, ascending motion of air into higher
levels of atmosphere where it cools, and condenses the vapour mopped up by winds from the
ocean. This is what precipitates as rain.
Bay humming?
Wind profile projections that a western disturbance (low-pressure system) coming in from across
the border will dig south into North Arabian Sea and emerge with moisture to be rained down
over Gujarat/Rajasthan.This may unsettle the anti-cyclone during the next week but it will come
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back into shape by the weekend, according to these projections.Meanwhile, global models also
suggest the possibility of the East Bay of Bengal springing a surprise by hosting a likely lowpressure area by middle of the month.A couple of cyclonic circulations trackers featured by the
US Climate Prediction Centre suggested that the low may pick up in strength and hit the East
Coast.But they seemed to differ as to which part of the coast might take the hit.One model
suggested the southern tip of peninsula and adjoining Sri Lanka while another pointed to the Andhra PradeshOdisha coast.
(This article was published on September 4, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/monsoon-begins-withdrawal-processconfirms-met-office/article7616244.ece

Productivity worries plague Kharif crop prospects on

rainfall deficit
TOMOJIT BASU
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 4:
With the start of withdrawal of the South-West monsoon from parts of western Rajasthan, doubts
are being raised with regard to crop productivity and the possible impact on the Rabi season even
if Kharif acreage is just about two per cent higher vis--vis last year.The four-month long SouthWest monsoon, which provides 75 per cent of Indias annual rainfall and waters more than half
of Indias crop land, has recorded a 13 per cent shortfall between June 1 and September 4,
according to the data provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Various areas in central, southern and western India are currently facing water stress. Rain is
required and needs to be well distributed if sown crops are to be saved, said a senior
Agricultural Ministry official.The amount of rainfall recorded during the period is 645.7
millimetres (mm) against a normal of 742.5 mm due to a strong El Nino. The peninsula has
registered a 22 per cent shortfall, while central and north-west India has had deficiencies of 17
per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.
Driest year
The IMD had predicted precipitation at 88 per cent of the Long Period Average of 89 cm this
year. However, a 16 per cent and 22 per cent deficit in July and August, which account for a bulk
of monsoon rainfall, threaten to make this the driest year since 2009 and a second straight
drought year.Out of 36 sub-divisions, 18 have received deficient rainfall this year and only two
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have recorded an excess. The situation is most dire in Marathwada and central Maharashtra,
north interior Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and the Konkan coast, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
An early withdrawal is not an issue since the monsoon arrived 15 days early, particularly in
north-west India. Thats why there is no adverse effect on area. But this long dry spell and
overall deficiency is a matter of serious concern and will impact productivity, said Ramesh
Chand, Director, National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research.
Rain-fed crops such as pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds were particularly at risk, said Chand,
adding that rice was not likely to be hit due to cultivation in areas which either received
sufficient rain or were well irrigated.
Water storage levels
Importantly, water levels across 91 major reservoirs have also dipped by 16 per cent below the
normal and a poor monsoon will affect replenishment particularly across Maharashtra, Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, among others.September rains
crucial since moisture levels in the soil need to be higher not just for good yield with regard to
the Kharif crop but also for the Rabi season which accounts for a bulk of pulses production, said
Pravin Dongre, Chairman, Indian Pulses and Grains Association.
(This article was published on September 4, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/productivity-worries-plague-kharif-cropprospects-on-rainfall-deficit/article7616247.ece

Rice exports resumed with annual 1m tonne limit

FEI says rice exports generate $600m for Egypt every year
Doaa Farid September 3, 2015
The Egyptian government has resumed rice exports of 1m tonnes per year, the Federation of Egyptian
Industries (FEI) announced on Thursday.
In an statement to thank the government for responding to their demand, the FEI explained that Egypt
produces 4m tonnes of rice per year, with the market consuming 3m tonnes.However, Ministry of
Agriculture figures said that Egypts rice production this year was 2.7m tonnes, with rice consumption at
3.6m tonnes.Last Thursday, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour issued a
decision to stop exporting rice beginning in September. He explained in a statement that the decision
came to meet the domestic requirements for rice.

The FEI pointed out that exporting rice generates $600m for Egypt every year, adding that it will help
reduce the budget deficit by EGP 2bn.In 2013, the decision to export rice was a cause of disagreement.
On the one hand, A
bdel Nour had issued a decision in November 2013, announcing that the government planned to export
100,000 tonnes of rice between mid-November 2013 and January 2014.Meanwhile, former minister of
supply Mohamed Abu Shady made a contradictory announcement to Abdel Nours, saying that rice

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exports would be halted until all ration needs of the grain are met.The Rice Division at the (FEI) had at
that time wanted to export rice to make profits.
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/09/03/rice-exports-resumed-with-annual-1m-tonne-limit%E2%80%A8/

Myanmar rice exports to resume

4 Sep 2015 at 15:59
WRITER: DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA

A Myanmar woman walks pass through the paddy field at outskirt area of Yangon on Friday.
(EPA photo)
The Myanmar Commerce Ministry plans to lift a temporary ban on rice exports, which was
imposed due to shortages and inflation during last months flood disaster across the country, a
senior official said.Permanent secretary to the ministry Toe Aung Myint said the government
was moving ahead with the measure following a proposal by the Myanmar Rice Federation. The
ban on rice exports was originally set until Sept 15.The ban was introduced due to the
nationwide flood disaster. However, the government also wishes to maintain its strength in the
export market, so we are weighing these factors and coordinating procedures with the concerned
departments and organisations, theDemocratic Voice of Burma on Friday quoted him as saying.
More importantly, we do not want to disrupt our existing market, especially in Europe, and to
capitalise on the rising popularity of parboiled rice, which is actually in low demand
domestically.
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will prioritise the types of rice that are in low demand domestically, and then gradually lift the
ban on each variety.The Myanmar government imposed the ban on rice exports on Aug 7 as
monsoonal floods devastated much of the country, including Myanmars major rice bowl
regions of Sagaing and the Irrawaddy delta. Landslides destroyed many roads and bridges and
made transportation impossible. A subsequent hike in the price of commodities sent the market
price of a sack of rice in remote areas, such as Chin state, from around 20,000 kyat (558 baht) to
as much as 80,000 kyat.The federation set Sept 15 as the anticipated time that the ban could be
lifted, due to expectations that harvested rice would reach markets by mid-September. According
to local media, the government was also mulling the possibility of importing rice to make up for
the shortfall.
The ministry, however, raised the possibility of the ban being extended to November, after it
announced that some 1 million acres (about 4,000 square kilometres) of paddy fields, accounting
for 10-15% of the total rice fields in the country, were damaged by the floods. It added that
Myanmar needs around 34.8 million tonnes of paddy rice for domestic consumption
yearly.Myanmars rice exports have been rising consistently for the past few years. The country
sent abroad around 1.8 million tonnes of rice in 2014. The federation said it expects a paddy
output of around 14 million tonnes in 2015.The government has been targeting exports of around
2 million tonnes of rice this year.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/681384/myanmar-rice-exports-to-resume

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