Issuu

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter April 01,2016 Vol 7 Issue III

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www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

Today Rice News Headlines...                       

RICE GROWERS TRAINED Reap team returns from China with huge rice export orders Envoy for Pak rice exporters role in trade with Germany Xiaomi Launches New Sub-Brand Mi Ecosystem (Mijia), Introduces First Smart Rice Cooker Basmati exports likely to touch 40 lakh-tonne mark FDA Proposes Limit for Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal FDA Issues Warning on Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal Philippine rice farmer killed as drought protest turns violent: demo leader Rice Prices Drop Throughout March 2016: BPS South Africa increasing corn acreage due to record high prices Basmati exports likely to touch 40 lakh-tonne mark APEDA RICE COMMODITY NEWS 04/01/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report Rice Prices Incentives for Aus cultivators Feeding the world: Uncovering a key regulator of flower head development in rice Beaumont rice growers optimistic for end of trade embargo with Cuba Trump Wall, Like Its Chinese Counterpart, Could be Made with Rice USTR Ag Chief Visits Arkansas to Talk TPP and Hear Rice Concerns Wheat eases on increased supply, reduced offtake Amira Nature Foods announces new distribution with Cost Plus World Market stores Profitability of basmati rice exporters to remain under pressure in H1FY17 John Teodoro’s concept of a leisure farm

News Detail...

Editorial Board Chief Editor



Managing Editor

  

Abdul Sattar Shah Rahmat Ullah Rozeen Shaukat

English Editor

  

Maryam Editor Legal Advisor Advocate Zaheer Minhas

Editorial Associates

      

Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid Javed Islam Agha Ch.Hamid Malhi Dr.Akhtar Hussain Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF) Islam Akhtar Khan

Editorial Advisory Board



Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim

Assistant Professor, Gomal University DIK



Dr.Hasina Gul

Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK



Dr.Hidayat Ullah

Assistant Professor, University of Swabi



Dr.Abdul Basir

Assistant Professor, University of Swabi

RICE GROWERS TRAINED



Islamabad—The rice growers belonging to Gujranwala city were trained to enhance production of the crop. In this regard, two training workshops were conducted in Gujranwala and Murdike to equip the rice growing farmers with latest cultivation techniques by Rice Partners Pvt Ltd in



collaboration with Intercoperation and MARS Food, said a statement issued here on Friday ..

Hamlik

Zahid Mehmood PSO,NIFA Peshawar

Falak Naz Shah

Head Food Science & Technology ART, Peshawar

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter Leading experts from provincial agricultural departments were invited in the workshop and according to them, rice production constituted the major economic activity and a key source of employment for the rural population of the country The average yield of rice in Pakistan had been increased as a result of many research activities by more than two percent per year but still far less than other leading rice growing countries. There is dire need to bring the maximum rice growing farmers in capacity building activities. Engaging rice growing farmers in training workshops will enhance their skills on rice crop management, experts said.They explained the importance of land laser leveling and said laser leveling improved irrigation efficiency and conserves water. Furthermore Dr. Qamar Masood Qureshi Regional Director Federal Seed Certification Expert said it was very important to use quality seed in rice production, using quality seed can also increase farmers yield.â€”APP http://pakobserver.net/2016/04/02/rice-growers-trained/

Reap team returns from China with huge rice export orders 01.04.2016

A trade delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), led by the association's Senior Vice-Chairman Noman Ahmed Shaikh, has returned with huge export orders from China. The delegation visited Beijing, Schenzhen and Guangzhou during 17 to 26 March. China is a very attractive market of Pakistani rice, as approximately 500,000 metric tons of rice is exported to China annually."Dr Erfa Iqbal, Commercial Secretary at Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing, and her team facilitated the Reap delegation and arranged a seminar at the Embassy, which was attended by the officials of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and a large number of Rice buyers," Noman said. He said that the Embassy had made wonderful arrangements and extended its full cooperation in facilitating business to business (B2B) meetings of the rice exporters with their Chinese counterparts. "During the visit, a meeting with a Chinese government body, COFCO, was also held which remained very fruitful and we are hopeful that COFCO will again consider buying rice directly from Pakistan," he added. Noman said that the Reap delegation visited Guangzhou and Schenzhen and with the support and cooperation of Pakistan Consulate held meetings with Schenzhen Cereal Association, Guangzhou Grain Association, Chamber of Commerce, Foshan Grain Reserve Corporation and other leading Chinese rice importers and "we are hopeful to receive good rice export orders".Talking about a future strategy, Noman said that Reap and COFCO would organise a seminar with the support of the Embassy of Pakistan in near future and invitations would be sent to the government authorities, chamber officials and leading rice buyers from China. This seminar, he added would be very instrumental in promoting Pakistani rice in Chinese markets."We are thankful to S M Muneer, Chief Executive TDAP, and Dr Muhammad Usman, Director General, TDAP, for their co-ordination with Pakistan Missions in China and playing a 3|www.ricepluss.com , www.riceplusmagazine.blosgspot.com

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter crucial role in making the visit a great success," he Noman said. On behalf of Reap, he also thanked the officials of Embassy and Consulate of Pakistan in Beijing and Guangzho http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/reap-team-returns-from-china-with-huge-rice-exportorders

Envoy for Pak rice exporters role in trade with Germany 31.03.2016 German Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Ina Lepel has asked the rice exporters to play role in promoting bilateral trade and hence further strengthening economic ties with Germany.Addressing members of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) on Wednesday, Ina said there was a great need for diversifying the two-way trade, as $2.3 billion trade volume recorded in 2014 was not up to the real potential both countries had.―We have good economic relations but there is more room to further enhance these relations,‖ the ambassador said, adding, ―Germany has more strong trade relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia as compared to Pakistan.‖She added that Germany had financially supported major hydropower projects and also the up-gradation of distribution system in Pakistan. She said that Germany was currently focusing on renewable energies and energy efficiency in Pakistan. ―The German Embassy is working with the Pakistani business community to strengthen business institutions,‖ the ambassador told REAP members.Ina hoped the granting of licence to Pakistan-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry would further improve bilateral trade and economic relations.She urged the exporters to pay attention to organic rice export, as Germans were very conscious about nutrition and health.REAP Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique, in his address, said that in 201213, Pakistan exported 127,953 metric tonnes of Basmati and non-basmati rice varieties to the EU countries, which came to $111.812 million, while the current export to the EU countries stood at 206,000 metric tonnes per annum.―In 2013-14, Pakistan’s exports to Germany were recorded at 9393 metric tonnes, which rose to 11,986 metric tonnes in 2014-15,‖ he informed. He requested the German ambassador to relax visa policy for genuine businessman so that rice exports to Germany could be increased.Shafique pointed out that developing countries were the largest rice producers as well as exporters and accounted for more than 80 percent of the world’s rice export.―Especially, the Southeast Asian countries dominate the industry because of their diverse varieties and best quality of rice,‖ he informed.He said since rice was an important staple food that was why it was mostly consumed in the country where it was cultivated, and less than 8 percent of that production was traded internationally.―REAP has an incredible track record of earning $2 billion for the fourth consecutive year,‖ REAP chairman said, adding, ―Different varieties of rice were grown in Pakistan such as Super Basmati, 1121 Kinat, Basmati PK-385, Irri-6, Irri-9 and KS-282 extra-long grain rice and PK386.‖He said Pakistan was known for its aromatic rice (Super Basmati/Basmati PK-385).―While Punjab has abundant Basmati Rice, Sindh, on the other hand, has the Irri varieties,‖ Shafique informed.He added that currently Pakistan was the world’s fourth largest exporter of rice, with an annual production of more than 7 million tonnes, out of which 4 million tonnes were exported around the world; hence capturing around 15 percent of world’s total rice trade. http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/envoy-for-pak-rice-exporters-role-in-trade-with-germany

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

Xiaomi Launches New Sub-Brand Mi Ecosystem (Mijia), Introduces First Smart Rice Cooker 9:15 AM EDT, SAT, APR 02, 2016

By Charissa Echavez | Apr 01, 2016 10:19 AM EDT0 Xiaomi introduces new sub-brand called Mi Ecosystem (or Mijia in China) and launches its first product - smart rice cooker.Xiaomi introduces new sub-brand called Mi Ecosystem (or Mijia in China) and launches its first product - a smart rice cooker.China's top smartphone maker Xiaomi has diversified its ecosystem and launched a new product line called Mi Ecosystem (also known as Mijia in China), which explores the smart home sector, founder Lei Jun announced at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday. The initiative is to create distinct products manufactured by Xiaomi itself and its ecosystem partners. Lei predicts that products sold under this e-commerce platform will surpass the 10 billion yuan ($1.54 billion) mark this year.The company initially unveiled the Mi Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker, which promises a high performance rice cooker at a very affordable price. But the ultimate perk is that it works with an app. Priced at 999 yuan ($150), this rice cooker is definitely four- to fivefold cheaper than Japan's Toshiba, Tiger, and Zojirushi. Xiaomi's latest rice cooker uses a 1.2 atm to heat the temperature up to 105 degrees Celcius. The accompanying app allows users to scan the barcode on the rice packaging and the smart device will then determine how to cook it just right, meaning it will be based on the rice' brand, origin, type and consumer's preference. However, Xiaomi has not mentioned how many types of rice this cooker can do, but more than 200 brands together with over 2,000 cooking method combination were mentioned.Even with the cheap price tag attached, Xiaomi said it did not cut corners as the rice cooker is equipped with a premium quality grey cast iron inner pot that helps achieve optimal regenerative heating and ensure that the rice is cook evenly. Moreover, the non-stick feature of the pot is supplied by Daikin's Neoflon powder coating.To ensure the high-quality of its new product, it even tapped Naito Takeshi, Sanyo's former engineer and co-inventor of the IH pressure rice cooker, to help develop the product. During the press conference, he was quoted saying that he wants to "make a better rice cooker, and then sell it back to Japan."The rice cooker, which will be available on April 6, is just one of the many products Xiaomi will soon unveil under its sub-brand Mi Ecosystem (or Mijia).

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/81527/20160401/xiaomi-launches-new-sub-brand-miecosystem-mijia-introduces-first.htm#ixzz44fyHropH

Basmati exports likely to touch 40 lakh-tonne mark Lower prices, increase in demand to push sales of Indian variety Basmati fetches higher returns than other rice varieties  Exporters cite high realisation, which is aroundRs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per quintal, as the mainreason behind farmers opting for the basmati variety  Iran’s resumption of import from India since December 15, 2015 may also provide some cushion to exporters

Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 31 Thanks to lower global prices and increase in demand from countries like the UAE, Iraq, Iran etc, basmati exports from India is likely to touch a historic high of 40 lakh tonne in 2015-16 against 37 lakh tonne in 2014-15 while it was 37.5 lakh tonne in 2013-14. Experts said despite the low realisation to farmers this fiscal as compared to 2013-14, the area under basmati cultivation in Punjab and Haryana, which accounts for around 70% of the total basmati production in India, would be more or less the same in 2016-17.Basmati fetches higher returns than other varieties. The exporters cite high realisation, which is around Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per quintal, as the main reason behind farmers opting for the crop. In 2015, the total area under basmati cultivation was 21 lakh hectares as compared to 21.3 lakh hectares in 2014. According to the data, in 2014-15, the basmati prices hovered between Rs 1,150 and Rs 4,000 a quintal, while in 2015-16, due to bumper harvest in Punjab and Haryana, the price of the crop crashed and with the government’s intervention it was between Rs 925 and Rs 3,100 per quintal.―This year the exports would cross 40 lakh-tonne mark. However, prospects for the next year are worrisome as it depends upon a lot of factors. Having said that, I believe the price of the crop would be more or less the same,‖ said Gurnam Arora, joint managing director, Kohinoor Foods Ltd.He said the buffer stock with millers who are having assured supply chain is around 5% more than last year. As far as the exports for 2016-17 is concerned, the exporters are optimistic and expect that the market will respond favourably on account of GI tag and other factors.According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), in 2015-16 (April-December), it was 30.6 lakh tonne while in 2014-15, the total exports were 37 lakh tonne. R Sundaresan, executive director, All India Rice Exporters Association, said, ―It is beyond doubt that the aromatic rice variety offers high returns to farmers, so farmers are more inclined to it. Even during last year, when there was significant increase in area and production, it gave higher returns to farmers. 6|www.ricepluss.com , www.riceplusmagazine.blosgspot.com

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter Moreover, it consumes less water than the non-basmati varieties. So, we foresee acreage under basmati would be more or less same and so as the exports.‖Exporters also feel that Iran's resumption of import from December 15, 2015 may provide some cushion to exporters. Due to sanctions imposed on Iran, basmati exports to Iran were suspended from October 2014 to December 2015.

FDA Proposes Limit for Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal Constituent Update April 1, 2016 FDA is taking steps to reduce inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal, a leading source of arsenic exposure in infants. Through a draft guidance to industry, the FDA is proposing a limit or ―action level‖ of 100 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. FDA testing found that the majority of infant rice cereal currently on the market either meets, or is close to, the proposed action level.The proposed limit stems from extensive testing of rice and non-rice products, a 2016 FDA risk assessment that analyzed scientific studies showing an association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and neurological effects in early life with inorganic arsenic exposure, and an evaluation of the feasibility of reducing inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm493714.htm

FDA Issues Warning on Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereal 04.01.2016 / BY Deborah Blum

After several years of study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today advised parents to stop feeding their infants so much rice cereal, warning that the latest research now suggests that arsenic concentrations in the grain can interfere with cognitive development.It was the agency’s strongest acknowledgment yet that arsenic in the food supply poses a measurable risk to American citizens.In a ―Consumer Update‖ posted early this afternoon, titled ―Seven Things Parents and Pregnant Women Need to Know about Arsenic in Rice and Rice Cereal,‖ the agency stated that it had found that ―exposure may result in a children’s decrease performance on certain developmental tests that measure learning.‖ The FDA issued new warnings on arsenic levels in rice products, including infant rice cereal. erber quickly assured consumers that its foods were safe. Visual by Melissa Doroquez/Flickr The FDA also advised pregnant women to avoid a diet high in rice products, again because of arsenic exposure, citing a ―growing body of scientific studies linking adverse pregnancy outcomes to intake of relatively high levels of inorganic arsenic during pregnancy.‖Research has shown, the agency acknowledged, that rice takes up more arsenic from soil and water than any other grain. It is particularly effective at vacuuming up inorganic arsenic. The term ―inorganic‖ is used by chemists to describe a compound that does not include the element carbon; inorganic arsenic compounds appear to possess an unusually wide range of cell-damaging abilities at the part-per-billion level.The news of the FDA decision prompted one of the nation’s leading babyfood manufacturers, Gerber, to immediately post a note of reassurance online to its ―Dear Gerber Families,‖ assuring parents that its product was safe and, in fact, met the new FDA proposed 7|www.ricepluss.com , www.riceplusmagazine.blosgspot.com

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter guideline for arsenic in rice — which is recommended at 100 parts per billion. That 100 ppb limit is, at this point, considered an advisory number rather than a legal standard.Public comments will be solicited by the agency for the next 90 days before taking more official action.In 2012, Consumer Reports, the public health advocacy and research organization, published an expose of arsenic in rice products, launching a national discussion of the issue. The organization’s report, as well as other widely publicized studies of related problems, including troubles with organic rice products, led to an FDA decision to review the problem. Consumer Reports had recommended a safety level of 90 parts per billion to be applied to a wider range of products.Today, the organization issued a cautious, and slightly unenthusiastic, response to the FDA’s new guidance. ―While Consumer Reports is pleased to see that the FDA has finally proposed a limit on arsenic in infant rice cereal, and it is close to the level we recommended more than three years ago,‖ said Urvashi Rangan, director of the organization’s Food Safety and Sustainability Center, in an emailed statement, ―we remain concerned that so many other rice-based products consumed by children and adults remain without any standards at all.‖―This is particularly true of children’s ready-to-eat cereals,‖ Rangan continued. ―We believe the FDA can act swiftly to protect public health and set levels on these products based on the risk the agency has acknowledged in its announcement today, and we intend to continue to push them on behalf of consumers to do so. ‖Both she and the FDA officials agreed that parents should feed their children — and themselves — a diverse diet to ensure good health. Although the recent FDA announcement focused primarily on arsenic risks linked to possible developmental issues, in its list of seven main issues, the agency also noted that arsenic exposure has been calculated to slightly increase the rate of both lung and bladder cancer in the United States. 8|www.ricepluss.com , www.riceplusmagazine.blosgspot.com

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter It was, perhaps, with that in mind, that Rangan added to the recommendation for a diversified diet: ―Focus on alternatives to rice. http://undark.org/2016/04/01/fda-issues-warning-on-infant-rice-cereal/

Philippine rice farmer killed as drought protest turns violent: demo leader Technology | Fri Apr 1, 2016 3:08am EDT

Philippine police opened fire as a protest by thousands of rice farmers who lost their crops turned violent on Friday, killing one and wounding about a dozen, a leader of a farming group said.About 6,000 farmers blocked a portion of the main highway in North Cotabato province on the southern island of Mindanao, demanding government assistance after drought linked by some to El Nino hit hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland."Loud bursts of gunfire erupted," Norma Capuyan, leader of a farmers' group, told reporters. "There was heavy volume of fire. We ran to a church compound and the police surrounded us."A farmer died on the spot and about a dozen others were wounded in the legs and shoulders, Capuyan said, adding the police first tried to disperse them with water cannon but started shooting when they held their ground.North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza said about 20 police were wounded when the farmers attacked them with sticks and stones. She said the first shot was fired by the protesters. The police issued a statement saying it was investigating."Any violation of national police rules and regulations shall be meted (out) with the appropriate penalty," national police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said in a statement.The protest began on Wednesday when farmers barricaded the highway in Kidapawan, demanding a dialogue with the governor and the release of 15,000 sacks of rice she had promised to them as relief.The agriculture ministry said more than 300,000 hectares of farmland had been affected by drought, causing loses of about 5.3 billion pesos ($115.09 million) in rice and corn. It said the effects of El Nino were minimal. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato and Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Nick Macfie) http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-farmers-idUSKCN0WY3SV

Rice Prices Drop Throughout March 2016: BPS Friday, 01 April, 2016 | 19:36 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Head of Statistic Indonesia (BPS) Suryamin said that throughout March 2016, the average price of premium quality rice in huller level experienced a decline. ―Down by 2.18 percent compared to the previous month,‖ Suryamin said in his office on Friday, April 1.

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

Suryamin said the average prices of premium rice on March 2016 was Rp9,572 per-kilogram or lower than the previous month of Rp9,785 per-kg. The price of low and medium-quality rice also experienced the same.Medium-quality rice experienced an average decrease of 1.84 percent from Rp9,622 to Rp9,440 per kg in the previous month. Low-quality rice experienced a decrease of 0.93 percent compared to January 2016 from Rp9,280 to Rp9,185 per kg.Compared to March 2015, the rice average prices in huller level on March 2016 for premium, medium and low quality rice have slumped by 1.19 percent; 1.57 percent; and 1.58 percent.BPS has announced that grain price had experienced a decline in March 2016 compared to February 2016, both for dried harvested grain (GKP) and dried unhusked grain (GKG). The price of GKP in farmer level in March 2016 is down by 9.76 percent to Rp4,703 per kg compared to last February. Meanwhile, GKG price in March 2016 is down by 4.39 percent compared to last February to Rp5,501 per kg. http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2016/04/01/056759033/Rice-Prices-Drop-Throughout-March-2016-BPS

South Africa increasing corn acreage due to record high prices 01.04.2016 South Africa is forecasted to plant about 460,000 hectares of wheat in the market year 2016-17, as the declining trend in hectares planted with wheat will continue and record high local corn price should motivate an increase in corn area planted rather than an increase in wheat area, the U.S. Department of Agricultureâ€™s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) said in a March 24 report.An area of 460,000 10 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter hectares will, on average yields and normal climatic conditions, realize a wheat crop of about 1.7 million, 17% higher than the market year 2015-16 crop of 1.5 million tonnes. As a result, South Africa’s wheat imports for the market year 2016-17 could be 5% lower than in the market year 2015-16 at 1.9 million tonnes.he area to be planted with corn later in 2016, for the market year 2016-17, will be influenced in a positive manner by record high local corn price levels, especially for white corn prices. Hence, the report forecasts that around 2.8 million hectares of corn will be planted later in 2016 under normal climatic conditions, which is about 10% higher than the five-year average in area planted. Under normal climatic conditions and taking into account the subsistence farming sector, South Africa’s corn crop for the market year 2016-17 could reach 12.6 million tonnes. As a result, South Africa should return to be a net exporter of corn in the market year 2016-17 of about 1 million tonnes of corn.The report lowered its previous total corn crop (including commercial and subsistence farming) estimate for the market year 2015-16, by 13% or 1 million tonnes to 7 million tonnes on 2.2 million hectares. The report estimates that due to the drought, only about 70% of the normal corn area will be harvested. As a result, South Africa will have to import approximately 3.5 million tonnes of corn in the market year 2015-16.In market year 2016-17, South Africa’s rice imports are expected to increase by 10% to 1.1 million tonnes on increased demand. The report forecast a 10% increase in South Africa’s rice consumption in market year 2016-17. Consumers can substitute rice, wheat and corn products on price and taste preferences.

Basmati exports likely to touch 40 lakh-tonne mark Lower prices, increase in demand to push sales of Indian variety Basmati fetches higher returns than other rice varieties. Exporters cite high realisation, which is aroundRs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per quintal, as the mainreason behind farmers opting for the basmati variety. Iran’s resumption of import from India since December 15, 2015 may also provide some cushion to exporters

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter ―This year the exports would cross 40 lakh-tonne mark. However, prospects for the next year are worrisome as it depends upon a lot of factors. Having said that, I believe the price of the crop would be more or less the same,‖ said Gurnam Arora, joint managing director, Kohinoor Foods Ltd. He said the buffer stock with millers who are having assured supply chain is around 5% more than last year. As far as the exports for 2016-17 is concerned, the exporters are optimistic and expect that the market will respond favourably on account of GI tag and other factors. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), in 2015-16 (April-December), it was 30.6 lakh tonne while in 2014-15, the total exports were 37 lakh tonne. R Sundaresan, executive director, All India Rice Exporters Association, said, ―It is beyond doubt that the aromatic rice variety offers high returns to farmers, so farmers are more inclined to it. Even during last year, when there was significant increase in area and production, it gave higher returns to farmers. Moreover, it consumes less water than the non-basmati varieties. So, we foresee acreage under basmati would be more or less same and so as the exports.‖ Exporters also feel that Iran's resumption of import from December 15, 2015 may provide some cushion to exporters. Due to sanctions imposed on Iran, basmati exports to Iran were suspended from October 2014 to December 2015.

APEDA RICE COMMODITY NEWS International Benchmark Price Price on: 31-03-2016

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

2145

Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

2200

Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

2225

CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)

838

Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)

691

Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)

583

South Africa, HPS 70/80 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t)

1875

South African, HPS 40/50 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t)

1000

Argentinean 38/42 runners, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

1485

Honey

White Sugar

Peanuts

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 29-03-2016 Domestic Prices Product

Market Center

Unit Price : Rs per Qty Variety

Min Price

Max Price

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter Jowar(Sorghum) 1

Mandvi (Gujarat)

Other

1000

1250

Gulbarga (Karnataka)

Hybrid

1475

1909

Ahmednagar (Maharashtra)

Other

1700

2500

Bellary (Karnataka)

Local

1272

1417

Dahod (Gujarat)

Yellow

1475

1510

Beed (Maharashtra)

Other

1384

Thodupuzha (Chala)

Other

3300

3500

Aurangabad (Maharashtra)

Other

1000

2500

Phagwara (Punjab)

Other

2600

Aroor (Kerala)

Other

2800

3000

Bolangir (Orissa)

Other

1500

1600

Solan (HimachalPradesh)

Other

400

600

Maize

Orange

Cabbage

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No Price on 31-03-2016 Product

Market Center

Price

Ahmedabad

335

Hyderabad

320

Namakkal

350

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package Price on 31-03-2016

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Potatoes

High Package: 50 lb cartons

Atlanta

Colorado

Russet

16.50

17.50

Chicago

California

Russet

Detroit

Idaho

Russet

12.50

Cucumbers

13.50 Package: cartons film wrapped

Atlanta

Mexico

Long Seedless

Dallas

California

Long Seedless

14.50

Chicago

Canada

Long Seedless

Apples

Package: cartons tray pack

Atlanta

Virginia

Red Delicious

25.50

Chicago

Washington

Red Delicious

22.50

Miami

Virginia

Red Delicious

Source:USDA

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

04/01/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report Rice High Low Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

Futures:

ROUGH RICE High Low

Last Change

May '16 978.5 952.5 975.5 +6.5 Jul '16 1005.0 983.0 1002.5 +6.0 Sep '16 1017.5 1000.0 1019.0 +4.0 Nov '16 1033.0 1019.0 1036.5 +1.5 Jan '17 1053.0 1047.0 1055.5 0.0 1073.0 +2.0 Mar '17 1073.0 +2.0 May '17

Rice Comment Rice futures were lower at mid-day, but trading in a narrow range within Thursdayâ€™s wide range. The market

charted a huge bearish reversal on Thursday in reaction to USDA's planting intentions report. Rice acres are expected to be up 17% from 2015 at 3.064 million acres. All of that gain and then some will be in long grain rice, while medium grain acreage will actually be down 17% across the country. Arkansas is expected to plant 1.581 million acres of rice consisting of 1.43 million acres of long grain and 150,000 acres of medium grain. Flooding this week could delay planting, but it's still early and traders know there is plenty of time to get this huge crop in the ground. Technically, May looks headed for a retest of support at $9.22 on the continuation chart.

Rice Prices as on : 01-04-2016 08:10:35 PM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Bangalore(Kar) Kanpur(Grain)(UP) Gorakhpur(UP) Azamgarh(UP) Sainthia(WB) Guskara(Burdwan)(WB) Agra(UP)

Arrivals Price Current % Season Modal Prev. Prev.Yr change cumulative Modal %change Rice 1503.00 -3.72 105634.00 4050 4000 -4.71 250.00 8.7 8230.00 2150 2165 -0.46 190.00 5.56 3672.00 2070 2060 5.08 182.00 1.11 3878.50 1975 1930 168.00 0.54 847.20 1780 1755 157.00 -1.26 2614.00 2150 2150 -0.46 152.00 2.7 4828.00 2090 2100 4.76

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter Memari(WB) Birbhum(WB) Allahabad(UP) Durgapur(WB) Asansol(WB) Sitapur(UP) Gondal(UP) Ballia(UP) Etawah(UP) Faizabad(UP) Lucknow(UP) Pilibhit(UP) P.O. Uparhali Guwahati(ASM) Saharanpur(UP) Bareilly(UP) Aligarh(UP) Kalipur(WB) Thodupuzha(Ker) Coochbehar(WB) Barasat(WB) Dahod(Guj) Goalpara(ASM) Mainpuri(UP) Nadia(WB) Gazipur(UP) Kasimbazar(WB) Beldanga(WB) Koderma(Jha) Gauripur(ASM) Cachar(ASM) Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah) Shikohabad(UP) Muzzafarnagar(UP) Dadri(UP) Ramkrishanpur(Howrah)(WB) Mekhliganj(WB) Jalpaiguri Sadar(WB) Dinhata(WB) Palghar(Mah) Meerut(UP) Diamond Harbour(South 24pgs)(WB) Dibrugarh(ASM) Alipurduar(WB) Falakata(WB) Uluberia(WB) Tamluk (Medinipur E)(WB) Jajpur(Ori) Champadanga(WB)

147.00 145.00 140.00 133.00 132.00 131.00 121.00 120.00 120.00 120.00 107.00 94.00 91.50 91.00 87.00 80.00 76.00 70.00 67.00 60.00 56.80 56.50 50.00 50.00 47.00 44.00 42.50 42.00 41.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 27.00 25.00 23.20 22.50 22.00 21.00 20.00 20.00 20.00

-4.55 1.54 -22.22 1.92 NC 0.77 0.83 20 26.32 20 -6.14 -6 15.09 8.33 -7.45 -5.88 8.57 NC 3.08 9.09 -56.77 12.33 -33.33 25 4.44 NC 6.25 16.67 -4.65 -25 3.45 50 12.5 -10.71 5.45 12.5 NC -2.33 -53.49 5.26 -4.76

2598.00 1879.00 5700.00 928.50 1714.50 6407.00 11197.10 6470.00 18615.00 3711.50 3411.50 17896.00 3147.50 4147.00 6708.60 2700.00 4345.00 2100.00 1250.00 2160.00 1099.80 445.90 1033.00 1140.00 1470.00 1408.50 1534.00 373.00 2390.00 1410.00 1349.00 445.50 1073.00 1655.00 926.80 598.00 743.00 103.50 514.00 479.50 539.00

1700 1785 2165 2250 2200 2220 2050 2015 2270 2125 2165 2195 2100 2165 2285 2140 2050 2650 2050 2300 3900 1800 2015 3250 1950 2300 2280 3500 4500 2700 3200 1950 2170 2130 2300 2050 2750 2050 2310 2210 1850

1740 1780 2180 2250 2200 2225 2060 2010 2280 2100 2170 2190 2100 2160 2275 2120 2050 2650 2050 2300 3900 1800 2000 3250 1945 2300 2280 3300 4500 2700 3200 1960 2180 2140 2300 2050 2750 2050 3851 2200 1850

-4.49 -9.39 1.64 -6.25 8.29 1.99 2.28 1.34 3.10 0.69 -19.23 2.12 11.46 10.88 NC 8.16 -4.65 NC -7.14 4.40 4.84 -1.52 -8.00 -8.80 NC NC -5.57 4.58 0.95 -11.54 10.81 1.85 -15.46 -37.16 3.76 -17.78

19.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 17.00 16.00 16.00

90 NC 44 -5.56 NC -71.43 33.33

964.30 384.00 326.80 134.00 493.00 346.00 675.00

2400 2200 2020 2200 2300 2200 2350

2400 2200 2020 2300 2300 2200 2350

2.33 -6.05 -4.35 15.00 -15.38 -9.62

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter 15.00 -25 100.00 2200 Tinsukia(ASM) 15.00 114.29 215.00 2150 Baraut(UP) 14.00 -6.67 517.00 2070 Firozabad(UP) 14.00 16.67 505.00 2400 Medinipur(West)(WB) 13.00 -1.52 306.50 2185 Kannauj(UP) 11.50 15 177.00 2050 Pundibari(WB) 11.00 -21.43 164.50 2040 Pukhrayan(UP) 11.00 11.00 2000 Sahiyapur(UP) 11.00 42.00 2250 Jiaganj(WB) 10.80 13.68 65.80 2250 Lalbagh(WB) 10.00 11.11 310.00 2070 Khairagarh(UP) 9.50 -5 1182.00 1960 Mirzapur(UP) 9.00 12.5 431.70 2270 Muradabad(UP) 8.00 NC 92.00 2580 Chalakudy(Ker) 7.50 NC 82.25 2550 Hazaribagh(Jha) 7.00 -12.5 86.00 1900 Etah(UP) 5.20 -20 72.00 2600 Karsiyang(Matigara)(WB) 4.00 -11.11 151.00 2200 Nimapara(Ori) 4.00 100 40.00 1525 Gulavati(UP) 4.00 -98.58 2154.00 3500 Hardoi(UP) 3.50 -12.5 112.50 2125 Baberu(UP) 3.50 NC 191.20 2170 Farukhabad(UP) 3.00 NC 105.00 4000 Alibagh(Mah) 3.00 NC 177.00 3750 Murud(Mah) 3.00 -25 234.90 2150 Islampur(WB) 2.00 -20 64.00 2060 Siyana(UP) 1.00 -66.67 8.00 2575 Jhagadiya(Guj) 1.00 NC 12.50 1600 Punalur(Ker) 1.00 3.00 4070 Penugonda(Mah) 1.00 -50 8.50 4500 Khliehriat(Meh) 1.00 -50 92.10 2000 Bonai(Bonai)(Ori) 1.00 NC 19.20 2175 Mawana(UP) http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article8423256.ece Published : 01 Apr 2016, 22:03:23

2200 2150 2060 2400 2180 2050 2035 2250 2080 1955 2275 2580 2995 1890 2600 2200 2085 2150 2125 2170 4000 3000 2150 2045 2600 1600 2700 2000 2175

-12.00 2.38 4.02 2.13 -0.23 -3.53 -6.42 -5.46 NC 4.55 -0.25 12.38 6.39 -12.37 -5.94 15.79 -25.25 59.09 -0.69 150.00 134.38 0.49 0.19 -0.25 -9.09 5.07

Incentives for Aus cultivators The attention that the government has been paying lately to Aus rice output is quite encouraging if considered in the context of the country's food security. In contrast to spectacular growth in the production of two other rice crops -- Aman and Boro -- both area under Aus crop and its production have declined continuously during the last three decades or more. The area under Aus rice declined by 68 per cent and output by 22 per cent. The rate of decline in output has not been in commensurate with shrinking of area, mainly because of the farmers' switchover to highyielding varieties. During the same period, Aman yield increased nearly 70 per cent with acreage under the crop remaining unchanged during past three decades.

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter The record of Boro rice was even better. The area under Boro went up 1.5 times and yield, three times. These two rice crops have helped the country attain near self-sufficiency in food.With a view to reversing the ongoing trend in Aus production, the government in recent years has been offering special incentives to farmers. Last year, the ministry of agriculture extended support, in both cash and kind, to rice growers. This year the programme has been expanded to some extent. The minister concerned last Sunday unveiled a programme in this connection at a news conference. Under the programme, nearly 0.25 million Aus cultivators in 49 districts would get incentives worth Tk 310 million. In addition to the distribution of rice seeds and fertilizers, the agricultural ministry would provide the farmers with cash money to support the expenses on irrigation of their crop fields, particularly in the drought-prone districts.The programme, designed to support Aman production, also includes a special package for the farmers who would be cultivating droughttolerant hybrid rice, named, Nerica (new rice for Africa), developed at the African Rice Centre using one African and one Asian varieties of rice. The new variety is considered to be high-yielding and drought and pest resistant. Though local rice researchers and environmentalists are opposed to the introduction of the variety in Bangladesh, the government appears to be determined to go ahead with Nerica. Local researches have an aggrieved feeling, for, what they allege, government's reluctance to promote, at least, two varieties of drought-resistant high yielding varieties, BIRRI 56 and BIRRI-57. The BIRRI scientists claim that the locally developed varieties are better than Nerica.The debate apart, the country needs to boost its rice output to feed its ever-increasing population against the backdrop of a continuous shrinking of its farm land, estimated at 1.0 per cent a year. The per-acre rice yield in Bangladesh is still at one of the lowest in the region. There is scope to raise the same with further expansion of agriculture based on the latest technology. However, a time will come when the production of two main rice crops -- Aman and Boro -- would reach a point of saturation. Under the circumstances, Aus crop offers greater scope to boost production. The programme initiated in support of Aus growers needs to be strengthened, expanded and monitored better to derive results up to the desired level. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/04/01/24155

Feeding the world: Uncovering a key regulator of flower head development in rice posted by news on april 1, 2016 - 6:30pm Rice is a staple food for more than 3.5 billion people worldwide. Meeting the demand for high-yielding rice is an urgent task for breeders. Superior, high-yielding hybrid plants are often produced by crossing two diverse parental lines. This task is quite complicated in rice, a self-pollinating plant. One approach to solving this problem originated in the 1970s, when Chinese scientists figured out how to produce male sterile (MS) rice lines. The use of MS lines allows breeders to perform controlled pollination, leading to successful hybrid rice production. Unfortunately, in these MS lines, the panicle (flower head) often remains enclosed in the surrounding leaf sheath because the region of the stem that supports it (the uppermost internode) is short, leading to blocked pollination and reduced seed production. To allow panicles to elongate and emerge from the leaf sheath, breeders use rice plants with a mutation in the gene 17 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter ELONGATED UPPERMOST INTERNODE1 (EUI1), which encodes an enzyme that deactivates the plant hormone gibberellin (GA). This deactivation allows GA to stimulate uppermost internode extension, leading to panicle extension, as well as increased plant height. Understanding what regulates the enzyme EUI1 in normal (wild type) plants is crucial, as according to Dr. Chengcai Chu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, "A further understanding of the molecular mechanism through which EUI1 activity is regulated during development will provide a more flexible way to fine-tune panicle extension, which may greatly help breeders improve hybrid rice seed production". By isolating and exhaustively analyzing a dwarf mutant with impaired panicle extension, Dr. Chu and colleagues uncovered a critical regulator of EUI1 gene expression in rice, as discussed in this week's issue ofThe Plant Cell. This regulator, HOX12, binds directly to regulatory elements of the EUI1 gene, functioning as a transcription factor, or central regulator. The scientists propose that HOX12 helps regulate plant growth in response to environmental cues through its effect on EUI1, which acts as a switch to regulate the migration of floral-derived GA from the panicle to the stem. The next step will be to determine the upstream initiators of the HOX12-EUI1 regulatory cascade and the physiological conditions under which these modulations occur. Source: American Society of Plant Biologists http://www.sciencecodex.com/feeding_the_world_uncovering_a_key_regulator_of_flower_head_develop ment_in_rice-179217

Beaumont rice growers optimistic for end of trade embargo with Cuba By Dan Wallach

Updated 11:21 am, Friday, April 1, 2016 Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor A worker fastens a load of rice to a tractor trailer at Beaumont Rice Mills on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday, March 31, 2016 Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise

White bags printed with the U.S. flag and bearing the legend "From the American People" were adroitly heaved from a conveyor belt onto flatbed trucks, 6,300 bags in all, bound for the Port of Houston, to be packed into shipping containers headed for Mauritania in western North Africa.The bags, containing rice, were part of a U.S. Agency for International Development food shipment for poor countries.If Southeast Texas rice growers have their way, rice shipments soon will be on their way again to Cuba, a market Texas producers once monopolized.Growers saw President Barack Obama's recent visit to Cuba as an encouraging sign that a Cold War-era embargo could be near its end, but Congress must still vote for repeal."I think it was a positive event," said Louis Broussard, whose Beaumont Rice Mills once sold its Sunset 18 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice product to Cuba, of Obama's visit. "We're slowly working on getting rice into Cuba, but there are still lots of hurdles." Photo: Ramon Espinosa, AP In this Monday, March 21, 2016 photo, Cuban President Raul Castro, right, lifts up the arm of President Barack Obama at the conclusion of their joint news conference at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba. Brushing off decades of distrust, Obama and Castro shook hands, a remarkable moment for two countries working to put the bitterness of their Cold War-era enmity behind them.For a time,

during the George W. Bush administration, a complicated credit system allowed sales of the U.S.grown grain to Cuba. But that came to an end.Cuba's main rice supplier is Vietnam, which gives no-interest credit for a year to ease sales, Broussard said. "We' ve been talking about getting rice in since 1999. We need a total removal of the embargo," he said.The Cubans like "hard-milled" long-grain rice, which is what Beaumont Rice Mills can deliver. Hard-milled refers to rice grains that are found in U.S. supermarkets.As Andy Hewes, co-owner of Coastal Rice and Futures Inc. in Houston, said, "Cubans like to say, 'If it's not rice, it's not a meal.'"Hewes said he thinks a post-embargo market in Cuba could result in the sale of almost a half-million metric tons per year, which would benefit U.S. taxpayers, farmers, millers, implement dealers and other services that rice farmers need.Cuba also would benefit from tourism, which would put money directly into the pockets of Cuban people, who would have greater income to buy U.S. rice."Embargoes don't work. Sanctions don't work," he said.John Gaulding, who is about a third of the way through planting his almost 700-acre rice crop in Jefferson County, supports ending the embargo. "It was ours (the Cuban market) years and years ago. It's critical for Southeast Texas and the U.S.," Gaulding said."We need something to stimulate our market," he said.Re-establishing the Cuban market would help the Port of Beaumont, he said. Gaulding sells his harvest to Beaumont Rice Mills.Broussard, who is an elected Beaumont port commissioner, said he has shipped 8,000 tons of rice through the port in the past few months.President John F. Kennedy signed the trade embargo on Feb. 3, 1962. Later that year, the Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in Cuba that were capable of striking the United States. The embargo remains in place."Let's go ahead and do it," Gaulding said of ending the embargo. "It's 90 miles off (the Florida) coast. We need it, and their people need it."

DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/DWallach http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Beaumont-rice-growers-optimistic-for-end-of-trade7222477.php

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

Trump Wall, Like Its Chinese Counterpart, Could be Made with Rice By April Fewl SOMEWHERE ON THE BORDER BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MEXICO -- Citing new project cost estimates that show the proposed Trump Wall between the U.S. and Mexico costing more than six times initial estimates, prospective designers have taken a play out of an ancient Chinese book and turned to rice as a possible lower cost building material."It's pretty well documented that the Great Wall of China has rice husks as one of the binding agents and that it worked really well," said Art Vandalay, a professor of architecture and urban planning at Whassamatta University in Saskatchewan, Canada. "They had a massive public works project and a natural supply of a very hardy material - it was an ingenious solution to a complex engineering problem."

The Department of Operational Planning Expenses (DOPE) has reported that the Trump Wall, first estimated to cost about $4 billion, is now looking at conservative cost estimates of $25 billion, and that materials and transportation of those materials is a major factor."You have a lot of rice being grown and milled right there in Texas and in neighboring Louisiana that could keep a steady flow of rice husks to the 1,000 mile job site," Vandalay explained. "Of course this would mean using bricks and cinder blocks rather than tall slabs of concrete to make up the wall itself, but it is an option that could prove cost effective, environmentally friendly, and tasty." Ambassador Vetter (third from right) meets with Arkansas farmers and millers

USTR Ag Chief Visits Arkansas to Talk TPP and Hear Rice Concerns 20 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter By Michael Klein LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Darci Vetter, spent much of this week in Arkansas, visiting with rice farmers and millers participating in the Arkansas Farm Bureau meeting, and other agriculture groups as she continues to make the case for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, signed earlier this year.

"The U.S. rice industry has not taken a formal position on TPP yet," explained Dow Brantley, an Arkansas rice farmer and chairman of both USA Rice and Arkansas Rice Farmers. "But I was pleased Ambassador Vetter made time to come here to talk about the deal and hear straight from the growers about our concerns with unfair global competition and the need for USTR to help the rice industry address this critical issue." Brantley also serves as a formal agriculture advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and as such has met with both Vetter and the USTR himself, Ambassador Michael Froman. "On TPP, Ambassador Vetter heard our concerns about the side deal between our top customer, Mexico, and one of our chief competitors, Viet Nam; that we don't actually see all the gains in Japan that are being 21 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter reported; and that we aren't clear how this agreement will be enforced when there are so many existing trade agreements out there that are not being enforced." Brantley said USA Rice has pointed to studies that show countries like Viet Nam, India, Turkey, and China are not living up to World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments and that these directly harm U.S. rice farmers. Vetter has said that her agency is looking hard at foreign subsidies impacting all of U.S. agriculture. The next step in the TPP process is for Congress to consider the massive trade agreement, but nothing is currently scheduled and many think any real action will take place after the November elections.

Wheat eases on increased supply, reduced offtake PTI | Apr 1, 2016, 02.40 PM IST New Delhi, Apr 1 () Wheat prices eased by Rs 5 per quintal in an otherwise steady wholesale grains market today following increased supplies from producing regions against reduced offtake by flour mills.Elsewhere, other grains including rice basmati traded in a tight range on little doing and settled around previous levels.Traders said besides reduced offtake by flour mills, adequate stocks position on higher supplies from producing belts kept pressure on wheat prices.In the national capital,wheat dara (for mills) and wheat MP (desi) fell by Rs 5 each to Rs 1,645-1,650 and Rs 2,010- 2,615 per quintal respectively. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower by a similar margin to Rs 1,650-1,655 per 90 kg. Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,010-2,615, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,645-1,650, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,650-1,655, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 230, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 230, Roller flour mill Rs 855-865 (50 kg), Maida Rs 940-950 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,010-1,025 (50 kg).Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati common new Rs 5,500-5,600, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,250-5,200, Permal raw Rs 1,850-1,900, Permal wand Rs 2,050-2,100, Sela Rs 2,200-2,300 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,600-1,620, Bajra Rs 1,590-1,595, Jowar yellow Rs 1,800-1,900, white Rs 3,400-3,500, Maize Rs 1,700-1,710, Barley Rs 1,3001,310. SUN KPS ABI

Amira Nature Foods announces new distribution with Cost Plus World Market stores FBR Staff WriterPublished 01 April 2016 Amira Nature Foods Ltd has announced that its Amira branded products will now be available in Cost Plus World Market stores across the US.Cost Plus World Market, a subsidiary of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc, sells a wide variety of goods that are imported from more than 50 countries around the world. Headquartered in Oakland, California, the chain operates more than 250 stores in over 30 states across the U.S. The nationwide retailer will carry two SKUs of Amira branded 22 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter products in its stores: Amira Natural Brown Basmati Rice and Amira Smoked Basmati Rice."We are excited to expand our distribution in the United States with the addition of Cost Plus World Market stores," said Karan A Chanana, Chairman of Amira Nature Foods Ltd. "We are working to expand the Amira brand across the country, and the addition of Cost Plus with its focus on goods from around the world and international food products is a perfect fit for our Amira branded rice products." Source: Company Press Release

Profitability of basmati rice exporters to remain under pressure in H1FY17 Price situation to improve on short supply to elevate exporters' realisation in the second half Dilip Kumar Jha | Mumbai April 1, 2016 Last Updated at 20:06 IST

Basmati rice exports to US might be hitExporters expect Iran to issue fresh Basmati rice permits by DecRice exporting companies rally as Iran opens up market for IndiaBasmati rice and sugar stocks up on favourable fundamentalsBasmati rice exports to Iran via Dubai soar India’s basmati rice exports are likely to remain under pressure till the first half of the financial year 2016-17 on excess supply in destination markets. Improvement, if any, would be seen only in the second half with gradual receding in inventory resulting into price increase, said a recent Icra report.Importing countries led by Saudi Arabia, Iran and United Arab Emirates (contributing nearly half of India’s exports) stepped up their inventory building on sharp fall in the prices of the aromatic rice. Consequently, India’s basmati rice exports shot up by 20% to 3.07 million tonnes between April–December 2015 as compared to 2.57 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year, data compiled by Apeda showed. Interestingly, falling prices have lowered exporters’ realisation from overseas sales. While the realisation has declined by 14% to Rs 17,588 crore, the same tanked further in dollar to $2,717 million resulting into per unit realisation declining to $885 a tonne between Apr–Dec 2015 as compared to $1,312 a tonne in the comparable period last year.―Supply of basmati paddy is expected to witness some moderation as farmers are likely to shift away from basmati, given the non-remunerative prices in the last two crop cycles. Moreover, since Iran has removed the ban on import of rice, demand is also expected to witness some improvement, going forward,‖ said the report. Meanwhile, the current scenario of excess supply (weak demand) is expected to continue in the near term and exporters are likely to continue facing financial stress in the near term. Weak sales growth and decline in profitability, along with inventory losses, are expected to be the key trends in the financials (to be reported) of basmati rice players in 2015-16. This is expected to further weaken the leverage profile of industry players. Any improvement in the situation is likely only from the next basmati paddy harvest season, that is, the second half of 2016-17. 23 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter The industry has reported steady growth in its revenues till 2013-14 given the rising demand in the market leading to high volume of sales and high realisations. However in FY15, the industry witnessed a decline in demand following the ban imposed by Iran on import of rice. Consequently, Indian basmati rice industry reported decline in value of sales in 2014-15. The industry remains vulnerable to inventory price risk given sizeable stock levels of the players. As witnessed in FY15, weakness in demand led to correction in prices which impacted the inventory positions of the players and hence their profitability. The decline in profitability and industryâ€™s inability to liquidate its sizeable stocks resulted in increased working capital borrowings. Thus, the industry reported increase in leverage and weakness in coverage metrics in FY15. The significant impact was witnessed in quarter ending March 2015 when the sales did not grow (unlike same quarters in previous years) and profitability and hence interest coverage declined significantly. This was largely driven by decline in realisations in the aftermath of ban imposed by Iran on import of rice. Further, as reflected in the first three quarters of 2015-16, the pressure on revenue and profitability is expected to continue in the near term. Business standard

John Teodoroâ€™s concept of a leisure farm by Zac Sarian April 1, 2016

In many leisure farms, especially in Taiwan, the main purpose is to generate income by offering good food, recreational and educational do-it-yourself (DIY) activities, souvenir items and a lot more.In the case of John Teodoro of Solsona, Ilocos Norte, the reason for his leisure farm is for the enjoyment of his family and to entertain friends. There is no intention to make money. Just enjoyment for all. Thatâ€™s what John has made of his farm in Brgy. Maan-anteng. Of course, he has other farm projects for business like a nursery of forest trees and flowering plants in another barangay. He is also the manager of the Ilocos Norte Water District. One other purpose is to inspire other people, especially those with idle land, to start making their property productive by planting fruit and forest trees, vegetables and other crops. One reason why he has a lot of plants grown in container is that if someone is really interested in coming up with his own project, John can give the fellow a few plants to start with. And that is for free! In his Maan-anteng leisure farm, John has ponds for growing giant gourami and colored tilapia. When visitors arrive, they are usually served with newly caught fish that is grilled, cooked in coconut milk or some other preparation. He really serves the big ones, often with chilled beer, 24 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter although he himself does not drink wine or beer for a very special reason he usually tells his visitors but not for print. Aside from fish, he serves the authentic Ilocano pinakbet and other special dishes. John is really proud of his many fruit trees that are grown in containers like balimbing, calamansi, lemon, makopa, guava and several others. He has also mature carabao mangoes of which he quips he needs them for their shade and not for their fruits. That’s what he said when a close friend told him the mango trees were quite close to each other. He has a low wide spreading duhat tree near one of his ponds. He said it really produces giant fruits.In one of his tilapia ponds, John has also placed a small rubber boat for kids. One young fellow who enjoys boating is his nephew, Lanz Carlyle T. Peralta.John keeps his farm really spic and span. It is something that can inspire others to come up with their own projects either for leisure or profit, or both. **** **** **** AANI FARM TOUR TOMORROW – Participants of the AANI Farm Tour will visit this Sunday, April 3, the experimental farm of Agrichexers in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Agrichexers is one of the biggest feed millers in the country which manuractures feeds for pigs, chickens and quails. The experimental farm is where the company tries out its feed formulations and some practical techniques in growing livestock and poultry.The participants will be briefed on opportunities in raising quails and other livestock. Agrichexers which is headed by Gil SP Garcia is the biggest manufacturer of quail feeds. The participants will also be able to learn about the new technique of raising pigs in pens with a mixture of rice hull, carbonized rice hull and other raw materials as flooring instead of concrete. The system also eliminates the usual foul odor often encountered in ordinary piggeries because the hog house is sprayed with probiotic products. Those interested to join the farm tour may contact Jocelyn Mahipus at 0932-442-5025. They may also go direct to the AANI office at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City

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1st april,2016 daily global regional,local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine