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TOP Contents - Tailored for YOU Latest News Headlines…
How rice and wheat divided the world: Cultural differences between East and West are all down to FARMING, claims study The future of rice farming among the nations of the Mekong A second green revolution Phuket encourages growing of new rice variety NACC decides to impeach Yingluck Singaporean lodges police report over spicy fried rice Herbicide-resistant sedges in Arkansas rice fields Earnings from rice exports not enough to buy animal feed FAO: Thailand can reclaim title as world' second biggest rice exporter NACC’s ruling on rice case will not affect G2G deals: DFT Date : 8 พฤษภาคม 2557
Thai rice promotional event to be organized in Japan China imports 60% of Vietnam's rice in April Rice exports seen beating expectations Rice is a Growing Restaurant Trend ASDE Report Released Notice of Open Tender ME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures Kingdom could regain rice-export crown
How rice and wheat divided the world: Cultural differences between East and West are all down to FARMING, claims study Study says that while Westerners are known for their individualism and analytical thinking, eastern culture tends to be interdependent and holistic. It puts this down to fact that rice farming in the East requires teamwork.
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Wheat farmers, in contrast, rely on rain and operate more independently
By ELLIE ZOLFAGHARIFARD Scientists have long wondered why the U.S. and Europe are so culturally different to China and other countries in Eastern Asia.Now one study claims the answer lies in an unexpected area: the different farming methods used by people living in the East and West.While Westerners are known for their individualism and analytical thinking, eastern culture tends to be interdependent and holistic, the study claims. +4 Paddy rice in the East (right) cannot be grown without ample supplies of water, forcing neighbours to work together. It is also highly labourintensive, requiring twice the number of hours from planting to harvest as does wheat. Western wheat farmers (left), in contrast, can rely on the rain and operate much more independentlyTheories explaining the differences have included wealth and education fuelling individualism in the West, and high rates of infectious disease in the East causing people to be wary of outsiders.But the real reason may simply be the way people at both ends of the world cultivate rice and wheat, say the scientists.Paddy rice cannot be grown without ample supplies of water, forcing neighbours to work together to irrigate their crops.It is also highly labour-intensive, requiring about twice the number of hours from planting to harvest as does wheat.
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+4 Scientists assessed known measures of individualism and collectivism in 1,000 people from different regions of China where rice and wheat are grown. The results, published in the journal Science, showed distinct psychological differences that mirrored those between the East and West Wheat farmers, in contrast, can rely on the rain and operate much more independently.To test their theory, the scientists assessed known measures of individualism and collectivism in 1,000 people from different regions of China where rice and wheat are grown. The results, published in the journal Science, showed distinct psychological differences that mirrored those between the East and West.‗It‘s easy to think of China as a single culture,‘ said lead researcher Thomas Talhelm, from the University of Virginia.‗But we found that China has very distinct northern and southern psychological cultures and that southern China‘s history of rice farming can explain why people in southern China are more interdependent than people in the wheat-growing north.‗The data suggests that legacies of farming are continuing to affect people in the modern world.‘
THE EAST COAST PREFERS BUD, WHILE THE WEST GOES FOR COORS The East Coast prefers Bud Light, and those near the coast are more likely to prefer wine over beer, a new study of America's drinking habits has revealed.Researchers analysed a million tweets to find out which each region prefers.They found tweet preferences for Bud Light were found mainly in the Eastern half of the U.S, while preferences for Coors Light originate in the Western half, particularly near Colorado and surrounding states.Other beer spaces included Miller Lite preferences in the Midwest and Great Plains, and brands like Corona and Dos Equis in the Southern border regions of the U.S. Most wine-related tweets were sent from the wine-growing regions of Washington, Oregon, and northern and central California. Overall, residents of the eastern and western US coastal regions were more partial to wine (or at least were more likely to tweet about it), while people from several Midwestern states and into Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas were more apt to tweet about beer.
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+4 The East Coast prefers Bud Light, and those near the coast are more likely to prefer wine over beer, a new study of America's drinking habits has revealed. Researchers analysed a million tweets to make the finding
The future of rice farming among the nations of the Mekong Updated 9 May 2014, 16:39 AEST
Agricultural scientists are meeting in Cambodia with regional policy-makers to improve rice farming in the Mekong region.Convened by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, it caps ACIAR's five-year rice research programme with a focus on Laos, Cambodia and Bangladesh. Presenter: Sen Lam. Speaker: Dr Mike Nunn, Research Program Manager for Animal Health, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).LAM: The emphasis of the Phnom Penh event I understand is to talk about
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findings from ACIAR funded research. Is this with a view to changing the region's policy settings for rice farming.NUNN: Yes, we've invested about 50 million dollars over the past five years in this research and what we're trying to do here is to get the scientists who are specialists in various disciplines to distil, or provide for the policymakers what the implications for the policy are of that research.
This research is very broad, because rice farm systems are very diverse, so we have research conducted on things like agronomy, that is how to grow more rice for in land, how to manage the water better, how to look at markets and what of consumer preferences, what types of rice people want, how to reduce the amount of labour, that is what simple farm machine can one use for sowing and harvesting rice, and issues such as when the rice is harvested, how can you use the rice straw for growing livestock, pigs or cattle or chicken, can you grow vegetables amongst the rice that is growing or after the rice is harvested. They've also been trying to look at the constraints that occur in terms of getting access to markets, both within the region and for export overseas.LAM: So how easily is this research translated to reality. For instance, are policymakers in Laos or Cambodia, for example, are they able to execute these suggestions?
NUNN: I'll give you an example from Cambodia where we are now. Cambodia as most of the Mekong is going through a rapid rate of change. So last year, Cambodia exported about four-thousand tonnes of rice. Five years ago, it was exporting less than 40 tonnes of rice, so there was a huge amount of change here in the region. Cambodia is still remains a poor country and about a quarter of its population still live below the poverty line and 80 percent of people here rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, so rice-based farming systems are vital to this region.A farm here is about one hectare of land and that supports a family of five people, who will have some chickens, pigs and a couple cattle perhaps, and it's a matter of trying to work within that system to improve them.
And one way to do this exactly, and it has been very successfully here is to grow different types of rice and if one grows paddy rice, one might get a total of 600 dollars per tonne. If one grows rice that's called fragrant rice, that is a better quality of rice and it continues to (indistinct) in many, many markets, you get price rather than 600, you get one thousand dollars.LAM: And finally, finally Dr Mike Nunn, what would you say are the Mekong region's main preoccupations where rice farming systems are concerned. What are some of the main challenges here?.NUNN: The main challenge and one of the biggest ones is get rice farming farmers who are used to growing rice (indistinct), but to get
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them to get the knowledge and information to diversify into other crops, to take advantage of the opportunities that are emerging for other commodities such as fruits and vegetables and livestock.Image Title: Rice-based farming systems are vital to countries in the Mekong region. (Credit: ABC)
A second green revolution Technological breakthroughs in rice will boost harvests and cut poverty. They deserve support May 10th 2014 |
WHEN, in 1961, the government of India asked a celebrated wheat breeder, Norman Borlaug, for advice about new seeds, the subcontinent was thought to be on the verge of starvation. China actually was suffering from famine. Borlaug persuaded India to plant a new semi-dwarf variety of wheat in Punjab. The next year, the country also tried out a dwarf variety of rice called IR8. These short-stemmed crops solved a basic problem: old-fashioned crops were long and leggy, so when fed with fertiliser they grew too tall and fell over. Borlaug‘s varieties put out more, heavier seeds instead. They caught on like smartphones. Over the next 40 years the green revolution spread round the world, helping ensure that, where its seeds were planted, famines became things of the past.Now a second green revolution is stirring in the fields of Asia. It will not be the same as the first one, since it will depend not on a few miracle varieties but on tailoring existing seeds to different environments. But it promises to bring similar benefits—this time to the poor lands and poorer farmers that the first version passed by (see article). Such lands are poor because they are prone to floods, drought and salinity. New seeds have been developed which can survive flooding, and soon there will be varieties that tolerate drought, extreme heat and saltiness, too, making the poorest lands fertile. So the second revolution could do even more to cut poverty than the first. This revolution is all the more vital because the gains of the first are plateauing. Annual yield growth has fallen to less than a third what it was in the green revolution and below the current rise in population. Meanwhile demand for rice is rising by almost 2% a year in Asia and soaring by 20% a year in Africa.The gap threatens to widen, because rice is exceptionally vulnerable to environmental change. Rice farmers use almost a third of Earth‘s fresh water, and water shortages are pervasive. The world‘s rice bowls are the deltas of Asia‘s great rivers. These are subject to changing floods, rising salinity and growing heat stress. (Climate change is sometimes seen as a new problem to worry about now that the issue of providing food is settled. In reality it is a threat to future food supplies.)
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A second revolution has been made possible by the sequencing of the rice genome in 2005 (the first cereal crop to be sequenced). This enabled breeders to discover the genes for flood resistance in one obscure variety from eastern India and transfer them to varieties all round the world. Breeders will soon do the same for genes that provide other valuable traits.There are all sorts of things that governments could do to push this revolution forward, such as getting rid of price subsidies and letting farms consolidate into bigger, more efficient units. But they will also need to spend public money directly on research. One grain at a time The first green revolution was largely government-backed, with help from international research centres and American charities. You might think that nowadays the big agribusinesses would be desperate to lead the way, and they have indeed invested heavily in new strains of maize and wheat. But rice, the focus of the second revolution, is different. Farmers can keep the seeds from one harvest and plant them in the next with no loss of yield (unlike maize). The market for rice seeds is thus tiny, so almost all research is carried out by the state.The amounts needed are small. By one calculation, $3 billion of rice research spread over the next 25 years would pull 150m people out of extreme poverty. That is $20 a person, a bargain compared with any other anti-poverty programme. And it has worked before. The cumulative economic benefits from public research into rice are running at almost $20 billion a year, hundreds of times the cost of the investment.Governments, though, are nervous. Some politicians worry about publicly backing genetic research, despite all the lives it could save (the latest Luddism is in Vermont—see article). Other health ministries have moved on to sexier causes, like fighting obesity. They should think again. It is hard to think of a way to improve more people‘s lives for less money. From the print edition: Leaders
Phuket encourages growing of new rice variety On 6th May 2014 – Khun Sompong Panthong from the Phuket Agriculture and Cooperative Office held a press conference to announce a new rice variety being grown in Phuket. Also in attendance at the conference were Khun Somchai Sakulchit from Phuket Agricultural Council and the head of the government‘s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.Khun Sompong said ―Rice farming has long been a part of Phuket‘s
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culture with many households cultivating rice for their own consumption. To support agro-tourism and create more revenue to farmers the rice farming groups are joining together and are to establish a rice milling community. The group‘s leaders have expert knowledge in the area of rice farming and can spread their knowledge on to others. In addition, they are also encouraging the growing of a new variety of rice to Phuket named ―Rice Berry‖, a cross-bred unmilled rice possessing dark violet grain, which is a combination of Hom Nin Rice, with well-known antioxidant properties, and Thai Hom Mali Rice, also known as Thai Jasmine/ Fragrant Rice or KhaoDawk Mali.‖ice Berry contains three times more iron than other varieties. And not only does it contain a high level of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, gamma oryzanol, vitamin E and folic acid (folate) in itself, it also becomes soft and is aromatic when its cooked, which is the outstanding trait of Thai Hom Mali Rice
NACC decides to impeach Yingluck Published: 8 May 2014 at 18.24 | Viewed: 15,749 | Comments: 16 Online news: Politics
Writer: Online Reporters The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved on Thursday to bring impeachment proceedings against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over the ricepledging scheme, with criminal charges to be the next decision. NACC members Vicha Mahakhun, left, Panthep Klanarongran, centre, and Prasart Pongsivapai speak during a press conference on Thursday to decide to impeach former prime minister Yingluck
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Shinawatra over the rice subsidy scheme. (Photo by Tawatchai Kemkumnerd) The NACC ruled by a vote of 7-0 to send the case to the Senate, recommending the impeachment of Ms Yingluck. The commission found there were grounds for charges of dereliction of duty in her role as chair of the National Rice Policy Committee, NACC spokesman Vicha Mahakhun said on Thursday. •
New cabinet involved: New graft hearing next week
She had failed to halt the scheme after it was found to be incurring heavy losses due to possible corruption ''in all stages'', he said.The NACC will forward the case to the Senate for impeachment proceedings. The case is expected to go to the upper house next week, he added.Ms Yingluck was disqualified from the premiership on Wednesday by the Constitutional Court for abuse of power and conflict of interest in the transfer of Thawil Pliensri from the position of National Security Council (NSC) chief to the inactive position of PM's adviser in 2011.Mr Thawil's removal was later ruled unfair and unlawful by the Administrative Court, a judgement confirmed by the Supreme Administrative Court in April. Pol Gen Wichen Photeposri was transferred from the job of national police chief to replace Mr Thawil as secretary-general of the NSC. Then Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong was promoted from deputy police chief to national police chief. Pol Gen Priewpan was Ms Yingluck's brother-in-law at the time.Even though Ms Yingluck now holds no political office in the administration, she could still face a five-year political ban if she is found guilty by senators at the end of the impeachment hearing, Mr Vicha said.Ms Yingluck's worries are not yet over, as the NACC is considering bringing a criminal indictment against her. This would be based on all evidence and witness statements against her in the ongoing proceedings, Mr Vicha said.If the NACC concludes there are grounds to indict her, the case would be sent to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for judgement.Mr Vicha said the decision on Thursday was based on evidence presented to the NACC, including witness testimony. There was no political motive in the decision.Senator Prasarn Marukpitak told Spring News televison that the impeachment process must be completed within 45 days of the case being handed to the Senate.Pheu Thai Party lawyer Pichit Chuenban called the NACC probe unfair, saying it was using the same information to decide on the impeachment and indictment. "They are two separate cases and the NACC should not use the same information,'' he said.On Jan 16, the NACC agreed to launch an inquiry into Ms Yingluck's role in the rice scheme after an inquiry panel decided to bring formal corruption charges against 15 people involved in government-to-government rice deals, including former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and former deputy commerce minister Poom Sarapol.
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Singaporean lodges police report over spicy fried rice JOHOR BARU: A Singaporean man who ordered a plate of Nasi Goreng Kampung at a restaurant here has lodged a police report after he said that his tongue felt like it was ―bitten by red ants‖ after a few spoonfuls of the dish.In his report, former lorry driver Lau Thiam Huat complained about the spicy fried rice which he ordered at the restaurant at around 9pm on April 30.When contacted, the 61-yearold said that he was not fond of spicy food and would usually order steamed fish at the shop.However, he said that he had a sudden craving for something ―a bit spicy‖ .―I regret my decision as after a few spoonfuls of the rice, my mouth felt like it was on fire and my tongue as if it was bitten by red ants.―So I drank my warm water and left the rest of the food untouched,‖ he said. He believed the cook put too much chilli in the rice.Lau said his mouth continued to feel ―uncomfortable‖ the next day.So he decided to return to Johor Baru to lodge a report at the city‘s South area police headquarters ―in case there is a need for a check-up later‖. Lau said he occasionally went to the shop when he met friends in Johor Baru, but would only order a glass of warm water.―I might go back to the shop soon but I definitely will not order food there,‖ he said.Lau added that his mouth was still slightly numb yesterday.Checks by The Star have shown that there were no restaurants or stalls along Jalan Bukit Timbalan and that there was only a bank located along the road.Lau has refused to reveal the name of the shop or describe how it looked like.Johor Baru South deputy OCPD Supt Abdul Samad Salleh confirmed that Lau had made the police report.
Herbicide-resistant sedges in Arkansas rice fields May 9, 2014Bob
Scott, Extension Weed Scientist, University of Arkansas | Delta Farm Press
For many years Permit has provided rice growers with an excellent option for sedge control. In 2002, when Clearfield rice and Newpath herbicide was introduced it, too, was found to control most sedges. Basically yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and annual or rice flatsedge (Cyperus iria) have been the two major
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sedge pests that rice farmers in the upper Delta have had to deal with.Yellow nutsedge reproduces mostly by vegetative means by the production of tubers on the root system. Predictably this make resistance slow to develop. Annual sedge, on the other hand, produces by seed and, therefore, has the potential for more genetic diversity. A few years ago the first populations of annual sedge orrice flatsedge that were resistant to the ALS chemistry (Group 2) herbicides (including Newpath, Regiment and Permit) started turning up. Now more than a dozen of these populations are known to exist with more being reported all the time. At least one population of yellow nutsedge has been found to be ALS-resistant.One new population of sedges is turning up in Arkansas. Umbrella sedge (Cyperus difformis) is smaller sedge in stature that reproduces by seed. This sedge prefers the undisturbed soils of zero grade, water-seeded or no-till rice fields. It likely came to Arkansas in contaminated seed from California rice production where it has been a big problem for years. It came to us here in the Delta with a pre-existing condition of being ALS resistant. ALS-resistant sedges have become a big enough problem that we have put togetherFact Sheet FSA 2173 that describes these pests and gives some control options.Control options are limited for nutsedge when the ALS chemistry will not work anymore. The best program approach that we have come up with is to start out with a very early post application (1- to 2-leaf rice) of RiceBeaux (propanil + Bolero) followed by a late post or postflood application of Basagran plus a quart of SuperWham, EC propanil or a good adjuvant. Single applications of Basagran plus Propanil and Crop Oil, RiceBeaux, or Grandstand plus Propanil were effective on annual sedge, but not as good on yellow and umbrella as the program described above. These recommendations can also be found in the MP44 at our same web site.There is some new chemistry on the way that may help alleviate some of the ALS-resistant sedge problems that we are facing, but for now farmers should consider crop rotation, a diversified approach where there is no resistance and the use of the programs mentioned above where these weeds already have become problem.
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Earnings from rice exports not enough to buy animal feed VietNamNet Bridge – Despite being an agricultural economy, Vietnam cannot produce animal feed. It has to spend $4 billion a year on animal feed imports, a figure far higher than its earnings from rice exports.A report of the General Department of Customs showed that in the first half of April alone, Vietnam imported 220,000 tons of corn, worth $55 million. From the start of the year, Vietnam had imported 1.8 million tons of corn by mid-April, for which it had to pay $470 million.The import volume was triple that of the last year, while the import value was 2.34 times higher.Soybean imports have also been sharply increasing. By mid-April, Vietnam had paid $300 million to import 520,000 tons of product, while the figures for the same period of the previous year were only $170 million and 280,000 tons.The director of a big animal feed trade company said Vietnamese rushed to import corn and soybean in large quantities recently because of the price decreases in the world market, backed by the bountiful crop.
Meanwhile, the domestic demand has been increasing since farmers have resumed their farming.According to the Vietnam Animal Feed Association, of the 9 million tons of imported animal feed, 4 million are protein-rich feed (soybean, meat and fish powder), while 3 million are energy-rich products (wheat, corn, bran). Vietnam also spends hundreds of millions of dollars to import supplemental foods.Also according to the association, Vietnam is seriously lacking in materials for producing animal feed. It lacks 30-40 percent of energy-rich feed, and 70-80 percent of protein-rich feed, while it imports 100 percent of the necessary minerals and additives.―Vietnam takes pride in being the biggest rice exporter in the world. But ironically, the money it earns from rice exports is not high enough to buy animal feed,‖ the aforementioned director commented.
The director cited a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as saying that, in 2013, the country spent $4.5 billion to import 9.2 million tons of animal feed materials. Meanwhile, Vietnam exported 6.6 million tons of rice, earning $2.9 billion.Le Ba Lich, Chair of the Animal Feed Association, said though Vietnam has a long coast line and numerous fish, it still cannot make fish powder.In fact, a fish powder factory has just been set up in Ninh Binh Province, while some others have been making fish powder in Thanh Hoa and Da Nang. However, they can only churn out several thousands of tons of product every year, far from meeting the high demand of hundreds of thousands of tons.
―Why can‘t Vietnam develop animal husbandry? Because it has been relying on imports. As the importers have to pay many kinds of under-the-table fees, they sell products at high prices. And farmers have to sell meat expensively because of their high production costs,‖ Lich said.―Why can‘t Vietnam develop an animal feed industry? Simply because there has been no strategy on animal feed industry development,‖ he said.Eleven Vietnamese animal feed producers have shut down. There are only about 50 foreign-invested animal feed enterprises out of the approximately 200 operational enterprises, but they are responsible for 60 percent of the total output.Tien Phong Tags:rice exports, animal feed,
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FAO: Thailand can reclaim title as world' second biggest rice exporter Date : 9 พฤษภาคม 2557 BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said Thailand‘s rice exports are set to recover following the end of the controversial rice-pledging scheme. The FAO‘s outlook report indicated that the nation can become the world‘s second biggest rice exporter within this year, as it is poised to export 8.7 million metric tons of rice. The number closely followed that of India, which is set to export 9.5 million metric tons. Thailand lost its title as the world's number one rice exporter in 2012 because of the government's rice pledging program, which purchased the grains at above-market prices. The program also left Thailand with huge stockpiles of rice and debts, and contributed to the political turmoil. The FAO also predicted a 2% drop in rice planting and production in Thailand this year because of falling prices. Production in the region as a whole will drop marginally by 0.5%.
NACC‘s ruling on rice case will not affect G2G deals: DFT Date : 8 พฤษภาคม 2557 BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Foreign Trade is confident that the national anti-graft body‘s ruling on rice case will not have an impact on government-to-government (G2G) agreements. Mr. Surasak Riangkrul, Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), says Thailand will push forward its rice deals with other countries under the G2G agreements, regardless of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)‘s decision, adding that rice auctions have been carried out as planned.
On the occasion of the 72nd birthday anniversary of the DFT, the director general says the department has set up an information center, from which Thai entrepreneurs can seek help and information regarding the ASEAN Economic Community, which is to be formed next year. The hotline number of the center is 1385. The NACC earlier decided to press charges against Ms Yingluck Shinawatra for her failure to stop corruption in the government‘s rice program. The impeachment motion will be forwarded to the Senate next week.
Thai rice promotional event to be organized in Japan Friday, 09 May 2014 By NNT
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BANGKOK, 8 May 2014 - The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) will take part in the Thai Festival in Shibuya District of Tokyo, Japan, next week from May 15th - 19th, in the department‘s bids to expose Thailand‘s Jasmine fragrant rice in the Japanese market. Mr. Surasak Riengkrue, the DFT Director General, said that the venue, Yoyogi Public Park in Shibuya, is a well known rendezvous, and would perfectly serve the purpose of publicizing the kingdom‘s famous grains. He said there will be ad campaigns in Japanese, whereas officials will hand out to passersby leaflets and DVDs featuring Thai dish menu that use Jasmine rice as the main ingredient. The Director General is confident that the campaign will be well-received by the local consumers.The DFT will place emphasis on the grain‘s quality and health benefits, while stressing the fact that the grain can be consumed together with Japanese rice.The Director General stated Thai rice still has a chance to penetrate the Japanese market, claiming that the grain is popular among Japanese residing in various Asian nations, despite the fact that Japan is capable of producing its own stock.
China imports 60% of Vietnam's rice in April (Xinhua)Updated: 2014-05-09 15:42
HANOI China imported some 60 percent of Vietnam's rice in April, making the country thebiggest importer of Vietnam ese rice in the past two years, said Vietnam Food Association(VFA).China is forecast to continue to be top impo rter of Vietnam's rice due to increasingdemand, Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Center (VITIC) under the Ministry of Industry andTrade on Thursday quoted VFA as saying.In April, Vietnam sold some 537,000 ton s of rice worth $236.8 million to world market. Vietnam'srice export volume in April went down 7.32 percent o ver the previous month and failed to meetthe set target of 700,000 tons.As a result, in the first four months of 20 14, Vietnam earned $765 million from exporting 1.75million tons of rice, down 18.49 percent in value and 18.1 7 percent in volume, said VFA.The association blamed the decrease in Vietnam's rice exports in April for losing its secondlarge rice market of Africa to Thailand. In addition, Malaysia bought Thai rice for all of its demandin 2014 while Indonesia does not have demand for importing the grain.The above-
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mentioned markets were among major importers of Vietnamese rice in 2013.Local Tuoi Tre (the Youth) online newspaper on Thursday quoted Pham Van Bay, vice chairmanof VFA as saying that Thailand was firmly deter mined to clear its stock,and sold its rice at anyprice, which makes Vietnam unable to compete.Vietnam is under the greatest pressure of Thai rice, especially in white rice, assessed VFA,adding that Vietnamese rice exports wi ll depend on China due to loss of other markets.During the second quarter of 2014, Vietnam's rice export volum e is expected to hit 1.8 milliontons. Based on development of markets as well as commercial rice output, Vietna m adjusted therice export volume in 2014 down to 6.2 million tons from the earlier target of 6.77 million tons,excluding those via border with China.
Rice exports seen beating expectations Published: 9 May 2014 at 06.04 | Viewed: 2,110 | Comments: 5 Newspaper section: Business Writer: Phusadee Arunmas
Thai rice exports are quite likely to top 10 million tonnes this year, largely driven by low prices for Thai grains. Surasak Riangkrul, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said yesterday that lower prices and drought-related natural disasters worldwide are expected to push Thailand's full-year rice shipments past the 8.5-million-tonne figure predicted earlier.Authorities are also revving up efforts to sell rice stocks and are due to visit the Middle East and Africa this month for talks about Thai rice sales. Iraq, Nigeria and several other African countries have shown an interest in buying Thai rice, Mr Surasak said.Desperate for revenue to pay farmers, Thailand this year has been selling larger quantities of rice from state warehouses at lower prices to private traders.The country is offering 5% broken rice at US$385-$395 (12,506 to 12,831 baht) a tonne free-on-board, compared with Vietnam's offered price of $385-$395, India's $415-$425, Pakistan's $415-$425 and Cambodia's $435-$445.Thailand usually charges a premium for its longer grains.The country exported some 2.2 million tonnes of rice in the first three months of 2014, up 43% from the same period last year, based on data from the Thai Rice Exporters Association.A ccording to Mr Surasak, brokers from several countries have also proposed buying rice from the Thai government, as they feel that Thai rice prices are bottoming and poised to rise as natural disasters worldwide take their toll.He said officials expect to conclude a deal with Malaysia this week to sell at least 600,000 tonnes. Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said natural disasters may trim rice production in certain countries, including India and China, helping to boost prices worldwide.But given the Thai government's accelerated attempts to dispose of its rice supplies and the existing huge stockpiles of as much as 17 million tonnes of milled rice, Thai rice prices are unlikely to rise by much, Mr Chookiat said.
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Rice is a Growing Restaurant Trend Diners in a restaurant Bring on the rice! ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA -- Rice is hot! the National Restaurant Association's 2014 What's Forecast, diners will see more rice selections on menus as consumers are looking for gluten-and choices rich in nutrients. Healthy and whole grain are also a top priority for diners. Rice is a nutritious food that allows foodservice professionals to create that are delicious, healthful and on-trend.
According to Hot Culinary restaurant allergen-free menu options and versatile countless dishes
"Ranking among the top ten hottest trends predicted by the survey since 2010, gluten-free menus are showing staying power," said Katie Maher, USA Rice Federation Domestic Promotion Programs Manager. "Chefs and operators are utilizing naturally gluten-free U.S.-grown rice to satisfy customers' desire for meals that are unique, global, and healthy." Image: Bring on the rice! Contact: Deborah Willenborg, (703) 236-1444
ASDE Report Released USDA logo WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. 2014/15 all rice supplies are forecast up 6 percent from 2013/14, and total use is up 5 percent-leading to a 17 percent increase in 2014/15 ending stocks. Beginning stocks for 2014/15 are forecast at 29.3 million cwt, down 20 percent from the previous year. Projected 2014/15 imports at 22.0 million cwt are unchanged from 2013/14. U.S. rice production for 2014/15 is projected at 213.0 million cwt, up 12 percent from 2013/14. Long-grain production is projected at 161.0 million cwt, and combined medium- and shortgrain production at 52.0 million. Harvested all rice area is estimated at 2.85 million acres. Long-grain harvested area at 2.21 million acres is up 25 percent from the previous year. Combined medium- and shortgrain harvested area at 0.65 million acres is down 8 percent from 2013/14. The decline in California medium-grain plantings due to drought and water restrictions have attracted more acres of medium-grain rice in the Delta where plantings in 2014 are projected up 39 percent. All rice average yield is projected at 7,468 pounds per acre, down 3 percent from the previous year's record-based on trend analysis by rice class.
U.S. 2014/15 all rice total use is projected at 230.0 million cwt with domestic and residual use at 128.0 million, and exports at 102.0 million. Long-grain rice exports are projected at 72.0 million cwt, and combined medium- and short-grain
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rice exports at 30.0 million. Larger long-grain supplies in 2014/15 and lower projected prices are expected to expand exports, but competition for markets is expected to be strong. Exports of medium-grain rice will be constrained by tighter U.S. supplies because of reduced plantings in California. U.S. all rice ending stocks for 2014/15 are projected at 34.3 million cwt, with long-grain ending stocks at 24.3 million cwt, and combined medium- and short-grain rice stocks at 7.7 million. WASDE-529-3 The U.S. 2014/15 long-grain rice season-average farm price is projected at $13.50 to $14.50 per cwt, compared to a revised $15.20 to $15.80 for the previous year. The combined medium- and short-grain price is projected at $18.50 to $19.50 per cwt, compared to a revised $17.70 to $18.30 for the year earlier. The 2014/15 all rice price is projected at $15.00 to $16.00 per cwt, compared to a revised $15.80 to $16.40 per cwt for 2013/14. Global 2014/15 total rice supply and use are each projected to reach record levels at 592.0 and 482.2 million tons, respectively, and results in a 1.5-million decrease in world ending stocks. Global 2014/15 rice production is projected at a record 480.7 million tons, up 4.6 million from 2013/14. Record to near-record rice crops are projected in Asia-assuming normal weather. Record crops are projected for the major exporters including India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Additionally, large crops are forecast for other exporters including Burma, Cambodia, and Egypt. On the importer side, record or nearrecord crops are forecast for Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Global 2014/15 consumption is projected at a record 482.2 million tons, up 1.5 percent from the previous year. Global exports in 2014/15 are projected at a record 41.4 million tons, up 1.0 million from 2013/14. Thailand is forecast to be the largest global rice exporter in 2014/15 with exports of 10.0 million tons followed by India at 9.0 million and Vietnam at 6.7 million. Large 2014/15 imports are projected for China, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. China's imports have surged since 2011/12 and are forecast to be the largest importer with imports of 3.7 million tons in 2014/15. China's annual consumption needs have overtaken production since 2012/13 resulting in declining stocks. Strong domestic prices in China have encouraged imports of lower-priced rice from Burma, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Global 2014/15 ending stocks are expected to decrease 1.5 million tons to 109.8 million. The largest year-to-year stocks reductions occur in India and China-down 1.0 million tons and 0.65 million, respectively.
Notice of Open Tender AARQ Association for the Administration of Rice Quotas, Inc. Independent bids are invited for rights to ship U.S.-origin milled rice to the European Union under a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) granted by the EU to the United States.Bids must be submitted on May 29, 2014 for the July 2014 TRQ Tranche, in which the following quantity is available: Volume (metric tons) EU Duty Semi-Milled or Milled Rice (HTS item 1006.30)
9,680
zero
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TRQ Certificates will be awarded to the highest bidder(s). Any person or entity incorporated or domiciled in the United States is eligible to bid. The minimum bid quantity is 18 metric tons. Performance security (the lesser of $50,000 or the total value of the bid) must be submitted with each bid. Potential bidders may obtain the required bid forms and bid instructions from: AARQ Administrator Economic Consulting Services, LLC 2001 L Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: (202) 466-1150 Fax: (202) 785-3330 Note: Potential bidders should consult regulations in the Official Journal of the European Union to determine the applicable tariff rate on semi-milled/milled rice. AARQ disclaims any responsibility for advising potential bidders on applicable tariff rates. Potential bidders should also consult EC regulations relating to testing for unauthorized GMOs.
ME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 9
Month
Price
Net Change
May 2014
$15.300
- $0.010
July 2014
$15.430
- $0.070
September 2014
$14.435
- $0.050
November 2014
$14.580
- $0.050
January 2015
$14.755
- $0.060
March 2015
$14.920
- $0.015
May 2015
$14.920
- $0.015
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Kingdom could regain rice-export crown Petchanet Pratruangkrai The Nation May 9, 2014 1:00 am With large stocks, Thailand may emerge top exporter this year as world demand rises Thailand has high potential to become the world's leading rice exporter once again this year, with export volume reaching 10 million tonnes, under the government's plan to accelerate the sale of rice from its stockpiles.Surasak Riangkrul, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said yesterday that the rice trade in the world market was improving, driven by concern over drought and natural disasters. Consequently, more trading would be seen in the second half of the year, which Thailand should be able to cash in on in a big way, as it is major holder of rice stocks."The country was able to sell about 700,000 tonnes of rice a month during the first four months of the year. Given high demand for rice in the market and Thailand's plan to release more from its stockpiles, export this year should recover and reach almost 10 million tonnes, making the country the world's largest rice exporter again," he said.He explained that the government planned to sell about a million tonnes of rice under government-to-government deals in the following months, involving two or three countries. China, for one, is highly interested in signing such contracts with Thailand.Surasak said the Thai government was finalising negotiations with some countries and if no problems arise, it should be able to sign the contracts soon. Auction Moreover, the department is scheduled to open bidding for about 400,000 tonnes of rice next week. Surasak is confident that the upcoming auction will be able to sell a high volume of rice at good prices because of the high demand in the market.He added that the rice price was expected to increase slightly in the second half of the year.According to a report by the department, Thailand exported 2.1 million tonnes of rice from January to April 4, an increase of 28.27 per cent compared with the same period last year. But export value dropped 6.6 per cent to US$1.1 billion (Bt35.7 billion).The department is confident that the Commerce Ministry will be able to return to the state Bt20 billion that was spent to pay to farmers under the pledging programme by the end of this month, thanks to large rice sales from the stockpile. Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, agreed that Thailand should be able to export more rice this year, and export volume could reach 8.5 million tonnes.
Global factors that should be closely monitored include natural disasters, which could cause India to halt or delay its exports in the second half of the year, he pointed out.However, Chookiat has expressed concern over uncertain rice-management policy during the interim government. He said the caretaker government would face more difficulty raising money to clear the overdue payments to farmers under the pledging scheme.
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