Rice News by Riceplus Magazine (www.ricepluss.com) Unedited Version

1. Unedited Version of RICE NEWs
By Riceplus Magazine
India Winter Rice Crop Planting Area Reaches 4.09
Million Hectares; Up 23.5% from Last Year
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Feb 28, 2014
Area under India's rabi (winter) rice crop planting stands at about 4.09
million hectares as of February 28, 2014, up about 23.5% from around 3.31

2. million hectares recorded during the same time last year, according to the
Ministry of Agriculture.
Tags:
India rice planting area
Oryza White
Rice Index - Asian Rice Quotes Ready to Bounce Big
Time?
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Feb 28, 2014

3. The Oryza White Rice Index, a weighted average of global white rice export
quotes, ended the week at $461 per ton, unchanged from a week ago, down
about $2 per ton and $33 per ton from a month and a year ago respectively.
The political situation in Thailand remains very uncertain. Competing rice

4. export nations fear that a liquidation of Thai rice stocks will send the global
rice market plunging lower. For now, Thailand rice export quotes have been
stable. Perhaps there’s not as much rice to be sold as some fear (due to
spoiled/lost supplied under the mortgage scheme)? Thai rice traders may
also still be translating their high costs to the export market. If India rice
exports were to slow on account of a potential El Nino, Thai traders would
likely take advantage of the opportunity to claw back some margin. After
being depressed for months and only rebounding softly, Asian rice export
quotes may be like a coiled spring ready to rally if any catalyst is provided.
For now, U.S. rice export quotes are shown at about a $50 per ton discount
to South America and Thailand rice quotes are about $150 per ton below
that of the U.S. Thailand has reaffirmed itself as the most expensive origin
in Asia, with a slight premium over India rice export indications and further
below India, Pakistan and Vietnam quotes are at par.
The Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which
includes Myanmar,Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, has finalized
an agreement to form the ASEAN Rice Federation (ARF), which will focus on
regional and global food security, global rice market stability, mutual
assistance for technological advancement, and improving trade and the lives
of rice farmers. The details will be presented in a minister-level meeting in
August. Skeptics think the agreement is unlikely to have any real impact on
the rice sector as the idea has been long on concept and short on execution.
Thailand
Thailand 5% broken rice is today quoted at about $430 per ton, unchanged
from a week ago, down about $10 per ton and $120 per ton from a month
and a year ago respectively.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is investigating at least 15
cases against the caretaker Prime Minister, Yingluck, due to the rice
mortgage program. The Pheu Thai party’s legal team has said that it will
respond to those charges within 15 days. If the PM is found guilty, she may
be removed from office and banned from politics for 5 years, but local
sources are skeptical the NAAC and the courts would risk such a bold move
for fear of turmoil.
A new study by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)
claims that Thailand rice farmers have the lowest income of any farmers in
ASEAN countries (which include Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia).
The study says that production costs in Thailand are 139% higher than in
Vietnam and that the rice mortgage program doesn’t seem to have helped

5. their situation. The UTCC also forecasts that Thailand’s rice exports may
decline to about 6.8 million in 2014, down about 3% from the 7 million tons
exported in 2013. This would make Thailand once again the third largest
rice exporter in 2014.
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) has approved the caretaker
government using 712 million baht (about $22 million) from the Central
Budget to pay rice farmers who still haven’t received payments for their rice
under the rice mortgage scheme that is ending this month. However, the
amount the EC approved will only cover about 0.5% of the money the
government needs (about 130 billion baht or $4 billion).
India
India 5% broken rice is today shown about $420 per ton, unchanged from a
week ago, up about $10 per ton from a month ago and down about $30 per
ton from a year ago.
The monthly average wholesale price of rice in India increased month-overmonth in February, up to Rs. 2,731 per quintal, about 1% higher than in
January. In USD terms, prices in February were at about $440 per ton, up
about 2% from January.
The Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommended the
government release about 15-20 million tons of rice and wheat in to the
domestic markets to try to reduce prices. Average rice prices in India
decreased about 4% month-over-month in January, but the government
may still decide to liquidate some stocks to bring down domestic food prices,
especially if this is seen as a quick fix – elections are right around the
corner. The governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notes food inflation
has an additional cause. He has stated that the Indian government should
not increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of rice and other grains so
quickly in order to control food inflation. MSPs are currently below FOB
prices. It’s clear that India needs to take action to control inflation, but
which path will they take: liquidating stocks or decelerating MSP increases?
The planted area under India’s rabi (winter) rice crop stands at about 4.09
million hectares as of February 28. This is about 23.5% higher than the
same time last year, when only 3.31 million hectares were planted,
according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) approved scientific field
trials for almost 200 varieties of genetically modified food crops, including
rice. The approval has received strong opposition.

6. India’s Patent Office will decide whether the central state of Madhya Pradesh
should be included on the Basmati Rice GI Application. The state was
originally omitted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
Development Authority (APEDA), but the Madhya Pradesh government
claims its basmati rice is known around the world. To further complicate
matters, the Basmati Growers Association of Pakistan is also opposing the
inclusion of Madhya Pradesh, claiming it’s negatively affecting their basmati
export business.
Vietnam
Vietnam 5% broken rice ended the day at $400 per ton, unchanged from a
week ago, down about $5 per ton from a month and a year ago. Vietnam
rice exports smuggled into the Philippines continues to be at the center of an
political economic debate in the Philippines.
A senator in the Philippines accused the National Food Authority (NFA) of
being complicit in the country’s rice smuggling problems and also continued
urging an investigation of the alleged overpricing of rice imports from
Vietnam in November 2013. The NFA denies any wrongdoing.
The Philippines Justice Secretary has asked the government to create a new
policy on rice imports, claiming the existing policy is against World Trade
Organization (WTO) rules. The current policy is based on the continued
imposition of quantitative restriction (QR) on imports, but the GATT-WTO
agreement expired in June 2012. The World Bank’s lead economist for the
Philippines has also urged the government to remove quantitative
restrictions on rice imports, claiming the current QR system breeds
corruption and high prices.
Rice prices in the Philippines rose during the week ending February 21,
increasing as much as 8% week-over-week in some markets. The National
Food Authority (NFA) predicts that prices will decline about P2-P4 per
kilogram (about $45-$90 per ton) during March-May due to ample supplies
from harvest, but prices will likely drop again after that.
In a completely unsurprising turn of events, David Bangayan, who is accused
of being David Tan, the so-called “king of rice smuggling,” did not appear
before the Philippines Senate committee for his scheduled hearing on
Monday. Two of his colleagues who were also scheduled to appear did not
show up, either. His lawyer informed the Senate that his client had medical
issues and had been taken to the hospital.

7. Pakistan
Pakistan 5% broken rice quoted at about $400 per ton today, unchanged
from a week ago, up about $5 per ton from a month ago and down about
$35 per ton from a year ago.
Local sources report that nearly 160 out of 200 parboiling processing plants
have been shut down in Pakistan in the last two years due to power
shortages, and that the government is neglecting to rectify the situation.
Brazil
Brazil 5% broken rice today shown about $665 per ton, unchanged from a
week and a month ago.
The Brazilian paddy rice index maintained by CEPEA stayed at about 35.28
real per 50 kilograms on February 24, down about 1% from 35.77 real per
50 kilograms the previous week. In USD, the index dropped to about
$301.7 per ton, down from $304 the previous week.
U.S.
U.S. 4% broken rice today shown about $580 per ton, unchanged from a
week ago but down about $10 per ton and $48 per ton from a month and a
year ago respectively.
California – which mostly produces medium grain rice - finally saw some
rain, but probably not enough to have a significant impact on the drought
conditions there. If this continues, we might see medium grain prices going
up even more.
Texas rice farmers heard from the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) that an emergency cutoff of water will keep them from
getting their requested water for the third year in a row.
Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery reached $15.730 per cwt (about
$347 per ton) Friday morning.
Other Markets
The Iraqi Grain Board purchased 60,000 tons from Argentina - half at
$713 per ton CIF and the other half at $699 per ton CIF - and 30,000 tons
from Uruguayat $713 per ton CIF.

8. Uruguay and Argentina 5% broken rice ended the week at $630 per ton fob,
unchanged from a week and a month ago, up about $20 per ton from a year
ago. For the third year in a row Argentina’s rice exports dropped, reaching
only 535,722 tons in 2013, about 16% less than the 63,938 tons exported in
2012. The USDA Post predicts that rice exports will increase to about
650,000 tons in 2014-15 (April-March) due to a weaker currency.
Cambodia 5% broken rice is today shown about $455 per ton, unchanged
from a week and a month ago.
South Korea has issued tenders to purchase 57,114 tons of non-glutinous
rice for delivery between June and July 2014, according to the Agro-Fisheries
& Food Trade Corp. The last date for submission of applications is March 13.
Ivory Coast’s Agriculture Minister reports that the country will strive to be
self-sufficient in rice within the next three years. To do so, he says they will
nearly triple their domestic rice production from the current 520,000 tons
(estimated by the USDA) to 1.9 million tons by 2016, in efforts to meet
increasing domestic demand.
Rice demand in Saudi Arabia is increasing and the USDA forecasts they will
import 1.3 million tons this year, up 3% from 2013. India, the largest
supplier of rice to Saudi Arabia, lost some of the market share last year.
U.S. rice gained nearly 1.5% of the Saudi market in 2013.
As of February 24, average white rice prices in Colombia were about 1.86
million pesos per ton (about $905 per ton), up about 2% from 1.82 million
pesos per ton (about $886 per ton) in January but down 5% from February
2013.
Nigeria is considering a decrease to the import tariff on rice. The Minister of
Finance hopes that a decrease in the tariff rate might discourage smuggling
via land borders and increase Nigeria’s revenue from rice imports. The
government continues to increase domestic production and plans to ban all
rice imports starting in 2015, but many industry people question the
readiness of the country’s commercial production capabilities and are
recommending the import ban be postponed to 2019.
Producers in Italy have sold more than half of the rice paddy for 2013-14
crop year. Remaining stocks are about 694,979 tons, and there are about 7
or 8 months before the next harvest.
Heavy rains and floods will likely affect Bolivia’s rice production in 2013-14,
according to the FAO. They estimate rice production in 2013 will drop to

9. about 450,000 tons of paddy, about 13% less than the previous year.
On February 24, Russia’s phytosanitary authorities lifted a ban on the
importation of Pakistan rice that was instituted in late September, 2013.
Tags:
Oryza White Rice Index (WRI)
China Confirms Continuation of One Million Tons Rice
Import Deal with Thailand
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Mar 01, 2014
The Chinese government has confirmed that it will honor the Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) signed with Thailand in November 2013 to buy one
million tons of rice on a G-to-G basis annually from the Thai government for
the next five years.
State media in Thailand said that the Chinese embassy in Thailand has
confirmed the continuation of the deal which will help the government in
getting funds to pay rice farmers who have participated in the government
rice mortgage program. Earlier this year, reports said that China had
cancelled the deal to purchase one million tons of rice from Thailand after
the National Ant-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand began
investigations on alleged irregularities in the Thai government’s rice
mortgage program.
Meanwhile, trade sources, citing Thailand’s Commerce Minister, say that
China has agreed to buy 400,000 tons of rice from Thailand, and an
agreement would be signed with China's state-owned enterprise COFCO in
March 2014. While details of this deal are unavailable, sources say that it
could a part of the deal to buy about one million tons from Thailand.
However, Thailand’s Director General of Department of Foreign Trade says
the government will need the approval of the Election Commission (EC), as
the deal could be considered as an obligation for the new government.
Tags:
Thailand rice exports, China rice imports
Oryza Afternoon Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures
Close Slightly Lower on the Session, but Still Up on the
Week, Thanks to Monday’s Massive Rally
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10. Feb 28, 2014
Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery settled 4.5 cents per cwt (about
$1 per ton) lower at $15.635 per cwt (about $345 per ton). Rough rice
futures experienced another round of back-and-forth trading today as the
majority of the trade activity has now moved into the May contract and the
March/May spread has settled into a -0.23 to -0.26 per cwt (about -$5 to $6 per ton) range. As expected a fresh round of receipts were registered
overnight with additional expected in the coming week. Today’s move was
seen as a technically bearish development as prices fell and settled back
below nearby support at $15.670 per cwt (about $345 per ton) provided by
the 100-day moving average. The markets continues to test support from
the faster moving, positively sloped, 10-day moving average and could be
moving into a period of congestion between the previously two mentioned
levels of technical significance. Despite the losses sustained in the second
half of the week the market finished with a 10 cent per cwt (about $2 per
ton) gain thanks to Monday’s huge rally. The outlook for next week’s trade is
currently sideways. The other grains finished higher as the market is in
recovery mode following yesterday’s massive selloff; soybeans closed about
1.5% higher at $14.1425 per bushel; wheat finished about 2.9% higher at
$5.9900 per bushel; and corn finished the day about 2.1% higher at
$4.5750 per bushel.
U.S. stocks climbed on Friday, with the S&P 500 hitting an intraday record,
after a final read on consumer sentiment in February came in just above
expectations and existing-home sales held steady in January. Consumer
sentiment rose marginally this month even as concerns about the extreme
weather persisted, with the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's final
read coming in at 81.6, just above the 81.2 in the preliminary estimate and
the January reading. Another report had the economy growing at a slower
rate in the last quarter of 2013 than previously estimated. Erasing initial
losses, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose as much as 125 points, and
was lately up 116.59 points, or 0.7%, at 16,389.24. Advancing to an
intraday record of 1,867.93, the S&P 500 was lately up 12.56 points, or
0.7%, at 1,866.85, with consumer staples leading gains that extended to all
but telecommunications of its 10 major sectors. After rising to a 14-year
high of 4,342.59, the Nasdaq at last check was at 4,335.33, up 16.40
points, or 0.4%. Gold is trading about 0.8% lower, crude oil is seen trading
about 0.3% higher, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.6% lower at
about 1:00pm Chicago time.
Thursday, there were 1,337 contracts traded, up from 876 contracts traded
on Wednesday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on
Thursday increased by 85 contracts to 7,554.
Tags:

11. chicago rough rice futures, U.S. rice prices, U.S. rice market
India Prepares Contingency Plans for Possible
Weather Disturbances During 2014 Main Rice Crop
Season
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Feb 28, 2014
The Indian government has developed contingency plans for over 500
districts of the country to help overcome crop losses during the Kharif (June
– December) rice crop season in the event of weather disturbances.
In the two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign held
this week, the Agriculture Secretary said that scientists, officials and farmers
will work together and use the contingency plans as the first point of
reference to check actions in case of erratic rainfall or other weather
disturbances.
The government says that the contingency plan contains rainfall and soil
map for each district and has action points for different levels of rainfall
deficiency or excess or other weather-related contingencies such as cyclone,
flood and sea-water inundation. States have also been asked to stock
adequate seeds of short-duration crops, ensure timely availability of
fertilizers and provide sufficient credit to farmers.
Other aims in the strategy for 2014 kharif rice crop season include:
improving rice production in eastern states; reducing rice area in
northwestern region; use of bio-fertilizers and micro-nutrients; promotion of
GM crops; and strengthening of procurement machinery, particularly in
eastern states.
Weather departments in several countries have warned that the El Nino
phenomenon cold occur this year, which could lead to poor monsoon rains in
India. India’s agriculture minister said this week that the El Nino
phenomenon is unlikely to significantly impact India this year, but has asked
states to prepare for such an event.
Tags:
India rice production, Contingency plan
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12. Research & Development
Grain Of Interest
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India Basmati Rice GI Application in Tangle; Patent
Office to Decide Inclusion of Madhya Pradesh State
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Feb 28, 2014
India’s attempt to get legal protection to basmati rice brand under the
Geographical Indications (GI) tag is likely to be further delayed due to
conflicts between different departments in the country and opposition in
Pakistan over the expansion of basmati rice growing area in India.
In its original application, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority’s (APEDA) did not include the central state of
Madhya Pradesh as one of the basmati rice growing areas because the state
does not come within the boundaries of the Indo-Gangetic plain. However,
this was challenged by the Madhya Pradesh government, which claims that
parts of the state come within the Indo-Gangetic plain and basmati rice from
the state is known around the world. Later the GI registry asked APEDA to
file an amended application including Madhya Pradesh (with a map of the
region clearly demarcating the area of production).
However, APEDA has now approached the Intellectual Property Appellate
Board (IPAB) to decide over the inclusion of Madhya Pradesh in its
Geographical Indications (GI) application. APEDA says that the rice grown in
Madhya Pradesh does not have the requisite reputation and corresponding
public perception, though it has characteristics of basmati grown in the IndoGangetic plain. The APEDA further states that the order could potentially
attract claims from other parts of the world to recognize their rice as
basmati merely on basis of equivalent standards and specifications. It also
notes that the intervention of the Madhya Pradesh government would
unnecessarily delay the process of getting a legal protection to basmati rice.
The IPAB is scheduled to hear the APEDA's arguments on March 11, 2014.
Meanwhile, the Basmati Growers Association (BGA) of Pakistan is also
opposing the inclusion of Madhya Pradesh under the basmati growing region
saying that India has become the largest producer and exporter of basmati
rice by expanding the area beyond the traditionally basmati producing states
of Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. The BGA

13. President says that indiscriminate expansion of basmati production areas by
India is adversely affecting the export of basmati rice from Pakistan.
A GI label certifies the geographical origin of a product and confirms
adherence to some production standards. It also prevents producers who
aren't covered by the tag from using the same.
Tags:
india basmati rice, Geographical Indications (GI)
Oryza Overnight Recap – Chicago Rough Rice Futures
Paused Slightly Higher After Quiet Overnight Session;
Grains Attempt to Recover Following Yesterday’s
Selloff
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Feb 28, 2014
Chicago rough rice futures for May delivery are currently paused 5 cent per
cwt (about $1 per ton) higher at $15.730 per cwt (about $347 per ton) as of
8:00am Chicago time. The other grains are seen higher this morning ahead
of floor trading in Chicago: soybeans are currently seen about 0.6% higher,
wheat was paused about 1.7% higher, and corn is noted about 0.3% higher.
U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Friday, after the
government estimated the U.S. economy grew 2.4 percent in the fourthquarter of 2013, down from the 3.2 percent pace reported last month. Other
data out on Friday include pending home sales for January at 10 a.m. Sales
are seen gaining 1.6 percent, compared with a drop of 8.7 percent in
December. In addition, there will be the Chicago PMI (purchasing managers'
index) for February at 9:45 a.m. and the final reading of February's
University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey at 9:55 a.m. Outside of
the U.S., traders will continue to watch events in the Ukraine. Ousted
President Viktor Yanukovych plans to hold a news conference in southern
Russia at 8 a.m.
Global shares were boosted in early trade on Friday by Thursday's testimony
from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. Appearing before Senate, Yellen
said the recent spate of tepid economic data could be partial attributable to
the exceptionally poor weather. Her comments helped drive the S&P 500 to
a record close on Thursday. U.S. stock index futures are currently trading
about 0.1% lower, gold is currently trading about 0.1% lower, crude oil is
seen trading about 0.3% lower, and the U.S. dollar is currently trading about
0.6% lower at 8:00am Chicago time.
Tags:
chicago rough rice futures

14. Is Rice Pledging Scheme Throwing Thailand
Government Into a Maze of Rules?
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Feb 28, 2014
The Thailand caretaker government is struggling to raise funds to pay
farmers who had pledged their rice with the government under the pledging
program. However, the government’s problems are compounded due to
questions on legality on everything it tries. The government’s latest attempt
to use the funds from the Central Budget has now invited a constitutional
point.
The government had in the beginning of this week sought the Election
Commission’s (EC) approval to use 20 billion baht (around $612.5 million)
from the Central Budget to pay farmers under the rice pledging scheme. The
EC is yet to give its approval to the government. However, a senior Election
Commissioner says that the government's plan to use money from the
Central Budget could risk breaching Section 181(4) of the charter, which
prohibits use of any government resources that might affect the election
outcome.
The Election Commissioner says that the government should mention
whether the move would boost its popularity and impact the election
outcome in its application. He also says that the government's move could
put burden on the new government which could be a breach of Section
181(3) of the charter.
The government still owes 116 billion baht (around $3.6 billion) to about
875,900 farmers for their 6.7 million tons of pledged rice so far, according to
local sources. It looks like the caretaker government is moving through a
maze of rules to fulfill its promises.
Tags:
Thailand rice mortgage program
World Bank Urges Philippines to Remove Quantitative
Restrictions on Rice Imports to Reduce Poverty,
Corruption
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Feb 28, 2014
The World Bank (WB) lead economist for the Philippines has urged the
government to remove quantitative restrictions on rice imports to control

15. surging food costs and pervasive poverty in the country, according to local
sources.
The WB economist says the Philippines has failed to achieve self-sufficiency
in rice despite having good research and development, irrigation and
extension work, and marketing for rice relative to its neighbors, as the rice
prices in the country are the highest in the world.
The WB economist blamed the current quantitative restrictions (QR) system
for fostering corruption in the country's rice policy. He says that restrictions
on rice imports are creating uncertainty in the private sector and are leading
to high prices. He suggests the government to remove restrictions on
importation of rice and just impose tariffs to protect local farmers. He
warned that if the QR policy continues, it may lead to rice inflation as rice
occupies a large portion of Filipinos food basket. He called for a new policy,
which would attract foreign direct investments and bring down food prices,
which are the main reason for growing poverty levels in the country.
However, the Philippines Socioeconomic Planning Secretary says that
removing QRs and imposing tariffs may not be easy because of ongoing
negotiations for extension of the QRs on rice at the World Trade
Organization (WTO). He, however, said that the government is trying to
protect farmers without hurting the people below poverty line.
There is a debate on the Philippines’ decision to continue QRs on rice imports
despite the expiration of preferential treatment to imports under the General
Agreement on Tariff and Trade-World Trade Organization (GATT-WTO)
agreement in June 2012. The Department of Justice (DoJ) has recommended
removal of QRs on rice imports as it amounts to violation of international
law.
Tags:
World Bank, Philippines rice imports, Quantitative restrictions on rice imports
World Bank Urges Philippines to Remove Quantitative
Restrictions on Rice Imports to Reduce Poverty,
Corruption
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Feb 28, 2014
The World Bank (WB) lead economist for the Philippines has urged the
government to remove quantitative restrictions on rice imports to control
surging food costs and pervasive poverty in the country, according to local
sources.
The WB economist says the Philippines has failed to achieve self-sufficiency
in rice despite having good research and development, irrigation and

16. extension work, and marketing for rice relative to its neighbors, as the rice
prices in the country are the highest in the world.
The WB economist blamed the current quantitative restrictions (QR) system
for fostering corruption in the country's rice policy. He says that restrictions
on rice imports are creating uncertainty in the private sector and are leading
to high prices. He suggests the government to remove restrictions on
importation of rice and just impose tariffs to protect local farmers. He
warned that if the QR policy continues, it may lead to rice inflation as rice
occupies a large portion of Filipinos food basket. He called for a new policy,
which would attract foreign direct investments and bring down food prices,
which are the main reason for growing poverty levels in the country.
However, the Philippines Socioeconomic Planning Secretary says that
removing QRs and imposing tariffs may not be easy because of ongoing
negotiations for extension of the QRs on rice at the World Trade
Organization (WTO). He, however, said that the government is trying to
protect farmers without hurting the people below poverty line.
There is a debate on the Philippines’ decision to continue QRs on rice imports
despite the expiration of preferential treatment to imports under the General
Agreement on Tariff and Trade-World Trade Organization (GATT-WTO)
agreement in June 2012. The Department of Justice (DoJ) has recommended
removal of QRs on rice imports as it amounts to violation of international
law.
Tags:
World Bank, Philippines rice imports, Quantitative restrictions on rice imports
India Government Approves Field Trials of Genetically
Modified Rice
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Feb 28, 2014
India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has approved scientific
field trials of nearly 200 transgenic varieties of genetically modified (GM)
food crops including rice, wheat, maize, castor and cotton, on a conditional
basis, according to local sources.
The Environment Minister says that the approval is based on the
recommendations of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)
made in March 2013. “The approval by the GEAC (genetic engineering
approval committee) was within the bounds of law so we have approved it,”
said the Minister. “We have no business to halt the ongoing research and
development work. GEAC is an expert and statutory committee and the
Ministry must not undermine it,” he adds.

17. The previous Environment Minister had earlier put on hold the GEAC
recommendations based on a public litigation seeking a total ban of GM
crops, including field trials, in the Supreme Court. However, the current
Environment Minister says that that though the Supreme Court is hearing
the case, there is no embargo by the court on field trials.
However, the companies will still have to get the approval to conduct field
trials from various state governments. According to local sources, major rice
producing states including Punjab and Haryana are likely to allow field trials
of GM rice.
The move to allow GM trials has received strong opposition from activists
who allege that the government has overturned its own decision and is
moving hastily to benefit foreign seed companies. The government has
called a meeting of the GEAC on March 21, 2014 to address pending
applications by seed companies.
Tags:
India rice, Genetically Modified rice
Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Today
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Feb 28, 2014
Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged today.
5% Broken Rice
Thai 5% rice (of new crop) is quoted around $425 - $435 per ton, about a
$30 per ton premium over Viet 5% rice shown around $395 - $405 per ton.
Indian 5% rice is quoted around $415 - $425 per ton, about a $20 per ton
premium over Pak 5% rice quoted around $395 - $405 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thai 25% rice of old crop is quoted about $350 - $360 per ton, about a $20
per ton discount to Viet 25% rice shown around $370 - $380 per ton.
Indian 25% rice is quoted about $360 - $370 per ton, about a $10 per ton
premium over Pak 25% rice quoted around $350 - $360 per ton.
Parboiled Rice
Thai parboiled rice of the old crop is quoted around $460 - $470 per ton.
Indian parboiled rice is quoted around $400 - $410 per ton, about $5 per ton
discount to Pak parboiled rice quoted around $405 - $415 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thai broken rice, A1 Super, of the old crop is quoted around $310 - $320 per
ton, about a $45 per ton discount to Viet broken rice shown around $355 $365 per ton.

18. Indian broken sortexed rice is quoted about $300 - $310 per ton, about a
$20 per ton discount to Pak broken sortexed rice quoted around $320 - $330
per ton.
Tags:
Asia rice quotes, Thailand rice quotes, Vietnam rice quotes, Pakistan rice quotes, India rice quotes
Bangladesh Rice Millers Complain About Unfairness in
New Rice Packaging Norms
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Mar 05, 2014
Local rice millers in Bangladesh are concerned about facing uneven
competition with private rice importers because of the new packaging norms
imposed by the government.
The Bangladesh government has made it mandatory for local rice millers to
sell rice in jute sacks from January 1, 2014. However, private importers are
allowed to sell rice in polyethylene bags, say local sources. Local rice millers
say their costs have increased sharply due to the new norms. While the price
of a jute sack is Tk 70 (around $0.88), the price of a polyethylene bag is
only Tk 13 (around $0.16). "We will have to invest more to buy jute sacks.
As a result, importers will have an edge over us,” says the Convener of
Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mill Owners Association. He demands
that the law should be binding on both millers and importers to avoid unfair
competition.
Rice millers are already worried about the increasing private sector imports
in the country due to high local prices. The Food Ministry data shows that
the country has imported 295,730 tons of rice until February 28, 2014 in the
FY 2013-14 (July 2013 - June 2014). All the imports are by the private
sector and the government says it will not import any rice in this fiscal year.
The country imported only 18,100 tons of rice during the same period in the
FY 2012-13, of which about 20% of rice was imported by the government
while the remaining was imported by the private sector.
Data from Bangladesh's Customs Department branch in Benapole district of
Jessore state shows that the private importers imported 80% of the rice
from India. "Imported rice is coming in polyethylene bags. But maize and
wheat are being imported in jute sacks," said Assistant Commissioner at
Benapole Customs. He confirmed that the government has not specified

19. whether rice should be imported in jute sacks. Benapole is the main land
port for trade with India.
Tags:
Bangladesh rice prices
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Nigeria Rice Sector Stakeholders Resolve to Stop Rice
Smuggling
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Mar 05, 2014
The Rice Millers, Importers and Distributors’ Association of Nigeria
(RIMIDAN), along with rice distributors, importers and security agencies in
Nigeria have resolved to stop rice smuggling into the country.
According to local sources, RIMIDAN and other stakeholders have issued a
communiqué about sanitizing Nigeria's rice sector. The communiqué also
resolves to alert government agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service,
special fraud unit of Nigeria Police, and the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) about activities involving smuggling of rice.
The stakeholders of the rice sector in Nigeria met in Lagos recently to find
ways to stop rice smuggling through land borders, particularly from the
borders of Republic of Benin. They have resolved to ensure that every issue
related to rice policy such as high tariffs, improved value chain and boosting
food sufficiency under the Federal Government's agricultural agenda would
be taken to the government's notice and would be dealt with in a more
transparent manner.
"Federal Government had assured that it would soon resolve every
contentious issue in the rice business in order to boost the economy and
make those in the sector to survive," says the President of RIMIDAN. “We
want zero-tolerance on rice smuggling. The leadership of the distributors are
ready to work with us, importers can now import legally, while millers and
rice farmers should fully be back to business,” he adds.
Rice smuggling is causing several billions of revenue losses to the Federal
Government. The government has given a mandate to RIMIDAN and other

20. stakeholders to take appropriate steps to combat smuggling. The
stakeholders have agreed to work together to make the country's rice sector
more competitive.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is planning to ban rice imports from 2015
to encourage domestic production. Currently, Nigeria produces around 2.8
million tons of rice and imports around 3 million tons of rice annually. The
country’s annual rice consumption needs are at around 6 million tons,
according to the USDA.
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Nigeria rice smuggling
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Philippines under pressure over
high rice prices
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RICE PRICES in the Philippines have risen for six straight
weeks, piling pressure on the government to import more of
the national staple to stabilize markets and curb inflation
already at two-year highs.
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21. While bumper harvests in other countries have stoked a global rice
glut, prices in the Philippines have climbed around 4% in the last three
months after super typhoon Haiyan devastated key growing regions
and as the government clamps down on smugglers looking to avoid
hefty taxes.
proposed
Release of rice import halted
Increased purchases by the Philippines, one of the world’s largest rice
buyers, would help ease global oversupply, with Vietnam and Thailand
likely to bid aggressively for any new deal from their Southeast Asian neighbor.
National Food Authority (NFA) spokesman Rex C. Estoperez confirmed reports that Manila has since late
January doubled the amount of rice being released into markets from stockpiles most days, looking to curb
price gains.
"Private traders are running out of stocks, that’s why we have released [more] rice into the market from our
warehouses," he said.
That has further drained NFA stocks that had dwindled to around 275,000 tons at the start of the year -equivalent to eight days’ worth of consumption, nearly half normal levels. Figures for January are due to be
released next week.
The US Department of Agriculture has already said it expects Philippine imports to hit 1.4 million tons in
2014, which would be the highest in four years. The country has yet to confirm any purchases beyond
500,000 tons it bought from Vietnam in a government-to-government deal in November. Vietnam, the
world’s second-biggest rice exporter after India, is traditionally the Philippines’ biggest supplier as it usually
offers cheaper rice.
For Thailand, a deal to sell rice to the Philippines would help offload some of its huge reserves and raise
much-needed money to pay farmers that participated in a controversial subsidy scheme.
The average retail price of well-milled rice in the Philippines rose a further 1.2% in February from the
previous month to P40.12 per kg, and was up 13.7% from a year ago, data from the Bureau of Agricultural
Statistics showed on Tuesday.
Mr. Estoperez said the NFA had doubled the rice allocated each day to government accredited outlets to
2,500 kg per location. Details on the number of accredited outlets in the Philippines were not immediately
available.
He also noted that government moves to crack down on smugglers had pushed prices higher. Philippines’
customs have been on a drive to curb smuggling that has been rife as some importers look to avoid a
whopping 40% duty on private shipments of rice and to get around a quota system.
Critics have long argued the tariff should be reduced to encourage legal imports, but President Benigno S. C.
Aquino III’s government says it is necessary to support local farmers. -- Reuters