14th october,2013 daily rice e newsletter (oryza global rice newsletter) shared by riceplus magazine

14th October , 2013

TOP Contents - Tailored for YOU Latest News Headlines…

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 Colombia Awards 17,555 Ton Export License to U.S.  Oryza Rice Currency Analysis for Today – India Rupee Up 0.5%  Thailand Proposes Rice-Railway Systems Barter with China  Japan Awards 57,000 Tons of Rice Tender  Oryza Overnight Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Open Lower, Traders Miss USDA Monthly Crop Report  Egypt Government Increases Rice Purchase Prices; Export Ban Continues  China to Import One Million Tons of Thailand Rice Over 5 Years  India Main Rice Crop Planting Area Reaches 37.9 Million Hectares; Up 2% from Last Year  India Rice Stocks in Central Pool Stand at 23 Million Tons; Down 1.5% from Last Year Pakistan Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes; Other Asia Rice Quotes UnchangedOryza Quick Glance at World News Oryza White Rice Index Bounces Off $450 per Ton; What If India Vanishes from the Rice Export Market?

Thailand Government to Sell 150,000 Tons of Rice on Local Exchange on October 16, 2013 Rice Crop Partly Under Threat from Cyclone Phailin

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Oryza Afternoon Recap – Rough Rice Futures Decline on Inside Day Colombian Artist Creates Ethereal Scenes on Japanese Rice Paper GM rice opponents wicked, says minister Owen Paterson Rising output, foreign sale of coarse rice Next biotech crops include apple, rice Telangana stir stalls plan to cut rice sourcing from dealers

NEWs Details: Colombia Awards 17,555 Ton Export License to U.S. Oct 11, 2013

Colombia awarded export licenses for 17,555 tons of rice to a U.S. exporter, the results of its 1 October Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ). The cost of the export license was $172.27 per ton and the rice must be shipped October 15 to December 31 2013.

Tags: Colombia rice imports

Oryza Rice Currency Analysis for Today – India Rupee Up 0.5% Oct 11, 2013

U.S. dollar index was down -0.04% from the open today, when it traded at 80.384 at the close.

Euro was +0.21% higher today by the close, trading around 1.3549 by end of day, after trading between an intraday high of 1.3582 and low of 1.3518. The market is growing concerned the situation in Washington is worsening.

Thai baht was stronger +0.13%, trading at 31.300 at the close of business.

Indian rupee was +0.46% stronger at 61.0800.

Brazilian real was +0.03% stronger than the open at today’s close, when it ended at 2.1796 reais per dollar.

Pakistan rupee was -0.07% weaker at the close, trading at 106.1800.

Vietnamese dong was unchanged at 21100.

Mexican peso was +0.70% stronger today, when it traded at 13.0072 pesos per dollar by the close of business today.

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Chinese yuan was weaker -0.04% at 6.1185.

Argentine peso was -0.04% weaker at 5.8318 pesos per dollar.

Tags: foreign exchange rates

Thailand Proposes Rice-Railway Systems Barter with China Oct 11, 2013

The Thailand government has proposed to have a barter system with China which will allow Thailand to export rice to China in exchange for development of railway systems in Thailand by China.Thailand and China are currently working on a railway project to connect Yunnan Province in China to Laos and Thailand. The Thai government wants to provide rice to China, currently the world's largest rice importer, in exchange for development of railway systems in Thailand.The proposed barter system with China will help Thailand sell surplus stocks of around 15 million tons in its stockpile and earn regular money to fund its rice mortgage program. The move will also protect Thailand's rice exports from the volatility of its baht currency against the U.S. dollar.

China is expected to import around 3.5 million tons this year, mostly from Vietnam and Pakistan due to low prices. Thailand rice prices started declining sharply since July and expected to hit rock bottom in November when main crop rice harvest peaks. Recently, the Thai government claimed that China has agreed to buy about 1.2 million tons of rice in a government-to-government deal, but China has so far not confirmed the agreement.The cost of shipping iron ore, coal, and grains along China's coast rose to an 18-month high as surging imports of commodities has pushed demand higher for dry bulk ocean vessels.

Tags: Thailand rice exports 2013, China rice imports

Japan Awards 57,000 Tons of Rice Tender Oct 11, 2013

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has awarded 57,000 tons of rice in the October 11, 201 tender under the Minimum Access quota as part of World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments.

The awards included 19,000 tons of Thai long grain rice, 26,000 tons of US medium grain rice and 12,000 tons of Australian medium grain rice. This for the first time this year that Japan has awarded a tender for Australian rice.

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The delivery of long grain rice is expected to take place between November 20, 2013 and December 331, 2013, and of medium grain rice between November 25, 2013 and December 25, 2013.

According to trade sources, the MAFF received 26 offers for a total of 165,000 tons in the long grain quota and 20 offers for a total of 253,000 tons in the medium grain quota. Japan is expected to import around 682,000 tons of rice under WTO commitments, and has awarded tenders for 161,400 tons of rice so far.

Tags: japan rice imports

Oryza Overnight Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures Open Lower, Traders Miss USDA Monthly Crop Report Oct 11, 2013

Chicago rough rice futures for November delivery are trading lower by about 3.5 cents per cwt (about $0.77 per ton) at about 15.195 per cwt (about $335 per ton) as of 9.30 am Chicago time. The other grains are seen mostly lower: soybeans are trading lower by about 16.8 cents (about $3.7 per ton), corn is trading lower by about 4.5 cents (about $1 per ton) and wheat is trading higher by about 2 cents (about $0.44 per ton).The USDA postponed publishing its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, due today, because of the government shutdown. This is perhaps the first time in 40 years that traders and farmers missed the USDA report.U.S. stocks opened slightly lower today, even as U.S. lawmakers seemed to be moving closer to a budget deal before the debt ceiling deadline is reached next week. At the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.02%, the S&P 500 index fell 0.10%, while the Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.09%. In other commodities market, crude oil futures are trading lower by about 1.11 points, gold futures are trading lower by about 30.5 points and U.S. dollar is trading mixed against major currencies at 10.00 am Chicago time.

Tags: chicago rough rice futures

Egypt Government Increases Rice Purchase Prices; Export Ban Continues Oct 11, 2013

Egypt's General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) will pay higher prices for purchase of 220,000 tons of milled white rice from Egyptian farmers and millers to implement the government food subsidy program for November and December 2013.According to local sources, the GASC will pay around $405 - $421 per ton in domestic tenders this month, up about $8 - $18 per ton from around $397-$403 per ton paid for the purchase of 111,000 tons of rice in tenders awarded on September 19, 2013. Farmers had expressed disappointment at low prices in September and had urged the government to increase purchase prices to help them recover increasing production costs. However, the new prices are still down about $50 per ton or around 11% from around $470 per ton paid in the August tender.Meanwhile, local sources also say that the Egypt government has decided to continue the rice export ban it had put in place in May 2013 until the harvest season in September – October to control rice prices. Sources say that the government continued the ban to ensure rice supply for the

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implementation of the food subsidy program under which around 100,000 tons of rice is required per month.Egypt’s milled rice production is estimated to reach around 5.2 million tons in 2013-14, against a consumption of around 4 million tons, according to the USDA. Tags: Egypt rice export ban

China to Import One Million Tons of Thailand Rice Over 5 Years Oct 11, 2013

China’s state-run food processing company, COFCO Corporation, has agreed to import one million tons of rice from Thailand over the next five years.

China will import around 200,000 tons of white rice, jasmine rice and glutinous rice annually, and private Thai rice exporters will sell the rice directly to COFCO. Prices are not finalized, but representatives of the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) tell local sources that the deal is estimated at around $750 million considering average prices of around $750 per ton. The first delivery is expected to take place next year.

Meanwhile, local reports say that the claim by the Thai Commerce Minister that China has agreed to import around 1.2 million tons of rice from Thailand under a government-to-government deal is false.

China is the world’s largest rice importer with a requirement of around 3.5 million tons in 2013. Thailand is targeting around 8 million tons of rice exports annually. Last year, Thailand’s rice exports plunged to around 7 million tons, down almost 35% from around 10.6 million tons exported in the previous year.

Tags: China rice imports, Thailand rice exports

India Main Rice Crop Planting Area Reaches 37.9 Million Hectares; Up 2% from Last Year Oct 11, 2013

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Area under India’s main (Kharif) rice crop planting has advanced to around 37.9 million hectares so far, up about 2% from around 37.3 million hectares recorded during the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Total Kharif crop planting (including rice and other crops) area in India stands at around 104.9 million hectares, up about 4% from around 100.5 million hectares recorded during this time last year.

Tags: India rice planting area

India Rice Stocks in Central Pool Stand at 23 Million Tons; Down 1.5% from Last Year

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Oct 11, 2013

India’s rice stocks in the central pool as of October 1, 2013 have declined to around 23 million tons (including milled equivalent of around 6.13 million tons of paddy), the lowest monthly levels so far this year and down about 1.5% from October 1, 2012, according to data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Month-on-month, India's rice stocks in the central pool are down about 13.5% from around 26.6 million tons recorded on September 1, 2013. However, current rice stocks are more than three times the required buffer and strategic reserve norms of around 7.2 million tons for this time of the year.

Total food grain stocks (including rice) with FCI stand at around 57.46 million tons as of October 1, 2013, down about 12% from last month and down about 14% from the same period last year. Wheat stocks as of

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October 1, 2013 stand at 36.1 million tons, down about 6% from last month and down about 16% from last year.

Tags: India rice stocks

Pakistan Rice Sellers Lower Some of Their Quotes; Other Asia Rice Quotes Unchanged Oct 11, 2013

Pakistan rice sellers lowered their quotes for 100% broken rice by about $15 per ton to about $320 - $330 per ton today. Other Asia rice sellers kept their quotes mostly unchanged.

5% Broken Rice Thai 5% rice is quoted around $405 - $415 per ton, about a $25 per ton premium over Viet 5% rice (of summerautumn crop 2013) shown around $380 - $390 per ton.

Indian 5% rice is quoted around $415 - $425 per ton, about a $35 per ton premium over Pak 5% rice (of new crop) quoted around $380 - $390 per ton.

25% Broken Rice Thai 25% rice is quoted about $390 - $400 per ton, about a $35 per ton premium over Viet 25% rice (of summer-autumn crop 2013) shown around $355 - $365 per ton.

Indian 25% rice is quoted about $370 - $380 per ton, about a $35 per ton premium over Pak 25% rice (of new crop) quoted around $335 - $345 per ton.

Parboiled Rice Thai parboiled rice is quoted around $425 - $435 per ton.

Indian parboiled rice is quoted around $400 - $410 per ton, about a $20 per ton discount to Pak parboiled rice (of new crop) quoted around $420 - $430 per ton.

100% Broken Rice Thai broken rice, A1 Super, is quoted around $370 - $380 per ton, about a $25 per ton premium over Viet broken rice (of summer-autumn crop 2013) shown around $345 - $355 per ton.

Indian broken sortexed rice is quoted about $310 - $320 per ton, about a $10 per ton discount to Pak broken sortexed rice (of new crop) quoted around $320 - $330 per ton, down about $15 per ton from yesterday.

Tags: Asia rice quotes, Thailand rice quotes, Pakistan rice quotes, Vietnam rice quotes, India rice quotes

Oryza Quick Glance at World News Oct 11, 2013

Financial Times – *The White House and Republicans held their first serious talks to resolve the fiscal impasse gripping Washington on Thursday. In this meeting, U.S. President Barack Obama did not immediately agree on a plan by

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House Republican leaders to extend the U.S. borrowing authority by six weeks presented at a late-afternoon meeting at the White House. However, Republicans leaving the meeting with Mr Obama described it as useful and constructive, and said further discussions would follow throughout the night. *Libya’s prime minister was freed from the clutches of militiamen on Thursday several hours after he was detained and whisked away from his residence, sparking panicked attempts to locate him. *The U.N. Security Council has given its backing to a plan to stabilize the Central African Republic, opening the door to a future peacekeeping mission amid mounting alarm that the French former colony has become a haven for terrorist groups. *Big banks and investors are preparing contingency plans to deal with the potential impact on the $5tn ―repo market‖ of the US government missing a payment on its bonds, even as Republicans propose a six-week reprieve for the debt ceiling limit. *Google funnelled €8.8 billion of royalty payments to Bermuda last year, a quarter more than in 2011, underlining the rapid expansion of a strategy that has saved the US internet group billions of dollars in tax. *Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, urged Britain to insist that Iran recognize Israel and ―stop calling for its annihilation‖ before London moves to restore full diplomatic ties with Tehran. *The White House is considering a plan to require 15.21 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel to be blended into motor fuels next year, well below the 18.15 billion mandate dictated by Congress, which would ease costs for oil refiners and cool demand for farmers’ corn. *Italy’s state-controlled Poste Italiane, the postal services group, has been tapped by the coalition government to acquire a stake in Alitalia in a last-ditch effort to avoid the national carrier going into bankruptcy for the second time in four years.

Wall Street Journal*India’s Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday expressed confidence in his country’s ability to deal with the expected slowing of U.S. Federal Reserve asset purchases, a move that buffeted the emerging markets earlier in the year, saying India will be prepared for it. *The EU plans to intensify its industrial cooperation with Brazil as part of its strategy for increasing business and trade in South America, European Commission Vice-President for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, said Thursday. *Pakistan's former president, Pervez Musharraf, was rearrested on Thursday over a new legal case, said his lawyer and police, hours after he was granted bail in three other cases. *India started assembling disaster-management teams and evacuating people in the low-lying areas of two states, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, on the eastern coast where a cyclone packing winds of 175-185 kilometers an hour is expected to make landfall this weekend. *South Korea said on Thursday it has indicted 100 people, including senior executives at state-run energy companies, on corruption charges, in the country's biggest-ever scandal over nuclear-reactor safety. *Power workers in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh were heading back to work late Thursday, the fourth day of strikes over the central government's decision to carve the region in two by forming a state called Telangana, as a tropical cyclone approached the area. *China on track to overtake the U.S. this year as the world's No. 1 buyer of oil from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the largely Middle Eastern energy-exporting bloc. China's OPEC-crude imports during this year's first half-averaged 3.7 million barrels a day, versus 3.5 million for the U.S., according to Wood Mackenzie, a consulting firm.

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*Federal officials are exploring ways to modify how the government releases sensitive economic data, in an effort to bring the system in line with fast-moving financial markets, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

New York Times*China's economic growth should exceed 7.5% this year, deputy central bank governor Yi Gang was quoted by Xinhua as saying, the latest expression of confidence from Beijing that the world's No. 2 economy is steadying. *Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer and perhaps the most popular player in the sport’s history, will retire next month. *Indian economic data in coming days will likely offer further evidence of weak growth and high inflation, complicating the central bank's mission of cooling prices without worsening the slowdown and adding to the government's difficulties as it heads into an election season, Reuters reported. *As President Hamid Karzai's brothers began a campaign this week to take power in war-shattered Afghanistan, they left open the prospect that the incumbent will be able to use family ties to remain in government after his second term ends next April. *Starbucks Corp plans to circulate petitions to customers across the U.S. urging lawmakers to reopen the partially closed government and avoid a looming default, the coffee chain's CEO Howard Schultz said on Thursday. *M. Scott Carpenter, whose flight into space in 1962 as the second American to orbit the Earth was marred by technical problems and ended with the nation waiting anxiously to see if he had survived a landing far from the target site, died on Thursday in Denver. He was 88 and one of the last two surviving astronauts of America’s original space program, Project Mercury.

Tags: World news

Oryza White Rice Index Bounces Off $450 per Ton; What If India Vanishes from the Rice Export Market?

Oct 11, 2013

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The Oryza White Rice Index, a weighted average of global white rice export quotes, finished the week at $454 per ton, up $2 per ton from a week ago, up $4 per ton from a month ago, and down $17 per ton from a year ago. The index seems to have found some support around $450 per ton, bouncing around that level in the last few weeks as Indian quotes have stabilized and Vietnam rice quotes rebounded this week.

Thailand quotes declined about $5-10 per ton this week with 5% broken rice shown today at $410 per ton. Thailand is no longer the most expensive origin with Indian 5% shown about $10 per ton above Thailand at $420 per ton, unchanged from last week. Vietnam and Pakistan aren’t far behind at $385 per ton, up $20 per ton and down $5 per ton from the previous week, respectively. Some analysts say the convergence of Asian quotes is usually a sign that prices have bottomed – the cheapest origins are no longer discounting indications so prices should recover.

Is that the case now? Helping Asian rice market sentiment is Thailand’s very modest memorandum of understanding to supply China with about one million tons of rice over five years. Also supportive for Asian rice prices is the threat of a cyclone in India which could threaten a significant portion of the rice crop

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there. This would be a game changer if it essentially removed India from the rice export market. While no one wishes such a disaster on the region or its people, this is just the sort of massive event needed to rescue Thailand from its own mortgage scheme, and lift Asian rice quotes off the floor.

One could argue that much of the slack in the Asian rice market could easily vanish. A look back over the last two years shows that most Asian rice export quotes have trended sideways with Thailand the exception falling from around $600 per ton to about $400 per ton for high quality white rice. The other major trend has been a steady increase in U.S. and South American rice quotes amid a diminishing carryover there as rice acreage failed to expand due to high soy, corn, and wheat prices. The U.S. is having one of the best crop years in a while in terms of quality and yield, and with other grain prices depressed, the next crop year could see a lot bigger acreage, though sellers may remain sticky on their price ideas.

If India’s presence on the rice market is hampered and Thailand’s quality compromised from the excess stocks accumulated under the rice mortgage scheme, the Americas may be able to command a strong premium, even if rice supplies rebound. Instead of global prices converging due to a decline in the Americas, Asia may be bouncing back to converge with the Americas.

Tags: Oryza White Rice Index (WRI)

Thailand Government to Sell 150,000 Tons of Rice on Local Exchange on October 16, 2013 Oct 11, 2013

The Thai government is planning to sell 150,000 tons of high-quality rice on the Agriculture Futures Exchange of Thailand on October 16, 2013. The intended sale will include 50,000 tons of premium-grade Jasmine rice and 100,000 tons of 5% broken white rice from the government rice stockpile, according to trade sources.

Tags: Thailand rice sales

India Rice Crop Partly Under Threat from Cyclone Phailin Oct 11, 2013

Rice production in eastern and central parts of India may be affected adversely by the impact of cyclone Phailin which is expected to make landfall on the south-eastern coast of India tomorrow.

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Weather experts say that the cyclone could be the worst in the region since 1999 when over 15,000 people died, and worse than hurricane Katrina that hit the U.S. in 2005 in terms of intensity. Wind speeds could reach up to 200-250 kilometers per hour upon landfall. Accompanying rains floods could destroy thousands of hectares of rice land in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh where the rice crop is almost ready for harvest.

All the four states are major rice growing states in India, accounting for around 30% of India’s total annual rice production. Local sources say India’s rice production could be severely affected if the cyclone intensifies into a Super Cyclone as some weather experts predict.

Tags: India rice production

Oryza Afternoon Recap – Rough Rice Futures Decline on Inside Day Oct 11, 2013

Chicago rough rice futures for November delivery settled 11.5 cents per cwt (about $2.50 per ton) lower at $15.115 per cwt (about $333 per ton). Rough rice futures decline today reversed most yesterday’s gains. The other grains also closed mostly lower today; soybeans finished the day about 1.7% at $12.6675 per bushel; wheat finished about 1% lower at $6.9225 per bushel; and corn finished the day about 1.1% lower at $4.3325 per bushel. President Barack Obama and congressional Republican leaders worked to end their fiscal impasse on Friday, but struggled to strike a deal on the details for a short-term reopening of the federal government and an increase in the U.S. debt limit.

Looking to the daily continuation chart of Chicago rough rice futures for November delivery, today’s session was an inside day with the high below yesterday’s high and the low above yesterday’s low. Today’s trading range is noted as $15.100-$15.140 per cwt (about $333-$334 per ton).

Tuesday, there were 481contracts traded, down from 1,334 contracts traded on Thursday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Thursday decreased by 356 contracts to 11,376.

Tags: chicago rough rice futures

Colombian Artist Creates Ethereal Scenes on Japanese Rice Paper

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Oct 11, 2013

Rice milk, rice vinegar, rice cereal, rice pudding – rice is a versatile grain with applications in multitude applications, and not only in food. The city of Xuancheng in China is famous for its rice paper mills, with the first paper mills known to exist as far back as 1127.Rice paper has been used for centuries in Asia and is usually made from rice straw or rice flour, although paper made from mulberries or hemp is sometimes referred to as rice paper. Paper’s absorbency is affected by the products used in its production, and thanks its ability to withstand rot and moths paper made from rice has ensured the preservation of centuries-old artwork. Rice paper has a distinctive texture and is sometimes slightly translucent – typically, the more rice that is used in the paper fibers (in relation to other plants), the more translucent the paper will be. The quality of the rice is also though to affect the quality of rice paper produced.One artist who sees value in the unique characteristics of rice paper is Maria Berrio. She uses Japanese rice paper and watercolors to create collages inspired by her youth in Colombia. Her scenes depict ethereal images evocative of a Colombian jungle, with tigers, parrots, butterflies, and flora alongside people.

She’s been working on the collection for over a year and hopes the images give viewers peace and shows them a world different from the hustle and bustle of city life. Berrio acknowledges being influenced by her childhood, her dreams, her culture, and fellow Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Berrio was born in Bogota, Colombia in 1982 but has lived in New York City since 2000, where she earned her BFA at Parsons School of Design in 2004 and her MFA at the School of Visual Arts in 2007. Her latest series of collages, ―Dream Gardens,‖ is currently on exhibit at the Praxis International Art Gallery in New York City.

Tags:

GM rice opponents wicked, says minister Owen Paterson Owen Paterson is known as a strong supporter of GM food technology

Opponents of the development of a type of genetically modified (GM) rice enriched with vitamin A are "wicked", the environment secretary has said.In an interview with the Independent, Owen Paterson said they could be condemning millions of people in the developing world to a premature death.Mr Paterson backed a letter from international

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scientists calling for the rapid development of "golden rice".But campaigners say the benefits claimed for the rice are misleading.

'Dark shadow'Mr Paterson told the newspaper: "It's just disgusting that little children are allowed to go blind and die because of a hang-up by a small number of people about this technology.

Owen Paterson's views on GM are well known and he has frequently cited the story of golden rice in his attempts to revive a public conversation about the subject.But despite his words and open support, the case for GM in Britain and in the European Union has recently been on the retreat.There are no commercial GM crops in Britain, and there is only one active field trial, currently being grown under tight security at Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire.The situation in the EU is even bleaker. Only two GM crops have been sanctioned for commercial planting - this year, Monsanto, has said it will no longer seek approval of its products across the Union.Mr Paterson says he wants to push the EU to have a debate based on reason and science - and he says "emotion" rather than "evidence" is putting people off GM products.But in categorising opponents of the technology as "wicked," Mr Paterson might be accused of resorting to emotive terms to make his point.

"I feel really strongly about it. I think what they do is absolutely wicked. There is no other word for it."Mr Paterson did not specify any particular groups in his interview but also said opponents of GM technology were "casting a dark shadow over attempts to feed the world".BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said Mr Paterson was known as a strong supporter of GM crops but his language seemed certain to raise hackles with those who took a different view.A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokeswoman said it was Mr Paterson's strong personal view.

'Cause for outrage' People in the developed usually world get enough vitamin A from their diet by eating foods like cheese, yoghurts and eggs.But deficiency is a common problem in developing countries, and is estimated to affect between 140 million and 250 million children under the age of five.Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin and eyes and to help strengthen the immune system so that the body can fight infections. Deficiency can lead to blindness, illness and death.Supplements are available and the World Health Organisation advocates routine administration of vitamin A in countries where deficiency is a problem.High doses of vitamin A can be harmful, however, particularly in pregnancy Meanwhile, in a letter to US journal Science, a group of leading academics has accused Western non-governmental organisations of fuelling opposition to the development of GM technologies.

They wrote: "If ever there was a clear-cut cause for outrage, it is the concerted campaign by Greenpeace and other non-governmental organisations, as well as by individuals, against golden rice."Environmental campaigners such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have said there are more effective solutions to vitamin A deficiency.

Mr Paterson also used the interview to defend the government's handling of the badger cull - aimed at preventing the spread of bovine TB - against criticism from animal welfare groups.He said: "I cannot

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understand anyone wanting to tolerate this disgusting disease."I find it incomprehensible that these badger groups don't see that this is a horrendous disease for the badgers themselves."

Rising output, foreign sale of coarse rice FROM INPAPERMAGZINE Updated 2013-10-14 11:40:17

The output of the non-Basmati varieties of rice that had fallen by 30 per cent to 2.5 million tonnes in marketing year 2010-11 after the super floods in July-September 2010 has made a quick comeback.

During 2013-14, combined production of Irri-6, Irri-9 and other nonBasmati varieties looks set to touch four-million-tonne mark, according to officials of Ministry of National Food Security and Research.―This 1.5 million tonnes increase in production is a result of three years of favourable market conditions for coarse rice, the most notable being a rise in domestic prices,‖ says a big rice grower based in Badin, Sindh. The bulk of coarse rice is grown in Sindh and southern Punjab and during the last three years, growers there have brought more lands under the crop, often at the cost of cotton or some minor crops.Larger production of coarse rice in the last three years has also pushed up its exports, rising from 2.56 million tonnes in FY11 to 2.68 million tonnes in FY12 and to 2.74 million tonnes in FY13.

Rice exporters believe that during the current fiscal year exports of non-Basmati rice would finally return to its pre-super-floods level of 3.04 million tonnes achieved in FY10. In the first two months of July-August, the exports volume has already risen 70 per cent year-on-year to 370,000 tonnes.―Exports of non-Basmati rice get into full swing from late October or beginning of November — a big increase before it is a sure sign we’re going to see huge growth in export volumes in the full fiscal year,‖ says a Karachi-based exporter of non-Basmati. ―Big output last year had coincided with a moderate increase in exports in terms of volume.

That had left huge carryover stocks. That’s why you see exports rising even in July-August when normally rice export volumes are supposed to remain static or show a nominal rise.‖Rice exporters say that Irri-6 alone constitutes about two-third of total exports of non-Basmati rice adding that more than 100 countries buy Pakistani coarse rice of various quality and grades.

Prominent among them are, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Mauritius, Sudan, Turkey, Tanzania, Yemen and the GCC member states.For Basmati growers it’s the per-unit price of output that matters most, but for non-Basmati growers volume is more important. In Sindh, growers who run short of cash to spend on

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cotton cultivation either get expensive loans from informal lenders or sell livestock.During the last three years big growers have started diversifying into cultivation of coarse rice as a hedge against a possible decline in cotton crop. As coarse rice sowing starts in March, when growers can well estimate their cotton output and thus calculate how much money they will make out of it, they have go for additional non-Basmati rice cultivation if they think this is a better option.An increase in prices, driven by export-led buying of coarse rice also serves as an incentive.In addition to larger buying for exports, lately coarse rice demand has increased in domestic market as well as food processing companies are mass-producing packed brand rice.

Basmati rice cultivation has suffered in recent years due to various factors including shortage of water.

Since non-Basmati varieties need lesser amount of water, this factor has also supported in their growth.―Besides, over the years, the country has been able to produce long-grain non-Basmati varieties that are in high demand in China and some African countries. The same is true for par-boiled rice with more nutritional value than simple grains,‖ says a former chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan. He points out that one big incentive for producers of non-Basmati rice is immense demand in China adding that in the past one-and-a-half year more than a million tonnes of rice has been exported to Chinese markets. ―In Far East countries, where people prefer short-grain high gluten rice, some Pakistani exporters have successfully captured a big market share. Indonesia is an example.‖Encouraged by demand for non-Basmati rice in foreign markets, researchers too have become more active in developing varieties that can be acceptable among foreign buyers. PSCIR, rice research institutes in Punjab and Sindh and even research wings at some agricultural universities are now focused on developing non-Basmati rice grains that are thick, long and aromatic. ―Future rice exports would probably be more centric on non-Basmati rather than Basmati because of two reasons,‖ says an official of Engro Foods. ―First, local consumption of Basmati is growing faster than we’d thought earlier and secondly, perennial shortage of water, high cost of inputs and disturbances in high altitude regions where Basmati is grown, particularly in KP are discouraging farmers.‖Another aspect of rice production and domestic marketing relates to springing up of hundreds of local super stores, on the lines of international chain of retail outlets. ―Now you find super stores operating not only in suburbs of Karachi like North Karachi and Malir but also in rural areas. They buy several varieties of non-Basmati rice, mix up one variety with another to develop a new grade, clean them and pack them in transparent plastic bags of one to five kg and sell at high prices,‖ says Farid Qureshi of Karachi Retail Grocers Group.

The launching, in 2010, of a rice processing plant of Engro in Muridke, Punjab, and subsequent opening of a chain of fair price outlets of rice produced there has triggered healthy competition in rice retailing business.The said plant has the capacity to buy 150,000 tonnes of paddy from growers and produce up to

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70,000 tonnes of Basmati. People associated with rice business say that a Karachi-based chain of super stores is currently exploring the possibility of setting up a similar plant in Sindh, as a joint venture with local or foreign investors, to process and sell non-Basmati rice varieties. —Mohiuddin Aazim

Next biotech crops include apple, rice Developer hopes apple that doesn't brown would cut waste, increase consumption GMOs at DuPont Pioneer explained: Jim Gaffney, DuPont Pioneer regulatory product strategy lead, explains about GMOs at Dupont Pioneer.

Written by

CHRISTOPHER DOERING Gannett Washington Bureau

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FILED UNDER Business:Agriculture

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Arctic golden delicious apple slices, bottom, compared to conventional golden delicious apple slices / Special to the Register

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Conventional rice, left, compared with vitamin A-fortified golden rice / Special to the Register

WASHINGTON — Neal Carter’s small Canadian company has spent nearly 15 years working on an apple that doesn’t brown when it’s cut or bruised, an invention the 56-year-old apple grower is hoping could help reverse the decline in consumption of the fruit.The company, Okanagan Specialty Fruits, is using genetic engineering to create an ―Arctic apple‖ that ―turns down‖ the expression of a gene, preventing the food from browning. The company says that will reduce food waste and increase consumption. Consumption of fresh apples has fallen from 19 pounds per person in 1980-81 to about 16 pounds per person in 2012-13, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.Many of the company’s shareholders are apple growers, said Carter, founder and president of the British Columbia-based firm. Part of the reason development has taken so long is ―we really wanted to make sure it all worked, and that it was stable and that it met our expectations as a product.‖ The apple varieties, which so far have not shown any safety issues, are expected to be approved by government regulators early next year, the company and industry officials said.Consumers would not begin eating the fruit until 2015 at the earliest.Wendy Brannen, director of consumer health and public relations at the U.S. Apple Association, said the industry group has shied away from endorsing the Arctic apple, instead leaving it up to the public to determine if it will succeed.―Consumers will really be the ones that decide and dictate their success on the market,‖ Brannen said.Schedule, stories and videos: Follow World Food Prize-related events all week at DesMoinesRegister.com/worldfoodprize Other crops coming

Developers hope the next generation of genetically modified foods will solve product-specific problems and help trees and plants withstand deadly diseases and pests. Researchers also are working to create foods with greater health benefits. Here are a few products in development: Golden rice

In the Philippines, the crop has a gene from corn and another from a bacterium that allow it to produce beta carotene, the source of vitamin A. The rice, which is awaiting approval by the Philippine government, is being developed by the International Rice Research Institute, a nonprofit group. Vandals have destroyed some plants.

Rosé pineapple

Del Monte Foods has received approval to begin testing a pineapple enriched with lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables that may help lower a person’s risk of getting cancer. The fruit, being developed in Costa Rica, has overexpressed a gene from pineapple and tangerine, silenced other genes, and altered flowering for more uniform growth and quality.

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High oleic soy oil

Monsanto has developed and started selling soybeans that provide oil enriched in the omega-3 fatty acid called stearidonic acid. The soybean oil has been included in salad dressing, beverages, snack bars and other products.

Johnston-based DuPont Pioneer has received government approval for Plenish high oleic soybeans that contain a zero trans fat oil and reduced saturated fat that can better withstand the heat of commercial fryers for longer periods. The oil has been in testing and will be sold on a larger commercial scale to the food industry starting in 2014. The company has contracts with processors and growers to plant the crop in the United States.

Potatoes

Genetically engineered potato plants express various traits, including one that decreases acrylamide, a carcinogen created when starchy foods are baked, roasted, fried or toasted. The J.R. Simplot Co. in Idaho has asked the USDA to approve the potato, which will include Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank and Atlantic varieties.

Trees

Orange, banana, chestnut and elm trees are being engineered to withstand deadly diseases and pests that have killed the trees or damaged their fruits.

Telangana stir stalls plan to cut rice sourcing from dealers Dipak Kumar Dash, TNN | Oct 14, 2013, 05.58 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The government has decided to put on hold the proposal to drastically reduce the quantity of rice to be procured by states in the wake of the strife in Andhra Pradesh because ofthe Telangana crisis.

The food and consumer affairs ministry had been pushing for a major reduction -- from 30%-75% to just 25% -- in the amount of rice states would procure from millers and dealers at minimum support price (MSP) during the current crop year beginning in October. Though four major rice producing states - Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Uttarakhand - had opposed the move earlier, the decision to defer it for one year was taken last weekend.

In case the quantum of levy rice is reduced, state agencies have to procure more from farmers. Sources said Andhra Pradesh said that because of the ongoing crisis after bifurcation of the state, the government was not in a position to expand its network for larger procurement of paddy from mandis. Moreover, it was difficult for state agencies to get enough gunny bags. So, it sought the proposal to be deferred.

At present, states are allowed to issue levy order on the produce by rice mills since they are authorized to buy paddy from farmers at MSP. A portion of the rice that they produce goes to the state at the fixed price so that the governments can meet their requirement for public distribution.

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An official said while pro-farmer states like Haryana and Punjab have largely shifted to direct buying of paddy from farmers, others like Uttar Pradesh still prefer the ongoing system. UP had said it didn't have adequate mechanism for largescale paddy procurement from farmers directly. So, limiting the state levy to 25% would adversely impact the state.

Food ministry officials said the proposal to reduce state levy was aimed to address malpractices in some states. They said millers hardly pay MSP and that too in cheque and the share of rice that states get from mills is of inferior quality.

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