26th february 2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice E-Newsletter February 26 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I

President Jokowi out to curb rice prices in markets Satria Sambijantoro and Linda Yulisman The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | February 26 2015 | 5:34 AM

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Rice concern: President Joko Widodo (center) speaks with (left to right) Social Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa, StateOwned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Coordinating Economic Minister Sofyan Djalil and Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel while inspecting the Bulog rice warehouse in Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, on Wednesday. During the visit, the President channeled rice to the poor (raskin) and launched the 2015 rice market operation to stabilize prices and ensure sufficient stockpiles for 2015.

(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama) The government officially launched Wednesday its first batch of 300,000 tons of cheap rice to provinces throughout the archipelago as part of its effort to curb the soaring price of rice.President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo himself led the launch of the fresh rice stocks priced between Rp 1,600 (12 US cents) and Rp 7,400 per kilogram at the State Logistics Agency‟s (Bulog) rice warehouse in Jakarta on Wednesday. Jokowi said that the recent surge in rice prices had gone haywire. This year, the price of rice already soared by around 30 percent, with current prices ranging between Rp 9,000 and Rp 12,000 per kilogram, subject to the rice‟s type and area in which it is distributed.

“We will boost the rice supply so that there will be no more supply shortage. We will provide the supply no matter what,” the President asserted. Rice is one among main triggers of inflation and price fluctuations given its role as the staple food of the 250 million people in Indonesia. The government, through Bulog, which is tasked with distributing rice and other food commodities throughout Indonesia to manage prices, has always tried to maintain the balance in the supply in order to keep the prices stable. During the so-called raskin (cheap rice for the poor) operation, the President also held a teleconference with Bulog executives in South Sumatra, West Java, East Java and Bali, who were all confident that there would be no hurdles in the distribution of the rice supply and assured people that they would soon see a decline in the price of rice.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla had earlier blamed the rice price increase on bottlenecks in the distribution of the cheap rice at regional levels, which he claimed were facing some “technical problems”.The raskin program had only distributed 140,000 tons of its initial target of 500,000 tons, thus causing a shortage in some areas, driving up rice prices.Meanwhile, Bulog‟s president director Lenny Sugihat said she would intensify coordination with local administrations to ensure that the new rice stock could be distributed successfully.Lenny also argued that her agency might not import rice from other countries if the domestic supply was already sufficient.Last year, the agency imported at least 425,000 tons of rice from Thailand and Vietnam to beef up its supply.“We are not talking about imports here; if the domestic rice supply is already adequate, then why should we import?” she said to reporters on Wednesday.

University of Lampung agricultural economist Bustanul Arifin noted that the irregular increase of the rice price was driven by the late harvest season, which would only fall between March and

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine June this year.The change of the market operation system carried out by Bulog, which now distributes rice through the mediation of third-party traders, also drove up rice prices.“The change of the system triggered [the price increase] as it affected stocks. I said that rice from Bulog should be channeled to markets and traders with stricter requirements,” Bustanul explained.Bustanul also called on the government to seriously investigate the alleged role of the “rice mafia” in the rice trade that had undermined the competitiveness of domestic business players benefiting from the high prices of rice, while suggesting severe punishment against them.

“If the trade minister has already found the indications, then he should not be worried about enforcing the law against the „players‟,” he said recently. http://m.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/02/26/president-jokowi-out-curb-rice-pricesmarkets.html#sthash.Qkb2PH2F.dpuf

Vietnam to store 1 mln tons rice for price curbing (GlobalPost/GlobalPost) Vietnam to store 1 mln tons rice for price curbing HANOI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese government is arranging temporary storage of one million ton of rice to curb the price, the Industry and Trade Information Center (VITIC) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said on its website on Thursday.Specifically, Vietnamese government has agreed with a proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the MoIT, the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and Vietnam Food Association to purchase one million ton of rice of winter-spring 2014-2015 crop from March 1 to April 15.Companies that join the proposal will be offered zero interest rates for loans to buy rice during maximum four months, said VITIC.Copyright 2014 Xinhua News Agency.Xinhua is China's state-run news agency.All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/150226/vietnam-store-1-mln-tons-riceprice-curbing

Mekong Delta authorities instructed to stockpile rice Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday told Mekong Delta authorities to purchase and stockpile one million tonnes of the winter-spring rice crop.Workers load rice for export at Sai Gon Port in HCM City. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked Mekong Delta authorities to buy and stockpile one million tonnes of rice (Photo: VNS) www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) was asked to direct commercial banks to offer loans for the purchase, with a six-month maturity to August 31.Interest rates will be wholly subsidised by the Government until June 30.The PM ordered the Ministry of Finance and the SBV to provide guidelines to carry out the Government's policies and allocate State financial sources to support the stockpiling.In collaboration with the People's Committees of centrally-run cities and provinces in the region, the Viet Nam Food Association will be responsible for allocating the rice to be purchased by each locality and also monitoring the process.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will closely supervise the programme and report to the PM. http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/National/2015/2/112808/

In 2015 Vietnam rice export decreased to 515 KMT 26.02.2015

According to Government estimate, Vietnam's rice exports in the first two months of 2015 decreased by 34.4% from a year ago level to 515 KMT.Revenue from rice export in JanuaryFebruary is estimated at $237 million (down 35.6% from the corresponding period last year). http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/in-2015-vietnam-rice-export-decreased-to-515-kmt

Government asks Food Corporation of India to withdraw procurement in Haryana and Punjab

By PTI | 26 Feb, 2015, 03.36PM IST FCI procures less than 50 per cent from Punjab, 25 per cent from Haryana out of total procurement in both the state.

ET SPECIAL:

NEW DELHI: The government has asked state- run FCI not to purchase foodgrains in states like Punjab and Haryana as the procurement system is fully developed there, Food Secretary Sudhir Kumar said today. Haryana has already agreed to the Centre's direction, while Punjab has asked withdrawal of procurement by Food Corporation of India (FCI) in a phased manner, he added. When asked about the progress made in

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine implementing recommendations of the Shanta Kumar-led FCI Restructuring panel, Kumar said: "We are examining the recommendations. Some can be implemented immediately. For some, we have to prepare a time schedule and some recommendations we cannot implement. " Listing out suggestions that have been already implemented, he said the government has taken a decision on the bonus and asked states not to announce it over and above the minimum support price. The government has also scrapped levy rice from the next season starting October. The levy rice is a mandatory system under which rice millers also undertake rice procurement for the public distribution system by buying paddy directly from the farmers. "We have also asked FCI to withdraw procurement in states where it is fully developed. Haryana has informed us to withdraw procurement, Punjab has said not to withdraw fully and do it in phased manner," Kumar told PTI in an interview. The procurement will be withdrawn in consultation with the state governments, he added. FCI procures less than 50 per cent from Punjab, 25 per cent from Haryana out of total procurement in both the state. Both states contribute 3/4th of the total procurement. On shifting procurement in eastern states like Bihar, the Secretary said: "The dialogue is on.

I cannot say we can start immediately. We accept this recommendation and intend to work on it.

It may take time for full implementation." While the panel has also suggested outsourcing procurement and storage of foodgrains, the FCI is holding consultations in this regard with stakeholders, he added. The eight-member panel -- which was set up in August 2014 under the chairmanship of BJP MP Shanta Kumar to recommend a complete overhaul of FCI -- had submitted its report last month. The Prime Minister had asked the Food Ministry to give its views on the report at the earliest.

Rice stockpiles to be cleared in 2 years Petchanet Pratruangkrai The Nation February 27, 2015 1:00 am Despite delaying a plan to release rice under an auction, the Commerce Ministry is confident it will be able to clear huge stocks within two years, said Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya.He said that the ministry planned to release up to 18 million tonnes of rice via auctions and negotiate with riceimport countries to receive huge amounts under government-to-government (G-to-G) contracts.The general said that Thailand had between 17-18 million tonnes stockpiled, and it recently negotiated to sell 2 million tonnes to China.

Although the ministry wanted to clear the warehouses, Chatchai said, the government would carefully consider all proposed contracts through the G-to-G and bidding processes to ensure transparency and prevent contracts defaulting.If any bidder were found have a suspect background, the ministry would not sell rice to that dealer.Under the plan to clear rice stocks, the ministry previously announced it aimed to sell about 10 million tonnes under many methods this year, including selling about one million tonnes via general auction each month.However, the ministry could sell only about 500,000 tonnes through an www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine auction in January, and will on March 6 open the second auction for one million tonnes after missing the February auction date.

Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said that the ministry had already sold more than two million tonnes of rice in the first two months of the year.Of those, she said about 1.5 million tonnes was sold under G-to-G contracts.She said that the government was confident of releasing rice amounts as planned because many traders were interested in joining the government's auctions due to the main harvest season ending.Moreover, she said that in August the ministry would release low-grade rice grain to the market to supply the manufacturing sector. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Rice-stockpiles-to-be-cleared-in-2-years-30254930.html

Rice pledging scheme costs 700 billion baht in damages Thursday, 26 February 2015

By NNT BANGKOK, 26 February 2015, A preliminary report has disclosed that the subsidy program cost the Kingdom 700 billion baht since its inception nine years ago. The report by the sub-committee on closing the account of the rice pledging scheme also suggested that a majority of the losses, or 536 billion baht, were incurred under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.Permanent-Secretary of Finance and President of the Subcommittee Rangsan Sriworasat indicated that the remaining 163 billion baht was lost through 11 other rice pledging projects under the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration.

Mr. Rangsan commented that losses at the end of fiscal 2014 in September were rather small- an increase of 18 billion baht- compared to the one calculated at the end of May 2014. He explained that the higher price of grains at the end of September helped cushion the expense.However, the Permanent-Secretary said there are significant differences between the reports of rice sales produced by the Department of Foreign Trade, the Department of Internal Trade, the Public Warehouse Organization, and Marketing Organization for Farmers.He said these reports will be reviewed within the week. Mr. Rangsan added that once the figures are confirmed, a comprehensive report on the matter will be produced and forwarded to the Ministry of Commerce and the Prime Minister. http://www.pattayamail.com/news/rice-pledging-scheme-costs-700-billion-baht-in-damages45301#sthash.P1R8KPYo.dpuf

Ten more rice firms for China trade after outcry

By Zaw Htike | Thursday, 26 February 2015

The Myanmar Rice Federation will accept invitations for ten more rice companies to receive permission to export rice to China after the first nine firms it selected were criticised for their lack of experience.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Myanmar Rice Federation joint secretary U Soe Tun said the decision to have a second round of firms came following a request from the Chinese government.China has quickly grown from being a marginal market for rice exports half a decade ago to today being Myanmar‟s most important rice buyer.

However, the trade has been illegal from Beijing‟s point of view, and negotiations are ongoing to legalise it.The decision to pre-select a handful of rice traders will allow Chinese authorities to more easily make sure the export rice meets their health standards. After legalising the trade, rice will be exported by the selected firms using ships to China‟s eastern seaboard along with the current method of shipping overland through Muse in northern Shan State.The Myanmar Rice Federation has come under criticism for the nine firms it selected to take part in the trade, drawing complaints in social media and from rival traders that several of the companies were unknowns with little track record in the industry.One leading rice trader told the Myanmar Times on condition of autonomy that after seeing the initial list, the Chinese side demanded inclusion from more companies with the capability to export large volumes of high quality rice to Myanmar.

“Some of the chosen companies have not even received business registrations,” he said.Over 100 local companies applied for rice export licences in January, but China had initially requested less than 10 firms receive licences.The first nine companies were MAPCO, Myanmar Rice Mill, FPR from the Myanmar Rice Traders Association, Golden Land East Asia, MRDC from Mandalay, a company from Yangon‟s Bayintnaung commodities market still to be formed, Ayer-Pathein company from Ayeyarwady Region, SPRDC formed by Muse traders and Rakhine Ethnic Rice Company.U Soe Tun said companies interested in the second round of bidding have until February 27 to submit their applications.“Criteria for the second round will be the same as the first,” he said.

Myanmar Rice Federation officials previously said they hope the official trade to China to start at the end of April or early May. The chosen companies must register, while having their rice tested and performance measured before the trade can officially begin.In 2013, Myanmar exported about 1.27 million tonnes of rice, of which about 0.747 million tonnes went to China. In 2010 the country exported about 0.489 million tonnes, of which 4000 tonnes went to China.State media reported last week that China‟s largest state-run grain-trading company COFCO signed a memorandum of understanding in February on purchasing Myanmar‟s rice exports, depending on approval from China‟s general administration of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine.There will also be a business matching event in March for Chinese and Myanmar firms, the report added. http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/13259-ten-more-rice-firms-for-china-trade-afteroutcry.html

India’s Rabi Crops Sowing Down by 4.14 Million Hectares 26 February 2015 INDIA - India‟s rabi crop sowing area coverage has recorded a negative growth at 61.79 million hectares as on February 20, 2015, registering a drop of 4.14 million hectares according to data released by directorate of economics and statistics, Indian agriculture ministry. During the same period last year, rabi www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine crops sowing area was recorded at 65.93 million tonnes, the data adds. Area under wheat sowing was down to 30.63 million hectares, as compared to 31.53 million tonnes sowed till the same period last year.

The area under sowing of total coarse cereals also registered a drop of 233,000 hectares at 5.77 million tonnes, against the last year‟s 6 million tonnes.Pulses sowing area were at 14.59 million hectares, while the last year‟s sowing area coverage was 16.22 million hectares, whereas, sowing area under total oilseeds was at 8.09 million hectares, as compared to 9.02 million hectares last year, as per the data.The area under sowing of rice was at 2.70 million hectares this year, hile the last year‟s figure was 3.15 million hectares.

http://www.thecropsite.com/news/17369/indias-rabi-crops-sowing-down-by-414-millionhectares/#sthash.ZrG2RW9X.dpuf

Rice boosts Ebro profits in 2014

By Dean Best | 26 February 2015

Ebro's North American pasta business came under pressure Spanish food group Ebro Foods saw profits rise in 2014, as higher earnings from its rice business offset a decline in profits from its pasta arm.Ebro booked a 14.2% rise in net income to EUR151.6m (US$172.3m), with net profit from continuing operations hitting EUR157m, up 11% on 2013.EBITDA increased 2% to EUR287.2m, surpassing the forecast Ebro set in October of EUR283m.Ebro said EBITDA from its rice business grew 8% to EUR149m. The division saw sales climb 4.6% to EUR1.14bn. The company said its Riviana business in the US recorded its highest yield since it joined the group in 2004. Its Thai subsidiary Herba Bangkok enjoyed record sales.Ebro's net turnover grew 8.4% to EUR2.12bn.Sales from Ebro's pasta business increased 12.5% to EUR1.03bn. However, EBITDA fell 4.4% to EUR146.3m due to a spike in durum wheat prices. Ebro said the cost of the commodity jumped 83% in Europe.The company insisted its Panzani business "achieved an outstanding performance" and recorded its "best growth in volume" in a decade.However, profits in North America were hit by the combination of durum wheat prices and "very fierce" competition. www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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FTAs do not work well for Pakistan Pakistan is said to have poorly negotiated three out of a total of four Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as imports from China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are rising faster than exports. Commerce Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir, who on a number of occasions said that in the past FTAs were not properly negotiated by the Commerce Ministry, is now readying himself to start negotiations with Turkey on an FTA recently agreed by the senior leadership of the two countries.The Commerce Minister himself played a role in convincing the Turkish leadership to sign an FTA with Pakistan.

Turkey had imposed extraordinary duty on Pakistani textile products due to which Pakistan's exports nose-dived from $900 million to $400 million and efforts made by Islamabad to bring exports to the level of 2011 remained fruitless.Giving details, the sources said though Pakistan's exports to China increased from a few million dollars to $2.5 billion - with yarn the highest export earner - yet Chinese imports soared to $8 billion. However, bilateral trade figures quoted

by China are far different from those cited by Islamabad.Officials in Commerce Ministry claim that Pakistan is facing a revenue loss of Rs 22 billion per annum due to a trade imbalance, adding that Islamabad could not reap the benefits of Margin of Preferences after China signed FTAs with other countries, especially ASEAN. Pakistan has requested China to open services sector for Pakistan for deeper linkages and greater market access to each other's markets. Commerce Ministry is also considering speeding up engagements in services sector and de-linking services from the goods negotiations.According to sources, Chinese investments in the Economic Corridor will be channeled through Pakistani banks. It is expected that current account deficit would curtail by 15-20 percent which would be an enormous achievement if an agreement is reached. A Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia has also failed to provide a level-playing field as trade balance remained in favour of Malaysia from day one. Pak- Malaysia trade volume which was in the range of$1.007 billion reached $2.66 billion a couple of years ago.During July-April 2012-13, Pakistan's exports stood at $0.20 billion against imports of $1.75 billion, totalling $1.95 billion which implies that trade balance was $1.55 billion in favour of Malaysia.

Main reasons for balance of trade in favour of Malaysia are imports of palm oil, rubber and timber. However, Malaysia is still unhappy with the volume of palm oil being imported by Pakistan, saying that its palm oil exports to Pakistan declined from 90 per cent to almost 50 per cent.Pakistan's exports to Sri Lanka dropped from $347.7 million in 2011 to $300.9 million in 2012. There was some improvement in the following year but it only went as high as $316.4 million whereas our imports from Sri Lanka remain well below $100 million. Sri Lanks has allocated Pakistan a duty-free quota of 6000 MT of Basmati rice and of potatoes of 1000 MT per

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine annum. However, Sri Lanka has raised concerns on a number of occasions on the quality of Pakistani Basmati rice.

Pakistan is a key importer of Sri Lankan tea.According to the private sector, although Pakistan had signed FTAs with Malaysia and Sri Lanka the quantum of garment imports of these countries is not significant; these markets are not providing any sizeable replacement for the EU and the US markets. Pakistan's major exports to Sri Lanka include woven cotton fabrics, cement, sugar, wheat and muslin, medicament mixtures, tubes and pipes of iron and steel, potatoes, rice, cotton yarn, and onions etc.Sri Lanka's major exports to Pakistan are vegetable products, natural rubber, fiberboard of wood, cashew nuts, coconuts, peppers and capsicum, tea, sewing thread, cereal straws, tyres and scrap of paper or paperboard, etc. In April 2014, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) announced tariff concessions on the import of 993 items from Sri Lanka under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). http://www.freshplaza.com/article/135835/FTAs-do-not-work-well-for-Pakistan

Pakistan is an emerging economic power: PM Nawaz Posted: February 26, 2015 - 110 PKT

KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the four-day 9th Expo Pakistan exhibition in Karachi on Thursday.

PM Nawaz while addressing the delegates at the Expo, said that Pakistan is an emerging economic power and the Expo is a representation of the countryâ€&#x;s industrial tradition.The PM said the fact that the Expo is being held in Karachi made it evident that the city holds great importance in the world of business.He went on to say that the Expo has successfully attracted the attention of several foreign investors and economic growth is the top priority of Pakistan.

He added that foreign countries and international companies will be provided facilitation for investments in the country.He also said that the Expo provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Pakistani products to the world.The PM further said that Pakistani Basmati rice is known worldwide for its unique quality.Regarding the textile industry, the PM said that Pakistan will boost exports to $26 billion by 2019.

He added that the grant of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status to Pakistan by the European Union (EU) was a huge achievement.PM Nawaz went on to say that a contract is in place for trade with South Africa.He also said that preferential trade agreements with Iran and Indonesia have been finalised.Regarding the energy crisis in the country, the PM said that the government is making the utmost efforts to resolve the issues. He added that the problem of electricity would hopefully be solved within the next three years.

He further said that speedy efforts were being made for the running of LNG and coal based power plants.The Expo 2015 has over 1000 delegates attending from 75 countries.The four day mega event is showcasing the largest collection of export merchandise and services including www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine textile, leather, agro food, readymade garments, jewellery, engineering, handicrafts, chemicals, surgical, sports goods, and pharmaceuticals.The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) expects to get export orders of over $1 billion from the Expo.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif is also attending.PM Nawaz reached Karachi today on a one-day visit to review the implementation of decisions by the Apex Committee and to inaugurate the Expo.According to sources, he is also likely to meet the family of late Justice Rana Bhagwandas to express his condolence.The PM is expected to chair a high level meeting at Governor House with provincial ministers. http://www.geo.tv/article-176392-Pakistan-is-an-emerging-economic-power-PM-Nawaz

Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 95,400 MT for 2014/2015 were down 3 percent from the previous week, but up 20 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales Highlights report. Increases were reported for Japan (48,200 MT), Mexico (16,200 MT), Saudi Arabia (8,100 MT), Haiti (7,400 MT), and Jordan (5,200 MT). Exports of 93,700 MT were up noticeably from the previous week and from the prior four-week average. The primary destinations were Mexico (38,200 MT), Colombia (27,500 MT), Haiti (20,900 MT), Jordan (2,200 MT), and Canada (1,500 MT). This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period February 13-19.

IPAB allows MP farmers to implead in basmati GI case India is a leading exporter of basmati. Rice export was worth Rs 29,300 crore in 2013-14 T E Narasimhan | Chennai February 25, 2015 Last Updated at 22:32 IST

The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) on Wednesday allowed New Darpan Social Welfare Society, an organisation representing farmers from Madhya Pradesh, to implead itself in the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for basmati rice in India.The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) asked for the Society‟s plea to be rejected. Its counsel argued they were in a hurry to register the GI for basmati and allowing the Society to implead would open the “flood gates”, as more and more people would try to implead, delaying the registration. www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine She said Apeda was defending the matter in hundreds of cases globally.Sanjay Gandhi, who appeared for the Society, said farmers in MP had been growing basmati for several decades by both traditional and new techniques. He argued if MP was not included in the GI, its farmers could not produce basmati.After hearing both sides, the IPAB bench of K N Basha, chairman, and Sanjeev Chaswal, technical member, said the plea from New Darpan showed it be a “just and necessary party to the proceedings�.India is a leading exporter of basmati. Rice export was Rs 29,300 crore in 2013-14. http://www.business-standard.com/home-page

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for February 26

Month

Price

Net Change

March 2015

$10.385

- $0.110

May 2015

$10.655

- $0.115

July 2015

$10.900

- $0.110

September 2015

$10.975

- $0.110

November 2015

$11.140

- $0.120

January 2016

$11.230

- $0.120

March 2016

$11.230

- $0.120

Rice is the new meat CNBC

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Americans are increasingly looking to add more protein to their diets, and rice protein is seen as an attractive alternative. Jane Wells speaks to the CEO of Axiom, the largest producer of plant-based proteins in the U.S.Published February 25th 2015, 9:03 am Listen to watch: http://www.nbcnews.com/watch/cnbc/rice-is-the-new-meat-404198467877

EQUITY ALERT: Rosen Law Firm Reminds Amira Nature Foods Ltd. Investors of Important Deadline in Class Action filed

by Firm – ANFI Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:56pm EST * Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

EQUITY ALERT: Rosen Law Firm Reminds Amira Nature Foods Ltd. Investors of Important Deadline in Class Action filed by Firm – ANFI

The Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights firm, reminds purchasers of Amira Nature Foods, Ltd. (NYSE:ANFI) (“Amira”) securities between September 27, 2012 and February 9, 2015, of the important April 13, 2015 lead plaintiff deadline in the class action lawsuit filed by the firm.

The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Amira investors under the federal securities laws.To join the Amira class action, go to the website at http://rosenlegal.com/cases-506.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. or Jonathan Horne, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or emailpkim@rosenlegal.com or jhorne@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

NO CLASS HAS YET BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE ABOVE ACTION. UNTIL A CLASS IS CERTIFIED, YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS YOU RETAIN ONE. YOU MAY ALSO REMAIN AN ABSENT CLASS MEMBER AND DO NOTHING AT THIS POINT. YOU MAY RETAIN COUNSEL OF YOUR CHOICE.The suit claims that throughout the Class Period: (a) according to Indian government export documents, Amira fraudulently overstated its Indian-produced basmati rice exports, thereby overstating revenues by at least 24% and 18.7% in FY 2013 and 2014, respectively; (b) Amira concealed that many of its counterparties are secretly related parties, including its largest customer, one of its largest suppliers, a potential counterparty to a $30 million transactions, and over a dozen others; and (c) Amira‟s CEO used company money to pay his own personal household expenses, including salaries for a personal house manager and a chef for his farmhouse.The lawsuit alleges that the truth was disclosed on two occasions, on April 3, 2013, causing its stock price to fall to $1.10 by April 5, or almost 20%, from its close on April 2, and on February 9, 2015, causing Amira‟s stock price to fall $3.45, or almost 26% from its previous close.A class action lawsuit has already www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine been filed. If you wish to join the litigation and recover your losses go to http://rosenlegal.com/cases-506.html or to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact, Phillip Kim, Esq., or Jonathan Horne, Esq., of The Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via e-mail at pkim@rosenlegal.com orjhorne@rosenlegal.com.

The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation.

Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. Jonathan Horne, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 34th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com jhorne@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com

Impressive Speakers, Positive Results at USA Rice Government Affairs Conference WASHINGTON, DC -- The USA Rice Federation's annual Government Affairs Conference concluded here yesterday after three days of meetings with legislators, regulators, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Environmental Protection Agency, the State Department's U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Representatives from all six rice producing states conducted more than 53 meetings on Capitol Hill with Congressmen, Senators, and legislative staff specializing in agriculture and trade issues, met with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, and shared rice priorities with staff at the Senate Agriculture Appropriations, Senate Finance, and House Ways & Means Committees.

Attendees also had question and answer sessions with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner Mike Taylor, and Dr. Susan Mayne, the newly installed Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at FDA.FAS Administrator Phil Karsting and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) addressed www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine the group's General Session and both took questions as well.Other events included the annual USA RiceDucks Unlimited Capitol Hill luncheon that drew both House and Senate officials, and PAC events for Senator Moran and Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR)."This was a very successful conference with participation from all corners of the industry," said USA Rice Federation Chairman Dow Brantley. "And as we heard one of the speakers say, as farmers, we can't just sit back and think, 'well the farm bill is passed for five years, we can just go back to farming.' That's not the world we live in anymore, we need to be engaged and stay active and informed."Below are photo highlights from the conference.

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LA rice producer John Owen and Senator Jerry Moran (r)

USA Rice CEO Betsy Ward and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

Chairman Dow Brantley (center) at the General Session

FDA's Mike Taylor and Susan Mayne (r)

Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA) meets with Louisiana members

Rep. Rick Crawford and AR rice farmer Steve Orlicek

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

House Ag Committee's Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Mike Conaway (R-TX) address producers

At the USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited luncheon: CRC CEO Tim Johnson, Betsy Ward, and USDA Under Secretary Michael Scuse

Meeting with Senate Finance Committee

Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) (second from left) meets with Mississippi rice producers

Texas rice producers Linda and L.G. Raun talk trade with Rep. Randy Weber's (R-TX) staff

Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) receives USA Rice Industry Champion Award

Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) (center) entertains Missouri delegation

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Contact for Newsletter Advertisement mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell : +92 321 3692774