Russia to cut wheat prices for replenishing state stocks.

Russia Agriculture Ministry has proposed cutting wheat prices for its restocking programme in the 2017/18 marketing year which starts on July1, signalling stronger competition in the domestic market. The ministry has 4 million tonnes of grains in state stocks, buys grain on the domestic market every year as interventions. it would offer 10,300 roubles ($183) for a tonne of third-class wheat in the domestic market during the 2017/18 year, compared with 10,900 roubles in the current programme. Domestic price has been declining in and expected to come under further pressure due partly to a Russian dispute with Turkey over agricultural trade and to the need for Russian farmers to offload their stock before the new crop hits the market in the summer.

Western Canadian wheat bids seen softening.

Spring wheat bids in Western Canada were lower during the week ended March 24, as favourable weather in the U.S. Plains and large world supplies weighed on the market. Average Canada Western Red Spring wheat prices were down $4-$5 per tonne across the Prairie provinces. Average durum prices were mostly lower, with bids in southern Alberta, up by 25 cents, being the lone exception. Bids in Saskatchewan were steady to down $2 per tonne, to range from $260 to $263.

NCDEX wheat fall as supply seen rising in spot.

Futures contracts of wheat fell on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange today due to expectation of a rise in supply in coming days. Arrivals of wheat usually peak in April when crop is harvested in most states. In Indore, about 40,000 bags (1bag=100kg) of wheat arrived and in Kota market, arrivals were at 60,000-70,000 bags.

Rice basmati edges up due to increase in demand.

Rice basmati prices firmed up at the wholesale grains market following pick-up in demand. Pick-up in demand from retailers against restricted supplies from producing regions, mainly led to the rise in rice basmati prices.

Philippine farm minister says likely no need to import 250,000 T of rice.

Philippine farm minister expects a bumper rice harvest this planting season, potentially meaning there is no urgent need for the state grains buyer to import 250,000 tonnes of the staple food as planned. The National Food Authority has been looking to import 250,000 tonnes of rice, and wanted the cargo to arrive by end-April to boost thinning stocks ahead of the lean domestic harvest season beginning July.

Jan-Mar recovery may lift India FY17 non-basmati rice exports 3-5%.

Despite a fall in Apr-Jan, India non-basmati rice export growth may end in the positive territory in 2016-17 (Apr-Mar) due to a pickup in demand since January. The fall in export of non-basmati rice had narrowed to 2.6% in Apr-Jan from 6.5% in the first nine months of the current fiscal. Exports of non-basmati rice have picked up in last two months and overall exports are likely to be 3-5% higher than the previous year. The rise in exports may be due to higher output, growth in demand from African countries, and a rise in prices of basmati rice, market. In the previous year, India had exported 6.37 million tonnes of non-basmati rice, and in Apr-Jan 2016 the exports were at 5.21 million tonnes. India estimated to have produced 102.6 million tonnes of non-basmati rice in 2016-17 (Jul-Jun), up from 96.4 million tonnes a year ago.

Dairy body buys 4,500 tn de-oiled rice bran.

National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India bought 4,500 tonnes of de-oiled rice bran in three lots through an online auction. The dairy body also bought 200 tonnes of polished rice through the auction. Both purchases were made on behalf of the Karnataka Milk Federation. The National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India, which has nearly 200 dairy cooperatives as its members, has developed an online trading platform to purchase feed stock and sell dairy products.

ICRA sees India FY17 basmati exports largely unchanged at 4 million tonnes.

India exports of basmati rice are likely to be around 4 million tonnes in the current financial year that slightly down from 4.04 million tonnes last year. The country exported 3.25 million tonnes in Apr-Jan, down 5.3% on year. Demand from Iran has the potential to provide a fillip to India exports. Average realisations from exports for the current fiscal are likely to be lower at 210 billion rupees, against 227.2 billion in the previous year Prices of basmati rice rise by 20-25% during the recent three-month procurement season that ended December, due to lower supplies and firm demand. Output of basmati in India is estimated to have fallen 23% on year to 6.2 million tonnes in 2016-17 (Jul-Jun), due to a significant reduction in acre. Basmati rice exports is likely to grow to Rs 22,000-22,500 crore and volume to around 4.09 million tonne mainly supported by an increase in average realisations in FY18.

Wheat Tax Would not stopped Imports to Southern India, said Millers.

Flour millers in South India will continue importing wheat from Australia and the Black Sea region even with the 10% duty imposed this week as its cheaper than locally grown supplies. Imports may reach as much as 2 million tonnes in 2017-18 with 80 to 85% likely coming from Australia and the remainder from the Black Sea. Importers will initially try to sell 250,000 tonnes to 300,000 tonnes of wheat stored near Tuticorin Port in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. India is seeking to rebuild stockpiles that plunged 44% in March from a year earlier to 9.43 million tonnes. India has been purchasing high-protein grain from Australia, Russia and Ukraine.

Japan seeks to buy 120,000 tonne feed wheat via tender.

Japan Ministry of Agriculture said it would buy 120,000 tonnes of feed wheat to be loaded by July31 and arrive in Japan by Sept. 29, via a simultaneous buy and sell auction that will be held on April5. The tender is usually conducted weekly, but the ministry skipped the tender this week due to an adjustment at the end of the fiscal year that will end on March31. Japan buys and sells its feed wheat via simultaneous buy and sell auction, in which end-users and importers specify the origin, price and quantity of grain, allowing millers to meet their varied needs for the feed grain.