Rice

During the period under discussion, Pakistan has improved its rice exports as compared to previous corresponding period. The exports during the period July-June 2016-17 stood at 496,263 metric tons valuing at $453.441 million. Pakistan’s basmati rice have seen a considerable 19.14 percent growth in quantity exported as compared to the previous period. Collectively, 4.106 million tons rice worth $2.073 billion was exported in the last 12 months if the last financial year, however, 3.523 million tons of rice valuing $1.606 billion was recorded during the corresponding previous financial year. The overall growth of rice exports stood at 26.78 percent.

Rice production is forecast up by 3mn t to 491mn t in 2018-19, but a rise of 5mn t in global rice consumption to 493mn t places demand above supply, reducing ending stocks by 2mn t.

Despite setting a target to bring down by over one lakh hectares (lh) area under rice cultivation this year, Punjab has failed and acreage under the crop has already reached up to 29.57 lh and is likely touch 30 lh again. Last year, 30.07 lh area was cultivated under rice and this year department had proposed to bring it between 28-29 lh by diverting its area to cotton and monsoon maize crops. But lack of canal water during cotton sowing, increased MSP of assured paddy and poor rate of recently harvested ‘spring maize’ are the contributing factors to increase in area under rice. Till July 23, 2018, the area under rice (the cultivation of which was started on June 20), had reached to 29.57 lh out of which over 23 lh was dedicated under paddy rice (parmal rice) and remaining under basmati rice.

The price of high-quality rice in the country is increasing annually because of a decline in production. Myanmar people mainly consume high-quality Pawsan rice, which is grown in Ayeyarwady Region, and Shwe Bo Pawsan rice grown in Shwe Bo township of Sagaing Region. In 2014, a bag of Pawsan rice cost K29,000 (US$20). That rose to K35,000 in 2015 and K42,000 this year. That’s an increase of more than 44 percent over the four-year period. Meanwhile, the price of a bag of Shwe Bo Pawsan rice rose 58pc to K57,000 in 2018 over the same period.

A series of weather disturbances in the past few weeks have been delaying the delivery of 240,000 bags of imported rice from Thailand meant for Eastern Visayas region. The foreign vessel carrying 140,000 bags of Thai rice is stuck at Bacolod port for weeks and was unable to unload the allocation for Negros Island. The vessel was scheduled to arrive in the region two weeks ago. the cargo ship unloaded 25,000 bags out of 80,000 bags intended for Negros Island. If the weather improves, unloading of remaining 55,000 will be completed within a week. Another ship from Thailand carrying 100,000 bags is still taking shelter in the West Philippine Sea due to storm.

The Madhya Pradesh government has set a target of procuring 2.0 mln tn of paddy in the kharif marketing season in 2018-19 (Oct-Sep).

China has agreed to import rice from 14 of the 19 registered rice exporters from India, while the remaining five— mostly of basmati rice sellers — have been asked to improve storage and isolation facilities before applying afresh. China allows import of only basmati rice from India, but with this clearance, even non-basmati rice can be exported.

Farmers across the country have sown paddy across 15.65 mln ha this kharif season, down 12.4% on year. Paddy acreage was also below the average area of 17.94 mln ha for the period. The fall in acreage can be attributed to lower planting in top growers Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Punjab. Acreage in Punjab has declined as the state government is encouraging farmers to shift to coarse grains like maize from more water-intensive crops like paddy to check the fall in groundwater level.

About 4.106 million tons of rice worth US$ 2.073 billion were exported during 12 months of last financial year as compared the exports of 3.523 million tons valuing US$ 1.606 billion of the corresponding period of last years. The exports of the above-mentioned commodity had registered 26.78 per cent growth during the period under review.

Despite prediction of normal monsoon this year, things are not looking good as far as eastern and North-eastern parts of the country are concerned. Several parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, two main States of paddy crop, are facing drought-like situation due to shortage of rainfall. According to Agriculture Ministry data, compared to last year rice has been sown in 68 per cent less area in Bihar while UP has witnessed 35 per cent less area sowing under rice cultivation till date. Rain deficiency in Bihar is at 49 per cent whereas UP has recorded 48 per cent less rainfall in Eastern and Western parts.

IMD’s Agrimet division has advised paddy growers in central Narmada region of Madhya Pradesh to transplant 20 to 21-day-old saplings to fields. Agrimet has also asked the farmers to monitor paddy against the attack of blast and brown spots on leaves and spray fungicide. Between Jun 1-Jul 19, Madhya Pradesh has received 334.3 mm of rainfall, 10% above the normal weighted average of 302.6 mm.

IMD’s Agrimet has warned that present weather conditions in Madhya Pradesh are highly favourable for incidence of blast disease in paddy. Blast and brown spot on the paddy leaves indicate attack of blast disease, which needs to be addressed at earliest to avoid any damage. Farmers have been advised to keep an eye and spray pesticides if the infestation is spotted after spells of rain. Sowing of paddy in Madhya Pradesh, one of the largest growers, was at 869,000 ha, up 35% on year.