FCI sold 87,750 tn of wheat in 6th open market sale FY19.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

Food Corp of India sold 87,750 tn of wheat in the sixth round of auctions under the open market sales scheme for 2018-19 (Apr-Mar). The state-run agency had offered 2 mln tn of the grain at the auction. Food Corp of India holds wheat auctions for sale under the open market scheme, where bulk buyers like flour mills and bakery product manufacturers usually purchase. In Punjab and Haryana, most of the quantity was sold around the base rate of 1,900 rupees per 100 kg. In Madhya Pradesh, it was sold at 1,925 rupees. The agency had sold 95,450 tn of wheat in the fifth round of auctions that was held on Aug 16. For Jul-Sep, the government has fixed the base price for selling wheat under the open market sales scheme at 1,900 rupees per 100 kg. In wheat-producing states such as Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, the government holds auctions at the base price. In states that don’t produce wheat, an additional price equivalent to ex-Ludhiana freight is added to the base price. From this year, the government has decided to change its base price for wheat offered under the open market scheme on a quarterly basis, to factor in carrying costs. For Oct-Dec, the base price has been set at 1,925 rupees per 100 kg, and would increase by 25 rupees to 1,950 rupees per 100 kg.

Govt cuts 2017-18 potato output estimate by 3.6% to 48.5 mln tn.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

The government has cut its estimate for the country’s potato output for 2017-18 (Jul-Jun) to 48.5 mln tn, down 3.6% from 50.3 mln tn projected in May. According to the third advanced estimate released recently, potato output is seen falling a marginal 0.2% on year. The fall in potato output can be attributed to the decline in area under the vegetable. Potato was sown across 2.15 mln ha in 2017-18 compared with 2.18 mln ha a year ago. The government has, however, raised its estimate for onion output for 2017-18 to 22.1 mln tn from 21.8 mln tn pegged earlier. The estimate is still down 1.6% on year. In 2016-17, Indian farmers harvested 22.4 mln tn of onions. While the government has cut its estimate for total vegetable output to 179.7 mln tn from 182.0 mln tn projected in May, the output view is 0.9% higher on year. The estimate for total fruits output has been raised to 97.1 mln tn from 94.4 mln tn pegged earlier. It is also 4.5% higher on year. The government has revised downwards its projection for the combined output of the 17 items in the spices basket to 8.4 mln tn from 8.5 mln tn pegged earlier. For total horticulture crops, the government has lowered the output estimate for 2017-18 by 0.1% from its May estimate to 306.81 mln tn. Despite the lower estimate, horticulture output is still seen 2% higher than last year’s 300.64 mln tn.

Philippines set to purchase extra 132,000 T of rice.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

The Philippines will import an additional 132,000 tonnes of rice to boost stocks in southern provinces, where prices have surged in recent weeks amid limited supply. The plan approved by regulators includes the “immediate procurement” of 32,000 tons of the staple grain. The National Food Authority (NFA), the country’s food security agency that buys most of the country’s import requirements, will issue import permits for the balance of 100,000 tons after the usual bidding process.

Punjab plans to cut pesticides use in basmati rice.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

Basmati grown in Punjab this year is likely to witness a major reduction in use of pesticides and fungicides that lead to rejection of export consignments from India. Alarmed by hurdles in export of rice from India, the state government is reaching out to farmers through Gurugwaras, public meetings and social media to dissuade use of Acephate, Cabandazim, Thiamethoxam, Tricyclazole and Triazophos—chemicals responsible for higher residue level in rice.

Kharif paddy area tad dn on yr at 35.7 mln ha.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

Acreage under paddy crop across the country this kharif season was at 35.7 mln ha, down 0.7% on year. The area under paddy was, however, higher than the average 35.4 mln ha for the period. Also, the lag in acreage has reduced from 3% a fortnight ago. The slight fall in acreage can be attributed to lower sowing in key producing states of Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand, where weak monsoon rains hit planting. Paddy is a water-intensive crop and requires bountiful rains during sowing and transplantation of saplings from nursery to the fields. During Jun 1-Aug 26, the country received 633.1 mm rainfall, 7% below the normal weighted average of 678.1 mm, as per data from India Meteorological Department. Paddy sowing was also lower on year in Punjab at 3.04 mln ha as of Thursday. The Punjab government, along with rice millers, is working to create awareness among growers about pesticide-free rice. Rice millers have promised paddy growers in Punjab an additional 300-400 rupees per 100 kg if their produce is pesticide-free.

New crop moong enters market, prices 25% below MSP on high moisture.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

Arrivals of moong from the current kharif season have started in some parts of Maharashtra. Even at the higher end of the price range, the commodity is being sold at a whopping 25% discount to the minimum support price of 6,975 rupees per 100 kg for 2018-19. In Latur, a key market for pulses in Maharashtra, daily arrivals were at 2,000-2,500 bags (1 bag = 100 kg) in the last week, and it was sold at 4,200-5,200 rupees per 100 kg. Moisture levels in the new crop moong being sold were at 14-23%, compared with 16-18% a year ago. For procurement at minimum support price, the moisture content is fixed at 12%.

Kharif tur area unchanged on yr at 4.38 mln ha.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

India’s tur acreage was at 4.38 mln ha, largely unchanged from the previous year. Although area under tur fell by 4.2% on year in Maharashtra, the largest producer, and was 3.4% lower in Madhya Pradesh, another major grower of pulses, a rise in acreage under the pulse in the southern state of Karnataka has compensated for the loss. Area under tur in Karnataka as of Wednesday was up 16.5% on year at 966,000 ha as the state received good rainfall. During Jun 1-Aug 26, Karnataka received 657.6 mm rainfall, 1% above the normal weighted average of 650.1 mm.

Urad acreage down 13% YoY at 3.7 mln ha.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

Farmers in the country have sown urad across 3.7 mln ha this kharif season. In Madhya Pradesh, the largest grower of urad, the acreage was down 16.7% on year at 1.49 mln ha as farmers shifted to paddy and soybean as returns looked lucrative. For 2018-19 (Jul-Jun), the government has increased the minimum support price for paddy by up to 13% and for urad by 3.7%. Last year, many farmers opted for urad instead of soybean due to scattered rains and low realisations from the latter, which resulted in a jump in urad acreage.

Farm agency to sell urad, moong via NCDEX e-Mkts.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium has offered to sell 1,748.23 tn of urad and 248.50 tn of moong through NCDEX e-Markets. The pulses are stocked at various central and state godowns in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Maharashtra sends 50 tn tur dal to flood-hit Kerala.
Ram Gopal Yadav (6 years ago)

The Maharashtra government has sent 50 tn tur dal to Kerala which is witnessing the worst floods in a century that have left hundreds dead. State agriculture minister Chandrakant Patil flagged off the Netravati Express carrying the pulse. Other pulses, rice, cereals, dry fruits, and biscuits have also been sent to the flood-hit state.