Paddy Procurement robust in chhattisgarh and odisha.

Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has stated that paddy procurement is already robust in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The procurement target from the eastern States by the end of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2017-18 is 155.93 Lakh MT. Presently, the figure stands at 53.65 Lakh MT for KMS. In consultation with the States it was decided to procure 330.00 lakh MT of wheat during Rabi Marketing Season 2017-18, which is considerably more in comparison with the last season actual procurement of 229.61 lakh MT. The State government decided to purchase 65 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the Kharif Marketing Season for year 2016-17. Chhattisgarh stood second in the country in Kharif season 2015-16 among a list of 18 states with targetted procurement of 36 lakh metric tonnes of paddy crop during 2015-16 as per information made available by the Central Government in that year where Punjab ranked first with paddy procurement target of 82 lakh metric tonnes.

Govt procures 28 million tonne wheat so far in FY18, up 24% on year.

The government has procured 28.0 million tonne of wheat so far in the 2017-18 (Apr-Mar) marketing year, up nearly 24% on year. In Madhya Pradesh, where 6.2 million tonne wheat has been purchased so far, the total procurement is likely at 7.0 million tonne against the target of 8.5 million tonne. In Uttar Pradesh, where the state government had set an ambitious target of 8.0 million tonne against the centre estimate of 3.0 million tonne, only 1.8 million tonne has been purchased so far. The government crossed its procurement target in Punjab where 11.6 million tonne has been bought so far, up 9.8% from a year ago. In Haryana, another major wheat producing state, 7.4 million tonne has been bought so far, up 10.1% on year and close to the target of 7.5 million tonne.

India wheat flat in spot markets.

Prices of wheat in the key wholesale markets were largely unchanged amid thin trade. Arrivals in Indore were pegged at 15,000 tonne (1bag=100kg), up from 14,000 bags. Arrivals are increasing as procurement by the government is nearing an end. The most-active June wheat contract on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange ended up 0.1% from the previous close.

Govt offer 4 million tonne wheat under open market sales scheme FY18.

The Centre is likely to allocate 4 million tonne of wheat for the open market sales scheme during the 2017-18 (Apr-Mar) marketing year. During 2016-17, the government sold 4.6 million tonne wheat across the country at a base price of 1,640 rupees per 100 kg compared to the initial plan of selling 6.5-7.5 million tonne. The quantum of wheat offered under the open market sale scheme is lower this year because of tight government stocks. Carryover stocks at the beginning of the season were at 7.4 million tonne, which when added to the expected procurement of 30 million tonne wheat this year will take total stocks in government reserves to 37.4 million tonne.

Purnea maize down on low demand for rain-hit crop.

Prices of maize in the key market of Purnea, Bihar, fell due to poor demand for the crop after recent rains in the region. Mill-quality maize was sold at around down 40 rupees from previous close. Recent heavy rains have hit the harvested crop lying in fields and led to higher moisture content in the grain. This had reduced demand. At around 5,000 tonne, arrivals were down compared with 9,000 tonne on previous close.

NCDEX maize futures up on concern over crop damage.

Futures contracts of maize on the NCDEX were trading higher due to concerns that rains in Bihar might damage the crop. The recent rainfall in the state is likely to damage the harvested crop lying in farms. In its third advanced estimate released last week, the government pegged India rabi maize output in 2016-17 (Jul-Jun) at 6.97 million tonne, slightly higher than 6.89 million tonne estimated earlier. Total production of maize in 2016-17 is pegged at 26.14 million tonne, slightly lower than 26.15 million tonne estimated earlier. Most active June contract of maize was trading up 0.8% from the previous close.

Maize prices up on strong demand and low arrivals on rains in Bihar.

Prices of maize were up in the key wholesale markets of Purnea, Bihar, because of strong demand for the coarse grain. Demand was high as rainfall in the state raised concerns of damage in the harvested maize crop lying in farms. In Purnea, the mill quality of the grain was sold up nearly 20 rupees from previous close. Prices of the poor-quality maize also rose by 10-20 rupees per 100 kg. Arrivals of maize in Purnea were estimated at 9,000 tonne, higher than 8,000 tonne on previous close.

Paddy distress sale in Jaleswar; Bengal traders make huge.

Despite adverse climatic condition, this agricultural district of Balasore has recorded bumper harvest of paddy this season. But farmers still resort to distress sale as the procurement process is yet to commence in this region. On the other hand, traders from West Bengal are set to make huge profit cashing in on the helplessness of the poor farmers. Though the government assessment has put the production at 50 quintals, some farmers have harvested more than 80 quintals per hectare. However, despite such bumper production, farmers are selling their produce at something around Rs 1,100 per quintal to traders of West Bengal against the government-fixed minimum support price of Rs 1,470 for fair average quality (FAQ) standard of paddy. It is not only paddy, farmers who have raised groundnuts, green gram and black gram, also suffer from distress sale.

Bangladesh rice crisis imminent after poor harvest.

Agriculture Ministry estimates say the average per hectare Boro production in Bangladesh is about 4 tonnes. The nation’s food supply is likely to face a threat from the loss of Boro production in the current season from early flash-floods in the Haor wetlands, as well as pest attacks on paddy crops across the country. Rice prices are already unusually high and market insiders fear that the worst is yet to come. The government is now scrambling to make a quick response and has agreed the first rice imports for six years, ordering 600,000 tonnes.Government rice reserve came down to 262,000 tonnes on May 7. In May, last year the reserve was about 678,000 tonnes. Traders are also have very little rice in reserve.

India rice unchanged in spot market.

Wholesale prices of rice were unchanged in major spot markets. The steam variety of basmati rice Pusa 1121 was sold at 6,800-6,900 rupees per 100 kg in Amritsar, while non-basmati variety Permal Raw sold for 2,900-3,000 rupees per 100 kg.

NCDEX coriander hits 3% lower cap on weak demand.

Futures contracts of coriander hit their 3% lower circuit on the NCDEX because of subdued demand from overseas buyers and the spice industry. A rise in arrivals also weighed on the prices. The most active June contract was down 3% on the NCDEX. Arrivals in Kota, the benchmark market, were at 13,000 bags (1bag=40kg) up from 10,000 bags on previous close. In Kota, the Badami variety and the Eagle variety both down 200 rupees from the previous trading day.

NCDEX Friday marks 5,150 tonne cotton oilcake for staggered delivery May.

The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange on Friday marked 5,150 tonne cottonseed oilcake, and 1,700 tonne mustard seed for staggered delivery in the May contract. The May derivative series will expire on May 19, Under the staggered delivery mechanism, sellers can indicate intention of delivery to the exchange during the tender period, which is 10 days before the contract expires.