Rice

China donates 12,173 tonnes of rice to Zimbabwe to assist vulnerable people that were affected by drought. Donated rice was expected to come in the country by June.

China donates Over 12,000 Tonnes of Rice to Zimbabwe.

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

Rice basmati extends gain on strong demand.

Philippine rice production in the first quarter expanded by 5.34 percent to 4.14 million metric tons (MMT), from the 3.93 MMT recorded in the same period last year. The increase in production could be attributed to good weather and the use of high-yielding hybrid rice seeds. A total of 4,142,960 MT was harvested from an area of 997,687 hectares in the first quarter, compared to only 3,932,292 MT, from a bigger area of 1,081,096 hectares during the same period in 2016. Mali (West Africa) expects 8% increase in rice output to 3 million tonne in 2017/18. Mali expects to increase its rice output to 3 million tonnes in the 2017/18 season, about 8% more than the previous crop. Mali (West Africa) is second biggest rice grower after Nigeria. The ministry showed 2.78 million tonnes of rice were produced in 2016/17. The forecast of three million would be over an area of 947,878 hectares cultivated.

Rice output up 5.34% in Philippine.

The country was looking to import 250,000 tonne of rice from Vietnam. Rice output in Philippine is seen higher because of favourable conditions and no infestation so far. Philippine is among the largest importers of rice, buying mostly from neighbours Thailand and Vietnam.

Philippine may review rice imports on larger crop.

Pakistan will send 10,000 metric tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka which is facing its worst drought in four decades. The first shipment of the consignment will depart from Pakistan on March31 and reach Sri Lanka on 3rd April. Earlier, 25 metric tonnes of rice was airlifted to Colombo on February8 as immediate short term assistance.

Pakistan sends rice for drought-hit Sri Lanka.

Rice prices firmed in Thailand and India on stronger local currencies, while prices weakened in Vietnam as the country entered its peak harvest season. In India, percent broken parboiled rice prices rise by $2 per tonne to $373 to $378 a tonne this week, as gains in the rupee led exporters to raise prices. The rupee was near its highest level in about 18 months. Prices of the benchmark 5% broken rice rise to $350-$365 a tonne free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok from $350-$36 as the baht appreciated against the U.S. dollar, but demand has been low. In Vietnam, its main harvest season since late March, pushing down prices of the 5% broken rice to $348-$350 a tonne FOB Saigon from $350-$355. Vietnam rice exports are expected to fall 23.9% annually to 1.19 million tonnes in the first quarter, after its shipments of the grain dropped 26.5% in 2016 due to lower production caused by climate changes.

Rice prices rise in India, Thailand on stronger currencies.

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.

Rice basmati edges up due to increase in demand.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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