World Grain - August 2015 - 86

RICE QUARTERLY

Rice

News Roundup
FAO ups global rice trade
forecast to 42 million tonnes

ROME, ITALY - The United Nation's Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) in July increased the forecast for global rice
trade in 2015 to 42 million tonnes, nearly 700,000 tonnes above
April projections. However, that is still some 800,000 tonnes
short of the volume traded in 2014.
Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Assistant Director-General and
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domestic needs and lower production in 2014, it was likely that
India's export market will tighten while stiff competition may see

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"As a result, and notwithstanding the relatively poor production
results, it is likely that Thailand will regain its No. 1 export
position in 2015, even though its exports remain steady at around
10.9 million tonnes year on year," he said.
While the global paddy production in 2015 is forecast to recover
slightly from 2014, a year also marked by "climatic setbacks,"
Asia's three major rice exporting countries, Thailand, India and
Vietnam, are already stressed by a lack of precipitation.

Iran deal could boost India's basmati exports
MUMBAI, INDIA - Lifting of global economic sanctions on Iran
could lead to a new record level of basmati rice exports from India,
analysts said in mid-July.
Iran is also expected to cut import duty on Indian basmati from 40%
to 20% for the new season starting in October.
In 2013-14, India exported a record 1.44 million tonnes of basmati
rice. This dropped 35% in volume and 39% in volume in 2014-15, with
Iran almost halting imports from India since October 2014.
Iran slipped to second place behind Saudi Arabia in 2014-15 after
being the top export destination for two years. Typically, Iran takes
nearly 25% of India's overall basmati exports.
"Working on (last year's) lower base, we can see 40% to 50% growth
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said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export
Organizations.

Although agricultural commodities weren't formally covered by
the Iranian sanctions, the ending of the restrictions would enhance the
disposable income of Iranians through widening of trade.
Iran had reduced basmati imports from India for two reasons. It had
a large inventory from earlier shipments and, second, there were issues
with arsenic levels in the rice. India is contesting that argument but it is
possible that some of the rice came from belts where this is this problem
and shipment could resume from elsewhere to address these concerns.
Rice imports into Iran have a 40% duty in their harvesting season,
which ends in October. Once the import duty is reduced to 20%, which
happens normally in the lean season, India's export should commence
in a big way.
"The lifting of sanctions would have a positive long-term impact on
India's rice export," said Karan A. Chanana, chairman, Amira Group,
shipper of one brand of basmati.

Rice Milling Expo planned Oct. 16-18
GONDIA, INDIA - The third annual Rice Milling Expo 2015 is
planned Oct. 16-18 at Circus Ground Gondia, Maharashtra, India.
Rice Milling Expo 2015 is an exhibition on rice milling, grain
milling machinery and appliances. The main objective of this event
is to bring the best of technologies and latest products to the regional
86

and adjoining area's millers. It is expected to attract a large number
of rice millers, dal millers, grain millers, dealers and distributors, as
well as end users from the industry who are interested in upgraded
technology.
More information is available at www.ricemillingexpo.com.
August 2015 / World Grain / www.World-Grain.com
http://www.ricemillingexpo.com http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - August 2015

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