In the realm of creating rice varieties in Vietnam, a dichotomy of advantages and challenges exists, as Dr. Le Vinh Thao outlined. With a rich tradition of breeding rice varieties, Vietnam has achieved significant milestones, elevating rice productivity from 2-3 tons/ha to 5-6 tons/ha.
About Us
Founded by Jeremy Zwinger in 2002, The International Commodity Institute is the umbrella organization that serves to offer clients an integrated media source that connects all critical aspects of the world rice industry. The institute brings together in-depth market reports and analysis (The Rice Trader publications), trade networking (World Rice Conference and other Events), expounding in various media (Weekly Direct TV Interviews), working with international producers of commodities (Farm & Trade), helping entities with global consulting, and international recognition for achievements and contributions to the global rice industry (World’s Best Rice Award and The Rice Trader Lifetime Achievement Award).
From farm to fork, from research to destination, the rice industry will be able to utilize the tools offered by the International Commodities Institute for insights and the ability to understand short, medium, and long term industry consequences, interpret market dynamics into commercial success.
For over 30 years, The Rice Trader publication has brought its subscribers crucial, up-to-the-minute information on rice trade through its daily and weekly publications. Acknowledged as the only source of confidential information about the rice market, this weekly summary of market data analysis has helped both the leading commercial rice companies and the regional government officials make informed decisions, which are critical in today’s market.
Our Mission
The Rice Trader is the world’s leading trade publication dedicated to in-depth analysis of the global rice industry. We assist your organization with valuable intelligence for risk management, trade, and decision-making abilities across the rice industry supply chain.
Rice is the staple food for over three billion people making it the world’s most important grain. Leaders from over 20 countries and every corner of the rice industry receive The Rice Trader. They rely on it to determine the most efficient ways to trade and transport this vital commodity. Comprehensive, in-depth market analysis makes The Rice Trader a pillar in the global rice industry and is the most profitable investment a person in this trade can make.
Acknowledge and honors development achievements through the prestige of our international awards, The Rice Trader aims to recognize and promote the development of the rice industry in countries that appreciate continuous development by education and research.
Our Values
Published 48 times a year, the Weekly Report is a vital source for market intelligence. We serve our subscribers by delivering an integrated platform of information on rice origins, allied markets, and risk management tools. The Rice Trader combines market data with proprietary research to provide our clients the most comprehensive rice report in the world on a weekly basis.
Daily News Update from The Rice Trader features all of the most recent activities of the global rice industry from various related aspects and beyond.
The Rice Trader World Rice Conference is the world’s leading forum for rice industry professionals, and emphasizes on the global rice trade, with a strong reputation in bringing leaders and rice industry and the various elements that deliver rice, from farm to fork.
Our Team
Team up from rice professionals, along with the companionship of researchers, enthusiastic advisors and reputed traders of the global rice industry who have decades of experience, The Rice Trader aims to deliver an integrated platform of information to the rice trade and allied industries that not only informs, but provides analysis, insight and valuable intelligence that will assist risk management, trade, and decision-making abilities across the rice industry supply chain.
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| Jeremy Zwinger – President & CEO: |
| “As the world and market transforms, so must we or we will be left behind.” |
Jeremy Zwinger is the CEO/President of The Rice Trader, Farm And Trade, Inc., and International Commodity Institute. Mr. Zwinger is the founder of the World Rice Conference, along with several other key projects which help build bridges between a vast number of global entities. He was raised on his family’s farming operation in North Dakota, USA, and is a graduate of North Dakota State University, where he also attended graduate school for agriculture economics. Jeremy followed up this graduate school studies by taking on the position of the market analyst for U.S. Wheat in Washington DC, where he was able to get hands on experience in complexities of global trade and U.S. agricultural trade policy. His interests are broad, ranging from commodities markets to the digitalization of global business to the rapidly changing international cultural/geopolitical environment. Development of water distribution systems, ownership of water rights, and large-scale water trading are also key passionate interests. On a personal note, Mr. Zwinger is blessed with five children and an amazing family, whose support has allowed him to be here today.
A regular participant at international events and conferences, Mr. Zwinger has contributed extensively on the analysis of markets by predicting inter-commodity effects (rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, sugar, etc.), as well as currency and oil price led impacts on the rice markets. He is also well known among clients for his direct advisory work and market analysis that has proven to be very close to actual market developments. His 2007 speech forecast rice prices to go past $1,000 per ton levels, the more recent global food oversupply predictions, his prediction of the 2016 Trump presidency more than a year in advance of the U.S. elections, and a split 2020 election, are a just a few key examples that are well regarded.
Additionally, Mr. Zwinger has extensive experience that extends globally in the fields of publishing, brokerage, water trading, advisement, production financing, and consultancy services to a number of internationally respected players, including several Fortune 500 companies. He has consulted for many countries on key strategic interests, with direct access to heads of state and their cabinet members throughout the globe. More recently, he has become heavily involved in globally critical topics such as water rights and value, food security issues, electronic trading, international production financing, global investment strategies with a focus on the commodity fields, market development strategies, and the coming solar cycle, which is likely to lead to major global issues on a multitude of levels. In 2020, he was also made a lifetime member of the Farm Foundation, a prestigious agriculture and trade policy group, which helps make recommendations for the future, while facilitating key leaders into action. Mr. Zwinger has recently taken on the role of a weekly market discussion analyst on Direct TV, talking about the commodity markets and the important topics of the day. The changes brought on by Covid-19 have forced major developments in Mr. Zwinger’s business, where unique software was developed to help allow personalized networking with automated contracts. The goal remains of a more efficient trade mechanism in this new and ever-changing environment.
Mr. Zwinger looks forward to contributing more insights on the future and hopes to make yet another accurate assessment of the direction the market is headed in aid of those in attendance. As we have seen in the past, there are likely to be some interesting insights that come from his engaging and passionate discussions.
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| V Subramanian – Vice President |
Subra is Vice President and a member of The Rice Trader team with primary responsibilities in the TRT’s Asian and African rice market coverage. As Vice President at The Rice Trader, Subra presents daily updates on rice market prices, market developments and the latest in dealings amongst buyers and sellers as well as to provide a significant contribution to the weekly TRT report that has a wide readership from the global rice trade.
Subra’s contributions extend to covers developments and market intelligence gathering across all major rice markets, with an emphasis on development of TRT’s focus on rice market verticals that look at markets specifics like white rice, parboiled rice, fragrant rice, basmati rice, broken rice as well as key price trends and analysis in global rice markets and how these relay market signals and trends in procurement. Special reports on African markets, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and all the major export markets of India, Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, US, South America, Myanmar and Cambodia are also part of Subra’s market specific special reports that provide readers with specialist insights into global rice markets.
Subra is well-known for his role in the TRT World Rice Conference (held since 2009) the annual meeting place for the global rice trade.
Subra was also Managing Editor of Rice Today, between 2009 and 2012. Rice Today is the flagship publication of IRRI that was published by the The Rice Trader from between 2009 and 2012.
Subra was previously part of IBC Asia (Informa Group) for 14 years between 1994 and 2008 and helped create several firsts including Asia’s first coffee, sugar, rice conferences, and the world’s first Dry Bulk Shipping conference in a role that saw him create and eventually head IBC Asia’s Commodities and Maritime Division.
Educated in Singapore and the United Kingdom - Economics degree (University of Leicester) and a Masters in Science (MSc) degree in shipping trade and finance (City University, London, now known as the Cass Business School), Subra started his career at the Singapore Trade Development Board compiling trade statistics between Singapore and Malaysia. Subra subsequently joined Peregrine Futures where he provided daily market reports and analysis (including fundamental and technical analysis) to clients on futures markets, with emphasis on Coffee, Cocoa, Sugar as well as the metals markets of the London Metals Exchange.
Testimonials about TRT
Mr. Chookiat Ophaswongse
Honorary President Thai Rice Exporters Association
The Rice Trader (TRT) is now the most recognized organization all over the world for Rice Business, this success came after investing so much of time and efforts over numerous years. You deserve to enjoy every moment of it! Congratulations my friend, and may you get much more success in the years to come in your business.
Mr. Mamadou Ciss
CEO, Alliance Commodities
“I have been trading rice since 1984 in various organizations and I have been a regular subscriber of TRT since the beginning.
TRT has revolutionized the way rice reports were and are written. They inspire and lead the rice market in its growing need to be informed on what’s going on.
I have always been satisfied with their services which I highly recommend to those willing to play a role in the rice industry.”
Mr. Vivek Sharma
“I have been reading TRT and attending the World Rice Conference organized by them for 9 years now. I have gained tremendous knowledge and network by being a subscriber. The personal touch is present in every interaction and even though you may just be reading it on your laptop, you can hear the passion of Subra and Jeremy’s voice behind those lines. It is a boon for rice industry professionals. It brings together some of the brightest minds and nicest people on the planet, and I almost forgot, the most current and timely information available on Rice.”
Mr. Henry Allard
President, Filhet-Allard Maritime
“The professionalism of the TRT team, as well as the high quality of information provided by its platforms, are two of the many reasons why Filhet-Allard Maritime is delighted to be a long-standing partner of TRT.
Year after year, TRT has proven to be a valuable tool for industry players and the annual World Rice Conference never fails to provide excellent networking opportunities. For over a decade, we have enjoyed an enriching partnership with TRT and we look forward to many more years of fruitful collaboration.”
Mr. Sujit Pande
Responsible for Global Marketing & Product Management activities of Rice Solution Business @ Buhler AG
“The Rice Trader and its associated business will be richer if we can track all relevant data and give impetus to its impact on future business scenarios. We at Buhler really appreciate depth of data and flow of facts brough by TRT team. “
Rice News
Vietnam
08 December 2023
The first International Rice Festival 2023 is scheduled to be held in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang from December 11 to 14, according to the provincial People’s Committee. The festival, themed "Greeen Rice for Life", aims to promote the development of high-quality rice production…
07 December 2023
A tonne of Vietnamese 5% broken rice was offered at US$663 on December 4 transactions, up US$13 from the previous day, according to the Vietnam Food Association. This is the highest price the Vietnamese rice has recorded over the past more than 10 years, except for 2008 when a tonne of the 5% broken rice was traded for US$1,000.
India
08 December 2023
Rice, the world's most important food crop and a primary source of food for more than half of the world's population, has a long way to go in disease prevention and control in the context of increasingly severe food security issues. On the one hand, with the rapid development of economy and society, the various uncertainties brought to food security by the continuous growth of global population are becoming an unavoidable problem.
08 December 2023
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday that we need to reduce the per-acre expenditure cost to get better prices for our produce. "In our country, the per-acre expenditure is more. So firstly, we need to reduce our per-acre expenditure cost," Gadkari said while addressing the Millionaire Farmer of India Awards 2023.
07 December 2023
The Centre has imposed minimum export price (MEP) for Basmati rice not with an intention to restrict exports but in view of “credible field reports” that non-Basmati white rice was being exported under the HS code of Basmati rice, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Pakistan
08 December 2023
The federal government has decided to change payment mechanism of commodities being imported by Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) mainly urea, sugar and wheat as the stock of current circular debt has reached over Rs 259 billion with $ 0.6 million payables to banks as interest.
08 December 2023
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said the country’s former premier Imran Khan does not face legal obstacles to contest the upcoming general elections and is likely to participate in them next year in February.
07 December 2023
Rice exporters on Tuesday urged the government to grant them industry status and help them find new markets, as they aim to increase their export potential from $2.5 billion to $4.5 billion. REAP Chairman Chela Ram Kelwani said that the association has met the annual target of $2.5 billion in rice exports, despite the recent floods that affected the crop.
Philippines
08 December 2023
Surging rice prices in the Philippines could be a warning sign for other major importers of the food staple as the fallout from India's export restrictions continues to reverberate across Asia and West Africa. Rice inflation in the Southeast Asian nation increased at the fastest pace in almost five years in August…
08 December 2023
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has issued a memorandum circular directing all importers to utilize their sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) within 30 days amid reports of rampant non-utilization of the permits. Laurel signed Memorandum Circular 53 giving importers a month to utilize their SPSIC.
08 December 2023
THE Philippines' agricultural trade contracted by 12.0 percent to $6.20 billion in the third quarter from a year earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday. The result was an improvement from the 14.8-percent drop posted in April-June…
Bangladesh
08 December 2023
Bangladesh’s economy is grappling with a surge in food inflation, hitting a decade high of 12.56% in October, intensifying the strain on its poor and low-income populace. The overall inflation rose to 9.93%, up from September’s 9.63%, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). However, the country’s reliance on food imports, particularly staple foods like rice and wheat, further exacerbates the issue…
08 December 2023
Experts say mild to moderate cold waves are likely at the end of December Roughly eleven days before Poush, the first month of winter, the first chills should already have been felt by this time, but the summer heat still hangs on, taking a toll on winter crops and vegetables. "For wheat production, a temperature range of 18-22 degrees Celsius is most suitable.
08 December 2023
Saltha in Faridpur witnesses an unprecedented surge in Aman rice production this year, resulting in smiles on the faces of local farmers. The hardworking farmers, toiling from dawn to dusk, are reaping the rewards of a bumper crop, as they engage in the meticulous process of harvesting and cleaning the rice at home.
Indonesia
08 December 2023
Advocates at the Indonesian Democratic Defenders Team (TPDI) and Perekat Nusantara subpoenaed President Joko Widodo or Jokowi over abuse of power allegations. Both organizations mentioned that the president asserted efforts to hold centralized power, affecting the general society. This group submitted the subpoena on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 6, to the State Secretariat Ministry.
08 December 2023
Indonesia’s wheat imports are expected to rebound in 2023-24, assuming an improved global economy, population growth and increasing demand from the upcoming general election, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture.
07 December 2023
National Food Agency (Bapanas) Head Arief Prasetyo Adi stated that the agency currently seeks to increase government rice stocks (CBP) to reach three million tons to maintain food security as instructed by President Joko Widodo. "The stock in Bulog (State Logistics Agency) will continue to be maintained above one million tons.
China
08 December 2023
There has been large demand for US origin wheat across the week from China. The USDA reports that China has purchased over 1 Mt of soft red winter wheat (SRW) in its daily reporting system, with the latest purchase being 372 Kt, yesterday. This is the biggest weekly purchase from China for US wheat since 2014 and has led to support in prices.
08 December 2023
An analysis of 22 major food-producing countries has found that China is leading the world in the number of influential academic papers and patents in agriculture. However, a senior agricultural official said there's still a sizable gap between the country and conventional agricultural powerhouses such as the United States.
08 December 2023
China's crude oil imports dropped to their weakest in four months in November, showing how high prices trumped bullish demand forecasts from leading industry participants such as OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Japan
08 December 2023
The yen jumped to a three-month high against the dollar on Thursday after comments by Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda convinced jittery markets that the country might have moved closer to ending its ultra-loose monetary policy. Japan’s currency strengthened as much as 1.9 per cent against the dollar to trade as low as ¥144.55…
07 December 2023
As diets shift away from rice and fish, the country grows dependent on imports. Russian missiles pounding Ukraine have spooked Japan into boosting defense spending. Now, with tensions rising over the Taiwan Strait, calls are growing to address another security threat: shriveling rice paddies.
07 December 2023
Experts on a Japanese agriculture ministry panel have come up with proposals on what the government should do if the country faces food shortages. The move comes amid concerns over food security, partly due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The report calls for measures on rice, wheat, soybeans, eggs, meat and other produce.
Thailand
08 December 2023
Captain Thammanat Prompao, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has taken swift action in response to reports of Thai farmers illegally planting Vietnamese rice varieties in the country. As part of these efforts, he has tasked the Rice Department and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board with accelerating the survey of illegal rice growing areas in Vietnam.
07 December 2023
Thailand has seen a surge in rice exports to Indonesia in recent months as the island country has been severely hit by drought. Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Naphinthorn Srisanpang said Indonesia ranked 20th on Thailand’s list of rice importers last year, ordering 91,714 tonnes of rice worth 42.24 million USD. In the first 10 months of this year, that volume increased dramatically to 1.05 million tonnes of rice worth 523.45 million USD…
07 December 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been focusing on stimulating Thailand's sluggish economy since taking office on Sept. 5, after months of political deadlock that hindered the formation of a government following the May 14 general election.
Others
08 December 2023
A December 6 report from the Ministry of Commerce detailed that from January to October, Cambodia exported goods worth $6.45 billion to the top five RCEP members: Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, China and Japan. This represents a 26.5% year-on-year surge. The RCEP, an ASEAN initiative, is the largest free trade agreement (FTA) globally, covering 15 countries…
07 December 2023
A representative from the Thai Rice Exporters Association has attributed Thailand’s significant gains from the highest rice prices in Asia in 15 years to Vietnam. Pramote Chareonsilp, president of the Thai Agriculturist Association, noted that various Thai rice varieties had experienced a price increase since the previous week, The Nation reported last week.
07 December 2023
Nineteen new crop varieties have been released in Timor-Leste through ACIAR-funded research, helping smallholder farming communities improve production and food security. Launched recently at an international seminar in Dili, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishery, and Forestry (MALFF), unveiled the ground-breaking varieties…
08 December 2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made it clear to the Government of Ghana that it cannot impose or intensify import restrictions for balance of payments purposes. This is an agreement contained in the IMF bailout package which has pledged to support Ghana’s balance of payment with some $3 billion between 2023 and 2026.
08 December 2023
South Africa’s GDP growth fell short of expectations and contracted by 0.2% in Q3 of 2023 from a 0.5% rise in Q2 according to Statistics South Africa’s latest update. Five of the ten economic sectors declined with the biggest drag on growth between Q2 and Q3 of 2023 emanating from manufacturing and construction…
08 December 2023
Africa’s top agricultural statisticians convened during the opening ceremony of the twenty-eighth session of the African Commission on Agricultural Statistics (Afcas). Role players expressed concern about the gap between data science and technology in agriculture.
07 December 2023
ActionAid Nigeria has warned that the current decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to lift Forex ban on rice importation will significantly affect government’s plan to achieve self sufficiency in rice production. It will be recalled that the CBN recently lifted ban on importation of rice and 42 other items. The Country Director of the group, Andrew Mamedu expressed this concern…
07 December 2023
India and Kenya looked to boost defence, maritime and connectivity ties as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting President William Ruto and announced a new $250 million line of credit to help the east African country improve its agriculture sector.
06 December 2023
Some rice dealers in Nigeria say the price of the commodity fluctuates on a daily basis and is heavily impacting their business. “I don’t have much rice because of the increase in price," says one rice dealer. "Sometimes I do get customers from various hotels but now I have lost most of my customers because of the increase." Another dealer agrees, saying that the difference between now and this time last year is noticeable.
06 December 2023
SOUTH Africa’s agricultural exports amounted to $3.9 billion in the third quarter, lifting by 4% over a year, according to data from Trade Map. Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) chief economist Wandile Sihlobo said products that dominated the export list this quarter were citrus, maize, apples and pears, nuts, wine, soybeans, sugar and fruit juices
06 December 2023
Equatorial Guinea has sought a partnership with Tiamin Rice, a leading rice mill in Nigeria, to foster sustainable agricultural development and enhanced food security across Africa. The Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Nigeria, Franciso Mague, said this in a statement issued by the company’s Business Relations Manager, Mohammed Inuwa on Monday in Abuja.
05 December 2023
A researcher at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has been providing Extension outreach and technical assistance to partners in East Africa. Dr. Sathish Kumar Ponniah, associate professor of plant science for UAPB, has been working with faculty and scientists at the University of Embu in Nairobi, Kenya and the University of Ngozi in Burundi to solve challenges related to rice production…
04 December 2023
To gain the respect of developing countries, Africa must turn itself into a global powerhouse in food and agriculture, by taking advantage of its vast natural resources to develop its economies and transform the lives of the people. The President, African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, who disclosed this in his keynote speech, titled: “For the World to Respect Africa,”…
08 December 2023
Australia on Tuesday raised its forecast for winter wheat production by about 100,000 metric tons but said the 25.5 million ton harvest would still be 37% smaller than last year’s after dry weather reduced yields. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) also said in a quarterly crop report that barley and canola production would be higher than it expected three months ago.
08 December 2023
FEED wheat and barley has traded mostly steady to firmer in the past week as export demand and solid buying from the poultry and pork sectors underpin prices. With widespread rain across south-eastern Australia last week pausing harvest, limited sales off the header have also allowed prices to hold instead of sinking under supply-side pressure, with ASW in Victoria the exception.
08 December 2023
Food brand the SunRice group, which is headquartered in Leeton, has won the Agribusiness, Food and Beverages Award at the 61st annual Australian Export Awards at Parliament House. The top prize was presented to CEO Paul Serra by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)…
07 December 2023
CBH Group notched a record 1.62 million tonnes of grain shipped in November, besting the 1.53 million mark set just last November, the company said in its Dec. 4 harvest report. “In setting this record, the Albany Port also broke their November record, with 278,000 tonnes, surpassing last year’s record of 228,000 tonnes,”…
07 December 2023
After three consecutive bumper crops, Australian wheat production in the 2023-24 marketing year is forecast to fall by 37% from the previous year’s record harvest to 25.5 million tonnes, 4% below the 10-year average, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) December crop report.
06 December 2023
The value of Australian agriculture production is forecast to fall as increasing global supply and drier conditions impact farmers. Acting Executive Director of ABARES David Galeano said the forecast for total agricultural production values in 2023–24 is $78 billion. This is $16 billion lower than estimated production values for 2022–23 but would still be the third highest result on record.
06 December 2023
Australia on Tuesday raised its forecast for winter wheat production by about 100,000 metric tons but said the 25.5 million ton harvest would still be 37% smaller than last year's after dry weather reduced yields. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) also said in a quarterly crop report…
05 December 2023
Total agricultural production will fall by 17 per cent to $78 billion in 2023/24, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). This is $16 billion lower than last year's forecast, but would still be the third highest result on record. The results are also driven by lower crop production values.
05 December 2023
Australia’s peak farm body says farmers are fed up with being kept in the dark about what’s driving prices across the country’s agricultural supply chains. As pressure mounts on supermarkets to come clean on their pricing strategies after a Senate inquiry was announced on the weekend, the National Farmers’ Federation has released an issues paper on market price transparency.
04 December 2023
The SunRice Group, one of Australia’s most iconic food brands, has been awarded the Agribusiness, Food and Beverages Award at the 61st Australian Export Awards held at Parliament House. This award recognises the outstanding international success of the ASX-listed company in the field of agricultural products…
08 December 2023
The Polish competition authority has approved ForFarmers’ acquisition of Piast Pasze Sp. z.o.o., which was first announced in July. With the acquisition, the volume in Poland for ForFarmers/Tasomix will increase by 410,000 metric tons, particularly strengthening its position in the broiler sector. ForFarmers says the deal is in line with its strategic objectives to expand in the Polish agricultural market.
08 December 2023
Farmers in the Brittany region of France on Wednesday staged a protest using tractors in the city of Rennes in response to the government's agricultural policies, News.Az reports citing Anadolu Agency. The protesting farmers argue that they are burdened with excessive regulations in the context of their agricultural activities.
07 December 2023
ABNORMALLY wet conditions through much of western and northern Europe and parts of central Europe since the beginning of October have delayed the planting of this season’s winter crop, adversely affecting crop establishment and hindering early plant growth in many areas. In France, the European Union’s biggest grain producer, the unfavourable conditions have pushed the sowing campaign into December…
07 December 2023
Hungary’s ruling party has submitted a resolution to parliament calling on the government to not support the start of talks on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union as Budapest steps up pressure on Brussels ahead of a crucial summit next week.
06 December 2023
During a diplomatic mission to Moscow, the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, Aidarbek Saparov, engaged in discussions with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Patrushev, addressing pertinent matters related to bilateral cooperation and initiatives to bolster trade relations. The meeting concluded with the formalization of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and Russia…
06 December 2023
UK farmers say they have had "the worst year they've ever known" after extreme weather decimated their crops. The poor yield after a year of floods, cold snaps and dry spells will also impact food intakes next year, farmers warned, as food inflation becomes increasingly out of control.
06 December 2023
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have compiled information to help political decision-makers better understand the individual options for a new EU-wide regulation of breeding technologies. The aim is to ensure the success of food producers in the EU on the global market.
05 December 2023
Bulgaria has permitted licensed imports of Ukrainian sunflower, rapeseed, corn, and wheat, the Bulgarian Agriculture and Food Ministry said in a statement on its website quoted by Ukrainian media, Azernews reports, citing Interfax. Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev and Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Nikolai Solsky agreed on details of licensed exports of sunflower seeds, rapeseed, corn, and wheat…
05 December 2023
French cereal sowings had again made little progress last week while crop ratings extended their fall, farm office FranceAgriMer data showed on Friday, in a sign that heavy rainfall since last month has taken a toll on crops. Farmers had sown 82% of the expected soft wheat area for next year’s harvest in the European Union’s largest grower…
04 December 2023
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €500 million French scheme to support investments in holding companies active in agricultural primary production. The measure will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy by fostering the development of a smart, competitive, resilient and diversified agricultural sector…
08 December 2023
The most interesting thing for farmers to watch these days is not the latest movie, but the “big picture” of ag economy, being played out all over the world. A couple of news feeds on my phone — thank God for 2023 technology — have me thinking about the macro-market that is moving our prices and will continue to do so.
08 December 2023
Abundant rainfall over Argentina’s core farming heartlands over recent weeks is favoring production of soybean, corn and wheat for one of the world’s largest grain exporting nations, the Buenos Aires grain exchange said on Thursday. Argentina’s previous 2022/23 season was battered by a fierce drought triggered by the La Nina weather phenomenon…
07 December 2023
The off-season in Brazilian rice crops, coupled with stable rice prices in the domestic market, have led ADM to import 60,000 tonnes of paddy rice from Thailand to Brazil. According to industry sources, two ships carrying the goods are expected to arrive between January and February next year and will cater to five packers in the country. This move is not entirely unusual at this time of the year, as the next rice harvest is scheduled to commence in February 2024…
Argentina's outgoing government rejects EU-Mercosur trade deal, but incoming administration backs it
07 December 2023
Argentina’s outgoing government said Monday it won't support the signing of a long-delayed trade deal between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur during a summit this week in Brazil even thought the incoming Argentine government has expressed support for the deal. Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero said the agreement as currently written would restrict Argentinian exports.
07 December 2023
Early planters in Mato Grosso experienced drought and temperature stress, with soybean plants showing signs of shortened vegetative growth and flowering much earlier than expected. Forecast agencies estimate that 4.2% of the sown soybean fields in the Center-West region will need replanting, covering an area of 1.26 million acres.
06 December 2023
Brazil and Kenya have concluded negotiations to open the Kenyan rice market for consumption, after the phytosanitary certification was sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) by the Kenya Plant Health Inspection Service (Kephis) on 30 November. According to the Secretariat for Trade and International Relations (Scri/Mapa), Brazilian exports of rice and its varieties reached $657 million in 2022, equal to 2% of global trade in the product.
06 December 2023
The organic grain markets are getting mixed signals from Mexico as the nation pushes ahead with its proposed ban on biotech corn. Ryan Cory with Argus Media tells Brownfield Ag News that right now, prices are the biggest wildcard. For instance, he says if organic corn is $7, and non-GMO is $6.50 to ship to Mexico, there is more opportunity for the organic markets.
06 December 2023
The fate of a long-awaited but controversial Europe-Mercosur trade deal hangs in the balance this week when Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hosts a summit of the South American regional bloc. The presidents of the Mercosur countries – Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay – will gather Thursday in Rio de Janeiro…
05 December 2023
Argentine farm exports brought in some $1 billion in November, a 41% fall from the same month last year, industry group CIARA-CEC said on Friday, as a severe drought takes its toll on shipments and farmers refrain from selling amid political uncertainties.
04 December 2023
Guyana’s agriculture sector, specifically the rice industry continues to reap success despite the El Nino weather condition that is currently affecting the country. According to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, the country has actually seen an increase in its production since the start of the year. “Rice remains one of the main activities for us.
08 December 2023
Saudi Arabia could boost oil production next year to ensure a greater share of global supply, according to a report released by a South Korean brokerage firm on Thursday. Park Sang-hyun, an analyst at HI Investment & Securities Co., said that Saudi Arabia is less likely to continue its oil production cut due to its fiscal conditions and economy…
07 December 2023
Kazakhstan has lost the Iranian market for wheat supplies due to the record crop failure, Harvest Kazakhstan director Daulet Uvashev said, lsm.kz reports. “Now we actually have the following markets left – China, Central Asia and Afghanistan. We have forgotten about Iran for a long time. This season it will definitely not be there,” he stated.
07 December 2023
A new agreement between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye will see a significant boost in agriculture, livestock, and water management production capabilities. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli and the Kingdom’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture…
06 December 2023
The Ministry of Agriculture is developing new strains of rice that can save water and have higher yields as a solution to shortages and increasing prices in the marketplace, writes Mai Samih. Rice is essential to the Egyptian table. However, it has witnessed some ups and downs in terms of availability and price over recent years.
06 December 2023
Afghanistan has harvested 4.3 million tons of wheat in the current year, up 13 percent from last year, spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Mawlawi Musbahudin Mustain said on Tuesday.
05 December 2023
Due to weather conditions in Kazakhstan this year, not only the quantity, but also the quality of the harvest has decreased. According to an analysis of grain arriving at elevators, 1.7 mln tonnes, or 38.7%, belong to non-grade wheat, and 1.5 mln tonnes, or 35.1%, belong to 3-grade. This was announced by Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov at a meeting of the Mazhilis Committee of Kazakhstan on Agrarian Issues.
05 December 2023
The group of the world's largest oil producers and their allies keep promising to cut production, but that hasn't done much to prop up US and international oil prices in recent months. Crude oil prices dropped on Monday, adding to a streak of recent declines despite the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
05 December 2023
The spokesperson of the Iraqi Ministry of Trade, Muthanna Jabbar, said on Monday that Iraq’s strategic wheat reserves are sufficient until the end of April 2024. Jabbar told Reuters that the volume of wheat production is expected to be higher than the previous season; thus, wheat production in 2024 will be approximately 6 million tons…
04 December 2023
From an agricultural country that is self-sufficient in strategic crops to a country whose wealth and agricultural resources are collapsing, and where hunger affects more than 12.1 million people who suffer from food insecurity, as the agricultural sector was not spared from the damage that affected all aspects of life in Syria over the course of 12 years.
04 December 2023
Days into a humanitarian pause that has allowed more aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, the population remains at “risk of famine and starvation,” the World Food Program warned this week, an alarming assessment by the U.N. agency of conditions in the besieged enclave that’s grown increasingly reliant on food aid nearly two months into what’s expected to be a protracted war.
08 December 2023
Extreme weather conditions across the EU reduced grain production projections in MY 2023/24, although production is still anticipated to exceed MY 2022/23 levels.
08 December 2023
Chicago soybean futures ticked down on Monday as traders monitored the prospects of showers in drought-stricken Brazil, the biggest global supplier, while corn and wheat lost steam after a brief rally last week.
08 December 2023
Export rice prices rose 1-2 percent due to the strengthening of the Thai baht
08 December 2023
The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) is prepared and released by the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB).
08 December 2023
Outstanding export sales and exports by country, region and marketing year
08 December 2023
Economic slowdowns in Indonesia’s export destination countries curbed Indonesia’s imports and consumption of wheat.
08 December 2023
Commodity Futures Price Quotes For US Dollar Index (ICE Futures)
07 December 2023
In the south, long grain milled rice mostly steady, instances 1.75 lower in Texas
08 December 2023
Rice geneticist Susan McCouch caught a waterfall of rice pouring from the hopper of a harvester combine idling in a drained rice paddy about 10 miles from campus and grabbed a handful to take a closer look. It was the first harvest of a new Cornell project to help New York state farmers learn how to grow rice.
08 December 2023
Harvest was average to above average in Teton County. The winter wheat in the ground looks excellent due to the timely rain showers but the market prices are the lowest they have been in years. That, in a nutshell, is how area agricultural producers summed up harvest, seeding and the prices they are receiving when selling.
07 December 2023
The downward slide in U.S. ag exports is set to continue, with the latest USDA quarterly trade outlook forecast projecting less exports and more imports in 2024. At $179 billion in 2023, U.S. exports fell roughly $14 billion from the previous year. That number is expected to fall to $169.5 billion in the 2024 Fiscal Year.
07 December 2023
US farmer sentiment in November improved for the second consecutive month as the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed 5 points above the prior month to an index value of 115. The primary driver behind the growing optimism was improved farm financial performance expectations among survey respondents, according to the report. The survey was conducted Nov. 13-17.
07 December 2023
Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures rallied on Tuesday, extending a six-day ascent to highs not seen in three months, after the U.S. government announced another hefty private sale of U.S. wheat to China. Soybeans ended narrowly mixed as traders monitored crop weather in top soy producer Brazil, while corn rose for a fifth straight session.
06 December 2023
Since the reopening of China to travel, four delegations have participation in reverse trade missions to the U.S. with many others traveling for industry tours and conferences across the country. Chinese buyers, traders, and importers have reengaged with U.S. companies and continue to find new avenues and products to import.
06 December 2023
Andy Gipson gets concerned even when American allies such as the Netherlands and Germany invest in large swaths of Mississippi’s farmland. “It just bothers me at a gut level,” he said. For Gipson, Mississippi’s commissioner of agriculture and commerce, the growing trend of foreign ownership could threaten what he views as the state’s most valuable asset…
05 December 2023
The U.S. Supreme Court made significant changes in the Waters of the U.S. rules in Sackett vs. EPA, but it left unclear the legal meaning of a term that has concerned farm organizations and their leaders for years. “The Sackett case specifically overturned the Significant Nexus test,” said Brigit Rollins, a staff attorney with the National Agricultural Law Center.
05 December 2023
According to the Nov. 30 U.S. Grains Council's (USGC) 2023-24 Corn Harvest Quality Report, the 13th such annual survey published globally, the 2023 United States corn crop is the largest on record with the lowest percentage of broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) to date.
05 December 2023
Canadian farmers will harvest more wheat and canola than was expected several months ago, as crops rallied from dry conditions that threatened yields, a government report showed on Monday. Statistics Canada's crop estimates tend to increase in the annual December report…
08 December 2023
The government on Thursday approved exports of about 0.24 million tonne (MT) of non-basmati white rice to five African countries through National Cooperative Export Ltd (NCEL). According to a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notification, broken rice exports have been approved for Kenya (0.1 MT), Egypt (0.06 MT), Madagascar (0.05 MT), Comoros (0.02 MT) and Equatorial Guinea (0.01 MT).
08 December 2023
The World Bank and research agency BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, have jointly forecasted a 6.5% decline in global grain prices in 2024. However, rice is expected to be an exception due to India’s export restrictions and concerns related to El Nino. The World Bank Commodity Outlook suggests that the overall decrease in grain prices will be driven by the anticipated improvement in global grain supplies.
08 December 2023
In Oscar Wilde’s masterful play “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which was first performed in 1895, Lady Bracknell famously says that “to lose one parent … may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose both looks like carelessness.” Fast forward more than a century and, in a very different context, this same sentiment is today being felt in much of Brussels…
07 December 2023
An El Niño weather event has been developing in the second half of 2023. El Niño describes a natural phenomenon where the surface temperature of the central Pacific Ocean rises above average. This changes climate patterns and leads to drier conditions in some geographies and wetter conditions in others. A variety of agricultural commodities will likely come into short supply in the next 12-18 months.
07 December 2023
India and the UK have begun crunch-time talks to secure a landmark free-trade deal, as leaders on both sides seek to resolve outstanding issues before they face election battles next year. A UK team — including Amanda Brooks, director general for trade negotiations, and Douglas McNeill, chief economic adviser to the prime minister — is in New Delhi this week for further talks…
07 December 2023
Geopolitics could lead to a continued de-globalization of global trade flows in the next few years, as political and other non-trade issues create barriers. In this interview, Doug Christie, an ex-Cargill agribusiness executive and author of the newsletter Agricultural Commodities Focus, takes us through what that could mean for agricultural markets…
06 December 2023
India may consider permitting the import of cheaper wheat from Russia to mitigate the rising domestic wheat prices ahead of the Lok Sabha election in March-April 2024. Riding the success in agrarian states during recent elections, the government might allow the import of over one million metric tonnes (mmt) of cost-effective Russian wheat by potentially reducing the current 40% import duty by approximately 15-20%.
06 December 2023
Corn and wheat try to hold early gains spurred by another 7.3 mb SRW wheat sale to China but are running into chart resistance and see some farmer selling and hedge pressure.
06 December 2023
For the first time ever, food and agriculture took center stage at the annual United Nations climate conference in 2023. More than 130 countries signed a declaration on Dec. 1, committing to make their food systems – everything from production to consumption – a focal point in national strategies to address climate change.
05 December 2023
Nord Cereales expects to begin loading wheat headed for China from the grain terminal it runs in France’s port of Dunkirk, despite rumors of postponements by Chinese buyers, Reuters reported, citing Joel Ratel, the company’s chief executive officer. Vessels due to load in December were confirmed, and Nord Cereales expected to ship about 250,000 tonnes for China…
08 December 2023
Canstar Blue, a leading consumer review and comparison website in Australia, facilitates informed decisions across 300 goods and services. DAAWAT achieved a stellar 5-star rating, evaluating parameters like taste, texture, packaging convenience, variety, and overall satisfaction.
07 December 2023
Xinhua News Agency reported from Wuhan, China on December 6 that the remains of this dam were named “Xiongjialing”, part of the Qujialing archaeological site. Located in Jingmen City. In Hubei Province where Neolithic cultures once flourished
07 December 2023
For all the attention on flashy new artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, the challenges of regulating AI, and doomsday scenarios of superintelligent machines, AI is a useful tool in many fields. In fact, it has enormous potential to benefit humanity.
07 December 2023
WHEN it comes to increasing crop output by utilizing advanced technology, vertical farming is one of the best solutions out there. Vertical farming is also very scalable, or can be started small and expanded dramatically.
06 December 2023
In a world grappling with the realities of climate change, conflicts and a burgeoning global population, we must reframe agriculture’s relevance. The traditional focus on maximizing production and expanding farms needs a paradigm shift…
06 December 2023
n a gathering that drew the attendance of both farmers and Wall Street financiers, U.S. regulators joined with oil giant Chevron at a November conference here to promote what backers promise will be a monumental breakthrough – systemic changes that would turn polluting agricultural waste into a source of renewable energy that replaces fossil fuels and slows climate change.
06 December 2023
Embarking on the journey of regenerative agriculture is akin to slipping into a swimming pool. Initially, farmers and corporations alike wade into the shallow end, implementing relatively simple and inexpensive techniques such as cover cropping and minimal tillage to optimize for soil health and carbon sequestration.
05 December 2023
Climate experts say the high level discussions taking place at COP28 over the next two weeks will have a tangible impact on life in the UK. Roughly 80,000 politicians, policymakers and world leaders have descended on Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to attend the COP28 climate summit.
05 December 2023
From June 1949 through May 1972, Oklahoma wheat prices averaged $1.78 (Figure 1). The lowest price was $1.12, and the highest price was $2.32. The price range was $1.20. The average price change from one month to the next was a plus or minus 4.4 cents. This is a 2.5% change month to month.
04 December 2023
China has made new progress in vertical farming by launching its first "autonomous veggie factory" in Chengdu City, the capital of southwestern China's Sichuan Province. Vertical farming is believed to be the future of agriculture because it allows people to grow crops in upright trays and save precious land space for other human activities.
Executive Summary
20 November 2023
The week was highlighted by many players taking the week off for Diwali and enjoying time with family / friends. We expect this to continue into next week where the U.S. has Thanksgiving holiday as well. There has been a great amount of loading and shipments, which just has the market shifting between the selling and performance sides of the equation.
Thought of the week
20 November 2023
Fortitude ...
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”
-- Vince Lombardi --
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