Food Price Forum is moderated by the FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands, in collaboration with the Policy Assistance Support Service Dear colleagues, We are pleased to attach the latest AP Weekly Price Monitor (24 August) that reports price information from July and the first week of August. This, and previous issues can be downloaded from http://www.foodsecuritylink.net/ To subscribe, please send us an email to AP-Weekly-Price-Monitor@<mailto:[log in to unmask]>fao.org<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or see the instructions below. From August 2012, AP Weekly Price Monitor team has adjusted the criteria to flag unusual price movements: - In weekly basis, nominal price changes below 5 percent are considered "stable" - In a monthly basis, nominal price changes below 10 percent are considered "stable" - In an annual basis, nominal price changes below 25 percent are considered "stable" These modifications are also reflected in the price and policy section, as well as the monthly highlights. Over the past week, staple food commodity prices remained relatively stable in most countries except for the following: - In Lao PDR, glutinous rice, ordinary rice and pork prices increased by 6, 7 and 6 percent, respectively. - In Myanmar, maize and soybean prices increased by 6 percent. Under national policy highlights, China's Ministry of Commerce allocated an additional CYN 200 million (USD 31.75 million) in subsidies to assist in pest control (armyworms/plant hoppers). During the kharif season, the Government of India allocated INR 1,500 million (USD 27.6 million) to a Special Plan that intends to increase pulse production to over 19 MMT in sixteen States. According to the Minister of Commerce in Thailand, the government recently approved a framework to sell rice under the Rice Mortgage Scheme to the private sector. Regarding weather conditions, heavy rain as part of the monsoon season caused flooding in many parts of Myanmar starting in the beginning of August 2012. Over the past week, in Ayeyawady region, floods resulted in 70,310 hectares of farmland underwater. In Sri Lanka, crop yields are at risk due to rising temperatures, a delayed monsoon and dwindling rivers. So far, the government allocated US$27 million to help drought-stricken farmers. In Thailand, an unusual drought has destroyed over 442,000 rai (70,000 hectares) of rice crops in the north-eastern province of Buri Ram. Finally as a result from Typhoon Kai-Tak, 56,800 acres (23,000 hectares) of cropland were flooded in Viet Nam. The Disaster Management Working Group will meet on 24 August to discuss potential response and recovery support. With best regards, AP Weekly Price Monitor To subscribe, please send us an email to AP-Weekly-Price-Monitor@<mailto:[log in to unmask]>fao.org<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or 1. E-mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>; 2. Leave the subject blank; 3. Type "subscribe Food-Asia-L" ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the SAP-Price-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(SAP-Price-L,SIGNOFF);