Dear Subscriber,
We are pleased to send you the new issue of the FAO Rice Price Update:
Brief commentary:
ˇ In March 2013, the FAO All Rice Price Index (2002-2004=100) averaged 238 points, unchanged from the previous month. Both Indica and Japonica prices were marginally down, while aromatic rice prices firmed for the fourth consecutive month.
ˇ Contrary to the tendency seen in past months, prices in Thailand generally weakened, a sign that the Government might be relaxing its high paddy producer price policy. Prices were also under downward pressure in Viet Nam and in Southern America, where new crops are being harvested, while they moved up in the United States.
ˇ Compared with the same month last year, the index is 1 percent higher. However, particularly noteworthy was the 15 percent gain in aromatic rice quotations registered since then.
For more information on prices, you may wish to consult the International Commodity Price Database http://www.fao.org/economic/est/statistical-data/est-cpd/en/, which gives access to weekly prices of major traded products, including the high quality Thai white rice 100% B and the 100 % broken rice Thai A1 Super, from 1989 onwards. Monthly international and domestic prices for rice and other selected commodities in 82 countries are available through the Food Price Data and Analysis Tool (http://www.fao.org/giews/pricetool/).
You might also be interested to visit the FAO World Food Situation portal, which provides monthly updates on the World Cereal Supply and Demand Situation and Outlook (http://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/wfs-home/en/).
Kind regards,
Concepción
Concepción Calpe
Senior Economist,
Secretary, Intergovernmental Group on Rice
Trade and Markets Division
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy
D-803
Tel. 39-06-570 54136
Fax 39-06-570 54495
e-mail: [log in to unmask]