Dear Subscriber,
We are pleased to send you the new issue of the FAO Rice Price Update.
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Brief commentary of the month:
ˇ In April 2015, the FAO All Rice Price Index (2002-2004=100) averaged 218 points, only 1 point less than in March, but the eighth consecutive month of declines. Quotations in the Higher Quality Indica, Aromatic and Japonica rice segments were slightly down compared to March, while Lower Quality Indica prices showed some strength, with the corresponding sub-index gaining about 2 points, or 1 percent.
ˇ Across the various origins, prices remained on a falling trend in Thailand, on a subdued demand and despite growing evidence of a much reduced 2014 secondary crop. In Viet Nam, the ending of the Government 1 million tonne procurement round may have contributed to a retreat of export quotations, while in India a similar weakening could be partly attributed to the arrival of the new supplies from the Rabi harvest. Against the tide, prices in Pakistan firmed, partly reflecting heavy rains and logistical domestic constraints that hindered rice transportation and deliveries. Prices were under downward pressure in South America, especially Brazil and Uruguay, but largely stable in the United States.
ˇ According to the FAO Index, international rice prices in the first four months of 2015 were 6.3 percent lower than in the corresponding period in 2014. Only Japonica rice prices averaged higher than last year, amid prospects of continuing tight supplies from Australia and California. Apart from the strong dollar, the general tendency for weaker prices so far this year also reflect a rather subdued import demand, especially from African countries.
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For more information on prices, you can consult the Food Price Monitoring and Analysis Tool (http://www.fao.org/giews/pricetool/), which gives access to quotations of major traded products, including the high quality Thai white rice 100% B and the 100 % broken rice Thai A1 Super, from 2000 onwards. The site also hosts domestic (retail or wholesale) prices for major food commodities in 93 countries.
You might also be interested to visit:
ˇ Quarterly Rice Market Monitor: http://www.fao.org/economic/est/publications/rice-publications/rice-market-monitor-rmm/en/
ˇ 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/en/
ˇ Monthly News Report on Grains: http://www.fao.org/economic/est/publications/grains-publications/monthly-news-report-on-grains-mnr/en/
ˇ Oilcrops Monthly Price and Policy Update (10 issues per year): http://www.fao.org/economic/est/publications/oilcrops-publications/oilcrops-monthly-price-and-policy-update/en/
ˇ Meat and Meat Products – Price and trade update (5 issues per year): http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-commodities/meat/meat-and-meat-products-update/en/
ˇ Milk and Milk products – Price and trade update (5 issues per year): http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-commodities/dairy/milk-and-milk-products/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]